~~~~~~~

Willow chewed her lip and tapped her pencil against the circulation desk in
ceaseless staccato. Her knee bounced up and down frantically as she stared
at the clock. 6:45. Twenty minutes until sunset. Angel will be getting up
any minute now. And heading this way.

She was caught between the spiraling apprehension of seeing him again and
the undeniable ache to see him again.

Her pencil continued to drum against the table.

"Um, Wills, do you think you could fidget some more?" Xander asked. "Cause
my LEFT eye's not twitching yet."

She looked up. Giles, Buffy and Xander were staring at her. Dd they know?
What could they know? That she and Angel were having shared erotic dreams?
Sure, that would be HER first guess.

She grinned sheepishly and dropped her pencil. The other returned to their
work.

"Shoot, I left my chem book in my locker," she said, hopping off her stool.
"I'll be right back."

No one said a word.

(Typical, she snorted.)

She shoved the swinging doors open and ran smack into something cool and
solid. Something with deeply familiar scent. Like myrrh.

She gasped and looked up into Angel's amused chocolate eyes.

"An-Angel," she stammered. "Book. Forgot. Locker. Cologne."

He grinned and stepped out of her way, bowing deeply. She sighed and stepped
past him. He caught her warm fingers in his cool grip and squeezed them for
a tender second before releasing her.

She ran to her locker and grabbed the first book she clutched at. When she
returned to the library, Angel was standing alone near the shaded window.
She willed her heartbeat to slow to a dull roar. Take slow shallow breaths,
she laid her book down on the table.

"You're here early," she said. "Sunset's not for another 15 minutes."

"Couldn't sleep," he said, not turning. "Took the tunnels."

"Where is everyone?"she asked.

"Xander is in search of more jellies and Buffy and Giles went to find some
weapon to practice on," Angel said, still without turning.

"Oh," she nodded. Electricity thrilled through her belly. she was rarely
alone with Angel in the first place. Now that they shared this monumental
secret, it seemed so much more intimate.

"Willow?"

"Mmm?" she murmured, looking up. Within milliseconds he had crossed the room
and was backing her against the table. His cool palms cradled her flushed
cheeks. His eyes held her in a deep dark trap from which she couldn't
escape. She whimpered as his mouth crushed hers. His fingers tangled in her
hair, pressing her close to him. She could feel him pressing hard against
her belly. He urged her up on the table, leaning between her thighs.

"Go home, now," he said. "Get some sleep. I'll tell the others you had a
headache."

"What about you?" she whispered against his lips.

"I'll be there as soon as I can," he said. "It's got to be like this for
just a little bit longer, Willow. I can't trust myself with you in reality
just yet, I'm afraid I'll hurt you. I might lose control."

"I'm not the kind of girl you lose control over," she grinned.

"You are exactly the kind of girl I'd lose control over," he murmured,
claiming her mouth once more and reluctantly releasing her. He shoved her
gently towards the door. "Go. Get home before sunset."

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Willow ran into Angel's chambers. He was pacing impatiently back and forth,
looking dangerously beautiful in just a pair of black silk pants.

"Willow," he grinned. She threw herself into his arms. He rained kisses over
her face and neck.

"What took so long?" he asked.

"Delilah, Kylia and Inell too forever to dress me," she said. "I think it's
our brains' way of keeping me bust until you're in the dream state."

"Well, it was well worth it," he grinned. "I've never seen anyone as
beautiful as you."

"Angel, don't," she said.

"What?" he asked. "Willow, you're the most beautiful woman I know. Accept
it."

"OK," she grinned.

"Now, where were we?" he asked, trailing kisses down her neck. "Was I here
yet?"

"A little further," she giggled, writhing under his hot demanding mouth.

"I was here already?" he asked, plucking at the straps of her dress. "Damn,
I'm good."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Willoooow," Angel moaned in his sleep. He turned, recognizing the feeling
of his own sheets against his skin. He groaned. He was awake again. He could
still smell the sweet almond oil on Willow's skin. He could almost feel her
silky red hair against his cheek on the pillow.

Wait a minute. He reached out and found familiar downy hair against his
hand. His eyes snapped open.

"Willow!" he shouted. She was laying curled up against his body, her cheek
cradled against his shoulder. Her fingers curled around his arm even in
sleep.

She blinked sleepily and grinned up at him. "Morning."

"What are you doing in my bed?" he asked.

"I kind of snuck over here last night," she blushed. "That's why I was
really late last night."

"Do you have any idea how dangerous that was?" he demanded.

"Walking over here?" she asked. "That why I have the Little Exorcist's
at-home stake and holy water kit, Angel. I don't leave home without it."

"No I mean, really getting into bed with me," he said. "I could have hurt
you. I may be somewhat under control, but I'm still just a vampire dammit.
Here you are laying in my bed, naked, with all that sweet technically
virginal blood coursing through your veins-"

"Angel."

"Huh?"

"Shut up and kiss me."
 

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