Randon Acts of Romance

Chapter Nine

 

Angel stands nervously in the lobby. He glances over at Oz’s relaxed demeanor. Angel adjust the collar of his wine colored silk shirt once more as he hears the bell on the elevator. His eyes dart into the interior and a smile floods his face. Buffy steps out of the car. Her red satin dress clings to her feminine curves. Angel does not even notice Willow as he watches Buffy approach. All he can see is her and he thanks the heavens that she has chosen him.

Willow: So are you two going to say something or just stare at each other all night?

Buffy smiles but never takes her eyes off of Angel.

Buffy: You look good.

Angel: You look amazing.

He leans over and captures her lips in a quick searing kiss. His heart races as he stares into her sparkling green eyes.

Buffy: I guess we should?

Angel: Yes.

He reaches for her hand and looks over at the other couple.

Angel: Let’s go have fun.

He nods and Oz guides Willow to the ballroom. The two couples pause and glance around the opulent interior.

Buffy: It’s beautiful.

She watches as the maitre d approaches them. She and Willow continue to look around the elegant room as they are lead to their seats. The maitre d offers Buffy her seat. She nervously sits and waits for the others to join her. As soon as the man leaves Buffy reaches for Angel’s hand across the small expanse of table. He grips it softly and smiles.

Angel: Happy Valentines, baby.

Buffy: Happy Valentines.

They lean into kiss and as they part Buffy catches Willow out of the corner of her eye. She and her date seem to be as enthralled with each other as Buffy and Angel are. Buffy smiles and looks into the chocolate brown eyes of her boyfriend.

Angel: How did I ever get so lucky?

Buffy: Kizmit?

Angel lifts her hand to his lips. His eyes glance up as the waiter appears.

 

Hours pass as the two couples dine and watch the farcical comedy unfold onstage. Buffy finds herself glancing at Angel and reveling in the beauty of his joyful face. Since New Years he has been clouded by self doubt and she is glad to see he has begun to forget if not forgive himself. As she turns her eyes back to the stage she feels Angel’s hand softly caress her bare shoulder. Her skin tingles at his tender touch. She glances back at him and almost crumbles at the look of pure love he bestows on her. Her whole body seems to respond to the subtle declaration. She mouths the three words that can barely begin to encompass the depths of her feelings. As he replies in kind, they both lean in for a tender kiss.

He takes her hand and clasps it in both his as they turn back to the story unfolding on stage. Buffy smiles as she tries to focus on the play and not the sensations flooding her body. She suddenly understands her mother’s apprehensions to this trip. She glances at Angel hoping he can not sense her racing heart. She feels extremely warm and reaches quickly for her ice water. It is only by some divine intervention she does not send the goblet tumbling in her haste. Willow glances at her flush face.

Willow: You okay.

Buffy nods as she answers.

Buffy: Fine. It’s just a bit warm.

Seeing everyone looking at her, she moves her focus onto the stage and they soon follow suit. After a few moments she is able to again concentrate on the wonderful production.

 

As the curtain closes, everyone applauds. Willow makes a nod of her head and the two girls stand up and head to the restroom. As soon as they are inside, Willow grabs her arm.

Willow: What happened?

Buffy: What do you mean?

Willow: Come on. You got all flushed and jittery.

Buffy: Oh god. Do you think Angel noticed?

Both girls turn as two other women enter. The girls slip over toward the wall and lowered their voices.

Willow: So what happened?

Buffy glances around nervously while Willow continues to look at her intently.

Buffy: I…I …

Willow: You know I won’t say anything.

Buffy nods and turns to the nearby mirror and applies fresh lipstick. Willow watches until the two ladies leave.

Willow: Buffy?

Buffy: Willow, I think I maybe ready.

Willow: Ready for what?

Buffy looks at her flustered.

Willow: Oh, that ready. You sure?

Buffy: I don’t know. But have all these feelings, these wants. And when I look at him I just………..

Willow: Oh. Has he asked you?

Buffy: No. He wouldn’t. He’s not like that.

Willow: But you’re not sure?

Buffy: No. I just feel this….

Willow: Well you should be sure before you do it.

Buffy: How will I know when I’m sure?

Willow: Why are you asking me? I’m just learning which way to tilt my head when we kiss.

Buffy giggles.

Buffy: I guess I just wait. Wish I had someone to talk to. An older sister. Someone.

Willow: How about your mom?

Buffy: No way. She would probably ground me till I’m 30.

Willow: Well, uh what about Angel’s mom?

Buffy: Clarissa?

Willow: Guess not, huh.

Buffy: I don’t know. I just can’t imagine saying. Hey I am thinking about sleeping with your son. What do you think?

Willow: Not the greatest opening, I admit.

They stop talking as three more women enter.

Buffy: We better hurry and get back before the guys get worried.

Buffy and Willow both move toward the stalls.

 

At the table, Angel watches as Oz taps a his fingers on the table to the music.

