Part 20<\/b><\/p>\n
Cordelia forced one eye to open, confirming that morning had indeed come. Her attempt to move was thwarted by Angel\u2019s arms. He seemed intent on keeping her as close as possible, not that she minded until now.<\/p>\n
She noticed their sleeping positions had reversed since making love for the first time. He chose to sleep on his back now and hold her to his chest. Sleeping with his head pillowed between her breasts or on her stomach had been nice but she preferred the change. Angel\u2019s arms were in no danger of falling asleep. He would not suffer the torment of pins and needles.<\/p>\n
She studied his face. He looked so peaceful, but she missed his purring. She gently alternated between scratching and rubbing his stomach and chest. The resulting low rumble brought a smile to her face. Her thumb brushed a nipple. She watched fascinated as it pebbled.<\/p>\n
The rumble grew louder. Her gaze drifted lower. His nipple wasn\u2019t the only thing that got hard. She decided to stop her teasing and rested her head on his shoulder.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t have to stop. I\u2019m here for your amusement, remember?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow long have you been awake?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSince you tried to leave me again.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI wasn\u2019t leaving you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m glad we got that settled.\u201d He rolled onto his side and kissed her forehead. \u201cGood morning.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGood morning.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s hand skimmed down her side and gripped her hip, pressing her to his hardened form.<\/p>\n
She pushed half-heartedly against his chest. \u201cI wasn\u2019t leaving you, but I was getting up.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the same thing.\u201d He removed her restraining hand. \u201cAny scenario where I wake up alone is very bad.\u201d He dropped a kiss on her palm before placing the trapped hand on his hip.<\/p>\n
She considered his words. \u201cYou\u2019re right. I wouldn\u2019t like waking up alone either. I\u2019m sorry.\u201d She tilted her head and captured his lips.<\/p>\n
Angel rolled her onto her back. His tongue traced her lower lip, begging entrance and was granted. A hand slid up to palm a breast, molding her flesh, swallowing her breathy moan. He broke the kiss when she pushed on his chest again.<\/p>\n
\u201cI need to get up.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy?\u201d He knew he was whining but he didn\u2019t want to let her go.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell if you must know I have to go to the bathroom, I need to take a shower too.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe shower sounds like fun.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSorry. You and your vampire penis are staying here.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIs something wrong?\u201d Cold dread crept into his heart. \u201cDo you regret what happened last night?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDo I regret have mind-blowing, toe curling, amazing sex with the man I happen to be hopelessly in love with? Hmm. Let me think about that. Umm that would be a big fat no. No regrets for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThen why can\u2019t..\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t be so paranoid. I\u2019m just\u2026\u201d Heat rushed to her face. \u201cCan\u2019t you just settle for a because I said so?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo. Did I do..\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou didn\u2019t.. I\u2019m a little sore this morning. That\u2019s all.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI hurt you? I was too rough down in the kitchen. I knew I mphff.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia pressed her hand to his mouth. \u201cYou were not too rough. Both times were amazing. I wouldn\u2019t change a thing. Like I said I\u2019m just a little.. sore. I\u2019ve only.. and it\u2019s been a long time. It\u2019s completely normal for me to.. Can we please stop talking about this? It\u2019s embarrassing.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t be embarrassed.\u201d He gently kissed her lips. \u201cIt is normal.\u201d He kissed her chin. \u201cI overreacted.\u201d<\/p>\n
She grinned at him. \u201cBy tonight I will be all better and you\u2019ll have to fight me off.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIs that right?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYup. We\u2019ll get to see how recovered you really are. You haven\u2019t fought in awhile. You say you feel stronger. It might be fun to test that theory.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you doubt my word?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia rolled Angel onto his back and straddled his waist. \u201cI think you won\u2019t really know until you\u2019ve been tested.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is an excellent point.\u201d He gripped her hips intending to slide her lower, but he forced his hands to release her instead. He took a few unneeded breaths to calm himself. \u201cTonight?\u201d<\/p>\n
She smiled at his strained expression even though she shared his frustration. \u201cIt\u2019s barely even a twinge. We could..\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo. We\u2019ll wait.\u201d He pulled her down so she lay on top of him. \u201cIt won\u2019t kill us to wait.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s easy for you to say. You\u2019re already dead.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTrust me. That\u2019s not helping.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry about this. I..\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHey.\u201d He lifted her head so he could see her eyes. \u201cYou have nothing to be sorry for. It means a lot to me that you were honest. I don\u2019t want to hurt you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou didn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I could have if you hadn\u2019t said anything.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her cheeks only got redder. \u201cCan we please stop..\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow about we focus on what we can do.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her eyebrow shot up and a smirk spread across her features. \u201cWhat did you have in mind?\u201d Her hand slowly slid down his chest.<\/p>\n
