Part 7
“Sorry we’re late.”
“I’m glad you made it. We still have a little time before group starts.”
Cordelia sat down on the sofa. Angel sat close beside her. He rested his arm behind her.
“I notice you seem relaxed today. How was your evening?”
Cordelia couldn’t control her smile. “It was wonderful.” She leaned into Angel’s chest. “He said it.”
Angel was confused but feeling her snuggle into him was all that really mattered.
“I see. So the two of you..”
“Made love? Yes.” She gave Angel’s thigh a squeeze.
Angel fidgeted. Cordelia’s ease at discussing their relationship was beginning to make him uncomfortable.
“If you don’t mind my asking, was this declaration before, during or after..sexual relations?”
“Umm…Bill Clinton would say before.”
“So there was some foreplay prior?”
“I know we decided on maintaining some distance during yesterday’s session.” She folded her legs beneath her. Angel’s arm moved from the couch to grip her waist. “I fully intended to do that.”
“What happened?”
She glanced at Angel. “Angel wasn’t too happy with your..my decision.”
“Unhappy?” Bob worried his bottom lip, studying the young couple. “So the foreplay was to placate his anger?”
*Who the fuck does this guy think he is?* “I wasn’t angry.” Cordelia snorted. “OK. I was angry but she wasn’t placating anything.”
She tightened her grip on his thigh. “It wasn’t like that. I wanted him too.”
“Of course. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make a judgment. I am curious though. Why hadn’t you told Cordelia you love her lately?”
“I should have. It’s just I thought it was understood. Cordy’s always known what I was thinking without my having to say anything. I’m more..a man of action.”
“So your attempts at seduction were your way of expressing your love?”
“Exactly”
“Interesting”
There was something about the way he said that. Angel felt as if he’d been insulted. He gritted his teeth. “What’s interesting?”
“You say you want to be judged by your actions.”
“Umm..yes”
“But wasn’t having sex with Darla an action? Was that sexual encounter also an expression of love?”
“No. I told you before. That was an act of desperation and despair.”
“So you said. Still it was an action. As was ending your relationship with Cordelia because times were tough. Choosing to lie to your wife was that not also an action?”
“What’s your fucking point?” He was a half a second away from vamping out.
“These were all actions and they all reflected how you felt when you committed them. Cordelia admitted during group that she has concerns about what will happen the next time you hit a rough patch. Actions ARE important. After all you do need to show her you plan to remain by her side. In addition to that, she needs you to tell her how you feel, what you are thinking. Only by being honest and frank with her, will your actions have any meaning. It is unfair to Cordelia to expect her to read your mind. How is she to know if her assumptions are correct if you don’t talk to her?”
Angel bit back his growl. Bob had a point. *Dammit! I really wanted to bite him.*
“Why don’t I let you digest that for a while. It’s time for group.” Cordelia and Angel stood. “I would like a moment with Cordelia privately. She’ll meet you in a few minutes.”
Angel tensed. Bob was treading on thin ice. He felt Cordy squeeze his hand. “OK” He kissed her before leaving.
“I wanted a moment alone. I hope you don’t feel I was betraying any confidences earlier. Our individual sessions are private.”
She shook away his concerns. “No. Not at all.” She got up to leave.
“That wasn’t the only thing I wanted to discuss.”
She sat. “Shoot”
“You mentioned Angel was angry about your decision. How angry was he last night?”
“What? Why would you ask me that?”
Bob walked around his desk. He lifted the sleeve of her t-shirt. “I was wondering how you got the bruises on your arms.”
Cordelia was shocked. She hadn’t noticed them. They must be from Angel grabbing her. He hadn’t liked Bob’s suggestion but he never meant to hurt her. Hell she hadn’t even realized he had. “It’s not what you think.”
“It looks like someone grabbed you hard enough to bruise.”
“OK. It is what you think but Angel wasn’t trying to hurt me. He would never intentionally hurt me.”
“So it was Angel?”
“Yes but you have to believe me. It was an accident.” She searched his eyes for understanding.
