Title: The Art of Seduction
Author: Gabriella
Posted: 04-27-2003
Email:
Rating: NC-17
Category:
Content: C/A
Summary: Response to Psychofilly's F/A kiss challenge
Spoilers: Not really...maybe for those who haven't seen The Magic Bullet but none other than that.
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 anyone else, just ask.
Notes: Sorry about the slight angst in this chapter. I promise the rest will be all light hearted and smutty and plotless... Oh and Cordy lives at the Hyperion cos firstly, that has tons of smutty potential, and secondly, her flat's gone.
Feedback: Hell yeah! It makes me all warm and fuzzy and stuff...
F/A kiss challenge.
Pretend that everything on ATS has happened except WITW and the Cordy/Angel possesion.
It's season five, Cordy is back. She and Fred are talking. Fred brings up *the kiss* that she shared with Angel, only she thought it was kinda bad. Cordy can't get it out of her head that Fred thinks Angel was a horrible kisser, so she decides to try and seduce Angel into kissing her.
That's about it. She never really thinks it through, and she's stuck dealing with a horny Angel.
Can be as smutty and pointless as you desire.
Bonus if Angel finds out what Fred said.

---

Part 1

“Was it cold?”

Fred snorted, glancing at the brunette seated opposite her. Cordelia had been rapidly firing questions at her ever since she had learned that Fred and Angel had kissed. At first her glare had been lethal, then Fred had explained the circumstances under which it had occurred and Cordelia had relented.

Fred sighed to herself. There were still a lot of unresolved feelings in the hearts of a certain vampire and seer she knew. No one had said anything about their relationship, determined to let them sort it out by themselves, aware that the wounds were still fresh.

But neither of them had confronted the other about their feelings. It was clear to Fred that they still loved each other, more than anything in fact. But they were too scared, Angel still cautious and unclear about what had happened and Cordelia overwhelmed by the damage an evil force with her face had caused.

She had seen it all, watched as her family and the man she loved were torn apart by the beast and its master, the personification of pure evil that wore her beautiful face. And all the while she had been helpless to stop it. What made it worse was that Angel seemed guarded towards her somehow, nervous to touch her, sometimes even to look at her due to what he had seen her do.

But when she broke down, defeated by a disappointing arrival and an emptiness somewhere deep inside her, Angel’s heart had broken for her and he had been there, holding Cordelia when she cried, explaining that he understood it wasn’t her, that no one blamed her for what had happened because that thing with her face, wasn’t the real Cordelia, the one they all adored.

He finally got it then, that it wasn’t her, that it was never her, that his Cordelia would never hurt him that way, destroy his relationship with her and with his son that way, would never commit any of the awful crimes that the beast’s master did.

The real Cordelia was before him now, back from the higher realms, beautiful and vibrant as ever. Her smile and her heart gave him strength and he finally accepted that.

He had told her the truth, about everything that had happened while she was up there, floating above the clouds, oblivious and clueless of anything malevolent or wicked. It had taken her days to finally get the courage to look at Connor again, but when she did, it hadn’t been so bad. In fact, they had formed a friendship of sorts, one that made Angel’s jaw clench at first but then relax when she flashed him that thousand watt smile of hers, reserved only for him.

He had promised her that he would get past it, that everything would be okay now that she was back and he had her friendship again. But it was obvious to everyone, including Cordy who carefully chose to avoid it, that he wanted more. It was a change in demeanour, but it had been understandable. With the woman he loved back in his life, Angel wanted to stake his claim, all the while aware that he couldn’t push her, couldn’t put their friendship at risk.

But Fred could tell that Cordelia wanted him too. There was only one man she wanted, had always wanted, and that was Angel. They were both holding back though, so weary of snapping the beautiful friendship that they had built. The thread had already been through one round of hell, it couldn’t take anymore.

So they laughed and joked like they always had, sharing a hungry look when their eyes met for longer than necessary, and then quickly glancing away embarrassed, staring at the other longingly when they thought they weren’t being watched. A small part of Fred just wanted to bang their heads together or lock them up in a room so that they got over the crap they’d been through. But another part of her sympathised completely. They needed time so that was what everyone was giving them.

What made Cordelia even more nervous was the fact that Angel’s soul was no longer a problem. Willow had altered the spell when she had restored it to him the previous year. It hadn’t been tested yet, but both Angel and Cordelia were desperate to try it out. Of course they would never admit to that…

Fred stared back at the brunette in front of her, her lips pulling into a small smile. It was so good to see her again. It was like watching the girl she met two years ago, the one with the big smile and the confidant stride. She was the same Cordelia from the short brown hair to the glow of her skin. Except there was one thing missing. And Fred knew exactly what it was.

Cordelia snapped her fingers. “Hello? Fred? Don’t space out sweetie.”

Fred shook her head and gave Cordy and apologetic grin.

Cordelia grinned back, popping another chip in her mouth. “So? How was it?”

“How was what?”

“Fred!” Cordelia punched her playfully on the shoulder. “The kiss! Was it good?”

Fred relaxed, forgetting her earlier thoughts momentarily, and then shrugged. “I guess.”

Cordelia rolled her eyes. “What do you mean, I guess? Come on Fred. It’s Angel. Was it good? Was it cold? What was it like?”

Fred shrugged, glancing back at Cordelia. Then she took a deep breath.

“It was…kinda bad actually.”

The chip that was halfway in Cordelia mouth was immediately forgotten and it fell out her hands uselessly, hitting the table without a sound.

“WHAT?”

Fred winced. “Well…Cordy, I don’t know what to say. It was under pressure. I mean, we were trying to make sure Jasmine’s followers didn’t catch us so…”

“But…but how could it be bad?”

Fred shrugged. “I don’t know. It just was. One of the worst I’ve had actually. Well, that’s not saying a lot cos I’ve only had a few but out of the very few I’ve had it was definitely one of the worst.”

Cordelia gaped at her, unsure of how it was even possible. Angel, a bad kisser? The thought didn't make sense.

"Cordy, I'm sure he's a great kisser when he actually wants to kiss someone."

When she got no response other than wide eyes and an open mouth, Fred looked at her friend worriedly. "Cordelia, are you alright?"

Cordy snapped out of it, glancing at her watch. "Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. Let's go."

Fred raised her eyebrows in confusion, then nodded and followed the brunette out.

***

Cordelia sighed exasperatedly, running her hand through her hair as she stomped down the hotel landing towards her room. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t get Fred’s statement out of her head.

“It was…kinda bad actually.”

How could Angel be a bad kisser? How? That was like suggesting that Houdini wasn’t a great magician. Or that Columbus wasn’t a great explorer. It simply didn’t make sense to suggest that a vampire who had 250 years of incredible experience, who had woman after woman falling desperately in love with him, who was ANGEL, wasn’t a great kisser.

What frustrated Cordelia even more was that it bothered her so much. Hell, who was she kidding? She knew she was in love with him, she even knew he felt the same way. But both had assumed that because neither had made a move to escalate the romantic side of their relationship, those feelings would somehow have to be repressed. The curse wasn’t an issue anymore but they had a lot to deal with regardless.

Screw that! She wanted to check for herself if he really was a terrible kisser. Curiosity was getting the better of her and she wanted to know, dammit!

She growled as she reached her room, slamming the door shut behind her. Why did Fred have to say that? And Cordelia knew Fred. The girl hero-worshipped the ground Angel walked on. She would never lie about something like that.

Collapsing on the bed, Cordelia lay back against the pillow and considered her options. She could just forget about this newfound information, which would eventually eat her up from inside and make her head explode…she closed her eyes and sighed. Or, she could take action.

All Cordelia wanted was for Angel and her to be able to put everything behind them. She wanted them to move past all that had happened, all that a demon with her face had done without her consent, and she wanted to be swept of her feet by the man she loved, especially now that perfect happiness was actually possible. She wanted him more than anything and if she didn’t act fast, she would lose him completely. Plus, she wanted to know if he really was a bad kisser.

There was only one thing she could do. She had to take the first step. It would be a big one, but she’d take it. Anything that would help her and Angel on the path to being more than friends. They had what they had before now, but she wanted so much more. And she knew he did too. But they were both too cautious, too scared. Well, she was Cordelia Chase and she was sick of being scared.

If she wanted to find out whether or not Angel was a crappy kisser, she’d just have to test him herself. And that would mean she’d have to get him to kiss her. In order to get him to kiss her, she’d have to seduce him, make him want her more physically than he already did. Her eyes flew open and she sat up quickly, a wicked smile creeping onto her face.

In high school, Cordelia was a seductress. Men would trip over each other to hold the door open for her, fall at her feet, begging to be stepped on just to feel worthy of her presence. She was far above all that now but she still had her charm, her beauty. Cordelia’s smile widened. Angel was gonna have no idea what hit him.

He was going to find out just how seductive Cordelia Chase could be.

---

Part 2

Angel flipped through the newspaper lazily, his feet rested high on the table. He was bored. Cordelia had grabbed Fred and rushed out of the door as soon as she came down that morning, yelling something about shopping. Angel sighed. He’d never admit it but he missed her. Even if it was for the smallest amount of time, when she wasn’t near him he felt an ache. As though something deep inside him were missing.

Perhaps it was because she had been absent for so long. He had never realised just how much he valued her company until he had had to live without it. Or maybe it was because he loved her. Loved her so much that whenever she smiled or moved or laughed or breathed, he felt his heart swell with love and desire. All he wanted was her. And when she was away from him, the feeling of isolation and pain that clutched at his heart was unbearable.

So here he was, wasting time away by reading and brooding like he always did before he met Cordelia. Connor was at school. Gunn and Wesley were seated across the lobby, engrossed in a game of checkers. Every so often Gunn would let out a curse and mutter something about how stupid and boring the game was, while Wesley would just role his eyes and label Gunn a ‘sore loser’.

