Title: Debt Collection. A Pure Darkness Fic.
Author: Anna
Posted: 30/06/06
Email
Rating: PG-13
Category: You decide.
Content: C/Aus(naturally!)
Summary: Time for Angelus to collect that debt… Sequel to Bargain Hunt.
Set: Season 2 BtVS
Disclaimer: The characters in the Angelverse were created by Joss Whedon & David Greenwalt. No infringement is intended, no profit is made.
Distribution: Just ask first.
Notes:
Thanks/Dedication:Thanks to everyone who read and enjoyed Bargain Hunt. Your encouragement/stalking brought about this sequel
Feedback:Would love some
The Bronze was heaving. Pounding music pumped out a thumping beat causing the air itself to vibrate. Gyrating bodies filled the dance floor, moving in sync, caught in the age old courting rituals of teenagers full of lust and hormones.
In the midst of it all was Cordelia Chase. Eyes closed, the music washed over her as she gave herself up to the rhythm. Her body swayed seductively, dancing for the sheer joy of it. Lost in her own world, she failed to notice a pair of dark eyes trained unwaveringly on her, full of intent.
As the song faded to a close Cordelia released a puff of air, blowing a stray lock of hair from her eyes. Panting slightly, she made her way off the dance floor, pushing though knots of overheated classmates.
Pausing at the edge of the floor she scanned the room, her gaze eventually coming to rest on the familiar form of her current boyfriend. Hazel eyes narrowed into slits of annoyance at the sight of Xander Harris once again offering a certain blond his semi-manly shoulder to cry on.
The little trio sat off in one corner, looking for all the world as though the apocalypse was about to hit. Cordelia gave a brief mental shrug. Living on top of the Hellmouth meant that the end of the world could be just around the corner, but what better excuse to party” So Buffy’s boyfriend had turned evil; didn’t most guys?
An image of Angelus suddenly flashed through her head, sending her mind wandering down a disturbingly familiar path. Her dreams were haunted by eyes darker than sin, a touch cool and full of promise, and a mouth so tempting…Cordelia blinked rapidly, trying to banish all thoughts of the sexy vampire. She couldn’t figure out why she was so hot for the guy. Sure he was easy on the eyes, but he had intimidated her, threatened her and then walked off leaving her unsatisfied and wondering when he would strike next.
She gave a humph of annoyance before moving off towards the bar. If Xander wanted to practice his sensitive male skill then that was fine, just as long as she wasn’t expected to join the pity party.
Busy focusing on winding her way through clumps of chattering people, Cordelia didn’t notice the dark shadow looming beside her until a strong arm snaked around her waist and hauled her into a dark corner. Before she could gather herself to scream a cool hand clamped over her mouth.
“Well, well, well. Isn’t it amazing who you run into on a night out.”
Fear-filled eyes slowly began to adjust to the lack of light, but at the sound of that low, menacing voice Cordelia almost wished she could remain in ignorance. Angelus. Even if the vampire hadn’t spoken she would have known it was him. If the lack of body temperature hadn’t given him away, then the well-muscled body pressing her back into the wall certainly had. Many a sleepless night could be blamed on that body -from fear, nothing else.
Angelus gazed down at the girl trapped beneath him, enjoying the recognition slowly seeping into wide hazel eyes. This was a dept he would relish collecting.
Cordelia’s mind leapt from fear, to anger, to excitement, and then back to fear -that seemed the wisest emotion right then. Deciding bravado was once again the best path to take, she drew in a calming breath before acknowledging Angelus.
“Oh. It’s you.” Cool and disinterested, just the right note to take.
Appreciation gleamed in coffee-dark depths at the calm reply. There was barely the hint of a quaver in her voice.
“You were expecting someone else?”
“Hoping more like. There’s this hot, new senior who’s-” Cordelia prepared to launch into a detailed description of the imaginary new guy but was cut off by a raised hand.
“Sorry to disappoint you.” Amusement coloured Angelus’ tone as he saw straight through the lie. “Maybe I should leave you to find this ‘hot’ senior.”
Angelus had no intention of leaving. He was there to collect an overdue payment, but was happy to unsettle Cordelia with the thought that he was in no rush to end their bargain. He turned as though to leave.
“No! Wait.” Cordelia”s hand shot out before she could stop it and grasped one leather-clad arm. No way was she letting the vampire leave without her getting her closure.
A lazy grin swept briefly across chiselled features, before he swung round to face the brunette again, eyebrows now raised on question.
“Look,” Cordelia began determinedly, “We had a deal, a totally unfair deal sure, but hey, what can I expect from a crazy vampire with a leather fetish?”Not that I have any problem with that she thought as her gaze roved appreciatively over broad shoulders enticingly encased in a well cut leather jacket.
Angelus couldn’t stop a small grin from forming. He was used to having this effect on women, counted on it, but knowing that Cordelia didn’t want to react as she was made it all the sweeter. She wouldn’t know what hit her.
