Title: Bring Me Into the Light (18/?)
AUTHOR: Mistress Ace & Em
E-MAIL: rosewood@inreach.com & slayerbuffy@aol.com
FEEDBACK: Is the butter on our bread. We write because the story begs to be told. Feedback lets us know if we struck a chord with you.
DISTRIBUTION: Our site, Fandom Writers (http://www.fandomwriters.com), of course. FINNatics, Vamps-N-Slayers, the other list archives as well. Anyone else interested, we'll be happy to share.
RATING: NC-17
CATEGORY: Story: Romance, Angst
SPOILERS: As You Were
PAIRINGS: B/R/Sam, m/f, f/f
DISCLAIMER: Don't own the characters at all. (More's the pity) They belong to the Great God Joss Whedon et al. We are just borrowing them for a little bit. That's all. No BtVS characters were harmed in the writing of this fic. Well, maybe just a little.
SUMMARY: Not back for long enough. Not nearly long enough and there were too many things left up in the air. But isn't that the purpose of fan-fiction?
 

Chapter 18

Willow went to the fridge, asking, "What would you like?" There wasn't much but maybe she'd be able to find enough to keep everybody happy. Most of the food had gotten eaten last night and this morning and money was tighter than tight right now. The job offer for Buffy couldn't have come at a better time.

"Coke's Riley's poison of choice if you've got it," Sam leaned against the counter and peered into the fridge as Willow opened it a little further. Pretty close to empty, apparently Dawn hadn't been joking about the ice cubes.

There was part of a pizza, a few oranges, a single can of diet soda which Sam suspected was Buffy's and half a gallon of milk. Not much else. She caught the embarrassed look on Willow's face and stated quietly, "Water or milk would be fine for both of us."

Here was something else they needed to deal with. Something that was going to be an easy fix. The rest of it – not so easy. But buying food? Simple.

******

For the first time since those few minutes outside the Magic Box last week and their confused wake-up this morning, Riley was alone with Buffy. Sam and Willow's strategic retreat to give them this bit of alone time wasn't going to wasted by discussing the images rolling around in his head. Her being dead had been, and was going to be, the stuff of his nightmares for years to come. But that was his burden to bear.

Without thinking about anything but mutual comfort, Riley sought Buffy's mouth with his own. Shaken by the thought of her dying again he needed the connection, needed to lose himself in the familiar taste and feel of her. Not enough, last night hadn't been enough...

As far as he was concerned he would never get enough of her. Her or Sam... He'd go to his grave craving one more kiss, one more touch. So he poured every ounce of love he felt into this kiss. Riley pulled Buffy up against him and abandoned himself to the experience.

Life after Sunnydale had taught him one very important lesson.

Tomorrow might never come.

With a soft whimper, Buffy lost herself in the passion and desperation she felt in his kiss. She suddenly couldn't be close enough to him and was glad when he pulled her closer. She wrapped one arm around his neck while her other hand found its way to the back of his head and tangled in his hair. All thoughts of death and retirement went straight out of her mind, along with all other coherent thought.

Her entire world was focused on the here and now, the feel of his mouth on hers, his body pressed tightly against her, his arms holding her close. She poured all her emotion into returning his kiss, feeling his love burn through her and leave her newly reborn, vitalized and happy; she strove to do the same for him with her own emotions, her love for him.

Riley opened up to the wonder of the moment as they sank even further into the familiar comfort of the couch. So familiar, every bit of it, and incredible just to be here again with Buffy. To be in the house that was the source of so many memories. The home to those precious things he dragged out whenever it had gotten too rough. Some memories were big and some were small. Every one of them a jealousy guarded talisman of his past.

Snapshots of a life he'd walked away from.

Sunlight spilled across his face, the warm shock of it narrowed his jumbled thoughts to one clear point in time. A white comforter made of eyelet lace and blinding sheets, soft against his back and neck. The sweet ease of being in Buffy's room, of sleeping in her bed while Joyce slumbered across the hall and Dawn tucked away in her own bed - everyone safe for the night. Waking before the sun and crawling sleepy-eyed between Buffy's legs, dipping his head, his whole body down and waking her with the deepest kiss.

