A Marriage of Convenience
written by: albe-chan
DISCLAIMER: This is a work of fiction and I do NOT own Harry Potter or any of the characters mentioned, and any coincidence with real life is purely coincidental. This work may contain MATURE THEMES, such as coarse language, mature subject matter (mentions of sex, nudity, etc.), and/or violence. Please, if you are not over the age of 18, or of majority in your country, DO NOT READ THIS! You have been warned!
XXX
In the morning three days after their wedding, true to his word, she and Malfoy set off into the countryside, quickly leaving London behind, and although Lily could feel her husband looking at her, her spirits soared as she watched the landscape transform into rolling green hillsides. Her face betrayed no emotion, but her eyes were bright as they trundled along in his plush traveling carriage, her hands folded demurely in her lap. She imagined, as they traveled in his luxurious carriage, what her new life would be like, and tried not to to feel nervous.
They stopped over in Reading that night at the best inn, and Lily, once she realized the implications, felt a wave of terror. She'd purposely and strenuously avoided even looking at Malfoy most of the day, unless he spoke directly to her, and even when he'd taken a nap, she'd sat ramrod straight, holding her leg away from his on the seat. Now she was faced with the unavoidable, positively terrifying thought of resisting him. She got undressed quickly, getting through her nightly ablutions as quickly as possible, and made sure she put on a thick nightgown. The room was lighted when she slipped through the door, a fire burning down in the grate heating the room, and she moved hurriedly to the bed, slipping under the covers and pulling them up to her chin. Just as she closed her eyes, she heard her husband's dressing room door open, and she kept her eyelids firmly closed.
Her heart beat loudly in her ears, panic churning her stomach as she felt her husband slide into bed next to her. But in addition to the panic, she felt a hot rush of arousal between her legs, hardening her nipples and scattering her sanity. She tensed for several long moments, then realized her husband wasn't going to make any advance, and let out the breath she'd been unconsciously holding. She couldn't decide if she was relieved or disappointed, but unlike the previous two nights, she fell asleep quickly.
Scorpius lay there in the gathering dark, finally hearing Lily's breathing even, and turned his head to look at her. She was exquisitely lovely as ever, her face relaxed in sleep, but he couldn't block out his frustrations. He told himself firmly this is what he'd wanted, but now, as he lay there looking at her, the hunger for her almost unbearable, he almost regretted this marriage of convenience. The two previous nights had been equally torturous, but now, with her so close, he found it horribly difficult to give her the distance she so obviously craved. His pride didn't allow him to bring it up when he saw her in the times before they left, although he longed to know just what held her back.
Hell, even on the carriage ride she'd ignored him, staring out the window with bright eyes, lovely face betraying nothing of her thoughts. He was certain she wasn't dull, or utterly bland, as his first impression might have been. During their brief courtship before the wedding she'd been talkative, vivacious at times, and utterly enchanting. And he knew for a fact she had passion, as he'd discovered it in spades on their wedding night. But now... Now it was as though Lily was frozen, impenetrable, and closed off entirely to him. Scorpius told himself again, this is what he had wanted, but her silence and complete disregard for him was infuriating. Even as he'd feigned sleep, watching her through the fringe of his lashes, she had maintained her unshakeable composure, not even so much as casting a cursory glance his way.
He grit his teeth, but then Lily sighed beside him, rolling over toward him in sleep, one hand stretching out toward him until he felt it brush his shoulder. Somehow that minute, unconscious gesture calmed him. He turned onto his side facing her, gently moving her hand to his chest, covering her small hand with his much larger one, and slowly drifted into sleep. When he awoke early the next morning, he was thoroughly pleased to find his young wife, sleeping still, lying half atop him, one of her legs tangled in his own. A slow smile tipped his lips as he carefully slid out of bed, looking down at her. She stirred a little, and he moved into his dressing room, hoping he hadn't woken her. Apparently she wasn't as opposed to him while unconscious, and for some reason, that thought made him grin as he dressed.
By noon the day after they'd set out, they were pulling up on Malfoy Manor, set in the quaint countryside of Shropshire, and Lily had to swallow her nervous energy as Malfoy handed her down from the carriage and she looked upon the household staff, wondering for the first time if she was really up to this. Certainly she wanted freedom, and knew that as a woman, this was the closest she could ever come, but seeing the faces of those who would be part of her new life, she felt a sliver of doubt and anxiety. She smothered it and moved forward on Malfoy's arm, introducing herself to everyone ranged on the grand front steps of the large, grey stone manor. She greeted each of the servants in turn, from the lowliest kitchen helper girl to the lads who served tables, repeating their names as they gave them to set them in memory. She smiled at each of them as well, hoping these people would eventually come to like and respect her as she tried to fit herself into this new life.
