She took his hand and let him pull her up to him. She stood there, barely an inch away, her body trembling like a live wire. She touched the lapel of his jacket, smoothing it with her hand. "Here…I…am."

Her eyes were like emeralds. Millions of facets, each filled with some other emotion. Looking down at her, he brushed her cheek, opening his mouth to speak. Her hand pressed against his lips and all conversation was lost. His tongue darted out and tasted the skin of her fingers, just the tip of it dancing along the soft, scented flesh.

Willow's breath caught as his tongue touched her, her whole body igniting. She stepped forward, closing the distance between them. "Rupert?" She asked gently.

"Yes?" The word whispered against her skin.

"Take me to bed, would you?"

Giles groaned and swept her into his arms. Walking quickly to the bedroom, he kicked the door closed behind them then made his way to the bed. He set her down gently, watching in awe as she stretched out like a contented cat to watch him as he undressed. "Should I do this for you, or would you like to help?"

Willow licked her lips and smiled. "I think I'd like to watch the Watcher this time, if you don't mind."

All his mind processed was the words "this time". His blood pounded in his ears, through his veins at the thought of having this beautiful creature in his bed - or hers - more than once. "Whatever the lady wishes." He grabbed the edge of his bow tie and pulled, letting it fall apart and hang loosely around his neck. Unbuttoning his jacket, he eased it from his shoulders and body then draped it over a chair.

Willow gasped in appreciation. The thin, white tuxedo shirt was stretched over his chest, obviously still in shape despite years without training a Slayer. Giles smiled a bit self-consciously then started to unbutton the shirt as well.

"On second thought," Willow got to her knees and knelt at the edge of the bed. She held out her hands, taking his in hers. "Come here."

He moved closer, closing his eyes as her hands touched his shirt. He opened them slowly; wanting to watch her as she undressed him, easing each button from its home then planting a soft, slow kiss against the newly exposed flesh. Each touch of her lips seemed to set his skin on fire, the trail of kisses like a brand against his skin. He trembled; his knees weakening as she sank lower onto her knees, lengthening the kisses, swirling her tongue through the hair on his chest.

His hands hovered beside her until he gave in and buried them in her hair, holding her kisses to him just an instance longer. He could feel her smile as he touched her, undoing another button and easing her way down his stomach.

Willow smoothed the material of his shirt away with her hands, running the tips of her fingers over his hot skin, memorizing her first touch and taste of him. She reached his waistband and smiled. She felt him start to move back and quickly wrapped her hands around him, holding his body to her eager lips. "No going anywhere, Rupert," she admonished.

The soft vibration of her voice sent his blood racing. He grasped her shoulders, desperate to remain on his feet and not collapse in a pile beside the bed. "I'll do my best to remain standing."

"Not for long," Willow promised.

Her hands traced his waist, coming around to settle on the front of his slacks. Slowly undoing the button, she eased the zipper down then reached up to slip the slacks off of him. Giles' hands caught hers. "Wait."

She met his eyes and he marveled at the hunger there. How long had it been since a woman had looked at him with wanting and desire in her eyes? He wondered how he must be looking at her, this realization of so many late night fantasies that he'd chided himself for so many years ago. "Why wait?"

He moved away from her touch and sat in the chair opposite her. Watching her as he untied his shoes, removed them and his socks, he couldn't look away from her eyes. "Do you still have that book for your friend?"

Her smile, which had been appreciative, turned sensual and promising. "Yes," she purred.

He stood and walked back to her, holding the top of his pants to keep them precisely where she'd left them. She took the material from his hands and eased it down to the floor, staring at his silk boxers and the erection they did little to hide. He could hear her breathing as it grew labored, her eyes caressing the emerald silk. Getting to his knees so that he could look at her, he smiled as well.

Willow watched him, trying to take her mind off the heat between her legs and the urge to pin him to the floor and slide him inside her. His green eyes were alight with affection, desire and lust, much as her own must be. Giles smiled as he got to his knees in front of her, something sexual and predatory. He reached out, his thumb brushing her parted lips. "I have it memorized."

"Oh," she moaned, sucking his thumb into her mouth and tasting it.

Giles surged upwards, pushing her back onto the bed, covering her body with his own. The robe and his boxers still between them, he tugged his thumb from her mouth and pressed his lips to hers, needing to taste her before he went mad.

