Title: Make Believe
Author: AngelChase
Posted: 08-13-2002
Rating: NC17
Email: lifeisbittersweet@yahoo.com
Content: Adventure / Romance
Summary: Angel and Cordelia need to pretend they are a married couple 24/7.
Spoilers:
Disclaimer: The characters in the Angelverse were created by Joss Whedon & David Greenwalt. No infringement is intended, no profit is made.
Distribution: Nothing Fancy and HGF can have it. So can BitterSweet (because it's my archive). Anyone else, just ask. I'll say yes. I'm THAT easy.
Notes: Response to a Challenge posted by Luckylyn at Stranger Things. The Angel and Cordy marriage challenge. Angel and Cordy are forced to pretend to be a happily married couple for a case. They are being monitored (how and why is up to you) and so they must keep up the pretense of a marriage even when alone.
This fic takes place after waiting in the wings but before couplet; This takes place in a universe where a client in desperate need instead of Groo shows up at the end of Waiting in the wings; At least two people from Sunnydale show up; Caritas has been rebuilt.
Feedback:
Dedication: to Carm and Michelle for beta reading, encouragement, kind words! You are both dolls! And also to Ando (‘cause she got the preview too!) for the thumbs up!Part 1
I’m the great pretender
Pretending I’m doing well
My need is such
I pretend too much
I’m lonely but no one can tell (Song by Buck Ram)
Angel still couldn't decide if the client that had come in to the hotel when they got back from the ballet was either a blessing or a curse. He had only one thing on his mind and that was Cordelia. He needed to talk to her and let her know what was brewing inside, just like Lorne told him earlier that evening.
Luckily, Wesley took care of the client's problem and it was solved in no time. That gave Angel another opportunity to talk to his Seer. Everytime he tried to explain to Cordelia that the events at the ballet had left their mark on him, he couldn't help but babble. He wanted to make a point clear: he didn't want to forget about what had happened between them be cause it had been uncomfortable or disgusting, but rather he wanted to start from scratch.
He loved her. And kissing her, touching her had been more than pleasant. Like a dream come true or well...more like a fantasy come true. But he didn't want the easy way out. He never did. Why would he start now? He wanted her to be with him because she loved him, because she wanted him. He didn't want their start to be an act.
"Hello, Lover. Long time no see," the voice of the slim blonde standing by the door made him come back to reality. He looked at her in awe. It couldn't be her. It's been such a long time.
"Bianca?", Angel asked with surprise. His eyes were wide and he had a hugh smile on his face.
"Bianca?", Cordelia said looking at the blonde that was walking at a speedy pace towards Angel, her Angel.
"Bianca?", Wesley looked at her as she wrapped her arms around the vampire.
"Oh, my God! I can't believe you're here. I thought...I was told you...you were...", Angel babbled.
"Dead?", Bianca asked.
"Yes", he nodded. "But you're alive. That's...good!"
"It'aalways good to bealive, Angel. It's still just Angel, right?", she asked.
"Can't you tell?", he said with a smile.
"Ahem", Cordelia cleared her throat and Angel turned around to look at her.
"Oh, right...Bianca, this is Cordelia and Wesley", Angel said.
"Hi", both members of Angel Investigations said awkwardly.
"Hello. It's nice to meet you", Bianca said.
"I didn't know we had visitors", Lorne waved at the blonde as he came down the stairs.
"Bianca, this is Lorne", Angel added. The young woman smiled at the green demon.
"Hmmm...Wow. You are...I never thought I'd meet one of your kind", Lorned rambled as he shook Bianca's hand. "It's truly an honor. By the time I found out your kind was notjust part of a myth...I've always wanted to meet one of you", he carried on.
Cordelia and Wesley exchanged an intrigued look. They looked at Angel, but he was oblivious to the situation and just stood there with a smile on his face, amused by Lorne's babbling. At least he wasn't the only one given to outbursts of babble.
"Exactly what is one of her kind?", Wesley asked.
"A fairy", Angel replied as if it was a natural thing.
"A fairy?", Cordelia asked.
"Yes, a fairy", Bianca certified.
"A fairy as in Tinkerbell*?", Cordelia tried again.
