Roll Me Away

By: Valkyrie

Rating: R/NC-17

Feedback: Oh…please?!?

Part 2

            Buffy spent the next day until Spike picked her up wandering around the town.  She stopped at the town square and looked at the mountain in the distance.  They called it Saddle Mountain, because of its distinct shape, and it wasn’t so much a mountain as a really big hill, but the sight was still breathtaking.  She’d remembered the towns name this morning when she woke, Mountain View, and she now smiled as she took in the dual peaks on the horizon.  Farms and ranches on all sides surrounded the town, and the dusty pick-ups parked along the main drag attested to the lifestyle.  She’d seen more boots and cowboy hats in the last few hours than in her entire life.  Hell, a few of the cowboys had even come into town on horseback.  She took a seat on the bench underneath a statue of the town’s founder and watched the daily life unfold in front of her.

            She did this at least once in every town she stopped in.  She liked to see different people and different lifestyles…things that were so very far removed from her life in Sunnydale.  Even though she came from a somewhat small town, Sunnydale seemed like New York City compared to places like Mountain View.  Here, people stopped every few steps to exchange pleasantries with someone rather than just nodding their head and moving on, or ignoring them altogether.  Everyone knew everybody and they all knew each other’s business.  She smiled as a child nearly ran down an older gentleman coming out of the feed store and a woman, who obviously wasn’t his mother, scolded him and made him apologize before sending him back down the street to his real mother.

            “What’s got you smiling, pet?”  She smiled even wider and turned her head to meet Spike’s blue eyes.

            “Hey,” She gestured for him to sit next to her.  She eyed him, taking in the white T-shirt and faded blue jeans, as he settled himself on the bench next to her. “I was just people watching.  I like to see how people interact with each other.”

            He nodded, “Yeah, I tend to do that, too.” He draped his arm along the back of the bench, his fingers falling just short of the blonde hair spilling over her shoulders.  He resisted the urge to play with the strands that were so close, instead turning his attention back to the street in front of them, “Anything interestin’ happen?”

            “Not really,” She was acutely aware of his nearness and fought the urge to lean closer. “But that’s one of the things I like…the normalcy of it all.  So different from what we do.” She raised a hand and gestured to the town laid out before them. “They’re content…happy.  They don’t feel that urge to just pick up and move on.  I envy them sometimes.  I wonder what it’s like to be happy with what life has given you and not feel like something’s missing.” She turned to see his reaction and was surprised to find him watching her instead of the people around them. 

            “Do you feel like something’s missing?  Is that why you’re out here?” Spike asked her bluntly, curious to what she’d say.  He hadn’t missed the wistful tone in her voice or the brief flicker of envy on her face.

            “Sometimes,” She answered without hesitating. “Don’t you?”

            Spike stared at her for a moment before he blinked and moved his gaze back to the street, “Sometimes, yeah.  Actually…pretty much all the time.”  He felt her gaze on him and turned to smile at her, “Don’t know if I’ll find it though…but that’s half the fun.  Knowing that something’s out there waiting…just for me, and maybe in the next town or the one after that I’ll find it.”  ‘Or someone,’ he finished silently.

            “Yeah, I can get that,” Buffy understood exactly what he meant. She forced her gaze away from him and back to the town before them just in time to see a group of teenagers hanging a banner outside the small diner up the street.  She squinted in the sunlight trying to read it, “What’s that banner say?”

            Spike shaded his eyes with his hand and read it out loud, “Founder’s Day Fair…Games, Rides and Cook-Off.  It’s this weekend.  Hmm…sounds like fun, doesn’t it?”

            Buffy grinned, “Fair?  I haven’t been to one of those in ages.” She thought about her new job and her grin faded, “I’ll probably be working, though.”

            Spike took in her pouting face.  Thinking aloud, he said, “Might be able to get the night off, pet.  Everyone’ll probably be at the Fair, boss might not need you.  Won’t hurt to ask.”

            Buffy thought about it, “You may be right, I’ll talk to Gunn.  If I can, you wanna go?  I mean, if you’ll be around?”  She tried not to let her eagerness show, but she really wanted him to say yes. 