Once they went inside, Scorpius took her on a tour of the house, showing her the many rooms and giving her a brief history of the place. "It must be so wonderful," she murmured as they made their way back to the drawing room for tea, "to be able to have grown up in such a place." Malfoy Manor reminded her, almost painfully, of her childhood home, the warm place that her parents had first raised her in, and she felt a pang of sadness more acutely than she had in years that they had died before she could ever fully appreciate her own home and history.
"You see why I was so hesitant to give it up," he commented, arching a brow at her. She'd been awfully quiet all throughout the tour, only speaking to ask him questions, and he couldn't help but wonder what she was thinking.
"Indeed," she replied, and smiled sadly up at him. He paused in the hallway before the drawing room, and she paused with him.
"It must be very hard," he said quietly, "to give up all that you have known, Lily."
The redhead forced herself to smile. "It is also exciting," she said, "to know that I might raise my children here, and that they might have-" She paused abruptly, almost saying 'what I did not', and instead said, "Might have the same fond memories you have growing up here." Scorpius could tell she was keeping something from him, but didn't push the issue, and started forward again.
Before he could warn Lily, his mother, who had clearly been hiding and lying in wait for him to present his new bride, pounced on them almost the second they passed into the drawing room. "Scorpius, whatever have you been doing?" she chastised, rising from a settee. He felt Lily's hand tense very slightly on his arm as his mother turned assessing blue eyes on his wife. "And why," she said, glaring back at her son, "didn't you tell me she was beautiful?" Lily looked at her mother in law and it was hard not to be intimidated. The woman still looked good for her age, hardly a line creasing her face, and she was tall and willowy still without the slightest trace of stooping and not in the slightest going grey. She could have passed for a woman half her age.
"Mama, I most certainly did tell you she was beautiful," he replied. "Lily, my mother, Astoria Malfoy."
Lily could only stare at the other woman for a beat, then remembered her manners and smiled through her nerves, and said quietly, "It is a pleasure to meet you."
The dowager Duchess moved forward, waving them further into the room, smiling warmly. "Come, my dear, do be seated, you must be tired after such a long journey. Tea?" She cut her eyes to Scorpius, and frowned. "And you said no such thing in your letter, Scorpius. You merely said she was a pretty little thing who had, despite all odds, agreed to marry you." Her gaze went back to Lily, warming again as the younger woman sat and accepted a cup of tea. "I deem pretty and beautiful to be vastly separate my dear, and I must offer apologies for my son's horrendous lack of discernment." She seated herself, and gave the redhead a searching look. "So, do you love him?"
"Mother," Scorpius said, giving the older woman a warning look she ignored. He hadn't yet told her that his wife was aware that he was only marrying her to retain ownership of the manor, and it wasn't exactly a conversation he felt like having that moment. Beside him, Lily smiled pleasantly.
"No," she replied without hesitation, ignoring him completely. "But he is so very handsome that his good looks enhance my own beauty, so I could not think to refuse his proposal." Scorpius almost choked, but then she added, "I am sure I will be inordinately fond of him in short order, however."
For a long moment Astoria Malfoy stared at her and Lily quaked inside and wondered if she had somehow offended her mother in law, but then the older lady burst into laughter. "Oh, she is a woman after my own heart, dear," the dowager said to her son, then beamed at his wife. "I do believe you are right, Lily dear. It is important to find a man who does not outshine or downplay one's good looks, is it not? It is one of the reasons I married Scorpius's father, God rest his soul. And of course you will become fond of him in due course, he can be very charming, my dear son." She looked back to Scorpius. "You may leave us now, Scorpius," she said with the authority only mothers possess.
Scorpius half-smiled, certain his mother would grill his wife should he leave. "And leave Lily at your mercy, Mama? Unlikely."
Lily felt a trickle of annoyance. She was more than capable of holding her own with anyone, including her mother in law. "Surely you have to speak with your steward," she said quietly, and Astoria quickly seconded her.
"Mr. Diggory did mention there were several things he was looking forward to going over with you, dear. It has been quite some time since you last visited," she said pointedly.
