Chapter Thirteen
Dennis opened the door for Cordelia. “Hi, Dennis. Did you miss me?” she asked her soon to be former ghost roommate. Maybe, Wesley could move in to keep him company, she sighed.
A diet soda came towards her and the Grateful Dead began to play on her CD player.
“Cute, Dennis.” Cordelia slumped on her couch. She was both physically and mentally drained. Her mail floated to her and landed on the coffee table.
“Oh, Dennis, I really don’t feel like junk mail or bills right now, I just need to relax and to think.”
The mail shuffled around until the new issue of Vogue was on the top. Then she heard her bath running and smelled candles burning.
“Oh, Dennis you are wonderful.” She felt a slight brush on her cheek as she walked into the bathroom.
Once in the tub, Cordelia tried to clear the jumble of thoughts and feelings running through her mind.
She decided it wasn’t really fair of her to hate Angel for feeding off her, after all he only did it for the same reason they had both acted like oversexed idiots in the sewer and everywhere else. A sewer, she thought in disbelief. She had actually made love in a dark, smelly and gross tunnel, more than once, she thought in disgust. And she enjoyed it.
Well, why wouldn’t she enjoy it, she countered, she had dreamed of Angel touching her like that for such a long time, of course not in a sewer, but still. Oh, god what was she going to do? She didn’t think she could hide her love for Angel, not from him, not anymore.
He could get into her mind. The bond gave him so much power over her, too much power, she thought with a twinge of fear and lot of annoyance. Like he would ever use the power to harm her, she argued to herself.
He may not love her, but he did care. And while it hurt a lot to hear him actually say that he didn’t love her, she had always known that, so that wasn’t such a big deal.
And moving into the hotel was not such a big deal, either, she thought. She spent most of her time there anyway. But she didn’t really understand why Angel seemed not only to want her there, but to need her there. She didn’t have to move in for him to continue feed off her.
Angel never said anything about the bond making him dependent on her. Just that it made her the needy one, the submissive one, she thought with renewed disgust.
Submissive, she grumbled. Cordelia Chase was not submissive to anyone. But she did need him, a small voice countered. She could feel him waiting for her to return. She could feel his presence even though he was miles away. God, she both hated and relished that feeling. She wanted it to be gone.
For a brief moment she considered just going out, getting plastered and finding the first non-available non-demon male and having sex. Anything to get rid of the need.
But she knew that if she were to step one foot outside the apartment with any such intent, Angel would stop her, probably quite forcibly in a ‘grr’ type manner, she thought with a mixture of anger and desire. She couldn’t deny that his possessiveness, concern and desire gave her some measure of happiness.
Oh, god she was screwed. His presence in her life over the last year, had become the single most important part of her life. He was why she willingly accepted the visions and fought gross demons. He was why she found a purpose and contentment in her life. She had needed him before all the stupid spell and bonding stuff.
The only thing the bond really changed was that her need for him, became a physical necessity, and honestly was that really so bad. She wasn’t real thrilled that she would be bonded the rest of her life that someone that didn’t love her. And in the abstract being a mobile blood bank for Angel was gross, but in reality it was, well exciting and damn sensual.
If she had been given the choice of having Angel care about her, hold her, and make love to her indefinitely, would she have turned it down? If she had, it would only be because Angel wouldn’t have wanted it, she thought honestly. But that wasn’t the situation, now. He wanted it; he enjoyed making love to her. She didn’t need the bond to know that, she thought with some pride.
So, maybe she should just accept the bond and enjoy it. Fighting it didn’t seem to make much sense. She couldn’t win and honestly, she wasn’t sure that she wanted to. Cordelia just wished he could love her.
But that would mean Angelus and she didn’t what that, she shuddered. So, Cordelia guessed she would just have to make the best of situation, she thought with a slight smile. She would just have to make sure Angel realized that she wasn’t some sort of subservient meal on wheels. Her thoughts finally in order; she fell asleep.
Chapter Fourteen
Cordelia woke up anxious and freezing. The bath water was cold and all of the candles had been burnt down.
“Dennis why didn’t you wake me? What time is it? Cordelia climbed out of the tub grabbing for a towel. Damn, she had an uneasy feeling. She tried to focus on what was disturbing her. Damn, Damn, she thought. The feelings were coming from Angel. She sensed his impatience, worry and need. And with her recognition of those feelings, the same emotions sprung up within her.