His mouth warm and wet, Buffy even wetter, slender fingers in his hair, strong, so incredibly strong, holding him in place until she reached that peak. Gasping his name into a pillow and falling back, languid and sensual, welcoming when he rose up over her and slid inside. Their breaths the only sound in the room other than the sibilant slide of clean sheets over sweat-dampened skin. The dawn slipped past them, unnoticed until sunlight gilded her face, a bright rush of it over his shoulders, its heat nothing in comparison to the crucible where his love for this woman was forged.

God, so many good memories here.

And so many more to make.

Her room wasn't that far away. He could take the stairs two at a time and it was at the end of the hall. It wouldn't take much time or effort to get Buffy up there. There was only one obstacle. Riley broke out of the kiss, drawing in a hasty breath as his attention flicked toward the kitchen. Had to ask the question, couldn't help himself. "Buffy? Willow - class... when?"

Maybe not as articulate as he would like but it was the best he could do, considering he was inches away from taking her right there on the couch. Especially since she'd ended up underneath him somehow. Sam wouldn't be shocked if she walked in on them now but Willow would probably flush and stammer and run for her room. Or the omnipresent shovel.

A quick glance up at the clock, then at the kitchen as she replied breathlessly, "Twenty minutes. Should be leaving soon..." Unable to help herself, she dove back in and kissed him again. Buffy wondered if she could wait that long to get Riley upstairs. Sam, too, if she wanted. But some little part of her didn't want to shock or embarrass Willow any more than it wanted to wait for her to leave.

Hard, so hard that he almost couldn't think, couldn't catch a breath. One hand under her shirt, cupping her breast through the thin layer of lace. Riley pushed Buffy back, trying to regain a bit of perspective and failed miserably as his gaze fell on the lush curve of her bottom lip. There was no resisting on his part when she pulled him down into another kiss and another kiss and another.

Out of control. He was out of control. There were only two women in the world that could do this to him. And they were both in the same house.

Willow couldn't leave soon enough.

Buffy's head was spinning and she was breathing harder, faster. She arched into his touch, moaning very softly into his kisses. God, she wanted him so much... he was driving her crazy, touching her, watching her. His eyes blazed, when they met hers, and she felt the fire flare deep inside her body in response.

Riley was right at the breaking point and so was she.

"Soon... as... she's... gone." Hard kisses between each word, his mouth hot against her neck, tongue doing wonderful things to her skin. "Bed... you... me... Sam." Riley nuzzled the neck of her shirt away from her shoulder, kissed the hollow there and finally pushed her back again.

The only sound in the room was their breaths, harsh and needy. They watched each other, not the doorway, just each other. The last time they'd been like this was back at Lowell House, when the poltergeists were feeding off of them. They couldn't keep their hands off each other. Had to keep touching, had to keep reaching for one more kiss, one more breathless spill over the edge.

Riley had been sore for a week afterward, unable to sit or stand or walk comfortably. But, God, it had been worth it. So worth it.

Nodding her agreement, Buffy continued to look up at him. She wasn't going to object to going back to bed with Riley and Sam. Memories floated across her mind's eye, times spent together making love. Without realizing that they were reflecting on the same events, she, too, remembered the time at Lowell with the poltergeists. God, what a time that had been. Buffy felt similarly now, only without the unnatural backing. She didn't need a spirit to make her want him so badly, didn't need an outside drive to make her feel like she couldn't get enough of him.

"Love you," Buffy murmured very softly to him before pressing her lips lightly against the soft skin below his ear. His whole body shudder was something she'd remember for years.

*****

Condensation beaded on the three glasses of water Willow poured for them and left rings on the counter while the two women stood watching each other in silence. Whatever was happening or not happening in the living room required privacy and they really didn't know each other well enough to come up with conversation subjects. Yes, they were both demon hunters but discussing their profession could lead to talking about magic and that was something to avoid.

On so many levels.

