Shot in the Dark

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Chapter 23: Heartbeat
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A chill runs through Buffy, goosebumps spreading over her exposed skin. She wakes enough to realize that her leg has escaped the confines of the blankets. As another involuntary shiver runs through her, she yanks the leg back in, jostling her partner in this little cocoon. She freezes as she feels him twitch, his body reacting to the movement. In the past, Buffy has seen him come to full alertness from a dead sleep at the smallest sound or movement. She turns her head and smiles at his sleeping form. Either he is completely worn out or is so comfortable with her that his instincts are taking the night off. Or maybe both. Peeking towards the other side of the crypt at the high windows, Buffy is forced to amend her statement. Maybe he’s taking the day off, as the night is long over. She can tell it is morning, bright sunlight pours through the windows, far from their nook.

A myriad of thoughts rise to the surface, reminding Buffy that she is probably missing class again, that Willow is probably wondering why she is missing class again, that her Mom is coming home the day after tomorrow and that she just may be in love with a vampire. Again. She closes her eyes and shoves these worries down for the moment. Turning her gaze back to his peaceful face, she dissolves, worries forgotten. Remembering how she woke him earlier this morning, a little smirk touches her mouth. But for now, sleep. She is still a bit tired and it’s probably not all that late yet anyway...

Spike’s hands move on her back, pulling her tighter to him as he wavers between sleep and wakefulness. These last few days with Buffy have wrecked his normal routine. Here it is late morning and he is starting to wake up. Of course, it has been more than worth it. He feels her smooth skin under his hands, remembering its golden glow in the candlelight hours before. She was a gilt goddess in his arms and here she is, still in his arms. It is almost too much to believe. He fights the urge to wake her just yet. A bit more time with his thoughts and the sensation of her body at rest. The slow, steady heartbeat thrums in his ears, the infectious warmth of her body against his. He borrows her life and she brings him right to the edge of being human again. Something he didn’t think he really wanted, but with her, well, all bets are off.

It has not escaped Spike that falling for the Slayer will mean more than just sex and warm cuddles. It will mean change. For him and for her. The chip keeps him from killing, but he knows the change has to run deeper. He has to learn to leave the bloodlust behind. Luckily, lust is a great substitute. And it’s not like he doesn’t still get to fight. Now he can fight alongside her every night, watch her go through the deadly motions of slaying right next to him. That skin glistening with sweat, little sounds of effort as she punches and kicks. For him, that is pretty much foreplay. A grin plays across Spike’s mouth as his hands slide gently down her back. The scent of her alone in the crypt is intoxicating. Her arousal covers him, musky and sweet. The faint scent of jasmine tickles his senses.

It occurs to Spike that he may have to get along with her friends now He wants her to be happy with him and he is starting to realize that he will do almost anything to make it that way, even making nice with the Scoobies. The birds aren’t so bad, but the whelp and the Watcher...wankers. He represses a chuckle, fearing waking her. He wants her happy. He’ll find a way to get on with those two. Love is truly a funny thing, makes a man do funny things.

Leaning down ever so slightly, Spike presses his lips against the top of her head. Her hair is soft under his mouth, smells of honeysuckle and vanilla. Feeling his body stir under her, he thinks waking her may not be such a bad idea. Between his vampire stamina and her Slayer strength, they could do this for days...and actually, they have. Tilting her chin up, Spike leans down to kiss her lightly on the mouth. Her lips burn his with their soft warmth. She is still for a moment and then he f the the small movements all over her body as she starts to wake. Tiny twitches of her skin and an acceleration of her heartbeat signal her attention as her lips begin to move on his. Her mouth pushes his open a slit and her tongue slides in, seeking his. Their tongues touch, gently tangling as the kiss begins to intensify.

Buffy feels a wave of heat course through her. She wonders if it will always be like this with him. His touch makes her body contract, her skin too tight all of a sudden. Her hand comes up to wrap in his platinum curls, softer than she ever expected, the harsh light of his hair deceptive. She wiggles her fingers, mussing it some more as she laughs softly through their kiss. Spike pulls away just a bit, eyes seeking hers.

“What is it, luv?” His voice is still rough and husky, rusty from disuse.

“This hair. It’s just like you.” Spike cocks his head at her, wondering if she’s gone a bit soft in the head.

“How do you mean?”

She smiles at him, putting both hands into his curls to rough them up. She loves that just-fell-out-of-bed look on him. “See, it looks hard, the color, the texture...all sharp and severe. But then I get closer...” Buffy presses against him a bit harder, letting her skin mold to his. He takes in a deep breath as he feels the warmth between her legs burn into him. She lets the fingers of one hand twist in the curls as the other trails gently down his face, towards his mouth. “And closer...and it turns out to be soft, touchable...not harsh at all, not at all what I expected.” She smiles for a second as her mouth moves towards his. Her finger traces the lips lightly, pulling the bottom one down just a bit. Releasing, moving her fingers to his chin, Buffy dives back into the kiss. She deepens it, arcing her body into his again. His hands clutch her sides, fingers digging in. With a gasping breath, she lets go. “Like you.”

Spike chuckles as he sees her point. “Only got one thing wrong, pet.”

“What’s that?”

Spike shifts under her, his erection brushing her skin. “I’m not soft.”

