Authors note: Please note that, this is my first fanfiction, and I am quite new to all this, also english is not my first language, and I live in a country where english is not spoken. Also I am 16 so I do have alot to do concernig school work, but I will do my best not to make this project suffer from it, but school does come first for me. Thank you!
DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the charecters exept for Smor, and the plot is mine, everything else is J.K and her brilliant mind! :)
CHAPTER ONE.
Malfoy stood in the middle of the transfigurationn corridoor, looking around. There was that girl he had passed earlier today, the one that had glared at him. His eyes followed her as she walked up to no other than Ronald Weasley and gave him a kiss. Then he realised, it was was diffrent,her hair, softer, the curls more tamed. Her smile was easy, pure white, and her body seemed diffrent to. She was leaner, more toned. She was also not tipping sideways because of an overload of books. He wouldn't have admitted it,even to himself but she looked good. He watched as she and the weasle exchanged whispers, she giggling and looking dazedly up at him. Malfoy recognized the look that so often came across the Weasels face, he was confused. Malfoy was too. What was he doing standing in the transfiguration corridoor eyeing the mudblood and the soppy expression on her face. He swiftly turend around and stalked off to his astronomy lesson. He had gone only gone down a few corridoors, down a hidden passageway and through a trap door, this part of the castle was deserted, this was also because so many people were in lessons. Then he heard footsteps just in front of him. He turned the corner and slammed into someone. She shriecked as her books came crashing down on him. He swore at the top of his voice as a particualry heavy volume hit his foot. Then he looked up, and there she was, blushing furiously. "What, do you think you are doing, mudblood?"Draco draweld.
Her eyes that had seemed a little frightened before hardend. "You should watch where you're going, ferret!" she said casting a nonverbal spell that caused all her books to stack themselves neatly in a pile which she picked up off the floor. Malfoy who still hadn't gotten over the whole ferret scene in fourht year went even paler than usual."Granger, if I were you I would watch what I said and who I said it too." He said slowly and deadly. Then, taking a care to bump his sholder hard with hers, so she staggerd he stalked of again. Fuck he thougt, what the fuck? Why was he suddenly seeing himself, puching Granger against the wall in a deserted corridoor, kissing her thoroughly. It was Granger for christ's sake! But still, he couldn't help think how much she had changed. Or had she? He had never really taken care to look past the book worm, mudblood orar cast around her. Plus she was almost always accompanied by Scar head, so that too was a distraction. Maybe she had always been pretty, and fit. But why he thought, was he noticing it now? he admitted to himself that yes he had changed, after the war a lot of things about Draco had changed. Sure he was still the Slytherin Prince, but honestly he was glad the Dark lord was gone. He was especially glad to have a now clear left fore arm, the mark had disappeard after the war. Well, from his arm, and his father's, but not from many other death eaters, well the ones that had surrvived. But those had been put into Azkcaban, he thought it might be to show who was truly evil and who was not.
Malfoy knew bunking of so early in the week was stupid, but he couldn't help himself, he just wasn't in the mood. Instead he went up to the slytherin doorms. There he flung himself down in an armchair beside the unlit fire place. He sighed deeply, this day was strange, being back here was just too wierd. But he didn't want to drop out, where would he go? "Rough day? You look it, and not in a good way." A voice came up behinde him, and he recognized the slightly shrill tone to it. "Fuck off, Parkinson" Malfoy said, he could not be botherd with her right now. He knew she had entierly misunderstood their fling last year, it had meant nothing to him, but alot more to her. He had tried to stop it, but she was too damm eager, and Draco couldn't be botherd with putting up a fight with all else going on. " I'm sorry, what? Parkinson, since when are have you called me Parkinson, my name is Pansy Draco" she sounded a little hurt as she circled round to face him. Draco could think of nothing to say so he just sat there. Her frown deepend as she stood there still, staring at him. After half a minute he drawled " What do you want, Pansy?" Finally looking up at her. "Us, I want us to be together again, and I don't want it to be a secret. I know you want it too Draco, we were made for each other." She was sitting now on the arm of the arm chair looking down into his eyes. Draco straightend up facing her, god this was something he seriously didn't have the energy for. "Look Pansy, I know you want us to be together, but I've changed, I... I don't think you and I are going to happen. Not this year, not ever. Plus I really just want to focus on my studies this year" That last part had been a lie and Draco didn't know why he had added it, it really didn't sound like him. Pansy scoffed, " Draco what is this bull shit? Your studies, you're skipping class right now for merlin's sake! Just you wait, in a couple of weeks you'll come crawling back to me you'll see. Plus you're right you have changed, after the war a lot of people are quite scared of you. I highly doubt you could still get just any girl right now." She looked him once up and down and then firmly stood up and stalked up to the girl's doorms. Draco knew this wouldn't be the last of it. He sighed and fell back into his arm chair, thinking about if he would want a relationship who he would want it with. He didn't really have any girl friends. Plus the slytherin prince did not do relationships, he did quiet short affairs. And that was it. No more, no less.