Finally, Willow glanced at the clock and breathed an internal sigh of relief. "Oops, I need to be leaving for class soon. Um... do you think I could go in there to get my bag? Or would you mind getting it for me, maybe?" She hated to impose, but suspected that if Buffy and Riley were in the middle of something, Sam would be the better one to go in there. Heck, after the green-eyed performance, Sam might want to kill her or something if she saw anything she shouldn't...

Sam nodded in response to Willow's reasonable request. There was no need to embarrass the one member of Buffy's inner posse they currently had on their side. Ry was usually discrete but this was all new and if it were her... she'd be all over both of them right now. "Let me go. Bag's where?"

"It's in the hallway, at the bottom of the stairs, and I left one of my books on the dining room table, if you could grab it for me. Maybe I could go out the back and you could just bring my stuff to the door?" Willow's offer was honest; she didn't want to be in the way or cause problems at all. She had a feeling that Buffy and Riley were rather... occupied... with each other.

It had gotten awfully quiet in there....

"Roger that," Sam started toward the dinning room but stopped at the door. She glanced back over her shoulder at Willow who was looking a little nervous still. Not that she could blame her, even with Sunnydale training, her and Ry's relationship with Buffy was going to require some pretty major adjustments. "Willow, thanks for understanding. We dropped a lot in your lap this morning."

Willow paused on her way to the back door and managed to lose a bit more of the nervousness in the light of Sam's honest gratitude. "Buffy's my best friend. As long as she's happy, I'm happy for her. For all of you. Just keep her safe and make her happy, and you've got my support for life." She smiled, then added, "The others will feel the same; they'll just take a little longer about it."

She got a brilliant smile in return from Sam. "Fair enough. Let me get your things." That said, Sam turned on her heel and walked into the dining room. She found the book on the table, right where Willow said it would be, and tucked it into her arm. Next stop, Willow's bag and checking on her lovers.

Who were breathing heavy and watching each other with a singular hunger that sent a shiver down Sam's spine. Her entry into the room didn't go unnoticed. Riley turned his head just enough to fix her with an unwavering gaze, one which threatened to melt the clothes off her body. Hazel eyes sharp and focused, mouth bruised from kisses, sexier than any man had a right to be.

Buffy was in a similar state; her shirt rucked up to just below her breasts, Riley's hand underneath it. She gave Sam a smoldering look, one that spoke of honeyed kisses and hours of sensual excess. Good thing Willow was leaving because this was a Buffy that her openly gay housemate didn't need to see...

Not if Sam had anything to say about it.

"You two... Go upstairs." Quick instructions, spoken as softly as she could and without a single hint of reprimand. After all, they weren't doing anything Sam wouldn't have been doing given half the chance. But the living room wasn't exactly private. Especially with Buffy's open-door policy where anything human was concerned. "I'll be up in a few. Sending Willow to school."

Buffy shot Sam one more blazing look, then smiled. "Great idea." She turned her attention back to Riley. "Upstairs?" She wasn't surprised when Riley lifted off of her, swinging her up into his arms instantly. She was happy; she hadn't wanted to let go of him, either. Plus it was nice not having to be the strong one all the time.

Before they could go anywhere, Buffy called to Sam, "Wish Wills a good day for me!"

"We'll be waiting for you," Riley stopped at the bottom of the stairs, holding Buffy close against his chest. Taking the unspoken invitation, Sam kissed him, quick and hard. Kissed Buffy as well before pushing them towards the stairs. Which Riley took two at a time, steady and sure-footed and yes, laughing the whole way.

God, it was incredible to see him this happy. Sam would do anything to keep him that way.

Anything.

Willow, in the meantime, had left the house through the back door. She walked around the house and waited on the front steps for Sam. She carefully kept her eyes away from the front window; she really didn't need to see what was happening inside. Nope. So not looking, not even for the vicarious smoochie factor.

Sam touched her fingertips to her mouth, memorizing the feel of their lips before tucking the book into Willow's bag. She peered through the glass in the front door and nodded to herself. Willow stood on the porch, rocking up onto her toes and then back down again as she gazed out at the street. Being very careful not to look at the house or the sheer curtains that barely shrouded the living's room's huge front window.

