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Chapter 4

Spike had never been so grateful as when they pulled up the long, winding drive to the country estate he seemed to have inherited – along with the title – from the half-demon. He had forgotten how hard traveling in a carriage could be on a person. The Slayer sat beside him, prim and proper. But on closer inspection, he could tell that she was about ready to drop – the constant jarring apparently having gotten to her.

He knew that if she thought she could get away with it, she would be leaning into his side to ease the ache that had, no doubt, settled in her lower back. Unfortunately, her new lady’s maid was taking her temporary chaperone job to heart.

Spike was quite tempted to eat her. He’d become especially protective of the Slayer since he realized that he would be claiming her. A thought that puzzled him the more he thought about it.

He put having a talk with the maid as soon as possible on his growing list of things to do once this bloody contraption stopped.

The rain had started about an hour into their trip, causing the wheels to stick in the quick-forming mud the road was turning into. The only good thing about the rain was that it would enable him to enter the front door without causing the staff to wonder why he had left the womenfolk behind as he raced up the steps.

As if in answer to his prayer – or more like someone upstairs had realized he was about to explode from impatience – the hack rolled to a halt before the seeming miles of steps leading to the entrance.

He was somewhat surprised to find upon opening the carriage door that his staff was lining the steps to welcome the master home; the rain pouring down on their heads drenching them to the bone. Rolling his eyes at their foolish dedication, he quickly alighted from the coach, turning to help the Slayer down onto solid ground. He didn’t say a word as he strode up the steps to get out of the rain, didn’t bother to acknowledge their bobbed curtsies and bows as he passed, pulling a thoroughly exhausted Slayer behind him. No sense standing on ceremony while the rain was coming down in buckets.

His housekeeper moved to welcome him home, dropping into a curtsy, even as her hair hung limply down the sides of her face from the rain.

“Inside,” Spike commanded brusquely. “No sense telling me the state of my home in the rain. And, call the damn staff inside as well. I don’t want to have to call the doctor round because you all stood out in the rain to welcome me home.”

The housekeeper nodded fervently while he barked out instructions, trailing beside him as he ascending the steps. Turning to the assembled masses with a few pointed looks, she quickly dispersed them to see to their duties.

“Oh, and put the driver up for the night. I don’t think the rain’s going to be letting up anytime soon.”

With that final command he walked through the door, held open by the butler.

“Welcome home, m’lord… m'lady.”

“Errr…”

“Higgins, sir.”

“Right! Thank you, Higgins. Good to be in out of the rain.”

“Yes it is, Sir.” He moved to shut the front door, cutting off the chill wind sweeping through the foyer.

“I can have Mary show m'lady to her rooms.” Mary had walked forward as her name was mentioned. She bobbed a curtsy to the Slayer before starting up a running monologue as she led her up the stairs. The Slayer’s maid would no doubt be shown the way to her lady’s room by one of the staff.

Alone in the hall with Higgins, Spike leaned close and said, “Lady Summers will be staying with us for a while as she is now my ward. She is going to need clothes, shoes…the works. Make arrangements to have someone come out tomorrow… or if there’s a local seamstress?”

“I’ll take care of it, Sir.”

“Very good. I’ll be in my study and don’t wish to be disturbed.” With that, Spike strode off, unerringly finding the study.

~*~*~*~*~

Spike poured himself a stiff drink from one of the decanters on the bar. He eyed the thick drapes, glad to see that the masculine lines and décor of the room allowed for them to be heavy enough to block out the deadly sun’s rays that would have peeked in through the massive bay windows otherwise.

Walking behind the desk, he pulled the packet of papers Doyle had thrust upon him before the half-demon had disappeared. With a sigh at the situation he had suddenly found himself in, he plopped down in the seat behind the desk. He toed off the shoes that he had come to curse the longer he had to wear them. He swore to himself that he was going to walk around barefoot until boots came into fashion. Maybe he could help the trend along by having a few pairs commissioned to his specifications. He was an Earl now; the Ton would be quick to follow his example and copy his eccentric style.

