Well, she’d asked for this. She deserved whatever punishment he dished out. Only, she had underestimated her Watcher again. His lips held her prisoner, yes, making sure she had to accept his advances. But there was no real force. No pain. Even now, he did everything in his power to make sure she wasn’t hurt.

It took a moment for him to realise she was returning his kiss, not trying to evade it. He gentled his actions, and released her arms. They moved up and around his neck, pulling him closer to her. He moved his right hand into her hair, cupping her cheek. His left moved down to her waist. He opened his mouth, pulling her lower lip in, sucking on it gently. When he released it, she opened up, accepting his invading tongue.

Angel may have been her first lover, but she knew all about kissing. Or at least she thought she did. Until now. His body heat enveloped her, cloaking her in security, warmth, love. His tongue stroked her mouth, tasting her, learning her shape. She couldn’t help the moan that escaped. His taste was so intoxicating. And completely him. Whatever it was, she knew she’d never get enough of it. Of him.

So absorbed were they in their emotions, their discovery of each other’s passion, they didn’t hear the library doors open. Or close.

Willow and Xander leaned against the outside of the room. Absorbing what they’d just witnessed. Both waited for the other to speak. Afraid to speak what was on both their minds. In the end, Xander broke the silence.

"What is it with her and older men?"

"Must be a Slayer thing."

"Oh, you mean, I’m the Chosen One. The Saviour of the world. So I can’t get the hots for someone my own age?"

"I was thinking more of all she’s done and seen has made her a lot older than her years."

"Oh. Well, there’s that too."

Willow tried to think of something to cheer her friend up. "Well, she is getting closer to her own age."

"Yeah. At least Giles was born in the right century."

"Half-century even." The two friends looked at each other and smiled.

"How come you’re not more shocked?"

"Why aren’t you?"

He thought hard on that. While trying to find the answer he looked through the circular window into the room. Giles’ hands had moved down, cupping Buffy and lifting her. She’d wrapped her legs around his waist. It was obvious she was squeezing pretty hard. "He’s probably gonna have some bruised ribs after that."

"Xander!"

He turned around quickly. "I thought they might have stopped. You know, so we don’t have to stand out here any more." He decided to return to the previous subject. "You know, it kind of makes sense. In a weird twisted hellmouth kind of way. The whole Watcher/Slayer thing is pretty intimate. And it’s not like there’s anybody else round here for either of them."

"Xander Harris. When did you grow up?"

"When I found out that just because you love somebody, it doesn’t mean they love you back. That there are all kinds of love. And if you can’t have the person you love, they can still be your best friend."

Willow felt herself blushing. The way he looked at her, she wasn’t sure he was talking about him and Buffy. She felt that was a subject that was best left unexplored. She decided to take a peak. To see if it was safe to return.

"Oh my god! H-he’s touching her....."

It was the realization that his hand was on her breast that caused Giles to become conscious of where they were, and what they were doing. He eased the kiss gently. He found he couldn’t remove his hand yet though, and continued to knead her, learning her shape, letting her fill his hand. The knowledge that he was causing her heart to race so quickly was intoxicating. The feel of her own hand on his naked chest told him she was enjoying his ministrations. He finally pulled his mouth away from hers and leaned forward until their foreheads touched.

They were both breathless. Both trying to reign in their passions. He started to remove his hand from her breast. The pressure of hers stopped him.

"No. Not yet. Please." He closed his eyes. He was trembling so much, it took a moment to realise that so was she. Dear god, a few moments longer, and neither of them would have been able to stop. They weren’t ready for that. Not yet.

When he felt some semblance of control, he leaned down and kissed her again. Gently this time. Not letting it escalate any further. He removed his hand at the same time that they broke the kiss. They looked at each other.

"Don’t say you’re sorry. Don’t have any regrets." The fear in her voice was real.

Oh, his poor love. She always seemed so strong. So self-confident. "Never."

"Rupert, I lo -"

He placed his fingers against her lips. "Shh. I know." She did what she had wanted to do just a few days ago. She nipped his fingers, then sucked on them to take away any sting. He closed his eyes, swallowed, then removed his fingers. "Buffy, we have to stop." At the disappointed look in her eyes, he amended "For now. There are things that still need resolving. And we really do need to talk."

"I know. But not tonight." She removed her legs and started to move off him. His hands at the base of her spine slowed her movement, causing her to slide along the full length of his body. His arousal was now truly evident. She felt powerful, that she could cause such a response in this man.

She then noticed that her hands were still on his exposed chest. She must have undone his jacket and shirt at some time. Well, it was only fair that she redo them up. The trouble was, her hands were shaking so much, she couldn’t manage the little holes. He very generously took over the duty from her. From the gentle smile on his face, she knew he was pleased with her reaction.

Giles retrieved his glasses from the library shelf. He’d put them there when they’d gotten in the way. He placed them back on his eyes and turned around. And stared straight at Willow and Xander.

NEXT