Winters Storm Epilogue A Winters Wedding

Winters Storm.

Epilogue.

A Winters Wedding.

It took a lot to make Luke nervous and even more to make him scared. He’d seen and done things that would make an ordinary guy quake. He’d committed rape and murder and much, much more and still he slept like a baby every night. So what was it about the thoughts of getting married that instilled such a sense of stark terror in him? The fact that the woman he was about to marry meant more to him than anything or anyone ever had before might have had something to do with it, he guessed.
Fear wasn’t something Luke was familiar with and it wasn’t sitting too well with him now, and the very real feeling that he wished the whole thing over with, was beginning to make him feel decidedly skittish.
Standing on the side steps of the house, he glanced over towards the rose garden. It looked real pretty. Luke sighed, hoping no one could tell how nervous he was. He looked at the other groom—he didn’t look nervous—he look excited. Luke envied him.
If a wedding is the most romantic of occasions, then a double wedding must be doubly romantic…
The grounds of Winter mansion, had been transformed into a beautiful forum for the wedding. Vette Salvatore, the event organizer who had worked so hard to help Buffy perfect Spike’s reception last summer, had helped the brides perfect everything. Both brides had worked closely with her. Every last detail had been worked out and finely tuned until everything was to the specifications of the three of them.
The wedding was taking place on the grounds—in the rose garden to be precise, a large rosewood arbor entwined with a lovely display of pink and cream roses, stood in the centre of the rose garden where Luke and the other groom waited for the ceremony to begin.
The wedding itself was going to be a small affair—just over a hundred guests in total. The numbers made up of the brides’ and grooms’ families, and a very select number of close friends. Neither couple wanted or needed an extravagant display of unnecessary numbers. In fact, considering who the brides were and who they were marrying, it was considered an all round better idea to keep things small.
The reception was going to be held in the mansion’s main reception room and Vette had worked diligently to make sure that everything was perfect. The colour theme of pink and cream was carried throughout from the brides’ flowers…the bridesmaids’ dresses…linens, candles, and nearly all of the other little tasteful details the two brides had worked out between them.
The collection of guests filled the rose garden…some of them making their way to their seats in readiness. The minister took his place under the arbor. To one side, he could see the two grooms. One of the grooms was talking earnestly with his best man—the other groom; a big man with a thick neck was fidgeting nervously with his neck tie. The minister smiled to himself. It always amused him when he saw a grown man…one, who by all appearances shouldn’t be afraid of anything, act as if he was about to face his own death.
Luke glanced up and caught the minister’s eye…he shrugged nervously and stopped fiddling with his tie, dropping his hand when he realized he’d been observed acting skittish. Still, it wasn’t everyday a guy got married. A guy was supposed to be nervous on a day like today.
Luke watched as Buffy’s friends, Willow and Oz took their seats. Willow was holding her baby on her knee. She glanced up and smiled at his nervous expression. She gave him a little wave and even lifted the baby’s tiny hand and waved again. He smiled at that and felt himself relax slightly. The baby was beautiful, with brown eyes and dark red hair just like his mother’s. Luke wondered what his own children might look like. He really hoped they took after Faith in the looks department ‘cause he sure wasn’t much to look at. It was odd to think of himself and Faith as parents, but strangely compelling and heart-warming. He smiled, glad that he was able to focus on something so desirable as becoming a parent, which of course meant getting married first. Neither his nor Faith’s parents had been married, but they’d decided they wanted to do things the right way.
He was still in awe that Faith had agreed to marry him, but since they’d been together for the last year it had become more obvious to both of them that they were really happy with each other. Faith’s job as a fitness instructor was going well and it wouldn’t be long before she was ready to open her own studio with her friend and partner, Harmony. Faith had told him she’d like to concentrate on that for a couple of years before they tried for a family, and Luke had no objections to any of it. He was just so incredibly happy she was marrying him.
Cooper approached him. “Hey, how you doing chief?” he asked, straightening his jacket.
Luke felt another bubble of nerves rise up. “Fine,” he replied gruffly, trying to hide his nerves.
Cooper chuckled. “I never thought I’d live to see the day when the man of stone, Luke Preston succumbed to nerves…and it took a woman to do it,” he said laughing.
Luke growled. “Some best man you’re turning out to be…I knew I should have asked Wesley,” he grumbled. “You’re supposed to be lending me your support, not flirting with the single female guests.”
Cooper chuckled. “Awww, come on, you’re a big guy…what’s to be scared of…you’re only giving up your entire freedom and tying yourself down with one woman. I’m sure there’s nothing to it…all you gotta do is say ‘I do’…for the rest of your life,” he laughed.