She opened the door and stepped out, holding the bag in front of her. "We'll see you after class?" No need to confirm Willow's suspicions, especially since Sam was sure she had a tiny smear of Buffy's lipstick on the corner of her mouth. Who needed to say anything out loud with that kind of physical evidence right out there for the world to see?

Willow turned partway around and glanced at Sam long enough to take her bag and offer her another smile. "Yeah, mid-afternoon. I have two classes, a brief break, then another class. Buffy knows the times; you can just ask her. Oh, but let her know I'll get Dawnie after school... just you guys be decent before we get home, okay?" Willow teased lightly, dark eyes dancing.

She wasn't hitting close enough to offend, just a touch of the light banter she was used to within their circle of friends. She knew Buffy would tell Sam that it was a sign of being counted in, being one of the gang.

"We'll be sure. Have a good day at school." Sam laughed, immensely grateful Willow was being so calm about all this. But from what she'd heard, Willow was that way. Calm, cool and collected - just the sort of person you wanted in your corner when the fur started flying. Riley had some great stories about her and, surprisingly, so did Graham. Apparently, Willow had made quite the impression on Graham Miller when the Initiative fell.

Willow smiled when Sam laughed, then she turned and headed down the front walk. "Thanks, Sam. You have a good day, too!" She shot a small grin over her shoulder as she started down the sidewalk towards campus.

****

Top of the stairs, then straight down the hall as fast as he could go with Buffy laughing in between kisses and luckily none of the furniture'd been moved. Otherwise he'd have dumped them on their ass half a dozen times during the short trip. Riley's shoulder hit her door hard and it was flung back with more force than he'd intended. The knob banged into the wall as he continued on into the room.

That was gonna leave a mark. Good thing he was familiar with dry-wall repair. Ignoring the new dent, Riley tossed Buffy onto the bed and stripped his sweater off almost in the same movement. The sweater landed across the hall, inside the open door of Willow's room while his shoes thumped under her bed, landing sideways against one of the casters.

Naked. He was bound and determined to get naked in ten seconds or less. Probably less considering the hungry look in Buffy's eyes and the way she was stalking across the bed on her hands and knees. Lithe and predatory, hunting him like she hunted a vamp - relentless, ruthless and unstoppable. Man, no wonder they were so easy for her to kill. One look at her like this and he was certainly ready to surrender.

Coming to the end of her bed, Buffy rose to her knees and began unbuttoning her shirt. Damn thing needed to come off or Riley was likely to rip it off as soon as he was done getting rid of his own clothes. Her gaze burned into his, both of them watching the other undress. After a moment, Buffy's shirt joined the clothes being rapidly scattered on the floor and she swung her feet around to take off her boots.

His jeans went next, taking the boxers right along with them. Riley stopped, standing in the middle of the room, completely naked and completely at ease while he studied the bed. Which was not going to work. Even when it was just the two of them, he had trouble fitting into it. The thing was perfect for his petite lover but far too short for his long legs. And if you added Sam, which they definitely were going to, it just wasn't going to work.

Riley shot a look over his shoulder towards Joyce's room, his eyes narrowing against the sudden pang of missing Buffy's mom. Joyce had been a good woman, amazingly tolerant of not only her daughter's unconventional profession but also the presence of him in her daughter's bed. More than once, they'd met in the hallway in the middle of the night while Buffy was out on one of her impromptu patrols and ended up downstairs with hot chocolate and quiet stories shared about the girl they both loved with all their hearts.

Joyce Summers had been quite the woman and he should be shot for what he was about to suggest. But she was gone and the one thing Riley really understood about Joyce was she wanted Buffy to be happy. If that meant being with him and Sam, then that's the way it was.

He could rationalize with the best of them.

He was pretty good at denial too. Damned good at it.

