Rating: NC-17
Summary: Sequel to Blood Red Ruby. Spike and Willow continue their relationship in secret, until someone finds out.
Disclaimer: I, unfortunately, do not own the characters, because if I did, Spike would never leave my bed. *weg*
Distribution: Want, take, have. Just drop me a line so I know where it's at.
Feedback: Please. ghoztstarz@yahoo.com
A/N: This is for everyone who gave me the wonderful feedback on Blood Red Ruby and who asked for a sequel.
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It seemed like only yesterday that Spike had taken her to Ruby and they had made love in one of the upstairs rooms. But, in actuality, it had been a month.to that very day. Smiling, Willow looked in her closet for something appropriate to wear to the club. Spike had told her that he thought it would be nice to go back there again, revisit the place where she had truly become his in every sense of the word.
Nothing she had seemed to suit the occasion. All she had were childish clothes and tonight, well, she wanted to look more adult. Finally, she had made her way to the back of the closet, having thrown ever article of clothing on the floor, deeming it unworthy. There was one hanger left, all the way in the back, and Willow reached in to see what hung on it.
Willow pulled it out into the light and grinned. It was perfect. 'Spike won't know what hit him,' Willow thought.
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"No, that one," Spike said, pointing the addlebrained clerk to the right one. He needed the bouqet to be perfect. Willow was perfect and she deserved the best of everything, even if they were just some flowers. Spike knew the roses would bring that radiant smile to her face and for just that moment, he would feel warmth in his body where his dead heart lay.
"That's fifteen dollars and twenty-five cents," the clerk said, wrapping his purchase.
Spike tossed the money, not caring about change, onto the counter and dashed off with his present for Willow before the clerk even had time to wish him a good night.
The night was clear and warm, just perfect. He had something special planned for Willow tonight. It had been one month to the day since he'd held her in his arms, felt her heated flesh against his, and tasted that wonderful mouth of hers. She was passionate and loving, caring and innocent, and Spike loved it all. He loved her. Granted, he hadn't told her that he loved her, but he felt that tonight was the night. Tonight he would lay his heart bare for her, tell her all the things that he'd been dying to tell her since he'd first found out that she was his.
The walk to Willow's house hadn't taken long at all, and Spike found himself stopping to stare up at her window, hoping to catch a glimpse of his fiery beauty. He could see her silhouetted behind the drapes. Taking an unneeded breath, Spike walked up to the door and knocked. He'd never knocked before, but then again, tonight was special and he wanted to be a gentleman. He wanted to show Willow that he was more then just blood and fangs, that he could be more than just the shadow of the man he had once been.
Waiting patiently for Willow to open the door, Spike shifted nervously from foot to foot. He hated to admit it, but he was just a tad apprehensive about tonight. For the past few weeks they had been seeing each other at every available opportunity, just never when her friends were around. Willow had begged him to go along with her on this point, saying that she didn't want to see him staked. She wanted time to tell her friends and let them get used to the idea instead of just shoving it in their faces, which was what Spike wanted to do.
However, no matter how much Spike wanted to flaunt that he was with Willow, he'd played nice and not said a thing. Now, however, it was getting annoying. He wanted the entire world to know that she was his, that it was his claming mark on her neck. He also wanted her to know that he loved her, completely and totally. That he would lay down his life for her.
Also, Spike was worried that she was keeping him a secret because she was ashamed of him, ashamed of their relationship. He wouldn't be able to stand it if that was the case. 'She doesn't think that, mate,' Spike reassured himself.
Before he could think anything else, the door opened and Spike beheld something he thought he'd never get to see.well, not without enormous amounts of pleading at least. Willow, it seems, had gone for a more dramatic look. She had discarded her normal long skirts and jeans for leather. Tight, shapely, form-fitting leather. Spike's jeans instantly became too tight and he had this strong urge to readjust himself.
"Bloody hell, Luv," Spike said softly, still taking in the incredibly beautiful sight before him.
"It's too much isn't it?" Willow asked, self-consciously looking down at herself. Up until that night, she had forgotten that she'd kept the leather outfit from when her vampire-self had come to visit. But, after seeing it, she thought for sure that Spike would love it. And, she had wanted to do something special for him. She'd even put on the dark lipstick Buffy had let her use that night and some eye shadow.
"No," Spike said in a deep sultry voice that went straight to Willow's core, "It's perfect."
Moving up close to her, Spike leaned down and nuzzled her neck before making his way back up to crush his lips against hers. He pulled her close, grinding his hips into her to show her how much he liked her outfit. When he finally pulled away to let her breathe, Willow graced him with a smile.
