Banner by Vampkiss

Chapter 23

A/N:  Just to forewarn, this chapter does absolutely nothing to further the plot of this story.  So, if you're looking for that, you'll have to wait for the next chapter.  If, on the other hand, you're here to read all about our couple's honeymoon, scroll down and enjoy! ^_^

Elizabeth hiked the skirts of her wedding dress nearly to her waist so that she could settle more comfortably on her husband’s lap, peppering his pale face with light kisses and using her fingers to play with the curls at the nape of his neck. Husband. She liked the sound of that.

“Husband,” she murmured the title out loud. She paused for a moment, her lips suspended over his, so that she could gaze upon his face. His eyes were closed, his head resting against the carriage wall behind him, an answering smile to her whispered title playing about his full lips.

He was beautiful in repose. His sculpted cheekbones just begged for her lips and tongue to trace them. The scar crisscrossing his dark brow gave him a decidedly rakish air. His hair was getting longer, the pale tips giving way to a slightly darker color – more honey brown than blonde.

Spike felt her studying him and open one eye to peek up at the Slayer.

“Wot?”

“Nothing,” she replied, her cheeks pinkening. Her hands slipped from his hair to his shoulders, then down into her lap. Her eyes became fixated on them, anything to keep from getting caught in his piercing gaze.

“Don’t go all blushin’ bride on me now. What are you thinkin’?”

His words just made her blush harder, and she shook her head in the negative to keep from answering, refusing to look at him.

“Come on now, none of that.” His fingertips brushed under her chin and coaxed her to raise her gaze to his. He gasped at the intensity he saw there, and for a moment he thought the Slayer was back and ready to stake him good and proper-like.

“I just… you’re my husband now. Mine. And now, everyone knows it.” She couldn’t prevent the wicked gleam that came into her eyes at how she’d managed to steal him out from under all of those plotting mothers and their equally single-minded daughters.

As if to prove it to herself, her hands returned to his shoulders, and she lowered her lips to his once more.

Spike’s grip on the Slayer’s hips tightened. But, other than that, he showed no sign of how much she was affecting him. Well, that, and the bulge pressed snuggly against his breeches.

Elizabeth traced her tongue around his lips, mimicking what had been done to her by him when he wanted to taste her. She smiled when his lips parted, as if on command, allowing her tongue to slip inside.

Spike remained still, seeing how far she would take her exploration, and nearly crowed with delight when her lips left his to trail along his jaw to his ear. He kept his fingers firmly clenched into her hips and willed his body not to move and frighten her off. Her moist tongue and warm breath were playing havoc with his body as she traced the shell of his ear – he wanted nothing more than to fling her down upon the floor of the carriage and ravage her. But, this was the first time she’d initiated their love play and he wanted to see just how far she’d take it.

His patience was rewarded when he felt her hands leave his shoulders and go to work on the fastenings of his coat. Then, he felt his cravat tugged from about his neck before nimble fingers attacked the buttons of his shirt.

Elizabeth was growing bolder, encouraged both by the pleasurable sighs and groans escaping his mouth and by him lying relatively passive beneath her. If you could call his tightly coiled body practically vibrating beneath her parted legs passive. But, she couldn’t – or wouldn’t – stop now. Her fingers flew over the fastenings, eager to feel his cool skin beneath her fingertips, her lips. Her mouth moved away from his ear to slide down his torso as more skin became available for her to touch, caress... mark as hers. She felt him tremble when her lips latched onto one hardened nipple, much the same way he often did to her. Her other hand managed to bare the other pert nub, and she fondled it while she laved the first one with her tongue. Beneath her, she felt him arch into her touch, and she smiled around the hardened point in her mouth just before she bit into him with her blunt teeth. Not hard enough to break the skin, but enough to get his attention, which she got…a growl emanating from his throat at her aggressive behavior.

Yet, he made no move to dislodge her, and this emboldened Elizabeth to continue her quest further down his body. Her lips and tongue tasted every inch of his marble-colored chest. She marveled at the lean muscles of his abdomen, how they rippled beneath her touch as they traced patterns along the grooves.

Impatient to see more of him, she pulled his shirt from his waistband, spreading it wide. She felt his grip on her hips disappear so she could slip the garment from his shoulder and down his arms to pool on the seat. She happened a glance towards his face and noticed that his eyes were still closed – the muscles in his jaw were clenched, indicating the tightly leashed control he had on his emotions. She could see the pronounced veins along his neck, located where he often sipped from her, and she gripped his shoulders and lowered her head to trace its path with her tongue.

Spike’s arms wrapped around her back, holding her flush against his body while she alternately sucked and nipped at his neck, and could do nothing to prevent his demonic features from bursting forth. Was practically salivating to sink his fangs in her neck as she played so innocently with his. Before he had a chance to act, she moved away, sliding down his body to kneel before him on the seat, so that she could continue where she’d left off.

