Chapter 19
Angel leaned back in the passenger seat, drawing in the essence of Cordelia. Finally. He had been impatient to get out of the Bronze once he figured out what was so important to Cordelia.
He lifted his head and frowned. It would be relaxing if he could ignore the jerks from the potholes Cordelia refused to avoid. He looked over at her clenched profile. Cordelia hadn’t said a word since they got in the car.
“That was it? Getting those kids to work? Is that really a satisfying revenge?” Angel asked to break the silence.
He winced as Cordelia yanked the car into gear.
“What do you know about it?” she snapped.
“About revenge? Quite a bit, actually.”
“Eww. I don’t want to kill them. And it wasn’t really revenge.” She huffed.
Angel turned. “Then what was it?”
Cordelia shrugged, keeping her eyes on the road.
“Cordy.”
“Why are you calling me Cordy?”
“That’s your name.”
“That’s what my…oh nevermind.”
Angel winced again as the stick shift skipped another gear. “You’re going to kill your clutch.”
“So.”
“Cordy, if it wasn’t revenge what was it?”
Cordelia threw up her hands.
Angel grabbed the wheel. “Okay, that’s it. I’m driving.”
“No.” She crossed her arms.
Angel maneuvered the car as best he could. “Cordelia, take the wheel or I’ll put you in the trunk,” he said through gritted teeth.
Cordelia grabbed the wheel.
“You shouldn’t be allowed to drive.”
“I drive just fine, no minus points on my license, buster.”
“Don’t know how,” Angel muttered. “So, revenge?”
“It wasn’t.” She blew out a breath watching as Angel’s hands inched closer to the steering wheel. “Hands ARE on the wheel, Mr. Passenger-seat driver.”
Angel pulled his hands back. “You were going to explain.”
“I…it was just that I have to work and then everybody’s mothers came in thinking it was oh so great, I just figured, if my former friends were working they wouldn’t think twice about me doing it.”
He arched a brow.
“Okay, well, that and revenge.”
He probably should tell her that the Scooby Gang already knew already about her working. But it could get them both killed. He took a deep breath and inched his hands towards the steering wheel. “Buffy, Xander, and Willow know.”
Angel grabbed the steering wheel to keep the car from swerving when Cordy let go of the wheel.
“YOU told.”
Angel grabbed Cordy’s hand. “No.” he said, putting her palm on the steering wheel. “Keep your hands on the wheel. I’m not kidding, Cordelia.”
Cordelia clutched her fingers around the molded plastic. “You told. I can’t believe you told.”
“I didn’t tell.”
“Then how’d they find out?” Cordelia snorted.
“Willow overhead Harmony and Aura talking about it.” Angel shrugged.
Cordelia hit the steering wheel. “And I bet sweet little Willow couldn’t wait to go running to tell Buffy and Xander. Were they laughing?”
“No. Which one was Harmony?” Angel repeated.
“What?
“Harmony?”
“Harm? She was the blonde wearing the pink Versace sweater. So they weren’t laughing?”
Angel didn’t know about the Versace bit. But he did remember a blonde wearing a pink sweater. He would recognize her again. Just in case, Xander had been right, and the girl was some how trying to set up Cordelia.
“Well?” Cordelia glared at him.
“They didn’t laugh.”
“Are you sure?” She glanced over at him.
“Yes.” Angel said. “And I told them it was because you’d worked out a deal with your dad.”
“They believed that I confided that to you ? There’s no way Buffy or any of them believed that.”
“I told them I also overheard Harmony and Aura talking about it.”
“Oh.” Cordelia concentrated on the darkness ahead of her, her shoulders sagging with relief.
Angel frowned, tempted to brush her hair away so he could see her face. His gaze moved down to her chest. Her breaths were shallow and sharp. He looked up quickly as she turned.
“You did that for me?” She said in an uncertain voice.
Angel shrugged.
“Thanks.” She turned away quickly.
“You’re welcome.”
***
He watched as Cordelia continued to stare out the window shield, smoothly changing gears at the appropriate time. Angel began to wonder if she would ever speak again. It had been only a couple of minutes, but it had been very long couple of minutes.
But at least now he knew she could avoid potholes or stripping the convertible’s gears. He glanced back at her profile, her dark hair tucked behind her ear. His fingers itched to trace the lines. Instead he committed every tiny detail to memory. The next time he drew her it would be right.