He opened the packet of papers and started reading. Inside were detailed descriptions of his holdings, his ancestry…all the knowledge he would need to pull off being the Earl of Arundel. It shouldn’t be too hard; he’d always been a quick study. And, since the Slayer was currently oblivious to her true self, he wouldn’t have to worry about finding someone to educate her on the finer points of being an English lady.

A few hours later he locked the contents away from prying eyes then finished his brandy in one quick swallow. It was time to locate the Slayer and make her his for all eternity. One part of him rebelled at this…yet, part of him, a part he refused to acknowledge, was looking forward to it. To have her tied to him forever…he licked his lips in anticipation.

He slipped out of the study in his stocking feet, silently making his way up the staircase. He followed her scent and realized that she had been show to the lady’s chambers – a suite of rooms that had a connecting door to the master bedroom. With a smile on his face, he continued down the hall to his bedroom.

No sense announcing their unique relationship to the staff. Let them think that the Slayer was his ward. It would be easier to explain for now.

~*~*~*~*~

Spike stepped inside his room, his eyes quickly darting to his valet.

“You can go, ummm…”

“Travis, Sir.”

“Yes, of course. Travis. I won’t be needing you this evening.” He was impatient to get next door. And, he couldn’t do that with a room full of people.

“Very good, Sir.” The man gave a slight bow before he silently slipped from the room to, no doubt, head down to the kitchens to relay his mood to the butler and housekeeper. ‘Ahhh… some things never change.’

Spike took his coat off and slung it over a high-backed chair. The vest quickly followed. Ignoring the mirror, he undid several buttons on his white silk shirt exposing the alabaster skin of his chest. Eyeing the discarded clothes, he thought longingly of the black t-shirt and jeans he had had to leave behind.

Turning away from the chair, he crossed the room to the connecting door. He paused, listening for a moment. Good, she was alone.

He opened the door and came to an abrupt halt. An unneeded breath hitched in his throat as he gazed at the vision before him. The Slayer was sitting on the floor before the fire. Garbed in a simple white nightgown, she must have just finished her bath if her wet hair was any indication. She sat there, brush in hand, running it through her long auburn locks. Unbound, her hair fell to her waist. It was pulled to one side as she worked the brush through her thick tresses. His eyes zeroed in on his mark. His.

He could feel himself swelling behind the snug knee breeches he wore. He watched as she paused in her actions momentarily, as if sensing that she had an audience. Yet, she didn’t turn to look at him. A reluctant smile tugged at her lips as she tried to appear cool and calm before him. Unfortunately for her, he could hear the sound of her blood as it pounded in her veins.

He closed the door behind him and walked over to her. Her hand stilled in her hair as she felt him step behind her. He reached down and took the brush from her hands, sitting in the chair behind her.

“Let me, luv,” he said softly. She nodded not saying anything…just scooted closer to the chair so he could easily reach her.

It seemed like he spent hours brushing her hair. The intimate action soothed him for some reason and he was reluctant to stop. Her breathy moans were slowly driving him to distraction. She probably didn’t realize the arousing sounds she was making. But, he did … so too did his demon. Right now, it was urging him – no, demanding – that he take her, claim her as his.

He would. He just wanted to take his time…set the scene. Allow her to relax in his presence. If done right, it would be an experience neither would ever forget.

After an interminable amount of time, her hair was finally dry. Setting the brush aside, he slipped his fingers in her hair, mimicking the earlier actions of the brush. At first, she stiffened, unused to having a man’s hands so familiar with her person. But, as the tips of his fingers kneaded her scalp – his wicked touch causing her eyes to close in pleasure – she relaxed against him once more, letting him weave his magic.

Spike was surprised at the responsiveness of the Slayer. On some deeper level, she must have been aware of what was going on. Because as an English Lady, she would have been having an attack of the vapors at having a virtual stranger all but molesting her.

Her head fell back to lie on his thigh, exposing her neck to his gaze. His fingers left her hair to trail down the long expanse of her pale throat, his fingers teasing the marks he had left. He knew that rubbing his mark would drive her crazy, and he breathed deeply as he smelled the first stirrings of her desire perfume the air around them.

