Chapter 16<\/b><\/p>\n
Angel laid her on the bed, his body preparing too follow. Cordelia scooted into the bedcovers. Suddenly she shot up. \u201cDENNIS\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel jumped. \u201cWhat?\u201d Angel turned quickly looking around for evidence of the ghost. Angel didn\u2019t know if he could handle any more interruptions or crisis. Dealing with Cordelia\u2019s insecurities had been enough traumas for one lifetime; he really didn\u2019t think he could deal with Dennis\u2019. The ghost just might have to go.<\/p>\n
Cordelia scrambled up on the bed yanking off the comforter. \u201cIf you weren\u2019t already dead.\u201d She pulled out a wet top sheet, the melting ice cubes still obvious. \u201cOh, he must have done this when I was in shower. I didn\u2019t even notice. Damn, he must have used all of ice in the refrigerator. DENNIS.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel couldn\u2019t decide whether to rage or laugh. Since it would be very difficult to dismember a ghost and the ice cubes weren\u2019t a fatal interruption, he decided to laugh.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is not funny.\u201d Cordelia had bounced up standing angrily her hands on her hips.<\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s laugher died in his throat. Cordelia was a vision of beauty and sexiness. Angel stalked to the bed, kneeling before her his hands capturing her waist.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel it\u2019s wet and cold.\u201d Pouting as she kneeled in front of Angel.<\/p>\n
Angel growled tugging the comforter and top sheet off the bed. \u201cGone.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia licked her lips, her hand feeling at the bottom sheet. It wasn\u2019t too bad, not any worse than when she went to bed still wet from the shower. If Angel didn\u2019t mind, why should she? And he obviously didn\u2019t mind. Angel had pushed her back on the bed, bringing her legs around him. How did he do that so quickly? Experience, vampire or both? Cordelia decided she didn\u2019t care as Angel\u2019s lips traveled up her neck, to her cheek moving towards her lips.<\/p>\n
Cordelia cupped Angel\u2019s head and jerked him up hurrying his travels to her lips. Cordelia sunk deeper into the mattress tightening her grip around the vampire. \u201cCoat.\u201d She grumbled in frustration as her hands tugged on the leather duster.<\/p>\n
Angel leaned up jerking off the coat and his shirt at the same time and in an instant was back over Cordelia.<\/p>\n
Cordelia clutched at him gratefully, her face and lips brushing against the coolness of his chest.<\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s mind was in turmoil, the fire, the heat of her touches were driving him insane. He tried to keep some focus on Cordelia\u2019s earlier nervousness and go slow. But Cordelia was making it very difficult.<\/p>\n
Cordelia\u2019s hands and lips were moving too slow, too fast- creating a fire within him. He had a sinking feeling that they had switched roles, he maybe the one with more practical experience but she was the one with life experience. Her every touch was making him feel alive. He wanted more. Angel\u2019s sinking feeling turned to one of acceptance and joy. What was new about this? Cordelia was always the one that taught him how to live. This was only an extension of what she had always done for him.<\/p>\n
Angel buried himself further into Cordelia\u2019s body. Cordy\u2019s arms and legs engulfed him, each moving and caressing to bring him closer.<\/p>\n
Once Cordelia had made the decision to let her control go, to accept her love for Angel and his for her, her fear went away, now the only thing that existed was desire and need. Cordelia leaned away as Angel touched her breast. She struggled up pulling her tank top over her head, then settling back into the pillows.<\/p>\n
She gasped, her hands reaching for the small of his back going as far as she could go while still letting Angel\u2019s mouth caress her breast. Cordelia shot up again. \u201cOff.\u201d She pointed with one hand as her other tugged at her cotton pants.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel. Now.\u201d<\/p>\n
A small part of Angel wanted to ask if she was sure, the other – the part engulfed in flames and desire didn\u2019t care. Angel forced himself to listen to his soul not his instincts. \u201cCordy?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNext time can be slow, okay?\u201d Cordelia threw her pants to the floor.<\/p>\n
Angel decided that his soul spoke enough for now. Rather he didn\u2019t have much of a choice. Cordelia was nude before him aggressively challenging him, daring him and begging him in all of her glory.<\/p>\n
Angel growled, pulling her legs around him as he thrust into her center.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel.\u201d Cordelia winced and bit her lip.<\/p>\n