“You have been open and honest with me. I trust you Cordy.”
She tried to smile unsure if he believed her. She was afraid he might actually accuse Angel of being abusive. Angel was already on the verge of vamping out at his other questions. This would surely push him over the edge. “Well I better hurry. Group should be starting. Are you coming?”
“No. Dr Miller will be running the morning session today. I think you’ll like Jake.”
***
Angel was waiting for her outside the Oak Room. “So what bad advice did Bob give you this time?”
“No advice.” She carefully avoided his eyes. “Let’s go in.”
“What did he want?”
“It was nothing.”
He lifted her chin. “No secrets.”
“Promise you won’t get broody if I tell you?”
“Cor”
“Promise me”
“Fine. I promise.”
She lifted her sleeve. “He noticed these.”
Angel stared at the faint bruises marring her beautiful skin. His stomach clenched. “Oh God. I did this when I grabbed you last night. I’m so sorry.”
“Angel it’s okay.”
“No it’s not. I hurt you.”
“No you didn’t. I didn’t even notice until Bob pointed them out. Remember your promise. I’m fine and as for bruising me, it’s nothing compared to our average sparring practice.”
“This is different. I hurt you in anger.”
“You didn’t mean to hurt me and that’s all that matters to me. I love you.”
Angel pulled her into a fierce hug. “I love you.” He inhaled her scent. “I’m so sorry.”
She pulled him in for a deep kiss. “Apology accepted. Now we’re late. Again.”
He held her closer. “Maybe we should skip it.”
She grinned. She pressed her hips to his. “What did you have in mind Mr Murphy?”
“Well Mrs Murphy, I thought we might..”
“See Donna. I told you it wasn’t a big deal. We’re not the only ones who’re late.”
“George. Donna.”
“Hi Cordy. Angel. I just hate being late for anything. Everyone stares at you when you walk in.”
“You worry too much.”
“That’s because you never worry. You never care about anything.”
“I care about a lot of things. You know I passed up courtside tickets to come here with you.”
“How could I forget with you constantly reminding me?”
Cordelia and Angel watched the bickering couple. His plan to escape to their room was out. “Let’s go in shall we?”
“Yeah. C’mon Donna. Angel and I will go in first.”
“OK”
Angel opened the door. Cordelia walked in. All eyes turned to the late comers. “Sorry we’re late.”
“That’s quite all right. Have a seat.”
Angel directed her to the loveseat in the corner of the room. It was bad enough having to attend the stupid meeting. He wanted her all to himself.
Cordelia curled up into his side. She was finally ready to say the hell with it and hide up in their room, only to be thwarted by George and Donna Simmons. She sighed. *We are on a case. We are on a case.*
***
“You wished to see me Master?”
“Yes Robert. I have been observing the new couples. I think Cordelia and Angel would make a fine addition. Don’t you agree?”
“With all due respect sir, I believe Angel to be a violent man.”
“Really?”
“You must have seen the way he grabs her. She had bruises on her arms. I checked.”
“What did she say?”
“She defended him. She claimed it was an accident.”
“Perhaps we would already know the truth if not for someone’s incompetence. I can only hear them when they are shouting or in the bathroom. What I have seen could be interpreted in different ways. I can definitely feel their bond of love from here.”
“Yes sir. They are in love but I truly believe him to be a danger.”
“That would be a waste. Work with him. He may be shown the error of his ways.”
“Possibly..or…Master I thought Cordelia would be perfect for our plans.”
“You have me confused Robert. Have you not just been telling me why they were unfit choices?”
“Angel is the only one I objected to sir.”
“I see. The master becomes the student. Our goals have apparently changed. I am so glad you are here to educate me.”
“Begging your pardon Master. I simply wished..I thought…My wife died three years ago. With your permission, I’d like to take Cordy as my life partner.”
“You wish to sever a bond of marriage?”
“I wish to offer her my protection and a place in the new order by my side.”
“I shall take your request into consideration. I believe you underestimate their love.”