"Oh, well, not like Tinkerbell. I'm a little taller", the blonde woman relied with a slight hint of anger.
"And what's your story with Angel?", Cordelia asked looking at her up and down. She was feeling a bit uncomfortable. She always did when it came to people from Angel's past, because it was a part of his life where she wasn't included.
"Feeling a little restless, my dear?", the fairy smiled at her.
"Angel and I...we go way back. Back to the time I helped him escape from that group of gypsies", the woman recalled.
"Yes, they weren't happy about their peers decision", Angel said as he remembered the incident she was talking about.
"Gypsies?", Wesley asked.
"They were after me. They didn't agree with the perfect happiness curse. They just wanted me dead", Angel gave Wes the brief version. "And that's when Bianca appeared. She helped me run away from them".
"Isn't that nice?", Cordelia said with a fake smile. "So, what brings you to LA, Bianca?"
"We made a pact, Angel", the fairy said. "I hope you didn't forget about it".
"The pact...", Angel began. "I remember the pact", he said looking down.
"What pact?", Wesley asked.
"It's time for you to come with me", the fairy told Angel. The vampire gave his back to refusing to make eye contact with her.
"You know that's what we agreed", she added.
"Go with you? Where? What for?", Cordelia asked with a nervous voice. Where did this blonde flousy think she was taking Angel?!
"It was part of the deal", the fairy replied. "He's coming with me to Creaworks, the land of the fairies".
"So Creaworks really exists?", Lorned asked surprised and excited at the same time. Wesley gave him an icy, blue look that instantly shut him up.
"I can't go with you", Angel said, almost begging. He couldn’t leave. He didn’t want to leave his life behind, but most of all, he didn’t want to leave Cordelia and his life with her.
"A deal is a deal", was all that Bianca told him.
"But there was a clause in the contract...", Angel recalled.
"The only clause that could prevent you from coming with me is if you belong to another woman", the fairy said. "And I know about the Slayer and you don't belong to her", she added.
"No, I don't. But...", Angel started.
"No buts. That's it. We'll leave tomorrow at dusk", the fairy said.
"But I'm married", Angel blurted out.
"Married?", the fairy asked surprised.
"Bianca...Cordelia is...my wife", Angel said as he looked at Cordelia, silentely begging her not to deny what he was saying.
Part 2
"Your wife?” Bianca asked looking at Cordelia, who was speechless and motionless. What was Angel talking about?
"Yes, his wife. She is Cordelia Chase Angel", Wesley stepped up to help Angel, since Cordelia was standing still and open-mouthed. He didn’t really know what was going on but he knew that Angel needed help.
"Oh, well. That's a surprise. How come you didn't say anything sooner?” the fairy asked looking to a frightened Angel, a nervous Wesley and an astonished Cordelia.
"Like I said, I thought you were dead", Angel explained. He glanced at Cordelia who now had walked towards the couch and was sitting down slowly.
"Congratulations then", the fairy said with obvious disappointment. Angel smiled at her. Then she looked at Cordelia. "Well, that goes for you too, of course", the blonde woman added. “Angel and you must be very happy”.
"Thank you", Cordelia replied with a bright but fake smile. “We are”, she said, not knowing what else to add.
"I hope you know how lucky you are", the fairy told her with a fake smile of her own and her eyes filled with jealousy. She wanted Angel to go with her. She had waited centuries for this, but now a lot of fantasizing seemed to slip away, right in front of her.
Cordelia was about to say something when the vision hit her. She closed her eyes trying to concentrate on the images as she started to levitate. She slowly descended back to the couch when the vision was over. Angel and Wesley ran to her, both of them kneeled by her side.
"What did you see?” Angel asked softly as he gently caressed her cheek. She no longer felt the blinding pain when she got her visions, but old habits do die hard and Angel always felt the need to comfort her with soft words and gentle caresses. It was the only time he could show his concern and his love for her without people questioning his behavior.
"Big, yellow ewww, as usual… and the smell… ugh! That thing hasn't taken a bath since EVER! He's at the Multiplex and he has locked a young couple in the second floor bathroom. You need to get there now, before it’s too late", she finished.
Wesley had already reached the weapon cabinet and he had taken out 3 long swords. "Gunn, vision! We need you now!” he called from the bottom of the stairs. Gunn descended in no time.