Willow's lips parted for him, allowing his tongue access to the dark, warm hollow of her mouth. Their tongues tangled, both of them struggling to dominate and submit. Giles raised his hands to the side of her head and held her, pulling back from the kiss, struggling for breath. "Do you…have any idea how long I've wanted to kiss you?"

"Rupert?" She was panting, unable to find enough air this close to him. "I don't care, as long as you do it again." She reached between them, forcing their bodies apart so that her hands could untie the belt that held the robe clinging to her. He arched away from her, giving her the room to move the belt and the material out of the way.

He waited until she stopped moving and looked back up at him, her head still cradled between his hands. He could feel the heat rising off her skin, so close to his own, and felt his body straining for her. Instead, he lowered his head slowly, deliberately until it was directly above hers. "Your wish is my command." He promised, this time letting his lips travel along the length of her throat.

Willow moaned again, tilting her head as far as he would let her, giving in to the sensations he was stirring inside her. Her hands moved over his sides, tracing faint lines along his back, smoothing skin and learning him by touch. He moved down her body, kissing her collarbone before making his way slowly to the valley between her breasts.

His hands moved with him, caressing her shoulders then moving beneath her, arching her up to his lips. Her breasts, creamy and full, rose to meet him; the rosy nipples peaked with anticipation. He smiled up at her, reveling in her complete abandon as she closed her eyes and offered herself to him before lowering his head and enveloping one of her nipples in his mouth.

"Oh," she whimpered as his teeth scraped the sensitive flesh before he suckled it. Her nails dug lightly into the skin of his back, leaving tracks of desire in his pale flesh. Her hips ground against his, feeling the hardness of him through the think silk of his boxers. "R…Ru…Rupert," she panted harshly.

He refused to answer, instead turning his attention to the other hard tip. Her skin tasted of vanilla and honeysuckle, so sweet and natural and essentially Willow, a heady combination that lulled him into a state of pure bliss. His tongue and teeth devoured her, delighting in her as he left her breast and let his tongue trail down her stomach to the soft mound of dark red curls.

Willow was beyond words, beyond thought. Nothing she had ever experienced or read about had prepared her for the complete mindlessness that Giles' hands, tongue and body had driven her to. She ground against him, unaware of her own actions, simply acting on pure base instinct and desire. He blew a soft draft of air through the tangle of hair and she felt her body tighten as the first rush flooded through her.

Grinning with satisfaction and pride, Giles managed to get to his feet and ease his boxers off of him. Willow was lying on the bed, her parted legs bent over the side, as she swallowed hard, desperate to breathe properly. She sensed his eyes on her and opened her own, staring up at the body she'd wondered at for so many years.

His skin was pale from too many hours indoors, but he was as fit and firm as he had been the last time she'd seen him. He'd kept himself in shape somehow and the scars he'd acquired before and during Buffy had faded until they were barely noticeable. She let her eyes wander down to his erection, needing to reassure herself, now that thoughts of her teenage years had entered her mind.

"Goddess," she breathed. "If I had known…I would have seduced you years ago." She sat up, her whole body still weak with the aftereffects of her orgasm. Reaching out, her fingers brushed the hard length of it. Giles closed his eyes and braced himself, feeling his body react to her.

Willow touched the tip of it, bathing her finger in the moisture there. Raising her finger to her mouth, she licked the taste of him from it. Giles lost his battle for control and groaned, pulling her to her feet and crushing her to him. His arms wrapped around her tightly and the kiss was hard and demanding. Willow stood on tiptoe, matching him passion for passion.

Moving forward, he bent one knee and guided her back onto the bed. Her hands were roaming all over his back and buttocks, urging him closer. Laying her back against the covers, he removed one arm from around her and eased it down between them, guiding her legs apart.

Willow parted her thighs eagerly at his touch, sighing happily against his chest as he slipped easily between her legs. She could feel the tip of him as he stopped, needing to see her face. "Willow…"

She shook her head. "Seize the moment," she whispered, spreading her legs even further. He nodded, sliding easily inside her, letting her body bathe him with her arousal.