The intensity of those feelings caused her to rush out the bathroom. In her haste she slammed her foot into the door jam. “Shit, fuck, Damn,” she cried kicking the door again, inflicting no damage to the door, but causing her more pain. She sat down and cried. The feelings of concern turned to panic.
“Stop it, Angel,” she screamed at the top of her lungs. “I am fine. I am coming, just stop please,” she said wiping her tears.
The feeling of panic receded, leaving the more calming emotion of concern and need. Cordelia got up, and while she didn’t have the previous overwhelming need to run back to Angel, she still hurried.
Angel had stayed sitting in the chair by the bed after Wesley had left, trying to calm down. He had almost lost control of his demon when Wesley had demanded that Angel try to break the bond with Cordelia. He had lost momentary control when the former watcher had suggested that Cordelia could be intimate with someone other than Angel. Angel could feel his demon rising again at that thought.
Angel shook his head trying to regain his equilibrium. He tried to justify his lost of control, by the fact that Wesley’s suggestions would have placed Cordelia in danger. But a small part of him questioned that maybe Wesley had been partially right, at least. Maybe, having Cordelia dependent on him gave him a small amount of satisfaction.
Angel began to wonder if he could give up Cordelia, if there was a way to break the bond. Could he give up the feel of her body, the taste of her blood? Was he just using the bond as an excuse to keep his seer near? Should he try to find a way to break or at least lessen the bond, for Cordelia? No, his vampire instincts kicked in.
The bond was unbreakable. He had to maintain it to keep Cordelia safe. Wesley was wrong, Angel was not happy, how could he be? He knew that no matter how much he cared about Cordelia or how much pleasure he received from her presence, he could never be content. He felt too guilty; guilty about what he had done to her. Cordelia didn’t want the bond to exist. But she would learn to accept it, he promised.
He woke up an hour later. He hadn’t even realized that he had fallen asleep. He sensed immediately that Cordelia wasn’t in the hotel. It was dark out; she was supposed to have returned by now. He wanted her back where she belonged. Angel started to get worried. He concentrated on her presence, trying to sense if she was in danger.
The need to find her was becoming pronounced, causing him to get agitated. Then Angel sensed her and she was okay. The relief was overwhelming, but he was impatient for her return. He jumped up when he felt a sharp pain originating from Cordelia. He was about to go to her, when he sensed her again. She was okay, mad, but okay. She was on her way home.
A calmer Angel went to the hotel’s kitchen and started to get something for Cordelia to eat. She was probably starving; he couldn’t remember the last time he saw her eat something.
***
Darla paced back and forth in front of the old woman. “Well?”
“It will happen tonight.”
Darla stopped. “Tonight? My boy will be back, tonight?”
The old woman nodded. Darla began to excitedly pace again. The blonde debated on whether to go to the hotel now. No, she thought, with a satisfied smile. She would wait; let her boy come to her. “Where are you going?” Darla noticed the old witch leaving the room.
“My job here is done.”
“Old woman, you better be right,” she threatened.
“Angelus will come.” The old woman left.
A long black car pulled up in front of Wolfram & Hart. A young handsome man of definite gypsy descent got out to hold the car door for the old woman.
“So?” He asked respectfully.
“We have done all we can for the present. It is now up to the powers and fate.” The matriarch of the remaining descendents of the gypsy clan that cursed Angelus so long ago, settled into the back seat of the limousine.
The old gypsy was confident in her vision, but still, she hadn’t lived this long by taking chances. “Raoul have the council prepare for all possible contingences.”
Her great, great grandson nodded. “Mother, what about the seer?”
The old woman smiled, “Do you have a crush on the seer, young one? Yes, she is lovely and has a good soul.” The old woman sighed. “But, her destiny is with that of the vampire with a soul. If the vision is false, she will die. Don’t be sad, young one, if my vision is wrong, she will welcome her death as a blessing.”
Chapter Fifteen
Angel had just finished cutting up the ingredients for an omelet, when he sensed Cordelia enter the hotel. Cordelia came storming into the kitchen. “Next time use a phone, will you! I almost broke my toe rushing to get here,” she yelled. She paused. “What are you cooking?” She noticed the preparations that Angel had done.
“Omelets.”
“The Mexican ones with the peppers?” She looked at the vegetables in the bowls. Her original anger mollified by the sight of food. Cordelia hadn’t realized how hungry she was.
“Yes.”
“Yummy,” She grabbed a pepper out of the bowl and popped it in her mouth.
Angel chuckled and lifted her on the counter. Cordelia didn’t protest, but she did grab at another pepper. Angel took it from her. “Hey,” she whined.