Angel brought his hands up stroking gently against her face, his body stilled. \u201cCordy, I\u2019m Sor..\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo. Just give me a minute. I\u2019m sorry. I didn\u2019t realize that it would be so much. I\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel gently laid his forehead on hers, his lips brushing her cheek, fighting the urge to embed himself in deeper. \u201cDon\u2019t apologize it\u2019s not your fault. I didn\u2019t think. I\u2019m the one that is sorry. I\u2019ll\u2026.\u201d Angel made a move to lift his body.<\/p>\n
Cordy grabbed at his head. \u201cDon\u2019t. I may not have realized, but I wanted you inside of me, okay.\u201d She brushed her lips against his cheek. \u201cI just didn\u2019t \u2026\u201d Cordelia stopped as her body adjusted and started to ache. \u201cAngel, move.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel immediately started to withdraw again.<\/p>\n
Cordelia grabbed him tighter. \u201cDon\u2019t leave me, move.\u201d<\/p>\n
This time Angel didn\u2019t hesitate. He just thrust. Cordelia\u2019s hips were starting a rhythm he couldn\u2019t ignore.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel.\u201d He heard her breath against his shoulder. Her lips were frantic on his neck, her inner muscles tightening around him.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, please.\u201d The same lack of control that had frightened Cordelia on the Ferris wheel, excited her now, she needed it, wanted it.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, please.\u201d Cordelia tensed waiting for the release from the painful spiraling pleasure that she sensed was possible. \u201cPlease.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel grabbed at her lips stopping her pleading as he thrust harder. His tongue thrusting as his hips moved, his hands stroking frantically possessively over the writhing body under him.<\/p>\n
Satisfaction filled Angel as Cordelia\u2019s nails tore into his flesh and gave a combination gasp and yell. Cordelia\u2019s muscles contracted repeatedly and quickly around him. Cordelia fell back, her arms holding the vampire. She barely felt Angel still moving within her. Her legs loosened, her hands trailing down as Angel fell against her, his body now trembling.<\/p>\n
Slowly, Angel moved again, placing tender kisses along her neck and chin. He shifted turning their still joined bodies relieving Cordelia of his body\u2019s greater weight.<\/p>\n
\u201cIs it always like that? I mean before when\u2026.Or was\u2026was it just me that felt..\u201d Cordelia buried her heated face into his chest. She couldn\u2019t believe what she was asking. Hopefully, Angel wouldn\u2019t answer. The question had become pretty garbled maybe he wouldn\u2019t understand.<\/p>\n
Angel cupped her chin, studying her flushed face a small smile on his lips. \u201cIt definitely was not just you. And loving you cannot be compared to anything else. As for always, I hope so.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia scrunched up her face. \u201cSo it was good\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBetter. It was beautiful, wonderful and perfect. I love you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh.\u201d A smile brightened over Cordelia\u2019s face dimming the redness of her embarrassment. Cordelia thought a moment. \u201cSo, when can we do it again?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI imagine soon enough.\u201d Angel could feel the beginnings of his desire reignite. He hadn\u2019t been exaggerating. Making love to Cordelia had been the singular most spectacular thing he had ever experienced. One that he wanted to experience over and over again. Angel took a deep breath, slowly withdrew. \u201cBut, you should probably rest now.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUh, I\u2019m not tired. I feel wonderful.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy, I hurt you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia scrunched up her face, sincerely clueless. \u201cWhen?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia, when I\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, that\u2026I\u2019m fine.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou may be sore in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia shook her head. \u201cI feel wonderful.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, really, I think I know my body better than you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cReally. That\u2019s about to change.\u201d Flipping her on her back. Angel wouldn\u2019t have intercourse with her until he knew she was okay. But he could still give Cordelia pleasure and in doing so give himself pleasure.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel what are you doing?\u201d Angel\u2019s mouth was settled firmly on her stomach.<\/p>\n
\u201d Am I doing something?\u201d His tongue swirled and teased at her belly button. Cordelia gulped. Everywhere Angel\u2019s tongue touched brought an ache inside.<\/p>\n
\u201cUhuh.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s lips moved down further. \u201cGood.\u201d He buried his head into the apex of her thighs.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh.\u201d Gasping as she clutched Angel\u2019s hair, Cordelia\u2019s hips jerking and the spiraling starting all over again.<\/p>\n
Chapter 17<\/b><\/p>\n