Her legs wrapped around his thighs the moment he entered her, limiting his movement and tightening her passage around him. The tight grip of her muscles massaged his aching cock, enticing him ever closer to orgasm. He grabbed her hips and pulled her away from him before surging forward, embedding his cock even deeper than before. She cried out sharply, all the while begging for him to continue.

He repeated the gesture mindlessly; glad his body knew all the proper responses as he'd lost all sense when he'd felt her wrap herself around him. He raised himself onto his knees, her hold on him bringing her with him, sitting up on his thighs as he slid inside her again and again. She whispered his name, breathing against his earlobe and sending shivers along his spine. Her voice was nothing more than a seductive promise as she licked and kissed the flesh of his neck.

His breathing changed as he felt her body grasp at him, her climax growing closer. She growled into the hollow beneath his ear, begging him to press harder, move faster, thrust deeper. Her body began to shudder in his grasp, her skin growing slippery with sweat and need. He swallowed hard, rolling her back onto the bed so that he could bury himself deep within her, his own body going under as her muscles tightened, wringing his climax from him.

They collapsed together, side by side as he fell forward. They lay there, joined by entangled limbs and shared passions. Her green eyes came open slowly and she met his. There were no dark shadows in her eyes, no regret. "That was amazing," she said softly.

His reply was just as soft. "That it was."

When he awoke, hours later, the room was pitch dark and he could tell he was alone. Sorrow surged through him and he struggled to tamp it down. Sitting up, he glanced around. Willow was standing beside the window, staring out at the night.

"Penny for your thoughts?"

"I was thinking about Buffy," she admitted. "She was the only one I ever told that I had a crush on you in high school. I wonder what she'd think of us now."

"I imagine she'd be rather…what was the term? Wigged?"

Willow laughed. "That she would. Although, for someone who dated a man over 220 years her senior, she really never had any room to talk." She came back to the bed and sat beside him. He pulled her close to him, letting her lie back against his chest. "I miss her sometimes. I missed you."

"I missed you as well." He kissed the top of her head. "You must think I'm quite the coward for running away as I did."

"Not running away, Giles. Moving on. We all had to do it. Buffy would have wanted it that way." She tilted her head so that she could look up at him. "So, should we put your tux to use and actually go to the party or would you rather stay here in my den of sin?"

"Well, I've always been a huge fan of a good den of sin."

Willow pulled out of his embrace and moved to his feet. She faced him, straddling his ankles. "Really?"

He nodded. "Oh yes, didn't you know that about me?"

She shook her head. "No. But then, there are a lot of things I don't know about you."

"Such as?"

"Do you like blow jobs?"

He opened his mouth to answer just as she opened hers to find out. His snapped closed as his body told her everything she wanted to know.

The next morning came far too fast as a strong shaft of light pierced through the room, directly to Giles' eyes, closed tightly in protest. An alarm went off and he reached over to shut it off quickly. Fumbling for his glasses, he sat up. Looking around the room, he felt a rush as what had happened last night and deep into the early morning penetrated his sleep deprived brain.

"Willow?"

She was nowhere to be found. Glancing at the clock, he realized it was 8am. He hadn't slept this late in years. He pushed the covers off and headed for the bathroom. Turning on the light, his eyes were drawn to the piece of paper taped to the mirror.

"Giles,
Sorry that I wasn't here when you awoke. One of the bad things about being in town for business, I suppose. Not that I haven't found a lot of pleasure here too. I hope 8 is early enough. I wasn't sure if you have to open the bookstore.

I'll stop by about 7 if that's all right. If not, just call the room and leave a message. I won't be upset. Well, I will, but I won't let you know. Except that I just did. Goodness, I ramble even in my notes, don't I?

Willow."

He chuckled to himself, tugging the note off the mirror. He set it down on the counter, noticing the smaller note scribbled on the back of it.

"Hope you read this. Last night was the most amazing night…What other books do you have memorized?"

This time he laughed aloud. That evening could not come soon enough.

It was after 9. He should leave the bookstore, go home and drown his sorrows. She wasn't coming. He'd realized that by 8, but had refused to let himself believe it or to leave. Walking up the stairs to the loft that housed all the spell books, he rested his head against the window and listened the rain that so suited his mood drumming against it.

