| Title: Queen of the Night Author: Starlett Chapter 37 "So you are leaving," Mr. Zhou said, smiling at Cordy. "You must be very happy." Cordelia smiled. "You know it," she said, snuggling under Angel's arm. "But I'm really gonna miss you. I wasn't expecting that." Mr. Zhou laughed. "I will miss you, too. You are like a ray of sunshine, my dear. A joy to have around." "Even when I'm being a pain in the butt?" Cordy asked with a grin. Angel laughed. "Especially then," Mr. Zhou said. "You are a rare combination of heart, brains and beauty. Never let him tell you otherwise," he said, flicking a glance to Angel. "And don't let him brood too much. He might implode." Cordelia elbowed Angel. "You hear that?" she asked. She leaned over and pulled Mr. Zhou to her, holding him tightly. "I don't know how to thank you," she whispered. "No thanks are required," he replied. "I am having a party next summer, for several of my friends. There will be other Seers and Warriors there. I hope," he said with a smile, "that you both will come." "Oh, my God," Cordy said, glancing at Angel. "We are so there!" Angel nodded. "I'd like to see that," he said, shaking his head. "Other Seers and Warriors. Amazing." "It doesn't matter how long you live, there are still things to learn," Mr. Zhou smiled. He reached out and shook Angel's hand. "Drive carefully." Angel nodded and helped Cordy into the Jeep he'd rented. "Thank you," he said, turning back to the old man. "You'll never know what this means to me." "Oh, I think I understand," Mr. Zhou said, his smile gentle. "Stick with her, she'll see you through," he said, nodding at Cordy. She blew a kiss and pressed her fingertips to the window. Angel's face glowed in the soft light from the porch. "You don't have to tell me twice," he said, walking to the driver's side and swinging into the Jeep. *** The lobby lights were all on, giving the hotel a warm, golden glow. She walked in from the rainy, L.A. winter, and dropped her bags just inside the door. It smelled the same, like old wood and leaky pipes, overlaid with Fred's perfume and the oil Angel used to sharpen his weapons. It smelled like home. "Cordy!" Gunn exclaimed, dropping the knife and whetstone with a clatter. He dashed forward, scooping her up in a hug. Cordelia laughed and squeezed him tightly. "Oh, I missed you," she said, giving him a smacking kiss. Gunn's smile flared like a sun spot. "So, how was Confucius? You learn any new kung fu?" "We already established that there was no need for that," Wes said, springing lightly up the stairs. He pulled Cordy to him, swayed her gently and kissed the top of her head. "You thought I could kick your butt before," she said, "you should see me now." She took a step back and drew her body into a warrior's pose, the fingers of one taut hand aiming for his jugular and the other leg in the air, ready to extend into a powerful kick. Wes took a step back. "That looks fearsome," he said. "Touch me, and I'll scream." Angel walked in behind them and set Cordy's suitcase down next to her smaller bags. "Hey, guys," he said. "We're home." "Cordy!" Fred said, rushing out of the office, her long hair flying behind her. She grabbed her, laughing happily as they embraced. "Oh, you're home! It's so good to see you!" "You wouldn't believe this crowd of mopers," Lorne said from the staircase, making an entrance, as usual. "They acted like six weeks was a lifetime. And we all know that's not true, don't we boy-o?" Cordy looked up and saw the green demon walking sedately into the lobby, Connor cradled in his arms. She couldn't get to them fast enough. Lorne hugged her, the baby pressed between their bodies, just as he had been six weeks before. This time, though, she wasn't leaving. She was staying. She took the baby from Lorne, unable to take her eyes off of him. "Connor," she breathed. He looked up at her, his wise eyes and cherub's face so familiar that her eyes filled with tears. "I'm home," she said, her voice breaking. She clutched him to her, pressing her face against his chubby cheek. "Look, Connor," Angel said, coming up behind her and putting a hand on her shoulder. "Cordy's home. Mommy's home." He bent down and kissed her cheek. Cordy looked at him, unable to stop the tears from streaming down her face. "Hey, I thought we were gonna open presents," Gunn said. He pointed to the Christmas tree, which was still up in the lobby. "Angel made us wait," he grumbled. "It was