Chapter Twenty-Five
About three hours, and a ridiculous amount of money later, the three decided to take a break and go get something to eat. They were now sitting at one of the tables in the eatery, listening to Spike’s stories about racing life.
“So, Jake jumps out of the car, ripping off his helmet as he’s walking towards me. I just watch him come. His jaw is just yapping away, calling me every name he can think of, and for Jake that’s not too many,” Spike said with a snicker, chomping down on a ketchup coated french fry. “He gets to me, right in my face, wantin’ to know what my problem is. Didn’t take too kindly to my tapping his bumper in the final lap. How was I supposed to know he’d spin out?” The look of innocence that fixed itself on his face told them he knew that it would do just that. Buffy chuckled and shook her head, lifting her drink to her lips.
“So, what’d he do?” Dawn asked. She didn’t remember hearing about this, and that was a feat since her sister could probably tell you how many dents he got on his car in any race.
“He punched me. Square in the bloody jaw. Hurt like a bitch, too.” Buffy’s eyes widened at the cavalier way he said it. Dawn rolled her eyes at the mystery that was the male mind and took a bite of her hamburger. “Barely managed not to rip his head off. But, I contained myself, and he got fined five thousand dollars,” Spike finished, grinning madly. That was the one thing he had never done. He had never gone after another driver after the race was finished. He didn’t mind taking a fine for something done on the track, but he wasn’t going to choke on one because he couldn’t hold his temper outside of the car. “The really funny part was, after we finished packing it in for the night, he came over and took me out for a beer.” Dawn snorted at that, even more mystified than she had been a minute before. Buffy had the distinct feeling that men were no better than preschoolers. One minute, they would be ready to kill each other over a toy in the sandbox. The next minute they were all smiles and hugs, proclaiming lifelong friendship.
“Hey,” Dawn’s young face brightened as she sat up straight to see someone over Spike’s shoulder. “Connor.”
“Why am I not surprised?” Buffy asked, raising a brow. Spike had spiraled in his seat to inspect the young man making his way over to the table, a spark of recognition niggling at him. He had seen the boy at the funeral, but only from a distance, and only in passing. He had been intent on only one person that day.
“What?” The teenager looked over at her sister, her eyes wide. “Are you saying I called him?”
“Are you saying you didn’t? You did take an awful long time in the bathroom,” Buffy reminded her. Dawn had the decency to look sheepish as Connor finally reached the table. She jumped up and rounded the table, taking his hand and turning to Spike. The blonde noticed the action, his eyes narrowing into slits.
“Spike, I would like you to meet Connor. Connor, this is Spike.” Dawn made the introductions, her smile huge and bright. The two males eyed each other for long minute, and Dawn looked imploringly at her sister. Buffy sighed, and kicked Spike under the table.
“Ow,” he hissed, turning to glare at her. She just pursed her lips and widened her eyes in an effort to let him know to knock it off. Spike rolled his eyes and stood, sticking a hand out towards Connor.
“Pleased to meet you,” he said, shaking the boy’s hand. Connor gave him a half smile, his eyes flicking between the three.
“Me too. Heard a lot about you.” Spike nearly snorted, but managed to hold it in. Dawn pulled Connor around the table and ushered him into the empty chair,
“So, what are you up to tonight?” Buffy asked him, taking a sip of her drink. Connor raised a shoulder, his dark eyes glancing at Dawn.
“Nothing.” Gearing herself up for the usual monosyllabic conversation she had with him, Buffy leaned forward in her seat, not noticing when Spike’s fingers casually brushed against hers.
“No plans? It’s Saturday,” she reminded him, absently tangling her fingers with Spike’s.
“No.” Spike raised an eyebrow at the conversation. The fact that the boy didn’t talk much didn’t bother him. It was the fact that he could tell that this kid was nothing like his brother that annoyed him. He couldn’t really say what gave him that feeling, either. It was just the vibe the boy put off. He had been prepared to detest the runt, and found that it wasn’t going to be as easy as he had hoped.
“Not going to go see a movie, or anything?” Connor shook his head, looking at Dawn again. Dawn rolled her eyes, and looked at her sister.
“He doesn’t have any plans because I’m under house arrest.”
“Dawnie. . .” Buffy started, her voice holding a warning edge.
“Hey now, Nibblet. You’re at the mall, aren’t you? I’d hardly say that was house arrest,” Spike chimed in, shifting in his seat. Why were the seats in malls so damned uncomfortable? He hadn’t come across one yet that didn’t numb his butt inside of five minutes.
“I know that,” Dawn huffed. A smile curled Connor’s lip at her petulant tone. A slight pout formed on the girl’s face, and she looked ready to plead her case.