Luke growled again and was just about to deliver a sharp reply, when a beautiful woman passed by them on her way to her seat. She smiled and winked at Cooper as she passed.
Cooper gave her a big smile back.
“Who’s that?” Luke asked not recognizing the woman.
“Oh, that’s Christina…or Chrissie as she prefers to be called…isn’t she one hot momma? She’s a guest of Harmony’s,” Cooper said smiling still.
Luke looked at the woman Chrissie and nodded.
Cooper let his gaze linger as he admired the raven haired beauty. “Greek, thirty-one years old, single…of course, and she has the most beautiful accent I’ve ever heard…and her skin is the softest I’ve—”
Luke cut him off. “How the hell do you know if her skin is soft? You’ve only just met her,” he exclaimed. “How the hell did you find the time to see what her skin was like?” he demanded disbelievingly.
Cooper chuckled. “Oh, that’s not all I got time for, she—”
“Huh, no way—she’s only been here twenty minutes and I can’t believe that even you’ve had enough time to talk her into sex,” Luke said incredulously.
Cooper laughed. “Has anyone ever told you, you’ve got a dirty mind?” Cooper asked.
Luke glared at him. “Yes…Faith…every damn day,” he replied smugly.
Cooper smiled. “I don’t doubt it—but I hate to tell you, you’ve got it all wrong. Not that I wouldn’t want to talk the beautiful Chrissie into a quickie, but as it happens, I was talking about getting her phone number and…her room number…both of which she gave me—and as for my reference about her soft skin, if you had just waited, I was going to tell you I was talking about her hands,” he informed Luke.
“Her phone number, her room number and her hands?” Luke asked equally incredulously.
“Yes,” Cooper replied firmly.
Luke nodded. “Hmmm.”
There was a small commotion at the edge of the rose garden and the bridesmaids appeared. Luke swallowed nervously.
The minister was in place and a sudden air of expectation fell on the gathered guests. Spike appeared at their sides. “Okay, looks like it’s show time,” he said grinning and rubbing his hands in excitement. Luke growled at him too. “Don’t be such a girl…you’ll be fine,” he said laughing as he dashed off to find his own place.
Cooper turned to Luke, a grave expression on his face. “Okay Luke, as your best man it’s my solemn duty to point out to you that this is your last chance—and I’ll lend you my car if you wanna run now,” he said jokingly.
Luke gave him a thunderous look and Cooper took a hasty step back, holding his hands up in a defensive gesture. “Okay, okay…sheesh I was just kidding,” he laughed then. Under his breath he added, “Big lump of stone has no sense of humour.”
“You better not have lost the ring…coz if you have, I’ll show you exactly how little humour I really have,” Luke whispered harshly out of the corner of his mouth.
Cooper just grinned at him and patted his jacket breast pocket.
Screwing his courage tight, Luke took his place in front of the minister, next to the other groom. They shared a nervous expectant smile. The music started and together, they turned to watch their brides approach them.
The first person Luke noticed was Buffy. She looked stunning, her long golden hair curled softly against her bare shoulders and her brighter than the sun smile lighting up her pretty face. Then all of his attention fell on Faith as she came into view and for the first time in his life, Luke felt the sting of tears burn his eyes at the mere sight of a woman—but not just any woman—Faith.
She smiled softly at him and he thought he might burst with love.
The two brides walked side by side, slowly following the sedate march of their bridesmaids. Both dressed in cream gowns of silk and lace and satin…both beautiful…both smiling…one a stunning brunette, the other a stunning blonde…a perfect contrast to one another. Luke caught sight of Spike’s grinning face and returned the gesture with a nervous smile.
The bridesmaids arrived at the front and took a graceful step to the side, allowing the brides to step forward and take their places beside the two grooms.
Luke looked down into Faith’s face. “Wasn’t sure if you’d decide today was a good day to leave me Faith,” he whispered gently.
She arched a cool brow at him and shook her head. “Reimburse me for the dress and I might think about it,” she told him seriously.
Luke laughed. “Well in that case…you’re not getting a nickel,” he replied.
“Yeah, that’s what I thought you’d say…so it looks like you’re stuck with me,” she whispered, smiling.
“I think I can live with that,” he told her, smiling happily.
They turned their attention to the front, sheepishly looking at the other couple…who had been holding their own whispered mini conversation.
Standing next to Faith, Spike whispered, “Have you finished? Can we start now?”
Luke and Faith nodded at him.
