Baby, It's Cold Outside 

The melancholy pressed down on his chest like a lead
weight. Another glass of scotch, another log burned,
another Christmas passed.

He knew he should be grateful. Grateful to be alive;
grateful that they were all still alive. And yet,
while it should have been; it simply wasn't enough.

He dared to think of her and what she was probably
doing. It was a mistake. He'd been able to fool
himself as long as she wasn't in his mind. Just the
fleeting glimpse of her picture had brought it all
back to him in rush.

"Of all the words of tongue or pen, the saddest are
these... it might have been," he whispered sadly.

How many times had he wanted to say something, and
just as many times, he'd remained silent.
Opportunities slipping through his fingers like grains
of sand.

It was absurd really. Absurd even to hope, but love
was nothing if not absurd. His Slayer had fallen in
love with a Vampire, for God's sake. Xander was dating
an ex-vengeance demon. Absurd could not begin to
describe it.

And then there was Willow.

"Willow," he breathed aloud. He loved the sound of her
name; the way saying it made him feel sad and hopeful
at the same time.

He shook his head ruefully and wished he'd been
stronger. They all thought he was so strong, the
adult. Yet, he was the one who ran from his emotions
like a child. Afraid to face the rejection of girl
half his age.

They were undoubtedly all together at this very
moment. Laughing. He closed his eyes and saw the way
her face lit up when she smiled, bright enough to
light a room, warm enough to break his heart.

The worst part of it was that they'd asked him to go.
If he hadn't been such a fool, he could be there with
them, with her, right now. Instead, he sat alone,
wishing for things that could not be.

He could hear her voice. "Come on, Giles. It'll be
fun. There'll be snow and no demons. Well, maybe snow
demons. Are there snow demons?" She'd laughed and
smiled at him, her eyes full of tenderness. He'd
measured it as pity, and longed for it to be desire.

The five of them had gone to the mountains to ski and
frolic. "You have to frolic. It's the law."

Willow had hesitated. Buffy had Riley, still not sure
about him. And Xander had Anya - the Hellmouth at its
matchmaking best. Willow didn't want to be fifth wheel
and looked at Giles as she said it, her eyes asking
for something. His own heart afraid to answer.

Buffy had sworn to Willow that they'd find her a cute
ski instructor. "They're practically falling off the
trees up there. Here a Sven, there a Sven, everywhere
a Sven-Sven."

Willow giggled nervously, not exactly bursting with
self-confidence. "I suppose."

Oh, how he'd wanted to say something. Anything other
than what he'd actually said. "I'm sure you'll have a
fine time."

What he'd really wanted to say was. "I'll be miserable
without you."

A fine time? Pathetic.

He'd been brooding all morning. They'd been gone for
all of one day, and already he missed her. Hell, he
missed her every night she went home, what made this
any different?

Because she's out there, meeting people, meeting men.
Men named Sven.

He swallowed hard and pursed his lips in thought.
She'd matured so much, especially in the last few
months, but she was still an innocent at heart. And
vulnerable. And so many other things. So many
wonderful things. Things he wanted. Things he didn't
want anyone else to have. Certainly not some berk
named Sven.

Giles grunted and came to a decision. He'd watched
long enough. Time to act. Before it was too late.

*****

The roads had been impossible to traverse in his old
car, but nothing was going to stop him. Not now. So,
he'd rented one of the last SUVs available and finally
made it up the mountain. It was mid-afternoon by the time
he arrived at the lodge.

He approached the front desk and inquired about a room
for the night. The young clerk, with a raccoon sunburn
laughed in his face. "You're kiddin' right?"

"No, no I'm not," Giles said as evenly as he could.

"Sorry, bud. But this is the holidays. You guys have
Christmas and stuff in England, right?"

"Yes," Giles muttered. "Do you have any suggestions?
Is there another hotel nearby?"

"Gonna be the same deal, dude," the clerk said with
shake of his head. "Sorry, man."

Giles sighed and nodded his head. He hadn't thought
this through. He hadn't thought at all really. He'd
simply pictured Willow and everything else had fallen
away. Unsure of what to do now, Giles walked over to
the enormous fireplace in the lobby and stood near the
warming flames.

He tucked his gloves in the pockets of coat and rubbed
his hands together. He was just about to gather his
things and head into the pub when he saw them.

Buffy and Riley looking perfectly suited to the slopes
came through the main doors, followed closely by the
clomping duo of Xander and Anya.

"Waterproof is supposed to mean waterproof," Xander
muttered.

"If you'd just zigged when I told you to, but no! You
zagged," Anya accused. "You zagged on purpose."