“Dawn. Don’t. You’re grounded.” The look on Dawn’s face had Spike standing and tugging Buffy to her feet, hoping to stay the argument before they kicked them out of the mall.
“Excuse us for a minute,” he said, pulling Buffy along behind him.
“What are you doing?” she demanded when they came to a stop by the fountain in the middle of the eatery.
“Give a little, pet.”
“What? Why? She deserved to get punished.”
“I agree. But come on. They just got together. It’s all new and exciting. Just for tonight. Tomorrow she can get reshackled to her bedroom.”
“Spike. If I cave, how’s that going to look?” She crossed her arms over her chest, and glared up at him.
“I’m not saying cave. I’m just saying change it a little. Remember when I first moved here? Dad did a good job of laying down the law, and still giving me some freedom. That’s all I’m saying.”
“Yeah. But you were a lot different than Dawn.”
“Not really. I was going through some similar shit. Mom had just died, I was rebelling. Same thing. Be firm, not hard.” Buffy couldn’t say that he was wrong. Giles had snapped out of his grief, and taken charge of his son, making sure he got himself back on the right track.
“I don’t know.”
“Buffy, just try. If it doesn’t work, I’ll shackle her myself. And something tells me that boy won’t let her do anything too stupid.” Buffy smiled at that.
“Fine. But if she starts her shit again, I’m holding you personally responsible. Send her over here.” Spike smiled and kissed her hard, turning away to return to the table before she could react. She just stayed there, staring after him, her lips tingling from the kiss.
“Dawn, go talk to your sister.” The younger girl was out of her chair like a rocket, hurrying over to her stunned sister with a hopeful expression on her face. Spike looked over at Connor, studying him for a minute. “I just stuck my arse out for you two. Don’t make me regret it.” All the younger man did was nod, but the look on his face told Spike that he had been right. This kid seemed to know what responsibility was.
“Oh thank you!” They both turned in time to see Dawn throw her arms around Buffy in an enthusiastic hug, then pull back to hurry back to the table. “Come on. Let’s go see a movie.” She grabbed Connor’s hand and pulled him out of the chair, pausing next to Spike to lean down and kiss him on the cheek. “Thank you,” she whispered in his ear, smiling as she stood.
“Don’t screw up,” he warned, chuckling as her head nodded in a flurry.
“No later than twelve, Dawn. Don’t make me come looking for you.”
“I won’t. See you at home.” The two adults watched as the two teenagers moved away, Dawn’s chattering fading in the distance. Spike turned back to Buffy, and was struck dumb by the large smile on her face. She was still watching the young pair walk away, and she had an almost dreamy smile on her lips. When she turned back to Spike, her heart slammed in her chest at the open look of longing on his face. She blinked, heat racing through her veins, and rushing south. Desire nearly choked her with it’s intensity. Good god, she wanted him, and she wanted him now.
“Ready, pet?” Good lord, those two words spoke volumes. Buffy swallowed heavily and nodded, her wide, hazel eyes watching him as he stood, and started to gather the bags. The furniture they had picked out would be delivered next week. “Let’s go.” His deep, husky voice washed over her, and Buffy had to shake herself before she stripped right there and demanded he take her in the middle of the mall.
“Yeah,” was all she could come up with, and she moved past him, her mind racing a mile a minute. Spike followed, the eyes watching her full of predatory intent.
~*~*~
“Hey, baby.” A large smile split Willow’s face at the smooth, deep voice of her boyfriend.
“Hey, yourself.” She threw the textbook she had been looking at to the side, and laid back against the pillows on her bed. “What are you doing?”
“Taking a break. I figured you’d still be up.” Mark settled himself back on the couch in the studio, wishing desperately that he was at home with her, instead of here.
“Yeah, I’ve got a test tomorrow.” She stuck out her tongue at that, and shuddered.
“You want me to let you go?”
“Absolutely not,” she said firmly. “I’m going cross-eyed. That’s my cue to stop.” Mark chuckled, the distinctive snap-hiss of his lighter coming through the phone.
“Anything new going on?”
“Good lord. If you only knew.” She quickly told him the goings on of the last few days, starting with Xander finally going home, and ending with Buffy and Riley’s break up.
“Wow.” Mark expelled a plume of smoke from his lungs, and kicked his feet up onto the couch. The others in the band were sprawled around the room, talking with the producer, allowing him a bit of privacy. Mark knew he had only a few minutes before Ralph, the bass player, started harping about calling his wife. “Sounds like a soap opera.” Willow laughed, the sound causing the Indian’s heart to swell. He missed her so damn much.
“Yeah. And Spike’s on the prowl. Hopefully she won’t resist too much.”
“Think Dawn’ll be able to see the light of day anytime soon?”
