The Winning Hand

Chapter 16 - A Date in the Desert

The air was warm and dry, the wind whipping Buffy's hair around her
face. She inhaled deeply taking in the scents of the desert as they
drove through the silent scenery, cacti and tumbleweeds speckling
the area. The sky was just turning a dusky , th, the sun setting slowly
in the West.

She turned to study the man beside her. His face was set in an
unreadable mask, though she could tell he enjoyed the drive through
the relaxed state of his shoulders. His hair stood still, curled at the
ends through sheer will of gel. She smiled at the thought. He wore a
blood red t-shirt and black jeans, while a waist length black leather
jacket graced his shoulders. In short he was beautiful, though she
thought he'd probably balk at the word. She'd turned back to the
desert, taking in the sights that whizzed by.

Spike had felt her studying him and suppressed a tiny shiver. He felt
as her eyes roamed his body and ached for her hands to follow. What
was it about this woman? About Buffy? He couldn't seem to get
enough of her and yet, he knew that one day, he wouldn't have any of
her. He frowned at the thought.

When he felt her gaze turn to the miles of sand and rock, he let his
own eyes wander. She was beautiful tonight, as always. Instead of
the short summer dresses she'd been wearing, she'd opted for a
white cropped top and a pair of cut-offs. Her slim legs seemed to go
on forever, while the small expanse of skin he caught at her
midsection had him half hard already.

Abruptly he took a turn off on the road, taking them deeper into the
desert. "Where are we going?" Buffy asked for the fiftieth time since
they began, "Why won't you tel?" ?"

"I told you luv. It's a surprise. Can't really describe it anyway, doesn't
have a name. Just a place I know. A place I go; to think, to relax."
Spike tried to explain. He didn't know why he wanted to take her
there. Only that he knew she would love it as much as he did.

The car slowed to a halt, sand and gravel crunching beneath the
stilled tires. Spike smiled when he heard Buffy's gasp. He somehow
felt…lighter…knowing that he'd been right. That she'd have the same
reaction to this place that he'd always had.

"Like it luv?" He whispered into the stillness.

"It's beautiful."

They both stepped out of the car together. Spike came around to the
passenger side to grab hold of Buffy's hand. Buffy was in an awe
inspired shock. Before them was a deep chasm. The walls were
rugged and chipped, and it looked almost like a mini-Grand Canyon.
She'd never been, but had seen pictures of course. And just beyond
the edge of the chasm was the brilliant orange glow of the sunset.

Spike led Buffy to small outcropping of rock. "Wait here." And then he
turned back toward the car. She was still standing by the rocks
watching the setting sun when Spike returned with the blanket and
picnic basket. He spread the blanket on the larger of the two rock
formations, and placed the basket on the smaller. "A convenient
dining table," he gestured flashing her a wicked grin.

She sat on the offered blanket, folding her legs beneath her and
waited for him to join her. He sat to her left then reached over to the
picnic basket and began spreading out their fare. It wasn't much, just
some French bread, cheese, assorted fruit and a nice white wine. But
it somehow seemed right, just like sitting here on this rock with him
felt right. Buffy couldn't remember every beinre cre comfortable or
feeling more serene.

The rock they sat on was smooth and had a small dip in its center,
almost as if it were made for reclining and relaxing. Buffy took full
advantage and spread herself languidly. At her movement Spike
turned his eyes boring into hers as she stretched out on the
outcropping. Buffy felt her cheeks warm, the color rising at Spike's
heated look.

Spike felt as if he'd been caught in a trap. Mesmerized by her he
could do nothing else but reach toward her and pull her in. His arm
wrapped around her waist and brought their bodies together. His lips
crashed onto hers, his tongue forcing her mouth open. Buffy's quiet
murmurs speared him on, and he let himself give in to the passion
surging through him.

While his tongue explored the moist cavern of her mouth, he let his
hands wander the curves of her body. His fingers whispered over her
skin making her tingle and arch into the touch. He let his hand come
up and dive beneath her top until he felt the hard peak of her breast.
The thin silk covering only heightened his arousal.

"Will." The name was only a breathless whisper.

"Luv." He kissed her once, twice. "Buffy I need you." He thrust his
erection against her hip. "God, how I want you!" His lips left hers to
explore the nape of her neck. His tongue trailed down her smooth
skin leaving goosebumps in its wake.

Spike's head was spinning. How was it that every time they were
alone together he lost control? What was it about her that sent him
reeling? Did it matter?

Desperate now he tugged at the buttons of her cut-offs. Lowering the
offending garment as quickly as possible he cupped her mound
feeling the moist heat even through her lacy underwear. "Are you
ready for me luv?" He slipped the material off letting his hand rub the
smooth flesh of her inner thigh on the way back up.

"Yes Will. Always." Buffy's eyes were closed, heat poured off her in
waves. She wanted to cry and laugh and scream all at once. She felt
like she was free falling through the air, the sensations overwhelming
her. Was this what they meant? Was this what falling in love felt like?

Spike took a moment to study his lover. She lay in a passionate
sprawl across the stone bed. Her eyes closed, her cheeks red, and
her lips swollen. Her hair was a rumpled halo around her head
making her look like some sort of debauched angel. He felt something
sharp twist inside him and then there was no more time for looking,
no more time for thinking.

Spike's own clothes were quickly disposed of. And as he entered her
he dipped his head down to feather light kisses all over her face.
When he was finally buried inside her he whispered, "Open your eyes
luv." When she complied he touched his forehead to hers and began
a slow steady rhythm.

They made love slow and sweet, their eyes never leaving each other.
In hers Spike saw something that made his gut wrench and his pace
quicken. What he saw tore through him like a knife. She was in love
with him. There was no denying it. She wore it openly, whether she
knew it or not. And at once he felt his own heart expand and contract
almost painfully.

His eyes closed briefly. There was no denying it. He would have to
give her up now. She loved him, yes. But she wasn't ever really given
a ce wce was she? She'd never been anywhere, known anyone
bes Trs Trader's Corners and her pathetic excuse for an ex-fiance.
He couldn't keep her for himself. She didn't belong here. She
deserved better. She deserved a chance to find all those things she'd
never known before.

These thoughts flitted through his head even as he increased his
speed and flew toward his climax. He made sure to bring her with
him, his hand snaking down to the vee between her legs. She cried
out her release only seconds before his own. And though his body
was sated and full Spike's soul was left aching and wanting.