"Oh, yeah. I thought, nothing would please me more
than getting snow in my shorts."

"I hate to say it," Buffy interjected. "But if you'd
kept your zipper up - in its upright and locked
position - you wouldn't be making snowpies in your
skivvies."

"The cold makes me want to have sex," Anya said
simply.

"Two-by-fours make you want to have sex," Buffy
answered.

"That's my girl," Xander said pulling Anya close.

Riley merely laughed and helped Buffy out of her heavy
jacket.

"Girl?" Anya said tightly. "Excuse me. I am a woman."

"Hear her roar," Xander quipped. Anya looked at him
blankly. "You know for somebody who's lived for
hundreds of years, your knowledge of 70's pop culture
is sorely lacking."

"Isn't he cute?" Anya said, kissing his cheek.

"As a bug in rug," Buffy agreed. "And speaking of
cute," she added her eyes going wide with
appreciation. "Willow's reeled in a big one, and I
think he's a keeper."

A tall dark and very handsome ski instructor held the
door open for Willow as she entered the warm lodge.

"Willow," he said with a mild French accent. "You are
a natural."

Willow giggled. Xander rolled his eyes. Buffy grinned.
Giles almost screamed.

"Will I see you tonight?" he asked gently touching her
shoulder.

"I don't know if I'm ready for a night-ski," Willow
said shyly. "Jean-Pierre."

Giles nearly choked. Good God! Not a Frenchman!

"It is so beautiful," Jean-Pierre said. "Consider my
proposal?"

Willow smiled. "Okay, I'll think about it. Thank you
for the lesson."

He took her hand, removed the glove and kissed it. "It
was my pleasure." He nodded to her friends, flashed a
brilliant smile and left.

Willow turned to the group and smiled brightly, never
seeing the steam come off the Watcher by the fire.

"Wills, looks like you got the advanced lesson after
all," Xander quipped.

"He's really nice. He's from Basque," Willow said
excitedly.

"I'd like to do a little basking myself," Anya
muttered.

"Hey!" Xander exclaimed.

"I'm kidding," she said. "The sophisticated world
traveler is obviously not my type."

"Thank you!" Xander said proudly, until the insult
reached his brain.

Buffy laughed as Riley took her arm. "Well, I could
use a shower and then are you guys up for some
dinner?"

"Sounds good," Willow said brightly.

"Okay, meet here at six?" Riley suggested.

They all agreed and headed for their rooms. Giles
stood frozen in place and watched them leave. All the
confidence he'd felt had gotten squished somewhere at
the French border. But he'd be damned if he was going
to let Willow be led astray by any bloody frog!

Rational thought be damned! Willow was his.

Part 2

*****

Two hours later, he hadn't done a damn thing.

"Stupid fuckwit. Afraid of your own god
damned--" Giles muttered to himself.

"Attention all skiers," came a voice over the loud
speaker. "The Night Ski is about to get started. So
get your torches at the front desk and join us at lift
eight. That's lift eight starting in fifteen minutes."

The mention of the night ski brought Giles back to
reality, or at least the present. He dashed off to the
equipment kiosk.

Twenty minutes later, he'd received his torch (a small
battery operated candle) and was standing near the
lift scanning the crowd for Willow and the rest of
group.

He saw them approaching, only the five, that lecherous
Frenchman must have stood her up. Good!

Just as Giles was about to bite the bullet and join
them, the press from the other skiers forced him into
the lift line. He poled himself forward, steeling
glances back to try and see Willow.

"Single?" the operator called out.

Giles hesitated. The night ski was a romantic time and
so almost everyone was already paired off.

"Single?"

"Here," Willow said as she pushed herself forward.

Giles knew this was his chance; he pulled down his
mask and slid in next to her as they waited for the
chair.

"Here it comes," the operator warned them.

Turning to the outside, they each grabbed the arm of
the chair as it swung underneath them lifting them
into the dark mountain night.

As the chair swayed back and forth, Giles took a deep
breath and turned to look at Willow. She stared
straight ahead, having no idea who the man next to her
was.

She felt his gaze and turned to smile at him. It was
dark and yet her emerald eyes seem to glow in the
night. Her pale cheeks a bright rosy red in the chill.
Even her casual smile lighting hearth fires inside
him.

He grinned stupidly, his courage failing him yet
again. He nodded stoically and turned away.

The man on the lift with her was familiar somehow. He
was tall and broad-shouldered. His ski pants were,
well, grrrr, just doesn't do it justice. She shook her
head, dispelling the thoughts.

They both watched the elegant sight of the trail of
lights below them; wending its way down the face of
the mountain - a few portable lampposts marking their
path. The distant glow of the torches were like
fireflies dancing along the sparkling white snow.

