He laid her gently on the bed, breaking off the kiss that hadn’t stopped once on the way up the stairs. He stepped back in order to look at her, waves of gold spread around her like a cloud as her head rested on the pillow. Her green eyes gazed up at him, dark with lust. He watched appreciatively as her chest rose and fell rapidly; he could all but feel her blood pounding through her veins. The scent of her arousal hung heavily in the air and he breathed in deeply, savouring the sweet taste of it on his palette.
 
She was beautiful, there was no doubt about that, and the way her body responded to him was exhilarating. After just a few gentle kisses she was unbelievably wet. The heady perfume of her arousal combined with the potent slayer’s blood she had given him, causing him to harden further, and his cock ached as it pressed mercilessly against the rough unyielding denim of his jeans. He wanted to relieve the pressure but he didn't think she was ready yet for him to be naked, or even partially so. Instead he shifted slightly in an attempt to make himself more comfortable, and reaching down undid his boots and kicked them and his socks off before crawling up the bed and next to the glassy-eyed slayer. Lying on his side, he propped himself up on one elbow and gently stroked the hair out of her face.
 
The slayer suddenly looked nervous once more, her eyes losing the glazed-over look as she took in her surroundings and their implications.
 
“Uh… so... um… what should we… I mean…”
 
“Just relax, Slayer.” Spike smiled gently at her, stroking her face softly with his thumb. “No need to rush into anything, pet.” He leaned in slowly, giving her plenty of opportunity to pull away if she chose and brushed a soft, teasing kiss against her lips until he felt her respond, then he slowly deepened the kiss. His tongue gently traced her lower lip, her soft sigh of contentment pleasing him more than he would have imagined and he snaked an arm around her, gathering her closer to him. His hand trailed slowly across her body, long cool fingers tracing her curves with light feathery touches as his tongue gently delved between her parted lips. He gently slid his cool tongue along hers, astounded at the effect her warmth was having on him. It was all he could do not to pull her tight against him and plunder her mouth hungrily. Instead he called upon all the self-control he could muster and tasted her gently; exploring her mouth with a leisurely devotion. He couldn’t suppress the longing moan that escaped him when Buffy tentatively followed his tongue back into his mouth to begin her own timid investigations, or the sudden rush of desire which coursed through his body to his now painfully throbbing erection.
 
For some reason her gentle exploration and the simple trust she was placing in him touched him in ways he had never before conceived of, and a wave of tenderness all but overwhelmed him. Drawing back, Spike searched the face of this slight girl whose life and destiny from this night forth would be tied to his, and for the first time since the watcher had announced his plans for them, it occurred to him that things might not be as bad as he had originally thought. Yes, it was true that he still loved his dark princess - despite her betrayal - and the thought of losing her forever by claiming another still cut him to the core of his being. If, however, it were inevitable that he must claim a slayer in order to save not only himself and his beloved sire, but the whole bloody world to boot, well, he could do a hell of a lot worse than this pretty little thing in his arms.
 
He gently stroked a wayward strand of hair away from her face, tucking it behind her ear as he contemplated the strange events which had lead them to this moment, and their far-reaching implications. He continued his deliberation whilst tenderly reclaiming her lips with his own. This may be a duty that she had to perform, but Spike saw no reason whatsoever why it shouldn't be a pleasurable one.
 
Who would ever have thought that the slayer, of all people, would be bringing out these protective feelings in him? If he had been asked only yesterday he would have said he hated her; but with her warm arms around him and her pliant body nestled against his, her sweet tongue gently tracing his gum line and playing enticingly with his fang sheaths all he could think was how he wanted to make this good for her, wanted to erase permanently the memory of his grandsire’s heartless cruelty. He drew back, his blue eyes met her green ones and he smiled affectionately at her, inexplicably thrilled to find desire and want clearly evidenced therein. He swallowed hard against the lump of unexpected emotion welling in his throat, and lowered his head to nibble softly at her lips once more.
 