But if somehow they hadn't gotten rid of Joyce's bed, then it would work much better. Joyce's bed was comfortable and more than long enough to accommodate him. He and Buffy tested it out one weekend while Joyce was at an art show in Chicago and Dawn went with her. They spent the whole time rolling around across its broad expanse despite Buffy's initial nervousness at using her mom's bed.

Once the sheets were washed, no one was the wiser.

Although Joyce had given him a look or two, even stepped in close once and nodded. Riley suspected she was checking his cologne and figured it out. She never said anything though, which was a relief. It was one thing to violate someone's first born, it was something completely different getting called on it. He might have died of embarrassment right then and there, and Buffy along with him.

Below them, Sam only waited a moment or two; long enough to make sure Willow made it around the corner before going back into the house. She took the stairs the same way Riley had, two at a time, smiling the whole way. Totally in tune with her body and her world, she felt the low-level hum she associated with being near her husband shiver through her skin. The same hum was now evident when she was near Buffy as well, which was all good in her book.

Hearing Sam coming up the stairs, Buffy glanced around and came to the same conclusion Riley probably had. There was simply not enough room in her bed for all of them. Tossing her boots onto the floor, Buffy slid off the bed and grabbed Riley's arm. She caught Sam's hand as the three met in the hall and she led the group towards the room Willow currently occupied - her mom's old bed would be a better place for them... if they didn't object...

"I know Wills kinda lives in here right now... but if we clean up after ourselves, I don't think she'd mind..." She ventured as she paused in the open doorway. And giggled when she spotted Riley's abandoned sweater. Another example of how enthusiastic he could be once you got past the military guy reserve and the good manners his mom probably drilled into him since birth.

Impressed by how quickly Riley had gotten undressed, Sam had a hard time turning her attention to anything else. He chuckled at her reaction, his fingertips sliding under her chin to close her mouth. They lingered for just a moment, leaving traces of warmth on Sam's skin. "Works for me, Buffy," he commented before sauntering into the room.

It had changed a bit but the bed was still the same. Big and wide and covered in pillows.

Perfect.

Rather than following him in, Sam pulled Buffy into her arms and kissed her. Mouth pressed to mouth, one agile tongue seeking out its mate, tasting Riley there and shivering because of it. She'd missed holding Buffy, missed being close to her even though it'd been only a few hours since she woke up with both of them. Her need for Buffy was rapidly reaching the same level as her need for Riley. Keeping her hands off Buffy once they got out into the field was going to be one hell of a challenge.

When they finally parted from that kiss, the two women turned their heads and found Riley sprawled on the bed. Lying on his side, hip cocked and one arm tucked under his head. Waiting for them. All bronzed muscle and, to Buffy's surprise, lacking even a hint of a tan line anywhere. It looked like he'd not only spent months in the tropical sun but he'd spent it basically nude.

Finally given the opportunity to see him in full sunlight, Buffy ran her eyes slowly along Riley's bare form, feasting her eyes and making soft sounds of appreciation. She knew that if she placed her hand on his chest, the difference would be startling; she was uniformly pale the way he was uniformly bronze. She hadn't seen much of the sun, lately.

Turning her attention back to Sam, her fingers found their way to the buttons of her blouse and began to unfasten them. Both women could feel Riley's gaze on them, burning in its intensity as he watched Buffy undress his wife.

Pale fingers on bronzed skin, stark enough contrast to wrench a moan from him. Riley rose up on one elbow, intent on what they were doing. His free hand drifted down his chest, coming to rest along the curve of his hip, fingertips brushing his cock. Light, even strokes - casual, unconscious movement, his entire attention focused on them.

Sam leaned forward, her breath warm on Buffy's neck as she whispered in her ear, "Buffy, look." Together, they tilted their heads, hair brushing cheeks as they watched him and watched the movement of his hand. Probably the most sensual thing Sam had ever seen him do, even more so because he didn't seem to be aware he was doing it.

No, he was watching Buffy unbutton Sam's blouse and tug it out of the waistband of her jeans. Unwavering eyes dark and rapt as they flicked from there to Sam undoing the zipper at the back of Buffy's skirt. Slow glide of his hand, fingers tightening and eyes narrowing as he hissed in unconcealed pleasure.