Cordelia stretched and sat up. She grabbed at the sheet on floor and settled it around her. \u201cWhy aren\u2019t you in bed? What are you doing?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel was sitting in the chair a pad of paper in his hand.<\/p>\n
\u201cI owe you a portrait.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMe?\u201d Cordy grabbed the sheet wrapping it around her. Angel\u2019s hand shot out grabbing the sheet.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m still drawing.\u201d He pulled the covering off.<\/p>\n
Cordy tugged at the sheet, finally dropping it when Angel refused to let go and rushed to look. \u201cOh. Oh. Angel no one can see that.\u201d The sketch was a portrait of Cordelia sleeping her body nude.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t like it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2026.I..I don\u2019t\u2019 have any clothes on.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel shrugged. \u201cActually, this isn\u2019t my best.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYour best? You have more of me?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel nodded.<\/p>\n
\u201cWithout clothes?\u201d Squeaking.<\/p>\n
Angel shrugged again.<\/p>\n
Cordelia stared. She didn\u2019t know whether to be angry or flattered. She looked again at the picture. Angel made her beautiful. \u201cThe others are better? You\u2019ve never seen me naked how can they be better?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel studied the picture again, his pencil making quick strokes fixing it. \u201cI like this one the best. But technically, it\u2019s a little rough. Too quickly drawn, but the one with the best inspiration.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you done?\u201d Cordelia scrunched up her face, still not sure how to react.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor now.\u201d Angel put down the pad.<\/p>\n
\u201cHmmph.\u201d Cordelia grabbed back at the sheet and gathered it around her body.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wish you wouldn\u2019t do that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou said you were done.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI still like the view.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia looked down at the sheet and then at Angel. He was sitting in the chair unconscious about his nudity. \u201cHmmph.\u201d She dropped the sheet. \u201cI\u2019ve got to put on the shirt at least.\u201d Her hand reached for Angel\u2019s sweater. Angel watched as his sweater covered her form, the sleeves overlapping her small hands. Angel had to admit there was something very sexy about Cordelia wearing his shirt.<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGee, thanks a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel couldn\u2019t help it; his euphoria was suddenly ripped from under him. Thanks a lot was not a good thing. Things had been miraculous he couldn\u2019t take a chance that he screwed up some how. His hand went automatically to his pants.<\/p>\n
Cordelia stood puzzled by Angel\u2019s change of expression. The dork was back. Cordelia\u2019s hand covered his as he pulled out the article. They tugged briefly.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel.\u201d Her brows arched, her tone firm.<\/p>\n
She scrunched her face as Angel took on a sheepish expression.<\/p>\n
Cordelia snatched away the paper and read it quickly. She didn\u2019t know whether to laugh or yell.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d He tried to snatch the paper back.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, this is from Comos.\u201d Her eyes widened. \u201cYou ripped this out of my magazine. Why?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBob knows what he\u2019s talking about.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBob?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBob.\u201d Angel pointed to the paper. \u201cThat convinced me to go to the carnival.\u201d There was no point in hiding the truth anymore.<\/p>\n
Cordelia was too flabbergasted to yell, though she was thinking that yelling would be the correct reaction. \u201cUh.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou said fine. See.\u201d Angel pointed to the definition. Cordelia stared again at the vampire.<\/p>\n
Wow, Angel really had turned into a major goofball. It was a good thing that she loved the dork Angel as much as the one that had touched and tasted her all night.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, do you know who Bob is?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a published author. Wesley and Gunn said that he was very informative.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWesley and Gunn?\u201d Choking. \u201cHe\u2026He is Roberta Randall, a 40 year old house wife that writes a regular humor column for Comos. This is not a treatise but a satire. Humor. Sarcasm- as in not real.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia laughed as Angel\u2019s face paled. He didn\u2019t have any blood flowing but he could sure get white.<\/p>\n
\u201cWesley and Gunn believe this? Oh, don\u2019t tell. This could be fun.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy?\u201d<\/p>\n
