Chapter 70
Angel stopped outside the entrance to the school basement. He eyed the kitten. “You have an important job. Do you think you’re up to it?” Angel was satisfied at the kitten’s responding purrs.
“Ready?” Angel cocked a brow at the kitten’s loud mew.
“Okay, but now you have to be quiet for awhile.” Angel gently tucked the kitten under his coat.
***
Cordelia squirmed at her desk. She shot a look around the room trying to catch whoever was causing her spine to tingle. She frowned unable to see who had been staring at her.
She lowered her head to concentrate on her history book. She jerked up. She felt it again. Cordelia widened her eyes at the glimpse of black leather through the classroom door’s window.
Cordelia’s hand shot up in the air.
“Miss Chase?” The teacher acknowledged her.
“Can I please be excused?”
“All right, but make it quick. Your assignment needs to be completed before the end of class.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
***
“Angel,” Cordelia whispered, looking up and down the hallway. Where was he? She knew she didn’t imagine seeing him. She headed for the storage closet.
“Angel, are you in here?” she whispered, opening the door. He better be or she’d feel like the biggest idiot. She glanced over her shoulder, hoping that no one came out of the classrooms.
“Cordy.”
Cordelia felt herself being pulled into the room.
“Angel, what are you doing here?” Cordelia crossed her arms as she faced him.
“I needed your help.”
Her stomach dropped as she reached out to grasp his arm. “Is something wrong?”
“No, not really, but…” Angel reached into his coat and brought out the kitten.
Cordelia’s eyes widened, her hand automatically reaching out to pet it. “It’s a kitten.” She looked up at Angel.
“I know. Weird coincidence isn’t. Do you think that Miss Twittle planted him in the sewer so you could get your cat?”
Cordelia chuckled. “No. I think she’d be a lot more straightforward.” She cupped the kitten bringing it close to her chest. Cordelia smiled as the kitten curled up tight under her neck. “Oh, it’s purring. ‘Him’ It’s a boy kitty?”
Angel nodded. “I think he likes you.”
Cordelia picked the kitten up, cradling him to her face. “You poor baby, you’re so skinny. Angel, look,” she held out the kitten, “his eyes are all watery.”
Angel nodded. “I didn’t know what to do. Should I have left him?” Cordelia hugged the kitten back into her chest. “In the sewer, all alone? No way.”
He refused to smile at Cordelia’s instinctive move to protect the kitten. “Well, what do we do with him? I guess we could just put him on the street. Cats are natural born hunters – he could fend for himself.”
Angel kept his face impassive at Cordelia’s outraged expression.
“He’s a baby, not a tiger,” she whispered harshly as she gently rubbed around the kitten’s oversized ears. “Shh, baby, don’t listen to him. Angel’s just being stupid.”
Angel stuffed his hands in his pockets. “So, what are we going to do with him?”
Cordelia chewed on her lip. “Here.” She put the kitten in Angel’s arms. “Go wait for me in the basement. And do not,” She glared at him. “Let him loose.”
“Where are you going?”
“To get excused from the rest of my classes.” Cordelia quickly left the storage room.
“You did well.” Angel scratched the kitten’s head.
***
Cordelia took the kitten back from Angel as soon as she entered the basement.
“Any problems?”
“Nope, told Mr. Baker I had cramps. It works every time. How are you doing, sweetie?” Cordelia rubbed at the kitten. “Angel, get my phone from my purse.”
“Who do you need to call?”
“Miss Twittle, of course.”
***
Angel walked along side Cordelia, holding the phone to her ear and listening to the conversation between her and Miss Twittle.
“Cordelia, if nothing is wrong, shouldn’t you be in class?”
“Yes -“
“Cordelia, school is very important.”
“I know, but Miss Twittle, Angel found a little kitten. I think he’s sick. I don’t know -“
“A kitten? I’ll be there in half hour. Try to get him to drink some water. Not milk. That’s a myth. It doesn’t have the proper nutrients. And keep him warm.”
***
“Hello, Angel.” Miss Twittle walked into the mansion carrying several bags from Pet Smart. “Could you please go out to my car? There are some more things that you will need in the back seat.”
“Um.” Angel stared at her car parked under the sun.
“I’ll go.” Cordelia rushed up and handed the kitten to Angel. “I’ve been hogging the little guy.”
Miss Twittle nodded. “May I?” She held her hands out for the kitten.
“Oh, you poor little thing.” Miss Twittle gently examined the kitten’s ears and paws, paying extra attention to his eyes.
“Miss Twittle, what did you get?” Cordelia placed the plastic bags next to the ones that Miss Twittle had already placed down.
“Oh, just some things that you are going to need.” She waved away Cordy’s question. “Dear, this little one needs to go to the vet.”
