Summerhaven

Chapter 11

Buffy and Willow laughed and smacked him lightly on the chest. As Buffy went to smack him again she felt a prickling on the back of her neck. She turned around slowly just in time to see two men walk into the main ballroom. One man was shorter then the other with a shock of red hair topping his head. He was wearing a navy blue velvet coat with the matching breeches. He stopped and ran his hand through his flaming locks, his eyes scanning the ballroom.

The other man walked in behind the red-haired man. He also was scanning the crowd. He had platinum blond locks that were tied back with a little black ribbon at the nape of his neck. His crisp white shirt looked even whiter against the shock of the black jacket and breeches the man wore.

Buffy couldn’t help it as she stared at the man. He was gorgeous and yet oddly familiar. She couldn’t put her finger on it but knew that she knew him or of him at least. She gasped aloud as the man’s eyes landed right on her. She felt her face start to blush at the depth of this man’s gaze. It seemed as though he could see right through her. He stared at her a minute more before turning to his male companion.

Buffy blushed furiously and tried to calm her beating heart.

“Are you ok Buffy?” Willow asked as she glanced at her friend’s reddened face.

“What? Oh yes I’m fine. I think I just need some air,” she said absently. She managed a weak smile and turned towards the double French doors that would take her to Wintercrest’s gardens.

*~*

“You alright?”

Spike turned to his red-haired companion.

“Yeah mate. I’m bloody fantastic,” he replied.

“Well look like it because the host is headed our way.”

“Oz man how are you? It’s been years,” Xander said clasping Oz’s hand in his own.

“That it has Xander. I’ve been well. Traveling around Mary’s Land for the most part. How are you?” Oz smiled.

“I’ve been well. My horses are well known through the region. I am the most successful horse breeder on this side of the world,” Xander said proudly.

“That’s great man.” Oz clapped Xander on the back. Xander smiled and looked to Oz’s companion.

“I’m sorry. This is Spike Leslie.”

”Welcome Lord Spike,” Xander replied warmly putting his hand out.

“Thank you Lord Xander. Nice place you have here,” Spike said grasping Xander’s hand and shaking it.

“Have we met before? You look very familiar to me?” Xander asked looking Spike in the eye.

“I believe I knew your father. Your family had once asked me to join your horse breeding business as the horse handler.”

“William?”

Spike nodded. “I go by Spike now.”

Xander looked him over again as warning bells went off in his head. He knew who William/Spike was and he knew that this would upset Buffy.

“How have you been? It’s been what….”

“10 years,” Spike supplied.

“What happened to you?” Xander asked him finally releasing his hand.

“I went to Mary’s Land, made myself a name and a life. Oz and I are here to better our business, to see if we could make some allegiances here.”

“In Mary’s Land Spike is well known for our booming business deals and is rich beyond his means,” Oz added.

“That’s fantastic. I hope you all will be staying for some time so you can tell me all about your success,” Xander said dipping his head. “But for now I need to attend to my guests. I hope to speak with you both later on.”

Both men watched Xander walk away.

“That wasn’t so hard was it?” Oz asked Spike.

Spike shook his head. “It’s not society I’m worried about. It’s Lady Buffy.”

*~*

Buffy walked out into the night and shivered. She was glad she had grabbed her cloak as she closed the little frog clasps, the velvet of the cloak warming her immediately.

She followed the cobblestone path that led her to the rose area, their fragrant petals perfuming the air around her. Buffy stopped and bent to smell a red rose, the dew on the petals gleaming in the moonlight.

She fingered the petals, marveling in their softness. She closed her eyes and the blond haired man flashed in her mind. He looked so familiar, his gaze so familiar. The hungry look he gave her as if he wanted to eat her alive in front of everyone. She opened her eyes and glanced at the red rose she was still fingering and closed her eyes again. This time it was William who flashed in her mind. William standing on her balcony, looking at her sheepishly as he handed her a red rose.

“William…” Buffy sighed.

“I haven’t been called that in a very long time,” a voice behind her said.

Buffy gasped and spun around.

“William..” she whispered.

“William is dead. I’m Spike now.”

Buffy couldn’t move. All she could do was stare at him. She longed to touch him, to run her lips along his jaw line.

“Buffy..” he breathed, his cerulean blue eyes scanning over her form. “You haven’t changed a bit. In fact I think you have gotten more beautiful.”

“Your words humble me. Are you certain your eyes are ok? Do you wear glasses now?” Buffy asked/joked.

“Always was a funny one. Can’t tell if you are insulting me or yourself.”

“Neither kind sir,” Buffy replied casting her eyes down. She reached out to touch the rose bush absently and caught one of the thorns on her fingers.

“Ouch!” Buffy said bringing the finger to her lips. Spike watched as she sucked the finger deep within her mouth. His eyes mesmerized by the shell pink of her soft lips.

“Let me see,” he commanded reaching out and grabbing her hand. He brought her hand to his face and saw a tiny pearl of blood form on her finger. He looked her in the eye and brought her finger to his mouth. He kissed her finger gently as he held her hand in both of his.

“All better,” he said smiling as he turned her hand over and kissed her palm.

Buffy stood in a semi-trance. Her gaze was locked with his. Her hand warm within his. Her heart pounded in her chest threatening to break through. She felt a faint tingling in her nether regions when his warm mouth kissed her palm.

“Thank you sir,” she said pulling her hand from his grasp. Buffy backed up to hurry away when Spike grabbed her shoulder.

“Don’t leave Buffy..” he pleaded. Buffy turned back and looked in his face.

“Why not?” she couldn’t help but ask.

“We have some things we need to talk about.” He held on tighter to her shoulder and dragged her to him. He cupped her cheek with his hand and forced her to meet his eyes. She tried to back away but he followed until her back was up against the hard wall of the garden wall. She was caught between his body and the wall. She looked into the blueness of his eyes realizing their mouths were only mere inches apart.

“I can’t….I shouldn’t……We need…” he fought with himself just as his lips touched hers. Buffy’s eyes closed as she fell into his kiss. His mouth moving against hers in familiarity. He pressed his body against hers as he deepened the kiss. His tongue begging entrance to her mouth and acceptance being granted as she opened her mouth to him. He held her tight against him. His hand on the small of her back.

Buffy felt like she was melting as she feverishly kissed him back. He pulled back and pressed their foreheads together, both gasping in needed breath.

“God I missed you,” he whispered against her mouth as he dipped in for another kiss. Buffy kissed him back frantically not listening to reason as it started speaking in her head. With much effort she pushed him away.

“I can’t….We can’t.” she said breathlessly as she hurried away.

Like it? Hate it? Love it? Review Me!!