Hermione sat in charms class, not paying attention to Professor Flitwick as he questioned their class on household charms, Hermione had already read the chapter, twice. She sat there, thinking about happiness, was she happy? She wasn't sure, there was the odd moment when she was happy. But then suddenly she would see faces, Fred, Lupin, Tonx, Moody, Dumbledore... She knew it had been a while and she had accepted the truth. But it didn't stop her reliving those moments over the summer. Laying on a camp bed in Ginny's room, hearing Mrs. Weasly whimper and sob in her sleep a few floors below. Hermione often had nightmares too, everyone did. But because everyone did, everyone took to comforting each other. Her and Ron's relationship had kept on going, not changing much from their friendship, except for some intamate, hugs and kisses here and there. Hermione loved Ron, but she wasn't sure if it was deep, passionate love, or just the same as she felt for Harry. She was happy for Harry though, who was finally well, not happy but at least content with life, he and Ginny could finally be together, properly. She often saw a look between the two of them, and she knew they would never look at anyone else like made hermione wonder if she and Ron shared things like that, for some reason that she couldn't explain to her self she doubted it. Ron really was her best friend, and so was Harry, but often she wondered if they were the right fit for, boyfriend and girlfriend.
Then as she looked outside at the stormy gray clouds she was reminded of the stormy gray eyes that had searched her's earlier today, that had looked her up and down and then slightly narrowed. Yes, Draco Malfoy was clearly never going to changed. She wondered why he had come back, Crabbe and Goyale had too though but not once had she seen the three of them together since the year began. Actually now that she thought about it Malfoy hadn't really been seen with anyone. He ate alone, sat alone in lessons and she had even noticed him at the libary a couple of times during break. The libary, honestly something was strange. Another thing she had noticed today was his left forearm today, the sleeves of his white shirt had been pushed up to his elbows and she had noticed that the skin there was just has pale white as the rest of him. Not a trace of the dark mark anywhere.
Hermione jumped at a hard prod to her right shoulder, she turned around to face Ron. "what?" she whisperd a little annoyed. "Well, I was thinking if you wanted to do something diffrent tonight, rather than the usual dinner in the dinnig hall routine." Ron said smiling at her bightly. Hermione appreciated the effort, she did really. But honestly it was Friday, and they had been in school for a week now, she was tired. Getting back in the swing of things had been a lot harder than she expected. " That sounds lovely Ron, but it's just, I'm really tierd after this first week. Dinner in the dinnig hall, a good book and an early night is really all I want right now. I'm sorry for being such a bore, how about tomorrow night though?" She smiled at him as he just nooded. "That sound's good. Oh and Hermi.." His word's were abrubtly cut off as professor Flitwick sushed them.
Next Hermione had Defense against the dark arts, she was alone out of the three best friends in that class because Harry and Ron had gotten to take their test early. Both had passed with top marks. But Hermione had wanted to perfect her Patroneus, so she had to sit through the class until Christmas which was when she would get to take her D.A.D.A N.E.W.T. A little earlier than most but that was good. She didn't really know many people in her class, there was Earnie Mcmillan, Hannah Abot, Lavender Brown and a few ofthers plus a whole lot of Slytherins. Lavender had been very carefull around Hermione, never really speaking to her, and sometimes Hermione caught her glaring. She knew this was because of Ron, but could honestly not be botherd with trying to talk to Lavender about it. She took a seat near the back of the class, she knew this class would be very easy. Plus the new teacher Hilda Smor seemed very good, Hermione had stayed behinde a couple of times chatting to her about curses, jinxes and usefull spells. Everyone seemed to be in by now, atleast every seat was full exept for the one next to Hermione's left, on her right were Hannah Abot and a Ravencalw girl Hermione didn't know. Smor had already started her leacture on nonverbal curses and counter spells, Hermione listened with one ear thinking about her Runes assignment. "Well, thank you for joinig us. It's Malfoy is it not? There's a seat over there by Miss Granger."