"What's that for?" Willow asked, pointing to a long box Spike held, forgotten, in his hands.
"Oh, uh, just something I picked up on the way here," Spike said, handing the package to Willow.
Gracing him with another smile, Willow took the proffered gift and opened it. Inside were a dozen blood red roses, tied together in an elegant matching ribbon. Tied to the ribbon was another smaller box. Willow looked up at Spike in astonishment.
"Open it," he said.
Setting the box down on the banister of the porch, Willow reached into the box of roses to untie the ribbon holding the smaller box. Once the ribbon was loose, she looked once more to Spike who just nodded. Slowly, Willow opened the box and gasped.
"Spike," Willow said softly, looking between her gift and him, "you really.oh, wow."
"Here, Luv. Let me put it on."
Gathering her present in his hand, Spike reverently moved Willow's hair out of the way, and clasped the necklace behind her neck. Then, he turned her around so he could see it on her and see if it looked as beautiful on her as he thought it would.
The necklace sat right at the dip below her neck. It was two leather straps that met at the juncture of her collar bones where an intricate ruby rose sat, emerald leaves flowing between the silver of the stem. It was breath taking, had he needed to breathe, and it fit her beautifully.
"Perfect," Spike said. He gathered her in his arms and softly kissed her, pouring all of his emotion into it. Her lips tasted sweeter then he could ever remember them tasting before.
"Ready?" he whispered against her lips.
"Yes," Willow said, breathlessly. "First, let me put those in water."
Spike followed Willow into the house and helped her put the roses in a vase. He was spellbound by the way her form moved in the leather. He couldn't remember ever seeing anything quite as sensual before. It wasn't just the leather, or just the fact that it was his girl wearing it, but the odd mixture of the dark, fiery side of her and the innocence that did him in.
Once she had placed the vase on the kitchen table, Willow found herself in a tight embrace, a pair of electric blue eyes boring into her, and she found herself breathless at the depth of emotion they displayed. Gods how she loved this vampire. She knew this without a doubt. The love had developed rather quickly and, right at that moment it knocked her off her feet.
"Cor, Luv," he said, pulling away only far enough to let her breathe. "Do you have any bloody idea what you do to me?"
Willow smiled, snaking her hand down to cup his obvious erection and said, "I've got an idea. Do you just want to stay in and show me?"
Her offer was tempting and had he not had significant control over himself, he would have ravaged her then and there. It could wait however.
"No, got plans for you," Spike said, nipping at her ear. "But, I have to know where you got that outfit."
Laughing, Willow said, "I'll tell you on the way to Ruby."
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Turning onto Willow's street, Xander made his way to his friend's house. It had been a spur of the moment decision, to go see Willow. Over the past few weeks, she had been acting different. Willow had left early from their meetings and a few times, she had begged off altogether. It just wasn't like her. So, Xander, on his way home, decided to pay her a visit and see if she was all right.
Xander was a few houses down from Willow's when he saw something that made his breath catch in his throat.Willow and Spike, walking out of her house, hand in hand. Not only that, as if that alone wasn't bad enough, but Willow was in leather. Willow never wore leather, except that one time her vampire counterpart came to Sunnydale.
All Xander could do was stand and stare. 'No,' he thought, 'not Willow.' A tear formed in his eye as he watched what he assumed was his friend as a vampire and Spike walk happily down the street. 'He'll pay for that. I'll get Buffy, and she can stake him once and for all. We should have done it a long time ago, now he's got Willow.'
Taking off, Xander went in search of the Slayer to exact their revenge for their friend.
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"I don't know, it was odd to see her. She put her hands.well, everywhere. And," Willow said, dropping her voice to a whisper, "I think she was kinda gay."
Spike roared with laughter. Oh, he could just see this lovely innocent girl at his side turned vampire. Hell, he'd thought of doing it a few times. Eventually, he would have to tell her about a vampire's lack of morals when it came to bedmates. But now, well, he was enjoying her company. She was a great storyteller and he was enthralled by her voice, her descriptions allowing him to envision everything she had said.
"Hey, it wasn't that funny!" Willow said, trying to sound indignant, but her huge smile gave her away. She felt comfortable with Spike, be it talking, watching a movie, or making love. He made her feel special, like she was the only one in the world for him.
"Oh, looks like we're here, Luv," Spike said, stopping in front of the rusted door. Rapping on it, he waited, as it swung open silently, and then escorted Willow inside.