"What's going on?” he asked, as he looked around for answers.
"Some sort of demon at the Multiplex", Wesley briefed him as he handed him a sword. They walked to WHERE Angel and Cordelia were. The vampire was still making sure that she was ok.
"Angel, I'm fine. The visions are no longer painful, remember?” she smiled at him and Angel's look of concern disappeared. He almost kicked himself for being so obvious, but at the same time, he couldn’t help it.
"Who's she?” Gunn asked when she spotted Bianca, who was standing next to Lorne with her eyes wide open.
"Gunn, this is Bianca… but let's leave that for later. We have to go now", Angel said. The three men started to walk towards the door. When they got there, Angel stopped IN his tracks. He turned around and ran back to Cordelia. He took her in his arms and gave her a hard and passionate kiss. Cordelia responded immediately by wrapping her arms around his neck as his hands moved to her lower back and pulled their bodies together. There was no time to think why this was happening. She just went with it, letting her mind drift in the sensations awakened by the kiss.
"Ahem", Wesley cleared his throat and Angel and Cordelia separated reluctantly.
"Demon", she whispered without strength.
"Right", he said as he ran towards the door. The three men disappeared into the night.
"Are they always that passionate?” the fairy asked Lorne amazed by the display of affection she had just seen.
"Wait till its night time", the green guy joked. "I hope you brought something to cover your ears", he added. The kiss had been seriously heated and, for the sake of Angel’s lies, Lorne figured that if they could have sex, then ear coverers would be needed. After so much denial and so much tension building up, he realized if the day came, he didn't want to be in the hotel when Angel and Cordelia were able to com-shuck.
On the other side of the lobby, Cordelia was just standing there, staring at the door. SHE was trying to catch her breath and to make her legs stop shaking. What had just happened, she wondered? That had been the best goodbye kiss in history. Her expression grew sad at the thought of Doyle's goodbye kiss. That had been GOOD, but this one… this one was so different.
Bianca noticed her sad expression. "He'll be back. He's a great warrior"; she said trying to cheer Cordelia up.
"He is", Cordelia replied softly. She had no doubt about Angel’s fighting abilities. She was worried about the effect the kiss had on her. And that rose another question: Would she be able to handle the charade?
Part 3
"What happened?” a worried Fred carrying a sleepy Connor asked. "I was changing Connor, I couldn't get down here sooner".
"The usual ugly demon. The guys are out kicking the hell out of it now", Cordelia replied as she sat down, unconsciously licking her lips. God, he tasted so good. She shook her head trying to avoid the thought. Angel had just kissed her. Ok, he was probably faking it because Bianca thought they were a couple. Angel had said she was his wife.
Cordelia Chase Angel, she smiled when she remembered Wesley's silly words. Of course, Angel had said she was his wife because he couldn't use Buffy as an excuse. "I know about the Slayer and you don't belong to her" was what Bianca said. How did she know about Buffy, Cordelia had no idea. But the "you don't belong to her" part sounded delicious, she thought to herself inwardly and smiled. “What a minute”, an inner voice told her. Why were all those thoughts whirling around in her head? Her and Angel? “Not going there, Chase”, she told herself silently.
She shook her head once again trying to bring herself to reality. Why did she care if Angel belonged to Buffy or not. She was HIS wife, well, at least until the fairy bid farewell. The idea sounded appealing at first, but then she realized she wouldn't be able to go ahead with Angel's pretending plan. Kissing him was something that she couldn't do again. Not after the previous confusing hours at the ballet, not after that earth-shattering kiss he had given her before he went away.
"Connor?” Bianca's voice brought her back to reality. "That's a lovely name. You have a very beautiful child", the fairy complimented Fred.
Fred looked at her surprised, not at the comment, but at the simple fact that she had no idea whom that woman was. Lorne noticed her clueless expression and he introduced the ladies.
"Fred, this is Bianca, a friend of Angel from way back. And also a fairy", he said excited. "Bianca, Fred is part of the family, and Connor is Angel's child", he added.
"Wow, a fairy?” Fred said amazed. "Like Tinkerbell?" she questioned lightheartedly.