He tangled his hand gently in her hair, further deepening the kiss that was rapidly setting his body on fire, and when she in turn buried her fingers in his hair a deep groan of want sounded low in his chest. With the slightest pressure against her unresisting form he pressed her back into the mattress, his own body following until he lay lightly on top of her, nestled happily between her legs with his aching cock pressed against her heated core. His lips devoured her as she matched his kisses passionately. Buffy’s hips lifted spontaneously to rub herself against him and Spike had to call upon every ounce of restraint he had learnt in over a century of existence. He relinquished her lips and began to kiss slowly along her jaw, nibbling and teasing as he made his way towards her neck. The almost intoxicating scent of her blood racing just below the skin tantalised his demonic senses, he laved her pulse point gently with his tongue then sucked lightly, just enough to draw the taste of her to the surface. A deep moan of longing rumbled in his throat as he nuzzled into her warm, soft flesh before slowly kissing and tasting his way down her neck.
 
Her hands roamed eagerly across his back, tracing the muscles as they rippled beneath his tight black tee. All thought was swept away in a wave of pleasure as his lips worked their way down her neck, each touch sending a thrill racing through her body and further dampening her panties. Her hips bucked as her body reached instinctively for his. His hands ran trails of fire down her body, each touch stoking her lust to greater heights as she lost herself in the oblivion of desire.
 
Spike smiled smugly against the soft golden skin as the last of the slayer’s defences dropped, and her body gave in completely to the craving he was so expertly building within it. His hand wandered slowly below her top, fingers rubbing soft teasing circles against her skin as he worked his way torturously toward his goal, her soft needy moans were music to his ears. He brushed lightly across her lace covered nipple, her back arched as she pressed urgently toward him, unconsciously seeking greater contact, a soft mewl of longing escaping her lips. Spike grasped the hem and urged her hands above her head, removing the little top in one quick motion before claiming her mouth once more while his fingers worked quickly and nimbly to undo the clasp and remove her bra before she had chance to voice a complaint.  Deserting her mouth, he quickly captured a rosy bud, suckling gently and causing it to pucker eagerly in his mouth. His hands wandered, continuing their unhurried explorations of her body.
 
“Spike. Oh, god!”
 
He lifted his head to take in the sight of her; head thrown back, eyes glazed with want, her strong little hands clutching desperately at his t-shirt pulling him closer even as her back arched toward him.
 
A soft, derisive chuckle sounded in his throat. “Don’t quite fit the description, love. But I’ll take it as a compliment none-the-less.” Before she could answer his head dropped once more, his cool breath blowing gently over her dampened nipple before he captured it between his teeth in a quick sharp nip that had her flying from the bed, whimpering hungrily. He laved her gently with his tongue, soothing the abused flesh and delighting in her hushed, incoherent murmurs and whimpers of pleasure at his action.
 
His cocky grin transformed to one of shocked wonder at the sound of tearing material when the impatient slayer ripped his t-shirt in half, allowing her eagerly questing fingers the access they had been seeking to trace the cool skin and rippling muscles of his back. The heat from her fingers as they wandered urgently across his back sent thrills of longing burning through his body, his own moans and gasps for unneeded breath now mirroring hers. Her hips bucked up once more and he ground his erection against her centre; her heat calling to him even through two layers of denim. Her soft whimpers and mewls transformed into an urgent keening as he ground against her clit, and her hands dropped to his hips to clutch him tightly against her, not willing to lose the contact that she had been so desperately craving.
 
Spike was drowning in liquid fire, the intensity of need that was rising to consume him shocked him beyond imagining. His hand snaked between their tightly-clamped bodies, reaching for and finding the fastenings for her jeans. Popping them quickly he all but tore the material as he pushed them urgently; attempting to slide them over her hips and down. All the while having to fight against the slayer as her lust addled brain forced her to clutch him tighter still when he tried to separate their bodies enough to accomplish the task.
 
“S’all right, pet. Not going anywhere. Work with me here, love,” he urged, his deep, husky voice soft against her ear.
 
She finally released him enough that he was able to push her jeans down far enough that she could kick them off.
 
“You,” Buffy mumbled against his chest as she kissed and nipped at the now-exposed flesh.
 
Spike’s hand ghosted across the warm golden skin of her outside thigh and up to gently cup her butt before retracing the journey back down toward her knee, gently lifting and urging her leg up and around him. Belatedly realising she had spoken he drew back slightly, cupping her chin he tilted her face up until she was looking at him. “What was that, pet?”
 
An adorable pout jutted her lip out irresistibly. “I said ‘you’. Your turn now.” With that she reached down fisting his jeans and tugging impatiently on the offending obstacle.
 