Angel groaned softly, running a hand through his hair and counting the ticks of the second hand on the clock in his head. Fred and Cordy had been gone for hours and he was missing his seer terribly. He didn’t have to brood over that for too long though because moments later, Cordelia flew through the doors of the Hyperion, one hand clutching Fred’s and the other holding several shopping bags. Fred entered behind her, looking exhausted, also holding various bags in her hand.

Gunn laughed. “Geez Cordy, who the hell are you shopping for? Half of Russia?”

Cordelia rolled her eyes and dumped her bags down, pushing her hair out of her face. Fred collapsed on the couch next to Wesley and closed her eyes.

Wesley smirked at her, then shook his head. “No Gunn, I’m pretty sure what’s in those bags could cloth half of Asia quite comfortably.”

“That’s funny, really.” Cordelia grabbed a few of the bags and headed over to the stairs, careful to pass Angel on the way. She smiled at him as she walked past, stopping immediately when a small bag slipped out of her hands and landed on the floor on front of Angel’s chair.

Cordelia sighed exaggeratedly. “Oh no. I’ve accidentally dropped my bag. Now I have to bend all the way over and pick it up…”

Wesley narrowed his eyes at her dramatized tone, glancing over at Gunn who had his eyebrows raised. Angel didn’t notice though. He was too busy staring at the bag that had fallen from Cordelia’s hand. Or more so, the contents that had spilled out of it.

Cordelia bit back a smirk and innocently widened her eyes. “Angel? Could you get that for me?”

The vampire seemed to be too shocked to move or speak. It wasn’t the ‘Victoria’s Secret’ bag that did it for him, or even the lacy garment that lay in delicate waves on the floor. It was the idea of Cordelia actually in it that made all the borrowed blood in his body rush to his crotch and he had to lay one hand on the table to balance himself, despite being seated.

Cordelia couldn’t hold in the triumphant snort and when Angel’s eyes snapped up to her face she quickly coughed, hiding it. Then she stared at him impatiently, pointing at the bag.

“Are you gonna get that?”

Angel knew he must have looked like an idiot. He knew he should have been able to at least nod or shake his head or do something. But his arms wouldn’t move and neither would his head. Words wouldn’t come out from his mouth despite the fact that he kept opening and closing it. He realised that he must have looked like a fish.

Cordelia huffed and bent over to pick up the fallen items. As she did so, the loose material of her blouse dipped at the neckline, giving Angel an unobstructed view of her breasts. They were concealed in a bra but for some reason, that was even more attractive. Angel had to bite his lip to keep from gasping out loud and it took all his self determination not to haul her over his shoulder and take her to his room.

Cordelia heard his sharp intake of breath though and she grinned wickedly, hiding the grin before she raised herself to her full height again. “Well, thanks for NOT being a gentleman.” She turned around and raced up the stairs with her bags before Angel could get out a word.

***
Cordy burst out laughing as soon as she was inside her room. That had been easier than she had thought. Angel had totally fallen for her seduction, in fact she’d noticed him get slightly uncomfortable. She grinned. She felt slightly guilty for torturing him like that but she was having to much fun for the guilt to actually settle.

She quickly folded the clothes she had bought and placed them in her wardrobe with a smile. A seductress couldn’t be sympathetic towards her victims. She had to torture them for all they were worth. And that was exactly what Cordelia planned to do.

***
Angel rested his head in his hands, taking deep unnecessary breaths as soon as Cordelia had gone up the stairs. It was possible that she was just buying lingerie for a friend. She wasn’t necessarily going to wear it herself.

Angel groaned as that thought provoked the image of a barely clothed Cordelia, dancing around in his head and seductively luring him to her. A part of him wanted to follow her upstairs and throw her onto his bed so that he could thoroughly ravish her, and discover his Cordelia like he so desperately wanted to. But he stayed seated.

Gunn smirked at the vampire’s state and walked over. “Relax man, they’re only panties.” He shrugged. “Granted they are Cordelia’s panties.”

Angel’s coughed and he loosened his collar, the heat and the embarrassment almost stifling. “I don’t…I don’t know what you mean.”

Gunn rolled his eyes. “Sure.”

Wesley hid his smile behind his hand. “Leave him alone, Gunn.”

“You’re no fun, English.”

Angel put his head in his hands again, until he heard Cordelia bounding down the stairs.

“Who wants ice cream?”

“Ooh! Me!” Gunn grinned. Cordelia smiled at him affectionately and pointed towards the kitchen. Wesley got up and nudged Fred, who was fast asleep on the sofa. She woke with a start and then relaxed when she recognized her surroundings.

“Ice cream?” He asked with a smile.

She yawned and then nodded, taking his hand and allowing him to pull her up. Wesley looked at Angel and then nodded towards Cordelia and Gunn. The vampire rose from his seat, following his friends into the kitchen.

Fred, Wesley and Gunn all took a seat at the table, while Cordy explored the refrigerator. Angel leaned against the counter, arms folded across his chest, watching her as she rummaged through the contents of the freezer, finally finding the ice cream and pulling it out. She placed it down on the table, slapping Gunn’s hand when he reached for it. She reached over into the drawer on her right and pulled up some spoons.

Angel watched her as she moved, noticing the way her skirt hugged the round curves of her ass and the way her clothes swung with her every move, clinging to her and showing off her curvaceous figure. He watched her as he always had, but now there was something more animalistic in the way his eyes stalked her, the way his body reacted, His cock was still throbbing from earlier and he wanted to bury it deep inside her at that very moment and never come out, regardless of who was in their company.

He trail of thought was suddenly interrupted when he felt a warm body pressed up against his own. His eyes widened and he glanced down in shock. He hadn’t even heard or seen her move. He was too busy thinking about…other things.

Cordelia pushed her body further into Angel’s, every delicious curve pressed up against him, breasts heaving against his chest. Angel didn’t know whether he was in heaven or in hell. He almost whimpered but caught it just in time, before it escaped into the open.

Angel looked down at Cordelia with an agonised expression, confusion and lust spread all over his face. She didn’t bat an eyelid. Instead her arm came up and for a moment he thought she was going to hook it around his neck and hug him. Instead, her arm went slightly to the right and she hooked her finger around the handle of a cabinet.

“Angel.” She stood there, impatience written all over her face. “Do you mind? I need the bowls.”

Angel’s eyes darted around, unsure of what he was supposed to do with that information.

“Ugh!” Cordelia rolled her eyes. “Move, dumbass!”

Angel immediately moved out from in front of her, missing the heat from her body as soon as it was gone. He took a seat at the table, thoroughly embarrassed. Fred lay a hand on his shoulder, smiling.

“Are you okay? You look…kinda flushed.”

Angel just grunted.

“Okay.” Cordelia placed the bowl in the middle of the table and everyone made a grab for one. When Angel didn’t move, she picked up a bowl and placed it in front of him, smiling slightly. He returned the smile as she dropped a scoop of ice cream into his bowl, serving everyone before she sat down to eat herself.

And that was when Angel knew. He just knew. Whether it was God, or the PTB, or whatever force that sat on high and watched over them all, it hated him.

He always knew he was destined to hell. Hell, he’d even become resigned to the fact that he was a damned creature. But it was moments like this, when the high and mighty really chose to rub it in, that made Angel realise just how close to hell he really was.

Cordelia Chase was eating ice cream. And Angel had never seen anything more arousing.

She lifted her spoon, filing it with a small amount of the white desert before bringing it up to her mouth. Her tongue darted out and she ran it over the front of the spoon, catching a small amount on the tip before sucking it back into her mouth, closing her eyes in delight as the flavor hit her.

She slowly inched the spoon into her mouth, tongue swirling over the milky substance, cool sweetness coiling around the muscle, before she pulled it out again, dipping it back into the bowl and bringing it to her lips once more.

This time, she ran the wet spoon over her lips, leaving trails of thick white liquid over the plump flesh. Angel bit his tongue, restraining it from darting out and licking the vanilla off her lips like it desperately wanted to.

Cordelia’s pink tongue popped out again, running languidly and seductively over her bottom lip, then dicing back into the cavern of her mouth. When it appeared a second time to clean her top lip, her eyes locked with Angel’s and his erection became almost painful. If he didn't know better, he'd think she was doing it on purpose...

Slowly, so slowly, she ran the pink tip over the underside of her lip, never looking away from hungry brown eyes, her teeth flashing slightly as she tried to hide her grin.

And Angel lost it.

He stood up so abruptly that the chair he was seated on was knocked back into the wall, flying with such a force that it was a wonder it hadn’t broken. He grabbed Cordelia by the shoulders, ignoring Fred’s gasp and Wesley’s small shriek, and hauled her up, one hand grabbing the underside of her thigh and lifting her against him.

He kissed her, eyes cloudy with lust and ardour, tasting the divine taste of Cordelia as well as the combined sweetness of vanilla ice cream. She responded equally passionately, legs wrapping around his waist and kissing him like it was the last thing she would ever do.

Angel vaguely heard Gunn curse and Fred mumble something incoherent as he fisted his hands in Cordy’s hair, deepening the kiss and pressing their bodies closer together. He heard the scrambling of feet as their friends got out of their seats and hurried towards the door but he didn’t really care if they stayed or not. He would have taken Cordelia anyway.

He lowered them onto the table, covering her body with his own, hand still entwined in luscious strands of her dark hair, closing the gap between them until their clothes were pressed together, a frustrating barrier that Angel wanted immediately removed.

He ripped her shirt down the middle, even as Cordelia gasped and Fred nearly fainted in the corner. Angel kissed down the column of her neck, nipping the soft skin with blunt teeth, licking off a small drop of vanilla that landed there. He could almost see Wesley's crimson face as he sputtered and battled for the exit with Gunn, both men trying to get out of the room with great speed.

Angel’s hand drifted up and down Cordelia’s thigh and she shuddered at the ticklish feeling, as he pressed two fingers against her panties, making her whimper. Angel stopped momentarily, turning his head from where it was on Cordelia chest to glance over at the now empty doorway.

"Angel!"

Cordelia's annoyed voice drew Angel's eyes back to her face. She was glaring at him.