“Angel?” Cordelia asked hesitantly.
“Yes?”
“Could you tell if they believed you?”
Angel frowned. She was still worried about Buffy and the rest. Why did she care so much about them?
He hadn’t honestly expected any of them to say they were Cordy’s friends. He would’ve had to be devoid of all of his senses not to notice the tension between the teenagers whenever they were in close proximity. Even Xander with his recent show of concern had been tense.
Angel remembered Cordelia’s pain in the library. He had thought it was because of her broken relationship with Xander, and the boy’s and the others cluelessness about it, but now Angel wondered if it was more.
“They believed me.”
“How can you be sure?”
Angel took a deep breath, not wanting to add anymore, but he guessed he should. “Xander convinced them it was true.”
“Xander,” Cordelia jerked her head towards Angel. “How? Why?”
“I guess because he believed it.” Angel studied Cordelia. “He said that your dad always made temporary rules then forgot about them. He said you were probably just working until he forgot again. You told Xander that?” Angel said more sharply than he meant. It still bothered him that Cordelia had confided even that much to the boy.
Cordelia scrunched up her brow. “My dad….” She blew out a breath. “Oh. Geez. Who would’ve thought Xander actually listened to me? Usually, he was all ‘Buffy this’, ‘Willow that’.” She frowned. “Except when we were in closets.”
Angel squeezed his fingers into his knees. She had to dredge up that image for him again.
“Good then,” she grumbled. ” I guess my lie is secure.” Cordelia ran a hand through her hair. “I’ve gotten to be such a good liar.”
Angel turned at her disgusted tone.
“Don’t lie then.”
“Yeah, right.”
Angel smiled and looked out the window. The motel was in sight. “Stop the car.”
“I’m driving just fine.”
“Yes. But this is about securing the other part of your lie. Your security guard was here earlier. I just want to see if he still is.”
“My…Barney?” Cordelia slammed on her brakes causing Angel to lurch forward. “Miss Twittle didn’t say anything about sending Barney here when I talked to her earlier, I didn’t even tell her where I was staying. Why didn’t you say something when we left? Did he see you? I can’t be seen with my evil stalker. He’ll tell Miss Twittle.” She jerked her head around trying to find the security guard in the darkness.
“Ooh, where is he? Hey, crunch down, he can’t see you.” Cordelia tugged at Angel’s arm. “Do it.” She yanked again, pulling him onto her lap.
Any resistance Angel felt disappeared when his head landed on the cushion of Cordelia’s thighs.
“Stay down,” she ordered as she hit the gas.
“Okay.” Angel senses were on over-load. Drawn by her scent, his fingers brushed the flesh above her knee.
“Hey.” Cordelia squirmed a little.
“You put me here,” Angel said. “I’m just trying to get comfortable.”
“Oh, stopping being a big old crybaby, it will only be for a minute.”
He was conflicted; did he shift one way and end up in the cradle of Cordelia’s lap or did he go the other way and allow his face to rest against the uncovered flesh of her thighs? He pressed further into her lap, the back of his head resting against her stomach, his fingers continuing their brushing pattern on the skin above her knees.
“Hey,” Cordelia slapped at his hand. “That tickles. Stop.”
“Sorry.” Angel flattened his hand, spreading his fingers around her thigh. “Better?” He whispered into her skirt.
“No.” Cordelia squeaked as she slammed on the brakes. “Get off me.”
“What about your security guard?”
She shoved at his head. “We’re here. Now get up.”
Angel lifted his head and looked out the window. “We’re barely in the parking lot.” He dropped his head back in her lap.
“We’re more than half-way in.” She yanked at his hair.
“Hey.” Angel slapped at her hands.
Cordelia glowered down at him. “If I didn’t know you were YOU, I’d think you were actually copping a feel. And your hands are cold. Get them off me.”
Angel’s jerked his head up. “What do you mean if ‘you didn’t know I was me’?”
“You know, I’m not the blonde slayster.”
Angel frowned scooting even further away. He studied Cordelia, looking up at her narrowed hazel eyes. Why was he so attracted? His love for Buffy hadn’t changed. It was just that for the last few days he had been preoccupied with Cordy’s safety.
“Are you going to stay in my car all night? It doesn’t have tinted windows.” Cordelia’s hand moved for her door handle.