Cordelia hurried over to the kitten. “Is he going to be okay?”
Angel frowned slightly as he waited for Miss Twittle to answer. He was suddenly worried that he had been wrong about the kitten’s health.
Miss Twittle smiled as the kitten scrambled back into Cordelia’s arms. “I think he’ll be fine once we get some food in him and checked out.” Miss Twittle reached out to scratch at the kitten’s head. “He likes you, Cordy. He knows that you rescued him.”
“Angel found him.”
Miss Twittle turned her smile on Angel. “I’m sure he knows that too. Have you both thought of a name, yet?”
“We – no. Angel, we can keep him, can’t we?”
Angel quickly nodded. “Of course.”
Chapter 71
Angel stood in the doorway of the kitchen watching Cordelia. She was sitting cross-legged on the sofa, the kitten curled up in her lap. “You were such a big piggy. But you feel better, don’t you, sweetie,” she gently trailed her finger along his fur.
“You can’t call a male cat – ‘sweetie’.” Angel sat down close to her and reached out to rub the kitten’s head.
“Hmmph,” she raised her brow. “You’re called Angel. Not a name screaming of testosterone, buddy.”
Angel chose to ignore her statement. “Seriously, what are you going to name him?”
“Actually, I was thinking of Angel?”
“Doesn’t that lack testosterone?” he asked dryly.
“Yeah.” She gave him a teasing smile. “But see?” She patted the kitten’s side. “He likes black just like you.”
Angel couldn’t get annoyed at her light-hearted teasing. It proved that she felt comfortable in his presence. “He’s a black cat, Cordy.”
“At least he has an excuse.” She smiled up at Angel and then looked back down at the kitten. “Blackie?”
“Cordy.” Angel shook his head.
“I know. I know,” Cordy sighed. “How about Darcy?”
The kitten stretched, blinking up at Cordelia as he meowed. Darcy scrambled up Cordy’s shirt, curling up under her neck, his little body vibrating with loud purrs.
“Hey.” Cordelia giggled. “That’ tickles.”
“I think we have a name.” Angel smiled. “Speaking of which, how did Mr. Edwards like your essay?”
Cordelia turned slowly to face Angel. “No detention. Here take him.”
Angel cupped Darcy and brought him to his chest. “Come on, Darcy, let Cordy move.”
“Where are you going?” Angel called after Cordelia.
“To get his medicine. The vet said he needed it twice a day for ten days. And you get the duty.”
“Me?”
“Yep.” Cordelia handed Angel the bottle and eyedropper. “I don’t want him to think I’m a big meanie.”
***
Cordelia hugged her knees and watched Angel put the drops of medicine in Darcy’s eyes. It was amazing. Angel’s hands overwhelmed the kitten, but he was so gentle with Darcy. The kitty barely squirmed in protest as Angel continued to murmur that everything would be okay.
“Good boy,” Cordelia scratched Darcy’s head. “You’re so brave.” When Angel was done she picked the kitten up.
“I think its time to go to bed.”
“You’re going to let him sleep with you?” Angel stood.
“Sure, I don’t what him to get scared about being alone.”
***
“I’ll be out in a minute, Darcy.” Cordelia called through the bathroom door.
Angel picked up the crying kitten. “You don’t like being left alone, either, uh? Come with me. She’ll come to us.” Angel brought Darcy up to eye level. “I should warn you though, she’s mine. If you help me get what I want, I’ll share – but if not,” Angel stopped as Darcy smacked him on the nose. “Sure, you’re too scrawny to be a decent sized snack, but there is always kitty poker.”
Angel cocked a brow as Darcy scrambled from his arms to the bed. “Okay, you’re not impressed.” He reached out as Darcy ran back and ducked under his hand to be petted. “Back in the day, I’d just nail you to a door.”
“Angel, don’t tell him that.” Cordelia stood in the doorway. “You’ll scare him.”
“Does he look scared?” Angel jerked his head at the kitten splayed against his knee.
Cordelia giggled. “Actually, he looks pretty comfortable.” She sat on the bed next them.
“Anyway, you’re the one who scared him. Leaving him alone like that. Cruel Cordy.”
“I was just in – oh nevermind. Come here, sweetie.” She plucked Darcy up and settled him by her pillow. “I’m back now. Go away, Angel. We’re going to bed. Good night.”
Angel slowly got up. “Good night.”
***
“Hey.” Cordelia sat up as Darcy fell from the bed and scrambled to the door. “Why are you crying now?”
“Cordy?” Angel opened the door wider. “What’s wrong with him?” Angel leaned down to pick the kitten up.
“I — hey, he’s stopped crying. Good, now give him back.”