Buffy licked her lips and smothered a whimper as she continued to watch Riley watch her and Sam undress each other. Riley was far too damn sexy for his own good, and Buffy was already burning from earlier. When Sam released her skirt, Buffy kicked it aside, Sam's blouse joined it a moment later. Jeans unbuttoned and unzipped; Buffy slid her hands inside to brush over Sam's ass and legs as she pushed the pants down.

There were very few people who could get out of tight jeans without looking awkward. Sam Finn was one of them. She let Buffy slide them down past her knees, braced herself on the doorjamb and toed off her shoes before stepping out of the denim. Once those encumbrances were discarded, they were left with only scraps of silk and lace.

With an ease that confounded most men, Sam unhooked the back of Buffy's bra but didn't slide the straps down her arms. Instead she ran her hands up the smooth slope of Buffy's belly, cupping her breasts up and underneath the bra even as she sank to her knees. Slow and sensual movement, seduction and desire and infinite care evident in the very first brush of Sam's mouth across smooth skin.

Riley's mouth went dry as he watched Sam kiss the pale rise of Buffy's stomach, dip her tongue into the well of her navel while Buffy crooned. Slender fingers in Sam's hair, not pushing her away or pulling her forward. Just holding her and enjoying the moment. Short fall of a golden curtain as Buffy's head tilted back, mouth dropping open while Sam nuzzled lower. Opened her own mouth and breathed on the fine silk panties, wet press of a tongue through the fabric, the sensation probably blunted - muted by that barrier.

Hand moving faster, tight and hot around his cock. Riley wasn't much on the pleasures of masturbation but it was impossible to look and not touch something. It was one thing to see them in the dimness of their hotel room and something else entirely to watch his lovers in the full light of day. Golden cascade, shimmering oceans of it tumbled over their bodies, turned Buffy's hair into a burnished halo and Sam's dusky tone became a perfect counterpoint to pale, pale skin.

Through half-lidded eyes, Buffy watched Riley stroke himself. Between watching him and Sam's tongue teasing her through her panties, Buffy was losing herself in the sensations again. Riley looked like a god, the sunlight covering the bed made his bronze skin glow, his sun-kissed blonde hair shone like a crown.

The sunlight that reached to the doorway spilled over Sam, making her look like his dark-haired goddess. She too glowed in the sun, the pair of them looking a little unreal. But the things Sam was doing to her body were only too real, and Buffy ached to be rid of her underwear and actually be touched.

Warm thumbs brushed over her nipples, drawing a moan from Buffy. Which was echoed by Riley, the only sound he'd made since coming into the room. Buffy glanced over at him and caught his shudder and the way his hand clamped down tight around the base. He looked like he was holding something back; his lower lip caught between his teeth.

Riley brought himself up short as the need to come sang through his entire body. He was riding the edge, so close to spilling over. How long had he been doing this? How long had he been building himself up? So close to coming, too close. Especially when he saw Sam ease the bra down Buffy's arms, then hook her thumbs in the fine lace at the point of her hips and pull the silk down just enough to get her tongue inside.

"Jesus," he breathed, stunned by the sight of his wife and their lover. The only thing holding Buffy up now was the wall behind her and Sam's hands on her hips. Otherwise she just went boneless, melting into the mouth loving her so thoroughly. His hand tightened even more and he was cursing under his breath, trying to hold it off.

Not yet. Not yet...

"Aaahh, Sam," Buffy cried out softly. It was a struggle to keep her hips still; Sam was pushing all the right buttons, and Buffy had already been pretty hyped up. Her fingers tightened slightly in Sam's hair as she fought the desire to pull her lover closer. Her head tipped back, thudding against the wall, as her body arched. "Sam, please..." she whimpered.

Buffy's eyes locked on Riley's as he looked over at her. She was melting, skirting the edge but not quite there yet. Her gaze burned, heavy with passion, drawing him in almost hypnotically. Every flicker of heat, every wave of pleasure was reflected in her darkened hazel eyes. He took it all in, then gave it all back with a tilt of his head and a murmur of her name.