Angel stilled her wandering hand. \u201cThat\u2019s not what I meant.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat shall we do today?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou mean after I take a shower and go to school?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat? Why?\u201d<\/p>\n
She rolled her eyes. \u201cThat\u2019s what a student does on a weekday.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut\u2026 No. Stay here with me.\u201d<\/p>\n
She leaned in for a brief kiss. \u201cI\u2019d love to stay but I want to get this over with. Staying would feel too much like hiding. I have to face them sooner or later.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLater would be better and you\u2019re not hiding from them. You just love me too much to leave me here all alone.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is so hitting below the belt.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m a vampire. We don\u2019t fight fair.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll have to remember that but I\u2019ve decided. I need to do this.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut we can face them together if you wait.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s sweet but I\u2019ll be fine.\u201d She smiled. \u201cI\u2019m feeling a lot more confident today.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd why is that I wonder?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI have no idea. Weird, isn\u2019t it?\u201d This time Angel\u2019s arms didn\u2019t prevent her from getting up. She winked at him before disappearing into the bathroom.<\/p>\n
Angel stared at the closed door. Somehow he found the strength not to follow the beautiful brunette into the shower. He closed his eyes and savored their combined scents still lingering in the room.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Angel couldn\u2019t quite decide if Cordelia should be praised or condemned as he watched beautiful soft tempting flesh disappear from sight. The part of him that was afraid of hurting her wanted to stand up and close her closet door. The rest enjoyed watching her dress for school. It was a strip tease in reverse.<\/p>\n
\u201cStop growling. I\u2019ll be back right after school.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat about practice?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe rally we were preparing for was cancelled. I am officially retired.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo right after school? No stops? No errands?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYup\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI guess I\u2019ll survive until then.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s my brave vampire.\u201d She walked out of her closet and twirled. \u201cHow do I look?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cToo beautiful to be leaving me all by myself. You went to school yesterday.\u201d<\/p>\n
She rolled her eyes at his petulant tone. \u201cI know. They recently decided to make a school week five days. I\u2019m not happy about it either.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIs that your way of telling me you plan to go to school tomorrow too?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia leaned over the bed to place a chaste kiss on his lips. \u201cWe\u2019ll talk about that tonight. I am a senior. We\u2019re supposed to occasionally skip school.\u201d She shrieked when he suddenly yanked her down and flipped her onto her back. She looked up at him. \u201cI thought we were past this behavior now. You weren\u2019t even asleep this time.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJust one more kiss before you abandon me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWay to lay on the guilt, you..\u201d The rest of her words were lost in the sweet cavern of his mouth. She could feel him hard against her hip. Her hands slid down his back to squeeze perfectly sculpted buttocks.<\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s hands slipped under her blouse. A large strong hand cupped a satin-covered globe, his thumb brushing a hardened peak.<\/p>\n
She pushed against his chest, freeing her lips. \u201cMaybe you should let me up before I say the hell with it and stay here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Not removing his hand, \u201cYou say that like it\u2019s a bad thing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia retrieved his hand from under her blouse, a cheeky grin on her face. \u201cShouldn\u2019t you be encouraging me to complete my education? You should want me to improve my mind and expand my horizons.\u201d She shook her head in a mock-severe way. \u201cYou\u2019re a very bad, bad man.\u201d Her wandering hands took the sting out of her words.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re right. I should be more supportive.\u201d He lifted his weight off her and stood, completely uncaring of his unclothed state. He pulled her to her feet. \u201cYou be a good girl and go to school.\u201d He kissed her forehead, turned her towards the door and slapped her on the butt. \u201cGo on.\u201d<\/p>\n
She spun around. \u201cBut..\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut what?\u201d He took a step towards her. \u201cThis is what you wanted, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know if wanted is the right word.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThen what do you want?\u201d He took another step, closing in on her. \u201cDid you change your mind about school?\u201d<\/p>\n
