Chapter 16. Preparations

When Willow was safely out of the way, Spike turned to Buffy again.

“Don’t deny it, Slayer. If those idiots hadn’t interfered downstairs, this wouldn’t be the problem it is now.”

If those nitwit vamps hadn’t barged in, he’d have shagged himself a Slayer there and then, and they both knew it, even if Buffy wanted to play innocent now. Gods, just remembering what had happened made his chest tighten and his jeans uncomfortable.

Buffy had liked being the boss of him. She had told him exactly how she wanted it - bent over the table, then on the table, then … Christ, just thinking about it now was going to kill him, because he knew she would no longer agree to any of it. He’d had his chance. And now, it seemed, it was gone. Staking wasn’t good enough for those idiots who had interrupted them!

He’d promised himself before this began that he would never force Buffy to do anything against her will. Not even if it just took a little convincing. Aside from the fact that he’d probably meet a dusty ending if he was successful; he didn’t want her to regret anything that they did together.

But it was damned hard to convince himself of that now. He wanted her so badly, and she was so close, so, available. With the witch gone, no one would bother them for hours. He could put her back under the thrall, and she wouldn’t even know it.

His body trembled as he forced himself to pull away slightly. He wouldn’t use the thrall to influence her. He wouldn’t.

But there was no rule that said he couldn’t just turn on the charm and seduce her, except that he knew that she’d blame him for it later, and he’d have to pay the consequences for it. They needed to work effectively together. He needed Buffy not to stake him.

Therefore, they had to keep their minds on business. At least until they were somewhere safer. Maybe when this was all over there would be a time and place for a leisurely seduction. At least now he knew that Buffy felt the attraction as strongly as he did – even if she was apt to fight against it more forcefully.

He took another step back, and swallowed hard. “I can wait until you’re ready.”

The words came out weak and tentative, because that wasn’t what he wanted to say at all. He had to force the words out of his mouth, force his hands to leave her alone, not try to initiate a light thrall like he had done before. It would be so easy. So tempting. He could even make it so that she wouldn’t remember, after. He knew that he could get away with it. But he wouldn’t. He hoped that Buffy appreciated the sacrifices he made in the name of the greater good.

Then he smiled as another thought occurred to him. This could still be fun.

“We don’t need authentic, luv,” he moved closer to object of his desire until he was softly caressing her shoulders again, whispering in her ear. “We just have to make it seem convincing.”

Buffy trembled; she was so receptive to his touch now. She hardly resisted as he ran his tongue up and down the side of her neck, nibbling gently at her pulse points, peppering her jugular with his kisses. Pleased when she shivered again and let out the lightest of moans, he knew that he was getting to her. Maybe he wouldn’t need the thrall at all, maybe this wouldn’t have to be pretend after all…

He held her close against him, his erection pressed firmly against her from behind. “What do you say Slayer?” he whispered. “Want to go at it for real, or just want to put on a show for the kids?”

Buffy was definitely aroused by his proximity and touch, but it needed to be her choice. He would not take the choice from her. He would NOT. “What do you mean, Spike?”

He nibbled on her ear and felt her melt back against him. God, she was luscious. Ripe and ready. It would be a shame to waste such an opportunity.

He tried to calm himself by envisioning how furious she would be, after, if she realized that she had been coerced in any way. But picturing Buffy in a fury, eyes blazing, cheeks flushed and hair cascading around her face, only made the ache worse.

Staunchly he reigned in his demon. He didn’t want to fight her into submission. And he wasn’t going to influence her decision unfairly. He wasn’t even gonna lie to her and convince her that it was necessary, although he knew that he could.

Forcing himself to let her go, he took a few steps away from her, letting the beginnings of the thrall dissipate. “You’ve gotta smell…right.” His voice almost broke and he sounded like a ponce! Trying to pull himself together he attempted to explain, “Gotta smell like me, or they’ll know right away it’s a con.”

With that simple statement, the magic of the moment was gone. Without a second’s hesitation Buffy turned on him and slapped his face, hard. “That is just so disgusting on so many levels. There’s no way…”

This smelling thing was SO gross. Vampires apparently spent their entire lives sniffing, which was pretty weird considering that they didn’t even need to breathe. She couldn’t imagine how they were going to pull this one off. Because actual sex between them – SO not happening.

“Come off it Slayer.” He knew he’d been pushing, but still…he hoped their relationship had gotten beyond this point. And, it was necessary. If she didn’t want to actually sleep with him, he’d have to deal with the disappointment. But this was a matter of her safety. He couldn’t allow her to say no.

“Come off it, Slayer. You watched me wank off just last night! After you had that dirty little dream, we were both wide awake. This time, you’ll just be a little closer to the action, is all.”

Buffy shuddered. This did not fit her vision of the way things should work at all. “That is SO not going to happen. Look – if you say this charade is necessary, I’ll believe you – but that’s not how it’s going to happen...”


A/N Just a tease. Next chapter is my personal favorite. Leave some reviews and you'll get to see it sooner...