Before long, they reached the end of the lift. They
readied themselves for the landing. Willow lost her
balance slightly as the chair deposited them, but
Giles reached out and gave her a steadying arm.

They slid off to the side out of the way of the next
chair.

"Thanks," Willow said shyly lowering her head. She duck
walked over to the side of the hill and planted her
poles firmly in the icy snow. She turned back and
looked at the lift expectantly. Her eyes filled with
sadness.

She should have known it was just talk, but she'd felt
so good. She'd let herself believe that a man... She
shook her head and fiddled with her gloves.

It broke Giles heart to see her this way. It was too
much for him. He stepped his way over to her and
smiled again.

"Hi," she said.

He nodded his head down the hill, to indicate they
should ski together. She paused and bit her lip. Giles
felt all too familiar urges at her gesture. It was one
of the many little unconscious things she did that
drove him to distraction.

"Willow," he said at last.

Her eyes went wide with recognition. "Giles?"

"Willow?" Buffy called out as she and Riley slid
easily off the lift.

"Here," Willow said softly as she gazed at Giles in
shock. He shook his head and placed a single finger
over her lips, silently begging her not to tell
anyone.

She nodded as he pushed off and disappeared into the
night.

"Wills," Buffy said. "Thought we lost ya."

"I'm here," Willow said, lost in thoughts of what
Giles could possibly be doing here and how he could
possibly look so good doing it.

"Isn't this cool?" Buffy said excitedly.

"Ooof!" Xander exclaimed as he and Anya piled up at
the base of the lift.

"Get off me!" Anya said.

"You're on me!"

Riley slid over to assist in the disentangling.
Eventually, they sorted out who was who.

"Ready?" Buffy said brightly.

"Yup," Riley echoed.

"Let's get this over with," Xander mumbled.

"I heard that," Anya hissed.

"Come on Wills." Buffy and Riley skillfully started
down the hill followed closely by the comedy team of
Harris & Demon.

"Right behind you," she called out.

She had only gone a few dozen feet down the slope when
she saw him. He was off the side out of everyone's
way, looking up the hill. Looking for her.

He waved as she neared. She carefully snowplowed her
way to a stop, bumping into him. "Sorry."

He chuckled smoothly.

They stared at each other in silence for a long
moment. "What.. what are you-- I thought you weren't
coming," Willow said finally.

"I-I w-wasn't," he stuttered.

"But-- here you are," she said with a soft smile.

"Here I am," he sighed. Another silence grew between
them. "Sh-shall we ski?"

"I'm not very good," she admitted.

"Just relax." He maneuvered himself behind her so that
his skis were outside hers. He pulled her body close
to his, wrapping his arms around her waist. And he
wanted her to relax?

Even through the thick winter clothing he could feel
the heat of her body pressing against his. He leaned
down and spoke softly into her ear. "Ready?"

Unable to find her voice, Willow could only nod. Giles
pushed away with one leg and slowly they began to
glide down the hill.

It was sublime. The perfect stillness of the night filled
only with the soft scraping of the skis on the icy
snow. The dim lights and the moon gave everything a pale
gray-blue glow. No one spoke. Just bodies melting
their way down the gentle run.

Willow could feel the hardness of his thighs against
her backside and the warm wetness of breath against
her neck. His hips nudged hers from side to side as he
kept their bodies together, gliding, dancing.

The cold wind prickled against their faces, but the warm
flush of their excitement vanquished the chill. Back and
forth across the face of the mountain the flowed, a
sensual dance - thier bodies moving as one.

About half-way down the hill, he didn't traverse back
across the slope, but instead, skied them off to the
side, nestling them in a small grove of pine trees
before coming to a halt.

"Why'd we stop?" Willow asked in confusion. "It was so
beautiful."

Giles let go of her waist and released his bindings.
Kicking off his skis, he stepped in front of her and
took of his mask.

She looked up at him. He had her. Alone. A romantic
setting, and he couldn't think of a thing to say.

"Giles?"

He took off his gloves and touched her face. His
fingers were like fire on her skin.

"Why'd you come here?" she wondered aloud.

He looked down into her eyes, hoping she could see his
heart. "I came for you."

Her breath caught, and she shook her head in wonder
and disbelief.

He nodded, his hand drifting beneath her chin, and
slowly he leaned down to capture her mouth in a kiss. His
tongue, incredibly warm and soft, caressed her lips,
begging them to open for him. Begging her heart to
open for his.

She gasped in pleasure at the heat of his mouth on
hers and eagerly met his kiss.

