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Chapter 7







Buffy had helped him over to the couch and smiled as he thanked her. No snide remarks or irritating smirk. She had to give him credit for that. Buffy still couldn't get the thoughts of her dream out of her head. She was currently washing the few dishes they had used while staring out the window of the cabin. They had eaten almost in total silence and every time she had glanced up at him, he had been staring at her.



Turning her head, Buffy looked back over her shoulder at him and saw him leaning down over the coffee table, writing. He had been looking at something for over a half-hour now and she sighed as she went back to staring out the window. The dishwater was getting cold and her fingers were wrinkled and pruned from being submerged so long. She sighed as she thought of her situation. She had to find some way around the attraction she had for him. There was no way to avoid him and although leaving was an option, it wasn't one she wanted. Truth be known, she enjoyed him here. Who wouldn't? There's a rock star under the same roof as her and she leaves? Her friends would never let her live it down. Not to mention in twenty years she'd be kicking herself for it. No. She'd stay and make the best of it. Whatever that may be.



The first strings of music filtered through the cabin and Buffy looked back over at Spike. She watched him as he played his guitar and knew it was something new. Willow played his CDs endlessly and this was one she had never heard. It was softer than his usual hard notes and jazzy rhythms. A ballad? "Spike's writing a ballad?" She thought. "Surely not."



"That's nice." The words were out of her mouth before she even had time to realize she had thought them. He turned and looked at her and the smile he gave her made her stomach clench tight. When his eyes met hers she blushed before turning back to the sink.



Spike continued to play the few notes he had written while he stared at Buffy's back. He had seen the bright flush her cheeks had taken on and his smile widened. Maybe she wasn't as uninterested as he thought. She had always been slightly standoffish and her almost constant bitching didn't look very hopeful. But he had definitely seen the blush and it wasn't the first time. Maybe a little more time? "So, you liked that?" he asked, hoping she'd talk to him.



"Yeah," Buffy said as she drained the sink and dried her hands. "Is it new?"



"Yeah," Spike said as he stopped playing and looked at her when she turned to look at him. Buffy gave him a brief smile before she looked away. "It has a long way to go yet, but it's the first thing I've written in close to a year."



Buffy looked back up at him and took a small step forward before he looked away and started playing again. Her heart nearly stopped when he started singing and she smiled. It was a ballad. He was signing to softly for her to make out the words from where she was standing and her feet were moving her across the room without a second thought. He stopped just as she made it to the sofa. "Is there more?" She asked as she looked down at the notebook he had been scribbling in.



"Afraid not," Spike told her as he leaned over the table again and closed the notebook. "New territory and all. Not sure if it'll amount to much even if I do get it done."



Buffy frowned when he closed the book but gave a little smile when he looked back up at her. "First ballad?"



Yeah," Spike laughed as he leaned back and played what he had penned so far. "Don't think it'll make me look like a poofter do you?"



"No," Buffy said before grinning. "Not that I know what a `poofter' is though. But I'm sure Willow will like it."



"Let's hope so," Spike said as he looked up at her. "Who's Willow?"



"My best friend," Buffy told him before inching her way around the front of the couch and sitting down. She burrowed herself into the corner as far from him as she could and smiled when he flashed her the smile that was slowly causing her knees to weaken every time he threw it her way. "She has all your CDs."



"Is that right?" Spike said.



"Yeah," she grinned. "She's in love with Oz."



Spike laughed as he thought of his drummer and turned in his seat so that he could see her better. "Well, he will be pleased to hear that," he said.



"Lord, don't tell him. Willow would kill me," Buffy laughed as she thought of her friend. "She prefers her lusting from afar. It's a completely different thing when the object of said lust knows it."



Spike grinned as he looked at Buffy and raised one brow as she looked at him. Her cheeks flushed pink before she turned her head and he laid his guitar down on the coffee table before bending his leg and sitting completely sideways on the sofa to face her. "He's single, you know."



"Who?" Buffy asked trying not to look directly at him.



"Oz."



"So," Buffy said.



"So, we can get them together."



Buffy laughed as she shook her head. "I don't think so! Matchmaker Buffy is no longer in service. My last attempt backfired in a major way. And besides, her idea of matches for me are more disastrous than mine are."



"What does hooking her and Oz up have to do with you?" Spike asked her.



"Because playing matchmaker is a two-way process. If I hook her up she does the same for me. It's just the way it's always been done."



"Can't be that bad, now can it?"



"Seventh-circle-of-hell bad," Buffy grimaced as she looked back up at him.



Spike laughed at the look on her face. "Loser or jerk?"



"Much worse," Buffy told him. "Sweet, attentive and loving."



"How's that bad?" Spike asked. "Thought you girls liked all that crap?"