“Well, thank god.” Buffy winks at him, sliding down a bit to kiss his neck. She opens her mouth and lets her teeth drag down his neck, ever so lightly scoring the skin. A tremor runs through Spike’s entire body, so hard that it transfers to her. His clutch on her convulses, fingertips turning white as he presses harder into her skin. Grinning to herself, Buffy kisses back up his neck and then repeats the motion, this time pausing to nip the skin between her teeth a few times. His body reacts violently to this motion, pressing up towards her. A low rumble begins to emanate from his chest. Any fog of sleep left over his mind is burned off by the feeling she is drawing out of him. Buffy puts both her hands on his shoulders and shimmies a little further down his body, letting her tongue drag down his chest. She veers toward one nipple, her smile widening. She knows he is strung tight right now, a wire waiting to be plucked. He cannot see her face clearly through her hair, does not know what is coming. All the better. Moistening her lips, she plants gentle kisses on his breastbone, soft and delicate. She moves toward the right, kissing her way. His hands continue to hold her tightly. She flicks her glance up at him through her fallen hair, catching a flash of blue in the dim light. He is watching her, his eyes lock on hers for the split second before she lowers herself back to his skin. Pulling her lips back, Buffy bares her teeth briefly before sinking them into his nipple with a little snap.

Spike’s entire body explodes into action, a loud and deep growl rolling out of him as he flips her under him in a blur of motion. Buffy’s hair splays out above her on the blanket, a gold halo, shimmering in the dark. She breathes hard, matching the heaving of his chest, as he tries to regain control. His eyes spark blue and black, singeing her. She can see the muscles in his arm contracting and the little muscle in his jaw twitching. She smiles up at him, blinking her eyes innocently. Buffy’s mouth opens, but before any sounds can come out, he is on her, covering his mouth with hers. He bites her lip slightly, drawing a bit of blood. The taste of copper is light on her tongue, rich on his. The next growl does not come from Spike and he is startled enough to release her briefly. When he looks into her eyes this time, he sees that she knew full damn well what she was doing when she roused him like that. God, he could truly love this Slayer. Dark and light blurred into one tiny package. Her hazel eyes are soft and dark, the edges of her mouth curl up. With a slow movement of her little pink tongue, she licks her lip, tasting the blood there.

Buffy’s thoughts of how this thing with Spike will work are buried beneath a haze of lust. She loves it when he attacks her, likes being the prey for once instead of the hunter. Knowing full well he can take it if she does the same to him. No worry of breaking him. Allowing her dark side to surface, rising to meet his. For the first time, she realizes that he wants it all - the whole Buffy/Slayer package. Doesn’t want her to just be the light to his dark, but to blend the light and dark they both have. Because he does have light. It is hidden, but it is there. Much like her darkness. They can show more than their surfaces to each other.

Buffy’s hands pull down his back, feeling the taut muscle there, tensed under the skin. She lets her nails drag a little bit, leaving light pink trails down his alabaster skin. She can feel all the nerve endings in her skin come to life. His mouth has moved over to her ear, sucking and nibbling. His breath tickles her there, the deep whisper almost too quiet to hear. “Oh Buffy...” It is choked with passion, thick with desire. His kisses grow harder, marking her neck, tracing her jawline before devouring her mouth again. He breaks contact for just a second. “I lov-”

Buffy grabs his head and kisses him, hard, swallowing his words before he can say them. A sense of overwhelming fear rises up amid the lust. If he says it to her...if he actually says those words, this will all become real. She knows she can't go back after that point. If he says it, he will mean it. She has seen him love before. Is she ready?

The light is hazy and dim, dust particles drifting through the sunbeams behind Spike. Buffy releases the sides of his head and his mouth. Their faces are mere inches apart. He opens his mouth; the rich, deep voice pouring out, filling in all the hollows of her body. “Buffy.” One hand goes to her hair, pushing a loose strand off her forehead. His blue eyes are deep and fathomless. Spike can read the fear in her eyes, knows she is afraid of love. Luckily, he isn’t. “I love -”

Again, she stops him. Buffy’s finger goes to his mouth, holding his lips closed. She shakes her head. Spike’s brow furrows, frustration welling up in him. She moves her finger away and his mouth opens. The finger returns and he closes it. Buffy points at herself with the other hand. Finally, Spike nods, his mind spinning. Will she never cease to surprise him?

Barely trusting her voice, Buffy warbles a bit. “Spike?” He nods again, his eyes searching hers. She clears her throat, trying to get the shakes out of her voice. She wants him to feel it, not just hear it. Her voice must be strong and steady. Buffy’s hand goes to his chest, fingers splayed over his undead heart. The warmth radiates from her small hand, filling him. He matches her gesture, feeling the steady and rapid thump of her heart beating. The cool sensation sizzles against her skin, coursing through her. He feels a little hitch in the rhythm as she opens her mouth, testifying to the power of this emotion. “Spike, I...” She bites her lip, fear gripping her. Spike tips forward, soft lips pressing hers, knowing this is her battle to win. He moves back, his eyes serene. She feels her heartbeat steady, and then finally, “I...love you.”

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Author's Note: Thanks for the rave review Bansheeh ~ I really appreciate it! -Tiana. Everyone else reading this fic, let me know what you think!