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~Chapter 6~
She’s wearing my shirt! That’s all she has on! Those two facts kept circulating through Angel’s mind, driving him crazy. Trying to stop those thoughts, he forced himself to remember why he had broke in to begin with. "What…?" He stopped and cleared his throat before continuing. "What’s wrong?"
"Huh?" Willow felt her nipples harden as his husky tones washed over her. She knew she should be paying attention but her mind was focused on his chest. His naked chest. Goddess, he was hot! She could see his muscles ripple under his pale skin. Her gaze dropped down to his nipples. Her excitement increased as she realized they were as hard as her own. Licking her lips, Willow wondered what he would taste like.
"Willow!" Angel clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms, as he resisted the urge to rip the shirt off her and spend the next hour making love to her. He gave a mental snort at that. As ready as he was he’d be lucky to last two minutes, let alone an hour.
Willow’s head snapped up as he growled out her name. Right, he’d asked her something. She felt herself begin to blush as she realized she had no clue what he’d asked. She’d been too preoccupied with how good he looked without a shirt.
To make matters worse, her internal voice decided it was time to chime in with it’s two cents. ‘Good? What an understatement! Try edible or mouth-watering delicious!’
Desperate to get her mind off that track, Willow searched frantically for something to say. Glancing down to where her hands were fidgeting with the hem of her shirt, she gratefully seized on that topic.
"Thanks for letting me use your shirt. I can’t believe I forget to grab pajamas. Or underwear. Actually, it was probably my subconscious’ way of avoiding Spike’s comments. Jeez, let me tell you, for someone who only seems to have one set of clothes, he has a lot of opinions about how I dress. Anyway, I just wanted to thank you. I’d be uncomfortable sleeping naked. The only time I have is when I shared a bed with Oz."
Angel held up his hand, stopping the flow of words. He couldn’t take much more of her babbling. His imagination was already in overdrive, thanks to her words naked and bed. He tried concentrating on the picture of Willow in bed with Oz in an effort to cool down his rampaging libido but his mind was having none of that; it kept on replacing the wolf with his image.
Focus! You have to focus, Angel warned himself. There’s a reason he was here. He needed to focus on that and not Willow naked, on his bed, under him. Stop! That is not helping! Concentrate! Why was he here? Oh, right. "What happened?"
"Huh? When?" Keeping her eyes locked on his, Willow shook her head in confusion. Her blushed deepened. She’d obviously missed more than she had realized.
"You yelled."
"Oh, oh! I saw a ghost!" Willow couldn’t believe she’d forgotten that. Actually she could; Angel was a pretty powerful distraction. Wait a second! Willow froze as what he said sank in. "I didn’t yell."
"Yes, you did."
"I did not. If I had both Xander and Spike would’ve heard. Not just you."
Angel rolled his eyes. "Those two are too busy fighting over who gets to sleep on the couch. They wouldn’t have heard a banshee. Do they always argue this much?"
"This is one of their more mellow days," an amused Willow admitted. "Hey! You’re changing the subject." Huffing slightly, she crossed her arms over her chest as she gave him an imperious look. "I didn’t yell."
"Yes…" Angel stopped, shaking his head. He couldn’t believe he was arguing with her over something this silly. "Look, why don’t you tell me about what you saw. How do you know it was a ghost?"
Willow narrowed her eyes as she studied him. Deciding he was conceding the point, she answered his question. "One because her image was hazy and I could see through her. And second, she was dressed like she came out of a history book. You know those old black and white photos of the archeologist in Egypt back in the 1920s."
"Could she have been sent by the guys after you?"
"No. Whoever she is, she’s not evil." Seeing doubt on Angel’s face, Willow glared at him. "I’ve spent almost four years helping Buffy; I know evil."
"I’m not questioning your judgement. I just think it’s not a coincidence that this ghost showed up now. We just have to figure out what she wants," Angel said, trying to placate her. He’d never realized she was this feisty. He wondered if taking her to bed would work some of that out.
