"Our next song is 'Maria, Maria' by Carlos Santana, requested by John to Maria."

Giles turned up the radio at this request. He'd always loved Santana, since the old days when he was an aspiring musician. 'Black Magic Woman' was one of his faves and it had been awhile since he played it.

Recently, Giles heard that Santana was making a comeback and was excited about the prospect. He had yet to get his new cd, so that when a song appeared on the radio, he turned it up to listen.

Reaching over, he turned the volume up a little higher and drove home. It had been a successful day to say the least. He'd gotten the information he needed from Angel without a fuss. And most of all, he spent a rather delightful yet surprising day with Cordelia.

She had changed since the last time he saw her. She had become more mature, more responsible yet still was able to retain that special wit that was perfectly Cordelia.

She was lovely company, the banter between them unchanged these past months. It was a refreshing change of conversation, Cordelia teasing him as usual. He enjoyed that immensely, unaccustomed to it with Buffy or even with Willow. With Buffy, she seemed to take herself too seriously or offended too easily. But with Cordelia, he was able to kid with her and know she wouldn't get hurt. It was great to be with someone as easy going as her.

'Maria, Maria She reminds me of a westside story Growing up in Spanish Harlem She's living the life just like a movie star.'

He sincerely hoped that he would see her again. This afternoon made him realize how much he'd missed her and he hoped that she would get in touch with him.

'Or maybe I could call her?' He idly wondered, reaching inside his jacket pocket to see that he had the slip of paper with her number on it.

'Maybe I will call when I return to Sunnydale.' he reasoned to himself, turning up the radio once more.

"Maria, Maria.." He sang along with the radio as he lost himself in the relaxing drive back home.

*******************

She was standing there, beckoning to him with her finger. Mesmerized he walked to her, his feet gliding over the tiles on their own accord.

She was wearing a red sarong with a matching red halter top. The outfit accentuated her firm, lithe body to a T. The sarong hugged her hips, molding nicely to her body. The length was short enough to tantalize yet long enough to tease him for more. The red of the halter top showed off her tan, the candy apple red material contrasted beautifully with her golden brown skin.

Her hair hung in dark waves, and he wondered what it would feel like to run his fingers through her hair, tangling in her tresses.

She was standing there, dancing in one place to the music. The sounds of 'Maria, Maria' could be heard throughout the square, the hot sun beating down on him. He looked down at his outfit, noticing for the first time what he was wearing.

He had on a crisp white linen suit that was perfect for the climate he was in. The suit fit nicely, the cloth feeling like heaven against his overheated skin. The shirt he wore underneath was ecru that felt as equally cooling against him as the linen suit did.

'She fell in love in East LA To the sounds of a guitar, yeah, yeah Played by Carlos Santana'

He continued to watch, transfixed on her, her supple dance movements awakening feelings in him long since buried.

'Se mira Maria on the corner Thinking of ways to make it better In my mailbox there's an eviction letter Somebody just said see you later'

Swaying and gyrating, this beautiful woman was enticing him with her movements. She seemed to lose herself in the music, her body having a mind of its own. He was close enough to see that her eyes were closed, her body acting of its own accord.

Getting even closer, Giles noticed that now she was smiling at him. Not just a smile but one that seemed brighter than the sun. He knew that smile. He'd seen that smile almost everyday during his tenure as librarian.

Grinning himself, he stepped in front of the dancing bella and said, "Cordelia."

Smiling brightly at his acknowledgment, she said, "Hello Giles."

Opening her eyes, she looked at him, enchanted. The brightness in her smile was reflected in her eyes, the warmth surprising yet thrilling him at the same time.

Reaching out, Cordelia held out her hand to him. "Dance with me?"

Nodding, Giles wrapped his arm around her, pulling her flush against his chest. He moaned as the contact of her firm breasts felt exquisite against the silky shirt her wore. Taking her right hand in his left, he let her lead, watching her steps...

'Ahora vengo Maria Chola Maria Chola

Ahora vengo Maria Chola Maria Chola

I said la travella los colores The streets are getting hotter There is no water to put out the fire.'

Catching on quickly, Giles was in sync with her movements, his body swaying and shimming in perfect time with the music and more importantly with her. Their bodies were pressed together, the heat between them hotter than the afternoon sun.

Pulsating and hypnotic, the music and the dance was hot and sultry, the sensuality increasing with every movement, every beat.

'Mi canto la esperanza Se mira Maria on the corner Thinking of ways to make it better Then I looked up in the sky Hoping of days of paradise.'

Twirling her out, Giles pulled her back to him, her body pressed more closer than before. Cordelia wrapped a leg around him, grinding sensually against him.

Groaning deeply, he moved his hand down her back to her behind, lightly grabbing it. She moaned, throwing her head back in pleasure.

Giles took that as an opportunity and leaned in, kissing her neck. He ran his tongue along her skin, tasting the heat and sweat of her. He could swear that he tasted the golden honey, the same honey that was the color of her skin. He ran his teeth along her shoulder, and over her collarbone to her ear.

By this time, he'd released her hand and wrapped both arms around her, holding her close to him. Cordelia did the same, her arms wrapping around his neck, her fingers tangling in his locks.

Closer now than before, Cordelia and Giles returned to their dance, the raw power and sexualness guiding their movements.

'Maria you know you're my lover When the wind blows I can feel you Through the weather and even when we're apart It feels like we're together.'

Pulling back, Cordelia gazed at Giles, her eyes dark with lust. Reaching up, she pulled his head down to kiss him when....

****************

"ERR!! EENNRR!!!

Hearing a siren, Giles snapped out of his reverie. Looking in his rearview mirror, he cursed aloud.

"Damn! Fuck!" He said as he noticed the police car signaling him to pull over.

Complying, Giles pulled the car to the side and shut off the engine. He got his drivers license ready for the inevitable that was too happen.

He couldn't believe it. He was going to get a ticket. And all because he wasn't paying attention to the road and instead had been daydreaming. Which was something that he normally did not do.

Recalling the dream, Giles smiled fondly. He was dreaming of Cordelia and him dancing in a town square in the middle of a heat wave.

"Well," he said aloud, waiting for the cops to come to him. "Thank God the dream will be worth the price of this ticket."

***************

The End