Title: Deceptions and Betrayals 18/21
Author: Ness
Contact: sessa1_2@yahoo.com
Written: 09/08/2003
Spoilers: Nothing after "Wrecked" in season 6 on BtVS and anything before "Sleep Tight" on AtS. But this is completely AU.
Summary: This one is a sequel to "When You Least Expect It". If you didn't read that one, this will probably confuse you.
Pairings: Cordelia/Giles and Buffy/Wesley
Rating: PG most of the time but there are NC-17 parts.
Distribution: Anyone that already has permission. Anyone else, please ask first.

Disclaimer: We all know who owns 'em and it ain't me. Joss and Co. are gods in their universe, I'm just a peon in mine.
Thanks to Suzanne for the beta. It is much appreciated, Chica. *G*
A/N: I did a bit of juggling with this after Suz saw it, so any and all mistakes are mine--as usual. ;-)
Dedication: This one is for Kerrie. She gave me the idea that ended an almost six month block. She read this puppy even though she didn't normally read these pairings. Now, I've corrupted her or that's what she says anyway. *G* Thanks darlin', you're the best.

For the next several weeks, Buffy shuttled back and forth between L.A. Giles loaned her his car, making her promise she would be careful. So far, so good.

Wesley originally wanted her to go back to Sunnydale and had said he would meet her in a few days. She'd refused; having no intention of leaving him alone. She'd gone back only long enough to check on her sister and spend a little time patrolling, but, so far, it had been quiet on the Hellmouth. Normally, that would make her very, very nervous, but now she couldn't help being a little relieved--even if they did have to face an apocalypse later on.

Giles had seen Travers several times before he went back to London and it had been decided to hold off on any permanent decisions regarding the Council until Giles found out a bit more from some of his contacts. His contacts had finally come through, and they were meeting tomorrow morning to plan a strategy in case the rogue faction came at them again.

"Wes," Buffy called softly as she came through the door, and set her suitcase down just inside the door. She pocketed the key Wesley had given her and made her way to the bedroom, wondering if he might be asleep. It'd taken her longer to wrap things up in Sunnydale than she'd planned, and had gotten back to L.A. later than usual.

She opened the bedroom door and looked in to see him sprawled on his back. She stood for a moment just taking in the sight. It had taken so much for them to get to this point; sometimes she wondered if it was real. Everyone but Angel had come to see him while he recuperated. The vampire had sent word with Fred that he would see Wesley when he got back to the office. Both Buffy and Wesley knew that he needed time to adjust to their new relationship, and both were willing to give it to him because they cared about him. Buffy made a silent vow to herself, however. If Angel did anything to hurt Wesley or make him feel guilty over their relationship, she was having a little talk with him. She refused to lose Wes because Angel couldn't deal. Hopefully, it wouldn't come to that.

She quietly stripped off her clothes, pulled on one of his tee-shirts, and crawled into bed with him. All they'd done the past few weeks was sleep, but she was honest enough with herself to admit that she wanted more. The few times they'd kissed had lit a fire in her that warmed and frustrated her at the same time. She was hoping they'd be able to quench it soon.

She carefully snuggled next to him and sighed with contentment when he opened his arms to pull her closer to him. She breathed in his scent and laid her head on his chest.

"I'm glad you're home." She felt, as much as heard, the words rumble in his chest.

"Me, too," she answered quietly. She raised her head to look at him, finding his eyes open and glittering in the moonlight. "How are you feeling?"

"I saw the doctor today."

"Why?" She pushed up on her hand and shoved her hair out of her eyes so she could see him better. "What's wrong?"

He tucked a strand she missed behind her ear and traced a light finger around the delicate shell of her ear. "Nothing's wrong, luv. He just wanted to check the wound and how it was healing."

"And?" She ruthlessly tamped down on what his touch was doing to her.

"And he gave me a clean bill of health." Wesley smiled at her. "He also told me that I could resume normal activities."

Buffy was still concentrating on the clean bill of health part of his statement, so she didn't quite snap to the 'normal activities' part. "Which means?"

"Which means--" He surprised her by flipping her over and sliding his body over hers, "that I can do what I've been dreaming of for weeks."

"Which is?" she asked silkily as she threaded her fingers through his hair.

"This." He lowered his head and captured her lips with his own.

She groaned as she parted her lips to allow him entry. He teased her by tracing her lips with his tongue, but not taking her up on the offer. He nipped at her bottom lip before trailing hot, wet kisses along her jaw and up to her ear.

His breath on her ear shot a bolt of heat straight to her center. She hooked one leg around him and pulled his arousal closer to her.

They both moaned at the intimate contact.

"God, Buffy," he whispered brokenly.

"I love you, Wes." Buffy needed him to know just what he meant to her.

"And I love you, darling," he murmured. "And I need you just as much as I love you," he added quietly.

Buffy lost all speech at that admission. It was one thing for someone to tell you they loved you. It gave the feeling a whole new dimension when need was as much a factor as love. She drew a deep breath and tried to speak. The lump in her throat stopped her again.

His eyes shone with the sincerity of his feelings as he watched her.