The music and lights hit her, bringing a small gasp of pleasure from her. It was just as she remembered it; beautiful and intoxicating.just like Spike.
Smiling, Spike gathered Willow close to him and kissed her deeply before they moved onto the dance floor. He hadn't trusted his memory of that night, wasn't sure if what he saw every day when he closed his eyes was real, or just made up, an exaggeration of the truth. Had she truly been that beautiful, that graceful?
Once on the dance floor.they were lost in each other. Their eyes locked and never let go, their bodies always touching and moving to the beat. It was almost ethereal, unreal, but beautiful all the same. Willow and Spike were so caught up in each other that they were blissfully unaware of the onlookers, the jealous glances, and the soft smiles.
Every now and then, they would stop dancing, but not touching. They held hands, their lips would meet, arms draped over the other, but never did they part. They talked every now and then, but tonight didn't need words.
Hours slipped by like nothing, but daylight would be coming soon, Spike could feel it.
"Time to head out, Pet, unless you want to stay here, take a tumble in the sheets," Spike said smiling.
"No, I'd rather tumble at home," Willow said boldly.
"Right, home it is," Spike said, tipping the waitress. He grabbed her hand and began running with her out of the club, Willow laughing the whole way.
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"Xander, we've been here for over three hours now," Buffy said, leaning back on a tree to rest. Earlier that night Xander had run to her rambling on about Willow being turned by Spike. She had come with him, fearful for her friend, with stake in hand; ready to finally be rid of the bleached pain in her ass. But, no one had been home.
"They'll be back, just wait," Xander said, searching in the darkness for his friend and Spike. He tried to push back his emotions at seeing Willow as a vampire, tried to tell himself that there was a reasonable explanation for it all, that Willow could still be saved. He clutched at his stake as he saw the flicker of a lighter in the distance.
"There," Xander whispered to Buffy, pointing in the direction he'd seen the light.
The pair of them watched, disbelieving, as Spike and Willow wound their way slowly up the street, stopping to kiss every other step.
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"Have a good time, Luv?" Spike asked, wrapping his arm around Willow and drawing her in for another kiss. He didn't want this night to end, didn't want to leave her side. He still needed to talk to her though. He'd been putting it off, talking to her about telling her friends, but it needed to be done. Spike had to know that she wasn't ashamed of him. He had to make sure that she truly wanted him, all of him, before he confessed his love to her.
"Wonderful," Willow said breathlessly. Everything had been perfect that night. They'd had a glorious time in each other's company, talking, laughing, dancing, and kissing.
Finally, they made their way to Willow's front door and Spike waited while she unlocked it. As soon as he heard the click of the lock, Spike pounced on her, crushing his lips to hers and pulling her close as they back-pedaled into the house. The door shut behind them, and Willow became the aggressor, pulling at Spike's coat and shirt, wanting to touch him, to feel him. It was needy, yet loving at the same time. They now knew each others bodies well, knew what felt good and what drove each other mad.
Just as Willow was about to remove Spike's shirt, a loud, insistent knock sounded on the door. Willow and Spike looked at each other quizzically before she grabbed the handle of the door. The door opened, helped along by Buffy.
Buffy stumbled in, but regained her composure quickly. Stake in hand she advanced on Spike.
"Buffy! What are you doing?" Willow cried out, stepping in front of Spike to keep her from staking him.
Xander thrust a cross in Willow's face. When she didn't react, he shook it, and then put it back in front of her.
"She's not a vampire, you git," Spike said, realizing what was going on.
"Oh," Xander said, finally lowering the cross. "Then what's with the leather, Wills?"
Willow glanced up at Spike for support, but he motioned that she was on her own. She'd wanted to eventually tell her friends, but this wasn't exactly how she'd wanted to do it. Heaving a large sigh, Willow set in.
"I wore it special. Am I not allowed to wear what I want, Xan?" Willow asked, lifting her chin and squaring her shoulders.
"Yeah.I mean no.I mean you can wear what you want, but." Xander trailed off, not sure what to say anymore.
"Did you put her under a spell?" Buffy asked.
Spike scoffed, then said, "No, I bloody well did <I>not</I> put a spell on her. Unlike you, I can get what I want without a spell."
Buffy raged at that, saying that it had been Willow's spell that made her fall in love with him, not hers. Xander joined in and reminded Spike about kidnapping Willow and him to do a love spell to get Drusilla back. The noise level in the house reached deafening proportions before Willow decided to put a stop to it. She whistled loud and shrill. Spike winced and she tossed him an apologetic look.