Hermione looked up to see Malfoy walking quickly towards her, muttering an apology for being late. He sat down in the seat next to Hermione without looking at her, not even taking out his books. The classs listened to the leacture for the next half hour, but then Smor started to explain the next assignment that was due for Tuesday. Hermione inwardly groaned, they had to work in pairs and then present it to the class. Smork started pairing people off and Hermione inwardly panicked, Smor was pairing with the people who sat next to each other which meant...
"Malfoy, Granger, you will do a presentation on why a patrouns takes the form that it does. Understood?" She didn't wait for a reply but quickly walked off to pair up the rest of the class. Hermione sighed, looking round at Malfoy. "So, when do you want to get this done?" She asked hesitantly. "I don't." Malfoy replied lazily. "Fine! I'll do the presentation on my own and you can get a T. in marks. I don't mind Malfoy." She said as she shoved her books into her bag. "Calm down Granger, how's say tomorrow around 4, in the libary?" He said standing up. "I'll see you then." She humphed and turned on her heel to go to the dinning hall.
Malfoy walked slowly to the dinning hall, a project with Granger. How unfortunate! He was in a foul mood, as he opend a hidden passage of a door prentending to be a painting, he heard two voices inside the passage. As he walked in he saw Goyale and Blaise in deep discussion, Malfoy stood hearing the door shut behinde him, inwardly swearing. "So, the slytherin prince decided to ignore his own nature and turn his back on the war." Blaise said sneering. "Fuck off, Blaise" Maloy said trying to get past. "Not so fast! I need a word with you." Goyale grunted. Malfoy felt someone grab the front of his shirt, his tie became uncomfortably tight around his neck. He saw Goyale's face nose to nose with his as Malfoy reached for his wand crying "Stupif..." But before he could finish the spell Goyale had roared "This is for our father's!" A fist came against his jaw, another at his stomach, his wand fell to the floor. They punched him again and again. All he could do was try to keep from crying out, he wouldn't let them get the satisfaction of hearing that they were causing him such pain. They left him there in the passage, lying on the cold stone floor feeling his own blood pour from his mouth and head. He didn't have the strength to do anything, not even try to atleast find his wand. His eyes kept betraying him, shutting when he was trying to keep them open. He didn't want anyone to find him, to see him like this. But at the same time he thought that if someone didn't find him soon he was sure he would die.
At dinner Hermione got more and more frustrated with Ron. He wanted people to see that they were together now, and he wasn't being subtle about it. Finally after only 10 minutes Hermine removed his hand from around his waist and said she wasn't hungry. She had a letter in her bag that she wanted to send to her parents. She quickly walked up to the entrance hall making her way to the owlery. Since there was no one around she thought she might sneak through some secret passage ways. She never would normally, but there was no one around and all she wanted was to get up to Gryffindor tower as quickly as possible. As she opend the door to a passageway on the third floor near to the D.A.D.A corridoor a funny smell reached her nose. She new what it was immediately, then she saw Malfoy. He lay there on the stone floor, his eye's shut. In a puddle of his own blood. Hermione screamed as she raced back out into the corridoor, she new she had to remain calm. She raced back and forth opening every single class room door she could, finally she found Professor Smor. The two of them raced back to Malfoy and Smor conjured up strechers. "Miss Granger, you will need to come with me to the hospital wing." Smor said curtly.
As Hermione sat in the hospital wing waiting for Headmistres McGonngal to arrive she looked at Malfoy, who was on an iron cot being treated by Madame Pumfrey. His blonde hair was streaked with his own blood, a black eye was already blooming on his right, and his upper lip was badly swollen. Hermione looked round as the Headmistres Arrived with Smor trailing behinde, both women looked a little shaken up. " Miss Granger, did you see anyone when you walked in? Or did you run into anyone suspicious looking along the way?" McGonngal asked looking strin. "No, headmistres. I didn't see anyone, I just found Malfoy on the floor in the passage way, the castle seemed deserted." Hermione said quietly. "Very well, we will have to question Mr. Malfoy when he wakes up, if that's okay with you Poppy?" The headmisters replied.
