Chapter Nine

Buffy stirred as she awoke, warm and comfortable in her bed. Feeling a strong arm wrapped tightly around her waist she snuggled back into the cool body behind her. “Spike,” she murmured sleepily. A muffled sigh and the press of gentle lips against the back of her neck in a brief kiss were her only answer.

Suddenly Buffy’s eyes snapped open, now fully awake and alert. Careful not to move a muscle she took a moment to absorb the current situation. She was at home in her own bed, still wearing the clothes she’d worn to bed last night. But instead of being tied up in the lounge room Spike was now spooning her and, apparently, had been there most of the night. Also, if the growing hardness poking her in the butt was any indication, he was going to wake up in an amorous mood.

Buffy ‘tsked’ herself mentally for her lousing knot tying, but was otherwise surprised by how much she liked waking up in Spike’s arms.

Slowly and carefully Buffy rolled over so she could watch him sleep. His hair lay in mussed curls about his head. His face, relaxed in sleep, looked boyish and peaceful. Nothing like the big bad vampire she knew him to be.

Allowing her eyes to wander down his body she could see that his many wounds were fading now. Even the terrible damage done to the area over his heart was now no more than a large red welt marring his pale skin. Reaching out tentatively she touched it, her brow creasing as she thought about the pain he must have suffered in the past three weeks. All because of her.

She was startled when his hand covered hers, giving it a light squeeze. Raising her gaze back to his face she looked deep into his blue eyes. Seeing the tenderness reflected there.

“Morning love,” he whispered. “I hope you don’t mind I–”

Buffy pressed a finger to his lips and he fell silent. Replacing her finger with her lips she kissed him, stroking his cheek softly. Spike responded immediately. Opening his mouth the moment he felt her tongue brush against his lips, he deepened the kiss.

Stroking her back he pulled her closer, before running his hand down to the roundness of her buttocks, squeezing and kneading the firm flesh.

She groaned loudly at the feel of his hard body and, when he drew one of her legs up over his hip, she arched against him. Rolling them so she was on top, straddling his waist, she pressed down into his hardness, delighting in the soft growls that emanated from him.

Spike’s hands skittered over her body, wanting to touch her everywhere at once. With a quick yank he pulled her top over her head, throwing it on the floor, before pulling her back down so he could plunder the recesses of her mouth.

Pulling away from him, Buffy bent to lick and nip at his neck. Spike threw his head back, arching his body into hers.

Suddenly desperate to feel her surrounding him Spike flipped them over. Sliding down her body he sucked at her hard nipples. Teasing them with his teeth and tongue. Meanwhile, his searching hands found her pyjama pants and pushed them down over her hips. Eager to help, Buffy kicked them off and then used her nimble legs to assist him in ridding himself of his sweatpants.

Finally naked they each turned their attention back to each other. Their mouths fused as they sought to get closer. Whimpering with need Buffy wrapped her slender legs around Spike’s waist. Opening herself to him in anticipation.

Groaning in pleasure at her invitation, Spike held her close as he sank slowly into her depths. Gritting his teeth at the heat that enveloped him he held still for a moment, fighting for control.

Feeling her squirming beneath him he opened his eyes to find her in the throes of pleasure. Her kiss-swollen lips were parted on a quiet moan. Her eyes were closed as she concentrated on the feelings pulsing through her. Slowly her head thrashed from side to side.

Still watching her, he began to move. Rhythmically pulling out of her body only to plunge back into her. Soon she began to move with him, curling her hips as he thrust into her. Gripping his buttocks in an attempt to push him deeper.

“Oh God Buffy,” his hoarse shout was muffled as he dropped his head into the curve of her neck. Her passion filled cries rang in his ears as she moved beneath him in wild abandon. Their movements becoming frenzied as they clashed in passionate fury.

Spike felt Buffy beginning to spasm around him, her muscles milking him as she came screaming his name. Clutching her tightly he gave himself up to his own release, his body shuddering in completion.

**********

Spike ran his fingers lazily through Buffy’s hair, enjoying the feel of the soft golden strands sliding through his fingers. They lay side by side on the bed. Their limbs entangled, faces scant inches apart on the pillow. Their breathing had long since returned to normal but neither made a move to rise. Buffy watched him with a dreamy smile curving her lips. Her green eyes sparkling in contentment.

“Can I tell you a secret?” she whispered.

Spike smiled at her teasing tone. “Anything.”

“I missed you.” Her voice was quiet but he could hear the emotion behind her words.

“You were with me you know,” he told her. He saw her puzzled look and tried to explain. “When the pain got bad I would close my eyes and pretend I was somewhere else. To disconnect from what they were doing to my body. Whenever I did that, I found you waiting for me. You kept me sane Buffy.”

A tear escaped from the corner of her eye as she again touched the healing mark on his chest. “The way they hurt you. I’ve never seen anything like it. It must have been awful.”

“Hey.” Spike lifted her chin with one finger. “It’s over now.” He kissed her gently, running his tongue languorously over her bottom lip as she sighed into his caress.

Reluctantly pulling back Buffy sat up, turning to look down at him. “Now we just have to figure out what to do about Riley and the rest of The Initiative.”