"Angel!"

Angel’s head snapped up and brown eyes locked with annoyed hazel ones. He glanced around the table at Wes, Gunn and Fred, seated in exactly the same places as they were before…oh. They all seemed to be looking at him worriedly. Cordelia snapped her fingers.

“Do you want some more?”

Hell yeah, Angel thought to himself, grateful that vampires couldn’t blush when rational thought caught up with him and he realised that she was talking about the ice cream. He shook his head quickly.

Cordelia lowered her spoon and looked at him suspiciously. “Where did you go?”

“Nowhere.” He snapped.

Wesley frowned. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine.” Angel said, slightly irritated, releasing the table from his deadly grip and running a hand through his hair, then over his neck, finally coming down to straighten his shirt. They hovered uncertainly above his lap, unsure of where to settle. When his finger accidentally brushed against the definite evidence of his as yet unsettled arousal, he jumped from the chair, eliciting a gasp from Fred and Cordelia.

“I uh…I really gotta…” He didn’t bother finishing, just pointed somewhere behind him and then sprinted out the door with lightning speed.

Cordelia watched him go, a small, coy smile on her face as she ate the last scoop of ice cream. Gunn’s eyes were focussed on the door that Angel had just run through.

“That vamp just gets weirder and weirder…”

---

Part 3

Angel slammed the door of his suite shut, sucking in deep breaths, even though he didn’t need to.

“Oh God.” He whispered. “Oh God, oh God, oh God!” He rubbed his hands over his face and fought the urge to touch himself. The ache in his groin was getting painful and the only place he wanted to be right now was inside Cordelia. The only thing he wanted right now was Cordelia. But he’d have to settle for a cold shower.

Peeling his clothes off as he headed towards the bathroom, Angel tried to push away erotic images of his best friend, images that his apparently creative imagination was pumping into his brain, due to her earlier display of torturous ways to eat ice cream.

It was ice cream, for crap’s sake! Little children ate ice cream! Angel stepped underneath the cool shower of liquid droplets, all the while grumbling about whether anything was left uncorrupted.

***

“I’m back!” Connor jumped down the front stairs and into the lobby, rucksack loosely slung over his right shoulder. He dumped it onto the sofa and collapsed next to it, opposite Cordy.

“School sucks.”

“So true!” Cordelia raised her hand in mid air and he high-fived it, grinning. “But you only have a year left. And hey, once you’re out, the fact that you actually lived through it is a huge accomplishment.” She nodded, then snorted. “In my case, quite literally. My high school being on a hellmouth and all…”

Connor smiled and rolled his eyes. “Where’s dad?”

Cordelia didn’t look up from filing her nails but Connor was sure he saw a smirk flitter across her face. “I dunno. He went upstairs a while ago after we had ice cream. Maybe you should go check on him.”

Connor shrugged. “I’m sure he’s fine.” He glared. “You had ice cream? Without me?”

Cordelia rolled her eyes. “Don’t have a baby, we left some for you.” She cleared up her stuff from the couch and stood up as Connor bounded towards the kitchen. Angel hadn’t been down in a while and it was beginning to drive her crazy. Her plan wouldn’t work without him there as a guinea pig. Well, if he didn’t come to her soon, she would have to go to him. She smiled as an idea struck her, and she rushed over to where Gunn was seated at the counter.

“Gunn!”

The black man turned around and gave her a huge grin. “What’s up girl?”

“ I sorta…need you to do me a favour.” She gave him her most charming smile and Gunn’s grin immediately faltered.

“No.”

“Aw come on! One teeny, tiny favour?”

“No. I can tell by that look that it’s gonna involve some bad health on my part and I ain’t up for that.”

Cordelia rolled her eyes, then softened them, pouting slightly. “Please?”

Gunn glanced at her, then glanced away. Then he glanced back again and cursed, swirling around in his chair to face her. She’d used that damn face…

“Fine. What?”

Cordy beamed and clapped her hands, hugging him once before rushing on. “I need you to take Connor out tonight. Actually, now would be better. Take him out now. And Fred. And Wes. Take everyone out.”

“Out? As in…”

“Yeah, as in dinner, movie, I really don’t care, just take them out. And don’t come back before twelve.”

Gunn raised a suspicious eyebrow. “Why?”

Cordy looked at him innocently. “Well, I just thought that you guys could spend some quality time together.”

Gunn snorted. “Us guys or you and Angel?”

Cordelia tried to fight the blush that crept up onto her cheeks and glared at him but Gunn just laughed and slid off the stool, kissing her forehead lightly before moving away.

“Alright Cordy. I’ll do it. But you owe me, bigtime.”

Cordelia smiled. “I’ll remember that.”

***

Angel shifted in his bed, mattress creaking slightly under his weight, His dreams of Cordelia were becoming increasingly vivid and increasingly worrying. If he didn’t touch her soon, it was going to end up being detrimental to his health. And that wasn’t a risk he was willing to take.

But what if she didn’t want him? No, that was out of the question, he knew she did. Hell, if he didn’t know any better he’d think she was up to something. Something concerning him. Every time he caught her eye there was something mischievous there, a glint of something sly and cunning. And if he wasn’t careful, that, like everything else, was also going to start turning him on.

But he still didn’t want to push her. After all they had been through, and all she hadn’t been able to stop, he didn’t want to take it too fast. He didn’t want to pressurize her. If she wanted him, he was right there. So he just stayed in his room, snugly wrapped up under the covers, hoping that Connor got home safely from school and that someday in the near future, he would be able to make love to Cordelia Chase.

***

“Come on ladies, we’re being kicked out for the night.” Gunn grabbed his jacket and tossed Wesley his coat. The ex-watcher caught it, confused.

“We’re…what?”

Gunn rolled his eyes and gestured towards the door. “All of us. We’re going out. Now. Let’s go.”

Fred jumped up excitedly. “Ooh, where are we going? I’ll go get Angel and Cordy…”

“No, they ain’t gonna come. It’s just the four of us. They’ve got…stuff to do.” Gunn raised his eyebrows suggestively and Fred looked lost. A second later she caught on and her eyes went wide, laughter bubbling out of her throat. Connor grumbled about having to move from in front of the TV until Wesley gave him a disapproving glare. The boy got up from his seat with a huff and stalked towards the exit. Fred patted him on the back as she followed him out, smiling.

Wesley waited for Gunn as he closed the large door. “Gunn?” Gunn grunted in response. “You haven’t noticed anything slightly…odd in Cordelia’s behaviour lately, have you?”

***

Cordelia walked slowly up the stairs, creeping along the landing of the now empty hotel. When she reached Angel's door, she knocked once. No answer.

“Angel?” When the vampire failed to answer the second time, Cordy pushed open the door and stuck her head around the frame. Angel was sprawled across the bed on his stomach, sheet covering his back, one arm thrown out over the side. Cordy rolled her eyes and went forward, gripping a glass in her hands and standing by the bedside table.

“Angel?”

Angel didn’t budge.

Cordy let out a frustrated sigh and ran a hand through her now brown hair. She smiled. She had forced Angel to come along with her to her hairdresser, male hairdresser she might add, who had flirted with the vampire throughout the visit. Angel hadn't been happy. Terrified and growly was more like it...

“Angel? Wake up.” Cordy pushed lightly against Angel’s shoulder. Angel let out a snort and rolled over, facing her, eyes still firmly closed in slumber.

“Angel!” Cordy whispered harshly, hoping for a reaction.

“Mmm, Cordy…” Angel mumbled, stroking the pillow with his fingers. Cordy’s eyebrows shot up and a grin involuntarily broke out on her face. She blushed. So that’s what he was dreaming about…

Cordy lowered herself onto her knees and placed the glass onto the table, reaching her hand out again and tapping Angel on the shoulder in an effort to wake him up. But it backfired. The hand that was stroking the pillow shot out and grabbed her own, holding onto it for dear life.

“Mmm, Cordy…don’t tease…” Angel murmured, rolling slightly and taking Cordy’s hand with him. Cordelia’s eyes widened as her arm was pulled under Angel’s body. She tried to tug at it but it was firmly in Angel’s grip and the vampire refused to let go.

“Oh crap.” Cordelia whispered, settling on her knees and resting her chin in the palm of her free hand. She made another attempt to tug but although Angel shifted slightly, Cordy’s hand was still firmly in his grasp. She was almost prepared to give up.

But when the vampire lifted her hand to his face, smoothing it over his brow, Cordy yelped and yanked her arm back viciously, jerking Angel out of his delightful dream. Angel’s eyes shot open and he sat up in bed with super speed, lifting the sheet to cover himself.

“Cordy?” His confused gaze met with the horror filled one of his best friend. Cordelia gulped, glancing around the room from where she had landed in an ungraceful heap on the floor. Angel swallowed the embarrassment that was bubbling up inside of him.

“How…how long have you been there?” Cordy’s eyes widened and she blushed deeply. Angel was a step away from dying of humiliation. “Cordy?”

“Uh…not long.” She got up and placed a hand on her face, determined to cool the crimson heat that was quickly spreading along her skin. This was a good thing. Getting caught wasn’t, but the fact that he was dreaming about her was definitely good. And not just for the purpose of her plan. It made her want to jump for joy that the man she loved was murmuring her name in his sleep.

“I brought you some blood.” She picked up the glass and sat down opposite him on the bed, careful not to look at him until the red colour had disappeared from her cheeks. But when she did glance at him, she felt the blush creep back. Because he was staring. Staring at her with so much love it made her heart ache. She quickly looked away, biting her lip.

Cordy jumped slightly when she felt a cool hand trace the outside of her ear, gently tucking a rebellious strand of hair behind it. Her heart raced when she felt him lean forward and place a gentle kiss on her cheek, his lips lingering there for a moment longer than necessary.

“Thank you.” He whispered.

She gave him a quick smile and got off the bed. “You’re welcome.” Her voice came out croaky and she cleared her throat. No Cordy, don’t get all soppy and emotional! Stick with seductive! Seductive dammit! She played with her hands and tried to remember what she came here to say. “So…you wanna do some training?”