"She left something!" Remembering the newspaper, Willow rushed over to pick it up.
Angel’s efforts to keep his mind on track was severely tested when she bent down to pick up the paper, showing more of her legs.
"It’s the leisure section of this morning’s," Willow looked down at her watch, that she’d forgotten to take off, "make that yesterday’s paper." She raised an eyebrow questioningly.
Angel shrugged. "If it came from here it has to be Cordelia’s."
"Sure." She gave him a laughing look as she spread the paper out on the bed. "You’re just trying to hide that you’re a closeted star watcher."
Joining her beside the bed, Angel’s lips quirked up in amusement. She was so adorable when she was being playful. "If you’re done teasing we should look for why she left it."
"Well, there is a really interesting article on Matt Damon." Before Angel could comment, Willow started to bounce up and down as she pointed at a small article in the corner. "Look! This is it! The museum is giving an early preview of its new Egyptian collection, today between nine and noon. This has to be what my ghost was trying to tell me. I bet there’s something there that will help us with either the cult or the book. I’ve got to get dressed!"
Taking hold of her arm, Angel prevented her from rushing over and grabbing her clothes. "Hold on. I don’t think this is a good idea. We need to find out more information before rushing into anything."
"How? We don’t even know where to start looking." Willow shook her head. "No, this is the best lead we have. One of us needs to go, and since you and Spike are out for obvious reasons and what Xander knows about Egyptian artifacts comes from old horror movies, I’m the obvious choice."
Letting go of her arm, Angel raked his fingers through his hair. "Willow, we don’t know anything about this ghost. For all we know this could be trap."
"I told you she wasn’t evil!"
"Maybe so, but that doesn’t mean she wants the same thing as we do." Angel held up his hand placating. "Look, all I’m saying is we need to be careful."
Willow patted his arm reassuringly before going over and pulling a pair of jeans and a top out of her bag. "Don’t worry, I know a couple of defensive spells and I’ll carry the components for them. Plus I’ll be extra cautious, okay?"
"No, it’s not okay!" Angel ground his teeth in frustration. "We don’t know what we are dealing with and there is no way I’m going to let you wonder around on the say so of some ghost!"
"Excuse me? You can’t *let* me," she hissed, glaring at the vampire. "You must be confused because the last time I checked I’m the one in charge of what I do. And I say I’m going! Now, get out, I need to get dressed."
Taking a menacing step towards her, Angel met her glare for glare. "You’re not going! And I’m not leaving until you realize that."
"Fine!" Turning her back to him, she reached for the hem of the T-shirt she was wearing.
Angel’s jaw dropped as she casually changed clothes in front of him. He stood and stared at her smooth back, the rounded checks of her ass, and her long, slender legs, his anger drowning out under the lust flooding his system.
Fastening her jeans, Willow pulled on her top and headed for the door.
~Chapter 7~
Spike and Xander, having abandoned their fight in favor of listening to the argument going on in the other room, sat on the couch and watched as their friend stormed out of the bedroom and headed upstairs.
"Willow!" Angel left the bedroom a few minutes later, it having taken him that long to regain his wits and follow her. He rushed upstairs after the redhead, not paying any attention to the two sitting on the couch, smirking at him.
"Red sure has him in a snit," Spike observed, gleefully.
"Yeah." Xander wondered if he should go up and try to talk Willow out of going to the museum, or at least waiting until after dark when the two vampires could accompany them. Remembering the look on her face, he shook his head. Nope, he might as well let Angel bear the brunt of her anger. "But just wait until after she leaves."
"What? You don’t think Angelus can stop her?" Spike thought the outcome favored his Sire; Red was too much of a pushover.
Xander snorted in amusement. He knew exactly what Spike was thinking; more than one person had made that mistake. "Willow is the nicest person I’ve ever met, she’s also the most stubborn person I’ve ever met. And if you get her temper riled up you better watch out."
Spike lifted a disbelieving eyebrow. With her red hair, he was sure she had a temper but he seriously doubted it was as bad as Xander was making it sound.