Scorpius sat back and reached for Lily's hand. "No. I will speak with Diggory in due course, Mama, rest assured." He looked over at his wife, smiling fully at the way her mouth tightened ever so slightly. "Though she may not seem it, my mother can be dreadfully nosy, and I would hate for her to offend your sensibilities, darling."
The redhead smiled prettily, though he could feel the tension in her hand as she withdrew it to reach for one of the cakes. "As you wish," she said, then turned back to the dowager. "Tell me Lady Remington," she began.
"Please, dear, call me Astoria."
Lily smiled genuinely. "Astoria," she corrected, "tell me, do you live here year round?"
"Oh, yes, dear. It is so much more peaceful to be in the countryside, is it not? And, of course, as you are now the rightful mistress of this house, I do hope you will not be in the least intimidated to make whatever necessary changes you see fit to the household when you are here."
"On the contrary, I should be quite glad of your help learning the ropes as it were. I admit I have no experience governing a household, especially not one so large or grand as this, and as this has been your place of residence for so much longer, I would not dream of infringing upon your leadership until I am at least up to speed on everything." Lily purposely didn't answer the first question.
"You are a sweet one," Astoria said giving her new daughter in law a warm smile, but the formidable woman cast Scorpius a look that was hard to interpret. "Tomorrow morning we may discuss everything in more detail with the housekeeper and cook." She set down her empty cup and saucer and rose. "I shall leave you two for a moment to rest after the trip, no, no, Scorpius, do not bother getting up, while I take my afternoon stroll about the garden." She moved toward Lily, who rose automatically, and kissed her gently on the cheek. "Welcome, my dear."
After she had quit the room, a silence hung between the newlyweds. Lily finished her tea and was just about to see to her unpacking when Scorpius finally spoke. "I have not yet told my mother you are aware of the arrangement between us, Lily," he said. She looked across at him. "Though I doubt she is not without suspicion, but while I am here it would probably be in our best interests to maintain that we are a happily married couple."
Lily resisted the urge to frown, and shrugged instead. "As you wish," she said again. "How long are you staying?"
Scorpius regarded her with intent silver eyes. "I am not entirely sure," he replied, smiling when her mouth tightened ever so slightly once more. It was a tiny tell of her annoyance, but in the next second she smoothed her face. "Maybe a week. Perhaps longer."
Lily almost choked on her last bite of cake, and quickly drank the last of her tea to cover her shock. A week? Or more? She had been expecting him to say tomorrow. "Lovely," she said quietly, and her husband laughed. It was a deep, throaty chuckle, one that made her impossibly aware of how close he was sitting and of the way he warmed the very air next to his body, and most of all, the enticing smell of him.
"Would you like me to escort you to your rooms upstairs so you may unpack?" he asked.
The redhead set down her empty cup. "Certainly." Once she was alone in her rooms with only the maid, whom she quickly dismissed, Lily began pacing, trying to tell herself she could do this. Only a week, perhaps a little longer, and then freedom. It was at most a fortnight. She could do this. And if he should be staying only to take advantage of her womanly assets until he tired of her? Lily bit her lip, sitting down abruptly, trying to stem the flood of longing in herself to little avail. She couldn't help it. But she could do this.
She called the maid back in to help her hurriedly change out of her traveling clothes. She wanted to wander a bit on her own, almost like adventuring she mused with a small smile, in what was going to be her home now. And first order of business, she wanted to go to the library. They'd peeked in on the tour, and Lily had barely restrained herself from breaking free of her husband's arm and running in, grabbing any book at random and reading it, just because she could.
Books other than the bible, for Lily, had been very restricted. Everything except her encyclopedias were burned, and they were added to her Uncle Ron's shelf. That there were no more books of poetry was near unbearable and Lily had wept, unable to watch anymore when her very last one had been burned upon her arrival at her Aunt and Uncle's. No longer could she escape in her mind to far off places with Chaucer's works, and certainly nothing political, or fanciful plays either. That time could be better spent reading her bible, after all. Or pursuing other genteel activities. Reading gave way to thinking after all, and Lily had known for certain her Aunt and Uncle had been firm in their beliefs and little else. And as their ward, she'd had no choice but to at least pretend to follow under Madam Drear's watchful guidance.
Once she was presentable again, the redhead slipped from her chambers, back into the hall, and headed toward the library, her pale gold muslin gown swishing softly as she moved, trying to recall precisely how to get to there. As she rounded a turn at the end of the hall she bumped into someone forcibly, knocking her breath out slightly, and before she could think, warm hands caught her upper arms. "I-" she said, making to step back and apologize, but before she could do so, the hands smoothed up, over her shoulders to her neck, then moving to rest cupping her face. In the same moment the redhead realized she was pressed very solidly against someone warm, she also realized in fact it was her husband who was staring down at her with intent silvery grey eyes.