only fair," Fred said. "We had to wait for Cordy." She went to the tree and picked up a gift. "Here," she said, handing it to Gunn. "You go first." He laughed like a little boy and ripped into the paper. Wes followed, and he and Fred handed out gifts. The lobby rang with laughter and excited voices. Cordy watched them open their gifts, a soft smile on her face. "You'd think they'd never had Christmas before," Cordy said to Connor. She'd pulled one of the office chairs out and sat with the baby on her lap, a pile of unopened presents growing at her feet. "Why bother with presents when I've got everything I want already?" She leaned down to kiss him. "Cordy," Angel called from behind her. She turned and he smiled, a smile of such pure happiness that it turned her heart in her chest. "What?" "Come upstairs. I've got something for you." She smirked. "I've heard that one before," she said. She looked down at Connor. "You'd think, after two and a half centuries, the man could come up with better pick-up lines." The baby grabbed for her hair. "Fred?" Angel asked. "Yeah?" She looked up from the microscope Wes had given her. "Take the baby?" She looked from Angel to Cordy, her grin growing and her eyes gleaming. "You bet," she said. She handed Wes the slide she'd been holding and whispered something to him. He glanced at Angel, then slipped the slide under the scope, ducking his face to hide his smile. "See you guys later," Fred said, letting Cordy slip the baby into her arms. "Have fun!" Angel took Cordy's hand and led her upstairs. "God, does *everyone* know?" she asked. "Know what?" he queried, opening his door and pulling her inside. "About us. With the, you know," she said, nodding toward the bed. "Oh, yeah." He shrugged. "Not much I could do. Sorry about that." He walked over to the coffee table and picked up a small present, beautifully wrapped. "I didn't want to give it to you downstairs. I wanted to do it in private." She took the box, her hand trembling. "What is it?" she asked, looking up at him. "Open it and see." She slid her thumbnail under the tape and a jeweler's box fell into her palm. "Oh," she said, pulling off the top. Inside was a cross, almost the size of her thumbnail. So much like the one she'd dreamed about weeks before that she gasped. "Angel," she said. "I saw it one day while I was out. I don't know why, but it reminded me of you." He picked up the chain, careful not to touch the cross, itself. "Turn around." She turned and lifted her hair, waiting while he fastened the clasp. She felt his lips, cool and soft, on her nape, then his hands, pulling hers away and turning her to him. "Beautiful," he said, pressing his fingertips to her throat. "Beautiful," she replied, cupping his face with her hand. "Love you, Cordy," he whispered, just before his lips brushed hers. Title: Queen of the Night Author: Starlett Chapter 38 The first touch of his lips was like honey, warm and sweet. She pressed her mouth to his, moaning when she felt the sweep of his tongue. She slipped her hands over his shoulders, acquainting herself with him. A million times she'd touched him, held him, bandaged him. A million times she'd loved him--but not like this. His collarbones were hard as rebar, the bone ancient and dense. The first time she'd touched him, she'd been shocked by it. By comparison the human men she knew were as soft and elastic as newborns. But now she was comforted by the steel beneath the flesh. Now it was normal--and at this moment thrilling. God, and his mouth. It was like he'd always known her taste, the shape of her lips, the way she wanted to be kissed. There was no hesitation, no question. He cupped her face in his hands and changed the angle, sending her thoughts spinning away. She came up for air like a swimmer in the deep end. "Gotta breathe," she gasped. Angel's laugh rumbled against her cheekbone, where his lips were now trailing butterfly kisses. "Right. I'll try to remember that." His hands slid from her face to her neck and then slowly down her back. He looked as if he were as dazzled by her as she was by him. The shift in their relationship had been so sudden, the directive to change its nature so bold and sweeping, that Cordy felt a little like a cliff-side house in a winter storm: uncertain of her foundation and intimidated by the primal power that was pounding at her walls. She had been so confident in the research, sure that what the books were telling