“Eventually. I think.”
“Hey, Mark. Let someone else use the phone.” Like clockwork, Ralph demanded his turn on the phone, his grey green eyes glaring at Mark. The dark haired man flipped him off, the gesture telling him to hold on a damn minute.
“Ralph getting impatient?” Willow asked with a chuckle.
“Yeah. You’d think that Charlene was going to explode if she didn’t talk to him at the same time every night.” Mark looked up as the outer door opened, and rolled his eyes. Johnny, the drummer’s, newest flavor of the week walked inside, her heavily made up topaz eyes scanning the room. He managed not to squirm when that predatory gaze hit him, lingering a bit too long for his tastes.
“Well, I’m sure she misses him as much as I miss you.”
“I miss you, too, baby. I better get off here. Ralph looks like he’s going to do something drastic any minute.”
“Alright. I love you.”
“I love you, too. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“Okay, bye.”
“Bye.” Mark turned off the cordless, and threw it at Ralph, flipping him off again for good measure.
“Sorry man. Charlie is pregnant,” Ralph reminded him. Mark smiled and pushed himself off the couch, skirting around the woman to head to the bathroom.
“I know. Just remember, the favor had better be returned when it’s me.” The blonde nodded, and gave him the thumbs up, holding the phone to his ear.
A few minutes later, Mark walked out of the bathroom, running a hand through his long dark hair. He stopped when he looked up and saw her.
“Crystal,” he greeted, starting to walk again. He couldn’t say what it was about her that set him off, but she just screamed bad news. She was tall, and lush, her surgically enhanced curves straining against the white, baby doll tee she was wearing. It was obvious she wasn’t wearing a bra. Black, spandex leggings molded to her long legs, ending in a pair of high heeled boots. A wild mane of black hair framed her angelic face, and thick, dark lashes surrounded her unusual eyes. Mark would have bet money that they were as fake as her tits. Johnny liked his women like this, since he wasn’t looking for a commitment. He just couldn’t believe that he was so blind to this one’s obvious faults. It seemed apparent to everyone, except Johnny, that she was only using him to get to Mark. Something the Indian didn’t care for in the least.
“Hi Mark.” Her honeyed voice drifted over to him, making him shiver, and not in a good way. She pushed away from the wall and started towards him, her heels echoing hollowly in the hall. Her advancement on him spurred him into motion and he started towards the safety of the studio. She laid a hand on his arm as he tried to pass, her blood red nails a vivid contrast against his dark skin. “What’s your hurry?”
“Gotta get back inside,” was all he said, pulling his arm from her grasp. She scowled at the look of distaste that crossed his face.
“Why? They’re not ready to start yet. We could have a little fun,” she suggested, stepping closer. He took a step back, eyes watching her warily.
“Don’t think so. Not into cheap thrills.” Her eyes glittered dangerously at the slight, anger marring her beautiful face.
“You never know until you try.” His eyes widened at that, incredulous that she wouldn’t give up.
“Look, Crystal. You’re with Johnny. And I have a very lovely lady at home, that I love. I’m not going to throw that away.”
“Not asking you to. I just want to show you how much I love your music.” She raised a hand to try to brush her fingers across her cheek, but he evaded her.
“Buy the album,” he snapped, stalking around her and reentering the studio, the door slamming behind him. Crystal stared at the door, fury coursing through her. She never got turned down. NEVER.
“Crystal?” Johnny’s purple head popped out of the studio, his dark eyes scanning the hall. Her face went from furious to smiling in the space of a second. “Hey, was wondering where you went,” he said, walking down to her. Her hands slid up his chest to link behind his back, and she leaned in for a deep, wet kiss.
“Just had to use the little girls room,” she told him, rubbing herself suggestively against his tall frame. He was nearly as tall as Mark, and since he was Mark’s cousin, looked enough like him that Crystal could almost pretend. It was the ever changing hair color that kept her fantasy from being complete.
“Come on. We’re getting ready to start again.” He pulled out of her arms, and took her hand, pulling her with him. He wasn’t as stupid as she thought he was. He knew what her game was. He was just enough of an asshole to take what she offered, until he got bored. Then, he would send her on her way, with strict instructions to the security people to keep her out. Nobody used him.
“Lead the way sugar,” she purred, her mind swirling as she tried to think of something to get Mark where she wanted him. She usually wasn’t this persistent. But Mark had become a challenge. She couldn’t believe that he had turned her down for that little nothing of a redhead. She had met his girlfriend, about a month ago, when she had come up for a weekend visit. The love that had emanated from the two was enough to make Crystal want to heave. Repeatedly.
