Part 3<\/b><\/p>\n
Cordelia\u2019s breathing became shallow as she stared into the velvet darkness of Angel\u2019s eyes and processed what he\u2019d just said. Talk. Pfft. Yeah. I can\u2019t think with him this close, and he wants me to talk?<\/i> she thought frantically.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia–,\u201d Angel began, trying to frame his words appropriately. One verbal misstep with her and he\u2019d be crucified. Or staked. Either one involved wood, which was not a pleasant prospect.<\/p>\n
Angel wanted to apologize for his lascivious behavior earlier, even if it was for the sake of pretense, but he wasn\u2019t quite sure how to say it. He knew that she had been affected by him; her heart rate had increased and her body temperature had skyrocketed. The scent of her desire had been like a drug to him; the warm vapor of it wafting like steam through his nostrils and infecting his blood with her own unique essence. The power of that scent had driven him to increase his loving caresses. Cordelia\u2019s obvious distraction and inability to maintain coherent thought at his touch only fueled his demon\u2019s hunger for conquest.<\/p>\n
Justifying his actions had been deceptively easy: he told himself that it was only acting, nothing more. His demon could get his rocks off and no one would be the wiser. The problem was that he\u2019d fallen so deep into the character of himself as Cordelia\u2019s husband that he\u2019d pushed her too far. When she\u2019d escaped him to lure the bad guys into kidnapping her, his head had cleared, and the remorse he felt at his behavior squelched any satisfaction that his demon might have savored.<\/p>\n
He shifted uncomfortably every time he thought about what Cordelia must be thinking. Angel could only imagine the confusion she must be feeling at having her boss and friend make a pass at her. She still thought he was in love with Buffy. Hell, he<\/i> thought he was still in love with Buffy. At least until tonight.<\/p>\n
These thoughts raced through his head in less than two seconds, and he realized that rehearsal was not an option at this point. Might as well jump right in.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia, I\u2019m\u2014\u201c<\/p>\n
\u201cCouldn\u2019t sleep, either, Angel?\u201d Cordelia said with forced cheerfulness, effectively cutting off his good intentions.<\/p>\n
\u201cUm, no, I wanted\u2014\u201c Angel tried again, momentarily flustered at her interruption.<\/p>\n
\u201cBlood? Of course you do. You didn\u2019t get to eat all night.\u201d Cordelia grabbed the container Angel had been reaching for out of the fridge and closed the door forcefully, nearly catching Angel\u2019s hand in the process. He jerked it out of the way, thankful for vampire reflexes, and moved back as Cordelia shoved past him.<\/p>\n
Opening the spice cabinet, Cordelia perused the contents as if she were trying to decide which pair of shoes would match her latest outfit purchase. In other words, as if the fate of the world rested on her decision.<\/p>\n
\u201cNutmeg?\u201d She queried, turning to look at Angel in the half-light, squinting as she took in his confused expression. \u201cNo, I don\u2019t think so. Nutmeg is kind of Thanksgiving-ish, and it\u2019s June, so\u2014\u201c<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia,\u201d Angel tried again, \u201cI think we need to\u2014\u201c<\/p>\n
\u201cAhh! Chili powder!\u201d She held up the small bottle triumphantly. \u201cThat\u2019s what you need! Spiciness is always good, don\u2019t you think?\u201d She smiled brilliantly at him, then turned toward the mug he\u2019d retrieved from the cabinet earlier.<\/p>\n
The combined impact of Cordelia\u2019s smile and the horror of blood tainted with chili powder momentarily distracted Angel from his mission. \u201cYou are NOT putting chili powder in my blood,\u201d he warned. \u201cIf you must put something in it, put cinnamon; at least I\u2019m used to that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPfft.\u201d Cordelia huffed, rolling her eyes. \u201cAdventure is the name of the game, Angel. You really need to try new things once in awhile. Take a walk on the wild side.\u201d<\/p>\n
Leave it to Cordelia to think that fighting demons and occasionally saving the world weren\u2019t exotic enough.<\/p>\n
Trying to get back on track with the apology, Angel began: \u201cI want to apolo\u2014\u201c<\/p>\n
