Chapter 21: Boutique Bondage
“I can’t believe that you dragged them here,” Buffy’s astonishment had been clear enough before she nudged Cordelia with her bony elbow.
She ignored the scowl sent her way, too busy glancing back at her boyfriend who followed along as they headed toward the back of the room. “This is the last place I thought I’d ever see Angel.”
Cordelia paused in mid-step, with a look of exaggerated innocence. “Why do you think it was my idea? We all jotted down suggestions and put them into the jar. Can I help it if I happen to like what got picked?”
It was hard holding back her grin when Buffy pointed out their surroundings, “We’re at the mall, Cor. Do you expect me to believe that one of the guys came up with this idea?”
“You obviously haven’t seen Angelus in redecorating mode,” Cordelia explained that he had set up the new living room on his own. All to please her, of course. “Does it really matter why we’re here? Besides, it’s good for them. Gets them out to see the real world.”
“The Sunnydale Mall?” Buffy gaped, “I think your idea of the real world needs some serious adjustment.”
Taking in a deep breath as if soaking in the mall atmosphere, Cordelia stretched her arms wide, “Ah! The scent of new clothes and Daddy’s credit card.”
“Typical,” she heard Buffy mutter as she glanced at a price tag on one of the display outfits. “Can we at least try a different store? That blouse costs more than my entire wardrobe.”
Cordelia’s mouth formed a surprised moue. She hadn’t thought about that. “Sure. No prob. I just need one or two things from here. Then we can window shop.”
“Whatcha looking for?” Buffy admitted that she’d rather be shopping than go through the movie marathon again anytime soon.
Maybe it was just because even the following day Buffy was still reeling from Angel’s demanding behavior. Even then, she had felt edgy while sitting next to him on the couch. The hours of movie watching had seemed endless. Somewhere in the middle of the marathon, they had gotten to joking about what they would do next. Angelus wanted to pick, but some of his suggestions either included getting dressed up or stripped down.
Xander piped up at the mention of strip poker and wanted to know if he could play. That drew such crazed looks from both vampires that Xander escaped to the kitchen to drown himself in chocolate YooHoo. It was Willow who suggested they stuff their ideas into a jar and draw them out one at a time. Buffy loathed the idea, because she knew that random chance would eventually have the soulless vampire’s choices coming up. She seriously doubted that shopping was one of them.
As a choice, this was one Buffy could live with. She waited for Cordelia to explain what she was looking for. After a long pause, Cordelia gave her an answer.
“Um…accessories,” Cordelia told her distractedly as she pulled a scarf off of the rack. Then she realized that there was only one vampire hanging out in the background. “Where did Angelus go?”
Looking around, Buffy saw only Angel hovering uncomfortably nearby. It was getting a little easier for her to tell the two vampires apart, but she had to work at it. Usually, it involved Angel revealing his identity and her remembering what clothes he had on that day.
“Angel,” she called out to him. “Where did your— uh— brother go?”
“They’ve got you calling him that now?” Angel sounded amused by the idea of the Slayer referring to Angelus his brother. “He said he had to pick up something for Cordy.”
Cordelia’s eyes lit up in delight. “A surprise? What?”
“If I told you what it was, there wouldn’t be much of a surprise,” Angel watched the pout appear and resisted the temptation to rub his thumb across her lips. “Not that I know.”
“Oh.” Cordelia was less disappointed that there would be no hint than she was about the vampire not being there in the first place. “I wanted his opinion on something.”
Buffy stared down at the colorful silk material in the brunette’s hand. “Are scarves in again this season?”
Rolling her eyes at the doubtful tone in Buffy’s voice, Cordelia thought the blonde had better fashion sense than to ask that question. “Not!”
Then holding up the scarf toward the souled vampire, Cordelia decided he would do in a pinch. “Angel…you know this. What do you think?”
“Angel knows fashion?” Buffy was gaping now. “Did I walk into the Twilight Zone?”
“Pfft! As if I’d bother asking fashion advice from Mr. Shades of Black here,” Cordelia scoffed as she walked closer to the vampire.
For once, Cordelia hadn’t left him confused about what she was asking. Angel knew exactly why she needed his advice about that scarf. Though it riled him to think that he was just standing in for Angelus, he found her simple question firing up his overactive imagination again.
“Let’s test it.”
Buffy appeared completely muddled as Cordelia glanced around the store. “There’s a mannequin over there.”
“No need.” There was a husky timber to Angel’s voice and Cordelia suddenly found herself caught up in his unblinking gaze. With a swift move that barred any chance to change her mind, Angel took hold of her wrist, tugging her closer.
Caught somewhere between curiosity and irritation, Buffy’s demand for information turned into a furious whisper, “What are you doing?”
Proceeding silently, Angel did not even hear the question. There was a rumble low in his chest, a sound so vampiric by nature that the Slayer jerked back from hearing it. Buffy’s jaw dropped as Angel’s hands moved with swift surety as he began to tie up Cordelia’s wrists in the middle of the store— and in front of her.
Gasping loudly, Buffy exclaimed, “Angel!”