            Spike smiled at her, noting the slight blush and the anticipation she couldn’t keep out of her eyes.  He felt a bit of pleasure in knowing that she was just as caught up in whatever this was sparking between them as he was. Finally giving into the urge he’d had since sitting next to her, he dragged the tips of his fingers through the golden strands of hair falling over her shoulder, and nodded, “Wouldn’t miss it, luv.”

            Buffy gave him a radiant smile, even as her blush grew at the feel of his fingers tangled in her hair.  She wasn’t sure where all this was going, but she wasn’t going to miss an opportunity to enjoy whatever came along for the two of them.  She had learned in the last couple of years to take what happiness she could find because it was usually fleeting.  This, though, was the first time she’d allowed an interest in a guy to go beyond an appreciative glance or two.  For some reason, no matter how much she told herself not to, she was finding herself slowly ensnared in Spike.  In his smile, his laugh, his cerulean eyes…and she’d only known him for a day.  From the instant he’d locked eyes with her she had felt this tug, like something was dragging her right to him.  It was like nothing she’d ever felt before and it scared her silly.  She felt him tug at her hair lightly and snapped out of her inner mind to see a look on his face that made her breath catch in her throat.

            Spike had watched a myriad of emotions flit across her face as she had drifted away for a moment.  Whatever she was thinking had to have been good, because her eyes had gone dreamy and her blush had spread.  He had stared, fascinated by the longing look on her face and had fought the urge to pull her close and kiss her smiling lips.  He hadn’t even realized that he’d leaned towards her until his fingers had caught in the gold tresses and she’d raised her eyes to his.  What he saw there made not kissing her a moot point.  The sparks that had been there since he’d first laid eyes on her caught and flared and he knew she could read his desire in his eyes.  He didn’t try to hide, instead he let her see exactly what he wanted, even as he leaned closer and wrapped the lock of hair around his fingers.  Using the strands to reel her in, he stopped a breath away from her lips and waited to see if she would back off.  When the tip of her tongue darted out to moisten her lips, he sucked in a breath and moved that last finite space between them.  The kiss was gentle, almost ethereal…just a slight brush of meeting lips before he pulled back to look into her eyes.  She seemed nervous but not unsure.  As he watched, they fluttered closed and she leaned in for more.  With a soft groan, he moved to cup the back of her head and this time when their lips met, it was for real.

            Buffy sighed as Spike’s lips pressed against hers, and she opened her mouth to his tongue before he could even seek entrance.  Their tongues danced and she placed tentative hands on his chest.  His muscles trembled under her touch and she twisted her fingers into the material of his shirt, pressing as close as she could in their awkward position on the bench.  She felt his other hand move to her thigh and massage the muscle there.  She was caught up in the fire of his kiss.  She had never been kissed like this before.  Spike was holding her head, his fingers gripping her to him like she was his lifeline to the world.  She swore she could see colors and everything around her fell away until there was only her and him, and their lips slanted across the others.  Every nerve ending in her body was singing.  If he could send her into the stratosphere with just a kiss, she was afraid of what he might do if it ever went beyond just a kiss.  His mouth on hers, and his hands touching her had her yearning for more…the small part of her mind that wasn’t completely lost reminded her they were sitting on a bench in broad daylight, in view of the entire town.  Slowly, so slowly, she pulled back.  She loosened her grip on his shirt and softened the kiss to small nibbles and pecks on his full lips.  When he finally released his fingers from her hair and pulled back, she sucked in a much needed breath of air and rested her forehead against his.  Keeping her eyes closed, she sighed, “Wow.”