them was true. That moment during the fight when she'd finally forgiven Angel for his past had been the turning point. Or so she had thought. Now that she was in his arms, and he was real and solid against her, the little doubts started creeping back. What if, just for a second, the joy overpowered him? What if, in that one fleeting moment, his soul slipped free and she woke up to Angelus's cruel, gleeful smile? She shuddered against him, a different shiver than the ones his kisses elicited. He pulled back. "Cordy?" he asked, concern obvious in his tone. "You all right?" She felt the fear deep in her belly and spreading rapidly. She knew he could see it in her eyes and there was nothing she could do to hide it. "I don't know. I just freaked out all of a sudden." His face offered no judgment, just understanding. His eyes, centuries old, held memories of the very stories she feared. "I know. What if...?" She swallowed hard. "Yeah. I don't want to go to bed with you and wake up with Angelus. I mean, I'm pretty good with a stun gun, but...." He laughed nervously. "Honey, if Angelus gets free again, I think it'll take a lot more than a stun gun to contain him." "Thanks. I feel much better now," Cordy said wryly. Angel ran trembling hands up and down her arms. "Okay, here's the thing," he said quietly. "If we do this, we're running a risk." "Pretty damn big risk. Not just to me, but to Connor and Fred and...." Angel nodded. "Yeah, but if we don't? You die. Not an option." Cordy blew out a breath. "Well, when you put it like that...." Angel rested his forehead against hers. "Not an option," he repeated. His hands squeezed her arms gently. "So, I'll tell you what. Let's play it safe." "How?" "I still have those chains." She couldn't stop the laugh that bubbled up. "Jeez, Angel, kinky much?" "Evidently," he said wryly. He ran his hands reassuringly over her arms again before turning to his weapons trunk. The lid squeaked open, revealing an assortment of deadly instruments. In one corner was a large, black velvet bag, which he pulled free. It was bulky and heavy-looking and it rattled metallically as he walked to the bed. He dropped it on the mattress then untied the cord at the top. A long chain fell with a heavy thump. Attached at each end was a metal, hinged bracelet that locked with an old-fashioned skeleton key, which tumbled out, bouncing against the mattress. Since the bed didn't have a headboard or footboard, he slipped the end of the chain around the bed's metal frame and pulled until it was looped completely through. There was more than enough play in the chain to give him room to move comfortably on the bed, but not so much that he could reach the door. "One more thing," he said, dropping a kiss to Cordy's head as he brushed past her. He dipped his hand back into the trunk and came up with a gun and a handful of darts. "Tranquilizers," he said. He held out the weapon to her and when she took it, their hands brushed. Cordy paled. "The chains? Kinda freaking me out, but I could work around that," Cordy said, fingering the weapon nervously. "The gun, though? Pretty much kills the mood." Angel ran his hand down her arm reassuringly. "It's not the most romantic way to become lovers, is it?" Cordy looked down at the gun, then back up at Angel. "I don't know if I can do this. It's just too weird." "Here," Angel said quietly. He took the gun from her and loaded a dart, then set it on the reading chair, close enough for her to grab, but not so close that he could reach it once he was chained. "Now you won't have to think about it unless you need it. "As for the chains," he said teasingly, obviously trying to lighten the mood, "they can be kind of fun once you get used to them." He walked back to her and slid his arms around her waist. Cordy laughed softly, then leaned her head against his chest and took a deep breath. "Let's have some fun, then." When she looked up he was watching her with hooded eyes. His face was unreadable and it frightened her a little. "What?" she asked, her voice quavering. "I've never met anyone like you," he said. "You face everything life throws you with such courage." Then he smiled, the curve gentling his face and warming his eyes. His hand reached for hers. "Come to bed, Cordy," he urged. "Come lie with me." Her fingers linked with his and they walked to the bed. They stopped at its edge and Cordy looked down, seeing the familiar comforter and