Twenty-seventh. Someone you can’t live without.
I'll take you to the highest mountain
To the depths of the deepest sea
We won't need a map, believe me
Now let my body do the moving
And let my hands do the soothing
Let me show you the world in my eyes
That's all there is
Nothing more than you can feel now
That's all there is
Depeche Mode, World In My Eyes, from the album Violator
Passion crashes into obstacles;
Reason peers around them.
Mason Cooley, City Aphorisms, Sixth Selection
Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart.
Confucius
Love is passion, obsession, someone you can't live without.
If you don't start with that, what are you going to end up with?
Fall head over heels.
I say find someone you can love like crazy and who'll love you the same way back.
And how do you find him?
Forget your head and listen to your heart.
I'm not hearing any heart.
Run the risk, if you get hurt, you'll come back.
Because, the truth is there is no sense living your life without this.
To make the journey and not fall deeply in love - well, you haven't lived a life at all.
You have to try.
Because if you haven't tried, you haven't lived.
Meet Joe Black, 1998
The certainty in Will’s voice carried her through the remainder of the night. Because of the surprise arrival of Liam, Dru and the girls, Will had changed the reservations for their romantic dinner to Sunday night, though they kept the plans to see the Cirque du Soleil. Instead they ate dinner in one of the more family-friendly restaurants, entertained by the antics of the giggle misses.
After dinner and then stopping to watch the fountains, they’d all trooped over to the Cirque and the girls, from Buffy and Drusilla to the little ones, had been entranced by the beauty and artistry of the Canadian troupe.
When the house lights went up, Darla whirled in her seat and said very seriously, “Daddy. I’m gonna do that when I gets bigger.”
Liam just smiled, saying, “Takes a lot of practice, sweetpea.”
“I’m gonna do it.” Darla crossed her little arms and got a very serious look on her face. Catching sight of her father’s grin, she said, “Don’t laugh at me. I mean it.”
His hands raised up and he tried soothing her, “I’m not laughing, princess. If you say you wanna do it, I believe you.”
A huge yawn split her features and Liam took the opportunity to gather up his family and leave the newlyweds alone. “Right now, though, princess, it’s time for all little girls to be in bed.”
“Night Unca Will and Auntie Buffy.” The girls chorused together, then sped down the corridor toward the elevators. With quick kisses and whispered congratulations, the O’Malley’s were gone.
“Alone at last. . . . what do you wanna do, wife?” Will asked as he watched them go, a fond smile on his face.
Buffy leaned into his embrace, “Gee husband, I dunno. . . what do you wanna do?”
Thinking about it for a moment, Will leered at her, his tongue behind his teeth. “Dunno kitten. . . we could go out dancin’. . . or we could. . . . dance.”
There was no doubt in either of their minds what he meant and Buffy blushed beautifully, thinking about it. “Maybe . . . .we could do both?”
“Right then.” Gripping her hand, Will headed toward the nightclub. Gotta love these all inclusive places. . . .
“Hey Willow.”
Her name spoken by that voice startled her and Willow blinked a couple of times, uncertain of her vision. His dopey half-grin covered his features and she got the feeling he was trying too hard to be nice.
“Riley.”
There was no warmth in her tone and he winced, hearing it. Willow had absolutely no sympathy for him.
“Hey.” He tried again, obviously looking for something.
Well, not gonna give him any help. . . Just gonna wait until he spills those beans. Yup, gonna wait. Willow stared up at Riley, waiting patiently for him to bring up why he’d interrupted her in the bookstore.
“So. How you’ve been?” Riley couldn’t believe his own stupidity and he could tell, by the look on Willow’s face, she couldn’t believe he’d asked such a stupid question.
Everyone knew – well the rumors all over the school were saying, Buffy had run away after being suspended by Snyder. Riley figured Willow knew more than she was telling, because she was the only one not talking about it. She and Xander hadn’t said a word about Buffy in weeks and Riley was beginning to get worried. He was also beginning to think he’d made a horrible mistake – well, sort of. . . .
Maybe if he hadn’t reacted the way he did – maybe Buffy would have been willing to take care of things differently.
Willow was staring at him again, the incredulous look still on her face. With a shake of her head, Willow answered him. “I’ve been good.”
She didn’t offer any more and once again he was floundering, trying to come up with some way to ask the questions that had popped into his head when he spied Willow on her way into the bookstore.
“Um. . . so Will, have you seen Buffy at all?”
She was so not going to make this any easier on him. “Nope.”
