Chapter Fifty one.

Game Rules.


When the call ended with Masters, Spike asked Luke to fetch Buffy for him. She returned to the study nervous and silent with a look of apprehension on her face. He led her outside to the gardens, guiding her along the unoccupied paths away from the mansion and the workmen.


Holding her hand, Spike told her about Masters’ phone call. She was frightened at first and asked him to honestly tell her if Masters wanted Angel back in New York. Hugging her, he reassured her that wasn’t the purpose of the call. He then related an edited version of the conversation to her, in an effort to calm her.


Buffy’s fear really alarmed him. She wrapped her arms around him and trembled as she burrowed against his chest. Spike was sure she would be better off if she could confide in him and voice her fears, but she remained closed off, keeping her thoughts to herself, despite his efforts to try and get her to open up. Trying to calm her, he told her Masters was expecting him to call him back later that night. He told her, he was finally prepared to bring his boss up to date with all the details of the reception and all he hoped it would achieve. He didn’t tell her about Masters concerns about her, or that he was worried Masters was suspicious of her.


Spike called an early end to the days work for her and asked Cooper to escort her back upstairs, while he continued to work with Luke and Wesley. He checked to see if Dixon was keeping a careful watch on Gilbey. He asked the older man to work with Gil and prepare their final reports, ready for the morning.


*****


Spike pushed the last sheet of paper towards Wesley. “Okay, that’s the last…if we’re not ready now, we never will be…we’ve covered everythin’ we could possibly cover, now all we can do is pray it all goes without a hitch and doesn’t blow up in our faces.”


Wesley looked tired, and Luke seemed grim. Spike decided to fill them in on the outcome of his conversation with Masters, giving them the details and stressing the importance of the receptions success. Wesley nodded, looking determined, but Luke remained stoic and quiet, though they both seemed to relax slightly. Spike knew if Luke wanted to say something, he would, but he guessed he still wasn’t getting along with the other English man. With Gilbey on his way out, Spike didn’t think he could afford to allow Wesley to remain the outsider.


Spike fixed Luke with a steady gaze. “How is young Marti workin’ out?”


Luke glanced at Wesley out of the corner of his eye before answering him. “As an electronics expert…he’ll work out just fine, but the other side of business will be a bit harder for him to handle…I’m sure he’ll do fine, but it’ll just take time,” he informed his boss.


Spike nodded. Looking thoughtful, he glanced at Wesley. “Young Marti is going to need someone to show him the ropes…when everythin’ is settled after the reception. We’ll all ‘ave our hands full handlin’ the new influx of business,” he sat forward…leaning on the desk he fixed Wesley with a hard look. “I want you to take care of him and I want him ready to take over Gilbey’s share of things in a month. Until he’s ready, I’ll share out your clients between the rest of us and then you get them back.”


Wesley was stunned. He looked between Luke and Spike, expecting one of them to start laughing, but when it didn’t happen he frowned, suspecting a trick of some kind. “Why me, and where the hell is Gilbey go–” He snapped his mouth shut as it dawned on him what Spike meant. The implications of that information coming from his boss was staggering. He looked at Spike sharply.


“I’m glad to see you jus’ look tired, and haven’t suddenly gone stupid on me…your position ‘ere is permanent if you want it, but you better say now if you don’t.” Spike waited for his reply.


Wesley glanced at Luke, but there was nothing there to read. Gilbey was going and Wesley wasn’t stupid. He knew Gilbey was a dead man, but he didn’t want to dwell on that. He was being given a golden opportunity and as long as Gilbey wasn’t going to be around getting under his skin, he could happily live with the new arrangements.


Wesley sat up straight, his tiredness gone. “Well since I’m already here I might as well stay…it would be a shame to have to move apartments again,” he replied, coolly.


Spike laughed. “Yeah, it would…wouldn’t it,” he leaned forward and offered the other English man his hand. “Welcome aboard Wesley…you’re now a Guard Dog…though I believe Buffy refers to you all as The Goonies, but don’t tell her I told you…she thinks no one knows.” He smiled at him and glanced at Luke.


Luke offered his hand to Wesley in welcome, accepting him without question. As far as he was concerned, it was up to his boss to name his own men and if Spike wanted Wesley, then he would work with him without any worries. He trusted Spike’s judgment. He guessed Wesley must have impressed Spike in some way and that must have secured him the offer of a permanent position.


Wesley grinned and nodded at both of them, happy for the first time since the night Angel disappeared. “Goonies? Aren’t they a bunch of kids from a movie?” He asked Spike.


“Yeah, but you’re better off not askin’…in so many ways she’s such a child, but thankfully she’s more woman than child…not that you’ll ever hear me complain ‘bout her childlike qualities…she’s somethin’ else,” he told them smiling.


Wesley was surprised to hear Spike speak so affectionately about his hostage. He wondered if this was a glimpse into his real feelings for Buffy. Luke was grinning and he didn’t seem surprised by Spike’s statement, which was another surprise.


“Okay, that’s enough…you both know what’s got to be done, so take a few hours off go and unwind, but don’t get drunk or high…I need you both sober and alert tomorrow…we’ve got a full day of hard work before Saturday…so go on, bugger off,” he waved them away as he poured himself a drink.


Luke and Wesley left him alone and he settled back into his chair to wait for Buffy. He was under strict instructions not to return to the top floor until she called him.


*****


After Cooper settled himself on the couch, Buffy nervously headed for the bedroom. She’d ordered a light dinner for the two of them and instructed the kitchen to send Spike’s to his study. She was going to take a long bath before dinner, after that she would tell Cooper she was going to get an early night and escape to the bedroom again, where she could get ready for Spike.


She still couldn’t believe she was going to do this. When she’d reluctantly confided in Cordy she was sleeping with Spike, she expected her friend to look at her with disgust, but Cordy just smiled at her kindly, patted her hand and offered her, her sympathetic understanding. Then she gave her a ton of alarming and embarrassing information. Buffy was so glad Cooper was sitting at a different table and couldn’t hear the things Cordy was telling her.


At one point in the conversation, Cordy disclosed the best bedroom tricks, were always the guys own fantasies and if a man openly admitted his fantasies, they were a woman’s best weapon in keeping him interested and coming back for more. Buffy stated, she didn’t want Spike coming back for more, but Cordy just arched a shapely brow at her and suggested, if that was the case, she had better learn very quickly to like what he did to her…because she was pretty sure, regardless of what she wanted, Spike would be back for more…and lots of it…and soon.


Buffy blushed through the whole lunch. She complained to Cordy that she didn’t get, why men got off, on seeing women dress up in silly costumes. Smiling, Cordy shook her head and told her, she had a lot to learn about men, and even more to learn about sex. She patiently explained, that most men asked their girlfriends to dress up as nurses, teachers or cheerleaders because somewhere in their past…probably during puberty…they had dreamed they would get the opportunity to have sex with one or more of those types of women, but never did…but the desire to have sex with their fantasy woman never went away, so when they got older, they would do their best to recreate their fantasy. Cordy assured her, if it was taken seriously and done properly, a fantasy game could be stimulating and extremely exciting for both the man and the woman. Buffy’s shock was apparent, and she asked her friend if she had ever participated in dressing up games. Cordy smirked at Buffy, leaving her in no doubt that she practiced fantasy games often and also found them highly enjoyable. Buffy was speechless and couldn’t help wondering, what else Cordy might participate in, when in the bedroom.


Her friend looked at her seriously and bluntly asked her, to tell her which fantasy Spike had confided to her. Horrified, Buffy shook her head in denial insisting, Spike had done no such thing. Cordy snorted and rolled her eyes at her indignant embarrassment. Eventually, Cordy coaxed the truth from her, but only after swearing a solemn oath on her mother’s life and promising she would never tell a soul…Spike would kill her. Cordy snorted at the notion and swore her oath. When Cordy heard Spike had a thing for schoolgirls she smiled…she would never have guessed. She had him sussed, for more of the type to appreciate a dominatrix, all leather and chains, but then she couldn’t see Buffy dressed up in five-inch heels and sporting a whip, but fitted out as a schoolgirl…well, that was Buffy to perfection.


Cordy patted Buffy’s hand and told her, she was going to help her by getting all the clothes to make up a good impression of a school uniform. As soon as they finished eating she dragged Buffy off to the mall with Cooper trailing behind at a discreet, but acceptable distance.


They found the blouse in one store, and though it wasn’t exactly a school shirt, it would certainly pass for one. Cordy rushed her off again in search of a skirt. She squealed with glee, when she came across the perfect pleated mini skirt in a pale gray. She made Buffy go into the changing rooms, to try it on and followed her in so she could see for herself. Once Buffy put it on, Cordy smirked and declared Spike a dead man. Buffy blushed at her own reflection, swearing she would never wear it, she would just let Cordy think she would. She wouldn’t even tell Spike about the silly things.


The same store had a good selection of stockings and socks and Cordy insisted, to finish off the uniform and to complete the fantasy, she had to wear knee length white socks. Buffy whispered that she thought she might need a necktie. Cordy pursed her lips as she realized they couldn’t go into a men’s clothes store without Cooper asking questions, so she suggested Buffy either use one of Spike’s own ties or if she couldn’t find anything suitable, she substitute a satin ribbon tied in a bow around her neck in place of the missing tie and not to forget to arrange her hair into pretty bunches with matching ribbons, and not to wear high heels. Little sixteen-year-old, virgin schoolgirls didn’t wear heels, she reminded her. Buffy nodded and gulped, believing she would never have the nerve to ever go through with it. She wished she’d never told her friend about the whole stupid fantasy.


Now, after taking her bath, she was sitting on the couch in front of the TV, eating an informal dinner with Cooper as her memory of her shopping trip played out in her mind again. She tried to remind herself why she’d told Spike about the clothes, but she couldn’t remember…it had been an impulse…a mad, crazy impulse. For two weeks, the clothes remained hidden in their bag at the back of the wardrobe and she had intended for them to remain there for a lot longer.


Her nerves were building again and she wondered how she was going to get through the next few hours, but it was too late to back out now. She’d told Spike and she knew he would be expecting to see a schoolgirl when he came up.


Buffy realized she was distracted and Cooper was picking up on it too. She’d jumped more than once when he spoke to her, breaking into her illicit thoughts, but he took her jumpy state for worry and nerves over the reception and advised her, an early night was exactly what she needed. Guiltily, she smiled at him and said goodnight, then she padded off to bed, dressed in her respectable pj’s, fuzzy robe and slippers.