\u201cI mean, really, Angel. Fighting demons and occasionally saving the world isn\u2019t exactly exotic for you.\u201d She noisily stirred the cinnamon into the mug of blood. \u201cNow going on vacation, THAT would be a change. Someplace tropical. Put this in the fridge for me, would you?\u201d Cordy shoved the container of blood into Angel\u2019s hand and turned to push the buttons on the microwave. \u201cI mean, it\u2019s not like you could get a tan or anything, but I could have some fun and you would at least have a change of scenery. Meet new people. You know, broaden your horizons a little.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy\u2014\u201c Angel set the container on the counter, fridge forgotten.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re so broody all the time; if you would just loosen up a little, you could have so much more fun. Now take Wesley. He\u2019s changed, loosened up. Not so much the stuffed shirt anymore, you know?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia\u2014” The warning in Angel\u2019s voice was clearly evident. He took a step towards her, but she ignored it.<\/p>\n
Cordelia continued as if he\u2019d been silent. \u201cYou should talk to him, find out what helped him. Maybe he could give you some point\u2014mmph.” Her seemingly endless babble was silenced by Angel\u2019s mouth on hers.<\/p>\n
Angel had been staring at her, tuning out her chatter, when it abruptly occurred to him that there was only one good way to shut her up. Not that he minded.<\/p>\n
His lips rested firmly on hers, kissing her gently but insistently. Cordelia froze, her eyes sliding shut as the heat that had been collecting in her body since earlier that night rushed to the forefront and scorched her. At her hesitance, Angel gently flicked his tongue against her closed lips, and she squeaked in surprise.<\/p>\n
Cordelia\u2019s head was spinning. She\u2019d seen the guilt in his eyes when they\u2019d stared at each other over the open refrigerator door, and it terrified her. The last thing she wanted was for him to apologize for kissing her. Seeking an escape that didn\u2019t require a total retreat, she\u2019d taken the first excuse she thought of and tried to wing it. Obviously, it didn\u2019t work.<\/p>\n
As Angel\u2019s tongue touched her lips, she realized that he was kissing her, really<\/i> kissing her, and there wasn\u2019t anyone watching. The knowledge that he actually wanted to kiss her was enough to elicit Cordelia\u2019s complete cooperation in the matter. She flung her arms around his neck and opened herself to his kiss.<\/p>\n
Angel intensified the contact, sliding his tongue inside her mouth and briefly touching hers. The feel of her hot mouth was like the first sip of a cappuccino; scorching, but intense, heady flavor. His arms wrapped around her back, one hand caressing her shoulder blades, the other toying with the place where her pajama pants met her tank top. He grasped her tightly, bring her hips against his, aligning their shadows into one.<\/p>\n
Caught up in the storm of Angel\u2019s kiss, Cordelia was frantically trying to keep up. She stroked the back of his neck, her hands in his hair, and savored the feel of his lips on hers. Had she been able to form a coherent thought, she might have wondered at the irony of the heat that such cool lips were able to ignite.<\/p>\n
Suddenly, the intensity was too much.<\/p>\n
Cordelia\u2019s choppy breathing sliced the silence as she pushed back from Angel\u2019s chest and fought for control of her thoughts. Angel let her go, any remorse for his actions at the club totally eclipsed by this behavior; he now felt a hundred times guiltier.<\/p>\n
I can\u2019t believe he kissed me.<\/i> Cordelia\u2019s mind raced frantically. Her eyes widened as she realized that his expression was now several degrees guiltier than it had been earlier. Oh, god! He didn\u2019t want to kiss me? What the hell is he doing? Why would he kiss me like that if he doesn\u2019t want me?<\/i> Cordy reasoned. But if he doesn\u2019t, I\u2019ll just die if I say something and he shrugs it off or apologizes.<\/i><\/p>\n
You have got to apologize for this. Angel berated himself. You\u2019re her boss! She must be so confused. But, oh, god, her mouth. . .<\/i><\/p>\n