She stepped back. \u201cNo but I don\u2019t have to leave this very second.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat did you have in mind?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought maybe we could\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCould what?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI umm..\u201d She kept walking backwards until she collided with the wall. \u201cI\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel firmly planted a hand on either side of her head. \u201cYou what?\u201d<\/p>\n
Her hands rested on his chest, his cool skin burning her fingertips. \u201cWell we could uhh..\u201d<\/p>\n
One hand skimmed along her side until he reached bare skin then slid up and under her skirt. \u201cWe could what?\u201d He leaned in and whispered in her ear, \u201cAre you imagining all the delicious things we could do until you do feel better?\u201d His fingers traced the edge of her panties. \u201cI love the way you taste.\u201d He nipped her earlobe. \u201cSo sweet.\u201d<\/p>\n
His cool breath tickled her ear. She could hear the blood rushing through her veins. \u201cI..\u201d<\/p>\n
He took a step back, his hands dropping to his sides. \u201cYou were right. You should be good and go to school.\u201d<\/p>\n
A fog of confusion filled her senses, \u201cHuh?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel grabbed her books and her purse off her desk and handed them to her. \u201cDon\u2019t forget. Come home right after school.\u201d<\/p>\n
She mechanically nodded.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow off you go.\u201d He turned her. His hands gripped her shoulders as he practically shoved her out the door. He closed it behind her, leaning his forehead against the smooth surface. His evil smirk turned into a grimace. He took a few calming breaths. \u201cThat was painful.\u201d He looked down at his hard and much neglected penis. \u201cReally painful.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Cordelia stared blankly at the contents of her locker. Her body still hummed with unfulfilled desires. She\u2019d been debating whether or not to go back since the moment Angel first shoved her out her bedroom door. She cursed herself for ever saying anything. The slight soreness was nothing in comparison to the unyielding ache she now felt.<\/p>\n
*Dammit! It\u2019s my job to be the tease. I can\u2019t believe he did that!* She tossed a book in her locker and grabbed the right one.<\/p>\n
*I could be at home right now having incredible sex with the man I\u2019m in love with.* She could always seek the others out. Then she could get the first meeting out of the way and be home by lunch.<\/p>\n
\u201cYour underwear was green.\u201d<\/p>\n
She spun around at the sound of Xander\u2019s voice. Angry brown eyes were boring into her. \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAtari demons my ass. He knew the color of your underwear.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHave you been drinking?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat bastard read my mind. That\u2019s why he looked at me when he said they\u2019re green. He was answering the question I was thinking about.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy were you thinking about my underwear?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI am.. was your boyfriend.\u201d He shook his head disparagingly. \u201cYou know for a long time I believed all those rumors about you. I honestly thought you were screwing the many and I mean many guys you were dating, but then I got to know you. I realized I was wrong. You weren\u2019t like that. I really am an idiot, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI do not sleep around.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah right. Angel told Buffy that you and he weren\u2019t fucking each other behind our backs. If that\u2019s true, how did he know the color of your underwear?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know what the hell you\u2019re talking about.\u201d She went over that day in her mind. She had changed in her closet after leaving Angel\u2019s room. He\u2019d been in her room at the time but he wasn\u2019t in her closet. She came out fully dressed. \u201cHe must\u2019ve read my mind too. That\u2019s all I can think of.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd you had to think about it why?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cXander, I\u2019m sorry if I hurt you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIf? IF?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat upsets you more, Xander, the fact that I broke up with you or that I\u2019m with Angel now?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s what I thought.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry. Is this where I\u2019m supposed to feel guilty? Give me a minute. Oh wait. That\u2019s right. I haven\u2019t done anything wrong. I was faithful.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh please! You had everyone but me. You had Willow and Buffy and even Faith for a little while. I believe you and she shared a friendly moment in her motel room.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI told you that nothing happened.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI remember. You were just being friendly. It doesn\u2019t really matter now, does it? You don\u2019t have to explain yourself to me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI did NOT do anything with Faith!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe not but you wanted to, didn\u2019t you? Do you think I enjoyed pretending not to notice the way you drooled over Buffy or Willow or Faith. I never felt like I was enough for you. I didn\u2019t like feeling like that. I\u2019m sorry if.. that I hurt you but I don\u2019t regret finding someone who appreciates me, someone who loves me. Now if you\u2019ll excuse me, I\u2019m late for class.\u201d<\/p>\n