            Spike chuckled between gasps of air, his fingers still playing with the tips of her hair as he forced himself to come back to earth.  Kissing Buffy had been like nothing he’d ever experienced before, and something he desperately wanted to experience again…and that terrified him.  Ever since he’d left his past behind in England, he’d been so very careful to steer clear of emotional attachment.  It was useless to allow anyone in, to become involved beyond a single night.  He had walls and defenses against those things, but Buffy, with her shy smiles and soft lips, had knocked every single barrier down in less than a day.  He wanted to know her, to see her, to understand the mind behind those expressive hazel eyes…and he wanted to give her the same from him.  How had she managed it?  How had she managed to crawl inside and twist his emotions around her small finger?  He had no clue, but he had a definite feeling that this time it wasn’t going to easy to get on that bike and ride away.  With a small shudder and a deep breath, he leaned all the ways back so he could meet her eyes.  He gave her a soft smile, and murmured, “I think wow is an understatement, luv.”

            Buffy smiled and ducked her head shyly, “Yeah?”

            Spike put a finger under her chin and lifted her head up, “Yeah.” He dropped a quick peck on the tip of her nose and laughed when she scrunched it up.  He stood and held out a hand to her, pulling her to her feet when she took it. “Hungry?  I think I still owe you dinner.”  He figured food was a good distraction for a bit, and when she nodded in answer to his question, he laced their fingers together and they walked to the diner where the kids had been hanging their banner.

                                                *                                  *                                  *

            Their time together at the diner had been easy and comfortable, despite the awareness zinging between them.  They talked about a broad range of things…movies, books, music, places they had seen and wanted to see…everything except their lives before they had met.  By a silent mutual agreement, it was understood that their pasts were off limits.  Before they had realized, two hours had passed and Buffy had to go back for work.  Neither of them had really wanted to end their time together, and the lingering kiss Spike had given her at the base of her stairs attested to that.  Finally after a few failed attempts to separate, he had finally pulled away and said good-bye.  He had waited until she had closed the door behind her before he went back to his room, and Buffy spent her time changing in a daze.  She knew she would probably see him in the bar tonight, there was really no place else to go in town, but it felt like she was missing a piece of herself now that he wasn’t there.  She told herself she was being silly and stupid…it wouldn’t work, it couldn’t last but then she’d remember the way he smiled at her or the feel of his lips and she’d forget why she shouldn’t get attached.

            She was still wearing a goofy grin when she let herself in the back entrance of the building.  She floated through the set up Gunn had instructed her to do, and smiled happily at the regulars that were already seated at the bar.  The cute blonde instantly charmed the men and even though she wasn’t serving them their liquor, they tipped her every time she refilled the peanut bowls or took away their empty glasses.  Her good mood rubbed off on the barkeep and he didn’t even ask her to put the tips from the men into the jar he had behind the bar, instead letting her pocket whatever they gave her as if he didn’t see it. 

            She’d been working steadily for three hours when the shark, Angel, from the night before came in.  In too good of a mood to let the leering hulk get to her, she shrugged off his overly suggestive comments and went about her business.  Gunn sent her off to the supply room for another bottle of Jim Beam.  When she exited the little room, she came up short as Angel blocked her path.

            “Excuse me,” She gave him a small smile and went to move past him.

            Angel caught her arm, “Hold on a sec, cutie.  What’s the hurry?”

            “I have to work,” She said trying to tug her arm from his grasp.

            “I’m sure Gunn won’t mind if you take a break,” The man leaned in towards her. “You’ve been working so hard, I think you deserve a little time off your feet to rest.”  His thinly veiled innuendo didn’t go unnoticed.

            Buffy gave him a glare straight down her nose, “I don’t need a break, now let go.”

            “Maybe I should offer you a ride, huh?” Angel ran his eyes down her body and back up, tugging her closer so her chest brushed against his. “A lift to the next town?  Maybe that will change your mind.”

            Buffy tried to pull back, but he held her arm tightly and the door to the supply room was only an inch or two behind her back.  She was effectively trapped and panic began to skitter through her.  She knew they were out of sight from the rest of the patrons do to the slight enclave where the door was and the jukebox right beside it, so no help would be coming from that direction.  Angel noticed the second she realized her predicament and steeped closer, pressing her body between him and the door.  Buffy began to feel truly scared and opened her mouth to yell for someone and Angel took advantage, swooping down and sloppily pressed his lips to hers.  Buffy nearly gagged as he shoved his tongue into her mouth, twisting her head to try and break the contact, but Angel was quicker and grabbed her head to hold her in place. 