“Why was he crying?”
“Don’t look at me like that, I’m not the one that threatened to n-a-i-l him to a door. He’s probably having a nightmare.”
“Cordy, he’s a cat.” Angel shook his head.
“That doesn’t mean he doesn’t understand.” Cordelia reached out, taking the kitten from Angel and settling him back on her pillow. “Good night.”
Angel got up from the bed. “Good night.”
Darcy scrambled off the bed and beat Angel to the door. Angel scooped him up. “I think he wants to go with me.”
“What? How come? You gave him a nightmare.”
“Cordy, I’m sure he likes you just as much as me.” Angel smirked. “Well, almost anyway. Good night.”
Angel closed the door before the flying pillow could hit him.
He looked down at Darcy. “That’s not what I had in mind, but it was kind of fun.”
Darcy started whining and squirming in his arms.
“I heard that.” Cordelia came through the door. “You ARE scaring him.” She quickly took Darcy back. “See, he’s fine now.” She headed into the bedroom and lay down on the bed.
“Oh, Darcy, now what?” Cordy said over the kitten’s crying.
Angel stood in the doorway, thinking as he studied the whining little cat. Maybe Darcy really had understood what Angel wanted.
Darcy quieted as Angel came to sit next to Cordelia. “What’s wrong with him, Angel?”
“I think it’s us.” Angel shrugged, petting Darcy. “He cries when one of leaves. We’re going to have to sleep together.”
“Wh.a..?” Cordy stuttered.
Angel kept his face impassive. “He’ll cry, otherwise.”
“Then he’ll cry.” She said, shaking her head. “We’re not sleeping together.”
“Cordy – “
“No way. Just go. We’ll keep the doors open. He can go back and forth.” Cordelia titled her head towards Darcy. “You’re just going to have to deal.”
Angel shrugged. “All right.”
***
Cordelia buried her head under the pillow but Darcy’s howls were still reaching her ears.
“Darcy.” She jumped to her feet and went to the door.
Cordelia wasn’t surprised to see Angel already in the hallway standing over the stubborn kitten, who was sitting there yowling his head off.
Angel looked at her. “I can’t sleep like this.”
“I know.” Cordelia rolled her eyes. “You win,” she said to Darcy as she scooped him up. She then looked at Angel. “You just stay on your side of the bed.” She climbed between the sheets.
“I don’t believe it. He’s actually purring,” Cordelia grumbled as she squirmed to get comfortable in the bed.
“He’s happy.”
“Yeah,” Cordelia leaned over and stared into Darcy’s eyes. “If you weren’t so darn cute —” Darcy reached out and tapped her on the nose. “Oh. Would you look at him?” She shot to Angel. “He has no shame.”
“He’s just doing what he’s got to do. You can’t blame him for that,” Angel said, as he got in on the other side of the bed.
“Hmmph.” She curled up away from Angel. “This is so wrong,” she said, as she pulled the covers up to ears.
Angel raised his brows at her mumbled whisper. No, he thought as he settled closer to her body – this was so right.
***
Angel’s jaw began to ache. His incisors dug into his lip as the counted the upraised swirls in the ceiling. He closed his eyes and concentrated on her squirming. Patience, he reminded himself as he clenched his jaw tighter.
Finally, Cordelia’s breath settled into a gentle rhythm. Angel turned on his side, tugging softly at the covers, baring Cordelia’s back. Her long john t-shirt hid her flesh but did nothing to hide the sweet lines of her body. He was cautious, not wanting to disturb her or the kitten curled up next to her. But he couldn’t help touching her ponytail. He wetted his lips as his fingers stroked her, like he’d stroked the kitten. Her hair was pure silk.
He wanted – no needed – to grab her, tease her until she was underneath him writhing in passion.
He took a breath. She had to come to him. That would be the only way he’d be completely satisfied.
Yet, he couldn’t stop from touching her.
Angel slowly reached around her and grazed her cheek. His hand stilled as Cordelia sleepily brushed him away. Once her movements stilled, he repeated the action. He smiled as she turned away from his hand and snuggled closer to his body. He closed his eyes as he wrapped his arm around her and gently tugged her to his side.
Chapter 72
Barney smacked the shovel over the freshly strewn dirt. Then he stuck it in the tightly packed earth and leaned on the handle to kneel down. “Darlin’, I’ll miss you. I do wish our last moments had been more pleasurable. But, I blame it on that ‘Angel’ and his interference. Had he not hid my new rose from my sight, I wouldn’t have been so distracted.” Barney lumbered to his feet. “I will make him pay. I promise.” Barney tossed a bouquet of red roses on the makeshift grave.