Cordelia hadn’t expected a demonstration. Breathless at the sudden return of that smoldering look in his eyes, she couldn’t seem to move her gaze away to glance down at what he was doing. She simply felt the gentle pressure of his hands as the fingers tied some intricate knot from which there would be no escape.
Omigod, her body was buzzing in response to Angel’s actions. Then he was up against her pressing her bound wrists above her head and holding her against a faux marbled column.
“How does that feel?”
Hard. Cordelia supposed he wasn’t talking about the fact that his muscular torso was crushing her breasts. Reacting instinctively, her nipples peaked against him. She wondered idly if the rest of him was just as hard. Just as inflamed as she was with this simple act.
“Are you two crazy?” Buffy hissed as she looked around the store to see if anyone was staring.
When Angelus suggested a few bedroom games, Cordelia found herself fascinated by the idea of being tied up. Especially if he later let her have a turn. Just the thought of it made her tingle. Or maybe that was just because Angel was standing so close, leaning into her, making her body ache with the need for more. A deep throb pulsed between her thighs, her panties dampening. The way she felt right now, Cordy knew it wouldn’t take much for Angel to push her over the edge.
Squirming against him, Cordelia thought back to that night after Angelus claimed her in the garden when he’d suggested that Angel could hear everything that happened. Afterward, she’d often wondered if he listened to them all the time, commenting to Angelus that it was too hard to stay quiet. That idea didn’t seem to bother him even when he said he thought it turned her on.
Imagining Angel listening in to what went on between herself and Angelus was one thing, but it was quite different to physically react to his touch. “A-Angel,” Cordelia sounded out his name as a shaky sigh. The vampire had to be aware of her arousal and she hoped he would ignore the plea that sounded in her voice.
It took every ounce of resolve not to put his mouth on hers. Only the fact that Buffy was standing three feet away kept him focused on the task at hand. He pulled back letting Cordelia’s hands come down between them. With a voice that belied his true emotions, Angel matter-of-factly assessed his work. “This scarf isn’t strong enough.”
“For me?” Cordelia muttered the query.
Experimentally, Angel tugged Cordelia close again. The scarf held, but the vampire looked down at the brunette now leaning against his chest. “Are you the only one being tied up?”
Buffy let out a strangled gasp. She wasn’t certain if it was because of Angel’s action that left Cordelia sprawled up against him, the nature of his question, or the looks on their faces. Both of them were turned on by this ridiculous public display. Despite her revulsion of their behavior, she felt a stab of jealousy over the sight. Any second now she was going to start ripping someone’s hair out by the roots.
Not even noticing the fury on the blonde’s face, Cordelia struggled to get herself under a measure of control. She answered Angel’s question, “Good point. Got any suggestions?”
Buffy certainly did. “Untie her, Angel. Now.”
Angelus sauntered up beside them at that moment having overheard the exchange between Angel and Cordelia. Though they were standing closer than he cared to see, it was the scent of Cordelia’s arousal that captured his attention. “Has someone been a naughty girl? We’ll talk punishment later,” he winked.
Realizing that the soulless vampire would probably not take this well, Buffy quickly jumped in with an explanation. “They’re testing scarves.”
“I see that,” Angelus sent her an amused glance. Turning his attention to the scarf, he told Cordelia, “Looks like we need something stronger.”
“That’s what I said,” Angel commented with a shrug and took a step back from Cordy who was still so close that he could feel her breasts brush up against him with each of her indrawn breaths.
Though he’d never actually seen his own poker face before, Angelus figured Angel was wearing it. Cordelia’s obvious arousal might be a result of their spontaneous little bondage game. Only the fact that Buffy was present made him doubt that Angel came onto Cordelia purposely.
With a soft snarl and a smirk, Angelus told his brother, “Keep your hands off my mate.”
Angel held up his hands in mock surrender, not wanting to get into anything here and now, especially in front of Buffy. “Just giving a little fashion advice.”
Moving closer, Angelus ran his eyes down Cordelia’s curves and then cupped her face to press his thumb against her plush lower lip. “Excited, baby?”
The sparkle in Cordelia’s hazel eyes was enough to give him his answer. As it was, there was no time to say anything because Buffy issued a stern command. “Will you shut up and untie her?”
Just then an auburn-haired salesgirl stepped up beside them. “Good afternoon. May I help you folks with something?”
Cordelia turned to her, held up her tied wrists and asked seriously, “Do you have this in red?”
“Joking!” Buffy stepped up and pushed Cordelia’s hands back down to waist level. Adding a fake smile and a half-hearted laugh. “Ha! Ha!”
Appearing quite businesslike, the salesgirl answered, “Yes, we do,” as she pulled off a red scarf of similar design and handed it to Buffy.
The Slayer looked down at the silk scarf as if the red material burned her fingers. She heard the woman comment, “Be sure to straighten that out when you’re finished playing, Ms. Chase. I’ll be at the counter when you’re ready to check out.”
“Thanks, Claudette,” said Cordelia smiling. With a lingering glance toward the twins, Claudette sent Cordelia a nod of approval.
