Spike could tell by the subtle increase in Buffy’s heartbeat and breathing that she’d been awake for at least twenty minutes, even though she had yet to move.  It was this prolonged stillness that fed his ever-rising insecurities and made him incredibly antsy.
 
He’d be the first to admit, he was never one for patience.
 
Even living in the Victorian era, a time that epitomized this virtue, there were more instances than he could count when he’d fallen victim to the headmaster’s cane for fidgeting during a lesson.  Not to mention the dozens of times as an adult his mum chastised him for raking his fingers through his hair or tugging at his collar during a torturously long sermon or a formal social gathering.
 
Then when he became a vampire, his patience went from waning to nil.
 
Right now, in spite of his nature to be in constant motion, he lay still as the dead, or undead in his case, and waited.  Even when her breath hitched several times as if she was preparing to speak, he remained stock-still.
 
Ironically, it was as he felt himself drifting off to sleep when she decided to make a move.  One moment she was in his arms, the next he was on his back, and she astride his hips.  Even though his instincts screamed for him to open his eyes and defend himself in this exposed position, he stayed motionless.
 
The truth of the matter was he couldn’t bear witnessing the hatred and disgust in her eyes before she turned him to dust.  He was relying on his memory of the expression of sheer contentment she wore last night, in order to help him through his long-overdue penance in Hell.
 
Then he felt it, something pressing against the area right over his vulnerable heart.  However, it wasn’t the sharp tip of wood he had expected, but soft, pliant lips bestowing a lingering opened-mouth kiss.
 
Once the initial shock wore off, Spike groaned his approval, as his chest arched seeking more of her tender touch.  After several more blissful kisses, she finally broke away, but not far enough to stop her hot breath from fanning across his chest.  He opened his eyes and focused on the beautiful woman above him.
 
“Buffy—” Before Spike could continue she pressed a finger gingerly against his lips silencing him.
 
“The whole time I’ve been lying here, I thought about all the reasons why I shouldn’t do this.  And let’s just say there were a lot—” Spike readied to interject, but Buffy’s firm gazed silenced him.  “And my head still kinda feels like a piñata on Cinco de Mayo.  But even with all the festive pounding, the only thing that makes it all worthwhile—is you.  Yeah, you and me together seems kinda weird.  Like really, really weird.  But what would my life on the Hellmouth be if there wasn’t any weirdness?”
 
“What are you saying exactly, luv?”  Spike hated his evident insecurity, but he needed to know.
 
“Well, I thought maybe—you know—we could give this a chance.  That’s if you—”
 
Spike cut off Buffy’s words by pulling her into an intense kiss that served as his answer.  When he finally broke away, he knew he was wearing the biggest shit-eating grin ever, but he didn’t care.  This amazing woman wanted him.  She. Wanted. Him.
 
“So is that a yes?” Buffy smiled coyly.
 
Spike growled playfully, wrapping his arms around her, rolling them, and answering her between fleeting kisses pressed to every inch of skin he could reach.
 
“Yeah—” kiss “You silly—” kiss “Beautiful—” kiss “Woman—” kiss “I’ve said this before—” kiss “I want you—” kiss “All of you.” kiss
 
After growling his last words, he extended their kiss until he knew breathing had become an issue for her.  While she gasped for air, his focus moved to the lengthy expanse of her throat, placing lavish kisses and nips until he reached the dual marks marring her flesh.  His marks.
 
He tentatively ran the tip of his tongue over the puckered skin.  Her back arched as she tunneled her fingers in his hair and released a heady moan.  Her reactions spurred Spike to lave the area further with long sweeping laps.
 
Even though last night was only their first time together, he’d already memorized how her body spoke to him.  She might not easily relay her feelings, well those other than frustration or anger, but her body screamed what it craved to all those that took the time to listen, and Spike heard it loud and clear.
 
Right now she needed him to draw out the climax that had her hovering on the brink.  Spike slid off to her side, his mouth never leaving her neck while his hand skillfully descended her body until he’d reached her very core.
 
Buffy writhed under his expert touch as her legs instinctually parted, granting him access.  Spike’s mind was awhirl with every gasped and muttered word of encouragement as he caressed her silky folds.
 
While his fingers explored further, her hips gyrated in tandem with his strokes.  Even with her slickness coating each fingertip, he knew she needed more.
 
Spike released her throat and moved his mouth to hover near the shell of her ear, as he slid two deft fingers inside her heat, and his thumb drew lazy circles against her clit.
 
“That’s it, sweetheart.  Let go. I’ve got you.”
 
Almost on cue, Buffy bucked once more and drenched his hand with her spendings, her loud cries of completion echoing in his ear.  Spike slowly pumped his fingers several more times, gradually bringing her down from her climax.
 
Gently, he removed his hand and drank in this beautifully sated woman.  He basked in the thought of knowing he was the one who placed the soft smile touching her lips, the light sheen of sweat dusting her fully relaxed body, and the steady hums of contentment rumbling deeply within her throat.
 
“It’s rude to stare.”  Buffy’s slightly cracking voice broke him from his inner musings.
 
