Part 4, Let the Games Begin
Cordelia easily relaxed into Angel’s comforting and very male body as he sauntered into the Bronze like God’s gift to women everywhere. His heavily muscled arm draped lazily over the brunette’s shoulder and he nuzzled her hair.
“Asswipe at ten” the vampire warned under the pretense of kissing her soft hair, Angel grazed his cheek across the silky, held back strands and inhaled the natural scent deeply, committing it to his memory bank.
“I’m not playing Name That Smell Hans Soulio so you can shove it up your, uh, nice firm and muscular ass!” what? It was his ass too and it wasn’t fat.
“Thanks for the heads-up” Cordelia turned her face into his, letting his lips softly slide down where he flicked his tongue out to taste her lips a little, making her start. “Dog much? What’s with the licking?”
“Spread em babe, I’ll show you licking!”
“Just tasting, nothing wrong with that is there?” Angel commented in reply as he led her purposely past the table where Buffy and the others normally sat. Neither he nor Cordelia even gave it a sparing or pitiful glance.
The first people Cordelia attracted attention from were Harmony and Aura, her not-so-best-friends. “Cor” Angel purred, tilting her chin up so her eyes once again locked onto his. “I’m gonna get a drink ok sweetheart? You want anything?”
“Um, I don’t suppose you could smuggle me a cocktail?” this would be the very first time she laid it on thick. Her hazel eyes widened, her glossy lower lip pooched out and her shoulders swung back and forth. “Please Angel? I’ve been a really good girl”
“Oh she’s a bad little kitty Hans, get the girl a drink or two. Make it them Screaming Orgasms, triple!”
Angel gave her a stern look, tracing her pouting lower lip with a gentle sweep of a cool fingertip. “Think you can handle an Orgasm sweetheart?”
“Oh… My… God…! That is just so hot” Harmony swooned to Aura as she openly looked the man in black leather up and down. “Did you hear him? He’s so masculine!”
“Shut her up will you? I’m trying to flirt here for Satan’s sake. Can’t a demon get any anymore without being interrupted?!”
“I think” Cordelia purred right back at him, her wide eyes unblinking as her tongue darted out to wet her upper lip with a slow, beckoning caress. “I can handle anything you want me to swallow”
“Red alert! Hans Soulio’s launching!”
Angel visibly gulped but recovered quickly when he caught the gaze of a certain blue-eyed blonde that was glaring in his direction. The vampire saw the look of angered frustration on her face and figured she’d been watching him the whole time. “C’mon Cor” he murmured “Come with me, who knows what you might end up swallowing”
Cordelia caught the edge to his purred lilt, immediately the realization hit that they were putting on a show. Angel felt the rush of tension through her and slung his arm back around her waist protectively and noted how his show of care had her relaxing into him again. That hadn’t happened with Buffy, the blonde had tensed at his touch but this was new and he liked he made someone safe.
“Can’t you wait baby?” she asked coyly, bringing a hand up to twirl a strand of her hair around her finger in a classic flirt move that brought a grin to his face. “I can’t, my tongue seems kinda dry, I need something cool on it. I tell you what” Cordelia met his gaze flirtatiously. “I’ll get the drinks and you wait here. That way I can surprise you”
“Think you can?” Angel enquired genuinely, “I’ve been around sweetheart, I don’t think there’s anyway you can surprise me but feel free to try”
“Is that a bet?”
“What does the winner get?”
Cordelia paused deep in thought for a second or two before answering, “The winner gets whatever she…”
“Or he” Angel added with a pointed stare, this flirting thing was fun.
“Or he wants. Deal?” she held out her hand for him to shake it and seal the deal. Cordelia smiled when he kissed the back of her hand instead. “Tasting again are we?”
“Get the drinks Cor, will you be able to get something stronger than soda?” Angel asked, openly taking the piss over her age and griped about her not being able to get served alcohol.