Easing up on his hold, Riley's hand started to move again. It caught Buffy's attention, held her in place while Sam finally peeled the last article of clothing off her legs. Warm, God, Sam was so warm - not like Spike whose touch chilled her to the bone no matter how passionate he made her feel. Warm hand on her stomach, bracing her against the wall while the other gently spread her legs a little more.

Sam's mouth opened wider, tongue darting here and there. Like riding a bicycle, you never forgot how to do certain things. A flat stroke over the clit got a big gasp and a shudder from Buffy. A deft dip lower to taste her even more and the fingers in her hair tightened. Eyes half-closed, lush folds kissing her back, Sam was in her element.

Completely in her element.

The sharp edge of overwhelming need abated for the moment, Riley was content to watch. There was nothing more beautiful than this. Nothing more beautiful than his lovers enjoying themselves and one another. How in God's name had he gotten so lucky?

Life changed on a dime, this time it had changed for the good.

Buffy cried out again, hips shifting under Sam's palm. The gentle warmth coming from the other woman only made her hotter, complimenting the passionate flames building up inside her. Sam's skill and talent was incredible; she knew exactly what to touch and when, her tongue always moved to where Buffy needed it just seconds before Buffy started to plead.

Perhaps there was something to the idea that no one knew a woman's body like another woman. Though Buffy knew that neither of them would ever take that idea to an extreme. They both enjoyed making love to Riley far too much, and there was nothing quite like the feel of his cock inside of her. Just the thought of it sent a spark of pleasure through her, and she shivered.

There was nothing in the world like the love Buffy felt for her two lovers. They were all equal to each other, and better off that way. They had their individual strengths and talents, but there would never be any need for one of them to feel less loved than the other. And she knew that if her lovers had their way, she would likely gain that kind of confidence for herself in time too.

The sounds Buffy was making were ones he never thought he'd hear again. Deep, throaty cries followed by little whimpers, each sound coming faster and faster. Unconsciously, Riley timed himself by them. Deep purr and a tug on Sam's hair - hard stroke on his cock. Little whimper - flick of his wrist and palm slick over the head. Waiting for it, holding back, wanting to come with her.

Interesting change to his sex life. His hand had always been the last resort, used only when it got to be too much, when he couldn't sleep. Or when the fear of the unknown threatened to overwhelm him he'd taken this kind of solace. The first few months after leaving Sunnydale, he ended up in his tent almost every night with one hand pressed to the marks on his throat and his other hand moving.

This was better. Cleaner. It had nothing to do with addiction or despair or self-loathing. It had everything to do with appreciating something beautiful and fine and... God, so damn sexy.

Following each of Buffy's clues, Sam drove her closer and closer to the brink. She wanted this so badly. Wanted this one to be hers. Wanted this one to be perfect. Wanted this one to be her gift to Buffy.

Buffy felt wound up tight, so close... so close. Body trembling, fingers clenching around long strands of hair. As if she could tell - and maybe she could - Sam's lips closed around Buffy's clit, sucking lightly, and sent Buffy over the edge with a hard flick of her tongue.

"Sam!" The shrill scream tore through Buffy as her climax hit, white-hot pleasure flooding over her. Every breath was a gasp for air, wave after wave of sensation overwhelming her senses for a moment in time that seemed to last forever. A moment that she wanted to last forever.

God, she tasted so good. Warm and wet and yes, sliding down the wall a little. Sam held Buffy up, propping her in place while the tiny Slayer's legs trembled. She kept licking, savoring the last few whimpers when something else called for her attention. Behind her Sam could hear Riley thrashing on the bed and she barely turned in time to see what was going on.

And was treated to an incredible sight. Head thrown back, every muscle standing out in high relief. Massive arms tight and waves of coiled strength in his legs as he thrust over and over and over up into his fist. Right on the edge, he was right on the edge and as Sam watched, he tumbled over.