With the bedroom door firmly closed, Buffy allowed her mind to go over the other reason why she should see this through. Masters…Spike wasn’t telling her everything she was sure, though what exactly he was holding back she couldn’t tell and that was a good enough reason in her mind, not to give in to her fears. She was sure Spike was telling her the truth, when she asked about Angel, but the fear alone, for a moment had overwhelmed her and she had clung to Spike, scared that everything they were working towards wouldn’t even get the chance to come to fulfillment and that Masters would force Spike, to send her to New York.


Buffy wondered why the thoughts of being sent to New York, frightened her so much more now, than it had only a few short weeks ago and the only conclusion she could come up with, was that she really was getting used to her new life and as strange as it seemed, at times she found herself optimistic and cheerful about her future and she knew that was thanks to Spike. He’d been treating her so much better in the last few weeks, though he still remained moody and bad tempered at times, but since he’d disposed of all the bugs, she was able to relax a good deal more with him and she found their time together was becoming more natural and even enjoyable.


Buffy pulled the bag, containing her costume out of its hiding place and emptied the contents onto the bed. The blouse looked a bit rumpled, but she was pretty sure that once she put it on, the rumples would smooth out. She sat at the dressing table, combing her hair out and worked a parting down the centre, so she could divide her hair into two even bunches, but because her hair was so long, the bunches looked silly. Instead, she opted for a cute high ponytail and curled a few loose strands to sit sweetly around her face. Finally, she tied a scarlet ribbon at the top and decided to use a matching ribbon in place of the necktie.


Keeping in mind what Cordy had said about trying to pass herself off as a little virgin schoolgirl, she kept her make up very light, a little foundation, a hint of blusher, a few sweeps of her mascara wand and her trusty strawberry flavored, pink lip gloss. Once Buffy was satisfied her make up was right she went to get dressed. A white push up bra and a pair of tiny white panties, with little bows at the hips were what she chose to wear under her costume. Nervously, Buffy checked her appearance at every stage, wanting to get this right. She wriggled into the skirt and quickly put the blouse on, leaving a couple of buttons undone to allow a good view of her new and improved cleavage. The long knee socks, really did add a schoolgirl look to her outfit and she dug out a pair of lace-up tennis shoes for her feet. Standing back, Buffy took a long hard look at herself. She looked like something out of a magazine…but not exactly a fashion mag. She groaned, and thanked God her mother couldn’t see her. She giggled nervously as a small thrill of excitement rippled through her.


Okay, time to phone Spike! Yeks! She made her way to the phone and dialed Spike’s study. He picked up on the second ring.


“Spike.”


“Hello kitten.”


“Er…I…”


“You ready for me kitten?”


“Yes.”


“I’m on my way.”


He hung up. Buffy gazed at the dead phone in her hand.


*****

Spike grabbed his brief case and set the alarm on his study before locking the door. There was no one about in the hallway and he made his way swiftly to the elevator, his mind firmly on Buffy and the hours of fun he anticipated. He could feel his heart rate increasing and his arousal swelling. He was shocked to find he was nervous. He couldn’t remember the last time a woman had made him nervous…not since he was a teenager maybe. The doors opened and he stepped in…his palms were sweaty. He quickly wiped them on his suit pants, trying to think how he wanted this to play out. He hoped Buffy would go along with a few suggestions he wanted to put to her, but he realized she might not be up for role play games just yet, and it would be enough just to see her dressed up for now. The doors opened on his floor and he made his way along the landing.


Cooper was sitting on the couch and there was no sign of Buffy…not that he expected to see her in the sitting room.


Cooper glanced at him over his shoulder. “You’re back a lot earlier than I expected, you just missed Buffy by twenty minutes,” he told him.


“Yeah.”


“Yeah, the poor thing was tired out,” Cooper said.


Spike smiled. “She’s not the only one mate and if you don’t mind I think I’ll join her.”


Cooper rose from the couch and turned off the TV. “Sure thing, I’ll catch the rest of the game in my room.” He picked up his jacket and quickly made his way out, bidding him a goodnight.


Spike stared at the closed door for a moment and then quickly went to lock it. Making his way to the bar, he pulled a secret drawer open and took out the device that allowed him to scan for electronic bugs. Once he was satisfied the area was clear, he put the gadget back and closed the drawer.


He pulled a bottle of champagne from the mini fridge and snagged a couple of glasses from the shelf. He sat on the arm of the couch before picking up the phone and dialing the bedroom. Buffy picked up immediately.


“Hello kitten.”


“Spike?” she sounded puzzled. “Where are you?”


“In the other room,” he smiled at her breathless tone. Was she nervous or excited he wondered?


“Oh! What are you doing in there?” She whispered.


Spike chuckled. “Talkin’ to you.”


She sighed. “Well I know that, but why are you in the other room talking to me?”


“Well I jus’ wanted to get a few things straight,” he said, seriously.


“What things?” Now, she sounded nervous. He cursed himself, because that was the last thing he wanted.


Hesitantly, he explained. “Well for one, I wanted to know if we were playin’ a game…what with you all dressed up, I didn’t know if you wanted to–”


She interrupted. “What kind of game?” Cordy had mentioned games, but Buffy had no experience with games and wondered what he could mean.


Now she sounded curious, Spike chuckled. “Like the one I told you ‘bout…you know…schoolgirl and teacher.”


“Er…I’ve never – do you want to play a game?” She whispered.


Spike groaned, realizing she’d just handed it to him. “I’d love to kitten, but not if you don’t want to…remember what I told you ‘bout anythin’ new we try…I said it was your decision if you wanted to try new things and this is definitely new, so it’s up to you,” he said hopefully.


“But I don’t know if I want to try it…I’ve never done anything like this before. What would I have to do?” Spike could hear the uncertainty in her voice and could just imagine her biting her lip.


“Nothin’ much kitten, jus’ take your lead from me, I’ll guide you…we’ll keep it fun, nothin’ too wild or outlandish, jus’ some silly fun and if at any time you want to stop you jus’ tell me and we’ll stop,” he reassured her. He hoped she’d go for it, but he didn’t want to pressure her.


“What are the other things you wanted to straighten out?” she asked.


“Oh nothin’ to worry ‘bout…its jus’ if we’re playin’ a game I want you to come out ‘ere to me, but if we’re not then I’d want you to stay where you are,” he explained.


“Oh,” she was quiet then. “Do you want to play a game?” she asked again.


“I already told you…I’d love to.” He held his breath, he had a good feeling about this and he waited for her to decide.


“Okay, we’ll try it…but you’ll stop if I say so?” She told him.


Thrilled, Spike said, “Absolutely kitten…now if you want to stop the game I want you to use a safe word, that’s a word you wouldn’t normally use in your usual conversation, so the word we’ll use is ‘London Bridge’ okay, is that clear?”


“Yes.”


“Now, do you want to start the game as soon as you come out of the room, or maybe you’d prefer to ease into it?” He wanted to give her as much control as possible, so he guided her along the first steps with a sense of wonder.


“Er…ease into it.”


Spike thought she sounded nervous again and knew he better get things under way, before she lost her nerve. “Okay kitten, c’mon out and let me get a look at you.” He hung up and turned to face the bedroom, his heart pounding and his cock twitching with anticipation.


Sixty seconds later he was still waiting, he wondered if she had lost her nerve. Then slowly the door opened and she was standing there. Spike thought his heart would stop…she was a vision, arousal pumped along his veins and he was sure his eyes must be standing out of his head. She seemed rooted to the spot, swallowing nervously, he took a couple of hesitant steps toward her.


The costume was fantastic and she looked about fifteen years old in it. He was suddenly so glad she was older, because with her dressed like that, if he didn’t know her he would have a hard time believing she was indeed older. He had a sudden image of her at fifteen or sixteen, he just knew she must have broken more than a few hearts and probably had all the boys lusting after her.


The idea turned him on powerfully. Slowly, he stalked towards her. She filled his senses and he was dying to touch her. Nervously, she fiddled with a scarlet ribbon tied around her throat. Spike knew he would have to keep a tight control of himself, if they were going to play a game…he was so hard already. He would have to move things on as quickly as possible just to get a little relief.


Gently, he took her hand, not trusting himself to touch any other part of her and led her further into the room. His eyes danced over her outfit lustfully. She had left her blouse unbuttoned at the top and he could see a tantalizing amount of her pretty tits and the skirt was so short he just knew, he would be able to see her knickers if she bent over. His mouth watered at the idea and for a long moment, he couldn’t take his eyes off her smooth thighs.


Steeling himself he concentrated on trying to get to the game. “You look fantastic luv and if I didn’t know better I’d ‘ave sworn you were only fifteen, but since that’s a pervy age for a guy to lust after, for the purpose of our game you’ll be sixteen.” He bent his head to kiss her on the brow in a chaste, gentle manner.


Buffy’s eyes were wide and bright as she gazed up at him, she seemed smaller and he realized she was wearing flat shoes. He smiled at her reassuringly, when all the while, all he wanted to do was throw her to the floor and fuck her.


“Sixteen, that’s not a lot of difference,” she commented, blushing shyly.


“No, but it’s the legal age of consent in Britain and since I’m British that’s the age I’d like you to think of yourself as…is that okay…we can go older if you’re uncomfortable with it, I don’t mind really.” He couldn’t tell if she was in agreement or not, she looked dazed.


“No, that’s okay…I think.”


He chuckled. “The trick is to remember it’s only a game, but while you’re playin’ it, it’s as real as you want to make it and the more detail you can create to help you build a believable structure, the easier it’ll be for you to lose yourself in your role…so that’s why it’s important to get these things right.”


“Oh, okay…I get it…so what else do we need to add?” she asked, hesitantly.


Spike just knew she would catch on quickly, but for this first time he didn’t think it too important to create too many details. “Well how ‘bout our names…we could keep the ones we’ve got, or we could ‘ave pretend names.”


“I think I’d feel silly if you started calling me something else…not that I don’t feel silly dressed like this.” Buffy glanced at her clothes and blushed when she noticed how he was looking at her.


Spike rushed on. “Okay, we keep our own names…are you ready to begin?” He gazed at her flushed face.


“Is that it…don’t we need to add more details?” she asked as he took her hand again and led her over to the small table in the corner of the room.


Spike shook his head. “Not really, we can always add more as we go along and besides, if we ‘ave a good time doing this tonight, the chances are we’ll keep addin’ to it each time we play, until we’ve perfected it and that’ll take time…for now, we’re jus’ havin’ a bit of fun…okay?”


Buffy nodded.