Willow turned to put the book back, scanning the shelf for others. Without turning to look at him she said, “I don’t have anything to say to you, Riley. We aren’t friends.” She paused, relenting a little. “I gotta go.”
“Wait.” He touched her arm, holding her in place. “Have you talked to her? Is she okay?”
“Riley, just go away. Forget about Buffy. . . . that’s what you wanted anyway. You dumped her, remember?” She pulled away from his grasp, stepping back.
“Please. . . just. . . tell me if she’s okay. Can you give me that much?”
“Wills? You okay?” Xander’s voice broke into their conversation, and Willow glanced over her shoulder to see him and Cordy watching them, concerned looks on both their faces.
“Yeah. I’m okay.” She smiled at them, grateful for their presence. Turning her back on Riley Finn, Willow said, “Let’s blow this taco stand.”
The music was loud and pulsing, the beat infectious and despite the tables scattered about the sides of the club, the place was hopping, packed nearly to the rafters. It took them more than a little while to make their way to the dance floor through the clumps of people. Will had a hold of Buffy’s hand and when the crowd thinned he pulled her close, his arm circling her shoulders. He leaned into her, his mouth close to her ear. “Do you want a drink?”
She shook her head negatively, her body already responding to the music.
Her hand fisted in his shirt, fingers tugging on his belt loop, pulling him forward as she backed away from him out onto the dance floor.
A small wanton smile played about her lips and Will found himself responding in kind. His grip on her shoulder loosened, his hand sliding down, brushing over the side of her breast, resting on her hip. She slid closer, body brushing against his, then she was dancing back, teasing him.
The beat changed and a low crooning voice filled the dance floor, echoing off the walls.
“Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, leave in silence. . . .”
Will grinned, pulling her close, his fingers splayed around her hips. He sang along with the words, watching as her eyes got impossibly wider.
“Let me take you on a trip . . . . around the world and back . . . And you won’t have to move you just sit still. . . .”
The deejay expertly wove the songs together, the music pulsing in time with Will’s heart and he could feel Buffy responding, her body moving in sync with his.
“Let my body do the moving. . . . Let my hands do the soothing. . . let me show you the world in my eyes. . . .”
Will pulled her closer, until there was nothing between them. His hand cupped her ass, her heat scorching him.
“Like we stand this emotion of violence. . . leave in silence. . . . “
Buffy threw her head back, as his lips found the skin of her neck, her pelvis grinding against him. Tiny fingers dug into his shoulder, others scrabbling for purchase on his ass.
Sweat dripped at his temples, pooled beneath her breasts, fusing them together. Will’s hand slid down her hips, inching up under her skirt, pushing it up higher. His thumb brushed up against the garter holding up her stocking, then slid between it and her skin.
“Let my body do the moving. . . . let my hands do the soothing. . . . let me show you the world in my eyes. . . . “
His lips parted, letting his teeth nip at the pulse point throbbing in her neck.
“That’s all there is. . . . Nothing more than you can touch now. . . that’s all there is. . . “
Buffy’s breasts brushed across his chest, nipples pebble hard, teasing him. His fingers curved around her ass, holding her against his erection as they writhed to the beat.
The beat changed slightly, though neither of them noticed, save for the words ringing in the air.
“I’m hanging on your words. . . . living on your breath. . . . feeling with your skin. . . . “
Her hand slid over his face, thumb resting against his lips. Will bit down gently and her body shuddered.
“All the heavens in the motion. . . . Let me show you the world in my eyes. . . . “
He gazed into her eyes, barely inches away, want and need blazing brightly in dark sapphire eyes. “Baby. . . “
She bit her lower lip, her eyes staring into his. “Will. . . “
He moved, both arms around her, riding low on her hips, holding her against his raging erection. “Need you.”
“In your room. . . . Your burning eyes . . . Cause flames to arise . . . . “
Buffy moved forward, her arms resting now on his shoulders, fingers unconsciously playing with his curls. Her lips brushed against his, her tongue sliding across his lower lip, teeth nibbling softly.
Will pulled away, grasping her hand in his. He spun back, when she playfully resisted his tugging hand. “What?”
Her pout was very nearly his undoing. She turned her back on him, their hands still clasped and wriggled her ass into his crotch. Throwing a coy look over her shoulder, Buffy whispered, “I wanna dance.”
“That’s all there is. . . . Nothing more than you can touch now. . . that’s all there is. . . “
The low growl against her nape made the gooseflesh rise. His free hand once more slid beneath her skirt, teasing her with fleeting touches.
“Will . . . “
“I’m hanging on your words. . . . living on your breath. . . . feeling with your skin. . . . “
“Shh. . . . wife.” He rumbled low in her ear. “Can you feel me?”