“Cordy is a very understanding woman. Her eyes reflect she’s known suffering. I believe she tries to hold on to whatever happiness she can find regardless of the pain Angel may inflict upon her. I wish to help her. To teach her that love needn’t be violent.”
“You may have a point about Angel. Work with him. If he is indeed an abusive husband, then he shall be eliminated and I will give you my blessing to take Cordelia as your bride.”
“Thank you Master.”
“And have the surveillance equipment fixed. If I could hear everything they said, we would not need to speculate about their marriage.”
“I am sorry Master but Brother Samuel cannot be here until next week.”
“Very well. I hate this. I would use magic but maintaining the hive takes great power. Between that and shielding our actions from outside forces, I am quite exhausted.”
“I will watch them closely. I will not fail you sir.”
***
Cordelia couldn’t stop laughing. This was the first session where everyone was focusing on positive stories. Vanessa’s story involving her husband doing a striptease to cheer her up while she was in the hospital had everyone laughing. Jarod was bright read. Cordelia was picturing the night nurse’s expression when she walked in.
“Cordelia?”
“My story is more sweet than funny.” She gripped Angel’s hand. “I hadn’t been feeling well and was a little..irritable. I was so sick of everyone asking me if I was okay or if I needed anything. Angel thought I might be hungry. He didn’t want to upset me by asking so he had a restaurant deliver pretty much every kind of sandwich they made plus some soup and a salad.” She gave him a peck on the cheek. “It was so sweet.”
“Angel?”
Ever since Jake first asked everyone to tell their favorite story involving a gesture of love their spouse made, he’d been searching his mind. He couldn’t tell them how touched he’d been the first time Cordelia heated his blood. How her gentle touch makes him heal faster. How much it meant to him when she promised to stay with him until he shanshued. How her belief in him allowed him to believe in himself.
“Angel?”
He glanced at Cordelia. She looked hurt by his hesitation. “Sorry. There are so many stories to choose from. One of my favorites is…the time Cordy filled my..ofice with flowers because I couldn’t..I mean I didn’t have the time to enjoy the sunny fields of nature. She is always there to brighten up my life. I’ve never known anyone like her.”
“George?”
Angel nuzzled her neck once they were no longer the focus of everyone’s attention. “I didn’t think they’d understand what it meant to me the first time you handed me blood and told me not to be embarrassed about drinking in front of you. You make me feel like it’s okay to be me.” Her hand drifted up his thigh. He growled in her ear. “Is this meeting almost over?”
“Almost” Her fingers danced along his inner thigh. “Whatever will we do then?”
“If you keep that up, I’ll show you right here, right now.”
“Tempting but we better not.” She clasped her hands together on her lap.
“No” He moved her hand back to his leg. “Please don’t stop touching me.”
She gave his thigh a squeeze before returning her attention to the group. She absently traced circles on his knee with her thumb. She elbowed him in the stomach when he began kissing her neck. “Pay attention.”
“I am.”
“I meant to the group.”
He sat back. Nobody seemed to be watching them. His hand slipped inside her shirt. He tried to content himself with touching the soft skin of her back. The scent of her arousal teased his senses.
“I’d like to congratulate you all on a good session. I want to remind you. The workshops will begin promptly at 2pm. The women will meet here and the men will meet in the Versailles Room. Until then..”
Angel grabbed her hand. “C’mon. Let’s go.” He dragged her off the sofa and hurried toward their room. They were almost there when Cordy pulled him into the linen closet. “Cor, what are you doing?”
She began unbuttoning his shirt. “We have unfinished business.” She pushed him against the wall.
He groaned into her mouth. His mouth opened in invitation. Her tongue swept in. His hands moved under her shirt.
Cordy brushed his hands away. “Be still.” She spread his shirt open then set to work on his pants. She freed his straining erection to her touch. She gave him an appreciative smile before trailing kisses down his chest.
He laced his fingers in her hair and urged her to return to his lips. She shook off his grip. “Cor?”