“If I can, then you’ll be surprised won’t you?” Cordelia responded easily, winking at the vampire she sauntered off leaving him in the company of two openly drooling teenagers.
“So you’re dating Cordy now?” Harmony asked, hoping he’d say no when it was plainly obvious he was.
“No, I’m just using her so she’ll wash my dishes” Angel replied sarcastically as he watched the way Cordelia’s ass held a very tantalizing sway. The leather moved with her body’s natural rhythm and clung to her curves. As his eyes tracked her, he saw the reason why she wanted to go too the bar; Xander.
***
Cordelia reached the bar a little flushed, she’d felt the vampire watching her and couldn’t help the smug feeling she got when she clicked he was checking her ass out. She looked good and she knew it, it was one thing to feel good about yourself but it was another when somebody didn’t use words to tell you. In her opinion, actions spoke louder than words and his actions made her feel truly wanted.
“What can I get you?” Trevor, the bartender, asked with a smile at her. He’d known this girl for years; he waited for her father’s parties from time to time and got paid very well for doing practically nothing.
“Trevor” Cordelia stated her greeting, “I don’t suppose I could have a Jack Daniels, smooth and off the rocks please? And a multiple Screamer?”
“Cordy, I can’t serve you alcohol you know that” Trevor told her seriously, “I could lose my license”
“Please Trevor?” came the asking nicely, then came the mega-watt smile and the coy, little shrug. “It’s a special occasion” she told him, “You see, my boyfriend and I”
Xander listened in when he heard his ex speak about a new boyfriend and felt a flare of envy rise up in his gut.
“Are celebrating the fact that we’re serious after a hitting a few speed-bumps on the track and I want something special” Cordelia told the barman, fully aware of Xander’s undivided attention.
“Serious? I thought he’d gone behind your back and you’re telling me you’re back that dolt?” Trevor asked in shock.
Cordelia squashed the humiliation that even Trevor knew about the Harris situation. “No, not that other guy, he was one of the speed-bumps. I mean that man over there” she turned to look at Angel and pointed him out, hiding her laughter when she saw him being talked to by Harmony who’s mouth seemed to be moving rapidly.
Trevor nodded, “And you and he are serious? As in a major couple?” he asked, “I saw him with that blonde girl last week”
“Another speed-bump, you know how a guy feels guilty and can’t break up with a girl because he feels she needs him?” Cordelia remarked, her voice and face full of pity for Buffy. “Well, he was with her for a year and I couldn’t wait so I dated Xander Harris because he’s Buffy’s friend and it was the only we could be around each other without actually acting on it” she explained.
“It was hard on the both of us, being around each other day after day without being able to do anything about it” her expression went from pitiful to longing in a single second. “It wasn’t as if either one of us would cheat you know? The funny thing is, he and I were the ones that got betrayed by both Xander and Buffy, so we wasted an entire year of happiness just to make sure those two didn’t get hurt”
Again, Trevor nodded in understanding, “I get it, so you and that guy were platonic because those people you were dating needed you?” he asked with a frown. “That sucks, but you and he have finally got it on?”
Cordelia beamed at him, her face glowing with pure delight and her smile rivaled the sun. “It’s taken a year but yeah. Cordy Chase has finally met her match and she couldn’t be happier”
“You deserve it girl, lemme get you your drinks on the house since it really is a cause for celebration and I love a good love story!”
Xander had lost track of the conversation when he turned to see who Cordelia had pointed out to be her serious boyfriend. Now, he was staring at the smug face of Angel, who was openly watching the brunette with undisguised lust. He felt a sharp stab in his chest when he noticed Cordelia now returning the vampire’s lustful stare, he refused to let Angel have his ex, he’d already had Buffy and he was no trying to sink his fangs into Cordelia. Did Buffy know about this?
***
Angel watched with open amusement as Cordelia sauntered back from the bar with their drinks. He was sure she’d pointed him out so she could get served with alcohol and couldn’t wait to hear her say he’d won their little bet. A game of pool would be nice actually!