He\u2019s my boss! What am I thinking??? Starting something with Angel would be a disaster. He\u2019s in love with Buffy, damn it! He doesn\u2019t want me. Not really. Being rejected by Xander Harris was bad enough. Angel\u2019s rejection would be ten times worse. . .I can\u2019t take this. I\u2019m not going to think about it anymore. Just shrug it off, and stop, Chase!!<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cWell, that was good rehearsal for tomorrow night, Boss,\u201d Cordelia commented, trying to reestablish the boundaries of their relationship. \u201cMaybe we should rehearse how you\u2019ll react if someone hits on me again.\u201d As soon as she said it, Cordelia inwardly cringed. He never responded well when she criticized his protective nature.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe wasn\u2019t hitting on you, he was molesting<\/i> you, Cordelia,\u201d Angel argued, his eyes narrowing, apology now firmly on the back burner. He could still feel the intense passion of a few minutes ago, but it was quickly fading in favor of anger at Cordelia\u2019s reckless words. \u201cI was rescuing you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, maybe I didn\u2019t need rescuing,\u201d Cordelia shot back, digging the hole deeper. She regretted having started this, but her embarrassment at being so helpless was fueling her irritation. \u201cI was just fine, I could handle it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSure,\u201d Angel said patronizingly. \u201cYou were heading straight for unconsciousness. Although you looked pretty confident when you were handling<\/i>Mark.\u201d He knew he sounded like a jealous lover, but Mark\u2019s advances had tweaked him and since he wasn\u2019t here to pulverize, he unfairly took it out on Cordelia.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wasn\u2019t handling anything of Mark\u2019s. He\u2019s a creep! How could you think I would even do that?\u201d She exclaimed, hurt by his insinuation. \u201cIt\u2019s not like I asked him to tell me that lame ass come-on line.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUh-huh,\u201d Angel\u2019s tone said exactly the opposite. He leaned back against the wall and crossed his arms, his expression closed.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd what is that supposed to mean?\u201d Cordelia asked, her voice rising in anger. \u201cAre you suggesting that I asked<\/i> to be attacked?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, it\u2019s not like you dress demurely, Cordelia.\u201d Even as the words left his mouth, Angel knew he\u2019d just blown it. Big time.<\/p>\n
\u201cI will dress any way I damn well please, you undead jerk, and I will not apologize for it.\u201d Her chin raised in defiance, any holes in her heart opened by Angel\u2019s kiss now firmly closed again.<\/p>\n
Angel opened his mouth to attempt apology one last time, but once again, his attempt was cut short.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t! Just stop. I think enough has been said already.\u201d She glared at him one last time, a look that burned him to his toes, then swung around and marched to her bedroom, slamming the door behind her.<\/p>\n
Great. Angel thought, rubbing his hand over his tired features and sighing. Just great.<\/p>\n
So much for apologies.<\/p>\n
Part 4<\/b><\/p>\n
Cordelia\u2019s night had not been pleasant. She frowned as she looked at her tired expression in the bathroom mirror and discovered that even make-up wasn\u2019t going to hide everything today. Muttering, she cursed Angel\u2019s roller coastery behavior and shuffled around the bathroom, trying to look presentable before Wesley showed up. She hadn\u2019t ventured out of her room or the bathroom yet this morning. Let Angel stew in his own juices for awhile. He deserved the silent treatment; hell, he deserved a good deal more than that.<\/p>\n
Choosing an outfit only made Cordelia more bitter. She\u2019d pulled out a pair of her favorite comfy jeans, the ones that fit her like a second skin and were worn and soft in all the right places. She\u2019d also selected a silk tank top with beading and ribbon shoulder straps, but after she put everything on and looked in the mirror, Angel\u2019s \u201cdemure\u201d comment came rushing back and her blood boiled. She knew she looked sexy as hell, and the last thing she wanted was to be demure. Willow was demure back in high school and look where it got her: weird friends and social leprosy. She took one last look at her reflection, and mumbled, \u201cDemure, my ass,\u201d then turned around and headed for the door, her head held high.<\/p>\n