She slammed her locker door shut and walked away.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cHey Giles.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia. You shouldn\u2019t be here. I\u2019m expecting Buffy at any moment.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI saw her leave campus with Willow.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe what? I specifically asked her to come here during her free class.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think she\u2019s up for training right now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Giles looked down at the floor. \u201cI thought it might take her mind off.. other things.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou hate me, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t be ridiculous. I could never hate you, especially over matters of the heart. I must say when Willow told me, it shed new light on our earlier conversation. Why didn\u2019t you tell me?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel hadn\u2019t told Buffy yet. I knew it wouldn\u2019t be fair to expect you not to tell her.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI suppose you have a point. Since her eighteenth birthday, I\u2019ve done my best not to keep anything from her, at least if it directly involves her.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI wanted to tell you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOur talk yesterday would have gone very differently if you had.\u201d<\/p>\n
She took a step closer. \u201cIt would?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI was out of line. Last night I gave everything I said considerable thought. I don\u2019t really know Angel. I was basing my assumptions mainly on Buffy\u2019s feelings and actions. Although in the past, Angel has always given me the impression he was very dedicated to her.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia took a step back.<\/p>\n
\u201cI knew the two of you were becoming close. I had no idea just how close you\u2019d already become. I still don\u2019t have a clear picture.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re in love.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you sure?\u201d<\/p>\n
She took another step back. \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t mean that the way it sounded. I\u2019m not questioning the sincerity of his feelings.\u201d Giles took a tentative step forward. \u201cYou have your whole life ahead of you. The Mayor, while insane, made a sound point. He\u2019s a vampire. In addition to his violent past, he won\u2019t ever age. He\u2019ll never be able to walk into a church and marry you. He\u2019ll never be able to give you children. He\u2019ll never be able to walk into the sun with you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd he could give those things to Buffy?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course not, but a slayer\u2019s life\u2026 Angel can fight beside her. Buffy must walk in darkness, it is her sacred duty.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd since Angel can walk beside her, he isn\u2019t that bad of choice for her?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat exactly are you asking me to do, Giles?\u201d She could feel tears stinging her eyes.<\/p>\n
Giles took another step forward, wanting to ease the pained expression marring her lovely features.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not asking you to give Angel up for Buffy. I didn\u2019t say any of that for her sake. I am honestly concerned for your wellbeing. You don\u2019t have to live in darkness. You have so much potential. I always thought you\u2019d be the one to leave all this behind. Willow has embraced magic, Oz is a werewolf, Xander could never walk away from Willow or Buffy, and this is my birthright just as it is Buffy\u2019s. I don\u2019t want to see you sacrifice your future.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m in love with him. When I\u2019m with Angel, the world isn\u2019t so dark. He makes me happy. He really sees me, Giles. Do you have any idea how precious that is to me? I don\u2019t know what my future holds. I have, in the past, wanted to run as far from Sunnyhell as possible. I still may do that one day but I do know that wherever I go, whatever the future holds for me, I want Angel to be a part of it. I would like you to be a part of it too. I meant what I said yesterday. Your friendship means a lot to me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m still your friend, Cordelia. That hasn\u2019t changed. It has however become more complicated.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBuffy?\u201d she asked already knowing the answer.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes. She\u2019s not just my slayer.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know. She\u2019s the daughter you never had.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you\u2019ll be patient with me, things will become clearer.\u201d<\/p>\n
She smiled. \u201cYou\u2019re worth the wait, old man. You were my first real friend. I don\u2019t want to lose that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou won\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t have to ask\u2026 We\u2019ll stay away from the library.\u201d Her eyes darted around his office. \u201cI mean once I leave here today.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat would probably be for the best, at least for the time being.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah.\u201d A thought occurred to her. \u201cAngel thinks he has recovered. I mean he hasn\u2019t tested his strength in a fight yet but I thought you should know. The ascension is still coming after all. I\u2019m sure you\u2019ll be missing my invaluable researching skills.\u201d<\/p>\n
Giles smiled. \u201cThat goes without saying.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIf push comes to shove, Angel can always help out without me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat doesn\u2019t seem in keeping with what I do know about him.\u201d<\/p>\n