“Not staring—admiring, totally different vibe, luv.”  Spike trailed his dampened fingertips along her midline, from throat to mound.  Buffy gasped, arching into his touch.
 
“Mmm—a girl can definitely get used to this.”
 
“Good, ‘cause my girl will be on the receiving end of this every moment of every day, if it’s up to me.”
 
Spike leaned forward and encompassed her nipple with his lips, ending the contact with his blunt teeth tugging teasingly at the sensitive tip.
 
“Ah—”
 
Buffy cried out in pleasure, her hand returning to his head, guiding him back.  Obliging to her silent request, he returned to tease and nip at her breast before ascending the tip of his tongue toward her lips.  When he reached his destination, she instinctually opened her mouth, meeting him in a heated kiss.
 
Without warning, Buffy rolled them, continuing their kiss until she pulled away, gasping for air. She then sat up, straddling his lap and splaying her hands across his chest.
 
“We need to stop if we’re going to get anything done today.”  Buffy’s cheeks were flushed, her breath steady pants.
 
“Why do we need to do anything besides this?”  Spike palmed her breasts as he raised his hips, pressing his erection into her heat.
 
Buffy’s eyes rolled and her mouth dropped open slightly, appearing easily engulfed by pleasure.  Then with a shake of her head, her gaze focused, and she swatted at his chest before sliding from his lap, settling next to him.   She laid her upper body flush against his midsection, and her arms folded under her chin with her eyes focusing on him.
 
“You know you’re totally evil.  We have lots to do like—well, there’s—Spike, I can’t think with your hand on my ass.”  Buffy eyed him, attempting seriousness, but the smile hiding just under the surface, told him otherwise.  
 
“It’s a fine arse, luv.  I just can’t help myself.”  Spike gave the fleshy globe a playful squeeze then reluctantly moved his hand to the swell of her back.
 
“Better?”  Spike’s bottom lip turned down into a pout, as he attempted to lay the guilties on good and thick.
 
“No, but it will have to do.”  Buffy matched his pout with a winner of her own.
 
The pair lay in comfortable silence until Buffy’s voice broke through the quiet.
 
“Spike, can I ask you something, well some things?”
 
Her index finger was drawing lazy patterns on his chest, causing his cock to bob in time with her movements, but he fought past the lust and focused on her words.
 
“Anything, sweetheart.”
 
“Well, the demon—How did he—”
 
“Feed?”  Buffy’s nod encouraged him to continue, “Well, I’m not goin’ to lie, I tried dining on the locals, but after several shocks to the ol’ noggin, my demon finally got the hint.  So let’s just say anything with warm blood on tap was game.”
 
“Oh, please don’t tell me you’d eaten some little kid’s pet, Spike.”
 
“Don’t worry.  Fido was safe.  Most people tend to not let them stray too far from home.  Cats on the other hand—” Spike teasingly licked his lips.
 
“You ate cats?” Buffy’s face scrunched in telltale disgust.
 
“Well, yeah, couldn’t rightly go to the local butchers for a bag of Wilbur, could I?  And if you must know, those furry-four legged buggers are far harder to catch than humans. That’s for damn sure.  Hell, the night Captain Cardboard shot me, I was outsmarted by Morris!”
 
“Eww—but cats?”
 
“Well, at least I wasn’t rubbing rat filth all over my face like Peaches, and besides that wasn’t the first time I‘ve eaten pussy.”
 
“You’re such a pig!”  Buffy stifled her giggle and halfheartedly swatted at his chest.
 
“I am, but that’s one of the things you love ‘bout me, isn’t it?”
 
“No—” Despite her denial, her coquettish grin betrayed her.
 
“No is it?  Fine, maybe I should find another pussy that needs tendin’ to then.”
 
Spike started to pull away, but Buffy seemed like she wasn’t having any of it.  She skillfully maneuvered from his embrace and straddled his lap, her hands wrapped around his wrists, which she’d now pinned to the bed.
 
She kissed him in such a way that if he required breath, he’d sure as hell be breathless.  Needless to say, he still was panting when she finally pulled away.  Then, almost in an instant, her eyes darkened with uncertainty as she released his wrists and sat up straight.
   
“So I have another question.”
 
“’kay”
 
“Not that I’m regretting it, but um, how do you think you were able to, you know, being chipped an’ all, bite me?”  Buffy appeared almost shy, a rosy tint streaking her cheeks and her gaze lowering to his chest.
 
Spike tenderly cupped her chin in order to draw her eyes back to him.
 
“I don’t rightly know.  Maybe it was ‘cause the chip only fires when I’m trying to hurt someone.  And believe me, kitten.  That bite was purely for pleasure.”  Spike tucked his tongue behind his teeth, giving her a wolfish grin.
 
Bloody adorable.
 
Spike watched the pinkish hue dusting her cheeks brighten into a full-blown red that splashed across her throat and chest.  Despite all they had done and all they would hopefully be doing in the near future, she still turned bashful when things became honest. 

Well, not for long, if I have my way.
 
He sat up and wrapped his arms around her as he captured her lips in a tender, heated kiss.  Instantly she responded, her body melting into his while their tongues danced.  All too soon she placed her palms on his chest and gently pushed him back down onto the mattress.
 