Her heady aroma was too much for his demon to bear; he couldn’t control himself and his face shifted, his eyes blazing an unholy yellow in the storm-darkened bedroom. Licking his lips in anticipation, he leaned towards her neck displayed so temptingly before him. His fangs trailed back and forth across her smooth skin, lightly grazing it, before nicking her flesh, allowing a single crimson drop to pool on her neck.

Spike’s tongue darted out to lap at the drop…the taste of her barely whetting his appetite. If it were possible, her head fell back even more, granting him greater access.

‘She wants this as much as I do,’ he thought to himself, slightly amazed.

He needed to move this someplace else. It was that thought that had him scooping her up in his arms and carrying her swiftly to the monstrous bed that dominated the room. He laid her down on the cool sheets – the covers having been drawn by her maid – and before she had time to protest, he stretched out alongside her, nuzzling her neck. He knew that teasing his mark was the most sure-fire way to get her to relax against him.

When he felt her settle down, he allowed his hands to wander over her petite form. Face, neck, breasts, stomach – all were privy to his ministrations. The Slayer, for her part, alternately keened and gasped at the sensations shuddering through her body. Wanting to feel her bare skin beneath his fingertips, he made quick work of removing her nightgown.

It fell away to reveal toned arms and legs; high, firm breast; and dark, silky curls that begged for him to discover the secrets they held. Now that she was naked to his touch, his hands and mouth played over her body. Each touch – each caress – caused her body to grow more taut, until she was strung so tight, the slightest touch from him would surely send her over the edge.

He could feel it…she was so close. A flick of his thumb over her clitoris as he slipped a finger past her outer folds into the warm, wet heat of her body would be enough to trigger her orgasm.

Spike backed off for the moment. Allowing her body to calm somewhat, he stood up beside the bed and stripped off his shirt, breeches and stockings. They were gone so fast, she didn’t even have time to cry out her disappointment before his bare body was snug up against hers again. She didn’t even flinch as his erection nudged against her hip.

He set to work again, bring her body back to the brink of release. When he knew she could stand it no longer, he nudged her legs apart and settled between them. Then, he slid down her body until he could breath in the intoxicating scent lingering on her dark, glistening curls. He trailed a finger up and down her slit, not probing, just a gentle stroke to get her acquainted with his touch. Her hips came off the bed as her body responded to the sinful pleasure. Her head fell back and her mouth opened, forming a silent “o.”

When a single digit slipped inside her core, Elizabeth knew that she was going to Hell because of all the sinful pleasure her body was experiencing. Surely, gentle-born ladies didn’t conduct themselves in this fashion! But, oh God, it felt heavenly. She heard a ragged moaning sound in the room, and she was shocked to discover that it came from her. She couldn’t help the mewling sounds that passed her lips…the pleasure he was providing her body was too great not to voice her approval, even if it was unintelligible.

Then, his thumb circled the bundle of nerves at her apex and she was helpless to stop the quivering that erupted within her body.

“Ooooohhhh….”

Spike just watched as the Slayer’s orgasm washed over her. He could feel her inner walls milking his finger and he wanted nothing more than to slide up her body and bury himself deep within her heat. His finger continued to slide in and out of her passage as she rode out her release.

When he felt the last tremor finally end, he removed his hand from between her legs and crawled up her body. Using her body’s secretions, he coated his burgeoning length, making it nice and slick to aid him as he slipped inside her beckoning depths. Grabbing his cock, he positioned himself at her entrance and pushed his way inside.

He didn’t go deep, allowing her body to adjust to his invasion for a minute before pulling his hips back slightly and thrusting home once again. Over and over it went, until Spike could feel her maidenhead. Sensing that this was it, he urged her to open her eyes and look at him.

Passion-filled hazel eyes were pinned by his own, helpless to look away.

“Hang on, luv.”

With no other warning, he pushed past the barrier, sheathing himself to the hilt. Her shocked gasp had him stilling within her, allowing her body to adjust to his size.

Elizabeth bit her lip to keep from crying out. Her eyes squeezed shut at the pain, and a few tears leaked from her eyes to trail silently down her cheeks. It had been feeling so good, the things he was doing to her, right up until this moment. Now, she just wanted him to stop what he was doing so she could curl up into a ball and hide from the pain.