It was at that moment she remembered the bottle of whiskey in her unfettered hand.  Twisting her upper body as much as possible she gave herself the room needed to swing her arm.  She tensed her body, preparing to run when he let go, but never got the chance.  Just as she was beginning to swing, the body smothering her was yanked backwards.  In the two seconds it took for her to gather her wits, Angel was lying at her feet and she was being yanked past him by a very enraged Spike.  All she could do was stumble along behind him as he took the bottle from her, slammed it on the bar, and dragged her past the stunned patrons to the back exit and out the door.

Spike was seeing red.  When he had gotten to the bar, the first thing he had done was seek out Buffy behind the bar.  When he hadn’t seen her he had asked Gunn where she was and been told about the trip to the supply room.  With a smile on his face he had gone to greet her, but instead he had found that wanker, Angel, groping her against the door.  In the small rational part of his mind that was still working, he knew he shouldn’t be angry at Buffy, but seeing the huge man with his hands and lips on HIS girl had sent his rational mind into a tailspin that still hadn’t stopped.  He forced himself to take some deep breaths once they had gotten outside, trying to calm himself.

Spike still had a fierce grip on her arm, and Buffy dug in her heels once outside, “Spike!  Let go, you’re hurting me.”

His eyes snapped to hers and he immediately looked contrite.  He quickly dropped her arm, “Christ, pet…I’m sorry.” He reached out, this time taking her hand and lacing their fingers together.  He ran his other hand through his hair and looked at his feet.

“It’s okay,” Buffy said, stepping closer.  She leaned down slightly to meet the eyes he still had trained on the ground.  She gave him a small smile, “Thanks for the rescue.”

He raised his head and returned her smile before before frowning again, “He didn’t hurt you, did he? Because if he did…”

“No, no…I’m fine,” Buffy reached up and ran her fingers over his cheek, and he leaned into the caress.  “He didn’t get very far before you got there.  Actually, I was about ready to clock him with the whiskey bottle.  Gunn should be grateful you came along when you did, or he would have been down one bottle of Jim.” She gave him a grin, hoping to get a positive response from him.

Spike gave a harsh bark of laughter and pulled her into his arms.  She went willingly, wrapping the arm that was free around his waist and resting her head against his chest.  He ran his hand over her hair and down her back, sighing against her temple, “God Buffy, what have you done to me?  I shouldn’t be feeling this possessive.  Am I crazy for not wanting another man to touch you?”

Buffy couldn’t help the happy smile that turned her lips up at his words and she snuggled deeper into his embrace, “I hope not, because that would make this possessive feeling I have about you just as crazy.” His grip tightened for a brief moment before he untangled their hands and moved to lift her face to his.  She closed her eyes at the first touch of his lips against hers and happily sank into the kiss.  It went on for a long moment before they were interrupted by Gunn sticking his head out the door and calling for her.

“Be right there,” Buffy gave Spike a rueful smile.  “Sorry.”

“It’s okay, kitten,” Spike dropped a brief kiss on her forehead and stepped back. He gestured for her to lead, and they went back inside.  When they entered the main room, Buffy glanced around and noticed that Angel was nowhere to be seen.  Thanking God for small favors, she went back behind the bar and Spike grabbed his stick case from where he’d left it on the bar top and went to a nearby table.  Gunn asked if she was all right and she assured him she was fine, before returning to gathering empties and refilling bowls. 

Spike spent the night alternating between gaining money at the tables and sitting at the bar flirting unabashedly with his blonde goddess.  Buffy practically floated through her night and was surprised when two o’clock rolled around and it was time to close up.  Gunn, guessing at what was going on between the two, didn’t even bother trying to make Spike leave.  Instead he allowed the other man to sit at the end of the bar, nursing a beer, and wait for Buffy to finish her duties.  When every glass was clean and all the bottles were locked in the cabinets behind the countertop, Gunn gave Buffy her pay and her part of the tips and sent her on her way.

She met Spike at the end of the bar with a smile, “Walk me home, hero boy?”