How often he dreamt of this kiss, never once thinking
that reality would be far better. He let one hand rest
on her cheek, holding her close him, guiding the kiss,
while the other drifted into her silky hair. He ran
his fingers along the base of her neck, and she
moaned. The sound of her, the feel of her in his arms,
how long he'd denied himself paradise.

Willow reached up and wound her arms around Giles'
neck, pulling him down to her. Her legs were locked in
place by the heavy skis. She fought against them
futiley, wanting so much to climb up his body, to press
herself to his chest.

He felt her struggle and pulled back. "What's wrong?"
he breathed.

"Nothing," she panted. "It's just---" she looked down
at her skis and then back up to him.

He nodded and looked around at the cold, snowy ground.
It took more willpower than he thought he had, but
somehow he managed it. "Inside," he said wishing he
could take her where she stood.

"My room. I have my own room."

He pulled her into another searing kiss before
scrambling back for his skis.

Part Three

He helped her turn around and guided them down the
rest of the hill; the silence filled by the pounding of
thier hearts in anticipation.

They reached the bottom quickly. Giles escorted Willow
inside the lodge. "Don't go anywhere," he asked with a
brief kiss.

"I won't," she promised. She watched him easily cover
the snowy ground. Her eyes glued to the firm shape of
his legs and, uhm, other things. Giles gathered their
skis and hurried toward the equipment kiosk.

She took a deep breath and wondered if she were
dreaming. She must be dreaming. Giles wanted her. And
the feeling of his kisses and the sound of his voice,
it was all too good to be true.

"Wills!" Buffy's voice broke into her reverie.

Willow's eyes grew wide as she turned and saw her
friends approaching.

"We're gonna get some hot chocolate," Xander said.

"Uhm, I--" Willow started.

"Wasn't that beautiful," Buffy said putting her arm
around Riley's waist.

"In a cold, icy, frost-bitey sort of way, I guess,"
Anya chimed in.

"Where'd you go anyway," Buffy asked. "You were right
behind us. Did you meet somebody?" She waggled her
eyebrows. "Somebody French?"

"Somebody English," Giles said from behind.

"Giles?" Buffy said in shock. "What are you doing
here?"

"I was invited, wasn't I?" he said trying to sound
casual.

"Yeah, sure."

"Glad you could make it G-man," Xander put in.

"Thank you," he said formally.

"So did you, uhm, find romance on the slopes?"
Xander asked with a wiggling eyebrow.

"N-no," Giles answered too quickly and glanced
furtively at Willow.

"It was pretty romantic," Xander said kissing Anya
on the cheek.

"W-yes, well," Giles sputtered nervously.

Buffy felt the tension and cast a quick look at
Willow, who had been conspicuously silent. She
knew something was wrong. "Wills?"

"Hmm?" Willow said and then brightened too quickly.
"Yeah, it was really pretty."

Giles glanced nervously at Willow who met his gaze
briefly and then looked away. All of the magic they
had shared up on the mountain seemed to have melted
away. Once again, she was just plain old fifth wheel
Willow.

"Well, there's hot chocolate with our names on them
around here somewhere," Xander said pulling Anya
toward the lounge area.

"And little marshmallows?" Riley asked.

"What is it with blondes and marshmallows?" Buffy said
to no one in particular as they followed Xander.

Willow and Giles brought up the rear. He took her arm
and leaned down. "I'm sorry. I -- this isn't what I--"

"It's all right, Giles," Willow said sadly.

"No, it isn't," he said, pulling her aside. "I --
Willow. I--" he trailed off. Why couldn't he find the
words? Moments ago everything had been perfect. They
understood each other, wanted each other, but here
under the lights and the scrutiny of friends, he was
lost. Just as he'd always been, unable to say the
things that were in his heart.

Willow smiled sweetly, but the kindness in it did
little to hide her disappointment. "I understand," she
said.

"Come on guys, before somebody snakes 'em!" Buffy
called out gesturing to some empty chairs.

Reluctantly, Giles released her arm, and they joined
the others.

The rest of the evening was spent telling stories and
snuggling by the fire. Finally, Xander yawned.

"Getting tired?" Anya asked.

"Not really," he said.

"Good. Let's go to bed before you do."

Xander laughed nervously while Buffy and Riles
exchanged blushes.

"Are you staying in the hotel?" Riley asked Giles.

"Oh," Giles said realizing he was without lodgings.
"Uhm, actually I don't--"

"He can stay in my room," Willow blurted.

"What?" Xander screeched.

"I think she means-- Uh," Buffy said quickly. "What do
you mean?"

"Well, I'm the only one with two beds," Willow said
shyly.

