“You know, last time he was here was only a month ago-” Buffy went on, and Cordy had to cut in.
“I know, honey, and he was great, and the sex was great, and you had a great time. We’ve been through this. He’s an asshole!”
“But what did I do wrong? I don’t get it!” She wasn’t crying over the loss of Riley, she was mourning the loss of her perfect world, of her dreams, of the past ten years that she’d spent living something that was obviously only real for her. The loss of him hurt too, of course, but not as much as his betrayal. Unable to accept that she had been fooled for so long, she couldn’t help but seek the cause where she could. In herself.
Cordy had been seething from the beginning of the phone call, and had tried hard to be not sound like a bitch while trying to help her best friend through her time of hurt. Enough was, however, enough. “There’s nothing to get. Snap out of it. The bastard couldn’t recognize a good thing if it kicked him in his overgrown ass, he’s that stupid. He asked you for a divorce over the phone, for fuck’s sake! Now stop blaming yourself before I have to spank you.”
Buffy let out a giggle among her sniffles. “Spank me? Sure you’re not just looking for excuses?”
“Ewww, like I’d go gay in a million years! No, thank you! I’ll just do it if you leave me with no other option.”
“Okay, not like I’d wanna be spanked by you, cuz, you know, ewww – as you so eloquently put it. But don’t they say when a relationship goes sour it’s both people’s fault?”
“Well, the only thing that was your fault was getting married to him. Now we can rectify that!” Cordy was more than happy for getting back on familiar territory. She never did well with coddling; she was a fixer. Husband went bad, husband went buh-bye. In her world everything was just that simple.
“Rectify. Right. I’ll be a divorcee before I’m thirty. That’s all rectifying-y!”
“Well, that may not be, but getting him for every last penny he’s worth is more than rectifying. It’s revenge, and it’s fun.” When Buffy only made sniffling sounds, the brunette went on, “Remember what the queen divorcee said: Don’t get mad, get everything!”
“Huh? Who said that?”
Cordy rolled her eyes. “Ivana Trump, you unbelievably uninformed woman. Anyway, we’re getting everything, and I know just who we should recruit for that.”
The use of “we” clearly indicated Cordelia Chase was viewing the blonde’s divorce as her personal crusade, and Buffy had no problems whatsoever with that. After all, Cordelia Chase always won the crusades she led.
“Mrs. Finn?” The small Texan girl with the glasses and sweet smile neared Buffy as she sat in the enormous waiting room at the law firm of Giles & Son. “Mr. Giles will see you now. I’m really sorry for the delay.”
“No worries, I got caught up on my Cosmo reading.” Buffy winked. “And please, call me Buffy, or Ms. Summers. I know the divorce isn’t finalized yet, but I don’t want to be associated with the b… my ex-husband’s last name any longer.”
“Of course, I’m sorry, I should have thought of that.” The girl blushed and looked down and Buffy wanted to ask her why in the name of God she worked for a law firm with such a reputation for shrewdness when she was obviously so… nice. She held back and rose from her seat to follow the secretary to one of the huge mahogany doors at the opposite side of the room.
Ms. Burkle – that was how the Texan had introduced herself when Buffy arrived at the company about twenty minutes too early for her appointment – opened the door and showed her inside. “Don’t worry, he’s the best there is,” she said reassuringly when the blonde worried her lip for just a second before stepping in the office.
Buffy was so overwhelmed by the law books snugly shelved not only in the bookcases that comprised three of the office’s walls, but were also stacked precariously on almost every other surface, that she failed to notice the man half-hidden behind the piles of said books littering his desk, until he addressed her.
“Guess you’re Elizabeth, right, pet?”
She was startled by the gruff voice but managed to keep her calm and reply, “Buffy, my friends call me Buffy, Mr… Giles, I presume?” as she neared the desk, her hand outstretched in front of her for a shake.
The man who stood up to greet her was nothing like a lawyer should be. Nothing. His hair was bleached blond and he was dressed in a skintight black t-shirt, and she could make out enough of his lower body as she reached his desk to know his black jeans were way beyond inappropriate in how snugly they hugged his slim hips. “You presume right, I’m William Giles, the ‘and Son’ part of the sign out front. Friends call me Spike.” He surprised her once more when he gently took her outstretched hand and brushed his lips along the knuckles. “Consider me your friend, Buffy.”
Okay, something was obviously wrong here. The guy couldn’t possibly be a lawyer; he wasn’t half as stuffy as one should be. “I’m sorry, I’m not sure I have the right Mr. Giles. Ms. Chase said-”
“And how is Cordelia? Still making men regret disappointin’ her?”