“Good,” he said, looking at the blonde standing on his other side. She smiled hesitantly at him before facing the minister, who was grinning at the lot of them.
“Well, if both couples are quite sure that they’re ready, we’ll begin,” the minister said looking from one couple to the other.
Both sets nodded back at him.
“Very well.”
He began the ceremony with a brief, but lovely dialogue on the joys of marriage, talking about their intentions to commitment and fidelity that would with love and devotion, bind them together all the years of their lives.
The words were lovely, touching more than just the hearts of the brides’ and grooms’, but the congregation’s too.
Smiling at them, the minister closed his speech and invited them forward, and began the civil part of the ceremony. “Who gives this woman to this man?” he asked looking at Faith. “And who gives this woman to this man?” he asked again, looking at Harmony.
Spike stepped forward slightly. “I do,” he said, placing Faith’s hand in Luke’s and turning to place Harmony’s hand in Darius’. Once he’d discharged his duty in giving the brides away, he took a step back and moved to the side to stand between Cordelia and Buffy, who were acting as bridesmaids.
Standing behind Faith, Buffy smiled at Spike as he joined her. He smiled back and moved just a fraction closer to her. He covertly caught her hand in his and brought it close to his lips so he could place a kiss on the ring finger of her own hand, where her wedding band should be.
She smiled softly at the loving gesture.
He leaned his head in close to hers. “I love you Mrs. Winters,” he whispered.
Her smile grew wider. “And I love you too Mr. Winters,” she whispered back.
Happily, they turned their attention back to the two couples when they heard the minister pronounce them husbands and wives.
Harmony gave a little squeal, and throwing her arms around her new husband, she kissed him. Faith and Luke had the same idea and together they kissed for the first time as a married couple.
Cordelia hugged Harmony as soon as she let go of Darius and just as quickly hugged Faith, when she broke away from Luke.
The guests gave a cheer and applauded loudly.
Standing on the other side of Luke, Cooper finally managed to reach the brides and kiss both of them in turn, grinning and laughing with the spirit of the occasion. Not to be left out, Spike followed his example and kissed both brides. Buffy too, was hugging and kissing brides and grooms alike.
Laughing and grinning, they all fell into an orderly formation, as the two couples began to move down the rose petal covered carpet, making their way to the reception room. Buffy, as Faith’s bridesmaid, took Cooper’s arm and allowed him to escort her behind Luke and Faith, while Cordy as Harmony’s bridesmaid took the arm of Darius’ brother and best man and joined the procession behind Harmony and Darius.
Spike joined Willow and Oz and together, they followed the wedding party into the house. Smiling, Spike plucked baby Kurt out of Willow’s arms and carried him squirming and wriggling all the way into the reception area. Xander, Anya and Tara met them along the way and together as a smiling group, they went to find their places.
****

The strains of the band playing a slow soft number soothed Buffy as she danced with Spike. The wedding was over. Faith and Luke…Harmony and Darius had all left to start their honeymoons and just about all of the guests had left. Only a handful of brave diehards remained to continue the celebration into the small hours of the morning.
Tara had left with Willow and Oz, who needed to leave to put Baby Kurt to bed. Cordelia had left an hour ago; Marti was flying her back to New York where no doubt Angel was waiting for her. Cooper was nowhere to be seen and Buffy suspected he’d made a conquest with the beautiful Chrissie and followed her back to her hotel. Buffy wondered what Darius thought of Cooper pursuing and monopolizing one of his sisters all night. The Greek man had been rather protective of his sister and made it pretty clear to Cooper he wasn’t to trifle with his sister’s heart.
Buffy had smiled at the Greek man when she overheard him warning Cooper to be a gentleman. Still, she didn’t think Darius had anything to worry about, as since Cooper had seemed very mesmerized by the Greek beauty, so much so that she thought she saw the beginnings of a real relationship for Cooper.
Hmm, Cooper and Chrissie…that has a nice ring to it, she thought.
“What are you smiling at kitten?” Spike whispered at her ear.
“Oh, nothing much…just a silly woman’s intuition thing…if it actually works out, I’ll let you know…but until then, I’m keeping my thoughts to myself,” she told him.
Arching a dark brow, Spike looked at her. “Well far be it from me to try and delve into your secret thoughts…not that I’m not brave enough…but once I hear the phrase ‘woman’s intuition’, I know when to leave well alone,” he said kissing her neck.
Buffy giggled. “Oh, look! I think my mom is ready to head off to bed…we better go say goodnight,” she said, tugging his hand and heading off in Joyce’s direction.
“You going to bed mom?” she asked.
