Choices

Chapter Five


Buffy stared at the cng, ng, at the shadows the sun filtering through the curtains made. She felt well rested, but she was not ready to leave the sanctuary of her best yst yet. Mostly because she knew she'd have to face Spike. A good night's rest had calmed her, but she was feeling something she wasn't used to...something that she'd never really felt before and it had started when she saw that tramp Faith with her hands on him.

Jealousy.
He couldn't have actually liked her, could he?

He said he was giving her the brush off, but was he really? Spike would never lie to her and yet...he was still a virile vampire. He hadn't dated anyone in...years. Men craved sex like oxygen, didn't theyme tme to think of it, Angel hadn't dated for a long time either. Was she holding them back? Was their arrangement as delicate as Angel had said? Would they start dating now that she'd made the first step in making friends outside of each other? She furrowed her brow. She didn't like the idea of Spike dating. Perplexed by these thoughts, she put the covers over her head.

Staring at the fabric before her, inspion son struck. No wonder she was having these feelings for Spike. They'd been together for so long, they were practically the only males she had in her life that she was close to. Last night in the club had been an eye opener for her. Men found her desirable. Plus, she was inexperienced. She was twenty-one years old and never had a boyfriend. Of course she would take all these needs and desires and transfer them to Spike. She frowned, but why not Angel? No, she didn't like the idea of him dating either. What she needed to do was find herself some boys that she could be friends with, and boys she could date. Willow had mentioned some boys she knew, maybe she'd introduce her to them. Flinging the covers off, she smiled. Yes, that sounded like a plan. She leaned over and reached for the phone. Dialing Willow's number, she made plans with the girl for later on.

Feeling much better, Buffy climbed out of bed, stretched and peaked out her door. No sound. She tiptoed out in the hall and peaked in the living room. They must all still be in bed. Good. She pranced off into the bathroom and took a nice, warm shower.

After toweling she she reached for her bathrobe to find it missing. Dammit. She forgot she put it in the wash the day before. She chewed her bottom lip as she weighed her options. She grabbed the super long beach towel from the rack and wrapped it around herself. If she ran, she could make it to her bedroom without running into Spike and Angel.

Peaking her head out, she saw that no one was in the kitchen. God, she felt like an idiot, peaking around corners and tiptoeing around. She felt like James Bond. She started quickly for her bedroom and ran into something hard at the same time. She stumbled back and looked up to see Spike, shirtless, looking down at her, bleary-eyed. His eyes cleared a second later and he stared at her, up and down his gaze traveled. She felt her body getting hot under his scrutiny. And his chest, his beautiful body was on display for her again. She couldn't help but stare at the body that had stared a whole cycle of changes yesterday.

"For Christ's sake!" She exclaimed and ran to her room.

Spike stood there, dumbfounded for at least five minutes. Droplets of water were on the floor from her wet silky strands of hair. Buffy...towel...shower...naked. Those were the only coherent thoughts he was having. Her shoulders were bare, revealing a luscious neck, sleek collarbones and her legs...perfect. He could still see the droplets of water clinging to her shoulders and how one stray drop of water had made its descent down her chesd did disappeared under the towel, making its way to the valley between her supple breasts no doubt. She was so damn beautiful. He looked down at himself. Yep, just as he thought. God, he hoped she didn't notice his very visible erection straining in his sweat pants. She was dressing right now, taking off that towel and revealing that body. He groaned at the imagery and went to the bathroom to relieve his tension. When he came, it was her name on his lips.

****

"Have you spoken with Buffy yet?" Angel asked later when he joined him in the kitchen for breakfast.

Spike gulped. "No, not yet."

"Have you seen her? I heard the shower earlier."

"Yeah, uh, she's getting dressed."

Spike could feel Angel studying him. He looked up at him. "What?"

Angel shrugged. "You seem bothered."

"Bloody hell, can't anyone drink in peace around here?" He got up and left Angel in the kitchen, alone. He lay on his bed and lit up a cigarette. He was so bloody frustrated he thought he was going to explode. And why wouldn't he be frustrated? He hadn't sex in...at least two years. And then he'd gone and felt guilty about it. Felt like he'd betrayed Buffy. She had no idea of course, and he intended to keep it that way. He squeezed his eyes shut. Maybe if he took Faith up on her offer for a quick shag...no, he couldn't. He couldn't even find himself desiring her. His mind's eyes crackled with images of Buffy. It was her, only her. She was all he wanted, needed, craved. And she didn't know. If she did, would she care? Could she return his feelings?

Brother. That's what he was, wasn't he? He moaned and took a drag of his cigarette. He was going to be the King of Wanking.

Hearing her voice, he got up. They'd have to face each other sooner or later. He made his way into the kitchen to find the door closing and Angel sng ang at it.

"She leave?" Spike asked.

Angel turned around and nodded, sipping his breakfast. "Going out with Willow for the day."

Spike narrowed his eyes. "What is she doing today?"

"Not sure, she was pretty vague on her plans. But, she promised to check in later."

Spike grumbled and went back to bed. The day was shot to hell.