"Ok, here's the deal. Spike and I, we've been together for a month, exactly, today. I like him, a lot, and I think it's time you leave." Willow was nervous, afraid that she had just lost her two best friends, but she didn't show it.
"But, Wills!" Buffy cried out. "He's a vampire. He's not like Angel, he doesn't have a soul. All he has is that chip and you don't know how much longer that will last. Come on, tell him to crawl back in his hole, and we can talk about this."
"No, Buffy. There's nothing to talk about. I know he's not Angel. I don't want Angel, I want Spike. He doesn't need a soul to be caring, he doesn't need a soul to keep him in check, and he doesn't need a soul to love. Now, leave. I'm tired and I have homework still to do."
Spike couldn't help the smirk that came across his lips at Willow's words. That was exactly what he'd wanted, no, needed to hear. She wanted him. Maybe she liked him a lot now, but surely that could be developed a bit more. He watched as both Buffy and Xander floundered for something to say before leaving silently and closing the door behind them.
Once they were gone, Willow let her stalwart façade down and Spike could see how much that took from her. Her shoulders slumped, her forehead creased, and she looked ready to drop where she stood.
"Come on, Luv," Spike said softly, picking her up and carrying her upstairs.
"I can walk," Willow said, only slightly protesting. She loved this part the most. Him taking care of her. She'd not had that for most of her life. She'd always had to take care of herself, but now she could let Spike take care of her. It was nice to just let go, give herself to someone else. It was then that it hit her, she trusted Spike, completely. Yeah, she had trusted him before, but this went deeper. Willow had never felt that she could hand over complete control of her life to someone else, until now.
"I know you can walk," Spike said, kissing the top of her head. He brought her up the last few stairs and headed for the bathroom. He wanted to treat her to a nice bath, some alone time with just them. He could envision her slick, soft body leaning on his.
Willow was comfortable in Spike's arms. His faint smell of leather and cigarettes filtered through her dozy mind. She rubbed her cheek affectionately against his chest and settled into his arms.
"Come on, no falling asleep on me," Spike chided, smiling.
"Comfy," Willow said, half protesting.
Walking into the large upstairs bathroom, Spike turned on the light and chuckled softly when Willow tucked her head into his shirt to hide her eyes from the light.
"Here, sit here, lights off, and I'll go get us some candles."
Willow sat quietly on the toilet, stretching and trying to wake up. She couldn't believe she had done it. She had stood up to her friends for Spike. She knew she liked him, trusted him completely, and wanted him with all of her body and soul. But, love him? She just wasn't sure yet. She'd only ever been in love once and that was with Oz. This felt different, stronger, more all consuming. She smiled when Spike came back in with just about every candle he could find. Once they were all placed and lit, it was beautiful in there.
Watching as Spike drew the bath, Willow's mind began to wander. He had claimed her, years ago, either by accident or on purpose. But, he hadn't wanted her until.when? That night a month ago? When he saw the claim? Before then? She just didn't know and Spike hadn't told her.
Turning off the tap water, Spike turned back to Willow. Her brow was furrowed in thought.
"Penny for your thoughts, Luv," Spike said, standing her up so he could help her off with her clothes. She turned around so he could get the zipper.
Willow stayed silent, not quite sure of what her thoughts were, or if she really wanted to tell him. Would it piss him off to know that she wondered about the claim? Wondered about how it would affect them, and if he would ever do it again. By the time Willow had a question fully formed in her mind, she was being lowered into soothingly hot water and settled in front of Spike, leaning back into his chest.
"I was just thinking," Willow said softly, relaxing into the water and letting it warm her skin, "about the claim."
"Oh, and what about it?" Spike asked. He wasn't sure what it would mean, to have her ask about his claim on her. He had actually expected questions much sooner, but he had thought she didn't care or had found out the answers for herself. Lazily he drew patterns with his fingers on her thigh under the water.
"Well, um, I don't, I wanted to know why. Why did you claim me?"
Spike's hand stopped tracing her thigh and his arms went around her, holding her to him. He was afraid that she didn't want him to claim her, didn't want to be his. He was subconsciously trying to hold on to her for as long as he could, for as long as she would let him. Taking a deep, unneeded breath he answered her.
"I don't know, to be honest. I hadn't even known I'd done it until you told me." He felt her tense up and wished that he hadn't been quite that honest. "I remember you being a hell cat. Arguing with me, telling me what I could and could not have if you were to do the spell. Not like I would have listened, mind you, but it was beautiful to see that fire, Luv. I think I meant to turn you, or wanted to save you, or I may have just wanted to keep you for a while. I don't know. But, I have you now, and that's all that matters."