“Yes, I’m beat…my poor feet are killing me. I haven’t danced that much since your wedding…and it’s taken me the three months since then to recover,” she told them.
Spike laughed at his mother-in-law. “Well that’ll mean you’ll be recovered enough to dance your feet off again at the next big party…which just happens to be in another three months time,” he told her. Joyce looked at him a little confused and he realized she forgotten. “Christmas remember? We’re holding a big party here and all of Buffy’s friends are invited, and you and Dawn are supposed to be staying for the whole week.”
Joyce smiled. “Of course…how could I have forgotten? Especially with Dawn going on about it every five minutes,” she laughed.
Buffy looked around, and not seeing her sister asked, “Where is Dawn by the way?”
Joyce grinned at her. “She went with Marti to fly Cordy back to New York.”
Buffy groaned. She should have guessed Dawn would hitch a ride with Marti…she’d do anything to spend time with him and in the last few months the two of them had seen a lot of each other.
“Don’t worry, he’s flying the plane…they won’t be able to get up to anything,” Spike assured the two women.
Buffy and Joyce laughed…both of them glad that Spike wasn’t fully aware of the seriousness of the relationship between Dawn and Marti. Spike had a tendency to be rather protective of Dawn, which Buffy always found rather ironic considering how, when she first met him, he’d actually threatened to send Dawn to the street pimp, Trick.
She shook off the old memories and turned to her mom again. “Well I hope you had a nice time…it was a lovely wedding and I think everything went off without a hitch.”
Joyce nodded. “Yes I had a great time and it was a lovely wedding…though not as beautiful as yours,” she said smiling at Spike.
Grinning at Joyce, he placed an arm around Buffy’s waist and hugged her. “You’re spot on there mum…nothing could ever be more beautiful than our wedding,” he said, leaning over to kiss his wife’s cheek.
Joyce looked at the two of them and decide now was the time to head off to bed. She smiled. “Well, I’ll say goodnight then.” She kissed them both on the cheek and headed off in the direction of the elevator.
Buffy and Spike turned back towards the almost empty reception room. They could see Dixon, Wesley and Ritt sitting at a table in one corner, talking with Wesley’s girlfriend Fred and Buffy’s friends Xander and Anya. They were all laughing and talking over their drinks, getting along like old friends, but then they were all friends now…and even more than friends. They were family.
Ritt was laughing at something Anya was saying to him, as Xander tried to prevent her by covering her mouth with his hand. Buffy guessed straight away that Anya was yet again, telling the whole table something totally embarrassing and judging from the way Xander was acting, it was about their sex lives. She smiled and sighed.
“Is that a happy sigh Mrs. Winters?”
She looked at the small group of friends. “Yep…that was a happy sigh Mr. Winters…” She turned in his arms and looked up at him through her lashes. “Do you want to turn it into a happy moan?” she asked saucily, a small smile painting her soft mouth.
Spike smiled at her rakishly. “I do,” he whispered.
Buffy took his hand and gently tugged him out of the room. Spike was a little surprised when she turned them towards the gardens and not the elevator.
“Where exactly are you taking me Mrs. Winters?” he asked smiling.
“The garden,” she replied coyly. She saw his pretend shocked expression. “I know I’m terrible, aren’t I?”
He grabbed her hips and pressed against her from behind. “Hmmm…yes you are…terrible…or I should say, terribly good,” he whispered at her ear.
She giggled and slipped out of his loose embrace. Picking up the hem of her pink satin bridesmaids dress, she dashed off in the direction of the rose garden. Spiked laughed and took off after her.
*****

Spike finally caught up with her on the wrap around porch of the new summer house. Laughing, Buffy flung the door open and they both fell through in a tangle of arms and legs.
Collapsing on to the floor laughing and panting, the pair slowly recovered from their mad dash. Spike pulled Buffy into his arms, kissing the side of her neck as she squirmed and wriggled next to him.
“Well now, you’ve got me here Mrs. Winters, what are you going to do with me?” he asked nibbling her ear.
Easing herself off the floor, Buffy tugged his hand, urging him to rise with her so she could move them both deeper into the small timber and glass house.
Spike had had the lavish summer house constructed for Buffy and Faith so they could have somewhere totally private for just themselves. The fact that everyone else also seemed to make extensive use of it didn’t seem to bother the girls much, and many evenings found all of them gathered at the summer house, talking, listening to music and cooking impromptu barbeques as they wiled away the warm summer evenings.
On odd occasions, the summer house also doubled as yet another location to indulge in some alone time for Spike and Buffy. Spike was pretty sure it served the same purpose for Luke and Faith…though he wasn’t sure if Wesley had ever brought Fred back to sample the delights of the spacious summer house in that particular way.