She smiled at him, giving up on speech, and pulled his head down so she could show him what she couldn't put into words.

She was being pulled under by a tide of emotion and sensation; she gladly let it take her.

Wesley felt her surrender and it fueled his passion. He didn't know what he' d done to deserve this woman's love, but he intended to make sure she never regretted it. He kissed her again, this time not teasing her. He delved into her mouth and tasted with abandon.

Buffy gasped at the gentle invasion. She grew heady on the taste of him.

She opened her legs wider to allow him to settle more comfortably between them.

He raised his head and smiled wickedly at her.

"What are you up to?" She arched her eyebrow at him. This ability to laugh and play while making love was a new feeling for her; but one that she was eager to repeat. It gave more to the experience than she thought possible.

"That's for me to know and you to find out," he answered cheekily. He pulled off the tee-shirt, baring her body to his gaze.

She started to respond, but the words caught in her throat as he began to slide down her body, kissing and nibbling along the way, the stubble on his face doing amazing things to her nerve endings.

She arched, almost coming off the bed, when his chin brushed against her inner thigh. She grasped a handful of covers when his tongue touched her heat.

"Wes," she moaned.

"Yes?"

His breath on her almost sent her over the edge. God, she'd never felt this way before.

"Wes, stop torturing me," she begged, her breath ragged.

He chuckled, sending the heat in her spiraling out of control. "Is that what I'm doing?"

She reached down and wrapped her hand in his hair, forcing him to look at her. "Just remember, everything you do to me, I can do to you." It was supposed to be a threat; it came out sounding more like a sensual promise.

"I'm counting on it," he replied huskily with fire in his eyes.

She dropped her head back on the pillow and thanked anyone and anything that might be responsible, that he was hers.

****

Wesley watched the play of emotions on her face as he inhaled her scent. He couldn't totally wrap his mind around the fact that she was here, now, in his bed and as much in love with him as he was with her. He was assaulted by the dreadful thought that this was all a dream he would wake up from. He shook himself. He was making love the woman of his dreams and all he could do was worry about it being a dream. Well, if it *was* a dream, he would make the most of it.

He loved her with lips, teeth and tongue until she was thrashing beneath him. He savored the taste of her until she tangled her fingers in his hair again and tugged him up her body.

"I need you--in me--now!" She ordered.

"As m'lady commands," he whispered fiercely before he took her mouth in much the same way he planned to take her body; slowly and with great attention to detail.

He reached into his bedside table and withdrew a foil package. He started to put it on, but Buffy batted his hands away and did it for him. He groaned at the feel of her hands on him and had to grit his teeth in an effort maintain his control. She finished and pulled him to her.

He entered her slowly, wanting to revel in the feel of her accepting him completely.

Buffy gasped.

He was bigger than any other man she'd ever been with and seemed to fill the empty spaces in her--including her soul. The depth of her feelings both frightened, and awed, her.

Wesley felt her stiffen and stopped moving.

"Buffy?" He looked at her and was horrified to see tears on her face. "Oh, God. I'm hurting you." He tried to withdraw, but she wrapped her legs around his hips and refused to let him move. "Buffy, leave off, I'm causing you pain."

"Don't you dare move," she said huskily. She took a deep breath, forcing him deeper and causing him to hiss between his teeth. "You didn't hurt me." She opened her eyes to look at her lover. "In fact, the only one that will be hurt in this bed is you if you try to leave again."

Wesley looked at her closely. "Are you sure?"

She nodded.

He leaned down and used his tongue to trace the tracks of her tears. As he did, he began to move. She wrapped her legs tighter around him and reached up to tangle her fingers in the soft hair at the nape of his neck. She pulled his mouth to hers and kissed him with everything that was in her.

She poured all the love she felt for him into the kiss and felt him return it.

It only took a few more slow thrusts before she felt her climax begin to overtake her. She called his name and dragged her fingernails over his back, not realizing she drew blood.

That sound, and feel of her nails on his back, was all Wesley needed to trigger his own release. He cried his release and followed her over the edge.

****

Buffy woke to the most delicious feeling of tenderness and soreness in places that hadn't felt that way in a very long time. She had to admit that she'd never felt the way Wesley made her feel last night. He was the most attentive lover she'd ever had. He'd loved her in ways that she hadn't thought possible--and showed her how to love him so that he was as satisfied as she was. The talking while they made love was as new to her as the laughter. She'd never had it before and now that she knew what she was missing, she planned to never do without it again.

She watched him while he slept and wanted him all over again. She began to lightly tease him with gentle kisses along his chest and abdomen. The muscles there contracted sharply when she touched them with her tongue.

She was working her way down his body when she realized he was awake.

"Hello, sleepyhead. It's about time you woke up." She grinned at him.

"I was having the most delicious dream," he responded with a gentle smile. "Then I opened my eyes and realized it wasn't a dream."

She drew a sharp breath at the love and longing in his eyes.

"It'll never be a dream again," she promised softly.

He pulled her up to him and kissed her breathless.

"I'll hold you to your word." He flipped her over and covered her body with his own.

"Do that," she said as she drew him to her and they loved the rest of the morning away.

NEXT