Angel: You think they’re okay?

Oz: Sure.

Angel: They are…………..

He stops as he sees them approach. He stands up and smiles. As soon as Buffy nears the table he takes her hand.

Angel: Everything okay?

Buffy: Uh huh.

She looks around.

Angel: You want to dance?

Buffy: Yes.

He leads her to the floor and takes her in his arms. She feels her heart race as she snuggles closer. Buffy thinks how his arms always feel like coming home. She wonders if that is what making love is like. She feels her face blush as she tries to imagine what it would feel like. She tries to push the thoughts away and enjoy the evening.

They slowly move to the music and as the night nears an end both of them seem saddened. As the band ends its final set, Angel leads her back to the empty table. He glances around.

Angel: I guess they already went upstairs.

Buffy: I guess. We look like one of the last ones here.

Angel: You tired?

Buffy: Not really.

He guides her out on the patio and looks up into the stars. He slides his arms around her and leans into her waiting lips. His tongue seeks entrance and is welcomed with an audible sound. She wraps her arms tighter around his neck as she seeks to fill a deep need. He pulls back and pants as he looks into her flushed face.

Angel: We need to go up.

Buffy just manages to nod and lets him take her hand a lead her to the elevators. He stands behind her and wraps his arms around her waist.

Angel: This night was amazing.

Buffy: It was perfect.

The elevator opens to her floor and he escorts her to her door. He pauses before leaning in for one more kiss.

Angel: See you downstairs in the morning.

Buffy: Ten o’clock. We’ll be there.

Angel kisses her once more and watches as she opens her door and steps inside. He moves to walk off.

Buffy: Angel?

He stops and turns.

Buffy: I love you.

Angel: I love you too, baby.

He turns and heads back to the elevator as she closes her door. He steps in and slumps against the wall of the elevator and praises himself on his latest successful restraint. He punches the button and prides himself on the decision for different floors. He could not imagine trying to sleep with her just down the hall.

In the room, Buffy smiles at Willow who is sitting up in bed.

Willow: Nice night?

Buffy: Perfect? And you?

Willow: He said it.

Buffy: Said wh….Oh! he said IT?

Willow: Yes. It is only been like 6 weeks. Is it too soon?

Buffy: We are talking Oz. He doesn’t say anything he doesn’t mean.

Willow: I know.

Buffy: Well do you love him?

Willow: I think I do.

She looks up at Buffy.

Willow: Actually I am pretty sure I do.

Buffy squeals and runs over to the bed and hugs her.

 

Buffy: He is a really nice guy. I am so glad it is working out for you two. Angel was really worried when I suggested the blind date. But I really liked Oz and I hoped you would too. But this is better than I hoped. Oh Will, I am so happy for you.

Willow: Me too. So how was things after we left?

Buffy: We danced until the band stopped and then he walked me outside under the stars.

Willow: And he kissed you.

Buffy: Oh yeah.

Willow: And you still think you’re ready?

Buffy: I don’t know. But I am ready to think about being ready.

Willow: Well that is something.

The jangle of the phone makes them both jump. Buffy looks at it oddly before picking it up.

Buffy: Hello?

Joyce: Hi honey.

Buffy: Mom? Is something wrong?

Joyce: No, I just wanted to see how your night was.

Buffy: It was nice. I am in my room with Willow. Say hello Willow.

She holds out the phone.

Willow: Hello Mrs. Summers.

Buffy puts the phone back to her ear.

Buffy: See just us girls.

Joyce: Hold on a minute, sweety.

Three floors up the phone rings as Angel climbs into bed. He reaches for it and smiles.

Angel: Yes, Buffy I got to my room safe.

Joyce: Glad to hear that.

Angel: Oh Mrs. Summers, sorry. I just figured it was Buffy.

Joyce: That’s okay. Just making sure everyone is okay.

Angel: We are. I made sure Buffy got to her room safely. She may still be awake.

Joyce: Thank you. Well, I better let you go to sleep.

Angel: Good night.

Joyce hit’s the end button on her cell and picks back up the house receiver.

Joyce: Sorry sweety. Well I best let you get some sleep. See you in the afternoon.

Buffy: Night.

Buffy hangs up and looks at the phone.

Willow: Checking up on us?

Buffy: Uh huh. I wish she would trust us.

Willow: Buffy, you just said you are thinking about going all the way with Angel and you can not understand her concern.

Buffy: Enough with the logic.

Buffy grabs her night clothes and heads to the bathroom.

 

A little later Buffy lies in bed staring at the ceiling. She can hear Willow’s even breathing but can not fall asleep. She keeps trying to process how she feels. She again wishes she had someone she could talk to. She suddenly gets up and digs in her bag. Taking out her cell phone, that Angel insists she have, she grabs a pillow and slips into the bathroom and closes the door. Sitting on the pillow on the floor, she punches in the few buttons to dial the saved number. Her heart races as she hears the first rings.