“After you,” Johnny said, holding the door open for her. She smiled brightly and sashayed into the studio, ignoring the glare that Mark shot at her, and settling herself down onto the couch. She watched Mark through the glass as he strapped on his guitar, his long fingers playing over the strings in a way that made her shiver. She hadn’t felt anything like this since. . .no. She wouldn’t think about him. That was a long time ago, and as big of a mistake as she could have made. Of course, if she thought about it, she would’ve realized that she was getting herself into the same predicament. But whereas he hadn’t been with the girl he was so enamored with, Mark was. And the Indian was faithful. Crystal settled herself into the cushions and watched, determination settling into her soul. He would be hers, whether she had to get him drunk to do it, or not.
~*~*~
“Thanks for helping me,” Spike said, walking with Buffy to the door.
“You’re welcome. Although, we only got your bedroom done.”
“And the tv. That’s the most important thing.” Buffy rolled her eyes at that, unlocking the door. She turned to him, her heart stuttering in her chest when she realized how close he was. “A-are you going to stay there tonight?” she stammered.
“No. No bed.” The way he said that word had thoughts careening around in her head. “I’ll stay with Dad until they deliver it.” He was closer to her now, his hand reaching out to slide around her waist.
“Spike. . I,”
“Shh,” he said, pulling her against him. “S’not even worth the waste of breath.” Then, his mouth closed over hers. Her hands drifted over his arms, her nails digging into his shoulders to keep her upright. He nibbled gently against her lips, teasing her until she moaned. Her tongue darted out to entice him in, and with moan of his own, he did. Arms tightened and breath became ragged as their tongues battled, electricity crackling in the air around them. Buffy pressed herself as tight against him as she could, her body aching for his touch. Spike in turn slid his hands over her body, cupping her ass to push her against the obviousness of his arousal.
Groans filled the air at the contact, and Spike started to maneuver them through the open door. He kicked it closed as soon as they were inside, his hand streaking underneath her top to possess her flesh. Buffy shuddered in his arms, arching her back towards him. Her mind was screaming that they shouldn’t be doing this, that it was too soon. But her body and heart were in unison in their declaration that it had been too long.
“Oh, God,” she breathed when he broke away form her mouth to nip lightly on the smooth column of her neck. He slid the sweater over her arms, kissing the new flesh as it became exposed. The camisole came off next, and Buffy couldn’t even begin to say how it had happened. Then, his hands were full of her breasts, his thumbs teasing the peaks, and nothing mattered anymore. Her fingers buried themselves in his white curls, holding him to her while he suckled first one then the other nipple. She mewled desperately, the fire in her veins threatening to incinerate her.
A few seconds later, she felt the hard press of the floor against her back, wondering again how that happened. She felt her jeans being stripped from her body, and opened her eyes in time to see Spike lower his platinum head between her thighs. Her hips surged forward in anticipation, a low, guttural moan of satisfaction exploding from her when his tongue invaded her.
Spike was dizzy with need as he attacked her. He used his fingers to spread her open, his tongue sweeping from bottom to top, collecting the sweet moisture pooled there. He slid, one then two long fingers into her tight, hot channel, stroking deep while he circled the tight, bundle of nerves at the top. She thrashed beneath him, her head thrown back in ecstasy. Tension furled tight in her stomach, and sweat beaded her brow. She thrust against him, seeking release. She screamed out his name when she felt the third finger he slid into her, and she surged harder, her climax ripping through her with a force that left her breathless and quaking.
He continued his ministrations on her, drawing her orgasm out until she collapsed, exhausted on the floor. She whimpered when he pulled away from her, rising to his knees. She watched him through half closed eyes as he lifted his hand to his mouth, licking the digits clean. He evaded her reaching hands, gathering her clothes up, then scooping her up off the floor. She snuggled against him, sighing at the familiarity of his arms.
Spike smiled down at her, wincing against the pain of his erection pressed tight against his jeans. He walked into her bedroom, and laid her on the bed, tucking her in, then turning to leave.
“Spike?” He turned back to her questioning face, walking back to her and brushing a gentle kiss across her forehead.
“Not tonight. Not in the bed you shared with him.” His eyes burned into her, his meaning clear. She nodded, disappointed, yet understanding. “Besides, in a couple of days I’ll have a nice, big, unused bed.” She blushed furiously at that, thankful for the darkness. “Goodnight, pet.”
“Goodnight, Spike.” He leaned down, and kissed her long and deep, leaving them both panting for more. He took one last long look at her before turning and walking out of the room. Buffy listened as he walked down the stairs, the front door opening and closing to announce his exit.
She rolled over and set her alarm for quarter to eleven, so she could wait for Dawn. Then, she slipped into the first untroubled sleep she’d had in too long to remember, a soft smile on her lips.