Flash of white in his hand, followed by an arc that hit his stomach and his chest. Stark contrast against all that heaving bronze, his beautiful face hidden from view. She'd never seen him do this, never once. No matter how many times she'd asked. Interesting. He was silent. Not a single sound escaped his tightly clenched jaw other a few harsh pants for breath.

Aching pleasure, so deep it robbed him of speech. The look on Buffy's face as she came and came undone, sobbing out Sam's name had been his downfall. Riley rode it out, peak after peak, his hand still tight - almost painfully so - as he fought for a control that was long gone. God. It had never been this strong before. Never.

If Buffy hadn't already been about to fall over, watching Riley would have done it to her all on its own. She'd never seen anything quite like it; it was incredible and beautiful and seductive all at once. Leaning on Sam, Buffy let herself slide to the floor; she wouldn't be walking anywhere in the next several minutes, that was for sure. She was still too shaky, too overwhelmed to speak.

Besides, as quiet as Riley was being, it didn't feel quite right for her to say anything, anyway. She just watched and enjoyed the view.

Sam leaned in close, her cheek pressing against Buffy's as they both watched Riley's hips roll upward one last time. Watched his hand tighten, bicep rounded and firm as he somehow continued to stroke. Totally awed by that sight and knowing Buffy needed a distraction from her own lassitude, Sam murmured. "I've never seen him do this. Have you?"

"Only once," Buffy murmured back. "But it was nothing like this... not this intense, and he looks way sexier with that tan..." She wrapped her arm around Sam and leaned against her, adding very softly, "It didn't go all the way, though... he was kinda nervous, I think, and it was hard to keep my hands to myself after a bit."

No, that time had been nothing like this. He hadn't volunteered, she'd asked him if she could watch. She'd been curious, and they'd been together for months by that time. So she'd asked... and though he'd been embarrassed, he hadn't been able to refuse her. But he'd only just begun to relax when she started to kiss him... it was too hard to not get involved.

If the way he felt was any indication, what just happened was a definite do-again. Riley heard them talking as he came back down but responding was damned near impossible. It was all he could do to open his eyes, try to swallow and remember that particular incident. He'd only done this for an audience once before and funny enough, it was with Buffy.

Hot August night, too hot for making love or even really touching each other. It had been a successful patrol, three vamps dusted and both of them too wired to sleep. So they'd sat up in his apartment, talking. Talking and not touching. One thing led to another and they ended up on the subject of sex and Buffy asked him if he did. And when he answered with an embarrassed yes, she asked if she could watch.

Pure panic set in but it was hot, he wasn't tired, and looking at her made him ache, so Riley agreed. Stripped out of his boxers, poured a little bit of hand lotion into his palm and laid back. Fumbled the first few strokes, unable to meet her eyes, blushing redder than the cover on his bed. But the slide of his hand, so familiar, helped and he was just getting into it, just getting into the rhythm when Buffy kissed him.

And that was all she wrote.

Ten seconds later, he was on top of her and in her and they were shaking the bed. Damn near broke it. Ended up in a tangle of arms and legs and mouths. And sweating rivers...

Not that it mattered.

"Mmmm... I like him with the tan too." Catching the curious glint in Buffy's eye, Sam's smile got a little broader even as she reached back to undo the clasp on her own bra. Stripped it down to reveal that, like her husband, she had no tan-lines either. "Borneo, we spent six weeks in the bush there. It's hotter than Texas in August. Only way to survive is in a loincloth. The Asmarcks we were tracking only come out at night so daytime was for sleeping and hunting. We had to save the high-tech stuff for the demons so we went pretty native."

There were some pictures she'd drag out for Buffy later. The best one she had was Riley standing in the middle a stream with a spear in his hand. Other hand held low as he watched the water. A minute or two after she'd taken the shot, he'd caught them dinner.

Hmm... Riley and Sam walking around in nothing but a loincloth. Imagery that fantasies were made of. If only she'd been there. Perhaps someday... though Buffy wasn't sure she tanned well enough to turn all bronze like that. She'd probably sunburn, which would suck.

Of course, there was no knowing until she tried it. Which was true about so many things...

 
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