pillows, their softness ready to receive her. On top of them sat the chain, a cold, hard reminder of the possibilities that waited. "The Powers wouldn't lie, right?" He slid his arms around her waist and pulled her to him. "We're gonna be fine," he promised, running one hand up her spine. "I have to believe that." He kissed her softly then reached up to cup her face in his hands. "Cordy," he breathed, raining baby kisses over her forehead, her cheekbones, her lips. She wrapped her arms around him and pulled him closer. The nerves still fired in her belly, but they were slowly being replaced by a warm, relaxing glow. Her lips opened, and his tongue danced against them, as if asking her permission to enter. She darted out to meet him, loving the silky feel of his mouth, then drew him in. He kissed her reverently and with great joy, like she was the sun he hadn't seen for centuries. His fingers combed through her hair, tugging gently at the silk and changing the angle of their kiss. The new position brought his open mouth more fully against hers and had her arching against him. Her desire spun upward, a fire he stoked carefully, meticulously. She wanted to touch him again, to feel the play of his muscles against her hands. Her palms dragged up his back, tangling the sweater, and she met him in a tumble of flesh and fabric. Again and again she caressed him, and in her belly the warm glow of need exploded into flame. She moaned, and the vibrating puff of air seemed to snap Angel's control. If the first kiss had been day, then this one was night. He devoured her, taking long drinks and tiny sips, driving her crazy with his tongue. She pressed herself tightly against him, thrilled by the electric shimmer that went through her. Angel rested one knee on the bed and pulled her into the open cradle of his hips. She heard the chains rattle, but instead of the fear she'd felt only seconds before, she now felt an overriding sense of safety. She laughed softly against Angel's lips. He pulled back. "What?" "Simultaneously creeped out and comforted." Angel grinned, obviously enjoying the memory that the words evoked. "I get that." His hands ran up and down her back, making ever-widening strokes. Each pass brought him closer to her hips, her lower back, her bottom. Finally, he slipped his hands under her and cupped her to him. She gasped, stunned by the hard press of his body. "Stand on your tiptoes," he whispered. Dizzy, she complied, only to feel a burst of heat and exhilaration when he pressed them center to center. "God, Angel," she moaned. He nuzzled her throat, finding the tender hollow under her chin. His tongue darted out and left a trail of liquid fire. Then he slid his hands under her ass and pulled her up. She wrapped her legs around his waist instinctively, gasping when their bodies collided. "Yes," she moaned, arching against him. He leaned over the bed, lowering them both gently to the mattress, then unlocking her legs so she lay flat on her back. He slipped down next to her and rested on his side, one big hand splayed over her belly. As he leaned down to kiss her, his eyes closed, making him look as innocent and beautiful as his name implied. Cordy kissed him tenderly, almost overcome with emotion. "Angel," she whispered, running her fingers over his face, trailing them across his brow, over his nose, to his lips. He kissed her hand delicately, then opened his mouth and sucked on her fingertips. Cordy gasped at the tingling sensation that spread up her arm. She pulled her fingers away and kissed him again, lapping at his lips and pulling a groan from deep in his body. Then she wrapped her arms around him and pulled him to her, suddenly desperate for the touch of his flesh against hers. She was starved for him, like a woman who had been in the desert 40 days without food. He was sustenance, nourishment. And he was burning. She smelled the smoke half a second before he jerked back in surprise. "Sorry, Angel, sorry," she said, sitting up and unclasping the cross he'd given her. She dropped it to the nightstand then reached out to touch the pinkened flesh of his throat. "You all right?" He grimaced, but she could tell by the way the mark was already fading that the injury wasn't serious. "You branded me," he said, eyes glinting. Cordy's face relaxed into a smile. "Guess that makes you mine." Then she leaned in and kissed him softly. He flicked her lips with his tongue.. "Guess it does." |