His loss if he hadn’t. Spike looked at Buffy as she led him to one of the many lounge beds that filled the main room and provided comfort when on rainy days, she wanted to escape and just read for hours on end.
“Did I tell you how pretty you look in your frock pet?” Spike asked.
Buffy nodded, smiling. “Only about a hundred times.”
“Only a hundred? I must be slipping.” He lowered his head and claimed a soft kiss.
In the dark, her hands found the edges of his jacket and pushed it off his shoulders. “I’ll forgive you…” she murmured.
He reached up and released the clip holding her hair back on one side. “Forgive? I’ve done something to offend you?” he teased.
She removed his tie and started to work on the buttons of his snowy white shirt. “Oh, no…not offend as such…but it has been a torment sitting next to you all day and not feeling anything but your eyes on me…when all I’ve wanted is to feel your mouth and hands…”
His fingers unerringly found the side zip of her dress and slowly he dragged it downwards. “The feelings mutual pet…with you all wrapped in pink satin, looking like the prettiest little present at an orphans first real Christmas…I’ve had the devil of a time trying to remind myself to sit still and play host…and not just throw you over my shoulder and carry you off kicking and screaming to have my wicked way with you. Obviously pink satin does strange things to me…” he whispered. The dress pooled at her feet, leaving her clad in nothing but a pair of silk panties and lace topped stockings.
His shirt was a bold white splodge on the dark floor. “I doubt there would be much kicking and screaming,” she replied smiling.
“Aww pet…don’t be a spoil sport…let me have my fantasies,” he teased. “I always fancied myself as a Viking warrior, swooping in to carry off a fair maid.”
She pushed up on to her tip-toes and brushed his lips with a light kiss, her fingers busy undoing his suit pants. She teased him with tiny touches against his straining length. “Fantasies? Are you trying to tell me the reality isn’t enough for you? Only three months married and you’re tiring of me already,” she teased, nibbling his bottom lip.
Suddenly serious, Spike gently pushed her away from him and looked at her face in the darkened room. “Nothing…absolutely nothing can compare with the reality you’ve given me Buffy…when I think about—”
“Sssh,” she stilled him with a soft finger pressed against his lips. “No…that’s the past and we’ve dealt with that. I’m your wife…you’re my husband and we love each other and that’s all we need to remember…nothing else is important to us any more,” she told him.
Slowly he pulled her towards him, embracing her within the expanse of his strong arms, hugging and rocking her gently against him. “Oh, Buffy pet…the whole world could burn and I probably wouldn’t even notice as long as you’re with me…nothing else matters to me but you…you are my heart and soul…my perfect love…my everything…”
She smiled up at him. Instantly, she was transported back to that day three months ago in Venice when she had heard those words for the first time as part of their wedding ceremony. They were on holiday, touring Italy. Or at least that’s what she thought they were doing. It had come as a great shock to her when on the second week of their three week holiday, Spike had announced on the morning they were due to visit St Mark’s cathedral that he had arranged for them to be married.
Stunned silence had followed his news…but then she laughed, realizing there was nothing more she wanted than to become his wife.
He let go a relieved breath and planted a hard kiss on her lips before opening their suite door to reveal Faith standing outside in the corridor, wearing a powder blue bridesmaids dress and holding a black dress bag.
Buffy had burst into happy tears at seeing her friend…but the surprises didn’t end there, as Faith stepped into the room…only to be followed by Harmony and Cordy, both dressed in the same powder blue as Faith and ready to help her get ready for her wedding.
A knock at the door revealed Luke and Cooper, who dragged Spike off to get ready himself, and, get him out of the way of the girls, who were in full make-over mode.
The dress bag contained the most beautiful bridal gown Buffy had ever seen, and she knew her friends had picked the exact gown she would have chosen for herself, if she’d been given the chance.
The full length ivory gown was a sumptuous creation of heavy satin that was cut simply to fit her small frame, the skirt hugging her curves in gentle folds. The fitted bodice encased her waist, torso and bust in a tight swathe of boned satin that was laced up at the back, leaving her shoulders and décolletage bare. The skirt of the gown fell to the floor around her feet, the cool heavy fabric brushing enticingly against her silk stockings and trailing the floor behind her as she moved. The whole thing was finished with a tight fitting, long sleeved bolero jacket of ivory lace, heavily encrusted with seed pearls and dainty rosebuds. A matching lace veil was held back with a small half coronet of ivory silk rosebuds with a sprinkling of more seed pearls nestled between the tight buds. Her shoes were made of the same ivory coloured satin as her gown, with yet more rosebuds and seed peals decorating the front of the dainty slipper shoes.