**********
One week later.
Hermione was coming out of the libary after a particulary lengthy session, she had been preparing for the presentation she had in D.A.D.A. Her and Malfoy still hadn't worked anything out but professor Smor had pushed back their due date by a week. Malfoy had gotten out of the hosptial wing early Sunday and Hermione hadn't seen him since Friday. As far as she knew he hadn't breathed a word to anyone about what happend. He had told McGonngal that he couldn't remeber but Hermione thought he was,perhaps a little was enjoying being back, but her relationship with Ron was getting more and more strained. Ginny had noticed to because at break today she had whisperd to Hermione in the libary "Just let him down easy, 'Minoe. Okay? He really likes you." And with that she had walked off. Hermione had been annoyed at first but then, she had felt a little silly. Was it that obvios? If it was she really should break it off with Ron, but she loved him, but like a brother. She was walking down an empty corridoor when she ran into Malfoy, who was as usual alone.
"Hi, Granger." He said looking down at his knees. "Malfoy." She said crutly, preparing to walk off agian. "Wait! Granger" He said putting a hand on her upper arm. He looked at it and at once took it off, going even paler than was usual. She didn't say anything, just turned to look at him, arms crossed. "I just wanted to say thank you. I know it was you who found me, and that it's thank's to you I'm not dead." He took a deep breath and added. "I also wanted to ask why you didn't leave me there. I know I didn't do a dammed thing to help when you were tortured, in my own house." That last part made Hermione look up at him, he sounded sinsear, and she felt rather sorry for him. "Well, you're welcome, and I got help because if I had left you there I would be as bad as the death eaters." She blushed, looking at him, and then quickly added "Who did it, Malfoy? I know you can remember." He looked at her, his stormy gray eyes hardenig at her question, he didn't say anything and that annoyed her. "Fine! Keep it a secret, but just tell me if you want to do this presentation together or not?" Malfoy sighed and Hermione barley just caught his mutterd yes, and if she was up for it tomorrow night instead. She nodded and made to leave but he stepped in front of her.
She looked at his face, really looked. His eyes were softer than usual, his fringe flopping over his fore head which was slightly furrowed, his jaw was clenched but seemingly not because he was angry, he looked tierd, and a little sad. But none the less he was fit, Hermione couldn't deny that, no one could. Subconciously Hermione licked her lips. "I really am sorry, that you were tortured, Granger. Really."
He looked down at her, he felt so bad so sick of himself, right down to his very core. He wanted her to know he was sorry, that he never ever wanted her hurt again. He wanted her to know how thankfull he was that she had saved his life, even when he wouldn't have. He leaned his face closer to hers, she blinked but didn't move away. Then their lip's connceted, the kiss lasted about 15 seconds, Draco expected her to pull away, slap him, curse him or something along those lines. Instead one of her arms slinked up and around his neck pulling him close, her book bag dropped to the floor. Draco still had his eyes cloed when they pulled apart. He could feel her breath on his neck, but then she firmly removed his hand's from around her waist and took a few steps backward's stumbling a little. "I'm sorry." She mutterd, she was bright red in the face and looked as if she might just faint. "Nothing to be sorry about." Draco said looking at her, smirking. She glared at him, and shoved him, hitting him in the middle of his chest. "Don't you dare smirk at me! I have a boyfriend, I just cheated on him! And with YOU! Don't you dare ever do that again!" She screamed at him. He just looked at her, "Granger I'll see you tomorrow, at 5 in the libary." Then he turned leaving her there, furious, and a little confused. Then after he had walked only a few steps he heard her catch up with him, she put an arm infront of him. "Don't walk away Malfoy. What the fuck was that?" She said, calmly now. Malfoy just shurged. "Why aren't you disgusted? Why aren't you calling me a filthy little mudblood?" She said eyeing him. That annoyed him. "BECAUSE! I've changed, I don't want to be that person any more, and Granger you don't look half bad, and honestly kissing you wasn't the worst thing in the world!" The word's were out of his mouth before he knew what he was saying.