The young woman raised her brows at the vampire. Angel stopped. Cordelia said that the article was sarcastic not real, but honestly there was something in the way she raised her brows that he just didn\u2019t want to cross. \u201cOkay.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUm, Angel?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s eyes shot up at the change in her tone.<\/p>\n
Cordelia bit her lip, twisting the sleeves of his sweater around her small hands. \u201cI feel fine, this morning.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel raised his brows, refusing to smile. \u201cI\u2019m glad.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI told you I would.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, you did. Like I said I\u2019m glad.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou said we had to wait\u2026\u201d Cordelia stopped, her blush turning into a glare at the pleased smirk on Angel\u2019s face.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou’re making me ask on purpose.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAsk what?\u201d Knocking away the pillow that Cordelia threw.<\/p>\n
\u201cFine.\u201d She turned to stomp out of the room.<\/p>\n
This time Angel wasn\u2019t scared about the fine. He laughed. \u201cYou’re just so cute when you blush.\u201d Pushing Cordelia back towards the bed.<\/p>\n
Chapter 18<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia what are you planning?\u201d Angel held the young woman back from running up basement steps into the lobby of the Hyperion.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, don\u2019t be such a fraidy vamp it won\u2019t hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel didn\u2019t budge. \u201cThis isn’t a good idea.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, you don\u2019t even know what ‘It’ is.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSomething not good for Wes or Gunn.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPfft. Come on it\u2019ll be fun.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNot for them, not for me. They\u2019re going to be mad when they found out that I told you about Bob..Roberta.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia shrugged, her eyes laughing. \u201cOh, don\u2019t be such a worry wart.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t see why we had to come back now. I had to leave my car.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt will be perfectly safe. And you can walk me home later. Won\u2019t that be romantic?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe sewers are now romantic?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia rolled her eyes smacking Angel on the arm. \u201cYou know this sudden burst of humor guised as cluelessness- is only a little bit funny.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought it was funny.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHmmph.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy, if you hadn\u2019t been so anxious for your revenge we could still be at your apartment- in bed. We wouldn\u2019t have to go back later.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd have Wesley freaked.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s that what you want.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNot about us. Now, you just keep quiet while I go find Fred.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis doesn\u2019t feel right, I shouldn\u2019t be helping you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut you love me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s not fair. Fine.\u201d Angel said at her raised brows.<\/p>\n
\u201cFINE\u2026.ooh, scary word. Good thing you\u2019re not a woman or I\u2019d be shaking.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know you do raise your brows, A LOT.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia stuck out her tongue in response.<\/p>\n
Chapter 19<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cDorks. Like women are so predictable.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, you ready?\u201d<\/p>\n
Fred nodded eagerly to Cordelia. \u201cAngel won\u2019t tell?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe better not.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh. How do we start it?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWith those two- they\u2019ll fall right into it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLets go then.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel.\u201d Wesley jumped as the vampire came into the lobby.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe haven\u2019t seen the princess yet, she still pissed?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy\u2019s not mad.\u201d Angel shuffled at the files on the counter. \u201cAnything interesting?\u201d Avoiding the others eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe hasn\u2019t shown up yet. And Cordy was giving off major waves of ice when we dropped her off last night.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s here with Fred.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe is? I didn\u2019t see her come in.\u201d Wesley looked questioningly at the front door.<\/p>\n