Spike pulled a chair out for her and she sat down, the tiny skirt riding even higher up her legs, if that was possible. “You ready?” He swallowed painfully. His throat was dry at the sight of her tanned legs.


Buffy nodded, nervously.


*************************************************************
TBC...soon.

 

Chapter Fifty Two.

The Perfect A.


Mr. Winters took a seat opposite his unruly student and pulled his briefcase towards him. “Well Ms. Summers, it would seem once again you find yourself in detention…and as it’s down to me once again to punish you. I think we should begin with the time honored tradition of lines.” He handed her a blank notebook and a pencil and waited to see what she would make of her cue.


She didn’t disappoint. She took the book and pencil from him and frowned at him. “I don’t see why I have to do this…it’s not my fault.” She faltered slightly but managed to hold a straight face.


“Not your fault! When you know fine well that it’s my policy to ‘ave all assignments handed in on time…there are no exceptions, not even for pretty little cheerleaders who think they can get out of trouble jus’ by battin’ their eyelashes and flashin’ their short skirts all over school.” Fuck! This is fun, he thought.


Mr. Winters folded his hands in a stern manner in front of him on top of the table.


Buffy blinked at him for a second. “I did not flash anything Spi…Mr. er…Winters and I resent you implying that I would stoop so low, just to get myself out of trouble in that way…it was only one assignment,” she argued.


“Yes, but this isn’t the first time I’ve dragged your pretty little hide in for detention and if you give me any more sass, I’ll be forced to give you a failin’ grade…in fact…I think I will.” He leaned over the table towards her, intimidating and cold as he gazed at her insolently. “Now tell me, what are you going to do ‘bout it?”


She gasped, indignantly. “You can’t do that.”


He rose from his seat and stood behind her. He ran his fingers through the silky strands of her ponytail and whispered in her ear. “Oh, yes I can…there’s no one to stop me…though I’m sure if you worked really hard, you’d be able to think of a way to make me change my mind.”


She spluttered, “What do you mean?”


He breathed heavy at her neck and lightly trailed a finger over her throat, playing with the scarlet ribbon decorating the smooth column. “Oh, I think you know what I mean…I’ve been watchin’ you for quite some time Ms. Summers and I’ve seen you flirtin’ with other members of staff, and let’s not forget how you string-along half the boys in school with your pouty, looks and swayin’ ass…I’m not a little boy Ms. Summers, you can’t keep showin’ up in my class, dressed like that and not expect to attract a certain amount of attention from me.” He rested his hands on her shoulders and slowly glided them down her arms, as he gazed lustfully at the perfect view of her breasts.


“Mr. Winters I don’t think you should be doing that,” she said, timidly.


“Really…do you want to fail my class Ms. Summers?”


“No.”


“Then what do you suggest to do…to make me change my mind?”


“I-I…I don’t know Mr. Winters, but I’d be willing to work very hard to catch up.” Buffy was finally beginning to get into the swing of it and she guessed Spike wanted her to take a more forward role. “But I can’t fail this class Mr. Winters. My mother will ground me until I’m twenty,” she whined.


Spike smiled when she finally joined in. “Well, that’s jus’ another reason for you to think of somethin’ to make me change my mind.” He leaned casually on the edge of the table directly in front of her. She gazed up into his face. “Now tell me truthfully…did you wear that little skirt and blouse jus’ to get my attention?”


“Yes,” she whispered. “But please don’t report me Mr. Winters…if you do, the principle will expel me.” She pleaded prettily and placed a timid hand on his knee.


“Then I can assume you’ll be a good girl and do somethin’ to put all this right?” He stroked her hand.


She nodded. “Yes…what would you like me to do?”


“Well, I’m sure a pretty little girl like you must’ve had lots of boyfriends…you must know what to do with a boy?” He tugged the ribbon from her neck and twirled it in his fingers, leering at her.


“Oh! No, Mr. Winters…I’m a good girl. My mother says I’m too young to date.” She looked at him coyly.


“Then I guess I’ll ‘ave to teach you…would you like to learn how to please me?”


She nodded her head, shyly.


He rose from his position at the table and sat back in his seat. “Come ‘ere Ms. Summers.”


She stood and walked to him, hesitantly.


“On your knees, sweet’eart.”


She knelt in front of him and watched as he opened his pants and took his cock out. She gasped, shocked. “Have you ever seen a man’s penis before?”


She shook her head, wide-eyed as she stared at him.


“Have you ever touched one before?”


She shook her head again.


“Tell me Ms. Summers, are you a virgin?”


She nodded. Buffy didn’t trust herself to talk…this was really turning her on. His voice was so low and sexy and the way he was looking at her was so hot. She could feel herself pooling in her panties.


“That’s good. Now give me your hand.” She gave him her hand and he placed it on his cock. He guided her in a slow rhythm and watched her face as she acted out the game. She looked as if she was enjoying it. She was all flushed and her breathing was picking up, her breasts heaving, beautifully.


Buffy looked at him. She was suddenly tempted to lean forward and take him into her mouth, but she knew she couldn’t. She was suppose to be a shy, sixteen-year-old girl, with no experience with men. He let go of her hand and gazed at her as she continued to stroke him. She smiled shyly at him. “Am I doing it right Mr. Winters?” she asked, coyly.


Spike jerked in her hand, thrilled she was beginning to improvise. “Hmm…yes, it’s very nice Ms. Summers, but it lacks something,” he teased.


“Oh, but you have to tell me…I don’t want to get this wrong and fail my class…please, Mr. Winters…please, tell me what to do,” she pleaded.


“Very well.” He leaned forward and cupped her pretty face in his hands and gently pulled her towards him. “Kiss me,” he told her.


She tilted her face up and pressed her lips to his in a chaste kiss. Spike nearly chuckled. “Call that a kiss Ms. Summers…tut tut…I can see I’ve got my work cut out for me…open your mouth.”


She did as he told her and he kissed her deeply, pushing his tongue into her sweet mouth, drawing her out, until she was kissing him back. The kiss became passionate, each giving as much of themselves as possible. Groaning, he released her. She opened her eyes, panting softly.


“That’s better…that was a nice kiss. Now I’m going to teach you how to kiss in a different way.” She continued to steadily stroke his cock. He was dying to bury it between her lush lips.


“Kiss my cock,” he whispered huskily. She gasped loudly and looked at him, alarmed. Fuck! She’s really getting into this, Spike thought, thrilled and aroused all at once. She hesitated, just enough to make it believable.


Shyly, she kissed his cock, pulling back quickly as soon as her lips had pressed a tiny kiss to the tip. Fuck! He was really enjoying her little act. It was so perfect and he was sure she was deliberately drawing it out, forcing him to keep pushing her forward.


“That was nice but, I’m sure you can do better…try again, and this time use your tongue…taste me a little,” he instructed her silkily.


She kept shooting little glances between him and his cock. Spike could see she was thinking of something. “If I do…will that mean you won’t fail me?” she asked, shyly.


“That depends on how well you do…so if you want to pass…you better make this good.” He stroked her face and smiled at her. “It’s okay…I’m sure you’ll do jus’ fine,” he soothed.


She nodded and lowered her head over his raging hard-on. Spike had to grit his teeth when he felt her swipe her tongue over the tip. “That’s good…now lick up and down…yes, like that.” He was finding it hard to stay in character. She was just too good at this.


Buffy tried to hold back, but she found it almost impossible. He tasted so good and she really wanted him to touch her, but he was acting-out his part and pretending to be aloof. She licked up and down his hard length with a flat tongue, swirling the tip skillfully over his weeping head. He tasted musky and smelled like arousal and need. She groaned with her own need, marveling at how he could affect her so strongly when he wasn’t even touching her. Looking at him through her eyelashes, she could see his face was a picture of enjoyment. She wanted to make this work and judging by his face, she was doing okay, but Buffy thought she could do better and make it memorable for him.


She pulled back slightly. “You taste nice Mr. Winters,” she whispered.


Fuckfuckfuck!…Fuck! Spike nearly choked. She had never said anything like that to him before and he wasn’t sure if it was just the game bringing out this side of her, or if she’d really meant to say it.


Buffy thought he’d gone dumb. He was gazing at her, like he was looking at her for the first time. She smiled and licked her lips. “Would you like me to kiss you again Mr. Winters?” His cock twitched in her hand.


He nodded his head, weakly.


Buffy opened her mouth and took him in. He suddenly gripped her shoulders and groaned deeply. She pushed his knees further apart so she could get closer. Quickly, she was sucking him in earnest, swallowing around his head when he nudged the back of her throat and sucking hard on his engorged head when she reached the top. Lost to her blissful blowjob, Spike nearly screamed when she pulled back.


“Am I doing better now Mr. Winters,” she asked, innocently.


His hands went to fondle her breasts. She gasped loudly. “Yes, Ms. Summers much better…but if you want to pass, you’ll put my cock back in your mouth and keep going until I tell you to stop.” He told her as he rubbed his thumb over her nipple.


“But if I do that y-you’ll…you’ll come in my mouth and it’ll be all yucky…I don’t think I’d like that.” She told him, even as she kept stroking him firmly.


“Well that’s up to you…but you’ll fail if you don’t…besides, don’t you want to learn how to do this properly?” He worked a couple of her blouse buttons undone and admired her lovely tits. She was wearing a sexy push up bra and he longed to bury his face in her cleavage and just smell her.


She bit her lip nervously and looked at him, nodding her head.


“Then don’t be afraid…you said I taste nice and if you let me come in your mouth, I promise you’ll like it,” he coaxed.


She sighed and nodded again before lowering her head once more and sucking him deeply. She worked him quick this time. He gasped when he felt her little hands fumbling at the fastening of his pants. He pushed a hand into her bra and squeezed her soft tit, groaning as she moaned around him. Placing his other hand on her head, he encouraged her movements as he lightly gripped her ponytail and helped her speed up her bobbing motion.


Groaning loudly, he thrust his hips up. “That’s good Ms. Summers…now faster…suck harder…c’mon Ms. Summers…that’s perfect…jus’ a bit faster.”


Buffy managed to open his pants and slip her hand in to fondle his heavy balls. She felt an immediate change as they tightened in her hand and she knew he was about to come. She moaned and rubbed her breast against his hand. She felt him throb in her mouth, hard and strong just before he exploded.


Gasping, he gazed at her as she continued to suck and caress him as he shot his hot seed into her. She swallowed around him and kept sucking as his semen spurted down her throat. She looked gorgeous sucking on him.