"You? What? Do you like me Malfoy?" She asked hesitantly. Merlin, he thought this was just getting worse and worse. "I... no. I just wanted to say thanks and stuff." He looked at her, she was becoming angry again. "Well, say it then! Don't kiss me when you know bloddy well that I am in a relationship. I'M HAPPY!" She said breathing hard now. "Don't lie Granger." He said. "What?" She asked her voice deadly.
"Can you honestly say that you are happy with Weaslebie?" He asked and at once she went bright red. "Don't call him that!" She said hotly. "And yes, I... I am happy." She said, her voice faltering on the last word. "Liar. I watch you sometimes, Granger. I notice you, you keep your distance from him, you won't let him touch you, kiss you, hug you in front of others. He dosen't always listen to what you say. You know all of this because I see it on your face when ever he's with you. You aren't happy, and it's obvious to everyone who pays you the least bit of attention." He knew that she would get the point that everyone, did not include Ron. Suddenly she was kissing him again, and Malfoy never wanted it to end. There they were in the middle of a deserted corridoor where anyone could see. He pressed her up agianst the wall, his hands roaming up and down her back into her her, as she tickled the nape of his neck. They broke apart. Both breathing heavily, both had their eyes shut. "I can't. Wrong, this is all so wrong." She said. She wriggled free from his embrace, gatherd up her books and started to walk away, quickly. "Hermi..."he started. "NO!" She yelled back as she rushed down the corridoor and through a passageway. Thankfull that he didn't follow her.
When Hermione finally arrived back in Gryffindoor tower Ginny called her over. She walked toward's her 3 best friends, she flet utterly hopeless. Kissing Malfoy seemed not only to be betraying Ron, but also Harry and Ginny. All the people she loved, who hated Malfoy, she even flet guilty when Nevil gave her a cheerfull greeting. Ron pulled her down on his lap, and attempted to kiss her, pretending not to know what was going on Hermione turned her face away so he kissed her cheek instead. Ginny cleard her throat. "Hermione could you come up with me I wanted to ask your opinion on these two dresses I have for the welcoming ball." Ginny said. "What ball?" Hermione asked. "Oh, it's some sort of welcoming ball, McGonngal's arranging it, I think it was that new teachers idea, what's her name? Smor, yeah anyway's it's for years 5 and up so it'll be good don't you think?" With that Ginny gestured to Hermione to follow her up to the dorms. Hermione sat down at the edge of Ginny's bed, Ginny looked at her, looking a little sad. "Hermione, what's wrong?" Hermione blushed and mutterd "nuffing" "Is it Ron? Listen I know he can be a bit of a clueless prat sometimes, and you probably could do better, but I honestly think that even though he doesn't know how to show it half the time, he loves you." Ginny said sitting down next to her. At those words Hermione's head fell into her own hands and she began to cry. Ginny, a little startled hugged her and asked her to please explain, what had gotten into her. "Ma... Malfoy." Hermione whimperd. "He kissed me." She felt Ginny freeze, and decided to get it all out at once. "And then I kissed him!" She wailed. Ginny pulled away, her voice was low and cold as she said "What, were, you, thinkin?" Hermione tried to pull herself together and then talked through all that had happend from the moment she had walked out of the libary.
Ginny wasn't angry with Hermione, Hermione could tell, but she could also tell that she was hurt, for her brother's sake. "I must admit, that was quite sweet what he said to you and all 'Mione, but still, you don't kiss just anyone, especially when you're in a relationship. Speaking of which what are you going to do about my brother?" Hermione sighed. "I don't want to break up with him, I really want it to work, but there's just nothing there anymore" The two fell silent for a while. "I'm not going to break up with him. I can't just give up that easily, and I wont do it for Malfoy." Hermione said after a minutes silence, she stood up looking at Ginny. "People go through this sort of thing all the time don't they? It's just a stepping stone to furthering our relationship." She said, trying to convince herself more than anything. Ginny just nodded. "I actually do have a dress that I would like your opinions on, Fleur gave it to me, but I think I might alternate it a little." Ginny said walking over to her wardrobe and pulling out a beautiful black dress.
It was fitted at the top, strapless and made of silk. But the skirt was lace, layer after layer of lace, but not delicate lace, it seemed a little rougher than most. The dress was floor lenght and Hermione could tell straight away that it would complement Ginny's athletic body beautifully. "Don't make any alterations Ginny, it's beautifull!" Hermione said. "Are you going to go with Ron? Harry already asked if I would go with him, I think Ron had planned to ask you tonight." Ginny said eyeing Hermione suspiciously. "I don't know Ginny, I would like to go, but I don't have anything to wear!" Hermione said. "We'll go to Hogsmead, it's a Hogsmead weekend tomorrow remember?"