"Oh," Buffy said with a frown. "And I guess Giles and
Riley can share your room and you and I'll
bunk together, right?"

"Whatever," Anya piped in. "As long as Pookie
and I have our own room."

"Pookie?" said the gang as one.

Xander blushed a deep crimson and leaned in to Anya.
"That's our private nickname, right? We agreed.
Private. This -- see the other people -- not private."

"Whatever you say, Pookie," Anya said nuzzling his
neck.

"Yes, well," Giles stammered. "That's very generous,
but -"

"But, there's no reason for you guys to switch,"
Willow said to Buffy. "I mean there are two beds."

"Wills-" Buffy said skeptically. "I don't--"

"Really, Buffy. Willow's virtue is perfectly safe,"
Giles said peevishly.

Willow blanched at the comment, but tried not to show
it. Buffy knew her too well and saw the pain flash
across her friend's face. "Willow?" she asked.

"It's fine, really," she said sadly.

Giles wanted to kick himself. He'd done it again. He'd
managed to insult and humiliate Willow with few simple
words.

Everyone said their goodnights, and Willow waited for
Giles as he took care of the bill.

"Willow, I've been looking for you," Jean-Pierre said
suddenly appearing at her side.

"Oh," she said quietly, not believing him.

"I looked for you at the night ski. I want to show you
the mountain at night. It is almost as beautiful as
you."

"You don't have to say those things," Willow said.

"I don't understand," he said shaking his head. "What
things?"

After Giles' comments, Willow was feeling extra small
and unattractive. She smiled sadly.

Jean-Pierre knew women well and recognized the look in
her eyes. He took her hand and kissed it. "I mean
everything I say, Willow."

She wanted to believe him, but believing meant getting
it hurt. It always did. She shook her head.

"You are beautiful," he said. "Are the men in your
life so blind?"

"Willow?" Giles said sharply. "Let's go."

"Oh, okay," she said meekly. Jean-Pierre did not
release her hand and turned to face Giles.

"You do not show her the proper respect," he said
thinly. "She is a beautiful woman, not a sack of
flour. But from an Englishman, should I expect more?"

"I beg your pardon?" Giles hissed.

"You should be begging her pardon," Jean-Pierre said
evenly. He turned to Willow. "If this is an example of
the men in your life, it is no wonder you cannot see
your own beauty." He touched her cheek gently, his
eyes sincere.

Giles clenched his fists.

"Willow," Giles said in tight voice as he took her
hand from the other man. "It's late."

Jean-Pierre shook his head sadly. "When you tire of
being treated this way, come to me. A beautiful woman
is a gift."

Giles snorted and shot a harsh look at the man, who
merely bowed and smiled at Willow.

Giles pulled her toward the elevator. She looked up at
him and saw his pulse throbbing in his temple, his
jaw working feverishly.

"Ouch," she muttered pulling her hand from his. "What
was that all about?"

"What?" he spat.

"That," she said angrily. "He was just being nice to me."

Giles grunted. "Don't be so naive," he said harshly
and leaned down, jealousy boiling his blood. "He
wanted you."

"What if he did," she asked indignantly. "What's it to you?"

Giles huffed and was about to say something when the
elevator door opened, and they were no longer alone.

When they reached her room, he tossed his things on
the bed and glared at her with fiery eyes. He knew he
had to calm down before talking to her or he'd just make
matters worse.

"I'm taking a shower," he announced and closed the
door to the bathroom behind him.

Giles let the warm spray of the shower wash over him.
He sighed deeply, wondering when he'd become a
complete ass. Why could he never just say what was in
his heart? Why was it so hard for him to let his
guard down? To let her in?

He'd wanted nothing more than to take Willow in his
arms and tell her he loved her and instead he'd
humiliated her in front of her friends. He wondered if
she'd ever look at him the way she did on the
mountain, or if that kiss was all he'd ever have of
her.

He sighed and ran the soapy washcloth over his body.

***

Willow sat nervously on the edge of the bed. Giles had
been jealous! He'd said mean things, been ready to
punch Jean-Pierre -- all for her. It was embarrassing,
but if she were honest with herself, it was also
kind of exhilarating. Giles did want her, and she
wanted him.

She knew what she had to do. She looked in the mirror,
trying to muster her best resolve face. He wants you,
she told herself. He wants you. Carpe that diem.


Part 4

Giles placed one hand against the tile of the
shower-tub and leaned forward into the warm water. His
erection wasn't fading. Damn. He'd been counting on
old age and shame to put a damper on things, but
Willow's proximity alone was enough to arouse him.

He heard the curtain being drawn back behind him.