She shrugged. \u201cDon\u2019t worry. I will make him come here without me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat IS in keeping with what I know about you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI should get going. Buffy may still show up.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI will talk to her. I\u2019m sure she\u2019ll do what\u2019s best. Angel\u2019s assistance could prove invaluable. The information you garnered from the Mayor was very helpful. I believe we will all have to work together to defeat him, especially if a pure demon is as large as the Mayor intimated.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDoes this mean I\u2019ll finally get to use a real weapon?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought a spatula was your weapon of choice.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know why people think you don\u2019t have a sense of humor. That\u2019s right. It\u2019s because you\u2019re not funny.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYour sharp tongue never fails to be an effective weapon.\u201d<\/p>\n
Grinning, \u201cWell I do have a way with words.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTo say the least.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI expect phone calls, Giles. Lots of them.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMost assuredly. Speaking of, I should call Wesley. I don\u2019t want him to unintentionally say something that would upset Buffy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI already told him.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou did?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes. I called him during lunch.\u201d It\u2019s not like I had anyone to eat with, she silently added. \u201cWe talked for awhile.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat did he say?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe told me my taste in men has gone from bad to abominable.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cXander has teased him quite a lot since his arrival.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWesley definitely isn\u2019t his biggest fan. Wes also has this thing about vampires. He doesn\u2019t like them very much.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo wonder he doesn\u2019t fit in with you lot.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHey. We grew up in California. We\u2019re supposed to be liberal minded.\u201d She crossed the room and gave Giles a brief hug. \u201cI\u2019ll talk to you soon.\u201d She rushed out before he could respond. The light hearted banter was beginning to get to her.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Cordelia stared at her reflection. She was halfway to class when she took a detour into the girls\u2019 bathroom. Hiding suddenly seemed like a good idea.<\/p>\n
It was a lot better than continuing her debate with Buffy over the merits of Romeo and Juliet<\/i>. After spending a perfect night with Angel making love, she got to wake up in his arms. Fighting with Buffy didn\u2019t seem fair anymore.<\/p>\n
Buffy walked into the bathroom and froze.<\/p>\n
\u201cBuffy\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSkipping class?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah. That play has lost its appeal thanks to you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBuffy, I..\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSave it. I don\u2019t want to hear anything you have to say.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll leave.\u201d<\/p>\n
The petite blond blocked her path. \u201cYou must\u2019ve had so much fun laughing at me behind my back. I bet this has been a dream come true for you. You finally got your man after throwing yourself at him all this time. You really played him like a pro.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia attempted to walk around her but Buffy\u2019s arm stopped her.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know every time I found a piece of happiness it got crushed under somebody\u2019s boot. When I found out that Angel had returned from hell for ME, I thought I was finally going to be happy. Willow\u2019s spell meant Angelus would never return. He was so weak and his grip on reality was stretched so thin, but he was back. In time we would be happy. We would get back everything we lost out on. I asked him to help with the research because I thought it would bring us closer. Then the demon thingy happened but we would have worked it out. Giles found a cure just like I knew he would. I feel like such an idiot. That day at your house, I told Angel I was okay with your friendship. You were already together then, weren\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy shoved Cordelia, sending the brunette crashing into the sink. She hadn\u2019t intended to push her that hard but she didn\u2019t allow her expression to show any regret. \u201cWeren\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBuffy, I..\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSHUT UP!\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia eyed the door. She had joked about Buffy kicking her ass but she never actually believed she would ever really hurt her. Buffy wasn\u2019t Faith.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel and I were happy before you came along. Sure we had some problems but we were in love. I don\u2019t understand how you made him forget that. How did you convince him he didn\u2019t want me anymore? Was it magic? I honestly thought Angel would see right through your act. I thought he would never intentionally hurt me ever again. We went through so much to find our way back to each other and now he\u2019s decided to call it quits.<\/p>\n
All because of you. This is all your fault. What did I ever do to you? I know I could have been more supportive of your relationship with Xander but the two of you were always so mean to each other.\u201d Buffy leaned against the door.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve saved your life how many times? I\u2019ve lost count. I know we\u2019ve never really gotten along but we were always there for each other in a clinch. You even managed to save my life once or twice. I still wish I\u2019d been conscious enough to hear you bluff that hillbilly vamp. Why did you do this?\u201d<\/p>\n