Seeing that Spike still doubted him, Xander settled back and gave what he considered the clinching argument. "Not even Cordelia is willing to make Willow angry."
At that Spike’s eyes widened as he looked over at the stairs that the redhead and the souled vampire had disappeared up. Leaning back on the couch, he broke out in a large smile. "You know, Chubs, this little trip is shaping up to be more fun than I had original thought."
Xander couldn’t help but smile too. Spike was right it was going to be fun to watch Willow run circles around Angel. "Do you think we should’ve told Angel…?" Turning his head toward the blonde, Xander broke off as he realized how close they were.
"Told Angel what?" Spike asked absently, his attention focused on the boy’s lips. He wondered if they tasted as delicious as they looked.
"T-that his condition was obvious." Xander no longer though it was so funny, now that his body was reacting in the same way, thanks to Spike’s heated stare.
Spike’s lips quirked up sensually as he shifted closer. "Noticed his body did you? Somebody’s been having naughty thoughts."
"No!" Xander shook his head vehemently. He’d never thought about Angel like that. Unfortunately, he couldn’t say the same for the blonde tormenting him.
"So you’ve never thought of a guy like that?" Spike leaned in towards Xander, letting his breath caress his mouth.
Spike was a vampire so how could he breath? Xander wondered inanely, trying to ignore how close their lips were, just a few more inches and they would be kissing. Swallowing hard, he resisted the urge to lick his suddenly dry lips, not wanting to let the blonde know how he was affecting him.
Xander snorted, all he’d have to do is look at his lap to know just how turned on he was. Hell, he could probably smell it. At that, he jerked himself out of the trance Spike was weaving over him and shoved himself off the couch. "I-I’m going to go get cleaned up. Y-you can take the couch. I’ll sleep on the floor." With that Xander beat a hasty exit to the bathroom.
Throwing his head back against the couch, Spike began to softly curse as he adjusted his tight jeans over his erection. He couldn’t believe he was this aroused over almost kissing the whelp. It wasn’t like he’d actually captured that moist, delectable mouth under his. Spike bit back a moan as a bolt of lust made it’s way down to his groin.
Suddenly, Spike’s head snapped up as he realized what he was doing. Bloody hell, he was sitting around mooning over a human.
Did he want the boy? Spike cast a dry glance down at his still hard erection, hell yeah. Then what in the bloody hell was he doing still sitting here instead of seducing him? He wasn’t his soul-having pansy of a Sire to deny himself what he wanted; he was the Big Bad. Smiling, he stood up and went to stand outside the bathroom door.
Finally getting his body under control, Xander left the bathroom only to come to quick halt at the sight of a familiar pair of blue eyes waiting for him. "Did you need something Spike?" Xander blushed and silently cursed his choice of words as the blonde gave him a sensual smile.
"I’ve been thinking about our sleeping arrangements, pet." Spike refrained from making a more obvious sexual comment, not wanting his soon-to-be lover to bolt.
Xander fought down his body’s reaction to Spike’s words as he eyed the vampire warily. What was he up to? Spike was never this nice. "What’s to think about? You sleep on the couch and I’ll sleep on the floor."
"That’s just it. You said Red wasn’t going to be back right?"
Not sure what he was getting at, Xander shrugged. "Wills, made up her mind to go to the museum and nothing short of a cataclysmic event will get her to change it."
"Well, then why should you and I be uncomfortable when there’s a nice comfortable bed right in there?" Spike pointed at the closed door of Angel’s room as he watched the brunette carefully. He felt a streak of elation go through him as Xander’s eyes dilated with desire. All he’d have to do is practice a little patience and carefully seduce the boy and he’d be shagging him to his heart’s content.
"The two of us sleep in Angel’s bed?" Xander felt his cock surge to life at the image accompanying those words.