“She is fine, and yes,” she chuckled, “I suppose you can say that. Although regret is too light a word. Anyway-”
He cut her off again. “You have the right Mr. Giles, kitten. My da and me handle all cases together, but only one of us makes an appearance in court for each client. We decided I should be the one for you.”
“You decided? But you didn’t know me before now.”
Spike snorted. The blonde was definitely as cute as Cordy had said, and just as innocent. “I wouldn’ have taken the case ‘less I knew somethin’ about it. Cordy filled me in and Da an’ I decided it’s best that I appear in court, since it might get a rise out of your army-brat ex-husband and his prick of an attorney.” He still held her hand as he said the last.
“I see Cordy really did fill you in.” Buffy grinned at his choice of words which were spot on for both men. “So does this mean you’re taking the case?”
“No man in his right mind would leave a cute thing such as you undefended, luv.” Spike winked and although this charming display was part of his usual interactions with female clients, he was surprised to find he really meant it. Just two minutes into talking with her and he already wanted to protect her.
Tears welled up in her green eyes and he wanted to kick himself when she whispered, “I know one man who wouldn’t exactly agree with you.”
“Yeah, well, we already know he’s a loser.” Not letting go of her hand he rounded his desk, adding to the day’s miracles when he managed to not topple over any of the stacks of books as he came by her side. He pulled the chair he had there for clients closer to him, hooking his foot behind one of its legs and motioned for her to sit.
She more collapsed than actually sat, feeling the strength leave her limbs. She was grateful for his kindness, but still wasn’t sure he could help her… only she didn’t really care any longer when he kneeled in front of her and cupped the palm he held on to with his free hand. “We’re goin’ to get him, luv, this I promise you. He is a right wanker for leavin’ you and he’s goin’ to pay dearly, even if it’s merely in dollars.” He turned her palm in his and gave it one more soft kiss before actually plopping his ass on the floor, squatting and resting his elbows on his knees. “Now tell me everythin’.”
It took a couple of seconds for Buffy to stop wondering if the way he sat, jeans stretched extra tight against his crotch was really as comfortable as he made it seem and then started telling her story.
As she spoke Spike couldn’t believe the pillock who’d dare leave this woman. She wasn’t only beautiful, with her golden hair and perfect body and those eyes a man would die to have look at him with love shining in them. No. She was smart, and funny, and used humor to cover her hurt, which he found more than admirable.
He didn’t know how to break it to her that he thought there might be cheating involved. No man, especially no man in the army, would let go of the security of his family unless he had something new to hold on to.
Luckily for him she mentioned her suspicions. “I think,” she took a deep breath and let it out with an exasperated sigh, “I think that he’s seeing someone else on the base where he’s currently stationed.”
He swore her eyes were pleading for him to disagree, to tell her that her git of a husband couldn’t possibly be cheating on her, but he knew he couldn’t lie to her. If nothing else, that could help them build a case. “’M sorry to say so, pet, but I think you may be right. We’ll have to find out for sure, ‘f we’re to use it against him, but I think he wouldn’ be so anxious for a quick divorce if he didn’ have someone waitin’. I’m sorry.” He was. He was really sorry and honestly wished this thing had never happened to her, even if that’d mean he’d never get to meet her and that he’d miss out on a case.
“Don’t be.” She saw him look at her questioningly. “Sorry, I mean. I’m not. I obviously wasn’t enough for him.”
Spike snapped. “You weren’ enough?” he yelled, unable to believe his own ears. “The bloody idiot prolly couldn’ handle that much of a woman as you are, Buffy. I barely know you and I can see passion in you, and he… after ten years of havin’ you in his arms… in his bed…” He shook his head and lowered his voice, realizing he’d gone overboard in his reaction. “Bloody idiot, I tell you!”
To say Buffy was surprised at his outburst would be an understatement. He seemed to not just say that to pacify her. No man had ever defended her so passionately; even her husband of so many years never seemed to know exactly what to say to make the woman in her feel worthy, desirable… feminine. This man, this stranger, spoke to her heart and made her feel warm, and that was not part of what she would be paying him for. For that she was more than grateful. Without even realizing she was doing so, she slipped to the floor on one knee and gave him a quick peck on the lips before bolting upright and hurrying out of the office yelling out, “I’ll call your secretary for our next appointment” over her shoulder.
It took Spike about an hour to stop thinking about how her lips felt on his for that briefest of instants, and call the private eye their firm worked with. He’d get dirt on the asshole, win the case and save the damsel in distress. Then he’d ask her out. That meant he’d have to win the buggering thing as soon as possible.