Tears coursed down her cheeks unchecked. \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBuffy, I..\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGet out.\u201d She stepped away from the door. \u201cI do understand one thing. You\u2019re nothing but trash, expensive trash. This isn\u2019t over. You haven\u2019t won. Angel will come to his senses and figure out exactly what you are. He\u2019ll come back to me. You\u2019ll see. You\u2019re nothing but a road bump.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia silently left. There was nothing to say.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Cordelia wasn\u2019t five steps from the bathroom when she bumped into Willow.<\/p>\n
\u201cSorry. I didn\u2019t..\u201d Words failed the redhead when she realized who she bumped into.<\/p>\n
\u201cGo ahead, Willow. Take your best shot.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh come on. You\u2019re the one with the brains. Surely you\u2019ve got some choice words for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOK Cordy. You and Angel really hurt them.\u201d She watched in shock as Cordelia Chase started to cry right in front of her.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was too rough with you. Sometimes I don\u2019t know my own strength.\u201d Willow started to reach out to hug the crying girl.<\/p>\n
Cordelia lifted her hand, warding off any sign of affection. \u201cBuffy is in the bathroom. I think she needs a friend.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know I never thought you were right for Xander. I was so hurt when I caught you two kissing in the library. I had such a crush on him.\u201d<\/p>\n
A wry smile donned her face, \u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd now you\u2019ve done the same thing to Buffy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s really hurting. I\u2019m doing my best to be the best friend she needs, but I also need to be there for Xander too.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sure it won\u2019t take too long for him to get over me. He was never in love with me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Willow bit back what she wanted to say. \u201cHe cares about you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s more upset that he lost another girl to Angel.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell Angel is a sore spot for him.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI think I\u2019m just gonna go home. I\u2019ve.. had enough for one day.\u201d<\/p>\n
Willow glanced at the bathroom door and steeled herself. She knew she shouldn\u2019t say another word. She should just go in there to check on Buffy, but her mouth wouldn\u2019t obey her brain.<\/p>\n
As much as she ached for Buffy and Xander, she had witnessed moments between Cordelia and Angel that she couldn\u2019t ignore. \u201cI never thought you were right for Xander.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou said..\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I don\u2019t know if the same applies to Angel.\u201d With that said, Willow walked into the bathroom.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Angel jumped up the moment he heard the front door close. He raced downstairs. He found Cordelia sitting at the kitchen table eating ice cream. \u201cYou\u2019re going to spoil your dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI needed some comfort food. One fat comment from you, buddy, and you\u2019ll be a pile of dust.\u201d She gave him a once over. \u201cWell maybe not dust. It would be shame to waste that body.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s nice to know how you value me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia knew, like her, he was joking but she was so tired. She needed sweetness. \u201cHow was your day?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSlow. I read but mainly I missed you.\u201d He gently pulled her out of her chair, sat down and pulled her down onto his lap. \u201cTell me about your day.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLater.\u201d Her fingers fiddled with his collar. \u201cI see you finally got dressed.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought getting dressed would increase the chances of us having a conversation before I ravished you. How come you\u2019re home early, not that I\u2019m complaining?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI spoke to everyone but Oz today. I think I deserved to skip my last class.\u201d She shoved a heaping spoonful of ice cream in her mouth.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt went that well, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI survived.\u201d She stared down at the table. \u201cAngel, how did you know my underwear was green that day?\u201d The vampire squirmed beneath her.<\/p>\n
\u201cI went over that day in my head. I changed in my closet and came out fully dressed. Did you hear me thinking about it? Other than when I first picked out which set to wear, I don\u2019t remember thinking about my underwear.\u201d<\/p>\n
He cleared his throat. \u201cI take it Xander finally put two and two together?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWho knew the boy could do math without help?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re stalling.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy, I umm\u2026 It\u2019s not\u2026 I wasn\u2019t\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
She turned in his lap so she could see his face. \u201cYou peeked, didn\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes but it wasn\u2019t my fault.\u201d<\/p>\n