She pulled back and stood up looking down at him. Slowly, she brought her hand up to her mouth and wiped her lips with a finger, catching a stray drop of his seed. She looked at the pearly white drop on her fingertip and capturing his heated gaze, she slowly brought her finger to her mouth and delicately licked the drop off her finger as she gazed at him with desire burning in her eyes.


Spike felt himself begin to harden again.


“Did I pass Mr. Winters?” she asked, coyly.


Spike laughed. “Fuck! Yes.” He couldn’t help slipping out of character and smiling at her.


Quickly, he adopted a stern expression as he tucked himself away and straightened up slightly. “That was very good Ms. Summers and while I think you do deserve to pass, now we need to discuss your grade.” He leered at her. “I think I could be persuaded to give you an A, but you’ll ‘ave to work for it.”


“What will I have to do?” she asked, nervously.


He smirked at her and gripped her hips, pulling her closer. He let her go and sat back in his chair leisurely. “Lift your skirt…let me see your knickers.”


Blushing, she slowly raised the hem of her skirt, exposing her white panties.


“Very pretty Ms. Summers…now take them off,” he told her huskily.


Gazing at him, she slowly pulled her panties down and carefully stepped out of them. He snatched them from her hand and sniffed them as he rubbed the dampness with his fingers. He groaned.


“Well, well Ms. Summers…did suckin’ me off make you wet?” He licked the damp spot, tasting her unashamedly.


Buffy gasped and was shocked to feel a new flood of moisture seep from her pussy. She squirmed and shuffled her feet, pressing her thighs together.


Spike saw her reaction and knew he would find her very wet. “Lift your skirt and stand with your feet apart,” he instructed her.


She complied half reluctantly, blushing as he gazed at her. His hands came up and he slid them around her thighs and slowly he caressed her pert bum. “Turn around,” he ordered.


He gripped her hips and swiveled her about when she didn’t do it quick enough. He lifted her skirt high and fondled her round bum. Buffy was shocked to feel him place a gentle kiss to each cheek. “Well, that’s very nice, Ms. Summers…very, very nice.” He pulled her back swiftly and slipped his hand over her smooth mound.


“Oh, you’re very pretty ‘ere,” He squeezed her mound. “Now, I’m going to taste you and you’re going to keep hold of your tiny little skirt and not move one muscle…do you understand Ms. Summers?”


She nodded, panting and blushing in turn.


Spike fell to his knees in front of her and pushed a finger into her. She gasped and he could feel her inner muscles clench around his digit as he probed inside her…she was very…very wet.


“Has no one ever touched you like this Ms. Summers?” he asked as he slowly dragged his finger in and out of her wet depths, spreading her liquid over and around her pussy.


She moaned softly, shaking her head. “No, sir,” she breathed.


His finger froze when he realized what she’d just called him. God, she’s really into this game…I knew she would…she’s so perfect. Spike was overjoyed she could surrender so much of herself to him and awed by her subconscious display of trust. She looked at him, her eyes full of need and longing.


He smiled at her softly. “Move your feet a bit further apart Ms. Summers…let me in.” She shuffled her feet, giving him more room. “Now keep hold of your skirt, and remember your performance will affect your grade.”


He dipped his head and licked her. Buffy trembled. Spike smiled at her and licked her again. He watched her as her pretty face expressed how she was feeling. She was unable to hide exactly how turned on she was. He grazed her thighs with a soft touch and placed little kisses over the soft flesh of her mound. His hands worked their way higher until he brushed his fingers over her pussy. She smelt fantastic and he watched as her juices flowed from her and trickled down her legs. She shivered as he trailed first a finger in the trickle and then dragged his tongue over the liquid path, licking her clean.


Spike soon realized he was going to get a sore neck if he remained in that position, so he stood up and guided her over to the seating area.


He dragged the coffee table nearer to the couch. “Stand on the table Ms. Summers.” He offered her his hand to help her up. She looked at him a bit puzzled but did as he asked. Once she was in position, he sat on the edge of the couch and began licking her again.


Buffy couldn’t believe the naughty things he was doing. She was still clutching her skirt while she stood on the coffee table, as he went at her with his mouth and fingers. Panting, she moved her pussy over his mouth, gasping, when he caught hold of her and moved her faster and faster. His tongue was sliding in and out of her at a speed that made her dizzy. He stopped, suddenly.


Alarmed, her eyes popped open. She watched him lie on the couch. “Come ‘ere and kneel over me,” he urged her.


Quickly, Buffy stepped off the coffee table…but it was only then that she noticed she still had her shoes on. She was just about to kick them off when he snapped at her. “Leave them.”


She quickly straddled his shoulders and he pulled her forward, latching his mouth to her pussy and sucking her hard. Buffy screamed with the sudden assault, nearly collapsing but Spike held her up, forcing her to remain upright as he fucked her with his tongue. She screamed again as her climax hit her and Spike kept at her, sucking and licking her as his fingers pumped her. She felt him push a third finger inside her and groaned as he stretched her. Gently, he bit down on her clit and she whimpered, loving the way he was playing with her. She trembled, wanting more.


She looked at him as he slipped his fingers out of her core, licking at all the sweet juices that flowed from her. He gazed at her and held her hips, pulling her forward slightly. “I want you to ride my mouth Ms. Summers.”


He moved her hips for her, building the speed steadily until she was moving back and forth rapidly. Buffy squealed as his nose repeatedly bumped her sensitive clit as she moved. His hands left her hips and fondled her breasts. Buffy kept the pace going, only moving when she needed to while letting her body tell her how to achieve what she was craving.


Spike could feel her body quaking. Her movements lost their rhythm as she screamed again. Moisture trickled into his mouth and he swallowed as she came again. Gradually, she slowed and stopped, panting heavily. He moved her off him and placed her back on the couch. She lay there recovering slowly, her eyes closed and her breasts heaving.


When her breathing returned to a more normal pace, he kissed her softly. “That earns you a ‘C’ grade Ms. Summers…do you want to try for an ‘A’?”


She struggled into a half sitting position. “WHAT! Are you crazy? That, was worth at least a B,” she protested.


Spike chuckled. She was glowing. Her face was flushed and her breasts were heaving as she frowned at him. “And I would agree with you, but you let go of your skirt,” he informed her.


Buffy looked at him hard…trying to remember if he was right, but she couldn’t. She fumed and met his smirk bravely.


“Fine…what do I have to do?” she asked, worriedly.


“Let me fuck you,” he leered.


“MR. WINTERS! I…I can’t let you do that,” she said, indignantly.


Spike smiled. She’d recovered quickly and lapsed back into her role.


“Of course you can Ms. Summers…jus’ think ‘bout it…you get an A and no one will ever know…I’ll never tell, and jus’ think how proud your mother would be if you got an A,” he coaxed.


At the mention of her mother, Buffy giggled suddenly, her eyes wide and mirthful, but she bit her lip and controlled herself quickly. “But I’m a virgin Mr. Winters,” she wailed.


He shook his head. “Not for long…you know you want to…c’mon Ms. Summers…you can’t tell me that you don’t want to…I’ve seen you lookin’ at me, and those clothes…those little knickers, and there’s no way I’d believe you didn’t enjoy what I jus’ did to you…you did enjoy it…didn’t you?”


“Yes…but, I still don’t think I should let you…let you…er…do that naughty thing…my mother would kill me if she found out what I’ve done,” she tried to explain.


He pulled her over him. “Then we better make sure she never finds out.” She was straddling his hips and he was fingering her again, making her moan and shiver.


Suddenly, his voice became low and sexy as he whispered with a deep intensity, dark and heavy. “I’d love to have been your first…the first man to touch you and feel you…” He caressed her face softly with his fingertips, staring deeply into her soft eyes. “To hear you moan and sigh…the first to make love to you. Oh God, yes, I’d love to have been your first…I’d have been so gentle, made sure you enjoyed it…pleased you…made it so sweet for you.” He kissed her gently on the mouth. “And I can now…if you let me…please let me.”


Buffy gulped and looked at him. The things he was saying were sweet and pleading yet, also erotic and compelling. Buffy was rocked to her core by his words and for a moment she wondered how much truth were in them. Did he dream and fantasize about being her first? She gazed into his blue eyes and saw something there she’d never seen before. Suddenly, her heart was beating rapidly and she didn’t think it had anything to do with the game. What was happening to her?


Spike noticed her odd look of panic and cursed the stupidity of his words. They were supposed to be playing a game, light-hearted and fun and he was being too serious. He’d foolishly slipped-up and let his feelings for her surface. Quickly, he assumed his role again and tried to cover his error.


Spike’s voice snapped her out of her thoughts. “What are you worried ‘bout…I already told you I won’t tell and I’m sure you won’t, I can feel how nice and wet your pretty little pussy is…I know you wanna,” he whispered huskily, kissing her neck softly.


Dazed, Buffy whispered, “Okay.”


“Good girl…take my cock out.” She did as he told her, rubbing him gently and smiling at him.


Pulling her up, he guided his cock to her entrance and pushed gently into her as she slid down over him. Spike sighed and held her still, allowing her to get comfortable on his cock. He wrapped his arms around her, gently cradling her to his chest. He just simply wanted to hold her for a few precious moments. He closed his eyes, getting lost in the blissful feel of her in his arms and on his cock.


Slowly, they worked together, gradually building the pace. They were in no hurry to reach fulfillment, as they savored and relished in the perfect timeless beauty of the others’ body. Long minutes passed as they moved as one…touching and kissing…thrusting and sighing, until in a swift move that surprised her, Spike stood with her and quickly walked with her still on his cock to the nearest wall. Buffy gasped, as his thrusts grew stronger. Instinctively, she gripped him with her thighs and thrust with him.


Buffy was stunned as he grunted with each powerful thrust, his hips lifting her up the wall, bumping her rhythmically as he maintained a staggering speed. Something crashed to the floor but he didn’t slow or stop.


She needed him to slow down. He was hurting her and she knew he was unaware of it. Tangling her hands in his hair, she tugged his head up. As soon as he looked at her, he slowed. “Sorry,” he mumbled, his face twisted with need.


Sliding her down the wall, he knelt with her and lowered her to the carpet. He smiled at her. “Is that better?”


She nodded, gratefully.


He smiled again. “You’re such a little girl,” he whispered. His head was tilted to one side as he looked at her with an odd expression.


Buffy didn’t know if they were still in the game, but he hadn’t said the safe word so she decided they were, though what he’d meant exactly by his last comment she wasn’t sure.


“And you’re a very bad man,” she whispered back.


He smirked and thrust hard, making her gasp. She wrapped her arms around him and lifted herself up to kiss him. Their lips locked and Spike thrust again and again, delighting in her soft moans. She tried to pull away from the kiss, but he held her tight, forcing her to accept more. She was gasping when he finally released her.