“You know her?” Buffy’s jaw dropped as she watched the woman walk away.
“Duh! I shop here all of the time,” Cordy pointed out.
Relieved, Buffy let out a long sigh. “I thought she was going to call security.”
After a pause, Cordelia indicated that she was still tied up, “So…what about this?”
“Maybe you should stay that way the rest of the evening,” suggested Angelus with an intimate curve of his mouth. “You can carry Angel’s jacket and no one will be the wiser.”
Cordelia’s eyes widened at the idea. A glance at Angel told her he was awaiting her answer, his hands on the lapels of his leather jacket. If she read it right, there was a challenge in his eyes and she imagined herself walking from store to store. Her heart thumped a little faster at the thought of it being a sexy game played with both of them. Stealing a look over at Buffy, Cordelia translated the tight expression on the Slayer’s face.
“Not tonight,” Cordelia told Angelus who looked disappointed. “That would seriously interfere with my shopping efforts.”
Offering up her bound wrists again, Cordelia asked to be untied. When neither vamp moved in the first three seconds, Buffy walked forward and started to tug at the tied scarf. “Umm, Cordy, I think you’re stuck.”
“What?”
“Let me.” Angel held out his hand and waited for Cordelia to move close again. She shivered against his touch as his fingers curled around one of her wrists. This time, her eyes were locked on Angelus who stood at an angle behind him. Angel had her out of the silk bonds in seconds.
Buffy let out a sigh of relief, almost as if she had been the one tied up. Sheesh! She couldn’t even go out in public anymore without wondering what was going to happen next. First it was theater sex and now it was boutique bondage. Bad enough Angelus was exposing Cordelia to such things, much less Angel getting involved by playing along with these— twisted vampire games.
“Problem, Buff?” The soulless vampire quickly picked up on the negative vibes.
“What? No,” Buffy answered quickly. “No problem. Not at all. Nope.”
Cordelia knew a whopper when she heard one. Changing the subject, she turned to Angelus, “Where’s my surprise?”
“Who said you get a surprise?”
“Angel.”
Glancing at his twin, Angelus mocked, “Big mouth!”
“She caught me off-guard,” Angel shrugged. “I forgot to make up an excuse.”
“So you do have a present for me?” Cordelia grinned excitedly.
Reaching into his pocket, Angelus pulled out a flat velvet jewelry box. “You want it now? In front of them?”
Buffy glanced more closely at the box. “It’s not something disgusting, is it?”
Angelus joked, “Since they don’t sell matching sets of nipple rings here in the mall, I picked out something else.”
“Vampires are so gross,” Buffy muttered.
He reminded her coldly, “Your lover is a vamp, Slayer. Including Angel in that little description?”
“No,” Buffy glared at him while her face flushed red.
Cordelia started looking a little antsy during the exchange. “Can I have it?” Whatever it was, she was certain that it would not be gross and disgusting.
“I ordered this last week,” Angelus explained as Cordelia opened the box to reveal a unique choker. One side was engraved with the same blazing sun design as her tattoo and the other with the ancient Celtic knot design. “I dropped by the jewelry shop next door to see if it was ready and missed out on all of the fun.”
As Cordelia turned to properly thank Angelus for the gift of the choker, Buffy looked on with a combination of green-eyed jealousy and disbelief that Angelus could be so damned sweet. Evil Angelus. He’d never been sweet to her, Buffy thought back to their encounters in the past. She would have bet just about anything that the vamp was incapable of such thoughtfulness or tenderness.
Angel seemed to be acting just the opposite, Buffy admitted to herself. Dominating and demanding. Showing her that he was willing to take what he wanted. Even here, today, with Cordelia, Angel seemed to be leaning toward that aggressive side of his nature. The Slayer in her fought against it, vying for supremacy, but the teenager simply remained confused.
She had to stand there and watch while Cordelia gave Angelus one of the sweetest, hottest kisses she’d ever seen. Buffy knew that her face was flaming even before the vampire’s hands dropped down to caress Cordelia’s bottom. Though she had kissed her own boyfriend in public on several occasions, it had never been anywhere close to being so intimate.
“Uh— Cor,” the Slayer poked at the brunette’s shoulder. “That salesgirl is waving at you. I think it’s getting close to closing time.”
“Mmm,” Cordelia muttered her response.
Angel picked up the two scarves that Cordelia had been looking at. “Why don’t Buffy and I pay for these.”
“K.” Was all Cordy could manage between kisses.
When they returned, it was to see Angelus fingering the choker now in place around Cordelia’s neck. Angel had noticed the sun design, realizing that this was one more visible sign of his double’s claim. Angelus’ flawed claim, corrected Angel as he attempted to quell the next wave of jealousy that rose within him.
“It’s so beautiful, Angelus,” marveled Cordelia. “I love it.”
Seeing that she was about to move in for another thank you kiss, Angel stepped up, took Cordelia by the arms and headed directly for the exit. “Let’s go, you two.”
Angelus followed closely behind with an amused smirk on his face.