Spike noticed her tears and his tongue slipped out to halt their progress down her face. He knew he had hurt her, but it couldn’t be helped. Now, he just had to wait while her body adjusted to his… then, he’d show how deep her pleasure could be.

“Shhhh, kitten. It’s ok,” he soothed. “The pain is over. Now it’s just pleasure. I promise.”

Her eyes opened at his soft, reassuring words. She was amazed with how gentle he was being with her. Then, he flexed his hips, and whatever thought she had been thinking instantaneously fled her mind.

As he began to slowly pump in and out of her, she had to admit he was right. Her pain had faded and pleasure was bubbling up from her core and quickly making its way to her limbs. The intense feelings were almost too much for her body to handle.

“Oh, God….Slayer…”

“Elizabeth,” she reminded him, blushing at her audacity.

“Elizabeth…” His breathless murmur as he voiced her name did strange things to her. Her arms tightened around him...her legs unknowingly lifted to wrap around his lower back, thereby increasing the depth of his thrust.

“Oh yes… like that…” he murmured. “Feels so good… mine…all mine…”

Elizabeth held him tighter as his pace increased. The riotous emotions swirling within her body prevented her from speaking. So she held on, praying that he would catch her when she fell.

His need to possess her caused the slow-moving tenderness he was showing to slip away. Now he thrust into her body; long, deep strokes that drove both of them closer to completion.

His demon slipped out, ready to stake his claim. He gazed down at her, his yellow eyes gleaming as they watched her. Trying to reassure him – why…she didn’t know – she removed one hand from where it held him close to her body, to trail across the ridges on his face.

His eyes closed as he continued to thrust into her, shocked that she didn’t appear the least bit scared of him. It was almost as if she were reassuring him. The idea was almost laughable…yet, for some reason, his demon basked in her gentle touch.

“Come to me,” she whispered.

And he was undone.

With a groan, he lowered his fangs to her neck, piercing her delicate flesh. He bit deep, knowing that he was hurting her. But, he was marking her…stating his claim for the world to see…and heed. This mark would last forever…his claim sealing her fate, her life, to his for all eternity.

She cried out as his fangs went deep, deeper than before. Then, he began to suck her blood into his mouth, and she was undone. Each pull of her blood caused an answering throb where he was steadily sliding in and out of her. Then, he took one last deep pull from her neck and she was lost…exploding into a thousand pieces, the dual penetration too much for her to bear.

“Spike!” she bellowed, sounding momentarily like her Slayer-self.

“Mine! Say it!” he commanded as he ripped his fangs from her neck, blood coating his lips. He stilled within her, waiting.

“Yours. Now and forever,” she answered instinctively.

Nicking his tongue on his fang he leaned down and kissed her. As his tongue wended its way inside, his blood spilled forth into her mouth. Abruptly, he ended the kiss.

“Blood of my blood. Forever marked mine.”

Then, he was moving once more. His tongue darted out – still bleeding – to lick the fresh marks he had made. His blood mixed with his saliva preventing the marks from ever fading, signaling to all vampires that she was his.

Now that his mark had been seen too, he was ready to allow the pleasure of being inside the Slayer to overtake him.

Slipping his hands underneath her to cup her shoulders, Spike held her in place as he resumed his deep thrusts within her body. Elizabeth wrapped her arms around him and held him tight as he took her to new heights.

Sensing her near-capitulation, Spike reached down between their joined bodies to rub his thumb in circles around her clit. Her eyes went wide at this new sensation and she came, her juices coating his cock as her inner walls massaged his length.

With a roar, he sunk his fangs back in her neck, thrusting a few more times before he gave in to his body's release.

He collapsed on top of her in a tangle of arms and legs, and the two attempted to recover. After a few moments, Spike pulled out of her and rolled to the side, realizing his weight was probably too great for her slight body. Slipping an arm underneath her neck, he hauled her close to his side and nuzzled her neck. Elizabeth half-sprawled on top of him, too sated to move.

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