"Don't turn around," Willow said softly.

"Willow?" he gasped standing ramrod straight, trying
to cover himself with the washcloth.

"Mind if I join you?" she asked coyly. "Just for a
minute?"

He saw the curtain sway as she pulled it back allowing
her entrance into the tub behind him.

His mouth went dry, and he opened it to the spray,
gulping down a few quick drinks of water.

He was beautiful. His legs, long and muscular, led to
the strong curve of his ass. His waist gave way to the
vee of a powerful back and broad shoulders.
Tentatively, she reached out and touched him.

He flinched at the contact, grabbing the wall with his
other hand, dropping the washcloth to the floor.

Her small hands brushed along the slippery skin of his
back, slowly winding their way around him.

"W-w-willow," he panted.

Her fingers spread out to touch as much of him as she
could. She stepped closer as her hands came to rest on
his stomach. She felt his muscles clench beneath her
fingers.

She leaned her body against his.

He could feel the soft press of her belly against him
and the intimate touch of her breasts upon his back.
He struggled for breath, strained against the urge to
turn around and embrace her.

She took a deep breath, and he could feel the rush of
air on his shoulder blade, and the rise and fall of
her chest. "Rupert," she whispered.

"Y-yes?" he managed. The sound of her voice saying his
name made his knees weak.

"You're hogging all the hot water," she said.

"Wh-what?" he mumbled, obviously confused at this turn
in the conversation.

She giggled and pulled back from him. "Rinse and
wait," she said running a finger down his back and
stopping just above his bottom.

"Wait?" he said starting to turn around. She reached
out and held him in place.

"I'll be right out," she said.

"Right -- right," he said quickly rinsing the soap off
his body. "I'll just be -- waiting -- right out
there."

She giggled again, enjoying the view and the
excitement in his voice and movements.

He carefully stepped out of the tub, 'Now would not be
the time to break my neck,' he thought. He grabbed a
towel off the rack and turned toward the tub. He was
about to pull back the curtain, when he noticed it was
slightly transparent. He could see the outline of her
body as she washed herself. Good lord!

He ran the towel absently over his body as he gazed at
her, the blood rushing straight to his cock.

"I'll be out in a minute," she said.

"Oh, right," he mumbled and realized she was kicking
him out. Reluctantly, he wrapped the towel around his
waist and went into the bedroom to wait for her.

He sat nervously on the edge of the bed, his breath
short and his heart pounding. Thankfully, she was
true to her word, and he could hear the water being
shut off just a few minutes later.

The bathroom door opened, and he jumped to his feet.

Willow was wearing a short green silk robe and her
slightly damp hair curled about her shoulders.

"You -- you're so beautiful," he breathed. They
stared at each other, the sexual tension building to a
fever pitch.

He took a step toward her, his towel, however, didn't
make it with him and fell to his feet.

Willow grinned and broke into giggles.

"Oh, god," he gasped, reaching down to retrieve it.

"It's okay," she said in between bursts of laughter.

He covered himself and shook his beet-red face. "I'm
sorry."

She controlled her giggles and crossed to him. "Don't
be," she said softly.

"I'm sorry," he mumbled again wrapping the towel around
his waist, unable to meet her eyes.

She reached out and touched his bare chest with her
small hand. His breath caught at the simple gesture
and all thoughts of embarrassment were gone. He looked
into her eyes.

"Are you?" she asked gently. "Sorry, I mean."

He covered her hand with his and pulled it to his
lips, brushing a kiss across her fingertips. "Only
that I waited so long."

She smiled at him, just the way he'd imagined she
might. Her eyes full of love and passion, reflecting
what he knew was in his own. He wanted to say the
words. It was important to him that she have no
doubts.

He released her hand and stroked the side of her face,
she leaned into his touch, resting her cheek in his
palm. "Willow," he started, low and throaty, his own
voice strange to his ears. "I love you."

Her beautiful emerald eyes rounded and then closed.
She took a deep steadying breath. "Oh," she sighed.
She looked up at Giles her heart so full she thought
it might burst. "Rupert," she whispered, putting her
hand over his. "I've loved you for so long."

"Willow," he rasped leaning down to capture her lips
and seal their love. His mouth melded to hers gently,
effortlessly.

After a few breathless moments, he pulled back and
brought her head to his chest. He rested his chin on
her hair, closing his eyes and thanking whatever gods
might be listening.

Willow loved the smell of him, the feel of his soft
spongy chest hairs against her cheek. She shifted her
hips slightly until she felt the hard press of him
through his towel.