It took her a minute to gasp out a breathy yes and he nipped her ear, then scored her neck with his teeth. “Want you . . . need you . . . . love you.”
“Your burning eyes Cause flames to arise . . . . .”
His finger slid beneath the silk of her panties, stroking her, sliding between her pussy lips. She gasped louder, grinding harder against him. “Please, Will . . . now.”
“Ready baby? Wanna feel you. . . . wanna be inside you.”
“That’s all there is. . . . Nothing more than you can touch now. . . that’s all there is. . . “
Buffy pulled away, dislodging his fingers, turning in his arms. “Will, let’s go.”
Her only answer was his hand reaching for her and the insistent feel of his hand at the small of her back as he propelled her from the club.
Buffy smiled over her shoulder at her new husband, her eyes roving over his handsome face, noting the lines of tension bracketing his mouth. His eyes were twinkling though and she hid the blush his wandering hands were invoking. The elevator was crowded, couples of varying ages waiting to get to their different destinations. Buffy was pressed against Will, their right hands clasped together, his left arm snaked around her waist. Will’s mouth was against her neck, low, nearly impossible to hear whispers causing shivers to chase themselves up and down her spine. Their clasped hands kept sneaking beneath her skirt, his thumb hooking around her garter. The couples on either side of them were smiling, casting sly, knowing glances in their direction.
Will could feel the blush spread across his wife’s face and his grin got impossibly broader. She hissed a little at him when his hand slipped from hers and slithered further beneath her skirt.
She wriggled against him, squirming away from his touch. “Will, stop it.”
Buffy lifted her left hand to slap his and her eye caught the glint of the diamond and platinum on her finger. She held it out and giggled. “Look, honey, I’ve got wedding rings.”
His deep chuckle filled the small glass cabin and Will raised his hand to grasp hers. Her breathy gasp sounded in the air and everyone in the cabin laughed in response. “Oh look! You have one too.”
Throwing his head back in a deep laugh, then dropping a kiss on her shoulder, Will said, “Yes I do baby.”
The couple to their left smiled and the woman asked, “May I see please?”
Buffy happily showed off her rings and congratulations sounded in the air.
Her smile was blinding, illuminating the small area, warming his heart. God damn, I love her smile. “I love you so much sweetheart.”
“Love you, love you, Will, always.” She turned in his arms, throwing hers around his neck, kissing him quickly on the lips.
He carried her from the elevator to their suite, her legs wrapped around his waist, her head resting on his shoulder. Every sense was attuned to her, every nerve-ending seeking more contact with her. “Gotta have you, baby, love you so much.”
Soft lips brushed over his neck, tiny teeth nibbling on his ear. ‘Will. . . I love you.”
Fumbling for the card key in his pocket, Will almost lost her when the sides of his shirt fell open. “You tease.”
“Ahuh.” Buffy gazed at him with half closed eyes, hiding her intentions from him. Their door clicked open as her fingernails scraped gently over his nipple. “Oh hell.”
“Mmmm. . . . you love it.” She licked a path from his ear to his mouth, panting lightly when his hands slid up the back of her skirt, cupping her ass.
“You’re killing me baby.”
“Love you.” His lips brushed hers, once, twice, and on the last swipe his tongue sought entry into her mouth.
The kiss was soft, gentle, belying the urgency they were both feeling. Buffy pushed his shirt down, off his shoulders, almost handcuffing him against her.
“Need you Will, so much.” Her voice was a bare whisper between them, her luminous eyes boring into his.
Shifting her closer, Will slid both hands beneath her skirt, fingers snagging on the garters she was wearing. His voice rolled through her, his words making her squirm. “You did this just for me, didn’t you sweets?”
A teasing look crossed her features, making him growl in response. No one turned him on the way she did with a mere look, no one. He’d never been so affected by any woman until her – not even Drusilla had had this effect on him.
His fingers dug into her flesh and he walked toward their bedroom, Buffy clinging to him tightly. Her mouth was at his ear, the soft exhalations of her breath sending shivers straight to his groin. “There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you.”
“Oh god, Buffy. . . . you can’t say that.”
“Its true. Anything you wanted.” She gently bit down on his ear lobe. “Anything you need. All you have to do is ask.”
“I need. . . . . I need you.” His eyes closed and Will could feel his control slipping, escaping him with every word she whispered into his ear. “Need to be inside you, kitten. Now.”