In the living room, Angel was folding his blankets and tidying up the couch. He heard Cordelia enter the room behind him, but he didn\u2019t turn around. He wasn\u2019t sure he could face her wrath this morning. Maybe it was better to wait until Wesley got there to act as a buffer between them.<\/p>\n
As if on cue, a knock sounded on Cordelia\u2019s front door. Dennis, ever the gentleman, opened the door to admit a fresh-faced Wesley. He was the picture of efficiency: carefully pressed khaki trousers, a blue button down shirt open at the collar, and sparkling glasses. His arms were laden with research material and a box of donuts from the shop around the corner from Cordy\u2019s apartment.<\/p>\n
\u201cGood morning, Angel,\u201d he greeted. \u201cHow did it go last night?\u201d He deposited the books and papers on the dining room table and carried the donuts to the kitchen. He encountered a grouchy Cordelia at the coffee maker.<\/p>\n
\u201cHi, Wesley,\u201d Cordelia said emotionlessly, not even looking up at him.<\/p>\n
Wesley raised his eyebrows in question, finally realizing that Angel hadn\u2019t answered his question. He turned back toward his boss in the living room.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel? I asked what happened last night,\u201d he repeated.<\/p>\n
\u201cI heard you the first time, Wes,\u201d Angel stated. \u201cNothing happened. It didn\u2019t work. Someone else took a shine to Cordelia and I had to take care of him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia coughed behind her fist, a sound that suspiciously resembled \u201cbullshit\u201d in the midst of all the hmmffing and clearing her throat.<\/p>\n
Wesley gave her a stern look. Cordelia ignored him.<\/p>\n
\u201cI gather that you two had a falling out of some sort,\u201d Wesley postured, sounding very British.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, let\u2019s give a medal to Captain Obvious over here,\u201d Cordelia snarked under her breath.<\/p>\n
Angel cleared his throat, knowing that an explanation would not be easy. \u201cWe both said some things that we shouldn\u2019t have.\u201d Understatement was always a good thing, wasn\u2019t it?<\/p>\n
Cordelia raised an eyebrow haughtily, still refusing to look at him. \u201cMaybe you<\/i> did,\u201d she stated.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell,\u201d Wesley stated, following the tense silence at Cordelia\u2019s comment. \u201cWhatever happened, you two need to put it aside. We have a job to do here, and you\u2019re in the middle of it, in case you\u2019ve forgotten.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDid you forget who\u2019s boss here, Wes?\u201d Angel snapped, feeling a need to gain some control of the situation.<\/p>\n
At Wesley\u2019s obviously hurt look, Angel sighed. \u201cSorry, Wes. You\u2019re right. We do have a job to do and we shouldn\u2019t let emotions get in the way.\u201d<\/p>\n
Still not in the mood to play nice, Cordelia couldn\u2019t resist adding bitterly, \u201cYou could\u2019ve thought of that last night.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia, how many times can I say I\u2019m sorry?\u201d Angel asked, throwing his hands up in exasperation.<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe if you\u2019d try it at least once then we\u2019d get somewhere,\u201d she said bitterly, remembering that he\u2019d never apologized for anything yet. Not that she\u2019d wanted him to. About the kissing, anyway.<\/p>\n
After a moment of confusion, Angel understood what she meant. He\u2019d tried to apologize about 10 times last night, but none had ever actually been verbalized. \u201cI\u2019m sorry for what I said, Cordy,\u201d he said softly, his tone begging her to look at him.<\/p>\n
She finally swung her hazel gaze to his brown one, but her expression was still stony. The look they exchanged was a conversation in and of itself.<\/p>\n
\u201cForgive me?\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cI will play the good girl because I have to, but I will NOT forgive you yet. I\u2019m not ready.\u201d<\/p>\n
Relief flooded through Angel at the beginnings of a truce between himself and his seer. He smiled inwardly as he realized that he\u2019d get to touch her all night, and that would make up for a lot.<\/p>\n