Angel snatched her hand away from the door.
“Stay in the car, until I tell you its safe to get out.”
“Angel, this might look like “Motel Hell’, but there is no Farmer Vincent waiting to serve up the passer bys. Trust me.”
Angel was beginning to feel the beginnings of an eye twitch. He shook down the burgeoning abnormal physical reaction.
“You never saw “Motel Hell’, did you? I would’ve thought it right up your alley, eating people and stuff.”
Angel slammed his eyes shut. It didn’t stop the twitch, but at least now it wasn’t visible. He clenched his jaw, and opened his eyes to a narrow glare. “You are going to stay in the car until I walk over and let you out. Then I’ll escort you up to your room. There may be no ‘Farmer Vincent’, but there are Bruno’s.”
“I told you —“
“I’m less sure than you are about his running away.” Angel shook his head as he got out of the car.
“Angel, what about Barney? He can’t see you.”
“Cordy, there are no other cars actually in the parking lot except for the junked one. If he’s here then he’s parked back in the trees. If he can see anything, it will be just somebody walking you to your door.” He opened her door.
“Oh.”
“Come on.” Angel held out his hand.
Cordelia frowned and let him pull her out of her car. “You are being way too anal. I’ve walked to my room tons of times without an escort.”
Angel didn’t respond as he held her elbow and moved her along to the enclosed stairwell. “Where’s the bum?” He scanned up the darkened pathway.
“Hey, how do you know about Chuck? And how do you know my room is upstairs.”
“Remember Bruno?”
“Oh, right.” Cordy nodded.
“Cordy, you can’t stay here.” Angel held her close as he walked up the stairs. “It’s…”
“What I can afford.” She pushed away from him, walking quickly ahead.
There was that hitch in her voice again. He hated it. “Okay,” he said.
He could agree because he knew that soon she would leave with him never to come back.
“Okay, here we…. God damn it.” She kicked the door and swung open. “Some one’s broke in,” she yelled.
“Cordy.” Angel pulled her to his chest. “Invite me in.”
“Huh?”
Angel held her closer. “I need to search the place.”
“Pfft, the asshole is long gone.”
“Do you know that?”
“No.” Cordelia stomped her foot. “Oh all right. Go in. Make your self at home.”
Angel entered the room, scanning the contents quickly. He still didn’t smell Bruno. But there was an unidentifiable human scent present. Damn. Had some one entered to steal after he left the door’s broken condition obvious or had he just overlooked it before because he had been too focused on Bruno? “Cordy.” Angel turned on a light. “You can come in now.”
Cordelia cautiously leaned in. “Are you sure?”
“It’s safe.” His outstretched hand was still waiting. “Has anything been taken?”
Cordelia let him pull her towards him as she looked around.
“I don’t think so.” She opened a drawer. “I don’t really have anything of value any more.” Her eyes widened. “Wait.” She ran to the small closet, dropping to the floor, counting quickly. “Nope. Shoes all here.”
“Shoes?” Angel asked.
“Hey, some of these could feed a small village for years.”
She leaned back hugging her knees. “I don’t think anything was taken. I keep my cash and whatever jewelry I was able to save from the taxman with me in my purse. Good thing that the IRS doesn’t haven’t a clue about fine Italian shoes.”
“Tax man? IRS?” Angel asked.
She waved away his question and stood. “Well, I can’t stay here.”
Angel let her avoidance go. She was going to leave the motel, which was what he wanted.
“I hate packing.” She pulled a suitcase from the top shelf of the closet. “Hey, would you get my duffle bag from under the bed?”
Angel did as she asked.
“Okay, go ahead and just toss everything in the top drawer into it. I’ll go get a key.”
Angel had his hands full of clothes before he realized the rest of her statement. “Key?”
“For another room.” Cordelia stood in the doorway. “I’ve paid for the month. Bob owes me another room. I didn’t break the lock.” She moved out into the walkway.
Angel was at her side in an instant. “YOU aren’t staying here.”
“Of course I’m not. Geez. I’m going to get another room.”
“NO. You aren’t staying at the motel.”
Cordelia crossed her arms and stared at the vampire. “I’m not sleeping in my car.”
“You’re coming with me.”
“Where?”
“To the mansion.”
Angel didn’t like the snorts that were coming from Cordelia’s mouth and nose. It wasn’t at all attractive or reassuring.