\u201cMust have come in the back. I saw her go up to Fred\u2019s. She seemed fine.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGo figure. Women.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMoody.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel slumped into the chair. Attitudes like that were just going to get Wesley and Gunn in trouble. He really ought to warn them.<\/p>\n
\u201cHi guys.\u201d Cordelia beamed from the bottom of the steps, Fred close behind.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey.\u201d Wesley and Gunn said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, good morning.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cRight.\u201d Angel mumbled not looking at the women.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, didn\u2019t you sleep well. You went to bed early enough or did you go\u2026out patrolling or something. \u201c Fred amended at Wesley and Gunn\u2019s shaking heads. That\u2019s right. Cordelia didn\u2019t know about Angel\u2019s stalking habit. Secrets and plots, Fred was going to have to get the clicks up to speed.<\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s head shot up, questioning.<\/p>\n
Cordelia gave a slight shake of her head. Cordelia had only explained about Bob\u2019s article<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, I didn\u2019t get much sleep last night.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, must have been all the excitement of the carnival. You had fun, right?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, I definitely had fun last night. What about you, Cordy did you have fun last night? Cordelia are you alright?\u201d He said to his coughing seer.<\/p>\n
\u201cFine.\u201d She glared.<\/p>\n
Angel didn\u2019t have to turn to know that Wesley and Gunn were starting to tense. Angel hid his face in a folder waiting for the games to begin.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy, do you want some water?\u201d Wesley said ready to jump up and fetch.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m fine.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley settled back down and shrugged at Gunn. Sometimes-fine may actually mean fine.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnybody for breakfast. Fred?\u201d Gunn said trying to make sure that everything stayed fine. Angel was already off to a rocky start.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy was that directed at me?\u201d Fred raised her brows as she leaned against the counter.<\/p>\n
\u201cUh, I just wondered\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fred let out a loud sigh. \u201cOh, go ahead Charles, tell Cordy how you and Wesley think I\u2019m a pig, please do.\u201d Fred\u2019s brows still raised.<\/p>\n
\u201cWh..at?\u201d Both Wesley and Gunn started to stutter.<\/p>\n
Angel was impressed; Fred had managed to turn Wesley and Gunn into gibbering idiots with one sentence. He expected it from Cordelia, but not Fred. She definitely learned quickly.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sure they don\u2019t, do you.\u201d Cordelia raised her brows towards the slack jawed men. \u201cGo ahead, tell her you don\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course, we don\u2019t.\u201d Wesley shook his head in vehement denial.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s morning, I just thought people might want breakfast, that\u2019s all, really.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fred let out another sigh. \u201cThat\u2019s okay.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel hid his head further into the folder. Cordelia couldn\u2019t help but giggle. Both Wesley and Gunn looked three shades paler, their hands wringing in abject terror.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not funny. What\u2019s so funny?\u201d Wesley turned to Cordelia.<\/p>\n
\u201cNothing.\u201d Trying to glare but all she could manage was more giggles. Fred joined in.<\/p>\n
Wesley and Gunn looked back and forth from the laughing girls, then to Angel.<\/p>\n
Angel finally looked up. \u201cCongratulations, I think the both of you have managed to use all of them. Are you done?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSpoilsport.\u201d Cordelia smiled and sat on the edge of Angel\u2019s chair, ruffling through his hair.<\/p>\n
\u201cStop that.\u201d Angel knocked away her hand.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought you liked it when I ran my fingers through your hair.\u201d Cordelia\u2019s voice low in his ear.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t start something you aren\u2019t prepared to finish here and now.\u201d He said equally low.<\/p>\n
\u201cHmmph.\u201d Cordelia got up. \u201cAngel, training five minutes.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy, don\u2019t you think that you better explain that five minutes means five minutes, not an half hour? Who knows what silly advice Angel\u2019s been getting?\u201d Fred smiled at Wesley and Gunn, then swirled and left, following Cordelia out of the lobby.<\/p>\n
