"So. How do you feel?"

Willow glanced up at Angelus. "I'm. . .ok. A little baffled. . ."

"As to be expected. There are ground rules," Angelus said, pacing the length of his bedroom. Willow's eyes followed him back and forth, her mind running away with her. He wore a dark blue silk shirt and tight leather pants. He didn't seem anything like the Angel she knew, yet he didn't seem like the Angelus she remembered. She could see the way he prowled, and imagined him prowling for her. She fidgeted, picking at the pillow. She sighed as thoughts of him pounding into her invaded her mind.

Angelus turned, smiling. The smell of Willow's arousal was thick in the air. He stalked towards her. She watched him come towards her as a predator. She shivered in anticipation. "You. . .you said something about rules?"

"Rules," he said, standing above her. He grinned down at her, running his fingers through her hair. "Rule number one. When we are alone, I am Angelus. You won't be happy if you call me Angel. In front of everyone else, I am Angel. Will that be too hard for you?"

"No," she said softly, looking down. "Of course not."

"Rule number two. You are mine, Willow. Do *not* forget that. If you want to do something, I want to know about it first."

"Everything? I mean. . .if Cordelia wants to go out. . ."

"There will be no going out," he replied, his voice cool with a hint of dangerousness.

"She will know something's up if I don't go out with her."

Angelus frowned. "You know, I didn't think about that. You are right. She will start to suspect something. Perhaps I will let you go out occasionally. But if you so much as look at someone else. . ."

Willow chewed on her bottom lip. "Ok," she said. "Will. . .will you go with me?" she asked, smiling up at him.

Angelus returned her smile. "I may," he said.

She stood up and ran her fingertips along his cheek. "Imagine," she said softly, "dancing with me, our bodies moving together. . ."

He growled softly, pulling her closer. "I like that idea," he purred.

She shuddered, closing her eyes. "Angelus," she whispered, "I never. . .never thought that you and I would. . ."

"I've always wanted you. Since the minute I saw your big green eyes and that fiery red hair. . . unfortunately, the soul had too much control. I still can't believe he picked *Buffy* over you."

"Buffy's not that bad. . ."

"Buffy is the Slayer, Willow. Slayers and Vampires do *not* work. Unfortunately, my soul didn't want to listen."

Willow smirked. "Kinda like Buffy doesn't like to listen to things she doesn't want to hear."

Angelus grinned. "They are quite alike, Buffy and my soul." He pulled away and started pacing again. "My soul had the annoying habit of avoiding whatever it was that he didn't want to know. For instance, me. The soul tried to forget that I was a vampire."

Willow giggled. Angelus cut a glare at her. "I'm sorry. . ." she said softly. "It's just, even with the soul, it was *so* obvious you were a vampire, you know, if you knew what vampires were and that they existed. The strength, lack of eating, and the paleness. Angelus, did you know how pale you are?"

He allowed himself to smile briefly. "You are taking this much better than I thought you would."

She got up and walked to him, taking his hand. She looked up at him, smiling. "I know you won't hurt me. I know that when I'm with you, I'm safe. Besides," she said softly, "I don't have a choice, do I?" She looked down, biting her bottom lip.

"Not really," he replied.

"Then I might as well enjoy it. I'm sure you will show me some good times, won't you?" She looked up at him.

His demon surged looking down at her. She had a face full of innocence, eyes wide and bright. She was a beautiful woman. Angelus cursed the soul for never realizing what a wonderful woman Willow was. "Now," he hissed.

"Now?" she whispered. "Now what?"

"Now I claim you as mine," he growled, wrapping her in his arms. He tugged at her shirt, pulling it over her head.

Willow slid out of her clothes. She felt as if she were a different person. This was Angelus, Master Vampire, killer of most humans; and he was stripping her down to fuck her. The more surprising part was that she wasn' t stopping him.

*-*-*-*

Angelus ran his fingers through Willow's hair. She was sleeping against him, completely spent from their hours of lovemaking. She had been eager and passionate, making his demon roar in ecstasy. "Be careful, Little One," he whispered against her cheek. "I may fall in love with you if you stay this wonderful."