"Is Tinkerbell the only fairy you people know?” Bianca asked a little irritated. "And you have a son with Angel? But Cordelia is his wife… Is this one of these modern living arrangements?” the fairy asked a bit freaked out.
Lorne laughed and Fred giggled. Cordelia came closer and she spoke: "Connor is Angel's son. Angel and Darla's. She died during birth. And Angel's my husband, so I'm sort of Connor's mom. Fred is his aunt", she said taking Connor in her arms and giving a secret look to Fred, who understood she needed to play along.
"How come Angel has a son? He's a vampire", Bianca said after Cordelia's explanation. “That’s impossible.”
"Sweetie, that's a really long story. How about we talk about it over coffee?” Lorne said. Fred looked at him oddly. She didn't know if he wanted coffee or if he was trying to make a move on Bianca.
"Ok, coffee it is", the fairy replied. They all walked to the kitchen. She was going to get to the bottom of all before she left, because if there was any way that Angel could leave with her, she’d make it happen.
***
Angel, Gunn and Wesley were up to their elbows in demon blood and they were tiredly getting inside the Plymouth. They all sighed out loud as they sat down.
"He was bigger than I thought", Wesley sighed he said from the back seat.
"Cordelia should come up with a feet/pound way to describe them", Angel said as he removed some demon remains from his shoulder.
"Speaking of Cordelia… what was that all about?” Gunn asked and turned to Angel amusedly.
"She had a vision. We had to kill him", Angel explained in a natural way, not really wanting to get into what Gunn was asking.
"I mean the kiss. What was the kiss about?” Gunn tried again, being specific. There was no way that Angel was getting of the hook that easily.
"We've already explained this to you. Bianca thinks Cordelia is my wife", Angel said as he started the engine. “We HAVE TO pretend”, he emphasized.
"Yeah, well, I get that. I mean, we were practically leaving the hotel to kill this thing, but no, you had to go back and kiss her till her legs became shaky", Gunn illustrated.
"Did you see her shake too? I thought it was my imagination. I guess that means it was a GOOD kiss", Angel said with a proud smile on his face.
"Oh, come on! You know it was a good kiss. But what I really want to know is why?” Gunn asked again.
"Because we have to pretend", Angel repeated. He turned on the radio and hoped that would bring Gunn to silence.
"Gunn has a point. That was completely unnecessary", Wesley said from the back seat.
“To make it believable", Angel raised his voice a little.
"Or just for you to get your hands and lips all over Cordelia", the guy with the British accent joked.
"That's not why I did it…” Angel lied so badly that he didn't believe it himself. “IT’S NOT!” he said louder, getting defensive.
"Right", Gunn laughed. "I'm wondering how you are going to get through the night with your WIFE", he questioned while he laughed.
Angel only gulped and gave him a quick glance. Then he set his sight on the road. A night with Cordelia, he thought. Well… they had slept together before. Just slept, with lots of layers between them. Even with Connor between them. He was going to be ok. He could survive through a night with Cordelia Chase. Besides, once the bedroom door was closed, nobody would be able to know what they were doing in there. Or so he hoped.
Who was he kidding? This was going to be torture.
Part 4
"You know, all this talk about prophecies and all gives me the creeps", Bianca said. Coffee break was over and it had been very enlightening. "Enchantments, well, those I can handle, but prophecies? No, sir", she continued.
"Hello, Ladies. and Lorne", Gunn's voice made them turn around. The three of them were back in the hotel, covered in demon blood and guts.
"Oh my God! Are you OK?" Fred said running towards him.
"So, how was the good fight? It seems that it was quite difficult", Cordelia asked as she helped Wesley remove his jacket. Bianca looked at her with an odd expression. Why hadn't she run directly towards Angel instead of helping her friend? Modern living arrangements, she thought.
"Honey, next time. include the detail of HOW MUCH the demon of the day weights, ok?" Angel told her with a sweet but ironic tone.
Honey. Angel had just called her honey, Cordelia acknowledged. They were pretending to be a couple, of course. And she had been neglecting him since he got back. That couldn't be helping their charade.
"Sorry, love", she said as she walked towards him. She helped him remove his jacket and then she cupped his face between her hands. "Are you hurt?" she asked sweetly.