“Cordelia?” he asked puzzled.
“Food,” she pouted snatching the poor vegetable from the vampires tense grip.
“Cordelia,” he asked again softly. The pepper fell unheeded to the floor as Cordelia blushed and looked away from his searching gaze.
“Just don’t get all full of your ‘grr’ self,” she mumbled getting redder in the face. Angel felt a great burden lift from his non-beating heart as he sensed Cordelia’s total acceptance of the bond they shared.
Angel gently turned Cordelia’s face to his. “It will be okay.” Cordelia leaned into his caress, her body responding to his tender touch. Angel smiled, “Now let me see your poor wounded toe.” Cordelia lifted the offending foot towards him. She shivered as he took off the shoe.
“Which toe? Nevermind,” he said before she could answer. “I will kiss them all and make them feel better, just to be on the safe side.” Angel knelt down between Cordelia’s legs and slowly kissed each toe of the foot he tenderly held. Cordelia almost jumped off the counter as Angel licked and sucked her big toe.
The now ever present need for his touch flared in intensity. But she also felt something more than just need. She could actually see the small locked box in the corner of her mind, break and disappear. All of the love for the vampire that she had kept hidden for so long flowed through her enhancing her desire to an almost unbearable level.
“Oh God, Angel,” she whimpered. Cordelia intertwined her hands into his dark hair. Angel could sense her desire and need…and something else. But his own desire had reached such a point that he could only concentrate on swirling his tongue around her toes, savoring each digit. Angel wanted to take his time and taste each part of her. He wanted to please her, not just satisfy some need.
Cordelia gasped as he nipped her ankle and caressed her calf under the material of her pants leg. Angel could smell her arousal. He stopped his caresses, when his hands could not go any further up her pants leg. Angel withdrew his hands and left her foot with a kiss. Cordelia whimpered at the lost of the sensations.
Angel smiled and picked up her other foot and lavished it with the same attention as he had the first. Cordelia sighed in pleasure and frustration. She gripped at Angel’s hair trying to pull him up.
Angel refused to budge until he was ready. Which he had to admit would be soon. Angel could feel his own arousal starting to strain against the front of his trousers. Finally, Angel stood up between Cordelia’s legs and placed his hands on her hips. She bucked towards him.
“Thank God,” she murmured as her hands came up to the sides of his face. Cordelia pulled Angel towards her and captured his lips. They stayed that way for awhile, their tongue dueling for dominance. As their kisses became more passionate, Cordelia wrapped her legs around Angel’s waist and pulled his hips towards her. Angel pushed away; he was too close to losing control and he still wanted to please Cordelia. Cordelia cried out as he broke off the kiss.
“Sh, sh,” he murmured. His hands found the waistband of her trousers and his fingers worked beneath the elastic of both her pants and panties. Cordelia lifted her hips and wiggled, enabling Angel to pull the restricting garments off. Angel threw the offending clothes on the floor. Cordelia tried to pull him towards her; he refused and bent down between her legs. When he was eye level with the source of her arousal he pulled her gently towards him.
Cordelia flung her hand behind her grabbing the back of the counter to maintain her balance. Angel steadied her and lifted her legs on to his shoulders. Angel took an unnecessary breath of air and gently blew on the dark curls surrounding her clit. Angel could see the small organ pulsate. He could smell the blood gathering in the small nub, enlarging it. The scent called to the vampire. The combination of all of Cordelia’s unique scents created an exotic perfume that was exhilarating. Angel leaned in closer.
Cordelia tensed in anticipation. She gasped as Angel slowly licked at the small nub. A growl rose from his chest. He began to lick and suck in earnest. Cordelia moaned and clutched the counter with all of her strength. Angel ignored the need to bury his own aching organ in Cordelia’s warmth. He concentrated on pleasuring Cordelia.
Angel could feel her tension building as he savored the flavor of her juices. He had never tasted anything as intoxicating. The only possible thing that could be better would be the taste of the blood pulsating in the small nub the he was worshiping. Angel could feel Cordelia’s vaginal walls begin to contract. He kissed her clit tenderly, and then with his fangs he gently made a small puncture in the engorged small organ and began to taste the blood.
Cordelia screamed as her orgasm hit her. Angel continued to feed as Cordelia’s muscles contracted fiercely. Once he felt her body relax, he stopped and gently kissed the surrounding area. Angel stood up and took Cordelia’s face between his large hands and kissed her. Cordelia could taste her juices and blood in the kiss.