"One more thing," he breathed, then was kissing her, lips and tongue hungry and demanding, and Lily, unprepared for the sudden onslaught, couldn't resist him. For one long moment she melted against him and into his kiss. He broke away, and rumbled, "When I am here, you will sleep in my bed."
Lily swallowed thickly, but then he released her, stepping back. She took a deep breath, and smiled shakily, trying to repress the hot burst of arousal his kiss had wrought in her. "As you wish," she said, biting her lip, reminding herself she could do this. Look at last night! She had done so then, and she could do so again. His brow furrowed ever so slightly and his eyes roved over her. She couldn't help but wonder if he was thinking about their...marital acts, but then his face smoothed.
"Where are you headed off to in such haste, darling?" he murmured, moving to offer her his arm.
The redhead took a deep breath again as she accepted his arm and they moved around the corner properly, regretting the loss of adventuring, but still determined to go to the library. "I was going to peruse your library," she replied in a calm, cool voice.
He smiled down at her. "Then you are going the wrong way, Lady Remington." Colour infused her cheeks flatteringly, and he turned them smoothly, taking her efficiently to the library. Unable to help herself this time, Lily broke away from Malfoy and moved fully into the room, her eyes wide, imagination soaring for one glorious second, then reined herself in and moved demurely to a shelf, trailing dainty fingertips across leather bound editions.
"Do you have any poetry?" she asked in a very timid voice, and finally turned to face the tall blond over her shoulder. He half-smiled at her wide, hazel eyes.
"That depends what sort of poetry you like," he replied, moving closer to her. He reached for her hand and lead her across the room, selecting a relatively thin book, bound in red leather, and handing it to her. It was Shakespeare, and Lily opened it hungrily.
Scorpius watched her delicate hands turn the pages, the way her pupils dilated, the soft feminine curves of her breasts rising and falling in impatient anticipation in her gown, and wanted her more than he was certain he'd ever wanted another woman. He couldn't understand it, she had passion, he had felt it, just a moment ago, when he'd kissed her and she'd pressed against him, her own tongue tasting his sensually for a brief second. And the look she was giving the goddamn book was enough to crumble any man should she turn it on them. So why did it seem like his young wife had just closed herself off from him again?
He watched as she moved, trance-like, to a chair and sat down. After several long moments she finally looked up, and her face curved in a joyful smile as she ruefully closed the book. "My apologies, I did not mean to ignore you," she murmured, and licked her lips nervously as Scorpius merely stared at her, making no move to sit down. "To be truthful, it is many years since I have had the privilege of such a large collection of books free for my perusal and it is..." She trailed off, looking down at the book clasped in her lap.
"That which is mine is yours now also, darling," he said, finally moving to a large armchair and leaning against it, then crossed his arms. "I credit you that I might still call it my own."
The dreaminess faded from her eyes abruptly as she raised them again, and although her face betrayed no emotion, her gaze was hard. "Then you are most welcome," she said frostily, biting her tongue too late, and stood up quickly, moving to put the book back resignedly. Although Lily wanted nothing more than to sit and read until she fell asleep that night, she had no desire to sit here and do so under her husband's slightly disconcerting gaze, for she didn't feel she could be entirely relaxed enough. It was the most bizarre thing, but when he looked at her, she could almost feel it.
"Keep the book," he said just as she reached to put the volume away, and when she turned, he was right behind her, pulling her against himself, mouth descending over her own. Lily froze, or tried to, but something hot and primal waved through her belly, pooling between her legs, and she couldn't resist him or his kiss. She was like moth to flame, any time he came near her, and she groaned, bracing a hand on his chest even as he pressed her back against the bookshelf. His hands were around her waist, smoothing up and gently cupping her breasts, and the young redhead tried not to react. It was impossible. She arched into the contact hesitantly. "I do not understand," Scorpius murmured, breaking from her mouth to kiss down her jaw and the column of her throat, feeling her pulse thundering as he kissed her, her small hand gripping his shirt and vest. He pulled away, looking at her and burning the image into his memory. Her breathing was ragged, the pupils in her hazel eyes dilated, pink mouth parted and looking far too kissable still, her lovely breasts that he'd only seen by candlelight and the silvery highlight of the moon, to his dismay, heaving in her gown.