"Well, I wasn't the only one he was sweet, attentive and loving to."



Spike watched her pick at the fabric of the sofa and the little smile on her face. He could tell it was forced and he couldn't explain the need to find this guy and beat him until his head popped like a grape. "He cheat on you?"



Buffy chuckled before nodding her head. "Kind of," she said before looking up at him. "He was married."



"Oh. You didn't know?"



"No," she said. "He kept that piece of information to himself." Buffy looked away from him before she cleared her throat and stood up. "Think I'll go on up," she said as she walked around the side of the couch. "Do you need anything?"



"No," Spike said as he shook his head. He watched her as she gave him a small nod before she practically ran for the stairs. The blanket he had hung over the railing of the loft completely blocked his view but he could see her shadow pass in front of it. She sat down on the edge of the bed and he sighed as she leaned down and laid her head in her hands. "First decent conversation you have with her and you stick you foot in your mouth," he thought as he watched her. "You'll never learn."



~~~~~~~~~~





For the first time since she had arrived, Buffy woke to a peaceful silence. The only sounds were that of the birds outside. She stared at the mountain just outside her window and sighed. Sleep had been a long time in coming the previous night and even then it was troubled. Thoughts of Angel and his pretty lies had her tossing and turning all night.



Spike had opened up a whole can of bad worms and Buffy wondered if she could put them back now. She had come here to forget about him. Reliving the memories was just as painful now as ever. It had been over a year since she had found out Angel's little secret but it still hurt. How could it not? Spending two years of your life with a man you realize too late was a complete stranger left a sting that was almost impossible to erase. Angel had used her. He used her and felt no remorse.



Sitting up, Buffy crawled from her bed and walked to the stairs. The cabin was quiet and the only light was that from the windows as she made her way down the steps. Spike was still sleeping and she took a few minutes to look at him as she stopped by the couch. The rash on his neck was slowly fading and the purple bruising on his ankle was lightening up. He was once again shirtless and she couldn't help but admire him. The blanket was resting at his waist and her eyes scanned his exposed flesh. Her smile grew and she took a deep breath as her eyes traced every line his muscles made as they ran across his stomach. She had seen many of sculpted men and they were all hard, corded muscles where they should have been and Buffy was sure that Spike's was no exception. His milky flesh would have been soft to the touch she imagined and her fingers twitched to find out. Not a single imperfection marred his skin and the small, dusky nipples that sat on his chest seemed to beckon her to touch him. He was pale, like the sun had never been blessed enough to caress his flesh. Impossibly high cheekbones drew her attention to a full, pouty lip and she wished his eyes were open. They were the most amazing shade of blue and she was sure the summer skies were jealous. He was beautiful. No other word for it. Her mouth practically watered just looking at him.



His head tilted and he moved and Buffy nearly jumped out of her skin before she quickly scurried to the kitchen. She felt heat crawl up her neck and cover her face before she smiled so brightly her mouth hurt. She looked back over her shoulder at him as he lay there and watched him for a few minutes before shaking her head and grabbing a bowl for her breakfast. As she reached for a spoon, she looked up as she heard a car door being shut.



Buffy's eyes widened when she saw a truck outside the cabin. It was a forest ranger. As she saw him walk around the front of the truck, she turned and started walking to the door as he knocked.



"Morning, Ma'am."



"Good Morning," Buffy said, smiling as she held the door and looked up at him. He was at least six-foot tall; broad-shouldered and had an almost "innocent" look to him. Sandy blonde hair and eyes that seemed to sparkle looked back at her. He smiled widely at her and she couldn't help but return it. "Is there something I can do for you - officer Finn?" She asked as she looked at the badge on his chest.



"Riley," he said as he smiled. "Riley Finn." He told her as he removed his hat and stared down at her. Of all the resort guests he had met this morning, this one had to be the most shocking. A small, petite blonde wasn't what he was expecting after meeting what seemed like every retired couple in the state. He had had more coffee and breakfast than he could possible consume and the thoughts of having to endure it for the tenth time this morning was disheartening, until now. "There's been a report of some wild animals making a fuss just down the mountain. I just thought I'd give everyone a heads up."



"Wild animals?" Buffy asked with slightly wide eyes as she stared at him.



"Yes, ma'am," Riley said.



"Buffy."



"Excuse me?" Riley said as Buffy smiled.



"My name," Buffy said. "It makes me feel old to be called Ma'am."



"All right, Buffy," Riley chuckled. "If you see anything bigger than a dog, be sure to stay clear of it. We're not sure what we're dealing with exactly."



"Okay," Buffy said.



"Is your husband around?"



"No. I'm not married."



"Oh," Riley smiled. "Your boyfriend then?"