It had been a downpour all day. He'd unlocked the shop that morning, and stepped inside just in time to avoid the deluge that began. Only the constant thrum of rain had kept him company, as no one in their right mind had ventured out unless they'd had to. "Give it up, Rupert. Go home. You got more than you ever bargained for in just two days. Live off it, old man."

He walked slowly down the steps, only becoming aware of the pounding on the door as he reached the bottom floor. Rushing over, he threw it open.

"You're still here," she breathed happily.

"Good lord, what happened?"

Willow brushed her hair out of her face. "You won't believe it." She looked down at her dress, soaked through and clinging to her body. "I don't suppose you live nearby? I'm wet, I'm freezing and I would probably kill for a hot shower."

"I live just up the street. And I'll offer you the use of my shower without any bloodshed necessary."

"Even better."

"Let me lock up." He started to invite her in then looked her over once more.

Willow giggled. "I'm already drenched, Rupert. A few more minutes in the rain won't kill me. I don't want to drag this sponge of a body and outfit into your store and ruin your collection. Just hurry?"

He nodded and disappeared inside, turning off lights and securing things. Stepping outside, he opened his umbrella and moved out into the downpour. He extended it over Willow's head. She shook her head and moved away.

"That's sort of like closing the barn door after all the cows have gone. I don't think I can be wetter…well," she blushed. "You know what I mean."

"I look like a right royal prick carrying an umbrella, walking next to a drowned rat of a girl."

Her eyes widened in challenge. "Well, there's nothing I can do about that, is there?"

He raised an eyebrow. "Do you know how long it takes tweed to dry?"

She shook her head, sending a spray of water in the opposite direction of the rain. "Don't care."

"Very well," he sighed, closing the umbrella and letting the rain pour down on him. "I'm not going to be thought of as anything less than a gentleman. I guess I suffer alongside my lover."

Giles wanted to kick himself for saying anything aloud. Good heavens, was he trying to impress someone? Or was he trying the word on for size, hoping that she would let the comment go and not bring issue? What if this wasn't something she wanted to acknowledge in the light - or dark - of day? What if, when her week was over, she wanted to pretend it never happened? Lover, to him at least, implied some sense of permanence.

A surge of heat shot through Willow at his words. His lover. She was Giles' lover. Reaching over, she slipped her hand in his. "I like being your lover," she whispered, unsure if she wanted him to hear her or if he had even realized what he'd said.

He smiled to himself; her words locked safely in his memory. They were lovers. He looked down at her, soaking wet, dripping, cold and amazingly beautiful. He tugged her arm, pulling her under an awning of the building they were walking past. She tilted her head as she looked at him, curiosity shining in her eyes.

"What is it, Rupert?"

"Nothing." He bent his head, brushing a light kiss across her lips. "I just realized I hadn't greeted you properly."

"Still haven't."

"Any more properly will have to wait until we get to my flat and I don't have an audience." He tightened his grip on her hand and started walking once more, heading toward the door of the next building. "Which won't be long now."

The doorman opened the door for them. "Evening, Mr. Giles."

"Good evening, Matthias." He smiled at the man, urging Willow through the doors. "Busy night?"

"No sir. I've just spent the evening in the office, reading that book you loaned me. Good stuff."

"Well, I'm glad you're enjoying it. Keep the copy."

"You sure?"

Giles nodded. "I insist. You can give it to your daughter once you're done with it."

"No sir. I'm reading it to her." His voice held all the bluster of a man proud of his accomplishment. "You've got quite a man here in Mr. Giles, ma'am. He's taken time out of his busy schedule to teach me to read and write."

Giles ducked his head, trying to avoid both the praise and Willow's eyes. "Congratulations to you," Willow said earnestly. "It's a new world when you can read isn't it?"

"Mr. Giles gave that world to me."

Willow took Giles' hand even tighter in her own. "He has a way of showing people new worlds." Her eyes shone with pride matching the other man's. "Have a good night. Enjoy your book." They made their way to the elevator, Giles studiously looking elsewhere. "What book?"

"To Kill A Mockingbird."

Wrapping his arm around her shoulders, Willow pressed herself against him. "It's almost not fair, you know."

"What's that?"

"Making me want you even more." She shook her head. "I wouldn't have thought it possible, but you've managed it." She grabbed his other hand and wrapped it around her as well.

"You want me, do you?"