Oh God, Oh God, Oh God…he feels so good and if he kisses me like that again, I’ll die, she thought. His steady thrusts were building again and she planted her feet on the carpet and thrust with him, her need for him driving her to act out of character. Spike picked up on her signals. Her little hands were everywhere, trying to remove his clothes so she could touch him. She sighed when she reached his flesh, rubbing her hands over his muscular back.


“And I think there’s a bit of a bad girl in you too Ms. Summers,” he teased.


She quickly replied. “I was a good girl until I met you Mr. Winters.”


Spike wasn’t sure if she was talking about the game or real life. Her reply could fit either and he realized he didn’t mind if she meant real life. He was sure she was right. If she hadn’t met him, Little Ms. Buffy Summers would never have done half the things he’d managed to persuade her to do. It thrilled him all over again just to think of all the things he had yet to teach her and how that was going to be possible now that her trust in him was building.


“Good or bad…I don’t mind. I’ll take you anyway you want…‘cause you’re my girl now,” he whispered.


Buffy glanced at him, sure he was reminding her of her real position with him. She was hurt he would do that…Why did he have to say that? She wondered. Then she wondered if he was reminding her or himself that she belonged to him. It had never occurred to her before that he could just be saying it to reassure himself. She glanced at him again, but couldn’t see anything in his expression that told her he’d said it to be cruel, but how could she be sure. Then she thought about all the times he’d lost his temper…Spike wasn’t the kind of man capable of hiding that much of himself, though he might try. Buffy thought she should learn to try and read him a bit better.


He turned his head and kissed her, sweeping his tongue into her mouth and stealing what little breath she had. Her thoughts melted away under the pressure of his lips and his relentless thrusts. She moaned, feeling the coiling energy build in her womb. She pushed back hard.


Suddenly, he rolled them, letting her take over. Without breaking rhythm, she thrust onto him. He pushed her skirt up, watching her slide over his cock. “Oh, that’s perfect…for a virgin…you fuck beautifully Ms. Summers,” he panted.


She gasped and thrust harder. She wanted to see the game out to the end so she thought hard about what to say next…not that it was easy with his cock creating such wonderful sensations within her. “Good enough for an A.” She panted.


He grinned dirtily. “Maybe…depends on how hard you make me come.”


The last of Buffy’s inhibitions slipped away and she smiled at him sweetly…yet, deadly. Spike, seeing her smile, had enough time to fleetingly think he was toast when she stopped moving and leaned over him, positioning her pretty tits within licking distance. She grabbed his hands and pinned them beside his head on the carpet.


“You want me to make you come hard?” She whispered so low he hardly heard her. She was breathing rapidly, her breasts tantalized him. He tried to raise his head to lick them but she pulled back just out of reach. He dropped his head to the carpet, groaning in frustration.


She slid her pussy over him just once and stopped again. Spike groaned. “I could do that,” Buffy had learned one sure way to get him off was to talk dirty to him and though she was always unsure of herself, she was learning. “You feel nice and hard Mr. Winters,” she moved her hips a fraction. “Are you always this hard?”


Spike gulped. “Only for you sweet’eart.”


She licked her lips provocatively. “And you feel so big…are all men as big as you?”


“No baby they’re not…but I’m glad you…Aaargh…” She reached behind her and squeezed his balls.


“Then I’m a lucky girl…to have such a big, hard cock for my first.” She bounced on him, making him gasp and pant.


She let go of his other arm and sat up. “You’re a naughty man Mr. Winters…doing naughty, naughty things to your students.” He couldn’t speak. He was gritting his teeth in blissful agony as she ground her pussy onto his cock. “Look how wet you’ve made me…I’m all sticky and I feel all funny in my tummy…like I want something…but I don’t know what it is,” she pouted. “You’ve made me all hot and sweaty.” She unbuttoned the rest of her blouse and slipped it off her shoulders. “You make me feel all naughty Mr. Winters.” She rubbed his balls again and watched his face twist into an expression of tortured pleasure. “You make me feel all dirty.”


Spike undid her bra, freeing her tits and pulled her down so he could latch his mouth to a pink nipple. She moaned and wiggled her hips, rubbing her clit on the base of his cock.


Spike licked her nipple to a hard peak and sucked hard, while he plucked the other nipple with his fingers. She was moaning as she moved her hips back and forth. Spike was ecstatic. She was taking her pleasure unashamedly and joyously like the beautiful goddess she was. She pulled away from him and he groaned with the loss of contact.


She reached for his balls again, rubbing him gently. “I want to come with you,” she whispered, as she slipped the fingers of her other hand over her clit and started rubbing herself.


“OH FUCK!” he yelled, grabbing her skirt and pulling it out of his way so he could watch her.


She was riding his cock with abandon as she simultaneously rubbed his balls and her clit. Spike knew he couldn’t last…the vision of her working both of them, combined with her childishly naughty dialogue and the truly fan-fucking-tastic sensations she was provoking was too much for him. He gripped her skirt and thrust up as hard as he could, without dislodging her or breaking her rhythm. His eyes locked to her hands and pussy. He willed her to keep going. He had never been so desperate for a woman in his life and he knew he would never get enough of her. She was perfect.


Buffy looked at him. Her eyes were glazed with lust and Spike took in as much of the vision as he could…it was happening too quickly…he wanted to prolong it, but he couldn’t…her tits were bouncing freely as she thrust herself wildly on him. He didn’t know where to look…she was glorious.


“OH…OH, God,” she panted. “OH…Oh…Mr. Winters…I’m think I’m coming…can you feel it…feel me?”


“FUCK YES BABY! You feel fuckin’ great…keep going baby…I’ll come with you,” he frantically gasped.


She screamed and convulsed as her orgasm broke. Spike gripped her hips and kept her moving as she faltered, thrusting her down onto his raging cock…once…twice. “AAARGH…FUCK…BUFFY…BUFFY BABY…”


She collapsed on top of him, panting. Spike’s arms came around her, holding her close as he recovered.


Long minutes passed as they lay on the carpet waiting for their breathing to return to normal. Spike stroked her face and pushed the sweaty strands of her wispy curls off her brow. Her eyes were closed and he pressed a light kiss to her cheek.


“That was a definite ‘A’ Ms. Summers,” he murmured, kissing her again.


Buffy didn’t have the strength to move, but she chuckled. “Thank God!” Weakly, she lifted her head and looked at him. “I don’t suppose you’ll help me with my next assignment…will you?”


Spike roared with laughter and rolled her to the side, kissing her face repeatedly. “You can count on it Ms. Summers…Ooh! Yes…you can count on it.”


*************************************************************
TBC...soon
 

Chapter Fifty Three.

Scarlet Ribbon.


Spike waited until Buffy went into the bedroom before making his call to Masters. The old man surprised him by brushing past the details of the reception and Spike was relieved his boss wasn’t interested in a recounting of his little game with Buffy. He was prepared to water down the actual event and just give his boss a very PG rated version of the real show. Yet before he could get there, Masters was cutting in.


“I need you to go to Vegas…Wolfram and Hart are holding a retirement party for one of the senior partners and it’s important someone’s there to represent me.” Masters informed him.


Spike frowned. “When?”


“It’s tomorrow night, at the usual venue and you can take the girl with you…it’s about time a few of our associates got a look at her.”


Spike’s frown deepened. “You want me to take Buffy? I don’t think that’s such a good idea…she’s not ready to face that sort of thing and besides, she’s workin’ on the preparations for Saturday’s reception and –”


Masters abruptly cut him off. “I don’t give a damn what she’s ready for and I’m sure the only work she’s doing is laying flat on her back…as it should be. Now, you will fly down to Vegas tomorrow and stand in for me at Marco Firelli’s party and you better take Ms. Summers with you…parade her about a bit…let them all get a good look at Angel’s downfall.” He chuckled hollowly. “Marco is the son of one of my oldest and closest friends, so make sure she behaves herself. I’m sure Lindsey and Lilah will be amused to meet her…you never know, they might even ask you to share her with them for the evening.”


Spike felt nauseous. Lilah and Lindsey were Masters’ plants in the prestigious law firm. They were ruthless, power-hungry and driven…and both completely debauched. Spike had met them a couple of times and knew they had worked closely with Angel on many different projects for the family. They also liked to mingle with Angel socially. Orgies were their specialty. Spike had refused both of them on more than one occasion when they’d invited him to join them at a BDSM club called ‘The Basement’ and now Masters wanted him to bring Buffy into their immediate line of sight. He had a very bad feeling about this.


Gritting his teeth, he kept a tight hold of his emotions. “Then if you need me to be there, you can count on me and if you want me to put Buffy on show, then I don’t ‘ave a problem with that.” He lied smoothly. But I’d rather die than let that pair get their hands on her,” he thought.


“Good, I’ve already told Lindsey to expect you...he’ll have arranged a suite for you.” Masters told him coldly.


His boss then went on to question him about the reception and the guest list. Spike could tell the guest list was of particular interest to the old man and again, he used the opportunity to try and advance Buffy’s role in helping to secure the attendance of so many desirable new clients. When the conversation was over, Spike sat gazing sightlessly into space. A feeling of dread was worming its way through his guts. He wondered if he’d been too obvious when he was telling Masters about Buffy’s efforts to make the reception a success. The last thing he needed was to make Masters any more suspicious than he already was. He wanted to deflect the old bastard’s suspicions, not sharpen them.


He poured himself a stiff drink and settled back on the couch. A flash of bright fabric caught his attention. Buffy’s ribbon. Reaching down, Spike picked up the length of scarlet satin from the floor. Sitting back, he played with the girly item, twirling it through his fingers. He’d told her, she was such a little girl…and though she was a grown woman, she was still a little girl in so many, many ways. He shivered at the thoughts of being forced to make her associate with people like Lindsey and Lilah. He’d need to be very careful…there would be too many watching eyes and listening ears…one slip and Masters would get to hear all about it. He’d need to talk to Buffy…explain what to expect…warn her about Lindsey and Lilah. There was no doubt in Spike’s mind how much she was going to hate being put on show, but what could he do? Defy Masters…? Yeah, right.


Sighing, he tossed back the rest of his drink. Smiling at the scarlet ribbon, he tucked it into his pocket, planning to put it with the tiny pair of panties Buffy had placed in his hand when she had come to him in the game room. Already, he had quite a collection of silly little mementos tucked away in his bedside drawer.