"Sure, why not?" Spike surreptitiously swept his gaze down the boy’s body, taking great satisfaction in the erection pressing against the front of his jeans. "Red’s already mad at Peaches, he’s not going to risk starting an argument. So I say we take the bed. Unless you have another reason why we shouldn’t?" When Xander didn’t say anything else, a fact Spike had been counting on, he turned and made his way to the bedroom.
Taking a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves, Xander slowly followed after the blonde vampire. He had a feeling, that no matter how comfortable the bed was, he wasn’t going to be able to sleep.
~Chapter 8~
Stomping into the main office of Angel Investigations, Willow was oblivious to the other two in the room until Cordelia called out to her.
"Willow! What are you doing here? Is there something wrong?"
"Wrong?" Willow snorted. "Oh yeah, there’s something wrong and it all starts with your overbearing, arrogant, know-it-all boss!"
Cordelia’s eyes widened at the anger in the redhead’s voice. What could Angel have done to upset her this much? Both her and Xander had been on the harsh side of her tongue, deservedly so at times, not that she’d ever admit that, but she couldn’t ever remember her being angry at Angel. She was usually the one, other than Buffy, that always defended him. "What…?" The abrupt entrance of Angel stop her question.
Quickly reaching Willow’s side, Angel grabbed her arm and turned her to face him. "Look, Willow, let’s be reasonable about this."
"*I* am being reasonable," she retorted.
"Reasonable does not include gallivanting all over the city with unknown demons and priests after you!"
Crossing her arms over her chest, Willow fumed as she glared up at the dark vampire. "I’m not planning on gallivanting, as you so quaintly called it. I’m going to go to the museum to try and find out some more information about the book and the Egyptian sect we acquired it from."
"You didn’t *acquire* it, you and the other two idiots put your lives at risk by *stealing* it."
"How dare you?" Her eyes snapping fire at his insult, Willow sharply jabbed his chest with her finger, emphasizing her words. "I am not an idiot. Nor am I a child that you can tell what to do. And if you don’t like that too damn bad!"
With one last stab of her finger, she turned on her heel and slammed out the door and into the sunlight, leaving behind a very frustrated and very aroused vampire behind.
Angel’s attention was drawn away from the redhead who had just stormed out and to their audience by Cordelia’s snort.
"Good going, Mr. Smooth! Over two and a half centuries old and you still haven’t outgrown the little boy habit of insulting the girl you’re interested in."
"What…I’m…" Angel sputtered for a moment before stopping and pressing his lips together and composing himself. "Willow’s just a friend," he finally stated.
Cordelia snorted again. "Just a friend? Oh yeah, I’m buying that. I mean you always reacted like that with a *friend*." She gave the front of his sweat pants that clearly showed the erection he still sported a sardonic look.
Gritting his teeth, Angel resisted the urge to find some cover to hide behind. He knew all that would do was fuel the brunette’s amusement. As it was he was just grateful that vampires couldn’t blush. "Willow’s just a friend," he repeated doggedly.
"Yeah, whatever you say, Denial Boy." Waving her hand to stop any comments he might make, she grabbed her purse and headed for the door. "Though, I’d advise you to be prepared to grovel for forgiveness by the time we get back." With that she sailed out the door before he could reply.
Closing his open mouth with a snap, Angel let out a soft growl. Why should he apologize? He was just concerned something would happen to Willow; they had no idea who or what was after that book.
Hearing a slight shuffling off to the side, he whipped his head around to glare at Wesley. "You want to comment on how I handled the situation?" He asked, crossing his arms over his chest and giving him a dark look.
"No, no. I’m just going to sit here and go over the notes from our last case." Pulling some random papers in front of him, Wesley pretended to read them.
Annoyed that he had snapped at the ex-watcher, Angel ran his hand through his hair. He couldn’t believe that the redhead had gotten so far under his skin that he’d lost his composure. Raking his fingers one last time through his hair, he turned and headed for the elevator. "I’m going to go downstairs and try to get some sleep." He doubted he’d actually sleep but maybe he could figure out when everything had spun out of control.
