Cats and Dogs

AUTHOR: Jypzrose
EMAIL: jypzrose@aol.com
RATING: R
PAIRING: Spike/Tara
SETTING: random time. Not set in cannon.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is a response to the Challenge #1 posted at The Witch and Vampire Journal. Hope its alright.
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And not the polite pattering of drops on a spring day. Oh no. It had to be wild, howling torrents. Where lightning cut jagged paths through the sky and thunder roared like the God's were bellowing in outrage. She would shed her shyness and surge out into it, arms outspread like an eagle, head thrown back as she laughed. The wind would whip at her soaked hair, tossing the honey gold ropes around her upturned face, leaving fine strands to cling to her cheeks. It would catch her laughter, a sound so full of joy it had made his unbeating heart clench when he'd stumbled upon her.

Before that chance encounter, she had been nothing more than a back drop, and accessory to Willow, like a necklace or earrings. But, in that second, with the lightening crashing overhead and the rain pelting her soft skin, she became so much more. A beautiful, primal sexuality seemed to pour from her, calling to him. Her clothes would mold to her body as rain coursed over her face, outlining her lush curves for his hungry gaze to devour. She was as breathtaking as a nymph, as tempting as a Siren. She was glorious.

After that first time, he had tried to shove his reaction away. The rock hardening of his body, the almost mind scrambling need. He loved the Slayer and she. . .well. . .she was with Willow. If that didn't scream no shot in hell, he didn't know what did. When he had seen her after that night, in the Magic Box, there was no sign of the Rain Temptress he had seen worshiping the storm. For a long time after that, he'd been able to convince himself that his reaction had been a fluke, a one time thing brought on by the unexpectedness of finding her that way. Wild, wanton. Free.

Then, another storm raged through, battering the buildings with its fury and keeping the citizens inside, protected from its force. All of them, except two.

She was there, just as he had expected, standing alone in the field. Her arms flung wide like she was conducting the lighting and thunder. Her filmy dress clung to her, forming to her breasts like a lovers hand, the stiffened peaks straining against the thin material. She danced this time, twirling with the wind, laughing like a child. He found out then, his prior reaction hadn't been as one time as he would have liked. His blood was hot, his body throbbing as he watched her, wanting her. Without realizing it, he stepped from the shelter of trees surrounding the clearing, not noticing the hard drops pounding into his skin. He stepped closer, wanting to touch this wondrous creature, if only for a moment. He ached, needing to feel her, to steal some of the freedom singing around her.

She came to a stop facing him, arms pulled behind her, stretching the material of her bodice tighter across her breasts. Her eyes were closed, her full mouth spread wide in a smile so brilliant it rivaled the lightening. Desire propelled him forward, the need to possess had him calling out. Her eyes snapped open, wide and panicked at first, then fading to embarrassed recognition as she realized who had caught her.

"Please," was all he said, his voice raw and husky, his eyes desperate. He wanted that woman to come back, the one that glowed in the storm. But, he was afraid he'd lost her by letting her know he was there. She was just Tara again, shy and a little bit scared. He felt a sense of loss so deep it nearly crippled him. A dual crack of lightening scalded the sky, widening her eyes with excitement and charging the air. Charging them.

They came together, wild, pulsing, on fire. The sheet of water pummeled naked flesh as it became exposed, hiding them behind a curtain of safety that contained only them. Thunder rolled as they joined-cool, velvety steel pulsing into soft, perfect heat. The wind caught and carried their cries up and away to join the stars hiding behind the clouds. It was beautiful, it was flawless. The fact that they each loved another was a far away reality, buried beneath the fury of the storm. Tomorrow was soon enough to deal with that. Tonight, there was only each other.

Over and over, they came together, riding out the crescendo of the deluge with soft touches and tender kisses. Gentle fingers ran through platinum hair, hard sinew and muscle. Rough hands molded tender flesh, memorized silken skin. Worshiped.

It wasn't until early morning that the storm abated, leaving Sunnydale drenched but still standing. The sun was threatening to peek through the thinning clouds, mercifully giving them the excuse to hurry to dress, to not talk. To go their separate ways like nothing had ever happened. To return to normal.

Until the next time it rained.