Spike leant in slowly; capturing her lip gently between his teeth he traced it teasingly with his tongue. He sucked lightly, drawing the sweet, tangy taste of her blood to the surface before devouring her in a suddenly-urgent kiss. When they drew apart once more, both gasping desperately for breath, he reached between them once more to comply with her demand, “Whatever you want, Slayer.” The barest hint of a chuckle coloured his husky desire-filled voice.
 
He hissed in relief when his erection finally sprang free of the harsh denim restraint, nudging against her damp cotton covered pussy as he kicked his jeans impatiently off the ends of his legs to fall puddled with hers on the floor. Long since lost to the glorious sensations that Spike was expertly subjecting her to, Buffy moaned and cried in urgent demand. She wriggled against him, rubbing her clit against the over-sensitised head of his cock, whimpering his name as she clutched him to her. Spike swallowed hard, desperate to regain his self-control despite the girl’s continued movements.
 
“Slayer. Buffy.” He stroked her face softly, willing her to open her eyes and look at him. “C’mon, kitten. Look at me.” When her lust-glazed eyes opened they stared through him. She was panting rapidly, her lips parted and her heart pounding as she clutched him desperately to her. Rather than continuing to pull away from her Spike changed tactics, pressing his hips harder against her he pinned her hard against the mattress, stilling her movements.
 
She blinked away the fog covering her eyes, focusing for the first time in a while on the vampire’s face.  “Wha… huh?” Buffy tried to make sense of what was happening, what Spike was saying to her and why he had a grim, determined look on his face even while his piercing blue eyes burned with lust. His gentle touch on her face, the soft melodious tone of his voice and the continued deprivation of stimulation worked to bring her slowly back to herself and she released her vice-like grip on him. Worry replacing the fevered lust that had burned so brightly in her eyes only moments before.
 
“Shh. S’alright, kitten. Just need to slow down a little is all. Damned near made me lose it before we’ve even begun. You turn me into a bleedin’ school boy, love.” He sought her lips in a soft, reassuring kiss. “You’re so bloody beautiful,” he breathed against her. His tongue traced her bottom lip and then slowly delved between her still-parted lips to dance leisurely with hers. He felt her sigh as her body relaxed and he released the pressure with which he had forcibly stilled her. “Wanna do right by you, pet.” He pulled back enough to look at her, his eyes boring into hers as he studied her for a moment. Deciding she was thinking clearly once more he allowed the corners of his mouth to quirk upwards. The cheeky smirk and waggling eyebrows as he teased, “Now, what say we lose the knickers and do this properly," earning a half embarrassed giggle from the girl beneath him.
 
“I’m sorry...” she started, only to be cut off by a gentle kiss.
 
“Shh. Never need to apologise for wantin’ me.” His eyes bored once more into hers, leaving her in no doubt as to his sincerity. “I’m the one should be sorry, love. You’re just so bloody gorgeous; make me want you so much.” He dipped his head capturing her lips once more with his as one hand strayed to her hip, hooking the side of her panties with his thumb and pushing them down as she shimmied helpfully. Breaking off the rapidly intensifying kiss Spike sat up and drew the scrap of cotton down her tanned legs, his eyes hungrily drinking in the sight of her. Crawling back up the bed toward her, he stopped on his journey to dip his head down, planting a teasing kiss to her damp folds. His tongue reached out quickly to taste her before continuing to prowl up her body, growling softly as he came to rest with his hips nestled comfortably between her thighs and his cock nudging at her entrance, his lips claiming hers in a bone-melting kiss.
 
Buffy didn’t think she had ever seen anything as deliciously erotic as Spike crawling towards her, his eyes burning with desire and looking for all the world like the dangerous predator that he truly was. The soft growl that vibrated through his body and into hers had her melting into a warm puddle of Spike-induced goo, a bolt of desire shot through her body and her hips reached instinctively for him. She felt the soft head of his cock pressing eagerly against her entrance and with a hungry mewl she reached for him, her hands on his hips, urging him toward her, her hips lifting further. He growled hungrily against her mouth, pressing his hips forward and sliding into her warmth. The hot velvet of her inner walls closed around him and her ankles came up to lock together around his butt, pulling him closer, deeper into her welcoming heat and he knew that he wasn’t going to last long.
 