Wesley, ever the realist, moved to the table. \u201cSo, now that that\u2019s taken care of. . .Let\u2019s get to work.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Expecting a replay of the previous night\u2019s groping, Angel was in for some bitter disappointment. He and Cordelia walked into the club and she took off toward Jeremy\u2019s friends without waiting to see if he was following. When they got there, she grabbed a glass of wine from a passing waiter and joined Cynthia and Jennifer, her back to him. Every so often, she\u2019d glance over at him and blast him with an icy glare, then swing her head away haughtily. Since she hadn\u2019t spoken to him since that morning, he wasn\u2019t certain if she was playacting or if she was really still that angry. He suspected that it was a little of both.<\/p>\n
Angel turned his attention to Mark and Jeremy\u2019s other friend, Kenny. Kenny was married to Cynthia, the one with the weird laugh, and he seemed to be totally enamored of her. While Mark was a womanizing snake, Kenny seemed to be a genuinely nice guy. Kind of chatty, but nice, nonetheless. He immediately engaged Angel in a conversation about the late 1960\u2019s Corvette he was restoring, and Angel began to relax a little.<\/p>\n
From her vantage point a few feet away, Cordelia could see some of the tension seep out of Angel\u2019s shoulders as he talked with Kenny. Mark had been distracted by a floozy waitress, and Cordelia was glad that she wouldn\u2019t have to suffer his sleazy attention tonight. The last thing they needed was another scene.<\/p>\n
\u201cLooks like the honeymoon\u2019s over at your house, hon.\u201d Jennifer\u2019s catty comment interrupted Cordelia\u2019s thoughts and she tore her glare away from Angel long enough to give her best Queen C haughtiness to the nosy socialite.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, he\u2019s just being a jerk lately. Overprotective.\u201d She sipped her wine as she thought about how far she should take this. Hell, might as well get some good acting practice in.<\/p>\n
Her proud gaze softened, tears forming in her eyes as she entreated Jennifer to understand. \u201cI just love him so much, you know?\u201d Cordelia sniffled. Her voice dropped to a pained whisper. \u201cI try to look my best for him, and he criticizes me! He thinks I want other men to hit on me.\u201d One hand covered her now trembling mouth, the other, holding the wineglass, hovered over her neckline as if she were worried about her outfit\u2019s appropriateness.<\/p>\n
Amazed, Cordelia saw Jennifer\u2019s expression transform. Some of the cattiness disappeared and sympathy replaced it. Realizing she was in the presence of a scorned woman, Cordelia knew she\u2019d played her part right. Last night\u2019s flaunting of her \u201chappy\u201d marriage must have intensified Jennifer\u2019s bitterness at her own failed marriage. Her husband was picking up other women in her very presence, and that must hurt, even if he wasn\u2019t very good at it.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe nerve!\u201d Jennifer commiserated, patting Cordelia on the shoulder. \u201cMen can be so insensitive. I mean, do they realize what lengths we go to for them?\u201d She shook her head, glaring over at Angel. She stopped abruptly, turned to Cordelia and looked her up and down. \u201cYou look fantastic, girl. Don\u2019t ever let that man stifle you. You should be displayed as the beautiful queen you are, not hidden like a mousy housewife.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know,\u201d Cordelia straightened, wiping a stray tear from the corner of her eye. Damn, I\u2019m good!<\/i> she thought with satisfaction. \u201cIt\u2019s just that I want him to be happy,\u201d her voice was wistful, just the right mixture of pain and longing.<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course you do, dear,\u201d Jennifer reassured, squeezing her arm. \u201cI think you need a margarita to cheer you up.\u201d She flagged down the waiter passing their table again. Cordelia fleetingly thought about how easy it was to get alcohol even though she was underage. Something should be done about that.<\/p>\n