Buffy had left the courtroom with nigh a bashful smile only to start bouncing and squeeing the moment she and her lawyer cleared the door. Cordy hastened to catch up with them. “One million dollars, BABY!” The brunette waved her fist in the air, “Do you know how many pairs of Jimmy Choos that translates to?”
Spike looked at the young women as they giggled, high-fived and bounced in glee and couldn’t contain the boyish grin that the very non-boyish pride of making the woman he loved happy brought about.
“So, how will you birds celebrate tonight?” He wanted to be part of Buffy’s happiness, but knew he wasn’t a big enough part of her life to be included just yet. Besides this wouldn’t be the last time he saw her, she’d come by the office to settle her bill and, once she was no longer his client, he’d make his move.
Buffy couldn’t help but feel a little bit disappointed at how Spike seemed to not want to join them in whatever they did next, even though she knew that their relationship was strictly professional. Well, strictly with the exception of that feather-light kiss she’d given him nearly three months ago, and the heated looks the two exchanged when they accidentally touched during one of their meetings. The kiss was never mentioned and the meetings became more sentimentally charged as the extent of Riley’s lies – like a mistress and some offshore accounts – got uncovered. She was never sure if acting out on the passion Spike awoke inside her would be because she wanted him or just because she needed someone and he happened to be there. What was more, no matter what the bastard had done, she fully intended to honor her marital vows for as long as they lasted.
As long as they lasted had finished roughly ten minutes ago, however, and Buffy had spent enough time with Spike to know she wanted him. If only he wasn’t so indifferent. “We’ll go out for a drink, I guess…” her voice trailed off, previous enthusiasm abandoning her.
“You’re more than welcome to join us,” Cordy chimed in, and Buffy wanted to kiss her passionately when Spike beamed a smile at the both of them and replied, “Gladly.”
When Cordy extended the invitation to the Brit she was certain of two things. First, the money her friend won wasn’t going to be in her account soon enough for the two of them to go shopping that day. Second, the two blonds were so obviously into each other that she wouldn’t be able to stand their company for more than an hour. Tops.
As it turned out, she did feel the need to leave the two alone, but for the exact opposite reason than she’d expected. Despite the fact that Buffy and Spike were practically making love to each other with their eyes, they didn’t exchange a word. Instead, Buffy babbled about how funny her ex-husband’s face looked when it turned that shade of red that only boiled beets can manage when his affair with the barely legal masseuse was revealed in court. Or how he choked when his lawyer requested five minutes to consult with his client and whispered in his ear that Spike knew about his account in the Caymans and would turn him into the IRS unless he accepted the settlement of a million dollars.
Buffy kept flipping her hair and talking to Cordy, laughing in that adorable way of hers that made guys in the room turn and look at her with longing, and Spike wanted to just grab her, kiss her, take her on the table and then drag her by the hair to the nearest chapel and chain her to him in holy matrimony. Unfortunately, the British gentleman inside him wouldn’t allow him to make a move. Not when her divorce was still so fresh, so he kept calculating when exactly would be a good time for him to finally approach her.
The blonde knew full well what effect her playing with her hair and stretching the column of her neck had on most men in the bar, and was fuming at how unaffected the one she wanted seemed to be. She dipped her index finger in the bright pink drink that Cordy had ordered for her and then ran the finger along her lower lip, flicking her tongue out to lick the sweet trail left there. When she wrapped her lips around her finger and moaned lightly, half closing her eyes in mock-ecstasy, Cordy decided she had had enough.
“Oh, for Pete’s sake, will the two of you grow up?” She rolled her eyes and threw her arms in the air in exasperation. Her voice was loud and clear and made both blonds blush when she went on to say, “Buffy, your flirting technique is better suited for porn movies. Bad porn movies. Involving naughty virgins. You’re in public, stop sucking on your finger like there’s nectar on it.” Spike’s chuckle at that was cut short when she turned to him, raising a perfectly manicured finger his way. “And don’t even get me started on you, mister, all with the sighs and the longing glances like she’s the forbidden fruit. She’s not.” With that she uncrossed her long legs and stood up, leaning forward and planting both hands on the table. “Whatever is causing the Blue Lagoon with ethics 'tude, deal with it.
Embrace the embarrassment, spank your inner moppet, whatever, but get over it. You two need to get laid. With each other. Preferably tonight.” Leaning forward a bit more she air-kissed both of Buffy’s cheeks as the other woman sat slack-jawed and said, “Call you in the morning. Have him answer the call.” With a wink she was out of there.
“So… ummm…” Buffy never was good with words.
“Want to dance, pet?” This was the time. This was it. He stood and took her hand when she nodded, leading them both to the dance floor.