“You’re being all Mr. Distracto again.” 
 
“So says the breathtaking naked beauty sitting on my lap with her quim rubbing enticingly against my cock.” To add to his words, Spike raised his hips, pressing himself against her.
 
Even with her responsive moan, he could tell she was fighting not to succumb to his attempts until she finished playing twenty questions, so he relented.  However, he couldn’t bear not touching her.  He placed his hands on her hips, his thumbs brushing tender paths across her silky skin.
 
“I know you have more questions, sweetheart.  So ask away, ‘cause I have lots of tasty plans for you before I let you outta this bed.”
 
Her warm, appreciative smile told him he made the right decision.  He wanted her to give herself completely to him and if her mind was occupied, that wouldn’t happen.
 
“Okay, so how weird was it seeing yourself as a vampire?  And don’t try and deny it wasn’t.  I saw how your William side was all touchy-feely with your vamp side.  And let’s just say it looked like it was going to get x-rated there for a minute.” 

“So you enjoyed watching me touch myself, did you?”  Spike raised his scarred brow as he watched her blush returning in full force.  “You’re turning such a lovely shade of crimson, luv.”  Spike tantalizingly trailed his fingertips from her reddened cheek, down the side of her throat, stopping at the top of her one breast.  He lingered there for a moment before his hand returned to her hip.

“Well, first off, William never saw a vampire before.  So this was all new to him.  Then add to that, it was his face but not.  It was so, I guess you could say, real.  The only other way to see yourself in this way is a reflection and since I’m fresh outta those— so yeah, as you put it, it was weird.  But even with the weirdness, I already knew I was a handsome bloke regardless, man or beast.”
 
“Handsome and oh so modest too.  However do you cope?”  Buffy accentuated her sarcasm with a classic eye roll.
 
“It’s tough, but I manage.”  Spike’s response with accompanied smirk triggered her to snort and shake her head.
 
“Did it hurt when your soul came back?  I remember during the whole Acathla thing—”

“Buffy, make no mistake, just ‘cause I was human for a time there, I never got back my soul.”
 
Spike could see the clear confusion and doubt filling her eyes.  He hoped though he didn’t get back his soul, even for a short period of time, it hadn’t changed her thoughts about him and them being together.
 
“Then how was your William side all sweet, and polite, and I don’t know, William-ish?”
 
Spike took a moment to think over her question.  He knew that this answer was unlife altering.  Following a deep, steadying breath he went for broke.
 
“A soul doesn’t dictate one’s actions or show them right from wrong.  It only makes one feel guilty about the wrong.  Well, guilt for those who chose to listen or care.  A soul doesn’t make the person.”
 
Spike held his unneeded breath anticipating her response.  He knew it was this one moment that could make or break their relationship.  Especially since Buffy seemed to bank everything on the concept of a soul.
 
A soul was how she rationalized putting her trust in Angel, both before and after Angelus.  A soul was how she was able to patrol night after night, ridding the Hellmouth of vamps and demons alike.  It was their lack of that made her slaying them justified.
 
Now that he’d possibly dismantled her beliefs in mere sentences, would she accept him, even without one?
 
Then the moment came, the one that changed their relationship forever.  Buffy tenderly placed her palm to his cheek and leaned forward to capture his lips.  Even though the kiss was fleetingly chaste, the passion behind it nearly brought him to tears.  Then her words did just that.
 
“You’re right.  The soul doesn’t make the man.  Even without one I’ve seen time and time again when you’ve cared about the difference between right and wrong, and had chosen to listen.”
 
Spike released the breath he’d been holding and pulled her into a tight embrace, holding onto this amazing woman with all his might.  After several blissful moments, he released her enough to cradle her cheeks to draw her green eyes, which shone with unadulterated affection and acceptance.
 
“Buffy.  My beautiful, beautiful, Buffy.  In over one hundred twenty years as a vampire and the twenty-five years as a human before that, I’ve never truly felt at peace in this world.  But here in your arms, I finally do.  I know it won’t be easy for me.  I’m bound to bollocks it up now and again.  But I hope you’ll help me along the way.”
 
“No, we’ll help each other.”
 
It was at that moment, no other words were needed.  When their lips met in a sweet kiss, the rest of the world fell away.  Even though the words remained unspoken, they both knew it wasn’t going to be easy for either of them.  However, they also knew, they could accomplish anything together.

Please take a brief moment to let me know what you thought about this chapter, the story in general, or your opinions about Spike being sexy and we know it...whatever!  Oh, I've been working on my next fic:

 A Link is Forged

In Season Three’s episode “Lover’s Walk,” Buffy and Spike fall victim to a binding spell that was accidentally triggered during the fight at the Magic Box.
 
How will two sworn enemies react when their utmost desire to bring about the other’s death is now replaced with bizarre primal urges and lusty cravings?  Then add a dash of telepathy, Angel as The Brooding Wonder, the Scoobies, and Giles’ frequent spectacle cleaning, and you have the makings of one helluva ride.  Written for VioletRoze88’s challenge at EF, of the same title.

Will be posting this soon!  Hopefully, I'll see you then!