Thinking over the last few hours with her, he couldn’t help the soft smile that spread across his face. She was going from strength to strength these days, coping with all the demands of organizing the reception and slowly fitting into her new life.


Things seemed much better between them. She didn’t seem to resent him or her situation as much and he could tell she was beginning to feel more confident about her place with him and his men. She worked really well with Cooper, though that didn’t surprise Spike in the least. Cooper was the easiest guy in the world to get along with. Wesley too was proving to be someone she felt comfortable with. Spike recalled a time when she had jumped to Wesley’s defense when he’d yelled at him for arriving late to a meeting. Fearlessly, she’d stepped into his line of vision and calmly explained Wesley’s lateness was because he was on the phone, making appointments with various workmen for her.


The silence that followed her statement was loaded as his men froze, waiting to see what he’d do. For a drawn out moment, he’d stared at her. She held steady under his obvious angry glare and before he realised what was happening, he found himself lost in the beautiful green depths of her eyes. She’d seen him melt and took a quick step towards him, then placing a gentle hand on his sleeve, she’d smiled and whispered something silly, making him laugh and suddenly, his bad mood was gone.


She’d been right earlier. He had snapped and snarled at everyone and it had been going on for days. The stress of the reception was really beginning to wear him down. He was constantly worried about a whole string of things…Gilbey, the need to succeed on Saturday, the importance of continuing to root out Masters’ bugs and cameras…staying one step ahead of everything and last but not least, covering his tracks where necessary.


The only good thing in his life was Buffy. She was warming to him. He could tell and it wasn’t just the sex. That had always been good and he’d never really doubted the physical attraction on either side, but it was more than the sex. She was slowly learning her way around him…slowly learning that although he did have a rotten temper, it wasn’t deliberately aimed at her…others were just as likely to feel the brunt of his sharp tongue and heavy glare as she was…only now, she was learning to deflect and distract him.


He remembered another argument they’d had. Yet again about that locked bathroom door at the cabin. Thankfully, it didn’t get out of hand. Buffy had just been getting ready to take a bath and absently complained about not being able to have any real privacy. He’d been in a distracted and half irritated mood over yet more endless details for the reception, when he’d snapped at her. Before he knew it, they were in the middle of a row, both of them yelling and slinging insults at each other.


Buffy accused him of being insensitive and inconsiderate. When he demanded she explain exactly what she meant by that, she had screeched at him that for a guy who had live with another woman for more than ten years, he should understand a woman’s desire for a little alone time or just simple privacy at certain times.


That had stopped him in his tracks. Then he told her, he had never really lived with Drusilla…not on a regular or full-time basis. She had always had her own set of rooms at Masters’ mansion in New York. The look of total disbelief on Buffy’s face led him to explain a bit further. He told her it had proved to be too risky for him to try and share a suite with her all the time. It had proved too painful to continue to arrive at her room, only to find her sharing it with someone else…Angel mostly at the beginning, but even when he left, there was a string of other men. So he kept to his own rooms and accepted that if she wanted him, she would seek him out. After a couple of years, it had just seemed normal for them.


Buffy’s temper had practically vanished before his eyes and he thought he saw a look of bewildered pity flitter deep in her eyes. He watched her cross the room and sit on the bed. She patted the spot next to her and frowning, he sat beside her. Sighing, she hesitantly explained, that she too had never lived with anyone and there were times when it was all just a bit too much for her. She told him, she wasn’t used to this open lifestyle he took for granted…and that he shouldn’t think she was trying to lock him out…but simply claim something for her own…a moment in time…where she could be private and totally alone…whether it was for five minutes or two hours…it shouldn’t matter to him that she should want to be alone sometimes…not when it wasn’t always a desire to get away from him…and plus…lots of women liked privacy in the bathroom at certain times of the month.


She’d made her point well.


The next day he instructed Jonathan to fit a simple lock to the bathroom door. Buffy’s face, when she noticed the new lock, had been a picture of surprised pleasure and Spike had wondered if she would have looked any happier if he’d given her jewels. Somehow he doubted it.


Now, back in the present, he wondered what expression her face would display when he told her about Masters’ order and the trip to Vegas. He certainly didn’t think it would be one of joy. Horror, fear and maybe anger, would be more like it. Not that he could blame her and when she got there and witnessed it with her own eyes…then what? Spike shuddered.


Buffy was asleep when he went to bed. He dropped the ribbon on the bedside table and climbed in next to her. Unable to sleep, he watched her for the longest time, occasionally stroking her hair, and berating himself for being unable to resist touching her, but comforted by being near her anyway.


Finally, a fitful sleep claimed him and his restless mind shut down for a few hours rest.


*****


They were in the middle of breakfast the next morning when Spike broke the news to her. Buffy froze with her spoon hanging mid-air, half way to her mouth with a look of shocked surprise on her face.


“Vegas…us…today…! Why?” she asked.


Spike poured them both refills from the coffee pot. “I ‘ave to be there to be his stand-in, one of the senior partners with one of his biggest clients is retirin’ and the party is tonight,” he told her.


“But surely you don’t need me to go with you…? There’s still things I need to get done here and besides, we were going to do a lighting and sound test tonight, and the guys from the firework company will be here until late doing safety checks…plus, that fancy chef from Paris is coming by to confer with the kitchen staff about the timing of the courses…he’s really highly strung and is insisting, his work will be ruined if it’s not all timed to perfection and he’s expecting me to be there, he’s –”


Spike pressed a gentle finger to her lips. “Ssshh…Cooper and Wesley can deal with all of that…it’s all jus’ last minute stuff anyway.” She scowled and looked as if she was ready to argue with him, but he jumped in first. “We don’t ‘ave to be at the party until eight, so that still leaves plenty of time to see to the more important things on your list…as soon as we finish breakfast, get Cooper to see if he can arrange to ‘ave your fancy chef come at lunchtime…as for the light and sound check, any number of people can deal with that and the same applies with the firework people…Cooper and Wesley will be on hand to deal with them.”


She was frowning and Spike could tell from the expression on her face she was thinking at full speed, trying to work out what she needed to deal with herself and what she could safely delegate to her team.


“Are we going to fly to Vegas?” she asked.


“Yes…and to save time, we can hire a pilot from the staff at the airfield and keep workin’ right up to the last minute…in fact, after breakfast, instruct Jonathan to pack whatever you want to wear tonight and we’ll change on the plane rather than go to the hotel and get ready…it’ll save more time…wear somethin’ dressy…somethin’ long and not too revealin’.”


She arched a puzzled brow at him. “Will we be staying overnight?” She wanted to know.


Spike shook his head. “No, not if I can help it. There will be a suite available for us, but I figured we shouldn’t risk stayin’…we can fly back when we’ve done what needs to be done…I was plannin’ on as short an evenin’ as possible…three maybe four hours at the most and then head back ‘ere.”


Buffy had picked up on the strained undertones of his speech. “What needs to be done? Is there something you’re not telling me?”


Spike sighed. There was no easy way around this and he knew it would be more dangerous to hide things from her in a vain effort to shield her from these people. “If I’d had my way, you’d be stayin’ ‘ere but Masters insisted I take you.” She frowned. “He wants his associates to get a good look at you…he, kind of wants me to put you on show…” Her eyes widened and she quickly shoved her half-full breakfast bowl away from her.


“What…as your hostage…your whore…?” She snapped.


He knew she’d react like this. He shook his head. “Hostage…yes…probably...definitely.” He admitted. He shifted his gaze away from her angry scowl. “But whore…NO, you know I don’t think of you like that and I really wish you wouldn’t talk that way. He didn’t exactly give me a lot of choice Buffy –”


Angrily, she cut him off. “Oh, what…did he threaten to cut your pay if you didn’t fall in with his sick plans to drag me along and put me on display…? Did he tell you to stick a collar and leash around my neck and parade me up and down for all his friends to gawk at?” She cried.


“Buffy no, you’re…” he fizzled off. What could he tell her? Her angry words weren’t that far from the truth and he knew it. Yet, he didn’t want her to get so upset that she wouldn’t listen to his warning or his advice. This situation would be dangerous enough without adding Buffy’s refusal to trust him to keep her safe and get her through the evening and back home in one piece…not that he suspected anyone would harm her bodily, but they could have designs on her body, and that was where the real danger lay.


“You know what, you’re right and you can either throw a fit and act like the broken and victimised hostage Masters would like his associates to see…or…you can trust me for once and go in there on my arm…not as my hostage…and certainly NOT as my whore, but as yourself, Buffy Summers and hold your head up and keep your cool and your dignity and show them what you’re made of.”


He fixed her with a serious gaze and turned his chair to face her. “I know you don’t trust me…I know you think this is just another twisted way to hurt and humiliate you and your right, it is…but only if you let it. I won’t let anyone hurt you…in fact; I won’t let anyone near you. Stay right by my side and if anyone asks you to dance, I’ll refuse to let you go…there won’t be anyone there who will be stupid enough to argue with me.”


He really expected her to fly off the wall and snap back at him but she didn’t. She just sat there scowling angrily and biting her lip.


“I won’t lie to you; this could be very dangerous…for both of us. If you act up or out of line where there will be witnesses, I’ll be expected to put you swiftly in your place…‘cause if I don’t, Masters will get to hear about it and he’s the last person we need takin’ an interest in how I’m treatin’ you.” He took her hand in his and gave it a tiny squeeze and smiled encouragingly at her. “But, play it cool, stick by my side and take your leads from me and we’ll be in and out of there before you know it.”


“You mean…keep my mouth shut and do as I’m told?” She said sarcastically.


He sighed forlornly. “To a degree, yes, but that doesn’t mean I’ll do or say anythin’ to make you want to cause a scene…I won’t goad you. But others might. I’m not stupid Buffy and neither are you…we’re being tested…so tell me how you feel ‘bout that?”


She looked at him. “I feel mad as hell and then some,” she snapped.


Spike nodded, understanding exactly how she felt. “Of course you do and so do I. But what are you going to do ‘bout it?”


“I know what I’d like to do…not that I’ll ever get the chance,” she said coldly.


It didn’t take much for him to guess what she meant. “You’d liked to rip someone’s head off…smash them into the ground…or jus’ simply kill them.” She voiced no reply, but he knew it was true and he felt exactly the same. “So, now you know how you feel and you know what you’d LIKE to do ‘bout it, but what exactly ARE you going to do? It’s up to you…your choice…though you should keep in mind, some choices come with consequences.”


She stared at him for a good long minute before sighing heavily and closing her eyes.


When she opened them again, she looked more focused. “What exactly can I expect at this freak show? Can you at least tell me what I’m up against?”