Angel looked up at her. He wanted to reach out, pull her down and kiss the living daylights out of her. But his hands stayed around the mug she had brought him. “Sure. Can I just…?” he held up the mug and then pointed to his sheet covered body. Her eyes lingered on the sheet and then she shook her head, nodding. Angel smiled and waited for her to leave the room before collapsing back against the mattress, a heavy sigh escaping his parted lips.

How was it possible for two people to be so in love with each other and bottle it up for so long without breaking?

***

Cordelia placed a CD in the system, pressing play and letting the loud music echo through the basement. She put down her sword and stood in the centre of the room, waiting patiently for the basement door to open and for Angel to come down the stairs. Seduction was her aim and dancing was her territory. She thrived on the beat of music, the energy of movement. Cordelia smirked. Angel wasn’t going to know what hit him.

She closed her eyes as she heard the door above the stairs open. With a quick glance, a black T-shirt came into view and she quickly turned away, focussing forward and letting the music guide her.

Cordy lifted her hands, running them over her chest and face until they hovered elegantly above her head. She pushed one foot off the ground and spun around, hands criss-crossing in the air and then unravelling to land by her sides.

Her body moved in sync to the loud beat of the music, arms, back and legs stretching elegantly as she kicked out, combining the movements of a warrior in battle and a dancer in practice. Her lithe form curled backwards, spine arching as she lowered herself towards the ground then slowly rose again.

Her hair stuck to her face and her neck, slick with sweat, as she danced around the room. Cordelia twisted her body, kicking her legs out in the air and wrapping her arms around herself as she moved, muscles twitching and flexing as her own fingertips raced over them.

Every movement was controlled by the rapid beat, provoking the deep sensuality that lay within Cordelia to come out and play, and leaving Angel vulnerable to it.

She quickened her pace as the music sped up, moving furiously as everything around her vanished and all she could hear was the heightened beat of her heart. All she could see was the frantic movement of her limbs as they moved in time to the music.

Angel gasped lightly when she turned, and he caught sight of her, face flushed, sweat and flimsy cloth clinging to her delicious skin, hair wild and free. All she could hear was the beat and she danced madly, seductively, for no one but him.

Her tank top curled up slightly at the bottom, exposing toned muscles and shiny skin. Her dance was an understatement of flexibility, her body twisting and turning, dancing and fighting, seducing and battling with an invisible force.

Angel gripped the banister so hard he was sure it would crumble beneath his fingers. He had been through decades of torture, years of complete and utter torment. But this was the worst he had ever suffered. It was also the sweetest. And no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t bring himself to look away.

But, as always, all good things came to an end, and the music slowly drowned out. Cordelia ran her hands over her face and opened her eyes abruptly, letting out a small gasp for effect when she saw Angel standing there. She inwardly smirked as he bought it, raising his hands, then smiling sheepishly.

Angel was desperately trying to control his body’s reaction to her flushed appearance and sweaty skin. All he wanted to do was run his tongue over the sweet curve of her breast…

“Angel?”

The vampire’s gaze snapped up from where it had landed on her chest and met with amused hazel eyes.

“Enjoying the view, perv?”

Angel’s jaw dropped and Cordelia laughed, coming forward and taking his hands in her own. They were so soft and warm that Angel wanted to pull her to him, soak up her heat and never let her go.

She did it for him, pulling him closer and wrapping her arms around his neck, cuddling into his chest. Angel froze. The gesture was a friendly one but there was something in her eyes, something unfamiliar. He had seen hints of it there before but it had never been so clear, so brilliant.

“Dance with me.” She whispered softly against his collarbone. Angel gulped and raised his hands, seizing her shoulders and lightly pushing her away. Cordelia looked at him confused, then annoyed, her hands coming to rest on her hips.

“Angel…”

“C…Cordy…I don’t think…”

“I know you hate dancing but this isn’t exactly fast, is it? No one’s asking you to be John Travolta.” Cordelia tapped her foot against the floor. “Come on, it’s just me.”

And that’s the problem. Angel thought to himself. He shook his head.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

“Why not?”

“Because…I…we…we’re supposed to be training!”

Cordelia rolled her eyes. “And we will, I just wanna do this first.” She came forward again, reaching for his hands and Angel immediately stepped backwards, snatching his arms back.

“Cordelia…”

“Grr! Angel! For crap’s sake!” She grabbed his arms and pulled him to her, placing his hand on her hip. He tried to jerk it away but she restrained him. Clearly he wasn’t using all his strength and something about that told her he wanted to keep it there. She smiled inwardly, placing his other hand on the other side of her hip and lacing her arms around his neck.

“Just relax, okay?” She smiled at him, fluttering her eyelashes. Oh yes, the queen of seduction was once again in action. Cordy began to move against him, smiling lightly at his rigid form. Slowly, he began to relax, sliding his hands across her skin and resting them on the small of her back, pulling her even closer to him.

Cordelia tucked her head under his chin, sighing softly, the movement sending puffs of warm breath tickling across Angel’s skin and shooting shivers down his spine. He revelled in the moment, the feeling of having her so close sending blasts of happiness throughout his entire being. He couldn’t shake off the feeling that he was being played though. He ignored it. He was being paranoid. After all that had happened in the past year, who could blame him?

Angel concentrated on the feeling of Cordelia’s heartbeat against his lifeless chest, her breath against his collar, her hips snugly encased with his, a position in which he had wished himself in time and time again. She was so close and he felt the overwhelming need to do something. A boldness that he didn’t know he possessed, swept over him in waves and he pulled her closer.

It was now or never.

He lifted a hand and ran it up her back, bringing the cloth up with him, soft fabric bunching up in his large fingers. He chased the shiver as it spiralled up Cordelia’s vertebrae, hand finally coming to rest on her jaw. He ran his fingers along her jaw line, gently making patterns on her skin with the tips, tucking strands of silky hair behind her ear before following the neat curve of her jaw once again, settling under her chin.

Cordelia’s heart beat had quickened and her breathing was getting more and more rapid by the minute. He pushed up her chin, tilting her head upwards so that it left it’s position on his shoulder and levelled with his own, eyes locking together even as an electricity passed between them.

“Angel…” Cordelia whispered.

“Ssh.” Angel ordered softly, pressing a finger to her lips, eyes still holding her own in a mesmerising stare. He brushed her cheek and gently leaned down, his lips hovering millimetres above hers. He felt her breath on his lips as her own parted in anticipation.

But that wasn’t all Cordelia was feeling. As excited as she was because of how close she was to achieving her goal, somewhere inside, underneath the triumph, she felt guilty. Guilty that he was here, holding her with more love and adoration than she could ever dream of, wanting to kiss her and show her exactly what she meant to him. And all she was doing in return was playing him, seducing him into wanting her.

When the truth was that she loved him more than life itself.

But the fact that their first real kiss, one that couldn’t have been more perfect, was being inspired by something false and completely artificial, made her pull away suddenly, resting her hands on his chest and pushing him away, refusing to look at him, to see the hurt in his own.

“Cordy?” She heard Angel’s confused voice and glanced up.

“Bathroom! I need to go to the bathroom!” Cordelia fled for the stairs.

“Cordy…what?” A look of uncertainty flashed across Angel’s face and Cordelia mentally kicked herself for putting it there.

“God Angel, don’t look so confused, I just need the bathroom!” Cordelia piped out nervously. She closed her eyes and gripped the banister, running up the stairs and away from the perfect moment that she had just destroyed.

***

Cordelia slammed the basement door shut behind her and walked across the landing as fast as she could. What the hell was wrong with her? She had been just about to achieve exactly what she wanted. Angel had been about to kiss her, really kiss her, and she had walked away from it. Because she felt guilty.

Cordelia slapped her forehead and leaned against the wall. She had set out to seduce him and if she wanted him to kiss her, just to find out whether or not he really was a bad kisser, she would have to ignore the feelings of guilt and good morality and just get on with her seduction. It was already proving successful and if she wasn’t careful, she would completely blow it.

She shook herself and took a deep breath. The truth was, she wanted Angel to kiss her simply because he wanted to, not because she had falsely motivated his feelings in some way, nor because she had seduced him into doing it. But Cordelia was an impatient woman and she wasn’t going to wait for Angel to find his balls and take the lead. That would take too long. And she wanted to know now.

But she was so in love with him, it hurt. It hurt to know that she couldn’t just say the words and fall into his arms and have him kiss her because the moment was perfect and he wanted to. And despite the fact that from Angel point of view that was exactly what was happening, Cordelia couldn’t shake off the truth.

Well she would just have to.

Cordy took a deep breath and straightened her shoulders. If she wanted him to kiss her, she’d just have to make him. If she wanted to move their relationship along, she would just have to be the one to push it in the right direction. Screw the feelings of guilt and dreams of the perfect kiss. After all, if she managed to seduce him into kissing her and their kiss turned out the way she wanted it to, then there would be plenty of time for her and Angel to share all those other significant kisses she had always dreamed of.

Regaining her courage and her determination, Cordelia quickly ran up the stairs as an idea hit her, taking them two at a time in her hurry.

***

Angel glumly strolled into his room, unbuttoning his shirt as he paced towards the bathroom. Thanks to Cordelia and her little private dancing number, he was having to take a shower for the second time that day. And they hadn’t even begun training.

But that wasn’t the biggest of his worries.

Cordelia hadn't come back down after her little trip to the bathroom and more than anything, Angel was scared. Scared that he had pushed his best friend into doing something she didn’t want to. Was that why she had fled the room when he had tried to kiss her? He had been so sure that he had seen it in her eyes, the way she wanted him, the way she loved him. But maybe he was wrong.

The vampire shook his head and unbuckled his belt. He had recognized that look on her face. She was flirting with him, why, he wasn’t sure, but she definitely was. And he had simply taken the initiative any warm or cold blooded male would have. He had tried to kiss her. He had really wanted to kiss her.