She nodded, not looking at him at all. "Take me inside and I'll show you how much." A shiver ran through her as a blast of cool air accompanied the opening of the elevator doors. "After I shower."

"Pity." He started walking, leading her to his flat.

"What's a pity?"

"I'd rather hoped you'd show me during the shower."

"Is that in the book too?" She pressed against his back as he slipped his key into the lock. The heat of his body pierced his shirt and jacket, hardening her nipples. "Maybe I'll have to buy myself a copy."

Giles leaned against the door, struggling to breathe in the wake of the feel of her. "I'll share mine." He pulled back and swung the door open. Turning back to her, he ushered her inside and slid her coat from her shoulders. "Shall I show you to your bath, madame?"

Willow giggled softly, following him eagerly. He led her through the darkened apartment, weaving around furniture, boxes of books and piles of papers and artifacts. Entering his bedroom, he flicked a switch on the wall, setting the electric fire ablaze.

"For later," he promised, leading her back down the small hallway and opening yet another door. He hit another switch, flooding the room with light.

"Wow." Willow gazed in awe at the room. It was huge, larger than the bedroom of her hotel room. The claw foot tub was along one wall, the sink had an ornate mirror above it, tinted silver from age. But what caught her eye was the spacious shower that filled an entire corner. "A bath and a shower?"

"During the 20's, this was one of the more decadent hotels. When it was refurbished as apartments, they kept a few of the…more opulent treats." He walked over to the shower and opened the gilt-framed door. Inside, it was tiled in actual tiles, golden hued and imprinted with delicate filigree. On one side, directly opposite the spray, there was a small stool, covered in some sort of soft fabric. "The stool was so that whomever was staying in the hotel could sit as someone washed their feet or…what have you."

"It's amazing. And it suits you so well."

"It's not all that suits me."

Willow looked away from the shower at his tone, closing her eyes briefly and letting his voice wash over her. "Really?"

He closed the door to the bathroom and dimmed the lights. Moving past her, he reached into the shower and turned the knob, letting the water begin to heat. Circling around her, he finally stopped when he was facing her. "Why were you late?"

"You remember how I told you the one speaker reminded me of Wesley?"

Giles raised his hands to the top button of her blouse as his eyes roamed over the soaked, white material, now see-through with the damp. "Yes."

"This man put even Wesley to shame. He was more overblown and winded than the Mayor or any other bad guy who insisted on expounding on his reasons for evil and world domination." She tilted her head back so that his fingers could move over her skin, undoing the buttons slowly.

"Ran late, did it?"

"And then, I found out that the movies weren't lying." She gasped as he stopped unbuttoning and smoothed the material over her breasts.

"You're not wearing a bra?"

"Couldn't find it this morning in the dark." She moaned, thrusting her chest into his hands.

"Ah. So, the movies…?"

"It's impossible to find a cab when it's raining." She shuddered as his thumbs brushed the sensitive peaks just before he rolled them gently between thumb and forefinger. "So the rain let up just a bit and I thought I'd dash across the park."

"It's deceptively large," he noted, moving back to unbuttoning the silky material. She nodded numbly, her thoughts a jumble.

"So I was far later than I wanted to be. I was afraid…" She stopped as Giles sank to his knees, his fingers moving to unfasten her skirt. "…I was afraid that you'd have gone."

"I was afraid you weren't coming." He eased the thin skirt over her hips, gasping as the rest of her came into view. She was wearing sheer panties, a white garter belt and shimmery silk stockings. "And now I'm rather afraid I'm going to far too soon."

Willow laughed, reaching behind her to unhook the garter belt. His hands caught hers and he shook his head.

"No." He carefully unhooked one stocking and guided it down her shapely leg. Repeating the gesture with the other leg, he set both on the edge of the sink so nothing would happen to them. He placed his hands on her hips, turning her slowly so that he could unhook the belt and ease it away from her smooth skin. Standing again, he hooked his fingers under the waistband of her panties and pushed them to the floor, helping her to step out of them. He led her to the shower and held her hand as she stepped up and inside. She turned back, staring at him as he moved back and quickly divested himself of every inch of clothing.

"It's so warm," she stepped back as he joined her, letting the hot spray wash over her body, cold from the rain but hot from his burning gaze. "Come on in, the water's fine."