Spike turned her in his arms and kissed the top of her forehead.
"Would you do it again, if you could?" Willow asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Bloody hell, I'd do it right now if I could. It's more then just a claim, Willow, more then just a bunch of scar tissue. Have you not read up about it?"
"No," Willow said, shaking her head. "I haven't had time. I-I was going to but then you happened and I didn't want to spend time away from you unless I had to."
Pulling her to him, Spike kissed her full on the mouth, nothing too hard, but soft and loving. He pulled away and smiled at her slightly parted lips.
"Claims, like I said, are more then just a scar on your neck. It's a symbol that you have been chosen by a vampire for something more. It could be that they want to turn you, or possibly, they are saving you for a mate, or you are just a human servant that they favor, or a pet. If I were to redo the claim today, I'd claim you for a mate."
Spike waited in silence as she processed everything he'd said. He could almost see her mind working frantically. Finally, a brilliant smile lit up her face and she reached up to pull his mouth to hers in a long, lingering kiss. Each one poured in as much feeling as they could, wanting the other to know how they felt.
Willow moved to straddle Spike legs, pressing her warm core against him and she reveled in the muffled moan and shiver that went through him at the contact. Her own body was humming with the need to feel him, to fill herself up with him. Her hands moved over hard planes of muscle and skin that she knew so well by now, down around hard, sharp curves that she loved to nibble on. Willow moved her mouth from his lips and began licking, kissing, and biting a line down his jaw, and to his neck.
Thrilling sensations made their way through Spike as Willow nibbled along his jaw and neck. He moaned and turned his head to give her better access to his neck. His hands moved down to cup and knead her ass, pulling her to him as he thrusted up to show her just how much he was enjoying it.
"God, Willow!" Spike roared as she bit down hard on his neck, almost breaking the surface of his skin.
"Your mine," Willow said into his neck, licking along the marks left by her teeth. She slowly made her way down to his shoulder before sliding down far enough to grab a nipple between her lips and suck on it.
Normally, Spike would be in control and Willow would enjoy every minute of it. He knew what she liked and how she liked it, but tonight, she wanted to be the one in control. She wanted to know what Spike liked best, what made him moan in delight and shudder with pleasure. And by the sounds that Spike was making, Willow was sure she was doing a good job.
Moving to pay the other nipple some attention, Willow snaked one of her hands down between them and grabbed his hard shaft, getting a feel for it. He bucked into her hand and Willow smiled against his chest. Her tongue made a swirling pattern around his nipple and she duplicated that pattern with her finger around the head of his cock.
The dual sensations on his nipple and cock sent him in overload. His wonderful Red was driving him absolutely mad and he loved every minute of it. Spike wasn't sure what she would do next, and the thrill of that just made it that much more exciting. But, if she carried on like this much longer, he was afraid he wouldn't last, wouldn't be able to give her back the undeniable pleasure she was bestowing on him.
"Please, Luv," Spike said, his voice hitching on a moan.
"What is it? What do you want?" Willow asked, her voice low and sultry.
"Bloody hell, you. I want you. <i>Need</i> you."
That was all Willow needed to hear. Moving back up his body, she positioned him at her opening and slowly, torturously, slid down until she engulfed him. They both moaned before crushing their lips together. Spike's hands moved to her hips and guided her in a slow, loving pace. Water sloshed unheeded in the tub, spilling over the side. But neither of them cared, they only wanted this connection, this feeling between them, to linger on and last.
Their tongues danced together, exploring the depths of each other's mouths lovingly. Willow sped up the pace a bit, wanting to feel him deep within her, needing to feel him through her entire body. Sensing her need, Spike began thrusting and pulling her down to meet him. Soon, they were moving at a bruising, but exhilarating pace.
Willow's entire body shook with need, with want, and with love. Sliding a hand between them, Spike caressed her folds until he came to her clit and massaged it in time with his thrusts. Willow's body contracted before shuddering with her release. Holding out just a little longer, Spike rode out her orgasm before letting his own wrack his body. Panting they lay against each other, half the water having splashed on the floor.
Rubbing her cheek on Spike's chest, Willow smiled and said, "I love you, you know."
If Spike's heart had still beat, it would have stopped. He hugged her to him and lifted her chin, kissing her and pouring all of his emotion into it.
"I love you too."