"A little", Angel replied softly. Cordelia was only a few centimeters away. Her face right in front of his. Most couples would have kissed by now, he thought. Oh, well, anything to get out of going away with Bianca, he added to himself.
Angel leaned a bit forward and pushed Cordelia slightly towards him. And then he kissed her. It was, again, a deep but soft kiss. Cordelia looked at him when they broke apart. She gulped and licked her lips. She seemed uncomfortable with the situation, but not upset.
"Come on, let's get you patched up", she said, rapidly moving away from him to get the first aid kit.
"I should take a shower first", Angel suggested. Yes, he could use a shower, not just to get rid of the goo.
"What about you, sweetie?" Fred asked Gunn. "Are you hurt?" she said as she checked for visible wounds.
"Nah, I'm fine", he replied with a smile. Then he kissed her.
Wesley looked at them. He sighed. He was now alone. No one to comfort him after the big fight. Cordelia and Fred usually took care of him, but now that Fred and Gunn had become an item and Cordelia was stuck pretending to be involved with Angel, he was being neglected.
Lorne noticed the watcher's expression.
"What about you, sweetcakes? You ok?" he asked him as he patted his shoulder.
"Oh no!", Wesley exclaimed as he moved away from him. "NOT going there", the watcher added as he collected his coat and walked towards the downstairs bathroom.
* * *
"Angel, are you done?" Cordelia knocked on the door to his room.
"Just a minute", he replied. In a second, he opened the door. "Ready", he said, letting her in.
He walked to the bed, his back to her, and Cordelia followed him with her eyes wide open trying to register as much as she could of the surface of the shirtless vampire in front of her. His back was still slightly wet and the drops suited him. What wouldn't, she thought. Angel turned around and sat on the bed.
"So, what do you think?" Angel asked Cordelia after she sat down next to him and began looking at his wounds.
"You've had worse. This doesn't look too bad. They'll heal in no time", she replied examining the short cuts in his skin.
"I mean about Bianca", he clarified. "Oh, well. about the whole being a couple situation".
"I don't know, Angel. It's a bit awkward. I mean. first the ballet and now this. Don't get me wrong, I don't want you to go away, but it's awkward. And this time it is US. Well, not really US, but US", she started to babble. Angel looked at her amazed. It was them, they weren't possessed. They were creating their own story, he thought hopefully. But then he remembered they were just faking it.
"What I'm saying is that we agreed it would all be forgotten then, I think we should agree that now, too", Cordelia continued. "Just remember the rules, and let's try to stick to them this time: as long as nothing is removed or inserted."
"It's all forgotten", Angel completed the sentence she had pronounced at the ballet. Cordelia just nodded.
"Can I come in?" Bianca said from the open door.
"Bianca." Angel said surprised. He hoped she hadn't heard his conversation with Cordelia. "How can we help you?"
"I don't mean to interrupt. I just wanted to know which room should I use", the fairy said.
"Oh, of course. How rude of us", Cordelia exclaimed. "There's this lovely room in the next floor." she began to say.
"Lorne said the room next door is empty", Bianca suggested.
"Yes, empty as in very little furniture in it", Cordelia tried to persuade her but the fairy didn't seem to mind about that.
"It's only going to be for a night, and I'd feel a lot safer if I know you guys are going to be right next door", she replied.
"Us? Right . you're going to be right next to OUR room", Angel nodded. This was getting better and better. Their room. and it was only two hours more till bed time. Well, human bed -time, that is.
"Great then. I'll settle in", Bianca said with a smile. "I'll ask Lorne to help me", she added as she walked outside the room. Once in the hallway she turned back. "Just one more little favor", she said in a perky tone.
"Yes, what is it?"Cordelia replied as she came back from astonishment land. She had to spend the night in Angel's bed. Ok, it wasn't that bad. After all, they had shared a bed a few times, even though they had been fully dressed and with Connor between them.
"I know it is imposing, but. I do need to get some sleep, so." she started to hesitate. Bianca didn't feel comfortable with her request.
"Yes?" Angel asked.
"Try to keep it down", she added with a wink.
Cordelia and Angel only nodded as they watch her step away. Cordelia looked at him.
"She thinks we are going to." she whispered, but she couldn't forget the sentence.