Spike had arranged for the hotel to send up a make-up artist and hairdresser and within two hours the small wedding party was ready to set off.
Buffy was surprised to find that Spike had gone ahead to the church with Luke and Cooper, and when she tried to question the girls how the whole thing had been arranged without her ever guessing, the girls just laughed and chatted away ninety to the dozen, but somehow managed to evade her more pointed questions. Buffy’s head was spinning and everything seemed so surreal.
Giddy and feeling like her face was about to burst with all the smiling she’d done, Buffy was hustled out of the gondola and ushered to the church, where she was met at the door by yet another surprise.
Dawn. Dressed in powder blue and holding a pretty white basket of posies that she handed out to the other bridesmaids, as she tried to kiss and hug Buffy at the same time.
In a breathless rush, Buffy asked if her mom was there too. Dawn nodded, smiling behind happy tears.
The girls got into formation in front of Buffy, ready to begin the long march down the central aisle of the great cathedral…but just as Buffy wondered where her own flowers were and why they weren’t moving off already, Wesley appeared at her side.
He presented her with a beautiful bridal bouquet of cream roses and brushed his lips softly against her cheek. “If you would permit me…it would be my great honour to escort you to your groom,” he said rather formally.
Tears threatened to spill down her cheeks and spoil her make-up, but Buffy managed to blink them back quickly. She nodded unable to speak and Wesley gently tucked her hand into the crook of his arm and gave the girls a quick nod…and they were stepping forward.
The vast church was virtually empty of wedding guests…but members of the public who were visiting the historic cathedral stopped in their admiration of the beautiful church to join in the wedding service.
Buffy didn’t notice the lack of wedding guests, she only saw Spike. He was waiting for her at the alter rails. Standing next to him was Luke and Cooper as well as a smiling, elderly priest. As they drew nearer, Buffy spotted her mom sitting with Ritt and Marti, they all rose as the small procession drew closer.
Her eyes sparkled with joy and her heart felt full as they finally came to a stop and the girls silently moved to the left. Smiling, the priest drew them forward so they formed an intimate little semi-circle around him, with all members of the small wedding party being included in the services.
A perfect moment of silence enveloped her as Wesley placed her hand into Spike’s. She gazed up into his blue, blue eyes…as blue as the big wide sky and suddenly she felt free.
Then the priest began the words that would join them together in the eyes of God as husband and wife forever. Spike followed with words of his own and as his words of love washed over her, Buffy really did cry.
With a tender look filled with his love, Spike placed a wedding band on her finger and gently covered her mouth with a sweet kiss, sealing them together as one.
Married, they began the slow journey back down the aisle, leaving the cool shadowed interior of the hushed cathedral for the bright sunshine of a perfect summer’s day.
*****

Buffy rested her head against the smooth warmth of Spike’s naked chest as the memory washed over her once more.
It had been a surprise wedding—a secret wedding—and it would probably remain a secret for as long as Masters posed even the remotest of threats to them. She didn’t even wear her wedding band in public, in fear it raised questions. Only a few select, very trusted friends even knew of the wedding—but Buffy didn’t mind, she loved Spike and as long as they were together she could live with the secrecy. Over the last year, things had changed in strange ways. On the surface, the business front was little altered, but underneath, the work was still going on to create a new order…a new foundation and framework that Spike and his men were trying to make a reality.
Thanks to their combined hard work and the added support of a few select people like Thomas Taylor, the new businesses were making strong and steady growth—but Spike’s lofty plans to make the LA branch completely legitimate were still a long way off. Masters was ever watchful, and Spike didn’t like that so many of the business contacts he’d made were been subjected to such open scrutiny by Masters in New York. It would seem Masters didn’t trust him completely…or maybe it was still Buffy the old man was mistrustful of. Either way, Spike was still determined to work towards his goal—the old bastard couldn’t live for ever—and if the reports of his ill health this last six months were anything to go on, Spike hoped the old git wouldn’t be around much longer and that would solve all his problems…well except for Angel—the still ever present and lingering thorn in his side.
As Spike had predicted, Angel hadn’t wasted much time in getting back into Masters good books and making himself the perfect ‘yes’ man. Back to dirty dealing, oozing his way through the more sleazy deals Masters presented him with. Thankfully their paths hadn’t crossed since the day Ritt had escorted him back to New York, but Spike knew it was only a matter of time.