An elegant eyebrow shot up. \u201cWhose fault was it? Did a little demon make you do it? Like one trapped inside an ensouled vampire perhaps.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was your fault.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMine?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes. I followed you into your room to find out why I woke up on top of you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUh huh. That part I remember.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou were talking to me from your closet and suddenly I heard running water. I looked inside to see where it was coming from. You were standing at your bathroom sink in your underwear.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI see.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you mad?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou spent the night with your face between my breasts. Seeing me in a bra and panties after that isn\u2019t really a big deal. I was just going nuts trying to figure out how you knew. Xander was so sure and your comment about the whatever demon was so out of left field that day. Why did you answer him?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t care for his thoughts. I wanted to shut him up.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou were jealous?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI was being possessive.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s so sweet.\u201d She kissed his cheek.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m glad you think so. Being possessive is in my nature.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia leaned in to whisper in his ear. \u201cMine too.\u201d Her tongue darted out, flicking his earlobe. \u201cAs good as you look in clothes, I prefer you naked.\u201d She shifted around in his lap so she straddled him. \u201cI missed you too.\u201d She captured his lips in a searing kiss. The tension in her body melted away as he matched her hunger with his own.<\/p>\n
She broke the kiss, panting for air. \u201cWhatever shall we do until the sun sets?\u201d<\/p>\n
Smirking, \u201cWe could watch a movie.\u201d Blunt teeth nibbled on his neck eliciting a groan.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s an idea.\u201d Cool hands snaked inside her blouse, pushing satin up to cup bare flesh. \u201cMy dad does have a few movies you might like.\u201d She lifted her arms so he could divest her of her shirt and bra. She squeaked in surprise.<\/p>\n
Before her arms were free, he had engulfed a nipple. Every pull of his lips sent a rush of wetness between her thighs. She grinded her hips in his lap in search of friction. Once free, her hands attacked the buttons of his shirt.<\/p>\n
He lifted her skirt until it resembled a belt. Fingers slipped beneath satin to explore silken folds.<\/p>\n
Tired of struggling with uncooperative buttons, she tore his shirt open then began working on his pants. She barely managed to get the zipper down before plunging a hand inside to stroke his hardened length, enjoying the way he twitched in her hand.<\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s reflexes weren\u2019t up to the challenge as she slid from his lap and onto her knees. He stared down at her. Her eyes burned black with desire.<\/p>\n
She grabbed the waistline of his pants. \u201cLift.\u201d She pulled his pants and boxers down as one. She quickly removed them, glad there were no shoes to contend with. Her hands lightly caressed his thighs before pushing them apart. Her eyes remained focused on her prize. She took the base in a firm grip. Her tongue swirled around the tip, dipping into the opening, tasting the drop that had already formed.<\/p>\n
A groan from deep within rumbled through his chest. The sight of Cordelia taking him into her mouth almost rivaled the sheer ecstasy the searing heat of her mouth wrapped around him caused. His hands grabbed the base of the chair. His pleasure was too intense for him to notice the wood splintering in his grip.<\/p>\n
Cordelia took as much of him in her mouth as she could. She slowly bobbed her head up and down, swirling her tongue when she could. One hand gently massaged the pouch of flesh in time with her strokes. Every whimper and growl sent thrills down her spine straight to her heated center.<\/p>\n
He sensed his oncoming orgasm. He pulled her up, groaning at the loss of her wonderful heat.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel?\u201d<\/p>\n
He silenced her with a kiss. He stood and pushed her back onto the table. His hands sent the ice cream container and the centerpiece crashing to the floor. He trailed kisses down her body while unzipping her skirt. He quickly stripped her of the unwanted barriers. Her scent drew him in like a magnet.<\/p>\n
Before he could taste her, insistent fingers tangled in his hair and yanked him up for a bruising kiss. Long luscious legs wrapped around his waist. He took his length in hand, the tip testing her wetness, teasing her before slowly pushing in.<\/p>\n
Her hips bucked instinctively wanting him to fill her but he continued his slow thrust. She dug her heels into his butt and pushed, sending him deep within her. Her breath escaped in one long sigh as if she\u2019d been holding her breath since the last time he filled her. Her legs and arms prevented him from moving.<\/p>\n
Being inside her and unable to move felt like living and dying at the same time. \u201cCordy please.\u201d<\/p>\n
She relaxed her grip, meeting him in a rhythm as old as time. Reality floated away. Her world consisted only of Angel and her on top of the kitchen table. The last part almost made her laugh but she managed to stifle the impulse.<\/p>\n
He might stop if he thought she was laughing at him and stopping equaled a horrible death in her mind. Angel hit a spot deep inside her, sending her thoughts spinning away. She nearly howled in delight as he hit it again and again. Her back arched off the table. She keened in the back of her throat. Her nerve endings burst into flames, raging out of control.<\/p>\n
He continued thrusting, her walls clamping down on him, squeezing him until he exploded. He captured her lips in a lazy yet thorough kiss, careful to explore every inch of her mouth.<\/p>\n
Her hands soothed the trembling muscles of his back. She knew he was trying not to put his full weight on her. Her need for air eventually forced her head to turn.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo.. what movie do you want to watch?\u201d<\/p>\n