He made love the way he danced… perfectly.
Buffy couldn’t believe what she’d been missing out on for so long.
She had known he was special when she first met him, and got an inkling of just how special when he enfolded her in his arms on the dance floor, hands roaming her back and pulling her upper body flush against his, hips swaying in a way that ought to be illegal in how erotic it was. And that was before his hips started rocking against hers.
Now they were in his bed, in his house – a majestic house, yet not overwhelming – and he was making love to her with such reverence she’d never dreamt a man would ever show her.
Their first kiss came in the middle of a sentence. She was saying something about how it had been a long day and they should probably get going, only she never got beyond “go-.” He captured her lips with his, the gentleness of the kiss making her want for more, and the way he moaned against her mouth taking her breath away. When he pulled back she was left panting and knew her eyes looked glassy. Then he took her hand and swaggered to the door and the only thing her brain seemed to be able to do was order her legs to move after him.
He’d taken his time kissing her when they entered his house, kissed her all the way up the stairs and into his bedroom. His lips left hers to map her neck, taking the time to trace her collarbones one after the other, his tongue following their path and setting her skin on fire. She’d forgotten her suit jacket in his car and the silk, sleeveless shirt did nothing to conceal her hardened nipples as they rose to meet his touch through the thin fabric.
He refused to give in to the hard peaks, wanting to take his time with her, so kissing her once more he wrapped an arm around her back and lifted her, placing the other behind her legs so that she was cradled in his embrace. Walking in slow, unhurried steps he carried her to his bed and laid her on it, taking a second to admire her and soak up the lust and tenderness in her eyes, the smile on her lips that he’d put there, before taking his tie off.
“Trust me?” he asked.
“With my divorce,” she said passionately and giggled but her eyes held something deeper, more serious.
He couldn’t take things as slowly as he aimed for when he decided to bring her home with him, not any longer. Not when she was making that adorable sound, her perky breasts jiggling. Not when she met his eyes, her giggle coming to an abrupt stop, and was satisfied enough at whatever she saw in them to smile, fully smile, and blush at the same time.
He was inside her, moving ever so slowly, his gaze never leaving her face, like he was trying to memorize the slightest crease, the smallest frown that formed around her eyes as they were hooded with lust.
He took his time lavishing her with kisses, licks and, nibbles on every square inch of her body, wanting to taste all of her, all that was her; the woman he’d fallen in love with more every day. When he was satisfied that he’d left no part of her body unloved, he turned his attention to her core, glistening with the evidence of her desire for him. He ran his tongue along her slit, teasing both of them, since he craved for more just as much as she did.
When he plunged his tongue inside her he thought he’d died and gone to heaven. He was already drunk with her scent, but her taste made his yearning soar to a whole new level. He worried her nubbin with lips and teeth, reveling at how she writhed beneath him, before pushing his tongue inside her, thrusting and rubbing against her inner walls, bringing her closer and closer and finally pushing her over the edge.
She was close, she could feel it. The man had spent less than one night making love to her and was about to make her cum for the third time, which was about once more than her ex-hubby had managed to pleasure her in their first four years of marriage. Spike must have felt her focusing on something other than the miracle that was him, because he kissed her passionately, changing the angle of his thrusts and swerving his hips in circular motions, rubbing that spot inside her that made her brain go numb and her fingers and toes tingle. She knew she was digging her nails into his back but he didn’t seem to mind, so neither did she. Her orgasm hit her as a wave this time, a wave of fire and ice, making stars burst behind eyelids that she strived to keep open. She needed to watch his face when she repeated the words he’d said the moment he was fully sheathed inside her depths.
He was positioned above her, his erection cradled at the apex of her thighs, looking down at her. “Look at me, luv. Look at us.” She did; looked at his wonderfully lickable hips rock as he touched the tip of his cock to her folds. His hips rocked again, aligning him with her entrance and she let her head fall back so she could gaze into his baby blue eyes. They both smiled and the rocking intensified just slightly, pushing a bit further. He claimed her lips for another of those incredibly intense kisses and buried himself inside her to the hilt. Lifting his upper body from hers, lower body unmoving from where that first long thrust had joined them together, he tangled both hands into her hair and looked deep into her eyes.
“I love you, Buffy.”
“I love you, Spike.” No four little words had ever sounded sweeter; that was all he had time to think before he spilled inside her, losing himself in the wonder that was the woman in bed with him.
Riley never got over the fact that it was his money that paid for Buffy’s wedding to that scumbag of an ambulance chaser a little less than a year after their divorce was finalized.
Cordy had a new e-mail account set up so she could from time to time remind him.