“And I didn’t think you had a sense of humor.” She shook her head, tugging her arm away from him. “Be right back. Keep packing.”
“Cordy,” Angel yelled, his plans falling just like the bundle of clothes he held.
Angel strode out of the room, catching up with Cordelia immediately. His arms encircled her waist scooping her up from behind.
“Hey,” Cordelia squirmed in Angel’s tight embrace.
“Be quiet,” he ordered, carrying her back into the room. “You aren’t staying here.”
“I’m get—.”
Angel raised a hand. “No. You are coming with me. Or…” He paused for effectiveness. “I’m telling Giles.”
Cordelia yanked back. “You said you wouldn’t tell Buffy.” She glared accusingly.
“I said Giles.”
“Same thing. I knew I couldn’t trust you.”
Angel ignored Cordelia’s look of hurt and betrayal. He gripped her shoulders. “You can. But, I’m not letting you stay here. Someone broke in. It could’ve been Bruno or it could’ve been some one else. And they could do it again whatever room you choose.”
“But—“
“Cordy,” Angel interrupted. “What would you have done if I hadn’t been here and Bruno was waiting in your room? Rushed in and thrown your shoes at him?”
Cordelia shook her head. “But he wasn’t.”
“He or someone else was. I can protect you at night. But what about during the day? What if he’s waiting in your new room after school? I can’t stay with you. The motel is too far away from the tunnels.”
“You’re just trying to scare me.”
“You should be scared.” He shook her slightly.
Cordelia bit at her lip, refusing to meet his eyes. “I don’t need you to protect me.”
Angel’s grip eased up on her shoulders, feeling the slight tremors in her body that had nothing to do with his shaking her. Good. She was frightened. Now he just had to get through her stubbornness.
“Yes, Cordelia, you do. But, if you won’t accept it, then I’ll tell Giles.”
“How’s that going to help?”
“Giles’ priority may be Buffy, but he won’t just sit still and let you stay here alone, not once I tell him about Bruno.”
“Oh, right, he’ll just open his home to me.”
Angel hid his grimace at the thought. “Maybe, or maybe he’d convince Buffy to let you stay with her.”
“Buffy?” Cordelia exclaimed. “She’d never agree.”
“I bet she’d do it for him, especially, if he first explained to Mrs. Summers that you were in danger.”
Angel watched as Cordelia’s stubborn expression changed to stunned resignation. “Oh God, Buffy’s mom is like a REAL mom. She’d make me. It would be hell.” Cordelia shook her head frantically.
“Those are your choices.” Angel said with more calm than he felt. He just hoped that Cordelia’s aversion to staying with Buffy was stronger than any reluctance she had to staying with him.
Cordelia ran her fingers through her hair, pulling at the ends. “Arggh, I hate this.” She stomped her foot.
Angel waited with his arms crossed against his chest.
“Oh, fine.” Cordelia said, turning for the door.
“Where are you going?”
“To get my money. If I’m going with you there is no way, I’m letting that fat slob of a manager keep a full months rent. It’s only been a week.”
Angel refused to smile or get lost in the relief that washed over him.
“You don’t have to follow me.” Cordelia shot over her shoulder as Angel moved with her. “Bob maybe a fat slob and a sleaze, but he’s harmless. I can handle him.”
“Right.” Angel held on to her elbow and walked her to the manager’s office.
Chapter 20
“Stop throwing those things at me.” Angel caught the high-heeled shoe that was flying through the air.
“Hmmph.” Cordelia scrambled further into the bottom of the closet, picking up another shoe and tossing it over her shoulder.
Angel dropped the shoe to catch its airborne mate.
“Would you stop?”
Cordelia got up, wiping off her dress. “Who knew you were such a whiner? Don’t worry, you big baby, those were the last.”
“I’m not whining. Those are weapons.” He gestured to the shoes cluttered around his feet.
Cordelia just rolled her eyes. She snatched up her knapsack and went into the small bathroom.
Angel smiled. She was going with him. He leaned down and started stuffing the shoes in the duffle bag.
Cordelia had been right, she had been able to handle the motel manager. Angel had wanted to kill him at his first leer. But Cordelia had shut Bob up with a sharp retort and raised brow. Angel was fairly certain that the fat man’s blubbery surrender of her money had more to do with her tongue-lashing than the scowls that Angel had directed towards him.