"Do you think she heard us?" Angel whispered back.
"You mean before? Hmmm, I hope not", Cordelia said.
"I think she's not believing it", Angel confided.
"Hey, the kissing thing seemed pretty convincing to me", Cordelia protested.
"I don't know. you did pay more attention to Wesley than you did to me", Angel pointed.
Cordelia only rolled her eyes. What? She now had jealousy scene from a make believe husband? She was going to point that out to him, but a thought hit her.
"What if she wanted to stay next door to check on us?" Cordelia said.
"You mean like spy on us? Eavesdrop?" Angel asked. She had a point. Maybe she was trying to confirm Angel's story. But what did that mean? He had an idea. And it was something that would help him stay in LA. Nothing more, nothing less. It wasn't about taking advantage of the situation with Cordelia. Not at all.
"So, I guess we are not going to keep it down tonight, honey", he said seductively as he approached Cordelia. The seer just looked at him oddly.
"What are you saying? I not only have to sleep here tonight but I have to do the whole fake moaning and all? Oh, no. No sir! I'm way past those Xander dating times." she continued only to blush as she realized she had shared too much.
"Please?" Angel begged. "Do you want me to go away with her, then?" he used his puppy dog look.
Cheap shot, Cordelia thought. "Of course I don't", she smiled at him.
"So, will you do the fake moaning thing?" he asked her hopefully.
"Alright, I will", she said as she collected the first aid kit. "I never thought I'd have to do the fake moaning thing with you though." she trailed off as she walked away.
Angel frowned. What had she meant by that? That the situation they were in was unthinkable or that he wasn't man enough to give a woman real pleasure. to give HER real pleasure. Had she been thinking about that? He shook his head and sighed. Would Cordelia have ever fantasized about him?
Part 5
"What is it, sweetie?", Lorne asked to a brooding Angel. The vampire was sitting in a dark spot of the office, returning to a habit that Lorne thought was long gone.
"This isn't working. I know Bianca is on to us. I don't think she's believing anything we told her", Angel explained without looking at his interlocutor who was making signs at him to indicate him to shut up.
"Sweet-cakes, remember that time when I said that the only truly safe room in a hotel like this would be the janitor's closet?", Lorne whispered. Angel nodded. "Well, I'm having a little Déjà vu", he added as he indicated Angel to follow him.
"What's going on?"Angel asked once they were inside the tight space of the janitor's closet.
"I'm getting the buzzing sounds again. There are cameras in the hotel", Lorne said.
"No, there aren't. We removed all the cameras that Wolfram & Hart had set here", Angel explained.
"Well, then you have new ones. I feel them. And they are everywhere", Lorne added. Angel looked puzzled.
"How could they get in here now?" he thought aloud.
"It's not THEM, cinnamon buns. I think it's HER", Lorne confided.
"Her? Oh, you mean Bianca", Angel reacted. No, it couldn't be her. If she had planted cameras in the hotel, then his charade was in big trouble. That meant that Cordelia and him. they didn't just have to fake sounds, but to actually act. He couldn't help to gulp and lick his lips at the images he got in his head of him and Cordelia.
Lorne snapped his fingers in front of his face to bring him back to reality. "Makes the charade much more appealing, doesn't it?" he laughed as he realized why Angel wasn't on earth.
The vampire cleared his throat. "Of course not. It just makes it even more complicated. And besides, It can't be Bianca. She doesn't have the kind of resources to plant cameras in the hotel. Also, she hasn't been alone here since she arrived. She couldn't have done it", Angel continued.
"Honey-buns, just one word for you: magic", Lorne replied. "She's a fairy. She can do anything she wants" he continued.
Lorne had a point. Magic would be a very good explanation. So, he had to act like he was married to Cordelia. Really act, 24/7. Oh no, he thought. "Cordelia is going to freak out", Angel said.
Lorne giggled. "You should break the news to her, but judging from what I saw before, she's not having such a bad time pretending", he said. Angel smiled slightly. "Anyway, I'll go get her. Then I must take off to see how the once again rebuilt Caritas is doing", Lorne continued. "You stay here. I'll send your sexy seer this way", he indicated. Angel nodded and then took a deep breath, as if breathing the courage necessary to tell Cordelia the latest news.