Spike stood and gave her a gallant bow, “As you wish, my lady.” Buffy giggled and leaned against him when he put his arm around her shoulder.  They exited out the back and this time, Spike walked her to the top of the stairs.  She turned to him with an expectant smile, and Spike didn’t disappoint.  Gathering her against him, he gave her a mind-blowing kiss.  After what seemed like hours she pulled back to gulp in air, leaning against the door for support.  Spike eyes ran over the dazed expression on her face, happy to know he wasn’t the only one affected so much by the kiss.  With a wolfish grin, he leaned down next to her ear, placing his hands against the door on either side of her head and pressing his lower body against hers, “Do you know how much I want you?” His voice came out in a rumbling purr and Buffy’s whole body shivered in response.  He placed soft kisses along the side of her neck and Buffy tilted her head to give him better access.  He caught her earlobe between his teeth and bit down lightly, “Want to touch you, feel you skin underneath my hands, feel you tremble with desire…”

“Oh God…” Buffy’s voice was a trembling whisper and she turned her head to capture his lips again, but he pulled back.  He kept just out of reach of her questing lips until she growled at him in frustration, “Spike!”  He laughed softly and gave her what she wanted, leaning down to slant his mouth over hers and pressing his body closer to the soft one in his arms.  She sighed in content and tangled her fingers in his hair.  She wanted him so bad, wanted to let him do everything he said and more.  She gave up any pretense of holding back.  She tangled her tongue with his and pulled him closer, even going so far as to raise one leg and hook it over his hip.  The maneuver brought her into intimate contact with his erection and she pushed her hips forward, rubbing herself against him through the layers of clothing separating them.

Spike groaned when he felt her body cradling his raging hard-on and he gripped her hips, rocking against her in a parody of what he really wanted to be doing.  Her soft moans and little mewls were driving him crazy, and he knew he was one tiny step away from tossing all his reservations to the wind.  What had started out as simple fun, teasing foreplay only, had quickly raged beyond his control.  She was reacting like a fantasy come true, and it was taking every scant shred of will power he possessed to keep from taking her right here against her door.  With a shuddering groan, he forced himself to ease away from her, lifting her leg off his hip and setting her back on both feet.  He hardened himself to her murmur of disappointment and stepped back.  He ran his eyes over her, noting the lust glazed eyes, swollen lips, and wild hair, feeling a shot of pure masculine pride that it was him who had done this to her.  He watched closely, running light fingers over her cheeks, as she came back to reality. 

Buffy’s confused eyes met his now dark indigo ones and she frowned, “Why…why did you stop?”

Spike gave her a soft smile and cupped her face in his hands, “I want you, luv…God, do I want you.”

“Then why?”

“Just not yet,” He brushed his lips across her cheek and then her forehead.  “Want it to be right, perfect.”

“It felt pretty right to me,” Buffy stated with a huff.

“Me too, but you deserve to have candles and romance…and I want to give you that.  Not some hurried groping and a quick toss against a door.  Do you understand?  I want it to be special,” Spike looked into her eyes and waited for her response.

Inside, Buffy was turning to mush.  What he was saying was so sweet, and even if she didn’t care about those things she was thrilled that he wanted to do that for her.  No man had ever made her feel so cherished with just a few words and a look, and she gave him a sweet smile, “Okay.”

“Yeah?” Spike returned her smile with a dimpled one of his own and gave her another quick kiss on her cheek. “Right then…so I’d better be going.  Have lunch with me tomorrow?”

“Okay,” Like she would say no? “For the record, Spike?  I think it would be special no matter how it happens, as long as it’s you.” She blushed at her own nerve for saying that, but didn’t drop her eyes from his.

Spike showed his dimples again when he smiled and leaned down to give her a fast hard kiss before saying, “Record noted, luv.  Sweet dreams.” With that, he left her and bounded down the stairs, stopping at the bottom to watch her go inside.  He went to his bike with a definite spring in his step, refusing to listen to that stupid little voice telling him he was getting in too deep.  This was the first time in years he’d felt this happy and he wasn’t going to let semantics get in the way of it.