Wesley and Gunn turned on Angel as soon as the women left.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou told.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel shrugged. \u201cIt wasn\u2019t a secret. Anyway, Cordy wasn\u2019t mad, she thought it was funny.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSure, that\u2019s why she roped Fred into her plot to scare us to death.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThey were laughing at us. Man, how could you do that? We\u2019re bros, we\u2019ve got to stick together. You sold out.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI did not. Cordelia found the article in my pocket. What was I suppose to do- lie?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDid you have to bring us into it? Fred was laughing at us. Where\u2019s your loyalty, man?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLook it\u2019s not such a big deal. They had their laugh. It\u2019s over. It could\u2019ve been worse, the way you two were shaking they could have made you jump through all sorts of hoops.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt ain\u2019t over. That\u2019s what they want us to think. Bob said\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBob\u2019s a woman, Roberta from the Valley. Cordy said she\u2019s a humorist.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe told you that and you believed her? It\u2019s just her way of making us believe that what Bob said wasn\u2019t true. The princess is protecting their secret. She\u2019s loyal to her gender. Unlike you. Traitor.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, you really should have warned us.\u201d Wesley contemplated the vampire. \u201cAngel, why weren\u2019t you included in joke.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt wouldn\u2019t have been funny. I already knew that Cordelia knew. I told her remember.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, he\u2019s right, Wesley. So what did she do to you?\u201d<\/p>\n
“I don\u2019t believe she did anything to Angel, did she?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat? You gave us up, just to protect yourself. Worse than a traitor- a snitch.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI told you she found it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIn your pocket? Angel, what was Cordelia doing in your pocket?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI took it out of my pocket, she saw. That\u2019s all.\u201d Angel felt no need to add that they both had been naked at the time.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut you obviously knew what Cordy was planning. And you didn\u2019t tell us.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordy\u2026.Cordy told me not to.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, you betrayed us because Cordy told you to. Angel, we all were under the assumption that you messed up again last night, that Cordelia was mad at you. But we were mistaken weren\u2019t we.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cEnglish?\u201d Gunn asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou two did it.\u201d Wesley said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat? No. Of course not. We didn\u2019t do anything.\u201d Quickly denying doing anything with Cordelia.<\/p>\n
“You did to, you both finally told each other how you really feel about each other. It\u2019s about time. That\u2019s it, isn’t- that\u2019s why you went along with her.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh that, yeah I guess we did do that. You knew how we felt?\u201d Angel nodded, relieved. It was one thing to tease Cordelia. Angel wasn\u2019t about to tell Wesley and Gunn about last night, not without Cordelia\u2019s okay.<\/p>\n
\u201cDamn obvious. Damn basement is like a hot steamy whirlpool of ranging hormones. Can\u2019t go down there anymore, gives me the willies. Well, I feel better. You\u2019re not a traitor just whipped. \u201d Gunn said.<\/p>\n
\u201cUh, I\u2019m not whipped\u2026, what does that mean? And nothing\u2019s happened in the training room, except training.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSure then, but that was before Angelus took a powder.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know about that too?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYep, no secrets here- Obviously,\u201d Gunn said pointedly to the vampire. Gunn rolled his eyes. \u201cI\u2019m never going down to the basement again. That\u2019s for damn sure.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat? We\u2019re adults, not some sex starved teenagers. I\u2019ve got to go, Cordy\u2019s waiting.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel growled at Gunn\u2019s low whisper of \u2018whipped\u2019. He wasn\u2019t sure what it meant, but it didn\u2019t sound good. He glared once and went to the basement. Cordy was waiting.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow much?\u201d Gunn turned to Wesley after Angel had gone.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s not a bet I want to take. But, I will tell you I\u2019m not going down there with out knocking first.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDamn straight.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chapter 20<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cAre they still pouting?\u201d Cordelia was in the middle of the floor, going through her sword exercises.<\/p>\n