But when she pulled away, everything shattered, the perfect moment that held its breath collapsed and left confusion and anxiety. The fear and paranoia that Angel had been desperate not to feel, bubbled up through his body, entering every cell and locking into place. He didn’t want to alienate her from him by scaring her or moving too fast. What Angel did want more than anything was obvious and he was so sure Cordelia wanted it too. But now he was uncertain and confused, and frightened that he had lost his only chance.

Angel headed for the bathroom door, too caught up in his thoughts to notice the steam rising from underneath the doorway, or the sweet fragrance of lavender coming from inside. But when he opened the door, the scent of Cordelia hit him full force and he nearly stumbled by the sudden rush of desire that went shooting through his being, as he drunk in the sight before him.

A long leg ascended from the blanket of snowy bubbles and from the porcelain interior of the tub, bending in the air, toes pointed elegantly downwards. Angel’s hungry eyes followed the delicate beads of water as they trickled down bronzed, sun-kissed skin, slowly making watery patterns over the surface and then meeting with the sea of bubbles at the bottom.

A hand emerged from the water, running long, graceful fingertips over wet, slippery skin, pushing away the bubbles to leave a flawless plane of irresistibly delectable skin.

Angel caught a glimpse of creamy thigh, barely hidden just beneath the foamy water. His throat went dry as the thigh shimmered, covered in a thin layer of shiny liquid, and his gaze journeyed lower, and lower and lower…

He swallowed hard, and jerked his gaze up, eyes once again on the move, boring steaming holes into the slender limb as they travelled up the leg once more, along the soft curve of Cordelia’s knee and back down to the very tip of her toe.

Angel retraced the path backwards and then looked up slowly, his eyes locking with the owner of the leg he had just been drooling over.

“Hi.” Cordelia said, almost shyly.

Angel was unable to speak for a moment, every cell in his body screaming for him to grab her from the bathtub and take her on the bathroom floor. His hand clenched at the doorframe it was resting on.

“Wh…what are you doing?”

Cordy raised her eyebrow as though he had just asked the stupidest question in the world. “Uh…taking a bath?”

Angel gawked. Was she kidding? “This…this is my bathroom.”

Cordelia pouted and Angel was sure his self restraint was going to snap any second. Sure, he didn’t want to push her or scare her, but did she have to make it so damn hard?

“God Angel, didn’t your mother ever teach you to share? My faucet’s not working.” She sat up slightly and Angel’s gaze immediately went to her chest, where underneath the layer of bubbly covering, he could make out the curve of her breast. He didn’t see Cordelia bite her lip to keep from laughing.

“Angel?”

The vampire jumped, nearly falling over, quickly looking away from her naked form and focussing on the rack…he winced. The towel rack, not that rack!

“Geez, I didn’t realise you were gonna get all possessive about a bathtub.” Cordelia falsely rolled her eyes and made a move to get up. “I’ll get out if it’s that important to you…”

“NO!” Angel yelled, making the brunette jump slightly, scared that she would bare more skin and then he wouldn't be able to restrain himself. He was already like a dog on a freakin' leash, he didn't need another challenge. He held his hands in front of him as a shield, staring at her through the parting cages of his fingers. “No, stay there, I’ll go...make the bed or something.”

“But…”

“No, it’s fine, I’m fine, you’re very fine, I mean, in the sense that you’re okay not that you’re, ya know, I’m just gonna go…” Angel abruptly turned and stalked out.

“Wait!” Cordelia called out, wincing and then laughing softly when she heard what sounded very much like a shriek. Or a groan. Or both. She had told him to wait…

The door burst open once again, and Angel stood before her, face flaming red and breathing heavily, fists scrunched up so tight, his knuckles were white and it was evident he was holding onto the last threads of self control.

“Cordelia!”

“They’re too delicate for the dryer!” Cordelia protested, biting her lip, barely able to keep in her amusement, immediately recognizing what he was so wound up about. She had left her delicates hanging all over the posts of Angel’s bed, half in an obvious attempt to drive him crazy and half because they really were too fragile for the dryer. “Geez Angel, it’s just underwear…”

Angel didn’t say a word. Just glared at her before walking out and slamming the door loudly behind him.

---

Part 4

“We’re back!” Gunn shouted, slamming the door of the Hyperion after making sure that everyone was inside. “Anybody home?”

The four of them walked into the lobby, glancing around until their eyes rested on the lone figure seated on the couch.

”Angel?” Wesley asked.

Angel simply nodded, leaning his head against the back of the couch. Connor vaulted over the seating and sat down by his father with a bounce, smiling widely. “What’s the matter with you?”

Angel glanced at him. “Likewise.”

Connor shrugged. “I’m happy.”

Angel gave his son a soft smile. “I’m glad.” He looked up at the three standing opposite him. “Where did you guys go?”

“Cordy kicked us out.” Gunn grumbled, collapsing on the round settee. Angel raised an eyebrow.

“What?”

Gunn glanced up, realising his slip. “Uh…cos, ya know, she had stuff to do.”

Angel looked suspicious. “What kinda stuff?”

“I don’t know, man! How am I supposed to know?” Gunn said defensively, ignoring the odd look Wesley sent his way. The Englishman sat down next to Angel, rubbing his forehead.

“She has been acting quite peculiar lately.”

Angel nodded. “Tell me about it. I’m about to burst.”

Fred gave him an odd look. “Why?”

Angel bit his lip, settling his head back against the couch. “I keep…I keep getting the feeling that she’s scheming against me, ya know? Like she’s playing me in some way and laughing all the while.”

Gunn looked confused. “Cordy wouldn’t do that.”

Angel glanced at him. “I know. It’s not in an evil way or anything. It’s just kinda…kinda…”

“Seductive?” Wesley supplied.

“YES!” Angel shouted, jumping up. “That’s just it. She’s acting all sexy and seductive and it’s driving me mad!”

“Cordy’s always been sexy.” Gunn said.

“Should Connor be hearing this?” Fred asked, narrowing her eyes when Connor glared at her.

Angel ignored her. “I know that. My GOD, I know that better than anyone but…I can’t help feeling like she’s doing it for some reason, ya know? I can’t help feeling she wants something from me…”

“Well duh.” Connor rolled his eyes and stood up. “Come on dad, you can’t be that slow.”

Three pairs of eyes looked at him in confusion. Only Gunn laughed, standing up and crossing his arms. “I always knew the smartest men in this family were the youngest ones.” He winked at Connor and the boy grinned.

Angel just looked lost. “Huh?”

Connor gave him a weary look. “Dad, even I know that when a woman flirts with you and drives you crazy, of course she wants something.” He rolled his eyes again. “She wants YOU.”

Gunn clapped. “That’s my boy.”

Angel glared. “He’s not your boy. And what do you mean she wants me?” He pointed at his son, eyebrows raised. This time, Gunn was the one who answered.

“Angel, man, why do you think she kicked us outta the house? So that she could spend time alone with you. Why do you think she’s being all sexy like? So that you’ll break that damn noble resolve you have. She’s taking the initiative.”

Angel looked at him in complete shock. “But…but…”

Wesley stood up. “It does sound plausible, Angel. The both of you have been holding back your feelings for so long and somebody had to take the initiative. I knew it would be Cordelia.”

Angel frowned. “But I tried to kiss her yesterday and she pulled away.”

The men all looked at him in confusion, stumped by that. Fred simply sat on the couch, eyes wide as the events of the past few days flew through her mind. Her conversation with Cordelia, the sudden need to go shopping for lingerie, the way she wouldn’t stop talking about Angel the whole way through it, the ice cream, the kicking them out of the house, the pulling away when he tried to kiss her…

“Oh God.” She whispered. Four pairs of eyes suddenly focussed on her and she glanced up, her heart beating wildly. “Oh my God! Of course! Why didn’t I think of it before?” She slapped her forehead and got up, mumbling to herself.

“Uh…Fred?” Connor asked, staring at her with wide eyes. Angel put his hands on her shoulders and stopped her from pacing.

“Fred, what should you have thought of before?”

Fred stopped rambling to herself and looked at him. “This whole Cordelia thingy. I…I know what she wants.” She paused, taking a deep breath. “A couple of days ago we were at a café just across the road and I happened to blurt out the fact that Angel and I kissed when the whole Jasmine thing happened and Cordy got all annoyed but I told her it didn’t mean anything and then, I let it slip that I thought the kiss was kinda bad and she couldn’t get it outta her head that Angel was a bad kisser…”

“Whoa, whoa!” Angel looked offended. “You think I’m a bad kisser?”

Gunn slapped Angel’s back in annoyance and gestured for Fred to continue.

“Well, no, it’s just, it wasn’t great and that was probably because we’re not…ya know…” She blushed and gestured between them. “And anyway, it was a complete surprise to both of us, especially you and so…”

“Fred!” Wesley shouted. “What does this have to do with Cordy?”

“Right, yeah, so she couldn’t get it outta her head that you were a bad kisser…”

“I am not…”

“Dad, please!” Connor yelled, turning back to Fred, who was nervously biting her lip.

“Um, yeah, so she couldn’t get it outta her head and the next morning she dragged me off to buy lingerie…” She ignored Gunn’s snort. “And the whole way there and the whole way back she wouldn’t stop talking about you and how you couldn’t be a bad kisser and how she was just gonna have to find out for herself…”

“Oh my God.” Wesley said, sitting down. “Of course! She’s seducing you into kissing her!”

“Exactly.” Fred nodded. “That’s my theory anyway. And I know I usually stick to theories in physics because I haven’t actually had all that many experiences in love but I…”

“We got it Fred.” Gunn gave her shoulder a squeeze and smiled, glancing over at Angel who seemed to be frozen in place. The vampire seemed to be mumbling incoherently to himself.

“Dad?” Connor taped him on the shoulder and Angel’s head jerked up, confusion still etched on his features.

“Then why did she pull away when I tried to kiss her?”

“Perhaps she was scared.” Wesley provided.