Five minutes later, Cordelia knocked on the door to the closet. Angel opened to find her with an amused look on her face.
"Are you playing hide and seek?" Cordelia asked. "'Cause you know, it's not fun if you tell people where to find you", she smiled. Angel laughed slightly, mostly because he was nervous. Once Cordelia entered the closet, he became even more nervous.
"Why are we here?" Cordelia asked after she had waited in vain for Angel to give her some sort of explanation. "I'm past the 'making out in the closet' times, and besides, it's not fun if no one else is watching us", she said. "Ok, that didn't sound right", she blushed.
All her ramblings reminded Angel how simple it was. She was Cordelia, and he could tell her anything. She'd understand.
"There has been a change of plans", Angel began.
"Oh, God", Cordelia exclaimed. "You haven't decided to go away with Bianca, have you?" she asked worriedly.
"What? No!" Angel said. He smiled as her worried expression disappeared to be replaced by a bright smile. She cares, he thought.
"Lorne is sensing cameras in the hotel. He thinks Bianca set them to spy on us"; Angel was direct this time. Cordelia remained silent and open mouthed.
"That little blonde bitch", she said finally. "This is bad news", Cordelia added. "What are we going to do?" she questioned him, but she already knew the answer and that was nerve racking. She'd have to actually sleep with Angel, touch him, caress him, and kiss him. And he'd have to do the same to her. Cordelia blew a puff or air. It was suddenly a bit too hot in the closet.
"We will have to act affectionate tonight" Angel replied trying not to sound too eager about it.
"Wait." Cordelia said as a thought struck her. "What about the curse?" she asked.
"Hmmm, well. we shouldn't be THAT affectionate", Angel replied sheepishly.
"Of course not, dork!" Cordelia exclaimed as she hit his arm. "I mean Bianca knows about your curse. I'm sure she isn't expecting us to." she trailed off.
Angel coughed. "But she knows there are other things I can do." Angel added hiding his eyes from Cordelia's look.
"How does she know.?", Cordelia started. "Ah", she said when she acknowledged that Angel and Bianca had probably shared some history. "Ewww", she completed.
"It's not what you think"; Angel tried to justify himself.
"Of course it is. There's always a little blonde around you", Cordelia said with a hint of anger in her voice. "But that's none of my business. I couldn't care less", she finished, trying to sound as convincing as possible.
"So, are you ok with this?", Angel asked.
"No, I'm not. But you can count on me, you know that", she replied. "It's time for dinner now, we better go", added and she left the closet before Angel could make a sound.
* * *
Later that night.
"Dinner was wonderful", Bianca said as she went upstairs with Angel and Cordelia. "I'm so tired", she yawned.
"Oh yeah, me too", Cordelia launched a fake yawn herself once they had reached their bedroom door. "I'm so tired I'm gonna go in there and sleep from the moment I touch the bed", she added. If the fairy believed that, maybe she wouldn't have to pretend to have pseudo sex with Angel, she thought.
"Really?", Bianca add with disbelief. "I'm sure you have more than one idea to keep her awake a little longer", the fairy winked at Angel and he smiled at her. Cordelia looked at them and felt a sudden rush of anger going through her body. What had he done with that fairy in the past?
"Well, goodnight sweethearts", Bianca said as she walked towards her room. "And remember to keep it down", she added with a sly smiled as she disappeared next door.
Angel opened the door to his room and indicated Cordelia to enter. She walked in there nervously, as if it were the first time she had set foot in Angel's bedroom. She looked at the bed and gulped. Until that moment, that bed had been just a piece of furniture, but now it was an invitation to temptation.
"Do you want to use the bathroom first?", Angel asked and she came back to earth.
"Yeah", she replied absently as she gathered a few clothes and walked into the next room.
Angel watched her disappear and then proceeded to remove his clothes. He kept his eyes on the bed while he stripped to his boxers. He was flooded by anxiety. He knew it was part of an act but the simple idea of spending the night with Cordelia was turning him on. He realized that as he looked downwards and he jumped into the bed and covered himself with the sheets.