He backed away, his eyes roaming to take in the multiple rows of drying and decaying bouquets. He bunched his fist. He prided himself on his ability to lavish attention on each of his flowers. He hated that he had failed this one. His darlin’ should’ve have seen his face and felt his touch as she wilted back to the earth. She shouldn’t have been alone. He promised that once Cordelia Chase was his, he would punish her supposed ‘guardian angel’ for the neglect.
Barney plodded up the wooden steps, hoping that his last flower knew of his intentions and would forgive him once he had his revenge. He sighed loudly as he pulled up the stairs when he reached the basement. Then he dragged the large metal shelving over the trap door. Turning off the overhead light, he went up a second set of stairs to the bare kitchen.
He popped open a can of beer and looked around. He ached with loneliness. He sighed again. He had wished to vent his frustrations with his dearly departed. Grumbling, he leaned his large frame against the worn counter. His search of the school had told him nothing of value.
Barney crushed the empty can in between his hands. He would find her. Soon he wouldn’t be alone. Tomorrow he would start his new job and then she would come to him.
***
In the dream, Angel’s skin was immersed in heat and a steady rhythm beat within his chest. The scent of spice and wildflowers circled around him causing his blood to flow. He didn’t want to wake and lose the sensations.
Except, Angel thought with waking realization, it wasn’t a dream. Cordelia was no longer just next to him. Sometime during the night she had reached into his space. Her luscious body covered his, softer and smoother than the velvet quilt ever could be. He frowned as he noticed that his leg was dangling off the edge of the bed.
He ignored the hows of that and concentrated on the body in his arms. He cursed his sweat pants and her pajamas. The combined materials blocked the feel of her leg on his thighs. His hands itched to rip them off. Yet, if he moved, then his fingers would have to leave the smooth curve of her lower back. He breathed in deeply and brushed his cheek against the brown silk that rested in the crook of his shoulder.
It was as close too heaven as he would ever be. He inched his fingers upward, traveling along Cordy’s back. ‘Mine’ he wanted to brand on the sweetness.
He froze as she shifted in his arms. Flashpoints of fire spread along his arm where her hand found rest.
He reached over with his other hand to brush away her hair. He wanted to see her face when he woke her with pleasure. There could be no dispute that she came to him in her sleep. It was close enough to his self-imposed rules. It had to be. His reaching hand paused as Darcy caught his attention. The kitten was diagonally laid out on his back with all four legs splayed out increasing his tiny size triple-fold.
Angel wasn’t sure how the kitten was able to push them both to the edge of the bed. But that had to be the how and why Cordelia was on top of him and his leg half way off the bed. A soft chuckle vibrated in Angel’s chest causing his shoulders to shake. Then he froze. “Damn,” he muttered as Cordelia stirred.
“Angel?” She blinked and then leaned up from his chest. He grasped her shoulders stopping her movement and drew his thumb over her lips. “Shh. You’ll wake him. And before you start, you’re on ‘my’ side. He took yours.” Angel said softly as he nodded for her to look.
He ignored her embarrassed glare and urged again. Finally, she looked and then started to giggle. Her giggles burgeoned into laughter as she hid her face in Angel’s chest. “He looks so cute,” she gasped into Angel’s t-shirt.
Darcy, waking, gracefully rolled to his feet and sat on his haunches. He eyed the couple and then proceeded to lick his paw.
“You woke him,” Angel whispered, taking the opportunity to nuzzle at the soft patch of skin behind her ear.
Still chuckling, Cordelia moved to sit up. Angel kept his arms around her and this time she didn’t struggle.
“Angel,” she said, leaning back into him. “Look at him.” She jerked her head to the yawning kitten. “One minute he is, like huge,” Cordelia brought her hands up and stretched them out, “and now he that tiny thing. What a goofball. You’re a goofball and a bed hog,” she leaned forward until she was eye level with Darcy.
Cordelia shook her head at the cat’s meow. “No shame. Well, I’m getting up.” Cordelia scooted towards her edge of the bed. She rolled her eyes at the motionless cat. “Anytime Darcy.” She waved her hand at him then shrugged as Darcy continued to groom himself. “Angel, take him downstairs and get him his medicine and breakfast. I have to get ready for school.”
“I don’t know, Cordy.” Angel brushed his fingers along her ponytail. “I like his idea of staying in bed.”
“Pfft.” Cordelia swung her feet toward the side. “That’s because you both don’t need a diploma.”
Angel scooped Darcy out of her path and cradled the kitten in the crook of his arm. Petting Darcy, Angel watched Cordelia leave the bedroom. “That was a very good plan that you had last night,” he whispered into Darcy’s big ears.
“Meow.”
“Do you really understand or are you just hungry?”