Things That Go Bump in the Night

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Chapter Two
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Spike reveled in the feel of the man beneath his hand, the lean hard body he could feel gave off the distinct impression of being far less fragile than the average human. Then there was Adam's scent; it drove him to distraction. There was something unusual in it, something outside his experience. It wasn't the smell of demon of any kind, of that he was certain, but he really didn't think it was fully human either. It was . . . different. It was exciting.

The blood he could smell pumping below the surface of Adam's skin called to him, and it too was at odds with the submissive manner of the human. It whispered of age and experience. It veritably shouted of power and intoxication, and Spike longed to lose himself in the man's taste.

Glancing over at Adam, he blatantly studied the young man's profile, the very youth he saw there another puzzle piece directly contradicting what his instincts told him.

The very strength of the muscles that played across the back beneath his palm told a tale of long hours of rigorous training, and while he could never hope to compete with the inherent strength of a vampire, the quiet tension there told Spike that this was a man used to being in control--of himself and everything around him.

This was not a man he would kill. If he still had the option, this was a man he would turn. The potential for violence fairly vibrated off Adam, no matter what face the human was trying to show, and it shouted to the demon in Spike.

**Bleedin' chip!**

In the end, all he knew for certain was that tonight would be an experience he would *never* forget. He didn't often go for guys, women usually holding so much more intrigue for him. Adam was different, though. He intended to discover every secret he knew Adam was hiding. And he *was* hiding secrets. Spike knew that as surely as he knew his own name.

"If I'd realized it would be this far," Methos said quietly, interrupting Spike's train of thought, "I'd have suggested we use my car."

"It's not far now, pet," Spike responded, purposely adding a husky purr to his words. He delighted in the shiver that traveled the body under his hand, the scent of aroused fear tantalizing his taste buds, nearly causing his fangs to descend. It had been *so* long since anyone had feared him, even the slight amount radiating from Adam. He fought the urge. Most people didn't react well to a vampire's true face.

**Well, duh!**

He doubted this tourist to the Pacific Coast's own hellmouth would be any different. In fact, he doubted Adam even realized there was anything odd about this apparently sleepy little town. Speaking of which. . . .

"You never did tell me what brings you to Sunnydale."

"Just passing through, doing a bit of traveling," Adam replied with a slight shrug, then gave him a speculative look. "What about you? If I'm any judge, you don't like it here."

"Can't seem to stay away," Spike replied with a smirk. "No matter how many times I leave, something keeps drawing me back."

"Your hometown?"

"Hell, no!" Spike exclaimed, then shrugged. "Thankfully. Actually, I'm from London, originally."

Adam's eyes widened suddenly as he looked around, causing Spike's mouth to quirk upward again. He almost laughed. He hadn't had this much fun since before he'd been chipped by the friggin Initiative.

"Seems like we've left residences behind," Adam said after a moment, his voice just a touch breathy. "There doesn't seem to be much around here."

"I like the solitude," Spike replied. Then feeling Adam slow slightly and stiffen, he stopped, pulling the human against him. "Don't worry," he said with a wink and a purposely crooked smile. "I won't do anything you don't want me to do."

"That's what they all say," Adam replied lightly, but Spike could smell the growing indecision and concern behind the easy words. While it was obvious the man wasn't *really* afraid of him, Adam *was* growing concerned.

Cursing the chip once again, Spike leaned back just far enough to look Adam in the eyes. He didn't know what exactly had cause the increase in wariness, suspecting it was more than just the surrounding terrain, but he didn't want it to grow to the point where Adam would call a halt to the evening's festivities.

Relaxing his face into a soft smile, one he used to reserve only for Dru, he used it to sharpen his challenge to the man's pride. "Well, if you're afraid of being alone with the big bad, we can always go to your place. Have you checked in anywhere? Or are you staying long enough to have an apartment?"

Adam visibly hesitated, and feeling as though he were holding his breath while he waited for Adam's response, Spike watched as the man completely discarded the challenge as unimportant. Would Adam trust him?

**No,** was Spike's instant thought. **He won't.** The real question, however, was would he continue? Would he settle for a compromise, or would the human back off completely?

**Bloody hell! I hope he doesn't back off!**

Spike's eyes half closed, watching Adam's throat bob as the human swallowed nervously, and he fairly ached to lean down and taste the pale flesh there. "You tempt me, Pet," he couldn't help whispering hoarsely. "You tempt me as no one has in a long time." His voice was closer to a plea than he liked, but he forced himself to ignore that.

He trailed his fingertips over Adam's cheekbone, down to the red lips that taunted him. Slowly, ever so slowly, he leaned forward until his lips rested against the pulse point of Adam's vulnerable throat. Opening his mouth, he lightly grazed his blunt, human teeth across Adam's jugular, flicking his tongue out to tease the sensitive flesh.

Adam dropped his head back, baring his throat, and Spike groaned, the bare expanse almost more than he could stand. Adam trembled again, only this time it was accompanied by the sweet scent of renewed arousal. Spike growled low in his chest. "So, what's it gonna be, Pet," he whispered, grinning against Adam's warm skin, "your place or mine?"

Adam swallowed, his breath quickening. He raised one hand, and lightly trailed it up Spike's arm. "Oh," he replied huskily, relaxing against Spike, "I think yours will do just fine."

Spike wasn't sure what had tipped Adam's decision in his direction, but it certainly hadn't been trust. Adam didn't trust him. The man fairly vibrated with distrust. That, however, simply made the man's surrender all that much more exquisite. Inhaling deeply, he savored the flavor of the man in his arms, and pulled him closer against him. Capturing Adam's mouth in a bruising kiss, he skillfully played his lips over the human's, his tongue thrusting forward demanding entry.

Adam's mouth parted willingly under his, the human's tongue pliantly dancing with his, eagerly matching his forceful claiming. The human moaned softly against his mouth, the vibrations of the sound tantalizing him. Spike pulled back as suddenly as he had begun, but kept his arm firmly around Adam's waist as he quickened the pace of their earlier leisurely stroll. He wanted to get home now.