Buffy couldn't help but notice how his voice had softened. If possible, officer Finn's smile widened when she looked up at him and the way he looked at her left no doubt in her mind what he was thinking. "No. No boyfriend either."



"Well, if there's anything you need don't hesitate to let me know," Riley said as he took a step closer to her. "I'm just a phone call away."



Buffy returned the smile, looking up at him and leaned against the doorframe. "There isn't a phone here," she said.



"Oh. Well I can loan you one of the walkie-talkies, if you'd like," Riley said. "Just in case you need me for anything."



"Don't think that'll be necessary."



Buffy's eyes widened as she heard Spike's voice and she couldn't believe she had forgotten he was there with her.



"Oh, good morning," Riley said as he looked at Spike before his eyes widened slightly and he looked back at Buffy.



Buffy turned her head and her own eyes widened. Spike was standing by the couch and she was glad the lamp on the small end table was there. He was completely naked. Her eyes scanned his exposed flesh that wasn't hidden by the lamp as he stood there before she finally looked up. The smirk was firmly in place and she rolled her eyes before turning back to officer Finn. "Sorry," Buffy said quietly. "He uh...I mean...well..."



"Aren't you going to invite our guest in - Buffy?"



The way he said her name sent a chill all the way up Buffy's spine and her eyes closed momentarily. She took a deep breath before opening them and looked back up at Riley. She smiled hesitantly before she heard Spike move and as she turned to look over her shoulder, he walked around the end of the couch. It was only a "flash" but she had seen enough to cause her face to burn so hot she felt her skin grow slick with perspiration. Her eyes were wide as she stared out the door and as her breathing started to return to normal, it caught in her throat when Spike walked in behind her and placed both his hands on her shoulders.



"You didn't forget about me already now did you, princess?" Spike whispered to her as he leaned down and rubbed his nose on the side of her face.



Buffy swallowed heavily and she knew her eyes probably looked like they were ready to fall out of their sockets. Spike had moved closer to her and it was apparent he was a happy boy this morning. The lump in her throat enlarged and she found it difficult to swallow as he leaned down and kissed the side of her neck. It was only a small kiss but she felt the tip of his tongue touch her heated flesh and she felt the last bit of fight go out of her.



"Officer Finn, was it?" Spike asked as he looked back up.



"Yeah - Uh, I mean yes," Riley finally sputtered out. "Riley Finn."



"Well Riley Finn. Nice of you to drop by," Spike said with a grin as he wrapped both arms around Buffy's shoulders and pulled her to him. "Me and the missus here appreciate the heads up but we have some - unfinished business to take care of. Isn't that right, kitten?"



Buffy still hadn't gotten her brain to work properly and was only able to nod her head as she looked back up at Riley. Spike's soft laughter in her ear and his hardened length pressing against her backside left her unable to hear or say anything. Her brain had melted to mush. She watched as Riley spoke, smiled then turned and walked away. As he climbed back in the truck, Spike pulled her back from the door before he pushed it shut. His laughter finally snapped her out of her lust-induced haze.



She stood there for a few minutes trying to catch her breath as she stared at the closed door before she inhaled deeply and turned. "Are you insane?"



"Did you see the look on his face?" Spike asked as his laughter died.



Buffy stood there looking at him and her eyes traveled the length of him. She felt her face once again flame before she forcefully met Spike's eyes. They were sparkling like brilliant sapphires and the laughter in them caused the corner of her mouth to twitch before she bit her tongue to keep her smile at bay. "Don't ever do that again."



"Or what?" Spike asked as he leaned his head to the side and gave her a look from head to toe.



Buffy took a deep breath as he leered at her and goose bumps crawled her flesh. He was doing that tongue thing again and she knew if she didn't leave now, she wouldn't be able to. Rolling her eyes at him, she turned and started for the stairs. His laughter followed her up the steps and she managed to get to the top before her legs wobbled. She could still hear his laughter and it sang throughout her body as she sat down heavily on the bed. She stared up at the blanket that hung from the ceiling to give her privacy and she was glad it was there. One more minute of looking at him in all his naked splendor and she knew without a doubt she would have won "skank of the month" when she threw him to the ground and had her way with him. "God what am I going to do with him?" she whispered to herself before she heard him sit back down on the couch. His light laughter still echoed through the cabin and she shook her head before flopping back on the bed. Her situation wasn't getting any better. Spike's behavior was that of an adolescent boy and it was apparent he had no problem going to any extreme. He had done nothing since he arrived but provoke her and his last stunt was the last straw. Her mind worked quickly and a huge smile covered her face as her plan began to form. "You're going to pay for that, Spike," she said quietly to herself. "And revenge is the sweetest nectar known to man."





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