“You got it” he commented, “What did it take for you to get served?”
Giving him a smug look, Cordelia handed him his Jack Daniels making sure her fingers touched the back of his hand. “The love story of the century that’s what. Just to keep you updated, refer to Asswipe and Buffy as speed-bumps!” she took a sip of her creamy cocktail and her eyes rolled back at the delicious taste of Baileys, Tia Maria and Chocolate Liqueur.
“Tasting is good” she told him as she licked her lips suggestively, the cream of her drink had her lips a little sticky. Cordelia sampled her drink again, this time a little “Mmm” popped out as she swallowed.
He couldn’t help but get dragged into the game, Angel smirked a smirk that was pure Angelus as he teased her lips with a fingertip. “See, I told you there was nothing wrong with tasting”
Cordelia had no chance to reply for her words were cut off by the feel of his soft, cool lips pressing down on hers. Her eyes widened even more, a shocked squeak popped out and was quickly muffled by Angel as he darted his tongue out to tease her mouth. She responded from the slightly ticklish sensation and parted her lips, allowing him entrance to the warming heat of her mouth.
He could taste the thick, creamy texture on her tongue and mouth; the taste was like hazelnut coffee with a chocolate after taste. Vampires had no sense of taste but he was certain he could taste the Orgasm on her.
“Take her home then you can really taste an Orgasm on her tongue!”
The vampire moaned lightly, increasing the soft pressure just a little and deepening his impromptu kiss with her. His tongue graced over hers, the cooling effect of him against hers was almost bliss. Cordelia tilted her head to one side and raised up on her tiptoes while Angel bent down a little, his hand coming up to stroke her hair while she fisted the leather material of his jacket, flexing her hands and enjoying the feel of it on her skin.
He massaged her mouth expertly, dipping his tongue rhythmically in and out of her mouth, causing her whimper to get lost under the intensity of his kiss. Angel gradually and reluctantly decreased the pressure until he was simply brushing his lips over hers in a light whisper of a touch.
Searching his face for answers, Cordelia blinked rapidly a few times and she forced her thoughts to a stand-still, causing total and utter mental grid-lock. That was not part of the plan, the plan was to date a few times, hug once or twice, flirt outrageously and go home. Kissing wasn’t supposed to be involved in this at all, and Angel knew he was going to be eating his balls in blood stew tomorrow by the look in her eye.
“Okay pal…” Cordelia got ready to blast him for that little shock when he popped fingertip back on her mouth and pressed down silently telling her to shut up.
“Save that for later we’re being watched, I gotta plan” Angel muttered to her, his voice loud enough so only she could hear. Whenever a man stated he had a plan that was the time to start worrying, she’d seen some of her father’s planning with DIY and it wasn’t pretty. Come to think of it, maybe that’s why he always hired people to do stuff now!
“Lay it on me then” she insisted just as quietly, “But don’t think you’re getting away with that”
“I don’t doubt it” Angel swung Cordelia in the opposite direction to the Slayer and led her towards a table. “Play along, I have a plan” he repeated.
“I heard you the first time” she hissed in annoyance but leaned into his guidance and let herself be manhandled by the vampire. Cordelia placed her cocktail on the table top and went to pull the high stool out from under the table when Angel stopped her.
“Allow me” he purred and took over the job; Angel pulled the chair out, removed his jacket and sat on the chair. Cordelia frowned at him then grinned wickedly when he slapped a hand on his thigh, “C’mere sweetheart”
“You are so bad!” she slid on slender leg over his thigh before copying the move with her right leg until she was perched entirely on his lap. Cordelia returned his naughty glance with one of her own and graced him with a smirk. “Justice will prevail!” she whispered.