He groaned as she brushed against his erection.
Spurred on by his reaction, she turned her head and
placed a feathery kiss on his chest. One after the
other, unerringly moving closer to his taut nipple.
Finally, taking it in her mouth, she nibbled and
suckled him, until he pulled away.

She looked up at him in confusion, but saw only a dark
passion in his eyes. He placed a long finger on her
lips, shivering with pleasure when she licked it. But
he wanted more, so much more. He let his finger drift
down her chin, along her neck and finally between the
valley of her breasts. Stopping only when he reached
the sash of her robe.

He looked into her eyes for silent permission, her
smile offering more than that. He took the end of the
silk tie and pulled, letting the fabric fall away from
her of its own accord.

With one hand on each side of her face, he pulled ever
so slightly forward and kissed her briefly. His eyes
locked on hers, speaking words his lips could not
utter.

His hands moved down her neck, his fingers nudging
their way under the silky collar of her robe. He pushed
his hands back toward her shoulders, his wrists catching
the material of the robe and carrying it away from her body.
Until, finally, it fell completely away, slipping off her
arms and onto the floor at their feet. His eyes never
left hers, desperately trying to see into her soul.

She stood naked before him, warm under the glow of his
love and heat of his gaze. She reached out blindly,
not daring to look away, and grasped his hip. She
could see the effect of her touch in his eyes. She ran
her hand from his hip around to his stomach and down.
Grasping the towel, she tugged gently, until she felt
it give way. It too joined her robe at their feet.

The touch of her small hand on his skin was only a
promise of the pleasure to come. Still holding
her shoulders, Giles pulled her body against his.
Flesh to flesh. His body to hers. They stood still for
a long moment relishing in the warm and tingling
sensations of first touch.

Unable to wait any longer, Giles scooped Willow into
his arms, turned and gently set her on the bed.
She stretched out before him a goddess. He stood for a
moment in awe before lying down beside her.

He kissed her forehead first, then moved down to steal
another taste of her lips. Willow's hands tangled in
his hair as she gave herself to him.

His kisses drifted down her neck, stopping for a
respite along her collarbone, moving back and forth
along the soft skin, stopping at the top of her
sternum. His tongue darted out, dipping into the notch
at the base of her neck.

She gasped and could feel him smile against her. He
kissed his way down her chest, finally reaching the
soft curve of her breast. With one finger he gently
brushed the up swell of her creamy flesh.

She was exquisite. Small round breasts, pale skin
peaked with rosy tips - aching for his touch.

Willow closed her eyes and bit her bottom lip. Giles
looked up from his position and felt his arousal surge
at the familiar sight, now meant only for him.

His finger barely brushed her skin. It was so
incredibly soft, just as he'd imagined. He couldn't
help but wonder if she'd taste as sweet as she looked.
No longer able to resist, his mouth covered her
breast, his tongue laving the tight nipple. She arched
her back, forcing him closer. He slid his free hand
under her back, holding her up to his eager mouth.

He groaned in delight. She tasted like vanilla. His
mouth worked her small breast, sometimes engulfing her
completely, and others, barely brushing his teeth
along the rose tip.

He gave the other breast equal attention, his large
hands easily holding her. He rolled her nipples
between thumb and forefinger, bringing them to higher
peaks with each pass, while his mouth devoured her.

"Rupert," Willow breathed, needing to kiss him again.
She licked her lips in anticipation. He left his prize
and moved back up the bed.

"So beautiful," he murmured as he kissed her deeply,
the fires burning brightly in his eyes. His tongue
pushed its way past hers, running along her teeth,
swirling across the roof of her mouth. Willow ached
with a desire she'd never felt before. She sucked on
his tongue, pulling it into her mouth. She could feel
the vibrations of his chest as he groaned. She
couldn't seem to get enough of him. The feel of his
tongue as she sucked it into her mouth made her stomach
warm with need.

Wanting more, she put her hands on his shoulders and
pushed him onto his back. He willingly gave in to her.
She maneuvered herself on top of him, feeling the hard
length of his erection on her leg.

She pushed herself away, just far enough to look into
his eyes. He was so handsome, and made all the more so
now by the smoky look in his eyes. He gazed back at
her in wonder, reaching out to tenderly push her hair
away from her face. She placed a light kiss on his
chin, and slowly wriggled her body down his.

With every brush of her body, his cock surged forward.

She let her fingernails gently scrape along his chest,
making lazy circles around his nipples. She pinched
one as her mouth dove onto the other. She could hear
his breath catch as he wound his fingers in her hair,
keeping her gently pressed to his chest. She licked
and sucked each of them, driving him mad with each
scrape of her teeth.