Masters clearly still favoured Angel—and Angel had Masters’ ear, and Spike knew that was probably enough to keep Masters pitting the two of them against each other. Despite the distance and the fact that Angel had once betrayed him, Masters still seemed to want to place Angel in a position of power. Spike didn’t really doubt that if given the chance, Angel would take his revenge on him—it was just a case of, if the opportunity ever arose.
Cordy, who was living and working in New York assured him that Angel had never mentioned anything about revenge. Spike wondered how much truth there was in that, it’s not as if Cordy had any great love for him and she was involved with Angel on a personal level. She’d moved to New York almost as soon as he’d closed Glory down the year before. Working as a stage actress, Cordy was making a good living for herself and the parts were rolling in, though Spike suspected Angel had a hand in helping her land some of her more lucrative roles. Money opened many doors after all—but she was still Buffy’s devoted friend and was sworn to secrecy about their marriage, and though they had never spoken of their own dark episode, Spike often wondered what was going through the beautiful brunette’s head. For now, she remained silent. Spike knew if anyone could destroy his world it was without a doubt Cordy and the irony of that struck him at the oddest of moments.
For now, he had bigger problems. In the last few weeks, he’d been trying to curtail some of the drug traffic that was spilling out of South America—trying to divert the business to other more willing recipients. It was a big risk cutting back on the drugs without attracting Masters attention…and he hoped he’d been successful…shaving the business back with great care…steering the drug lords to other clients. He prayed that none of them would be so disgruntled with his lack of interest that they would take their complaints to Masters. It was a gamble…but a necessary one they had all agreed to take.
Buffy stirred in his arms distracting him from his thoughts. Moonlight bathed her, caressing her golden flesh with a silvery light, lending her the appearance of some midnight fairy…dressed in nature’s delicate mantle. His heart lurched as it often did when just the sight of her moved him to near tears. He’d do anything for her—tear the world down and build it anew, just to make her happy—and wasn’t that what he was trying to do? Create a new world for them…out of the old and corrupt world that he’d lived in for far too long. He’d resigned himself long ago to the fact that he would never be able to break away from the world he’d stumbled into…blinded by dark love—but there was a chance that he could change it from the inside—and to create the world that would be a safe environment for Buffy…for all of them, he’d take the chance. Masters wouldn’t win. Spike vowed he’d die first.
Shaking off the morbid thoughts, Spike swept Buffy off her feet and gently placed her on the bed. He kissed her deeply before pulling back to look down at her, desire lighting his eyes.
Buffy swallowed, as just the sight of his broad shoulders and powerful chest made her shiver with anticipation. It was always this way with Spike…he always did this to her…his sheer physical male presence made her feel weak with longing. Unsteadily, she stretched out her hand to him, inviting him to her.
Sexual excitement bloomed in the air between them, drawing them together. The pale light washed over the smooth expanse of his sculptured chest. Free of body hair, his chest looked hard and marble white in the soft light filtering through the windows. Licking suddenly dry lips, Buffy beckoned him forward with a seductive smile.
She drew a shaky breath as he approached her, her body tingling as it prepared itself for his touch…for the satisfaction only he could give her.
Spike watched the expressions reflected on her upturned face…she was a picture of pure female sexuality…magnificently female. He recognized the need in her and his desire increased as he let the remaining item of clothing drop off his body.
Her eyes moved over him as his moved over her.
“I want you,” she whispered huskily.
“Show me,” he pleaded, lost to her softly worded desire.
He lay down next to her…not quite touching…afraid to make full contact in case he lost control of his will and ended things too quickly for both of them. He wanted her to take her pleasure…always.
She turned towards him, kissing the smooth column of his throat, licking the slightly rougher, taut flesh under his jaw. Tilting his head back, he growled softly…and the growl turned into a strangled moan as she caressed his chest lightly.
Tortuous…that’s what it was…sweet…blissful torture.
Her fingertips danced over his flat nipples and traced the contours of his muscles, skating slowly further on a convoluted path lower and lower.
His breath hissed between clenched teeth as her soft hand closed about his hard length. He moved his hips once and then forced himself to stay still…letting her control him…command him…for now.
She continued to kiss him as her hand began to move in a slow deep caress.
Sweet torture.
Her sense of power increased as did her pleasure. It always made her feel so complete as a woman to be able to bring him this shared pleasure…his body delighted and stirred her. Her stomach muscles clenched sharply as his soft muffled moans reached her ears. She knew by now he was probably very close to the point of losing control and she wondered if he’d let her finish or if he’d snap and take control…command. She knew which she’d prefer…this time.
She shifted on the bed, positioning herself to begin another, even more intimate kind of caress.