“Absolutely...but first, I need to stress how important it is that you stay with me at all times…Cooper has to stay ‘ere so that means there’ll be no one…but me, to watch out for you. And you don’t want to find yourself on your own…not with this crowd. Though on the whole, most of them will jus’ be curious…and once they’ve seen you, they’ll be satisfied and move on to some other distraction. And there’ll no doubt be plenty of them readily available. But then there might be a few who will be more interested in you than is strictly healthy.” Spike warned her.


He was glad that for once she was at least willing to listen to him. Past experience with her had taught him that Buffy was very capable of throwing up a wall of stubbornness and her ability to maintain a huff was almost record breaking. He’d never known a woman who could maintain a huff for days. “The people I’m really worried ‘bout, is a pair that work directly for Masters. Lilah Morgan and Lindsey McDonald…a right nasty duo they are. They act on behalf of Masters…protectin’ his interests in the law firm. They’re responsible for handlin’ all legal matters this side of the country. They both worked closely with Angel…VERY CLOSELY…” he emphasized.


Buffy arched a brow at him. “By the way you said that, can I take it you’re implying Angel was involved with one of them?”


Spike pulled a face. “Not one of them…but both of them,” he told her flatly. “And jus’ for the record, Lindsey’s a guy.”


Buffy’s jaw dropped open, her shock written all over her burning face. Spike had never seen her blush so deeply. “Huh…no…I-I don’t believe you…Angel would never…he…he…” she stammered and stumbled over her words.


Spike didn’t like the course this conversation was taking. This wasn’t about Angel and it irritated him that Buffy would continue to deny what kind of person Angel was. “Bloody hell Buffy…can you jus’ forget about soddin’ Angel for one minute and listen to what I’m tryin’ to tell you.”


She pulled back defensively.


“This pair might ‘ave been chummy with Angel in the past and how chummy isn’t the point. The chances are neither of them are going to look on you with anythin’ other than hostility and –”


She cut him off. “Well nothing new there…but they’ll have to get in line behind you if they want a piece of me…won’t they?” She snapped.


Spike held onto his temper. “Yes…they bloody well will. But as far as I’m concerned, the line ends with me. Now will you jus’ listen to me? I’m tryin’ to put you in the picture ‘ere and you’re not makin’ it very easy for me.” Abruptly he pushed his chair back and started pacing the balcony. So much for listening, he thought.


Buffy had seen him do this many times. The pacing was a sure sign he was getting very agitated. His frustration was written clearly on his scowling face. She forced herself to stay in her seat and calm down.


He stopped suddenly and went back to his seat next to her. He looked at her appealingly. “Buffy…pet…please listen to me…” he implored. “These people are devious and dangerous and I ‘ave absolutely no idea what their intentions towards you are. We might get there and spend a rather awkward and uncomfortable few hours in their company before we can safely make our excuses and leave…or, for all I know they might jus’ ‘ave somethin’ unpleasant planned. Now the only way I can think to prevent that is for you to stick so close to me that I’ll practically be wearin’ you. And if you can manage it…keep your composure and act docile…that way they’ll ‘ave no excuse to start anythin’…and I promise you if you can do that, we’ll get through it in one piece.”


Buffy blinked at him, torn. She wanted to scream and rage that the whole thing was distasteful and cruel…and all his fault for trapping her in this life in the first place, but then a little voice in the recesses of her mind whispered that if she had never gotten involved with Angel in the first place, she wouldn’t be in this horrible position. Yet, two wrongs don’t make a right.


“I’ll wear the black gown you bought me…the one shoulder one. It’s dramatic but demure.” She paused and looked at him soberly. “Will that do?”


He gave her a half smile and nodded. “Yes luv…that’ll be perfect.”


*****


Buffy called Jonathan as soon as she drained her second cup of coffee. Spike disappeared downstairs to work, passing Cooper and Wesley on his way out. They’d only just arrived when Jonathan knocked on the door.


Once she’d finished instructing Jonathan what needed to be packed for their trip to Vegas, she went to confer with Cooper about her list of ‘to-do’ things…top of which was the French chef.


Down in Cooper’s office, she was relieved to hear Cooper confirm a new lunchtime appointment with the chef. She left Cooper on the phone, making hasty arrangements with a few other people she needed to see, before leaving for Vegas. She took Wesley with her to go over the grounds and help her work through her list.


The morning was a whirlwind of activity with a host of people to see and a million little details to check and double check. The giant marquee was already erected and a team of workmen were busy setting up the seating arrangements. Wesley had put Buffy in touch with a professional event organizer. Vette Salvatore. Like Buffy, this was her first real big event. Buffy had learned from Wesley that Vel, as she preferred to be called, had started out as a small organization, helping friends plan their weddings and family functions, but soon her business had grown and now she was branching out into the bigger world of big client functions. Buffy had been delighted to find someone who was willing to listen to her ideas and help her make them a reality and not just try and run the show. Vel had worked with her on nearly every detail of the party, from the color scheme to the exact number of place settings that were being hired from a well known and highly prestigious china company.


Standing at the edge of the marquee, Buffy smiled. The temporary floor was down and nearly half the tables were in place. Buffy scanned the area, noting the thousands of tiny little, pin-point lights fixed into a fine web attached to the whole of the interior of the marquee. She just knew when they were turned on the effect would be beautiful.


Vel was working at one of the tables. She was dressing it with the fine linens Buffy had selected for the evening. Each table would be dressed in a three-tiered arrangement, in three shades of gray, starting in a washed-out charcoal gray, followed by a softer burnished gray and topped off with a soft dove gray, with silver threads woven through. The flower arrangements in the center of each table was a tasteful posy of dusky pink roses, sprinkled with babies breath and tiny artificial silver beads and crystals on invisible wires that would pick-up the light from the thousands of pin-point lights in the ceiling.


Moving closer to the table Vel was working at, Buffy got her first look at how the rest of the tables should look when they too were fully dressed. Vel was instructing a group of young people how to dress the remaining tables, when she spotted Buffy and Wesley approaching. She smiled but didn’t pause in her dialogue. Buffy waited quietly for her to finish.


Dismissing the group, Vel turned her attention to Buffy. “Well what’d you think?” she asked, standing back from the finished table, a small smile on her pretty face as she viewed her own handy-work.


Buffy scrutinized the showpiece. She pretended to study it thoughtfully and even considered the idea of frowning just to see if Vel would panic, but her crumbly smile gave her away. “I think it looks beautiful.” She beamed, looking at the beautiful table.


Vel breathed a great sigh and grinned back. “Well if you think this looks good, wait until you see the dance floor.” She caught Buffy by the arm and led her to the other side of the marquee.


Buffy gasped as they came upon the specially designed dance floor. It was positioned at the only open wall of the marquee and overlapped out into the garden, where the lovely views of the open countryside and the night sky would be the backdrop for the guests. Twin low stages flanked the floor where the orchestra would play.


Vel giggled next to her and even Wesley made a ‘Wow’ comment. Buffy gazed at the glass dance floor. It was stunning. It looked as if it was floating on a bed of crushed silver tissue paper and it sparkled brilliantly in the morning light.


“I can’t wait to see it lit up tonight,” Vel said.


Buffy groaned and wished she too could have seen it lit up, but because of Masters’ stupid orders and the trip to Vegas, she wouldn’t see it lit up until tomorrow. She sighed and shook off the feelings of resentment. Spike was right. She’d stick by him and hold her head up high, and show them they couldn’t frighten her. Damn, if I can survive Spike and his rotten temper, I can survive a party…even if it is packed full of hostile evil lawyers, she thought.


“I have to go to a party tonight, but I’m sure if it looks half as lovely as it does now, the whole thing will ‘WOW!’ A lot more people tomorrow,” she said smiling.


“Tonight…! But what about –”


Buffy squeezed Vel’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, Wesley and Cooper will be here…and you know I trust them…and you. Between the three of you, there isn’t anything you can’t manage. So don’t fall apart on me…I’m counting on you to double check my check list and besides, if there are any real problems, I’ll be on hand to sort them out tomorrow.” She reassured the other woman.


Vel nodded. “Yes, of course, but what about Andre?”


“No problem…he’s coming at lunchtime and Cooper is arranging for the fire and safety guy to come and inspect the grounds before I have to leave for the party,” Buffy told her.


Vel breathed a sigh of relief to hear everything was in hand and gave Buffy a nervous smile. “Well that’s comforting…and you really like the table settings?”


“Yes Vel, I really ‘love’ the table settings.”


“Good...Of course that centerpiece is just a mock-up the florists did for me and I’ll replace it with a fresh one tomorrow when they deliver the rest of the flowers…and I phoned the recruitment agency and asked them to get us another couple of trained bar staff…” She rambled on as she filled Buffy in on other various bits of vital information.


Buffy nodded and listened to everything Vel had to say and by the time they’d worked through her extensive list, they were ready to move back up to the house and wait for the chef to arrive.


Entering the house, she spotted Spike striding across the black hallway with Luke. Their heads were close as they talked. He looked completely absorbed in what the big man was saying to him, but just at the last minute before he turned to go into Luke’s office, he lifted his head and looked straight at her. A small smile danced over his lips and then he was gone.


Buffy blinked at the empty space he had occupied a moment ago, butterflies tumbled in her stomach. Quickly, she shook the unsettling silly feeling and made her way to Cooper’s office.


*****


They had just taken off when Spike turned to Buffy and asked her how the preparations for the reception were going.


Unbuckling her safety belt, she got up to fetch herself a drink and a snack from the bar. “Surprisingly good…do you want a drink?” she asked, waving a sugary soda can at him.


Spike followed her over to the bar and gently took the can of soda out of her hand. “You look pale…did you eat lunch?”


“Errm, yeah…I…”


“Yeah, sure you did.” He said disbelievingly. “You’re such a poor liar. Cooper told me you worked through lunch.” He pulled her away from the bar and sat her back in her seat. “Now stay there.” He ordered before heading off towards the galley.


He came back a few minutes later and placed a platter down on the small table in front of her. Buffy’s face lit up, a big smile curving her pretty mouth. He vanished again and reappeared with a bottle of white wine and two glasses. Once he’d settled down next to her with another platter for himself, he offered her a fork.


Grabbing the fork Spike handed her, Buffy tucked into the creamy chicken pasta. “Oh my God this tastes, hmmm…heavenly.” She was suddenly starving to death.


Spike eyed her as she practically devoured her food. Smiling, he turned his attention to his own simple meal of chicken pasta, salad and warm crusty bread. He poured her a half glass of the crisp chilled wine and relaxed back to enjoy watching her obvious pleasure.