She heard him groan again and looked into his eyes,
dark with a need she promised to sate.

He let out a long breath when she pulled away from his
chest. She wanted him to look at her, wanted him to
see the pleasure she was receiving from touching him.

He watched in a haze of lust as she moved down the
bed, kneeling between his legs. He swallowed hard as
she licked her lips, slowly bending down, getting
nearer and nearer.

She smiled back at him, reveling in the power she had,
knowing how much he wanted her. She reached down and
cupped him gently, the skin pulling taut with excitement.
His cock surged toward her, straining for her touch.
She dove down onto him, her mouth engulfing him.

"Ohhh," he moaned. "Oh, God."

She held him in her mouth, loving the feel of the warm
flesh. The soft skin barely masking the throbbing beat
of his pulse. Her tongue swirled around him, licking
as her mouth sucked and pulled, gently, so gently.

She took the bottom of his shaft in her hand, pulling
down on him, just as her mouth took more of him in.
She pulled back up the length of him, her tongue
running along the sensitive underside, as her hand
followed the same path. She stopped at the engorged
head and brought her tongue all the way around him.
Finally brushing over the top of him before plunging
down again.

"Oh -- Oh, God--Love---I-- I--" he panted out. His
breath was coming too quickly. She released him,
wishing she could bring him to climax this way, but
knew there were more pleasures to be had.

She grinned wickedly and trailed a seductive finger up
his quivering cock, along his stomach and chest, finally
resting on his lips.

He growled and pulled her to him in a savage kiss. He
rolled them over, so he was looking down at her. His
mouth pressed down on her in a bruising kiss, his
weight holding her in place. He grabbed her wrist and
held it above her head as he continued to plunder her
mouth. Slowly, the kiss eased, became less dominating
and more sensual. He let go of her wrist and ran his
fingers down her arm, and along the soft side of her
body. Finally, his hands migrated south, loving the
feeling of her trembling beneath his touch.

He stroked the soft flesh of her inner thighs and she
opened her legs to him. He wasted no time and thrust a
finger deep inside her. She was wet and tight. He
wanted nothing more than to bury himself inside her,
but first he had to taste her.

He slid down her body, his tongue tracing the path his
hand had just made. He breathed in the musky scent of
her arousal and felt his cock twitch with excitement.
"You're perfect," he whispered, his breath hot against
her thigh.

He licked her warm center, lapping at her, teasing her
with his tongue. He flicked at her clit, delighting in
her gasp of pleasure. He wanted to make love to her
with his mouth, but the ache in his groin was too much
to bear.

He pushed his tongue deep inside her, as his finger
rubbed against the hard nub of her clit. Her breath
came in short burst.

"Y-yes," she gasped. "Oh, y-yes!" He felt her clench,
the muscles spasming as the warm rush of her orgasm
coated his tongue. He stilled for a moment, before
placing a soft kiss on her stomach.

He moved back up the bed and kissed her again, giving
her a taste of her own sweetness.

"Are you sure?" he asked gently as he positioned his
cock above her entrance and looked into her eyes one
last time.

"I love you," she answered, her eyes sparkling with
desire.

As his lips crushed down on hers, he entered her.

She moaned against his mouth as he filled her with one
long thrust.

She was so tight against him, he knew he wouldn't last
long. He kissed her again before resting his head
against her neck. He pulled out almost all the way,
before plunging back into her. Her sex pulling him in
deeper. The feel of her velvet skin ruffling against
his hard cock was incredible.

He tried to keep a slow pace, but it was no use. He
pulled out and forced himself back in deeper with each
thrust. The long strokes became faster, harder.

He grunted with the effort, his breath ragged. He knew
he was going to lose control and desperately needed
her to join him. He reached down between their bodies
and rubbed her sensitive clit.

"Oh, love," he breathed out, knowing he was on the
edge.

The feel of him inside her and the love in his eyes
was all she needed. She bucked up toward him, her
muscles clenching rapidly as he buried himself deep
within her as her orgasm sent her spiraling. He cried
out her name as he came, filling her with the warmth of
his soul.

When the trembling stopped, and the world came back
into focus, Giles kissed her gently before falling off
to the side in exhaustion.

Willow nuzzled against him, resting her head on his
heaving chest, as she tried to regain her senses.

He put an arm around her and held her close, never
wanting to let go. And not planning on ever doing so.

They stayed just that way for a few silent moments.
Finally, Willow propped herself on an elbow and smiled
down at her lover.

"Hi," she said with a satisfied grin.

He chuckled. "Hello, love."

"Glad you could make it."

"Wouldn't have missed it for the world," he said with
a kiss. "Not for the world."

The End