Spike lurched up, swiftly pulling her up and pressing her back against the bed, before her lips could cover him.
“Enough!”
He was on her…his mouth moving over her in sudden need that exploded in a heated rush all over her lax body. Overwhelmed, she shuddered, waiting for the next brush of his lips…the next touch…craving the words he poured onto her even more than the precious satiny touch of his body…more than the air she dragged into her labouring lungs.
“Do you know what you do to me?” he demanded of her.
“Yes…” she moaned.
His fingers trembled over her. “You overwhelm me with your very presence…with each smile…with each flash of your emerald eyes…you gain just another little piece of my very heart and soul. When will you take it all Buffy…? When will you own enough of me to satisfy you?”
“Never…” she breathed softly.
He nodded. “Good…”
The hot primitive smell of aroused male reached her, setting her senses alight with a burning need. He pressed greedy open mouthed kisses to the bare flesh of her quivering belly, licking the taste of excitement from her.
Her fingers moved from his shoulders to his soft blonde hair. This was what always happened. The sheer energy that they generated swept them away…like a raging river…they were powerless to it…control was impossible…and the furthest thing from either of their minds. It was savage in its beauty…breathtaking and a sweet agonizing possession.
His hands covered her breasts, finding her nipples stiff and thrusting towards his seeking fingers.
She moaned, needing his mouth where his hands were. He read her desire and his tongue lapped at the aching buds. She gasped as the heat of his mouth covered a tight nipple; suckling her softly…he plucked at its twin.
Shifting, he covered her mouth with his, driving his tongue into the sweet warmth with a heady rhythmic thrust. His fingers crept under the fluted leg of her panties, seeking her wet heat. Buffy groaned, lost to their joint arousal. He moved his fingers in a synchronized thrust to match the thrust of his tongue in her mouth.
The course hairs of his thighs slid over the soft velvet skin of her thighs, setting her sensitized flesh buzzing and trembling. He looked down at her, her creamy naked limbs opening beneath him in a clear invitation, coaxing him on. He found her breasts again, worshiping her with passion filled kisses and love induced words.
“Love me Buffy…please,” he whispered.
“Always…” she answered.
“Now?”
“Yes…now,” she responded in a gruff whisper.
“And always?”
“And always,” she repeated.
“Oh, Buffy…Buffy…”
Gently, he tugged the fabric away from her body, opening her up to him completely. She surrendered to him, joyously. His fingers were back, melting her with soft wet touches to her centre, rubbing and exciting her to the point of ecstasy and then pulling back from the brink…waiting…waiting…waiting…
Her body trembled and she felt his body answer hers with a corresponding shudder. She gazed at the thick strength of his jutting erection and with a sure desire, she touched him. The sensation drew his gaze to her hand. His pulse soared as she stroked him. Breathing hard, he watched her eyes and face…as she related to him her pleasure in the tactile excitement she derived from the feel of his velvet heat and hard potency.
Spike closed his eyes and exhaled, unable to cope with his body’s yearning to join with her. Yet again, he conceded who really held the power…she always had…only now she knew how to use it.
“I love you,” she whispered.
Yes, all the power was hers. “It’s all I’ll ever ask of you…it’s all I’ll ever want…” he said hoarsely, nearly choking on the emotions that threatened to swamp him.
They leaned towards one another, kissing.
He watched her face as he slowly eased into her, stretching her…filling her. The evidence of his desire for her, embedded deep inside her…he gave himself to her and possessed her in the same act. Moving slowly…drawing her to him, her body joined his, meeting him with a desire that matched his. Bodies, hearts and souls in perfect union.
He cried out, overcome with the on rush of feelings that she demanded from him. The sound rang loud and clear a shout of pure acceptance as he surrendered himself to her. Buffy knew, already aroused beyond anything she’d ever experienced before…her body screaming for the release that was hovering on the brink of some lofty pinnacle. Her breath caught and held as she waited…waited…waited…
The scream that ripped the air cut through the last of Spike’s reserves and he cried out again, joining her in a climax that left them both quaking in each others arms.
He smoothed back the damp hair from her brow, kissing her temple softly. “I love you,” he whispered breathlessly.
“Hmmm…” she nodded against his chest. “Love you too,” she finally managed.
Exhausted, they drifted into a light doze. Spike wrapped Buffy in his arms and shifted their positions, so she was draped over him like a well fed, sleepy kitten. The room was warm and warmer still from the heat they had generated with their love making.
Replete, they rested in a small cocoon of unity…happy for now…and safe for now.
THE END…for now…