“I’m done.” Cordelia swung her full knapsack over her shoulder as she re-entered the room.
Angel nodded, his face once again impassive as he zipped up the last shoe. “Then let’s go.” Angel shifted the duffle bag on his shoulder and picked up the suitcase Cordelia pointed to.
***
“What is it?” Angel asked as Cordelia paused halfway down the stairs.
“Chuck,” she answered, pointing to the empty spot on the landing. “He’s not back. He’s always here.” Cordelia scrunched up her forehead and looked back up the stairs. “You don’t think…no, it’s probably just taking him longer than usual to get his bottle.”
“Cordy?”
“It’s…” Cordelia frowned. “Chuck really doesn’t move much except when strangers try to come up. Then he gets really loud. No. He wouldn’t cause Bruno any trouble. And you said that it was Bruno that broke into my room, right? Not a stranger.”
Angel hadn’t actually said that but he didn’t correct her, taking more notice of Chuck’s usual spot than when he had first escorted Cordelia up to her room. He hadn’t seen Chuck when he had been at the hotel earlier but then again he hadn’t taken the stairs.
He pushed aside the stench of urine, stale body odor, cigarettes, and alcohol. His eyes fixed in the direction of a scent of blood. He pushed Cordelia forward. “I’m sure you’re right. He’s just out getting some booze,” Angel said, moving Cordelia even further away from the spatter of blood on the cement wall. The tension was building back up in his body.
Angel forced his growl down and his body to relax. Chuck probably just cut himself or something while in an alcohol stupor and crawled off into the bushes to sleep off it off.
Angel scanned the parking lot. He didn’t sense any other heartbeat in the immediate area except Cordelia’s. How far could an injured drunk crawl?
Angel shook his head, pulling Cordelia closer. Getting Cordelia away from the motel was more important than searching for the bum.
***
“I’m driving.” Angel held out his hand, after stowing the bags in Cordelia’s trunk.
“I —“
Angel moved around the car, opening the passenger side door and snatching the keys from her hands as he pushed her in.
“God, you’re bully.” She pouted crossing her arms over her chest.
Angel eyed her as he got in and started the car. “Does that mean you finally realize that I wouldn’t jump off a cliff for anyone.”
“No. It just means you’re being all-bossy with me because you can’t with Buffy.”
“Buffy doesn’t boss me around.”
“Umhm.” Cordelia rolled her eyes.
***
Cordelia gazed out the window. The lights of downtown Sunnydale were fading with every block. She couldn’t think. There were too many thoughts running through her mind. Bruno, break-ins, Angel, Barney…Miss Twittle. Her eyes fixed on what had to be the last lighted section of the town. Her thoughts of Miss Twittle pressed forward. “Stop there.” She pointed to a drug store.
“Why?” But he turned into the lighted parking lot.
“Because, Mr. Observant, did you even notice whether Barney was there or not?”
“Well, it’s a little late for you to be in my lap.”
Cordelia rolled her eyes. “If he was out there, he saw me pack up and leave. I’ve got to tell Miss Twittle something. I can’t let Barney make her suspicious. She’ll fire me.”
“Stopping here will help?”
“I need research material.” She jumped out of the car and grabbed her purse.
Angel shut off the car and followed.
Angel stood watching as Cordelia ran up to the magazine rack. The glossy magazines were research? His gaze traveled around the store. He narrowed his eyes at the refrigerated section in the back of the store. It was full of human food. Damn. He didn’t have any at the mansion.
He grabbed a cart, pushing it towards the back of the store, pausing along the dry food aisle. Angel frowned and grabbed a couple of boxes of pasta, a loaf of bread, a jar of peanut butter, several cans of tomato paste, little containers of spices, bags of chips, liters of soda, and cans of soup. He pushed on to the glassed in area where he pulled out eggs, bacon, butter, cheese, and milk.
Angel jerked the cart to another aisle picking up a frying pan, saucepan and some packaged utensils.
He looked around the store trying to decide if there was anything else that Cordelia would need. Paper towels and toilet paper flew into the cart. His gaze landed on a small lamp. Cordelia would probably want more lights in the mansion. He pushed over to the next aisle, then the next, searching until he found light bulbs. Angel puzzled at the different sizes and packages. He grabbed one of each, not sure, which would fit the light fixtures in the mansion.