“Or maybe she felt bad.” Fred said.

Angel glared at them. “Then why was she in my bathtub???”

Gunn smirked. “Dude’s obviously never seen How Stella got her groove back.”

Fred smiled. “Yeah, maybe she lost her nerve and then got it back again, ya know?” She laid a hand on Angel’s shoulder. “She loves you. I’m sure everything she did was only because she loves you and she wants you to know that.”

“Funny way of showing it.” Angel growled, taking a seat sulkily.

“Man, what are you so pissed about?” Gunn grinned. “If a woman like that threw herself at me? Woo!” He ducked at Angel glare.

“Hey guys!” Cordelia said breezily, bouncing down the stairs. Everyone jumped in fright, staring at her in shock. Cordy looked at them confusedly.

“What? Do I have something in my teeth?”

Wesley shook his head and cleared his throat. “No um, how…how are you, Cordy?”

Cordy grinned and came over. “I’m good.” She leaned over the couch and more or less across Angel, giving him a peak down her shirt as she grabbed the magazine from the table. The vampire refused to react, refused to bury his face in her neck, refused to breathe her in and taste her skin.

Cordelia pulled back, magazine in hand. She could have gone around the sofa to get it but no, she had to lean over Angel, body brushing against his as she did. Just as she was about to straighten, Cordelia’s lips brushed against Angel’s ear, and in the most seductive, sultry purr her had ever heard, she added. “I’m hungry though.”

Angel bit back his growl and Cordelia stood, heading towards the kitchen and hiding her smile from her friends. As soon as she was out of hearing distance, Connor gaped.

“Oh…my…God…”

“How the bloody hell did I miss that? She was so blatant!”

“Tell me about it. Woo! That woman has sex appeal to spare, eh?”

Angel growled at Gunn, fisting his hands in his hair. Wesley bit back a smile and Gunn smirked. Fred and Connor grinned at each other as Connor patted his father on the back. “Relax, dad.”

Gunn grinned and stood. “Man, Cordy’s gonna kill me for saying this.”

Angel glanced up. “Saying what?”

Gunn continued. “Now that you know about her little scheme, why dontchya turn the tables?”

Angel looked confused. “What?”

Gunn’s smile was feral. “She doesn’t know you know. So pretend like you don’t know. And then, just when she’s about to launch another part of her diabolical scheme? You pounce with your own.”

Angel’s face showed no expression for a moment. Then the most delicious grin broke out across his face. “Turn the tables, huh?”

“Fight fire with fire.” Wesley added, smirking.

“Whoa, whoa.” Fred interrupted. “I can’t just stand here and let you do this to Cordy. She always says, women like us are meant to stick together when there’s scum like ya’ll in the world.”

Angel grinned evilly, getting up and crouching next to Fred. “I don’t think you have a choice Fred. You owe me one. You called me a bad kisser, remember?”

Fred gulped guiltily, glancing at Wesley for support but he only shrugged. “It’s true, Fred. That’s the way the cookie crumbles.”

Fred sucked in a breath, grabbing Angel’s hand and squeezing it. “Promise me you won’t hurt her. She loves you so much, Angel. And she’s been hurt enough times already. You’re the only one she trusts never to hurt her again and she only did all this because she loves you.” Fred sniffled slightly, fighting the odd urge to cry.

Angel’s grin vanished and it was replaced by a warm smile. He squeezed her hand. “I would never hurt her Fred. Not if my life depended on it.” His smile widened. “I’m just gonna give her a slight taste of her own medicine. Just so that she knows how much I love her too.” He winked and Fred smiled, nodding.

Angel stood and grinned, glancing at the stairs. He cleared his throat. “Well, I’m gonna head to bed.”

Wesley gave a fake yawn. “Me too. Gunn?” He grabbed Gunn’s arm and yanked him towards the door. Gunn only grinned and yelled. “Fine! But in the morning? I want details!”

Connor snorted, standing and helping Fred up as well. “I’m gonna crash too, Angel.” She said, pushing Connor towards the stairs. Just as he took the first step, Connor turned and looked at Fred.

“Should I be getting freaked out about this?” He asked, seriously. Fred laughed.

“I don’t know, sweetie. I’ll lend you some earplugs just in case.” They walked up the steps and Angel watched them go, smiling. He heard whistling coming from the kitchen and he smirked, shaking his head and making his way up the stairs as well. In his years as Angelus he had learnt the technique of seduction down to an art. Countless women had fallen at his feet due to his skilful ability to seduce.

Cordelia wasn’t going to know what hit her.

---

Part 5

Cordelia opened her wardrobe door, grinning to herself. This was the last trick she had, and if it didn’t seduce Angel into kissing her, she’d change her name.

She pulled out the Victoria’s Secret bag, emptying out the contents of it onto the bed. She held up the silky underwear, smiling evilly.

Was she doing the right thing? Should she be pushing him like this? Was she taking a little fun too far? How would he react when he found out that she had played him? Doubt still crept into her mind but her determination was stronger.

She pushed all rationality aside and took a deep breath. When Cordelia Chase started something, she finished it. She quickly changed into her newly acquired lingerie and grabbed her robe.

Ready or not Angel, here I come…

***

Angel smirked as he buttoned up his blood red shirt, loosening the waistband of his black sweats so that they hung really low down on his hips. Man, if he had a reflection he’d so be checking himself out right now. He grinned. Well, Cordelia would be doing enough of that for the both of them.

All this time he had been so worried about pushing her, about moving too fast and destroying their friendship. It seemed ironic that, all the while, Cordy was the one seizing the initiative and taking the next step. Well, he’d just have to make up for all the time he wasn’t helping her do that.

Angel ran a hand through his hair, spiking up the edges and glancing at the table in the middle of the candlelit room. Everything was laid out beautifully. He smiled.

Bring it on, Chase. Bring it on…

***

Cordelia wrapped the robe around herself tighter, hand poised over the door to Angel’s suite. Something felt off to her, but she ignored the nagging feeling, rapping the door a few times with her knuckles.

She positioned herself so that she was leaning against the doorway, a sexy smirk playing on her lips, the v of her robe fairly loose and dangerously revealing. A few seconds later, the door opened, revealing her vampire, and Cordelia had to struggle to keep her jaw from dropping.

Angel wore a pair of black pants, so low she could just about see his… Cordy snapped her eyes up, irises roaming restlessly over a silky, red landscape of material, hiding pale pectorals and toned muscles from her view. Her throat went slightly dry and Cordy swallowed, eyes coming up to lock with Angel’s.

What she saw there nearly made her knees buckle.

Lust.

His want, his need, his love was so evidently shining in his eyes that it almost came out and bit her, and Cordelia had to steady herself by grabbing the doorframe.

Angel only smiled, a smile that made a warm tingle spread down her spine and all the way to her toes, almost as if he knew what she was thinking, and he extended his hand. “Why don’t you come in, Cordelia?”

Cordy took it, seemingly mesmerized by his enthralling gaze, as she let him lead her into his room, her eyes never leaving his, never wanting to.

But when she did finally tear her eyes away to find out why the room was so dark, she couldn’t stop her jaw from dropping this time.

Angel's bed had been made with those silky, deep blue sheets he never used anymore, almost as if this were a special occasion. There was a small table in the centre if the room, neatly covered with a crisp white tablecloth, and laid for two. In the middle of the table, there were two items side by side, one, a small clear vase holding a single red rose, and the other, a candle, which emanated light across the walls.

There were a few more candles, lit and placed around the room on bedside tables and window ledges so that the room wasn’t in complete darkness. The record player was crooning out, soothingly soft, romantic music and a surprised Cordy turned around to face Angel, loving the way the light shone upon his face, accentuating every divine feature.

“What’s all this?” She whispered.

Angel merely smiled, coming forward and taking her hand in his own, and pulling her towards the table. Cordelia gave him a suspicious look as he held the chair for her, waiting until she was seated comfortably before taking his own seat. That nagging feeling crept up again, something telling her that she was on the receiving end of something…something…she didn’t know what, but something was definitely going on here.

“Angel…”

“Is it hot in here?” Angel said, unbuttoning the top two buttons of his shirt and loosening his collar. Cordy’s eyes widened slightly and without her brain’s consent, her gaze followed the pale skin that perked out from its hiding place under Angel’s shirt.

“Cordy?”

Cordelia’s eyes jerked up and she nearly gasped in fright. “Yeah, what?”

“I said, it must be all the candlelight.” Angel nodded.

Cordelia looked lost. “What about it?”

Angel frowned. “Are you listening to me? It must be all the candlelight that’s making this room so damn hot.”

“I’m not hot.” Bullshit. She was close to sweating. A clammy heat had begun to creep up the backside of her skull and her throat was dry.

“Well I am.” Angel muttered. Cordelia could swear she saw a hint of a smirk fleet across his features, but then her gaze wasn’t on his face a split second later. Why? Because Angel had just removed his shirt.

The vampire slid the shirt of casually, making sure that every movement was slow as he pulled the fabric over his head, tossing it in a puddle on the floor. Cordelia found herself staring at his chest, hypnotized by every muscle, wanting to feel it flex under her touch, mesmerized by his strong abs, his broad shoulders, every crease and curve that made him so deliciously Angel.

She tried to look away but she just couldn’t stop staring.

Stop.

Staring!

Cordy jerked her gaze up to Angel’s face, blushing furiously when she found him smiling at her, a pure look of evil glee on his face.

Angel got up, and stood directly next to the table, picking up a grape from the bowl on it and popping it into his mouth with a grin. “Much cooler now.”

Something in the way he said that made Cordelia look up at him, at the cheeky grin on his face and the laughter in his eyes, and she gaped.

He knew.

She just knew he knew.

He must have worked it out…oh, who was she kidding? Fred must have told him. Angel wasn’t too bright with these obvious advances. Cordelia on the other hand, had experienced her fair share of cluelessness with this man. She was done being clueless. She knew exactly what Angel was doing and if he wanted to play? She was so unbelievably game.