“Shh. I’m busy.” He grunted when her tongue dipped into his navel. She gently bit his hip as she pushed his pants and boxers to the floor. He began to unnecessarily pant for breath. She placed a kiss on the tip of his cock before taking him in her mouth.
“Cor…oh God!” The heat of her mouth and the feel of her tongue called to his demon. He struggled to remain in control.
Angel felt like cool marble against her tongue. Her right hand supported the base. Her tongue and hand worked together to bring him closer to the edge. Her left hand moved to cup and gently squeeze his balls.
“So close..you gotta…mmmm..stop..can’t…so good..I’m gonna..” He tried to pull her up, but she refused to be budged. Her only response was to increase her suction. “Oh God..so….fuck…ahh..Cordelia!”
His control shattered. She continued to swallow him savoring each precious drop.
His knees felt week. It took all his strength not to collapse. He whimpered at the loss of her mouth.
Enough light peeked under the door for her to look into his eyes. She giggled at his expression. “You look like you need to sit down.”
He answered her by crushing his mouth to hers. He nibbled on her bottom lip. Her tongue joined in battling his. He sucked her tongue into his mouth and gently bit down. He remembered her need to breath and eventually released her. “Mmm..that’s was amazing unfinished business.”
“That wasn’t what I was referring to.”
“It wasn’t?”
She nibbled on his ear. “Nope. You didn’t want our first time to be in closet and it wasn’t. I thought we might give it another go. Unless you aren’t up for it.”
“Oh I’m up for it.” He reversed their positions and pressed her to the wall.
She giggled at his speed and agility, amazed he hadn’t tripped since his pants were around his ankles. She felt him hard against her hip. “I think I’m gonna like being in love with a vampire.”
He grinned. “Why is that?”
“We could take the time to discuss it or you could just shut up and fuck me.”
“Such shocking language.” He quickly stripped her of her shirt and bra. He teased her nipple with his tongue before sucking it into his mouth. His hands lifted her skirt. His eyes widened in surprise. “No panties?”
She laughed. “I didn’t want you to rip another pair.”
He lifted her up. With a growl, he entered her in one solid thrust.
“Angel!” She wrapped her legs around his waist.
“You feel so good..so hot…mmmm..so fucking tight.”
Her head banged against the wall. “Angel” She pulled him in for a kiss. She felt surrounded by him, his arms holding her, his tongue in her mouth and his cock filling her. She moaned. His pelvis crashed against her clit on each stroke. Her hands explored the smooth, hard planes of his back.
His pace was hard and fast. Her inner walls began to clamp down on him. He reached down to clutch her ass and began slamming into her.
“Angel..oooh..so close..please..” Stars began to burst behind her eyes.
He swallowed her scream as she came. He thrust twice before finally exploding.
She rested her forehead against his. “I love you.”
Their lips met for a long slow kiss. She melted into his embrace.
“I love you too.”
Cordy returned her feet to the floor. She took a few deep breaths. Her legs felt like jello. “As soon as I can walk, we need to go freshen up. I want to grab a bite to eat before the workshop starts. I’m starving.”
“Well you did skip breakfast.”
“And I worked up quite an appetite too.” She picked up her clothes.
Angel pulled up his boxers and pants. He watched her dress as he buttoned his shirt. “I thought you were ‘so over closets’?”
“I changed my mind. It was never as good as this with..umm..I mean..never mind.” She rushed out the door.
“Wait! What wasn’t as good? With who?!”
“C’mon Angel. I’m hungry.”
“Cor, don’t change the subject. What were you going to say?”
“When?”
“Don’t play dumb with me.”
“Of course not. What do I look like? One of your blonds.”
“I don’t have any blonds anymore.”
“Hmmph. I really don’t want to discuss your blond fetish right now.”
“I don’t have a blond fetish.”
“Angel we just made love. I can’t believe you think this is a good time to bring up your love of blonds!” She stormed off.
“Cor I’m sorry. Don’t me mad.”
He couldn’t see her smile. *He’s so easy*