As Jennifer ordered her drink, Cordelia\u2019s eyes drifted over to Angel. He was still fully engrossed in his conversation with Kenny, and since Cordelia knew it couldn\u2019t be about demon hunting, it had to be about vintage cars. She smiled as she thought about his limited list of viable conversation topics. Her gaze wandered down to his hand, which was firmly grasping his drink. His strong fingers wrapped around the glass, the blunt thumb rubbing the condensation gently, back and forth, hypnotizing in its rhythm. Her mouth went dry as she watched the absent stroking. She was instantly transported back to last night, when that same thumb had grazed her lower back, brushing her tattoo and playing with the hem of her pajama top as his mouth had hungrily devoured hers. The memories were scorching in their force.<\/p>\n
\u201cIsn\u2019t it hot in here?\u201d She asked huskily to no one in particular.<\/p>\n
\u201cHere you go, hon,\u201d Jennifer shoved the margarita glass into Cordelia\u2019s empty hand, removing the wine from the other. Cordy automatically took a sip, grimacing at the amount of alcohol. Having been distracted from Angel\u2019s hands to her drink, her eyes searched him out again. This time she met his gaze. His eyes darkened when he took in her flushed face and open mouth, but he wasn\u2019t going to let himself get sidetracked. Cordelia\u2019s eyes widened when she saw him jerk his head, as if to signal her that they should leave. She had stomach-churning thoughts about finishing what they\u2019d started last night, but those flames were doused the minute she figured out that he\u2019d motioned in the direction of the bathroom, not the exit.<\/p>\n
She sighed at the inevitable call of duty. Using their prearranged signal, she adjusted her purse on her shoulder and set down her drink. \u201cExcuse me for a minute, Jen,\u201d she said to her companion. \u201cI need to freshen up.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course,\u201d Jennifer returned absently, her eyes narrowing as she took in her husband\u2019s antics with the forward waitress.<\/p>\n
Angel excused himself from his conversation with Kenny when he saw Cordelia take the hint and saunter off to the back of the club. He followed her surreptitiously, determined to avoid a fiasco like last night. He frowned, also determined to avoid the force drawing his eyes to the sway of her graceful hips as she walked.<\/p>\n
Cordelia\u2019s heart pounded as she pushed open the entrance to the hallway. Last night\u2019s events played over in her head, causing her to hesitate briefly, but she pushed on.<\/p>\n
Angel trailed close behind, blending into the shadowy corners of the dimly lit hallway. He could hear her heartbeat in the stillness, assuring him that she was all right. He watched as she disappeared into the ladies\u2019 room, stifling the urge to run in and grab her, take her home, and make her his, all under the guise of \u201cIt\u2019s too dangerous; I need to protect her.\u201d The only thing holding him back was the realization that there was probably no other way to successfully solve this case. That, and he knew that Cordelia would have no qualms about kicking his ass if he ruined things again tonight.<\/p>\n
Cordelia stood at the counter in the bathroom, gazing at her reflection in an attempt to regain her composure and berating herself for being such a coward. She was scared. She could admit that. The part she couldn\u2019t admit was the abduction wasn\u2019t the only thing that was scaring her. Think about it later, Chase.<\/i> She admonished herself. You have work to do. <\/i>After a convincing amount of time had passed, she exited the bathroom.<\/p>\n
Before the door even closed behind her, she heard a small pop and felt something sharp sting her neck. Her hand automatically going to the source of the pain, she removed a small dart from her skin.<\/p>\n
Had consciousness remained for a little longer, she would have sworn she heard a low growl from behind her. As it was, the last thought she had before the fuzziness turned black was that Angel had better behave himself this time because she was NOT going to go through this again.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Cordelia woke abruptly, no fuzziness at all. She opened her eyes, sat up, and shreiked at the sight before her.<\/p>\n
“Oh.MY.GOD!!” she exclaimed in shock. “What the hell are YOU doing here?!?!?”
\nThe familiar brown eyes of Alexander Lavelle Harris looked back into Cordelia\u2019s as her mouth hung open in amazement.<\/p>\n