He tried to slow down, to pace himself and last a little longer, but her breathless plea -his name cried out in hushed, desperate need - was his undoing. Giving in to the lust that was consuming him he pounded into her, angling his thrusts to hit the spongy bundle of nerves inside her with every stroke, and twisting his hips just so to rub against her throbbing clit. Within mere moments a powerful wave of pleasure overwhelmed them both as their orgasms hit; her strong vaginal walls milked his shaft, intensifying his pleasure as he continued to drive into her, prolonging hers until they both collapsed, shattered by the sheer intensity of their coupling.
 
They lay like that for a while, their bodies joined, Spike having collapsed slightly off to the side so as not to have his weight resting on her. He lay listening to her ragged breathing and her pounding heart as they slowly came back to normal; the scent of their lovemaking filled his nostrils and her warm, pliant body lay wrapped in his arms. A wave of contentment washed over him. He reached out to lightly brush the soft skin of her face with his thumb, his eyes happily drinking in the sight of her, flushed and glowing from their exertions. Buffy smiled hesitantly at him; the look of awe on his face and shining in his beautiful eyes as he looked at her was at the same time infinitely gratifying and incredibly terrifying. Catching his hand with hers she brought his fingers to her lips, kissing each one gently and nibbling softly on the tips; all the while her eyes held captive by his piercing blue gaze. She moaned quietly when his weight shifted back on top of her, and buried her fingers in the tousled curls at his nape as his lips once more sought hers in a long, slow, intoxicating kiss.
 
In a slow measured pace, Spike began moving within her, his hands languidly explored her body while his mouth was once more occupied with hers. Their kisses were unhurried, tongues sliding against each other, tasting and exploring gently. Her hands roamed casually across his body as if mapping every inch to store away for later perusal. With none of the frantic urgency of their previous coupling they slowly rebuilt the fire, each exploring their lover’s body, with hands, lips, teeth and tongues. Light kisses peppered across jaws and down necks, gentle nips and soothing licks, teasing hands whispering over exposed skin and the long, slow, steady rhythm of their hips as they climbed steadily back toward release.
 
Buffy’s orgasm hit her unexpectedly, the delicious warm sensations her lover was slowly building up within her suddenly culminating to send her shuddering and gasping into seemingly never-ending waves of bliss. Spike held her, watching her face as it filled with pleasure, whispering words of praise against her ear and peppering her throat with soft kisses as he fought for his own control. Stroking her he waited until her breathing evened out and her eyes refocused before claiming her lips in a gentle kiss and breathing softly, “You back with me, kitten?”
 
Buffy looked up, all but drowning in a stormy sea of blue, she cupped his face gently, her thumb running slowly back and forth across one exquisite knife-edged cheekbone, she knew what he was asking her and steeling herself for what she knew was to come she answered him with more conviction than she felt, “Yeah, I’m here.”
 
Spike kissed her once more before trailing gentle kisses along her jaw to her ear, gently lipping then sucking on her earlobe, causing little tremors of pleasure throughout her body. He worked his way down with little kisses and nips until he felt her pulse pounding beneath his lips, the scent of her rich blood assaulting his senses and a soft moan escaped him as he laved her skin tenderly, suckling gently, licking and kissing. All of Buffy’s fears melted away under the torturous pleasure of his lips against her throat and when his razor-sharp fangs slid effortlessly into her vein all she felt was the slightest sting, followed by an almost overwhelmingly intense pleasure as he took one long deep draw of her blood followed by another, his tongue then laved gently against her skin, healing and soothing as he breathed, 'Mine' his cool breath sending further shivers of pleasure rippling through her. A gentle nudge of reminder brought her back to herself. “Yours,” she agreed, holding him fast against her. He fastened his lips once more on his mark, suckling gently on the now-healed flesh, hurtling her body into the blinding pleasure of yet another orgasm; this time bringing her mate along with her.

*****
 
Spike brushed a wispy tendril away from her face, a gentle smile curving his mouth and lending an almost boyish-innocence to his features as he watched her sleep, her head pillowed on his chest, her arm flung across him with her warm hand settled almost possessively against his hip. Her powerful blood coursed through every cell in his body, healing the last of the damage and subsequent months of neglect. She was a part of him now. More than just her life-essence given freely from her veins, more than just the intimate pleasures they had just shared. She was his mate, and that bond called to him, but more even than that. There was something about her that tugged at his unbeating heart in a way no other ever had—not even his beloved Drusilla. He vowed silently to himself that no harm would ever befall her, or the child that the watcher’s prophecy had declared would be theirs. He would be dust before he’d let anything happen to either of them.