Cordelia had never felt so wonderful; her love for the vampire overpowered any thought or hope of keeping her true feelings from Angel.
“I love you,” she murmured into his lips. Angel stilled as he heard her low words. A small blast of pain and pleasure came from his soul. Cordelia loved him he thought in joy. Then he remembered that she didn’t love him, not really. His brief moment of happiness turned to heartbreaking guilt.
“No, Cordelia, you don’t. I am sorry,” he said in shame and sadness.
Cordelia cocked her head and looked at him. For someone that had been around for over 244 years, her vampire could be really dense, she thought lovingly. But Cordelia didn’t want to argue with him about how stupid and wrong he was. She smiled,” Don’t be sorry and don’t get all broody,” she said huskily pulling his lips back to hers. Her hand reached in between their bodies until it reached the large bulge in his trousers.
“We aren’t done, yet,” she murmured as she fondled his hard straining member. “Let’s go to bed.” Angel growled. His guilt and sadness were completely obliterated by his fierce need to fully possess the beautiful girl in his arms.
Angel jerked Cordelia off the counter and wrapped his legs tightly around him. Cordelia placed kisses all over his face and neck as he carried her to the stairs. Cordelia focused her ministrations on his neck. She licked and kissed under his chin. Angel moaned then jumped as he felt her teeth nip sharply into his skin.
“What,’grr’ guy? You aren’t the only one that can bite,” she giggled at his expression. Angel’s eyes widened at the young girl. He could sense that not only had Cordelia accepted their bond, she relished it. Her joy was confusing to him, but exhilarating to witness.
“Cordy, you are…amazing,” he said in wonder.
“What I am, is extremely frustrated, hurry,” she ordered still giggling.
Angel clutched the joyful girl tighter to his chest and took the steps two at a time. Angel felt a sudden urge need to get to the bedroom. And it wasn’t just the urge to appease his physical needs. It was something more, he didn’t understand it nor could he explain it. But, it was as if that room held all the answers to the secrets of the universe. Angel just knew that he had to get to that room, there he would find what he had been looking for all his long and lonely life.
Cordelia laughed as Angel tossed her on the bed. She moved on her stomach to the end of the bed, leaning on her arms to look at the vampire. She watched in amusement as the usually graceful vampire fumbled with his clothes, tripping as he tried to pull his pants off.
“Hey, dashing creature of the night, it helps if you take the shoes off first,” she said trying to suppress her giggles.
Angel looked up from the floor. “Cordelia Chase, if you are laughing at me, I will make you pay.” Her happy mood was contagious.
“Promise,” she laughed jumping back as Angel playfully lunged for her. She leaned back on the bed quickly disregarding the rest of her clothing. Her playful expression turned into a serious one. “Angel,” she said huskily. “Come here.”
Angel growled at the sight of his seer laid out on the bed, the beauty of her body and spirit beckoned to him. With the return of his predatory grace, he climbed on the bed until his body covered Cordelia’s much smaller frame.
“You are mine,” he growled.
“I know. It’s it wonderful,” she smiled capturing his lips. In one fluid movement Angel penetrated Cordelia’s wet center. Angel stilled momentarily mesmerized by her warmth. He began to move with in her. Cordelia responded in a perfect rhythm. Each of their movements brought them closer to ecstasy. Angel bit into her neck. Cordelia lovingly caressed his broad back as she felt her release approach.
“I do love you, you know. I have for a very long time, now,” she gasped into his ear as her muscles contracted in an exquisite orgasm. Angel searched her eyes questioningly as he continued to thrust into her center.
“It’s true, my silly, dense ‘grr’ guy,” she smiled. And Angel then knew that it was true. He could feel her love. It flowed throughout her essence. Her love for him surrounded him and engulfed him in its splendor. Cordelia gasped as she felt Angel release his dead seed into her body. She hugged the vampire close. Soon Cordelia fell asleep feeling happy and safe in Angel’s arms.
Angel held the sleeping girl tightly. He now knew what he had been looking for all of his life, alive and dead. He had been seeking true acceptance and love, something that he had found within this beautiful girl.
God, he loved her.
Angel had only a mere second to experience the feeling of joy and contentment that encompassed his whole being, before an agonizing, piercing pain shot through his soul.
Bye, bye, Angelus laughed. Oh, and thanks for the girl, the demon laughed again as he emerged taking full control of the vampire. Fear for Cordelia was the last thing Angel felt before his soul shattered and ceased to exist.