Angel: Hello?

Buffy: Hey. Hope I didn’t wake you.

Angel: No.

Buffy: Can we talk?

Angel: Sure baby.

He slips into his own bathroom and closes the door.

Angel: Is something wrong?

Buffy: No. I don’t think so.

Angel: You don’t think so?

Buffy: I just……

Angel: What?

He sits patiently listening.

Buffy: I don’t know who to talk to.

Angel: You can’t talk to me?

Buffy: I don’t know.

Angel: Buffy, I don’t understand.

Buffy: I love you so much.

Angel: And I love you. You know that.

Buffy: I know and that is what is so confusing. I have all these feelings and I don’t have any idea what to do.

Angel: Oh.

Buffy: One minute I feel like I want it all and the next minute I’m petrified.

Angel: That’s normal.

Buffy: You feel it too.

Angel: Of course. Buffy, I love you so much. But I am so scared I am going to do the wrong thing and ruin it.

Buffy: You couldn’t.

Angel: Buffy.

He pauses and both listen to the other’s soft breathing.

Angel: Buffy, relationships are scary fragile things. It is so easy to damage one by making the wrong choices. I’ve been there.

Buffy: Do I want to hear this?

Angel: Yes. I am not saying I have ever loved anyone the way I love you. But I have been in relationships where I thought for awhile I was in love.

Buffy: Oh.

Angel: And maybe I was a little. But the thing is they were never given a chance to be anything. Before they could become anything real they changed. They were no longer about two people, they were about sex.

He pauses to make sure he chooses the right words.

Angel: Buffy, sex changes everything. I have learned that if there is nothing else to the relationship, than sex is all it becomes. And sex is not enough.

Buffy: But we have more.

Angel: We do. I know that. But I’m not willing to risk it not being strong enough to resist being consumed. I want you in my life more than I want to give into my desires.

Buffy: Desires?

Angel: Buffy, it would be so easy to call downstairs and get another room and be alone with you right now. But it would be the beginning. Beginning something we would be helpless to stop. And soon we would be focusing on when can we have sex and not when can we just see each other. Just hold each other. Just talk.

Buffy: Oh.

Angel: Sex is powerful. It is wonderful but it can become too important.

Buffy: I understand.

Angel: Buffy, please don’t be upset. Baby, you don’t know how much I want to give in to all my desires. But I can’t let myself.

Buffy: And I can’t either?

Angel: Not yet baby. But one day. One day we will and it will amazing. But it will not be everything.

Buffy: I think I’m getting that. But do me a favor.

Angel: What is that?

Buffy: When you think we are there, let me know.

Angel: I will.

Buffy: So any suggestions how to deal with the uh desires?

Angel: Cold showers work.

Buffy: I will keep that in mind.

They fall silent.

Buffy: Well I guess we need to try and sleep.

Angel: If you are okay now.

Buffy: I think I am. I will see you downstairs in the morning.

Angel: Night, sweetheart.

They hang up and both stare at the nearby shower.

 

In the morning

Buffy and Willow stand in the lobby. Their luggage is at their feet.

Buffy: And men say we take too long to get ready.

Willow: I don’t know. I just think you were overly anxious to get down her and see Angel.

Buffy: Are you saying I rushed you?

Willow: That’s what I’m saying.

Buffy: Oh. Well you could have said something.

Willow: And watch you get……..

They both stop as the elevator opens. Oz and Angel step out each carrying their bags. They step up to the girls and both lean over and give a cursory kiss before picking up the other bags.

Angel: Let us run these out to the car real quick.

Buffy: You want us to get a table?

Angel: That’d be nice.

Angel and Oz take off through the exit doors as Buffy and Willow approach the dining room. They are still standing there when the guys return.

Buffy: They said it would be few minutes.

Angel: Good.

He looks at Oz and Willow.

Angel: Excuse us a moment.

He takes Buffy’s hand and pulls her down the hall. Once alone he pulls her into his arms and claims her lips. His tongue demands entrance and she willingly acquiesces. She slides her hands through his thick hair but suddenly becomes aware of his hands moving from her back and down over the curve of her bottom. She revels in the pleasure of the voyage into new territory. She attacks his mouth with new abandon as she feels him pulling her tight against his torso. The feel of his obvious arousal pressing against her stomach, makes her gasp.

He pulls back and looks into her glassy green eyes and smile. Buffy stares back in surprise.

Angel: Now you know what you do to me.

Buffy: Uh huh.

She dives back to his mouth and shoves her tongue in. He grips her close as they take a few more seconds to bask in the unbridled feel of each other. Buffy slowly pulls back.

Buffy: We better…..

Angel: I think we should.

As they walk back toward the dining room, Buffy looks out the window.

Buffy: Think it might rain?

Angel: Rain? Why?

Buffy: I think it would be cool and refreshing.

Angel: That it would.