He felt her fingers playing with the fastenings of his pants, and Spike sucked in an unneeded breath when he realized that she intended to explore every inch of his body. Once more he exerted his will over his demon to not attack her, to rip her gown from her body as his lust threatened to consume him, plunge his cock so hard and deep inside her pussy she’d pass out from the pleasure-filled pain. He was just about to say sod it all to her exploring when he felt her still.

His passion-filled gaze fixated on her face, noting the hesitancy clearly written all over her expressive features.

“What’s the matter, luv?” he asked, unable to keep the husky quality out of his voice.

“I…it’s ok, right? What I’m doing? I just…well, you’ve never let me touch you like this before…” her voice trailed off in a mixture of embarrassment and child-like innocence.

Her words tamped down the beast raging within to take her hard and fast. He vowed right then and there that he’d lay pliant under her touch as she acquainted herself with his body.

“Anything we do together is right, kitten.” He pulled her up off of her knees and into his lap. With an unusual display of gentle affection, he pulled the pins from her hair, allowing the dark locks to cascade down her back. His fingers cupped her jaw, pulling her down to him for the barest of kisses – no more than brushing his lips lightly back and forth across hers.

Elizabeth’s eyes had closed as he’d coaxed her head toward his, but they opened now, tears swimming in her eyes as she looked at her husband. A demon, but still a man, and capable of such emotion. As he kissed her with such loving tenderness, reassuring her with his touch that this was right, that they were right, her love for him burst forth until it threatened to overwhelm her, and she couldn’t prevent the whispered vow from escaping her lips.

I love you.

Spike’s lips stilled upon the Slayer’s. His eyes opened and his gaze collided with hers, watery eyes brimming with an emotion he’d yet to see, even from his Dark Princess. He was a vampire tormented. Part of him crowed with delight that his enemy had come to care for him. But, he knew it to be just an illusion. As soon as the Slayer was once more in her right mind, she’d deny him – if for no other reason than spite – for even being made to feel this way…and about a soulless demon. A creature she was destined to kill.

“Oh God, pet…” he murmured, kissing her again as he fumbled with her skirts. “Gotta be inside you. Can’t wait,” he gasped.

He felt her fingers at the fastenings of his pants, eager to join their bodies in celebration of her announcement.

“Don’t….don’t rip…wanna keep…gown…” she told him in between kisses, trying to preserve her wedding gown from being torn to shreds from her body.

Spike nodded against her lips, he’d spare the dress…the undergarments wouldn’t fare as well.

Elizabeth’s knees found purchase upon the seat, allowing her husband to raise his hips and push his breeches down around his knees. She felt her undergarments give way under his sharp claws, the delicate material no match for his impatience, and she quirked her brow at him.

“Wot? It’s not your gown.”

Her mock-angry look left her in a rush as he quickly positioned himself at her opening and hauled her body down upon his engorged length. Her arms encircled his neck as he guided her hips to ride him. She murmured her love for her husband over and over until she was no longer able to speak, the pleasure of having him sheathed so tight and deep within her soon reduced her to fervent declarations to hitched breaths and needy moans, until she exploded in orgasm, the name “William” reverberating against the walls of the carriage.

Spike’s hips rose off the seat of the carriage and he continued to guide her up and down along his length as she came. The clenching of her inner walls around his cock were his undoing, and it wasn’t long before he was joining her, an orgasm so intense his eyes nearly crossed as his cock erupted with his spendings. Her heavy breathing was the only noise to break the silence; he held her close, his cock still buried deep within her.

As he caressed her back, he refused to dwell on her whispered “I love you’s” she’d babbled during their lovemaking. Didn’t want to think about when it would all come to an end, and she’d hate him yet again. So, he spoke nothing of his developing feelings. Just used his body to reciprocate the words she’d so innocently spoken.

~*~*~*~*~

Elizabeth had dozed on her husband’s lap, lulled by the gentle sway of their carriage as it wended its way towards their destination. When she awoke, she was finally able to finish her exploration of her husband’s body…well sorta.

Now, once more settled in his lap – although this time divested of clothes – she smiled in delight at how she’d been able to make him lose his infamous control. Fascinated by her husband’s jutting manhood, her fingertips had encircled his length, marveling at the silken steel as she’d pumped her hand from base to tip and then back again. She’d seen a pearly drop appear at the slit in the tip and had been curious, wondering how it tasted. Her tongue had darted out to lick up the drop, and she’d found herself flat on her back on the floor of the carriage quicker than she could blink, her skirts thrown up over her head as her husband pounded away at her.

Afterwards, he’d apologized, telling her that she’d have to do her exploration in stages…for her own protection, claiming he couldn’t be held responsible for his actions if she kept this up. She’d just smiled into his neck, reveling in the power she had to make him lose control so quickly.