When she’d wiped up the last of the creamy sauce with her last crust of bread and licked her fingers clean, she turned and gave him a satisfied smile. “That. Was. Perfect…Thanks,” she said. “I didn’t realize how hungry I was.”


Spike chuckled and gently wiped away a stray smear of pasta sauce from beside her mouth with his napkin. “Not a problem luv…in fact, my pleasure.”


Butterflies stirred deep down like tiny ghosts with wings of smoke. Unsettled, Buffy blinked and quickly looked out of the window.


Spike removed the empty platters back to the galley and stored the now half full bottle of wine in the mini fridge. Looking at his watch as he made his way back to the lounge, he said, “We can take five minutes to relax and finish our wine, but then we’ve got to get ready.”


Buffy heaved a tortured sigh and frowned. “Don’t remind me,” she mumbled.


Spike gave her an understanding look. “I know…I know, but let’s not lose sight of our goal ‘ere. It’s get in…survive…and get out…in that order.” She gave him a doubtful look, but he ignored it and tried to distract her with talk about the reception.


He asked her question after question about her preparations and she answered every single one with a confidence borne from weeks of hard work and careful planning. She told him the fancy French chef was bossy and highly strung, but despite his gruff and bluff manner, he had left the mansion satisfied that he would be able to work with the kitchen staff. Buffy had laughed and told Spike when it came to bad tempers and yelling, Andre could rival him.


After exhausting the list of things that were covered by the days workload, he asked her about some of the smaller details that had gone into her party scheme.


“So whose idea was it to use gray as the color scheme?” he asked.


“Mine…I figured it would be the perfect color to compliment the gray stonework of the house and then I used the number three in the layers to tie in with the three fountains, the three gardens and the three floors of the exterior.” She explained. “Vel agreed with me and though it’s a simple theme, it works really well with the house and the grounds and the style of function we’re working towards. I came up with the idea to have the dance floor spilling out into the garden when I…” she fizzled off when she noticed him looking at her oddly. “What?” she asked.


Spike gently smiled at her and shrugged his shoulders. “Oh nothin’ really, it’s jus’…you’re a really clever girl, Buffy Summers…you know that...right?” Buffy looked a little surprised and Spike chuckled at her befuddled expression. “I mean considerin’ you’ve never done anythin’ like this before and then the way you’ve managed to persuade so many people to attend…I don’t know…it’s jus’ not what I expected of you…you seem to ‘ave really put so much of yourself into this with all those really clever little details and such.” He looked at her steadily with his head cocked to one side. “If this thing fails, it certainly won’t be through any fault of yours.” He took her hand and kissed her fingers softly before tugging her from her seat. “C’mon luv, we better start gettin’ ready…we’ll be landin’ before we know it.”


The little tingles that had been slowly winding their way along her nervous system suddenly vanished, as her stomach tightened with dread at the thoughts of the next few hours. She couldn’t help holding onto his hand just a little tighter as the made their way to the bedroom at the rear of the plane.


“This is going to be horrible…isn’t it?” she asked nervously.


Spike closed the bedroom door and gripped her shoulders lightly. “I’ll be right at your side…don’t wander away from me and you’ll be okay…I promise.” He reassured her.


She nodded her head and sighed.


Slowly pulling her into his arms, he drew her close to him, intending to give her a reassuring hug, but she surprised him by lifting her head and offering him her mouth. How could he resist? Has she misunderstood my intentions or does she want me to kiss her, he wondered. He gazed down into her sweetly upturned face and kissed her lips softly. She sighed and opened her mouth in a further invitation and he slipped his tongue in. Their mouths moved slowly…gently…the kiss remained sweet and tender. Since their time in the LA hotel room, there had been many kisses like this one. Spike’s heart soared at the flood of warmth that suffused him. Reluctantly, he released her and stepped back.


Buffy knew she must look dazed and flushed. She’d realized at the last moment he was about to hug her, but it was too late. She’d lifted her face, welcoming his kiss and then he was kissing her. Kissing her so…so…so incredibly. And Oh Wow! He can kiss. And if I went to him now, he’d kiss me like that again…and if I asked him to do it again and again, he would, she thought.


Buffy didn’t go to him or ask him to kiss her again, but as she got changed for the party, she did think about the way he’d kissed her the night before…lost in the moment and acting out their roles in the silly sex game, he’d kissed her with such passion and need. She remembered thinking how good he felt and how his kiss left her feeling as if she wanted to weep and die.


Buffy watched him from the corner of her eye. He was collecting his suit from the small wardrobe and laying it on the bed. She studied his handsome face. He looked tired and she wondered if he’d lost sleep worrying over Masters’ orders for this evening. Now they were on their way to Vegas. Buffy tried to mentally prepare herself for what lay ahead.


She slipped out of her linen trouser suit and silk blouse, placing the items in the wardrobe as she went through the motions of getting ready. She caught sight of Spike looking at her. His expression was full of appreciation as his eyes skimmed over her barely there black undies. Quickly, she wriggled into her evening gown, blushing slightly as she heard him chuckle from the other side of the bed.


The gown was demure in that it covered her well, yet it couldn’t disguise her sexy figure as it clung to her trim curves. Buffy was thankful it didn’t take her too long to get ready and once she had zipped herself into her dress, she retreated to one of the small bathrooms to apply her make up. She had no intentions of making an all out effort for these people. She wasn’t interested in impressing them with her looks, but rather with her composure and strength. She gave her make up a brief inspection. Satisfied, she left the bathroom. Her nerves were building steadily.


Back in the bedroom, she released her hair from the coil she’d fixed it in that morning and working automatically, she brushed out the golden lengths until they shone with renewed energy. She turned around to look at Spike. He too was dressed completely in black. He was just finishing tying the knot in his silk tie when the pilot announced over the plane’s sound system that they were approaching Las Vegas and informed them they needed to return to their seats in the next ten minutes.


Spike glanced at Buffy. She looked sensational. The black gown left her right arm and shoulder bare, while the rest of the form fitting silk, molded itself to her provocatively. Her golden hair hung loose and heavy down her back, shining like the sun. She looked like a Greek statue, serene and composed…and a Greek tragedy, sorrowful and fragile. Spike’s heart twisted in his chest and not for the first time, the thought of how much he hated his life surfaced to the forefront of his troubled mind.


“I forgot to bring jewelry,” she said. “I wasn’t even wearing earrings today, so I’ll have to go as I am…” she fizzled off nervously.


Spike gave her a weak smile and then a thought occurred to him. Buffy looked at him puzzled as he quickly retrieved his other suit from the wardrobe again. He pulled back with a big smile on his face and a scarlet ribbon in his hand.


Buffy recognized it immediately. It was from the costume she’d worn the night before. She frowned at him as he approached.


“It might not be jewelry luv, but if you’re wearin’ it, it might as well be the finest money can buy,” he said, holding the ribbon up before her.


A sudden image of her wearing the ribbon around her neck like a collar flashed in her mind and she scowled deeply at him and the ugly thought.


Spike didn’t notice her scowl. “You wore it for me last night…will you wear it for me again tonight?” he asked, smiling softly.


“What…like a collar…around my neck?” She snapped. “You don’t by any chance have a dog tag to go along with it, do you?”


Stung, Spike lowered the hand holding the scarlet ribbon. He stared at her, the smile wiped from his face and replaced with a blank expression. “No Buffy…no dog tag and I had no intentions of askin’ you to wear it around your neck.” He pulled in a lung full of air and held it for a long moment trying to calm himself. For once, her assumptions hurt too much for him to want to do anything other than retreat. “What we did last night…what we shared is private between us…I jus’ thought wearin’ the ribbon might remind you of what we shared…how close we were…and how much you trusted me to guide you through that. I thought maybe if you wore the ribbon around your wrist, you’d be able to look at it and remember that trust and maybe trust me to protect you tonight.”


Buffy was stunned speechless. It was simply the very last thing she would have ever expected him to say. Flushing, she opened her mouth to reply but nothing came out. Spike sighed and turned to put the ribbon back in his other suit.


Snapped out of her frozen state, Buffy caught his arm and stopped him. He looked at her, his expression still blank…Or closed off, she thought. “I-I…sorry…I’m just so…so…nervous and this is driving me crazy…I shouldn’t have said that and I’m…” Anxious tears shone in her eyes as her overwrought emotions threatened to burst from the tenuous control she had worked so hard to confine them in.


Suddenly, she was in his arms and he was holding her, telling her it was okay as he petted her hair and gently rocked her. He said…that he understood…that it didn’t matter and that she didn’t need to explain…he understood.


The pilot’s voice crackled over the speaker, reminding them to take their seats for the approach.


They broke apart and Spike quickly opened the door and took her back to her seat in the lounge. He buckled her in and then sat next to her.


They remained quiet for the rest of the flight. Buffy gazed sightlessly out of the window and Spike absently played with the scarlet ribbon.


There was a limo waiting for them at the airport to take them directly to the hotel. Spike instructed the pilot to be on call for the return journey and went to join Buffy in the back of the plush car.


The drive continued in silence. Buffy didn’t even register the passing city scene as her tumbling thoughts whirled around and around in her head, tripping one over the other as she tried to put them into some sort of sensible order.


The car came to a halt. They’d arrived. The driver got out and opened the door for them. Spike was just about to precede her when she halted him. He sat back and looked at her.


He patted her knee, trying to reassure her. “It’s okay Buffy…you’ll be fine…jus’ remember what I said and everythin’ will be fine…honest,” he told her.


She nodded her head and gave him a watery smile. “I know…I won’t forget,” she whispered. “Can…can I have my ribbon?” she asked, holding her naked wrist out to him.


Spike looked at her wrist and then her face. He shook his head. “No Buffy…I don’t want you to wear it…not if you think it will demean you in some way…that’s not what I want,” he said firmly.


“I know…it won’t.” She insisted, holding her wrist up a little higher.


Slowly, Spike took the length of satin from his pocket and wrapped it twice around her slender wrist before tying it in a simple bow. Buffy watched him with his head bent. She gasped softly as he pressed a light and lingering kiss to the wildly beating pulse of her wrist. He groaned softly as he felt the speeding nerve respond to his touch.


He raised his head and brought his mouth up to meet hers in a twin kiss to the one placed on her wrist. “Thank you,” he murmured as he drew back.


Clutching the small hand adorned with the scarlet ribbon, Spike helped Buffy out of the car and led her into the hotel.

**********************************************************
TBC…soon.
 

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