Cordelia came out of the bathroom wearing a short cotton nighty. Nothing special, but she looked completely sexy and Angel couldn't help but gulp as he saw her. She gave him a shy smile in appreciation and then she settled on her side of the bed. They remained still for a few seconds, smiling awkwardly at each other.
"Tired?", Angel asked to break the silence.
"A bit", she replied. Angel wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pushed her gently towards him. She settled her head on his chest as her arm wrapped around his waist. They just remained in that position, getting acquainted to the feeling of their bodies together.
Angel began to caress her back and she responded by caressing his chest. It felt good to touch him and to feel his hands along her skin. She looked up at him and he smiled at her, giving her the confidence to take the next step. That was when she kissed him. And that was when all inhibitions were lost.
The kiss was as perfect as the previous ones, sexy, sweet, deep, and hungry. But this time, it was more intimate, and if possible, more real. Angel got lost in the sensations and he let his emotions flow through the kiss, increasing with every touch of their tongues and every time he felt her breath on his mouth. Cordelia was struck by the awareness that her friend, Angel, was driving her crazy with a simple kiss. She needed to push that feeling away. But instead, she decided to push all her thoughts away and decided to enjoy the experience. Chances were, moments like that one would never be repeated, so wanted to take the most out of it, regardless the awkwardness they'd be in the next day.
As the kiss grew in intensity, Cordelia started to pant with every change of getting some air. Angel realized it and he decided to let her catch her breath while he explored the rest of the woman in his arms. He followed the lines of her jaw and moved downwards along her neck and her chest to find the soft and full surface of her breasts. Clothing was getting on his way, so his hands wondered down her hips to find the end of her night gown and he pulled it upwards without effort or resistance as she sat up to help him maneuver the unwanted piece of clothing.
As his eyes examined every inch of her figure his hand wondered down her belly until it met the waistband of her panties and he pulled them down slowly causing her to groan in anticipation. When she couldn't take it anymore she stretch her arms to grab him by the neck and pulled him towards her to feel his body pressing against hers.
"Angel", Cordelia whispered as she felt his erection in contact with her body through the fabric of his boxers. The vampire only pressed his body harder against hers in response. She was driving him crazy. He had never wanted anyone so bad in his life, and yet, he had never been more aware of his curse than in that moment. All the pleasure in the world was not worth it if it meant hurting Cordelia when Angelus surfaced.
Angel backed away a bit and Cordelia let out a sound of frustration.
"Shh", he indicated her to remain silent by placing his index finger on her mouth. Before he could remove it she opened her mouth and sucked on his finger softly.
"You are making this really hard", Angel muffled. She smiled wickedly.
"I know. I can feel it", she added as her hand cupped his erection.
"No, please", he begged looking at her directly with desperation and want in his eyes. "Please", he repeated as he planted short kisses on her neck, right above the vain that carried her boiling blood and he followed the way down her body placing kisses everywhere.
Cordelia moaned with pleasure as he licked her belly and she instinctively separated her legs. Angel looked at her and smiled at the perfect picture his eyes found. Her eyes were closed and her expression was filled with pleasure.
His next step was to touch her clit with the tip of his tongue and she shivered. He carried on the task of separating her folds with his tongue as he brought his thumb to her clit. His tongue dug deeper inside her and she moaned with pleasure, no faking involved. Her sounds became louder as his tongue was buried deeper and deeper inside her. She wrapped her legs around his head as she lifted her hips towards him.
Angel's finger exchanged roles with his tongue and he pushed harder inside her, first one finger, then a second one.
"Oh, Angel", was the only thing Cordelia could articulate every time he buried his fingers deeper and deeper, faster and faster inside her.
"Oh, Angel", she repeated constantly until she finally screamed with name when the climax took over her entire being.
Angel brought her down slowly, licking gently the juices that were flooding his hand and mouth. Cordelia sighed contently as he settled beside her in bed. She cuddled him and placed a grateful kiss on his lips.
"What about you?", she whispered lovingly with a sleepy voice.
"I'm perfectly fine", he replied. And he was. He was satisfied by the effect he had had on Cordelia, even though he was sure the ache of his body was going to keep him awake for a very long time. He kissed her forehead as she rested her head on his chest and fell as asleep.
Just when her breathing reached the calmness of deep sleep, he whispered: "I love you".
Continue on...