Angel stopped and watched. She was getting pretty good. She held the sword with confident strength, her swings wide and graceful. Everything about her was graceful. And beautiful and sexy.<\/p>\n
\u201cBend your arm just a little, and put more weight on the balls of your feet.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia automatically complied. \u201cWell, are they?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo. Now they\u2019re contemplating our sex life. Tighter arches.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re what? You told them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel went up behind the still girl, reaching around putting his hands over hers as they held the sword. \u201cLike this.\u201d He brought their arms up and swung the sword together. \u201cCordy, they had to know sooner or later and I prefer sooner. I don\u2019t want to have to keep sneaking out at night.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia leaned against Angel\u2019s broad chest, letting him guide her strokes.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought you liked my apartment.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYour ghost doesn\u2019t like me.\u201d Angel kissed her on her head.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019ll come around.\u201d Cordelia released her sword letting Angel take it to his side. She turned placing her hands on his chest. \u201cSo they know, uh.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat we love each other, yep. The details- no. You mad?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNay, you\u2019re right.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWow. You just said I was right.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t let it go to your head.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHm, Cordy what does whipped mean?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou, bad ass vamp, with the evil history are asking me?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGunn said I was whipped.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh.\u201d Cordelia started to giggle.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat does it mean?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t worry about it Angel. You\u2019re not whipped, if you were I would have a new car.\u201d<\/p>\n
The car again. It was the second time she mentioned it.<\/p>\n
Cordelia lifted her hands to cup Angel\u2019s face. \u201cHonestly, Angel I don\u2019t want a car.\u201d The humor in her eyes and smile apparent. \u201cI\u2019d have to deal with insurance, parking- it would be a pain, why do I need a car when I have you to drive me around or the use of your car when you can\u2019t. You\u2019re such a goofball. Gunn is just saying that you’re whipped because you\u2019re wonderfully concerned about what I want. Men who aren\u2019t capable of showing their concern about the woman they love say that about men that do, that\u2019s all. It\u2019s purely defensive. Men like that would say that Sir Walter Raleigh was whipped because he didn\u2019t want the Queen\u2019s feet to get dirty. Gunn\u2019s just a Neanderthal, ignore him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel took her hands gently bringing them to his lips. Gunn was right he was whipped. But Angel didn\u2019t care, looking into the beautiful eyes of his seer. They were so full of love. How could he not try to do anything and everything she wanted of him? And so far and always Cordelia only wanted the best for him.<\/p>\n
She had already shown him that by bringing light to his gloom and plastic flowers. Angel smiled. \u201cI love you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel was tempted to close his eyes at the brightness of Cordelia\u2019s smile, but if he did then he would miss it.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love you, too. So, you don\u2019t like it when I rub my hands through your hair.\u201d Fingering the hair on Angel\u2019s neck. Cordelia began comb her fingers upwards onto his scalp.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a perfectly okay thing to do when it is accompanied by kissing.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh. That\u2019s good to know.\u201d Cordelia smiled and pulled his lips lower.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, where are Cordy and Angel?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTraining.\u201d Wesley and Gunn said in unison.<\/p>\n
\u201cOooh, I love to watch them spar. Kyerumption.\u201d Fred headed for the basement.<\/p>\n
\u201cKyerumption\u201d Gunn laughed. \u201cThat just can\u2019t be a real word.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley nodded. \u201cKyerumption.\u201d Both Wesley and Gunn looked at each other and started to run after Fred.<\/p>\n
\u201cKNOCK\u201d They shouted in panic.<\/p>\n
The End<\/b><\/p>\n