Breathless

**LeAnn Rimes owns Cant Fight the Moonlight, I am just using it for entertainment purposes!!**

Chapter 4

Buffy was surprised to find herself actually having a good time on her date with Riley, he had seemed lacking in the conversation department when they were at the club last weekend. Tonight, she had met him at Chadwynn’s, a rather upscale restaurant near Rodeo Drive. Truth be told, the place was a touch too stuffy for her tastes, but Riley insisted on “going all out” tonight. He seemed slightly irritated at the beginning since she had been adamant about driving herself to the restaurant, but now he was laid back and chattering nonstop. Buffy had a steadfast rule to always drive herself on dates until she got to know the person she was going out with. This stemmed from a rather horrible incident her freshman year with Parker Abrams, who had turned out to be a downright bastard and left her stranded at a fraternity party. Walking home in heels and rain had made the night even more miserable. Since then she had learned her lesson and made sure to always have a ride home.

The meal was nearing an end, Buffy was savoring the Dutch chocolate cheesecake while Riley rambled on about his upcoming movie. While she had to admit she was actually having a good time, she was ready to call it a night. Conveniently, she was able squeeze in that she had to get up early for school in the morning and it was getting rather late. Riley agreed, he had to be on the set early and since the shoot had ran late today their date had to be moved back to almost nine o’clock. He dutifully paid the check and escorted her out to her vehicle, standing by while she dug out her keys. Once she found the enormous set of keys, the couple was faced with the skittish dance of “Do we kiss or do we hug?” Buffy bit the bullet, leaning in and accepting a light kiss from her towering date, said a polite thank you and got into her car. With a quick, yet coy flick of the wrist, she waved goodbye and pulled out of the parking lot.

While she had every intention of heading home, the small amount of wine in her system had her itching to stop at Caritas for open mic night. The naughty side of Buffy drove right past her turn-off and headed for the bar, while her not so naughty side was silently berating her for staying out late on a school night. The little bar seemed to be brimming with customers tonight, which had Buffy searching for a parking spot. Spotting one near the back, she whipped her car in, grabbed her guitar that she had left in the back and headed for the door. Luckily, Lorne was out front talking to the doorman so Buffy didn’t have to wait in line. She walked to the bar with Lorne, where he quickly ordered her a Cosmopolitan, then apologized for not being able to stay and chat once he realized that she was alone. With a sincere smile, Buffy reassured him that she was more than capable of holding down the bar stool on her own, but to make sure and squeeze her in for a song or two at some point during the night. He chuckled and promised that he would give her anything she wanted as long as she sang for it. Shaking her head, she handed him her guitar to keep up near the stage and settled herself onto the stool and sipped her fuchsia drink.

About forty-five minutes and another Cosmo later, Lorne waved at her from beside the stage and announced that it was time for her. Standing up, she smoothed the front of her red halter dress and made her way through the maze of tables to the stage. She perched on top of the stool, positioned the guitar and greeted the audience. “Hey everyone! Um… I thought I would try out a song that I have been working on for a couple of weeks. It’s called “Can’t Fight the Moonlight” I hope you like it.” She fidgeted with her pick for a moment then started to play…



Under a lover's sky
Gonna be with you
And no one's gonna be around
If you think that you won't fall
Well just wait until
'Til the sun goes down

Underneath the starlight, starlight
There's a magical feeling so right
It will steal your heart tonight

You can try to resist
Try to hide from my kiss
but you know, but you know
That you, can't fight the moonlight
Deep in the dark, you'll surrender your heart
But you know, but you know that you
Can't fight the moonlight..No
You can't fight it...
It's gonna get to your heart

There's no escape from love
Once the gentle breeze
Weaves its spell upon your heart
No matter what you think
It won't be too long (Not too long)
'Til you're in my arms
Underneath the starlight, starlight
We'll be lost in a rhythm so right
Feel it steal your heart tonight…


He had had a miserable night, it started off as a long day at work and went into an explosive argument with Drusilla. In the end, she had packed a bag and left, he had started drinking. It wasn’t too long before he couldn’t stand being in the apartment any longer, four walls closing in on him making it hard to breath. Giving up, he grabbed to keys to his DeSoto and headed out the door, deciding to try the new bar down the street. As he was paying the cover charge, he caught the sultry sound of a woman singing, it captivated him. He made his way down the hallway and turned towards the stage, disbelief pouring through him. His golden goddess! He couldn’t believe that she was here, of all the places that he could have gone tonight, they had came to the same bar. He ordered a beer and perched on a stool at the end of the bar, fascinated by the woman in front of him.


…
You can try to resist
Try to hide from my kiss
But you know, But you know
That you can't fight the moonlight
Deep in the dark, you'll surrender your heart
But you know, but you know that you
Can't fight the moonlight...No
You can't fight it...
No matter what you do
The light is gonna get to you


Don't try, you're never gonna win, oh

Underneath the starlight, starlight,
There's a magical feeling, so right
It'll steal your heart tonight

You can try (You can try to resist, try to hide from my kiss)
But you know, but you know that you
Can't fight the moonlight
Deep in the dark (Deep in the dark), you'll surrender your heart,
But you know, but you know that you
Can't fight the moonlight
No, you can't fight it


Buffy looked up from the microphone and scanned the audience. Lorne had been harping at her for always keeping her eyes closed during a performance. It was at that moment that she locked eyes with the most alluring man she had ever seen. Dressed all in black with platinum blonde hair, he leaned against the bar with an air of authority, his gaze never lingering away from hers. With a shaky breath, she finished the last verse of the song.


You can try to resist, try to hide from my kiss
But you know, don't you know that you
can't fight the moonlight
Deep in the dark, you'll surrender your heart,
But you know, but you know that you
Can't fight the moonlight
No, you can't fight it

It's gonna get to your heart...


Judging by the thunderous applause, Buffy guessed her song was a hit. She thanked everyone and put her guitar off stage with the sound tech. Lorne came over, amazed.

“Honey, where on earth did that come from? I had absolutely no idea that you wrote your own stuff! Why didn’t you tell me?’ “he demanded.

“I…I wasn’t sure of how well it would go over. I mean, it’s not the same kind of stuff the band performs.” she stammered. Grinning she added “So what didya think?” That sent Lorne on a long tirade of how enamored he was with her and her work. When he finished his speech, Buffy had been roped into singing every Thursday night at Open Mic where she would try out at least one new song each week. Elated, she quickly agreed. By the time they were finished, Buffy didn’t see the sexy stranger at the bar. Deciding it was well past her bedtime, she grabbed her guitar and headed for the door, stopping by the bar to grab her purse from Harmony, the bartender.

She waited patiently for the pretty, but not too bright blonde bartender since the line was quite long. Parking her guitar against the stool, she leaned slightly over the edge of the bar to see if she could reach the small black purse. Giving up, she eased herself back, bumping into someone. The bar area was cramped, Buffy was unable to turn around to apologize to the person behind her.

“Where you going in such a hurry, luv?” he whispered into her ear with a sensuous British accent. His scent was intoxicating, a mixture of leather and tobacco. She felt weak in the knees, a warm sensation spreading low in her belly like fire. Buffy tilted her head slightly, his head was near the nape of her neck, his breath was warm on her skin, causing chill bumps on her body even though the atmosphere in the bar was suddenly warmer. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a shock of blonde hair and a scarred eyebrow.