Cordy stood up, her visage a mirror if his own, deliciously evil amusement radiating from her skin. Angel raised an eyebrow in slight panic at her face. Cordy only smiled wider.

“Ya know,” she whispered, “now that I think about it?” She randomly played with the loop on her robe, loosely swinging it around, smiling as Angel’s eyes followed the hypnotic notion. “It is pretty damn hot in here.”

Then without warning, she undid the tie, letting the robe slide unwanted to the floor. And the sound that shot out from Angel’s throat was very close to a squeak.

Cordelia wore a lacy, plum, satin bra and matching panties, clearly the same pair he had seen fall out of her Victoria’s Secret bag a few days before. She smiled wickedly, as Angel’s heated gaze travelled over he body, up and down and up and down, before he swallowed, wide eyes coming up to stare at her.

“Much better.” She said softly, reaching down to the table and running her fingertip around the rim of her wine glass, dipping it into the warm liquid quickly before sucking the digit into her mouth, an exaggerated moan escaping from her lips. Angel gasped as he watched her, glaring at his own crotch as it jolted to attention, willing it to clam down.

No such luck.

She opened her eyes, pupils sparkling with unhidden amusement, and Angel finally got it. After days of not understanding what the hell his best friend was putting him through, it only took a few moments to recognize the pattern once he was made familiar with it.

She knew.

He just knew she knew.

He smirked as she dropped down to his bed, lying back and bending her knees, crossing one leg over the other so that her toe was pointed in the air while her other foot rested flat on the bed. Cordy gave him a sultry look from her reclined position, biting her lip as she waited for his next move.

Angel didn’t disappoint.

He came forward, slowly running his hand up the calf of Cordelia’s raised leg, leaving tingles as his skin met with hers, flicking his tongue over her ankle, before pulling the slender limb down and placing her foot flat on the bed with the other one. Cordy gave a soft moan which only purposed to arouse Angel further, as he grabbed both her knees in a gentle grip and spread her legs wide.

He crawled onto the bed, in between her legs, even as Cordy raised herself on her elbows, making his way towards her with a predatory grace, which was reminiscent of a primal need that dwelled deep in the crevices of his soul, so strong that it made her knees weak.

Every move was graceful, seductive, almost like a big, dangerous cat was creeping towards her, never allowing her to take her gaze away from his lusty eyes. The look on his face was one of pure hunger, animalistic need that made her feel like a midnight snack. In all honesty, the man looked like he was going to eat her whole.

Cordelia maintained her cool façade however, only given away by the rapid beating of her heart as he crawled closer, finally pushing a knee between her legs and leaning forwards, face mere inches from her own.

“What are you trying to do, Cordy?” Angel whispered smirking, tracing the curve of her jaw with his fingertips, placing a soft kiss on her sunspot. “Don’t start something you can’t finish.”

Before he knew it, Cordy lifted her legs, wrapping them around his waist and turning them over, slamming him into the mattress so that she was straddling him.

“Oh, don’t worry. I plan on finishing it.” She smirked, running a hand over his chest. “And you’re the one who started it this time.”

“You started it first.” Angel raised an eyebrow.

“How old are you? Five?” Cordy rolled her eyes and got off him, eliciting a small whine from the vampire previously beneath her before Angel caught himself and sat up, watching her as she crossed her arms and stared at him from the edge of the bed.

“Two hundred and forty nine, actually.”

Cordy smirked. “Don’t tell women your age old man, they’ll get put off easily.”

Angel smiled. “Good thing I’m so good looking then, eh?”

Cordy laughed as he stood up, taking a step towards her. “Blow your own horn much?” Angel simply shrugged, circling his fingers seductively over his stomach and Cordy’s eyes were drawn to that spot, that wonderful spot where she wanted to kiss him, and trail her lips down lower and lower and lower…

She jerked her gaze up and Angel smiled at her knowingly, coming forward and slipping his arms loosely around her waist, staring at her with so much love in his eyes that it made her heart hurt. She closed her eyes when his palm caressed her face, hand curling in her hair, thumb stroking her jaw.

“Cordelia…” He said, his voice thick with emotion.

“Ssh.” She whispered, putting her own arms around him. “Just dance with me.”

Angel smiled, holding her close. “You won’t run away this time?”

Cordelia looked up at him, the apology evident in her hazel eyes. “No.” She whispered. “Never.” She rested her forehead against his, hands intertwining with his own as they danced slowly, finding solace and love in each others arms, after days of waiting for so long.

Angel raised an eyebrow. “So…this is all about me being a bad kisser?”

Cordy smiled. “Apparently.”

“You’re not just trying to get me in the sack, are you?”

Cordelia laughed, feeling happy and dizzy and just beautiful. “Well, that too.”

Angel grinned, pressing a kiss to her forehead before glancing at her again. “You don’t think I’m a bad kisser, do you?”

Cordy smiled. “I wouldn’t know.”

“Hmm.” Angel wore a mock contemplative look. “I wonder what we can do about that…” He grinned at her and she felt her heart flutter, heartbeat increasing rapidly when he came even closer, palming her face, caressing every line and curve on it with his endless gaze. “I love you.”

Cordelia blinked in surprise, more at her tears than the actual statement itself, her vision blurring slightly as a single drop slipped down her cheek. “I…I love you too.”

Angel’s face broke out into the most beautiful grin she had ever seen and she felt the urge to smile with him, even as his face inched towards hers, grin fading away to leave questing lips…

“This is our first real kiss.” Cordy whispered, touching his chin with her finger. “This is it.”

Angel gave her a soft smile, the same one that sent the tingles all the way down to her toes and back, as he gently pushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “Then I better make it a memorable one.”

And without another word, he kissed her.

Cordelia had always imagined her first kiss with Angel would be a soft and slow one, of simply lips moving against another pair of lips, discovering the texture and absorbing the taste for the first time. And due to the atmosphere created by the music and the pace at which they were dancing, this seemed appropriate.

But this kiss was one of hunger. Pure animalistic hunger, of a man who had been tempted and resisting for too long, and a woman who had been the temptress, the immensely seductive object of his affections. They devoured each other’s mouths with an equal sense of fervour, tasting what they had been unable to for so long.

But behind the hunger, there was an emotion that brought tears to Cordelia’s eyes.

Love.

Despite the desperate way in which he was kissing her, there was a gentleness in the way Angel stroked his tongue along her own, over the roof of her mouth and across her teeth. The way his hands curled through her hair, massaging her scalp, holding her as though she were made of glass and so possessively, as though she would slip away at any second, if he weren’t careful.

Cordelia realised then that Fred was crazy. Either that or the kiss she had shared with Angel had been one of complete surprise, a surreal moment when neither had passion or lust or love in mind, just the thought of saving themselves from the clutches of evil. It had startled them both, or Angel at the very least, and it hadn’t been great because of it.

Cordy smiled inwardly. The latter sounded more plausible.

Angel hadn’t kissed Fred like he was kissing Cordelia. He hadn’t put every ounce of love and lust and ardour and joy that he was feeling into that kiss. Mainly because with Fred, there wasn’t any. With Cordelia however, every loving emotion that splintered through his being was directed towards her, and he kissed her with the ferocity of his passion, with the intensity of his devotion. When he pulled away, her head was spinning.

Angel grinned at her as she panted, her face still cradled in his palms. “So…how was that?”

Cordy didn’t answer. She merely smirked, pulling him down and kissing him again. Angel happily complied, kissing her with all he was worth as he backed towards the bed. Cordelia ran her hands through his hair, fingers crawling down his back quickly, squeezing his ass. He squeaked into her mouth and pulled away, staring at her in surprise.

“You still think you can outdo me?” She winked at him.

Angel gave her a sexy smirk that made her grin crazily. “I’m a vampire, baby.” He pulled her even closer. “You have no idea what you’re up against.”

She nipped at his bottom lip. “Show me.”

The challenge was issued, and Angel gave a soft growl, grabbing the back of Cordelia’s thigh and lifting her against him, so that her straight leg was at least a foot off the floor. Cordy laced her hands through his hair and kissed him, scratching his scalp with long nails and smiling when he purred. She peppered his face with kisses, squeezing the leg that was around his waist tighter, and he groaned, burying his face in her neck.

“If I’m too good for you…” Cordelia’s words were cut off when a stab of what could only be sheer ecstasy went shooting through her system, as her back slammed into the wall and Angel’s cock banged against her clit. Even through two barriers of clothing, the sensation managed to evoke sparks behind her eyelids and Cordy momentarily forgot how to breathe.

“What was it you were saying?” Angel chuckled, bringing her other leg around his waist and slamming her into the wall once again. Cordy’s response was stuck in her throat as another jolt of electricity passed through her, and she gasped, throwing her head back.

Angel grabbed her butt, hauling her up so that her centre was pressed against his chest, and it occurred to Cordelia that she was probably as high up as she felt. The thought made her laugh and Angel glanced up at her from where he was laying tiny nips and kisses on her stomach, a look of curiosity on his face.

“What?”

She only smiled at him, cupping his face and kissing him on the forehead, then the nose, then the mouth, whispering that she loved him. Angel grinned and ran his tongue over the soft skin of her neck, planting wet kisses over her chin and along her jaw line, eliciting a mewling sound from the woman in his arms.

Determined not to be outdone, Cordy fisted her fingers through his hair, pulling his head back and biting his neck hard. Angel growled, a real primeval growl that rumbled through his chest and sent vibrations up her spine. The vampire allowed her to slide down his chest slightly, and Cordelia continued to nip at his neck, soothing every bite with the warmth of her tongue.

“Cordy…stop.” Angel choked.

Cordy’s smile was feral against his skin. “Too much for you, old man?”

Angel jerked his head up, catching her lips with his own, shutting her up. He slammed her into the wall again and Cordelia’s hold on his hair relented slightly, allowing him to put a small amount of distance in between them.

