Wow, smoking hot chapter. Spike is such a bad rude man - I luv it. So sad though that he responded to her with those hurtful words. I got so enraged for her. I hope she lays there like a cold fish next time he decides to mount her. ok, so I'm bitter towards him right now - we all know that won't last. More soon please hon, I'm just as addicted to this story as BTSOE

Author's Response: Love your summation of Spike. Bad rude man. Oh yes he is. Spike has a reason for his temperment, his feelings, and his ideals. Give him time. As for cold fish in bed... well, we are talking hands of Spike and lips of Spike. It would serve him right but think on it. He would just be relentless and... I would give in like it or not I imagine. Glad you decided to come along for the ride on this fic too. Thanks for the prasie. Glad you're enjoying it. Some addiction are good. Take care.

Great chapter. Glad to see Buffy actually wants his love and feels something for him. Of course the same goes for him, it's good to see him admit his caring for her repeatedly until she understands. Man that Gregor has me worried... taking one of the firls away to a private place to have his way??? Ewwwww. Really glad that Buffy and Celia bonded right away, and that she's sticking up for Celia's protection with little thought as to be punished for it. Uh-oh, he's actually going to force her to do THAT??? This should be interesting. Can't wait to read the outcome in the next chapter. Stupendous job sweety.

Such a naughty combination of spanking and arousal... I love it. Well, good to see the two lovebirds in love - though SPike still has yet to say it. It will be interesting to see more of his past, as it appears that where Gregor is concerned, it's going to catch up with him. You can't run a business like that and expect to just quit without some kind of consequences. Still curious as to exactly what in Spike's past has made him so cold towards woman. Did he have a past love that turned him cold? Was she the reason he started his business? I'm sure those questions will be answered in due time. Of course, I do worry a tad about how Buffy will feel after becoming more aware of what her husband has been doing prior to their marriage. Hopefully her love for him will be strong enough. I imagine if society was to find out what he's been doing, that would be the end of everything

Wow, I'm getting caught up on my reading now that my muse has settled down. Can I just say wow, I've a feeling Gregor is not to be trusted one bit? It was good to get the background info on Spike's past. I can clearly understand his POV, setting aside the nastiness of the business of course. My god I hope nothing happens to the girls while Spike is away. I'm off to read the next chappy and then my other fav fic by you BTSOE. Kuddos to a job well done, I clung to every word of this chapter.

As always another riveting chapter. Just what I needed to hopefully kick my own muse into gear - stupid boy abandon me recently. I do hope Gregor doesn't get his filthy paws on Buffy sexually. On a side note, I love how you always seem to have another couple with a love interest in your stories, it really adds texture even thogh the focus is on the main couple. Bravo on another chapter that of course has me dying for more. I'm sorry to hear about your accident - I did forget to mention that in a previous review. I can sympathize with you as I grew up in the country surrounded by cornfields and hills. Talk about having to be on alert every time I drove home... deer are everywhere and can do some very serious damage. I do hope everything works out for you and that you weren't hurt.

Author's Response: Thank you hun. I was just sore and shaken, the deer on the other hand didn't do well and my car was quite smashed. It was a scary experience and now well, it has been nerve wracking driving on the same strech in the dark. But anyway, I shall live and will get up my courage again. This too shall pass. Sorry to hear about your Muse. Perhaps it's because yours is a male. Mine is a woman. She can be tempermental at times but she is always with me. Thoughts and converstaions are always running in my brain. It's me who has trouble settling to get them coherently written most of the time. Gregor is an evil one and he does have Buffy in his clutches so it will be a few rollercoaster chapters to cpme as Spike tris to save his lady. It's funny that I always have Spike saving buffy. Maybe if she had allowed him to do more of that, save her inside as well as out, they would have been able to find eachother before it was too late. That is my own speculation of course and Muses as well. Maybe that's why Muse does what she does. We see Spike as a knight in shining armor even if it is tarnished by his blind spots and evil doings at times. My I am rambling here aren't I? As for the second couple, well I like to have well rounded characters in my stories. Not just the main people and the rest cardboard pieces to manipulate on the side. It adds to the setting and depth, so I develope them. By the way, you're jumping to conclusions about Willow and Lucian again ;). Thank you for reviewing as always and I wish you well with your Muse. Perhaps you can bribe him with something, read a few good fics, or watch a few inspiring Buffy episodes. Anything to wake the man up. And they say women are fickle!

OMG, you really wound up the tension in this one. Thank GOD we all don't have to wait long for another chapter. I love your villains... love to hate them, they're (Gregor) so evil. I can't wait till Spike gets his hands on Gregor, I hope its a particularly gruesome death. No, I take that back. The sadistic side of me wants to see him become someone's bitch... sold as a whore from Lily's. LOL, I'm awful, but hey, I'm sure I'm not the only one who's thought it. Wonderful chapter, riveting as always. Looking very forward to getting my fix on both your fics this weekend sweety.

Author's Response: Nope not long at all. It's up now. See what a snow day can do. Just me and muse for most of the day. Glad you like my villians. I make then so very vile, the kind you love to hate. I like your idea of his punishment, but don't hold your breath sweetie. That I'm not sure I'm up to writing or that anyone really wants to rad about, though yes, we can think it. Thanks for the review.

*Sighs*. I was sitting at my desktop PC for this one vs my laptop and well, I sat with my head in my hands and this amazingly goofy grin plastered on my face the entire time. Well done, very romantic, passionetely hot, the letting go of all the anguish hurt and guilt... sighs. I felt it with them. Bravo. I do hope if you have any other fics you've shelved, that you bring them out to share with us.

Author's Response: I can picture you and I don't even know what you look like. Oh yes, you are the one always hanging on Lucian. I forgot, you have a big grin then too. Glad you enjoyed it. It had a bit of angst but over all it was a pure romance. Dashing rake is reformed by the love of a good woman. Typical but effective. I just might unshelve one I've been thinking about, but that will of course be after Shadows. Thanks for all your support sweetie, and please, stop drooling all over Lucian and your PC.

Bad Spike, selfish Spike. Good Clem, loyal Clem. Luvin it. You don't want to finish hidden secrets? Oh sweety, it's good, you're not that far off from the end - chat with me about it soon hon. *Hugs*

Author's Response: LOL, I was just seeing who was interesting... no one.

MMMmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, tastes like more, tee hee.

Author's Response: LOL

Phewwww, wipes sweat from brow, that was one helluva dream - but stupid Spike had to wake her up, lol. I think I need to change my knickers, giggles. Awesome job hon.

highly erotic, bravo - i need a shower now, of the cold variety.

I enjoyed how Melody put some of the facts in front of Buffy’s face for her to ponder before going home. And of course it was good to see Buffy lay it all out on the table for Spike and not sugar coat it so he truly understood what she was feeling and why. It helped them to make up and come to terms with the facts and what they can do in the future to try and fulfill some of Buffy’s dreams. What I wanna know next is what’s in the evil daughter’s mind and what exactly she is. Bravo sweety – good chapter.

OMG OMG OMG, great start... off to the next chapter