They’d finally stopped after the fourth stage, with him claiming that they’d need to get dressed soon since they were nearing their destination. Curled upon his lap as she was now, Elizabeth didn’t feel much like moving. Even to get dressed. She was far too comfortable…and sated.

Spike didn’t feel much like moving either, was happy to hold her in all her naked glory upon his lap. But, he didn’t think his Countess wanted to formally meet the staff in the buff, so he urged her off of his lap to help her back into her wedding gown. He managed to slip his own clothes on just as the carriage made the turn into his country estate.

~*~*~*~*~

The two spent the remainder of the week locked inside the master bedroom, having food and drink delivered to the door. They didn’t eat often; Elizabeth wouldn’t have bothered at all if it weren’t for her husband’s insistence. And, he had made sure she did since he couldn’t seem to keep his fangs out of her body over the course of the week and wanted to make sure she kept up her strength.

Spike continually stamped his mark upon the Slayer’s body, knowing that any day could be the last, once she had her memories back. He plied his skill over her body, reducing her to tears as she had begged for release the first couple of days, before she’d caught on and whispered the words that would release her from his torment.

I love you.

Sensing his insecurity, but not knowing the cause, Elizabeth murmured it over and over to her husband as he made love to her, and he in turn, showered her body with love. Oh, she’d yet to hear it pass from his lips, but every action, every caress, proved to her his love of her. So, she said it for both of them. Yell it when her body would climax. Whispered it while she held him close and he slept the day away.

On the day they were due to depart back to the city, Earl and Countess finally left the master bedroom so that Elizabeth could be properly introduced to the staff. The more senior staff she’d already met, having spent the past month or so with them at the townhouse. Now she met the remainder – and there were many. From lowly stable boy and downstairs maid, all the way up through the servant chain of command, Elizabeth was introduced to each and everyone as their new Countess. Afterwards, the two had eaten in the formal dining room before retiring to William’s study so that he could go through some correspondence before they returned to London.  

~*~

Elizabeth settled on the chaise lounge, an unopened book of poetry sat forgotten on her lap as she watched her husband work. He sifted through the papers on his desk, a frown often marring his features while he concentrated. She watched as he ran a hand through his hair to brush a stray lock out of his way, and covered her mouth around a giggle when the stubborn curl returned to its previous position.

“Keep looking at me like that, pet, and we’ll never get back to the city. And, you know you need your beauty sleep for the Marchioness’ dinner party tomorrow night,” Spike told her, his eyes never leaving the papers spread out before him on his desk.

Elizabeth flushed, having been caught ogling her husband, and she turned back to the poetry book in her lap. After a while, she closed the book, resting her head against the armrest to take a nap. She was tired, but in a good kind of way.

“Why don’t you go upstairs to rest, kitten,” he urged, seeing her trying to get comfortable on the chaise.

“Wanna stay here with you,” she mumbled sleepily, settling herself on the cushioned furniture.

Spike’s eyes widened at her improper English – she was getting close now. This past week was proof of that. Several times he’d awakened the Slayer to make love to her, only to have her melt into his embrace, murmuring his name. But, it hadn’t been William she voiced; it had been Spike.

Now as he heard the butchered English she’d spoken back in her time come out of her mouth, he wanted to rage and curse the Powers for putting him in this situation. Yet, after having her warm and willing body surrounding him, her words of love soothing his demon…he would still do things the same way. She was his. Would still be his even after her memories came back. Whether she wanted to be or not.  

~*~

He let her sleep until dusk, when, finished with the necessities of running his household, he rose from his desk to wake her. He gazed down on her sleeping perfection as she rested on her side, one arm tucked up under her chin while the other rested on the cushion in front of her. Kneeling beside her, he brushed his knuckles across her cheek, smiling as she leaned into him.

“Come on, kitten. Time to wake up so we can return to the city,” Spike told her.

Elizabeth’s eyelashes fluttered as she was pulled from sleep. They finally opened and her gaze locked on the blue orbs staring indulgently at her.

“Hey…” she voiced around a sleepy smile.

She noticed his slight frown and lifted her hand to soothe the lines away.

“Love you,” she told him, her thumb brushing over his lips.

Spike lowered his head to hers, ravaging her lips with all his pent-up frustrations as her ever-increasing present-day traits returned. Elizabeth wrapped her arms around his neck and held him close as he plundered her mouth, unsure what it was exactly that had set him off this time. Just when she'd been about to roll onto her back and bring her husband to rest on top of her, he broke away from her embrace, leaving her grasping at air and teeming with sexual frustration.

He rose to his feet, griping her hand as he hauled her to a sitting position.

“Later, luv,” he told her with a wink. She looked so cute, all disgruntled and pouty, and couldn’t help the smile the graced his lips. “We’ve still a long ride back to the city to look forward to.”

She cheered at his promise, and allowed herself to be pulled to her feet.

next

REVIEW ME!!