He reached the edge of the bed, then dropped his hands as Buffy let go. She bounced onto the mattress, a throaty giggle escaping her. A small hand reached up to undo his belt and he could feel the warmth of her brushing over his erection. Her other hand cupped his ass, pulling him down toward her. His hands braced his body over hers and their lips met in a deep searing kiss.
Buffy kicked off her shoes, sliding away from him, her hands pushing the dress pants down his slim hips. “Did I tell you how good you looked today?”
“No.” His hands reached for her shirt, undoing the delicate buttons before sliding it off her torso. Will dropped a kiss on her belly, then flicked open her bra. “Gonna tell me?”
“Nope. You’re already way to full of yourself.” Buffy wriggled away from him, demurely covering her breasts.
Will stared down at her, a sly grin on his face. “Gonna make you full of me.”
She giggled softly, the giggle morphing into a breathless gasp when his hands slid beneath her skirt, untying the sides of her panties.
“Will. . . . . You are . . . . oh.” He lifted her half off the bed, stripping the black skirt from her, leaving her only covered by stockings and the white lacy garter belt he’d been intrigued by while they were dancing.
“You are a vision.” His breathing hitched as he watched her, his eyes sweeping over her.
Buffy reached for him, her small hand softly grazing the side of his face, falling down to brush over his hard chest. She was on her knees in the middle of the bed and Will could see the fullness of her breasts and the curve of her pregnant belly and a low growl erupted form his throat. “God, kitten, you are perfect.”
Moving onto the bed with her, Will cupped her hip, bringing her close to him. His mouth ghosted over hers, their breaths mingling as their kisses deepened.
He dropped down onto the bed, pulling Buffy onto his hips, sliding her over his erection. “That’s it baby, take me inside. . . . .yeah. . . . . like that.”
Slowly, savoring the moment, Buffy dropped down, her pussy enveloping his hardness. They both groaned at the contact, her hands digging into his forearms when his gripped her hips, his hands helping her move.
She was curled over him, her breasts pointed at his face and Will leaned up, taking one into his mouth. His tongue on her nipple sent tremors straight through her, centering on her pussy. “Oh god Will.”
He pulled hard, nibbling first then licking a soothing arc around her distended nipple. Violent trembles coursed through her, and Buffy gasped, her movements growing frantic. “Can’t. . . . oh god Will. . . . oh god. . . Oh my . . . . gonna. . . . “
Her orgasm ripped through her, her pussy tightening impossibly around his throbbing cock and Buffy’s response drove him over the edge. Will let go, her name a litany on his lips and she slumped down, her head nestled in the crook of his neck.
Their breathing slowly returned to normal and Will rearranged the blankets over them, pulling her back almost on top of him. A soft kiss landed somewhere near his heart and Will smiled. “You okay, baby?”
“Mmmmmmhhhhmm.” She ran a languid hand down his torso, and he could feel the slow smile burgeoning on her lips. “Gimme a couple minutes, kay?”
“Sure kitten, anything you want.”
The lace of her garter was scratching against his hip, rubbing up against his raw cock. Reaching around her, Will unhooked the stockings from the garter, preparing to take it off. “Will?”
“Just making sure you’re comfy, that’s all, just relax.” He moved out from underneath her, leaving her face down on the pillow. She watched him from behind half-opened eyes, curiosity clear on her expression. The stockings slid down her legs as he moved them, pooling around her knees. “Lift up baby.”
She did, and the temptation was more than he could ignore. Will placed tender kisses up and down the backs of both legs, gently rolling the stockings off her. Buffy laughed softly as his lips tickled over her, her lower body writhing with renewed arousal.
Will moved higher, leaving a trail of kisses up the middle of her back, and he grinned when she whined out his name. His cock nudged against her from behind, his body covering hers, held up only by the strength of his arms. Using his nose, Will pushed aside her hair so he could nuzzle against her. Buffy wriggled beneath him, and he groaned into the nape of her neck.
“Will.” She drew out the sounds of his name in a husky whisper. “You promised.”
Groaning deeply, Will rolled over onto his back, cupping his left hand around her breast, bringing her with him. Buffy was on her side, and Will eased up behind her, curling his body around hers. “I did. I just need to be near you.”
His fingers toyed with her nipple and Buffy covered his hand with her own, edging back into him. “I feel the same way.”
Another kiss brushed over her shoulder and Buffy sighed, letting her eyes drift closed. She was asleep within moments, worn out by the day. It took Will longer to settle down, but having her in his arms, his rings on her finger did much to ease the worry and anxiety he’d been fighting. His last thought before he too, slipped into sleep, was of her and how much he loved her.
Okay, so does this make up for all the delays?