“So you’re ready to live up to your end of the deal?”
Angelus wanted her agreement. He didn’t need it, could take what he wanted, but her co-operation would be the icing on the cake.
“If I don’t you’ll kill me, right?” Cordelia knew the answer, but asked anyway. She wasn’t sure she wanted to get out of the kiss, but the rational part of her brain was yelling at her that she should at least try. A tiny part also hoped that perhaps Buffy might wander past, or even Xander.
“In a heartbeat.” Was Angelus’ emotionless reply.
“Gee, you’re a real people person.” Cordelia couldn’t keep the bite of sarcasm from her voice, anger at being caught in this situation lending her false courage.
Angelus’ non-reaction to her comment caused her to shrug. “Fine, let’s get this over with.” Screwing her eyes tightly shut, Cordelia puckered her lips and leant forward slightly. Ready for anything.
Angelus regarded the picture before him. Cordelia was undeniably a beautiful woman, but right at that moment she induced in him the desire to laugh rather than the desire to ravish her. Outwardly the brunette appeared calm, but he could hear the rapid thump of her heart and the quickened pace of her breathing. He inhaled deeply, the scent of fear mingled with excitement forming a heady, almost irresistible mix.
Cordelia waited with a growing sense of deja vu. This time she refused to open her eyes and be disappointed. If Angelus didn’t kiss her this time then all bets were off, and she’d sic the slayer on his sorry ass.
She suddenly felt the air around her stir as Angelus leaned in closer, bracing an arm on either side of her head. She tensed.
“As temping a picture as you make, sweetheart, it’s not really what I had in mind.”
His dark voice whispered across her skin, stirring the hairs floating around her face. Angelus waited for the inevitable reaction to his words. He heard a gasp of outrage, saw hazel eyes snap open, anger dancing in their depth, and at that moment he struck.
Cordelia’s vision was filled with the sight of dark, mocking eyes moving relentlessly closer. Before she could react Angelus’ lips touched hers and all coherent thought fled.
A cool hand threaded through mahogany tresses. Their two bodies pressed together, slowly becoming lost in an increasingly heated embrace that shut out the rest of the world.
Cordelia’s mind reeled as nerve endings came alive. His mouth took possession of hers, demanding an answer she wasn’t sure how to give. Her eyes drifted shut as new sensations began to rain down on her body.
Angelus felt the moment Cordelia surrendered to the kiss, satisfaction welling within him at his quick victory. His tongue swept across firmly closed lips, teasing them apart before sweeping in the claim her completely.
Stiffening at the unexpected invasion, Cordelia instinctively raised her hands to try and move the solid weight pinning her. But, as his cool tongue slid over hers she felt her resistance begin to fade. Slowly she matched her movements to his and was rewarded with a deep growl of appreciation. At that moment Cordelia decided to enjoy paying her debt.
Her tentative response only added fuel to Angelus’ desire. Like a moth to a flame he found her innocence irresistible. This was a bargain well made.
Lost in the new sensations washing through her, Cordelia let out a small moan of desire. Her mind happy to forget who it was stirring these feelings. That could be dealt with later when she could string together a thought that made sense again.
Hearing Cordelia’s soft moan Angelus pulled her relentlessly closer. Bodies melding together until it was impossible to see where one ended and the other began. He revelled in her heat, soaking it up until it burned. Her heated blood called to him, it sang through her veins in a so-tempting rush.
Just when Cordelia thought she could take no more and that her knees would give way with need and desire, Angelus broke the kiss. Although he didn’t release, his arms continued to press her body into his.
Slowly her passion fogged mind began to function and she tilted her head back to gaze into an impossibly handsome face. Hazel eyes met dark chocolate and found an answering heat reflected in their swirling depths. She stood quietly in his arms, unsure what would come next … death or freedom?
Slowly Angelus released Cordelia and stepped back. The force of his reaction to the cheerleader stunned him, but envisioning future encounters of equal heat, in more comfortable surroundings, turned the shock to pleasure.
Cordelia found her dazed eyes trapped in a look of dark promise. She blinked at what she read there, an icy cold thread of fear snaked down her back. The vampire was dangerous, great kisser or not he could snap her neck in an instant.
Angelus flashed Cordelia a brilliant smile, as though he could read her thoughts and found them vastly amusing. Cordelia didn’t know it, but she was safe for the night. He’d had his fun.
“Well, I gotta go. People to torture, slayers to taunt…”
“So that’s it?” We’re even?” Cordelia risked the question, even though all she wanted now was for Angelus to leave so that she could begin to process what the Hell had just happened.
A small smile played on sensuous lips. “I think we’ll call that debt paid in full…for now.”
A spring in his step, Angelus left the Bronze and went in search of a snack, aware that behind him Cordelia stood in a state of shock and confusion. Yep, this was a bargain that was going bring him lots of fun.
End… ?