He ran his hand over her belly, circling her belly button once before questing fingers led him to the elasticised lining of her panties. He followed the pull of heat, running his hand through the soft hair he found there, supporting Cordelia as she jerked against him. Angel hooked a finger into her wet passage, pushing in deeper when the heat sizzled pleasurably against his skin.

Cordelia pulled her mouth away from Angel’s lips in order to breathe, but found that she was unable to. “Oh…God…” She whispered, rocking against his hand. Angel groaned when her muscles clamped around his finger, sliding another cool digit through the silken petals, relieving the scorching heat.

Cordelia regained her composure slightly, her own hand quickly making its way down Angel chest and into the waistband of his sweats, with a fiery determination to beat him. She closed her fingers around him and slid them up and down, smiling when he gasped, eyes widening when he lost his balance and sent them both toppling over.

She shrieked and he shouted, falling on his back and cushioning the blow, clutching her to him with his free hand. Cordy looked at the floor in shock for a moment, before she burst out laughing. Angel smiled at the top of her head, removing his fingers from inside her, bucking his hips when her hand started moving against his tender flesh once again.

“Cordelia!”

Cordy smirked at him, sliding along his body like a sleek cat, face hovering inches above his own. “Hmm?” Her eyes widened in shock when she was suddenly pulled underneath him, Angel’s grinning face now above her.

“You’re a bit eager.” He smiled and Cordelia scuttled away on her butt, watching in fascination as the vampire crawled towards her for the second time that evening, almost in a game of cat and mouse.

“You’re just jealous cos you can’t out seduce me.” She gasped when cool fingers latched onto her ankle, pulling her towards him. Instinctually, she kicked out, catching him in the nose, scurrying over to the edge of the bed, where she leaned against it.

Angel looked up, a mock pout on his face, holding his nose where she had kicked out. “Ow.”

Cordy snorted. “Aw. The big, bad vampire can’t take a little kick?”

Angel grinned wolfishly. “Big bad, huh?” He looked contemplative. “I can get used to that.” Cordelia shrieked when he lunged at her, grabbing her hands and pinning them to his chest as he straddled her hips.

“What are you doing?” She gasped.

“Showing you exactly how big and bad I really am.” He grinned and kissed both her palms, pressing them to his face and covering them with his own. He leaned forward, pouting. “Kiss it better.”

Cordy raised an eyebrow. “Oh, that’s bad?”

Angel shrugged. “You did say I was pretty cuddly.”

Cordy smiled, the memory fleeting through her mind, as she raised her head and kissed Angel’s nose, then his pout, then his chin. He released her hands but she latched onto his, guiding his fingers to the small of her back and keeping them there.

Angel lifted himself slightly and Cordy removed her legs from underneath him, wrapping them around his waist, never losing his kisses. Angel picked her up and lowered them onto the bed, hooking his fingers on either side of her silk panties and pulling them down slowly, over long tanned legs and onto the floor. She lay before him, gloriously naked, and all Angel could do for a few seconds, was stare.

“Angel!”

He chuckled at the exasperated tone and crawled back up, stopping momentarily to latch onto her clit, sucking softly, even as Cordy released the loudest, most sultry moan he had every heard.

He smirked, making his way to the top once again, possessively circling Cordy’s waist with his arms as he lowered his kisses from her mouth to her neck, to the valley between her breasts. Cordelia bit her lip to prevent her from letting out another embarrassing moan, hands running restlessly through his hair as he ran his tongue flatly over a taut nipple, biting the skin lightly.

Cordy pulled him closer and Angel chuckled, filling his hands with her breasts and placing a light kiss one each one. He sucked the dusky pink tip into his mouth, suckling hard once and enjoying the way Cordy’s fingernails tightened and scratched down his back at the contact, leaving trails of heat along his skin.

Cordelia ran her hands soothingly down his spine, grinning when he shivered. Her finger sneaked under the waistband of his sweats, squeezing his ass. The man had a nice ass…

Angel groaned, kneeling quickly and pulling his sweats down, watching as Cordelia’s eyes widened. “What?”

“Uh…” Cordelia stared at what had just been exposed, mouth opening and closing several times before she was able to say anything. It was just the shock of the first revelation. “I just…it’s…I’m not…I’m looking at your penis.”

Of all the things to say.

Angel raised an eyebrow. “Yeah. Why? Have you never seen one before?”

Cordelia glared at him, annoyed at the slow way in which he said that, as though he was talking to a small child. “Yes, I have seen several before, dumbass.” She frowned. “I’ve just never seen your penis before.”

Angel smirked. “Well, that’s good cos I’ve never showed it to you.”

Cordy sighed. “Angel…”

“Cordelia, you better get used to seeing it because after that kiss? Whether you like it or not, this little guy is gonna be a big part of your life from now on!” Angel nodded seriously, but the corners of his mouth were twitching up and Cordelia laughed. She loved how he could reassure her instantaneously, make her feel as though the world wasn’t falling apart with just a few words.

Even if it was just over a penis…

Cordy grinned at him. “Well, you better show me what the little guy can do then, huh?” Angel grinned and came forward, easily settling over her, resting his elbows on either side of her and leaning up.

“You sure you’re okay with this?”

Cordelia closed her eyes, heat spiralling through her body as Angel rubbed his cock against the silken skin of her inner thigh, stroking her with his body like a big cat. Stopping seemed like the last thing on his mind. But she knew that if she wanted him to, he would stop immediately.

Fortunately, she didn’t want him to.

“Oh yeah.” She grinned. “I’m sure.” She caressed his cheek and Angel leaned in, kissing her softly before he slid smoothly into her, closing his eyes as the warmth encapsulated him and she arched her back in pleasure, taking him deeper within her.

Angel took it as a sign and began moving, tentatively at first, carefully, as though he were scared he would break her. Of course when Cordelia bucked her lips and told him she wasn’t made of glass, he changed his mind, creating a faster rhythm, hands intertwined in her own as they moved together, rising higher and higher and higher…

Cordy gasped when Angel hit the spot, crying out for him to do it again and he happily complied, slamming into her repeatedly, changing his speed and his angle every so often so that she was always anticipating which way he would go, experiencing new heights and sensations by the second.

Angel thrust up, deep inside her, determined to touch her more intimately than anyone had ever done before. He almost purred in pleasure at the silk that was surrounding his hard flesh, the purr finally releasing itself when Cordy bit his neck, kissing the bite with soft lips.

Angel kissed the slim column of Cordy’s throat, tongue flicking out to catch a bead of sweat that had settled there, murmuring erotic words into her skin and locking her moans away deep inside his unbeating heart. She panted heavily as he increased the pace, bellies sliding against each other, bodies moving to an erratic rhythm.

Angel leaned up, capturing her lips in a bruising kiss, thrusting hard as his climax neared, quickening every caress, every movement, every kiss. Cordelia moaned loudly when Angel slid a finger between their joint bodies, pressing lightly against her sensitive clitoris. The vampire, growled as he slammed into his seer one last time, releasing his seed deep within her and taking her over the edge with him.

Cordy shouted his name as she came, strands of sweaty hair clinging to her face. He leaned his forehead against her shoulder, panting heavily despite his not needing to breathe. Cordelia mirrored his heated visage, a vision of true beauty and life.

Angel leaned up, smiling at her when she winked, leaning in to steal quick kisses from her mouth. He rolled over and took her with him, still inside her body, neither wanting the other to leave just yet. The vampire pushed the sweaty hair away from her forehead and kissed the top of her head.

“So…you never told me if I was a bad kisser.”

Cordy smirked. “Yeah, you are. I just slept with you because you’re easy.” Angel laughed, taking her hand and linking their fingers. A few seconds of silence passed before Angel whined.

“Come on, Cordy!”

“Alright, alright!” She leaned up, elbow resting on Angel’s chest, chin resting on her hand. “You are a…” she closed her eyes, “phenomenal kisser. My knees buckled, my toes tingled, a shiver ran down my spine.” She sighed. “I think I may have even heard violins.”

Angel grinned and Cordy smiled. “Plus, you love me.”

Angel stroked her cheek lovingly. “Yeah, I do.”

Cordy leaned into the touch, kissing his thumb when it hovered near her lips. “You love me and that showed. I felt it in that kiss.” She nodded, her eyes serious. “No one has ever kissed me like that, Angel.”

Angel smiled at her, cupping her face in his hands and pulled her forward, kissing her again. When he pulled away, he kept her face close, eyes locked with his. “That’s the way you deserve to be kissed, Cordelia. You deserve to be held because you’re precious, you deserve to me made love to because you’re full of love and life…” He paused. “And you deserve to be kissed like that because when I kissed you? I felt so much love my heart nearly started beating. I felt so much trust and so much acceptance…”

The vampire trailed off, blinking rapidly and Cordelia looked at him in shock. She smoothed a hand over his cheek and kissed his forehead. He sucked in an unnecessary breath and continued. “I’ve never been kissed like that before, Cordelia. You make me so incredibly happy. If you can kiss me and make me feel so much, then you deserve to be kissed like that.” He stared at her with so much adoration that Cordelia felt herself fighting tears. “Because I love you. And you deserve so much more than me…”

Cordelia placed a finger over his lips, silencing him. “I love you. And either way, you’re gonna get laid again tonight so you can stop with the ‘turning Cordelia into a mushy pile of goo’ exercise.” She winked at him. “I know vampires apparently have great stamina but at the rate you’re going? I won’t be able to walk tomorrow.”

She stroked his cheek with the back of her hand. “I love you so much. And you deserve that. Ah, ah, ah!” She placed her palm over his mouth, before he could respond. “You do. And that’s the way I want it. Okay?”

Angel nodded, raising his eyebrows suggestively and licking the palm of her hand. Cordy jerked it away from him, raising her eyebrows in surprise at his leering gaze. “Already? Don’t you think it’s a bit soon?”

Angel rolled her over, a devilish grin attached firmly to his face. God, he loved her so much. “Vampire stamina, baby.” He winked wickedly. “Time you take it for a test drive, dontchya think?”

End.