Hermione went back into the common room after talking a little more to Ginny about what Hermione should do about Malfoy, Hermione came to her own conclusion. He had probably just been messing her around. Nothing meant by what he had said, or done. She sat herself back on Rons lap giving him a small kiss. Ginny went over to Harry and the two started giggling. "So... err are you plannig to go to this ball then?" Ron asked eyeing Hermiones right knee. "Eerm, I had considerd it, yes. Why?" Hermione replied, hating how awkward Ron was being about all of this. "So... dyawna go wime?" Ron's word's were rushed and ended up in a tangled mess. Hermione gave him a small smile. "I'd love to, Ronald." She said in her sweetest voice and walked up to the dormitorys.
Draco Malfoy couldn't sleep. His head was whizzing, his thought's full of her, her kisses, and her figure. He rolled over on his side thinking, he was very glad now for the project they had together, there was just on small speck of a problem that Malfoy would have to take care of, before he took thing's further with her. The Weasle. That was a tough one, he couldn't tell him he and Hermione had kissed, Hermione would get angry, he couldn't say to her that he had he wanted her, she would freak.
The next day Draco slept in until 12 then he sloped off to an early lunch or a very late breakast. Having no plans for the day exept the meeting with Granger at five, and not particularly wanting to go into Hogsmead he took his time chewing his food looking around as people started filing in carrying their coats, obviously planning to go to Hogsmead right after lunch. Then he saw her. She was with the Weasley girl, she was wearing dark blue skinny jeans, and a plain white t-shirt, she carried a coat with her. Her hair was tied back in a ponytail that reached all the way down to the middle of her back. Presumable right were her bra clasp was Draco thought. He had never really noticed how long her hair was before, but it was long. Normally he couldn't look past it's bushyness.
The rest of the day went by slowly, Draco had a shower, finished an essay for Potions and a theory paper for astronomy. Soon enough it was 4:45 and Draco started making his way to the libary. He found a table at the back behinde a few shelves, almost all the tables were empty but, Draco choose this one because it was the most enclosed one. He started reading the chapter and taking notes as he waited. He walked around for a bit making sure she wasn't waiting for him somewhere else. Finally after what felt like an hour at 5:10 Hermione walked into the libary. He saw her and gestured to her to follow him. He put his arms around her waist when they were alone. "Hey." He whisperd in her ear. She shrugged out of the embrace. "Hello, Malfoy." She said stifly. Malfoy felt anger pluse through him, as she tried to turn from him, he grabbed her shoulder. He bent his face closer to hers but she shyed away from him. "Don't Malfoy. Leave me alone, let's just get this assignment done, and be out of each other's way before dinner. She sat down pulling up her text book. He knew that it would only take them a couple of minutes to put together a presentation, so he decided to wait with his questions and get the assignment done first.
In 20 minutes they had completed and proof read their 5 minute presentation, making sure to demonstraight with their own patrounuses and explained why their's took the shape that they did. After they were done Hermione started to pack up her things. The libary was empty exept for the two of them, Madame Pince and a second year at the very front of the libary. They were at the very back. Draco didn't want to let her go that easy. As she stood to leave he put both his hands on either side of her shoulders so she was imprisoned. "Granger, why are you sticking with the Weasle?" He drawled in a low voice so they wouldn't be over heard. "I'm not sticking, with him, I love him. Now shove off Malfoy it's none of your buissnes" She hissed back at him, not looking at him though. Draco looked at her, he had to do something, he had to make her see that they could be good together, even if it were to be just for the one night. Draco wanted her so badly, no he needed her. He darted his head infornt of hears when she tried to shrug him off. "Granger, why don't you let your self do what you want? Why be so damm noble? It's no fun, and hey I'm not asking for a relationship, just for us to try thing's out. It's obvious you like me better than the Weasle. And I seem to like you very much!" He said breathlessly, as he inched his face closer to her's. Their noses were only a few inches apart, and he could not tear his eys from her's. He leand in so the tip's of their noses brushed against each other. Her eyes widened the tiniest bit and her breath came out in a gush as she closed the distance between them.