"I’ll keep an eye on the office," Wesley told him without looking up from his desk. Once he heard him leave he looked up and grinned.
Who would’ve expected it? The Scourge of Europe routed by a slip of a girl. He looked up at the door his brunette co-worker had exited earlier. Or maybe, he should say two, since it looked like Cordelia was siding with Willow. Pulling out his newspaper, Wes let out a quiet chuckle. If nothing else, these next couple of days should prove entertaining.
********
"Willow, wait up!"
Stopping, Willow turned around to see Cordelia hurrying to catch up with her. Putting on her resolve face, she crossed her arms over her chest as she waited for the ex-cheerleader to join her. "I’m going to the museum whether Angel likes it or not."
"Personally, I’d prefer to go shopping but anything beats sitting in the office bored out of my mind."
Willow blinked in surprise. "You’re not going to try and talk me into going back and waiting until Angel can go with me."
Threading her arm through the redhead’s, starting them walking again, the brunette gave an airy wave with her other hand. "Oh please! We both know that Mr. I’m-in-charge was being his usual overprotective vampire self."
Letting Cordy guide them, Willow let out an annoyed snort. "No. He thinks I’m this helpless little child who can’t take care of herself."
Cordelia stopped abruptly, giving the witch a surprised look before bursting out laughing.
"What’s so funny?" Willow demanded, confused by Cordelia’s outburst.
"Angel, Mr. Cool himself, was sporting an erection that would’ve had ninety percent of the female, as well as some of the male, population drooling and you think he thinks of you as a child!" The brunette Seer choked out between laughs.
"That’s only because he saw me naked!" Willow clapped her hand over her mouth as she realized what she said.
"He what?" Cordelia stopped laughing and regarded her friend with a wide-eyed stare.
Willow looked longingly up the way they had been walking as she contemplated ignoring the question and just continuing on to the museum. She shook away that enticing idea, the former May Queen would have no problems continuing this conversation in a crowded building.
"He saw me naked," the redhead mumbled. She could feel herself turning crimson as she remembered what she had done. "He told me I couldn’t go and I got mad and he wouldn’t leave the room and so I changed even though he was still there," she quickly explained, wanting to get this interrogation over with.
Cordelia felt a sly grin tugging at her lips. It seemed that Angel wasn’t the only one with unresolved feelings. Ruthlessly tamping down her smile, she gave a blasé shrug. "In the time I’ve been working with Angel I’ve seen plenty of pretty women blatantly throw themselves at him and he didn’t even bat an eye."
"Really, who?" Willow tried to sound only casually interested but failed miserably.
"No one important, obviously." Cordelia bit back her crow of delight, as her guess was proven correct. Once again linking her arm through the redhead’s, she started walking again. "We really should get to this exhibition you want to see before Angel sends the Calvary out after us." Then before Willow had a chance to relax, she continued, "And on the way you can tell me how long you’ve had a crush on the Broody One."
*********
An amused smirk twisted Spike’s lips as he listened to his Sire pacing out in the living room. It seems the boy was right, Red had won the fight. He’d have to make sure and rub it in. Well at least when Xapper and Red were around to stop the Poof from beating the bloody hell out of him.
Glancing down at Xander’s face, Spike’s smirk softened as he saw that the boy was sleeping. He wasn't surprised despite the boy’s worries. They’d had a long and hectic night. He wasn’t sure where the little chit got all her energy, probably pure temper.
Spike almost snorted in amusement but refrained, not wanting to wake Xander. It served the bloody pillock right to be tied up in knots over someone who ran circles around him; it was bloody poetic justice is what it was.
Pushing aside the image of Red leading his Sire around with a ring in his nose, an image he considered bloody amusing, Spike adjusted his position so that he could wrap an arm around Xander’s waist and pulled him back against his chest. He needed to sleep himself if he wanted to seduce the whelp later.
Throwing one leg over Xander’s to keep him from sneaking out of bed while he slept, Spike snuggled his face against his neck and let the sounds of the blood rushing through the boy’s veins lull him to sleep.
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