Finally, satisfied, Angel turned the full cart back to the front of the store.
“Where have —-What the hell have you got?” The small shopping bag in Cordelia’s hand twisted around her fingers as she pointed it at Angel’s cart.
“I…I needed some things.” Angel stuttered under her glare.
“You needed Fritos?” She yanked out a bag of corn chips.
Angel stood straight. He had nothing to be embarrassed about. “You need food.”
“I have food.”
“You have half a jar of peanut butter and even less cereal. I know. I packed them. You don’t even have milk.” He jerked up the gallon jug.
“I don’t need any.”
“You need milk for cereal.”
“How would you know?” She glared crossing her arms.
“Everyone knows that.” Angel mimicked her action.
“Can I help you?” A thin man wearing a vest and nametag claiming him as Bert came up to them.
“No,” Cordelia snapped at the interfering clerk.
“Yes.” Angel turned to the little man. “Where’s your cereal? I got milk, but I forgot cereal. It has a bright bird with a big beak on it.” Angel motioned around his nose exaggerating its size.
“That would be Fruit Loops, sir. I’ll be right back.”
“Bert.” Cordelia stomped her foot. “You are staying right there.”
“Go.” Angel commanded to Bert.
Bert jerked his head back and forth between them. “Cereal is on aisle 5. I’m just going back to the counter and wait for your check-out.” Bert scurried back to the safety of his counter.
Cordelia pulled the shopping cart toward her. “You’re putting it all back.”
“Am not.” Angel yanked it back.
“Angel,” she whispered through clenched teeth. “I can’t buy all this. Now, put it back. I’ve got enough food for now. I’ll get what I need later.”
“I’ve got money.”
“You’ve got a hundred bucks to spend on food you don’t need?”
“A hundred? It won’t cost that much.” Angel eyed the cart. Cordelia couldn’t be right. It was just food and stuff.
“Yes, Angel, it will. Now put it back. I don’t need all that stuff. I don’t.”
“You’ll need it.”
Cordelia shook her head. “I can’t afford it, okay? Just put it all back. Please.”
Angel winced at the catch in her voice. He leaned over the cart, pushing a strand of hair away from her face. “Stop worrying about it.” He grabbed her hand, pulling her along as he pushed the cart with his other hand towards the checkout register. “It can’t cost that much.”
***
Angel juggled the plastic bags, still trying to decipher the receipt. “It was just food. How can it cost so much?”
“I told you.” Cordelia grabbed the plastic bag that was about to slip from his fingers. Angel’s bewildered expression when he was forced to fork over $98.76 would’ve made her laugh except she was still stunned that he had even thought about buying her food in the first place.
“Angel,” she frowned, grabbing another bag. “You’re going to drop everything. Give me that.” She ripped the receipt out of his tight grip with her free hand.
“$2.25 for a box of pasta. That can’t be right. That clerk must have overcharged me.”
“Would you get in the car?” Cordelia put the plastic bags in the back seat before getting in the passenger side.
Angel was still grumbling as he got in. He paused in switching on the ignition. “He cheated me. I’ll just…” He reached for the door handle.
“Go, ‘grr’ on him? No you won’t. Now just drive.” Cordelia sighed and leaned back in her seat.
“What’s wrong?” Angel turned to her.
“You just…I can’t pay you back, right now.” She chewed on her lip. “If ever,” she added under her breath.
“Did I ask you too?”
“I can’t take —“
“It’s too late. Are you sure I didn’t get cheated. $9.00 seems like an awful lot for light bulbs.”
“Not when you buy four packages of them,” she muttered.
“Oh. Okay then.” He started the car.
Cordelia glanced over at Angel’s profile. She wanted to cry. Other than freaking about the prices of everything, he hadn’t hesitated once about buying any of the stuff. He even made the clerk go back and get her Fruit Loops. She didn’t understand him at all. Except for the handsome face and black leather coat, he could’ve been someone entirely different than the vampire that had been Buffy’s boyfriend, or had threatened Bruno or whose stare caused her to squirm in her skin.
“Why are you being so nice to me?”
Angel turned towards her. “Cordy, you’re going to live with me. I can’t very well expect you to go without food or stumble in the dark now can I?” The timbre of his low voice wrapped around her.
Cordelia pulled her gaze away. He was the same vampire. The goose bumps on her arms proved it.