Buffy had been sat routed to the spot when Angel had turned away from her; it was as though he hadn’t known she was there. She had seen them kiss or Angel kissing her more to the point and that had left a burning hole in her heart. Now he had Cordelia Chase sitting on his knee like they were hopelessly in love or something which she knew was impossible because Angel loved her.
“It’s gotta be a trick right?” Xander’s hate-filled voice brought her out of her thoughts as she looked at him. Her blue eyes filled with hurt, accusations and spite; Buffy drew her lips into a tight line and turned back to watch the vampire and cheerleader fawning all over each other.
“I don’t know what the hell is going on, but I’m going to find out” she hissed to him as she kept on watching her boyfriend and her nemesis. Just because she had technically broke up with him didn’t mean that she didn’t want him back. She made a mistake and she knew that, she’d been giving Angel space to figure things out, it looked like that was a mistake too.
***
“Asswipe and the Slayer are watching” Angel murmured to her, “I’ve always wondered if he follows her around to stop his collar from choking him”
Cordelia sniggered, “Nah, he just likes to sniff her ass”
Angel reached around the girl on his lap, causing her to shift in his lap to make it easier on him. “Stop moving!” he warned her with a wicked tone to his voice as he took a sip of his smooth drink.
“You’ve been doing well so far Hans, I have to hand it to you. But don’t you dare tell her to stop!”
She reddened a little but refused to let him embarrass her with a male comment like that. Cordelia inched back on his thighs, sniggering to herself when she felt Angel’s hand hold her still. “What? I had to get more comfortable cus there was this hard thing…” she let her voice trail off when noticed Xander and Buffy staring right at them, they’d obviously moved to a closer table. When did they do that? It didn’t look as though Angel knew either.
“I’ll give you a hard thing, sweetheart” the vampire purred and then muffled his yelp of pain when he felt her pinch his thigh hard. Looking away from Cordelia’s neck, Angel raised his eyes to see his ex and Xander glaring at them. He couldn’t stop the small bang on his heart when he saw the hurt on Buffy’s face, despite feeling like she’d betrayed him he still didn’t want to hurt her…
“It’s that exact line of thinking that has you in this situation in the first place you dickwad. News flash Hans, people do get hurt because that’s life. Enough about her, grope the Cheerleader!”
Cordelia curled her arm under Angel’s, hugging him in support. The hatred she felt towards Xander didn’t show on her face, if she was honest with herself she felt nothing for him right now. In fact, neither Xander or Buffy were worth the energy Angel and her were investing in them. But if their plan was working, who was she to end it?!
Angel moved his hand from her hip, sliding up to her stomach and he slowly traced circles over her bare skin, carefully avoiding her bandaged injury. “It’s working like a charm” he whispered to her and used his other hand to stroke her thigh. Her skin was tanned, smooth and heating up under his soft caress, the vampire resisted the urge to explore her thighs further and stilled his movements.
“What are you doing? That kinda touching wasn’t part of the plan and neither was that kiss” Cordelia whispered back under the guise of grazing his cheek with her lips. A breath of exotic warm air tickled his cheek as she spoke to him, it didn’t take a genius to see she was a little uncomfortable with his sudden show of intimacy.
“We have to show them we’re having the romance of the decade right?” Angel pointed out. “It won’t look very good if we’re acting like we can’t stand the sight of each other would it? And besides, they’re eating it up and I’m enjoying this, it’s kinda childish fun!” he paused for a second. “When I say childish fun what I mean is…”
“Childish revenge?” Cordelia offered helpfully with a grin.
“Exactly”
“So did I surprise you in getting the alcoholic supplies?” she asked lightly as she finished off her drink with a last gulp.
Angel knew what was coming, “What if I told you no you didn’t surprise me, would that make me the winner?”
“If, and only if, I believed you” Cordelia responded dryly as she glanced at him with wary eyes “And it also depends on what you want” she knew she had won the bet but couldn’t help but be a little curious as to what he would want her to do.
“You like pool?!”