"What do you not understand, Scorpius?" she asked without thinking, her voice a little ragged, and then she swallowed and looked away.
The blond almost groaned as she said his name, forcibly reminded of their wedding night, and wanted to take her, right there and now in the library, and tilted her chin back up. "Why you seem determined to ignore the aspect of marriage I happen to find the most enjoyable." His hands, which had moved back to her waist, slid lower now, over her hips, and he pulled her against him.
Lily could only stare back, her body fighting her brain. Her flesh, craven as it was, couldn't resist his lure, the promise of what he could do to her and how oh so deliciously good it would feel, but Lily's mind rebelled against this notion. It was too much, much more than she had envisioned, the all-consuming want he made her feel at the drop of a hat and she couldn't shake the memory of his voice, low and delectable, calling her no better than a whore. She swallowed against the lust he stirred in her with difficulty, and slipped from between him and the bookshelf, smoothing her gown as she turned away. Distance was her friend. "At the risk of repeating myself," she said in as cool a voice as she could muster, gripping the little volume of Shakespeare's sonnets tightly, "surely you have begotten-"
"Do you not enjoy sex, Lily?" he asked baldly, watching her cheeks go red, even though he dismissed the question in his own mind the second he asked it. Her responses were too natural, her cries of pleasure far too real to have been fabricated.
"That is not-" she began, half mortified.
"Not a question to ask a Lady?" he all but purred, moving toward her again. Lily could feel her temper rising, certain he was baiting her on purpose by asking her these questions, trying to appeal to the baser part of her that had more than enjoyed her wedding night.
"Not in the slightest," she replied, "and nor will I dignify it with a response." She was tempted to move away from him, maintain the space between them for her own sanity, but refused to show weakness. He grinned at her and her back straightened.
"Ah, but you are my wife," he replied, still in that husky voice that scattered her wits. She glared at him.
"That I am," she said, arching a brow. "Are you going to force me?" His brows drew together as the grin slid from his face and Lily almost bit her tongue out.
"Do you think so little of me?"
"On the contrary, I think nothing at all about you," she said, then forced herself to smile pleasantly. "I believe I shall take a turn about the garden myself, it is such a lovely afternoon," she murmured, and swept past him, out of the library.
Scorpius stared after her, frustrated and confused and feeling more than ever that he had definitely been duped when he married Lily, for it was becoming startlingly apparent she had as much want of a husband as he himself did a wife, or perhaps less. He frowned.
Dinner that night was delicious, though Lily barely tasted anything as she ate in silence, her mother in law carrying the conversation, and as soon as the last plates were cleared away, Lily excused herself, claiming a headache, and went upstairs. Astoria looked accusingly at her son. "What have you done?" she demanded.
Scorpius arched a brow at the question. What had he done indeed? Now that he had accomplished his goal of finding someone to remain in his country estate and produce him an heir, he was wondering if he'd been conned by his own business arrangement. "Whatever do you mean, mother?" he asked, retiring with her into the sitting room. She glared at him.
"Do not play the fool with me, Scorpius Malfoy," she said sternly. "Something you have said or done has clearly upset my daughter in law, and I expect you to remedy the situation at once." He sighed, barely refraining from rolling his eyes. If only it were so easy. He wasn't even entirely sure why Lily went from soft, pliant woman to cool, withdrawn Lady at the drop of a hat, and hadn't the slightest clue what he might have done, if anything, to provoke her, let alone how to fix the situation.
"Yes, mother," he intoned dryly, privately thinking this whole wife business was rather more than he'd bargained for. Albus had told him one morning back in London, only a few days before his wedding, that Lily could be spirited at times, and was, to his recollection anyway, rather stubborn, but at the time he'd brushed those concerns aside. Now he wondered if he should have listened more. Much later, when he finally retired for the night, he saw the tiny lump under the coverlet that indicated his wife was already in bed. She was turned away from him, on the far side of the bed, and he almost smiled as he got in beside her. She'd left a single lantern lit, and he didn't bother to extinguish it.
Lily held her breath as her husband slid into bed beside her. She'd turned in early on purpose, in the hopes that she'd be able to repeat the same arrangement they'd had in Reading at the inn. Slowly, carefully, she released her breath and began to relax, but then felt a warm hand run down her back and slowly back up. "I know you are not asleep, Lily," Scorpius said quietly. She didn't respond and heard him sigh, the warm hand moving over her shoulder then down her side and it came around her waist. Lily swallowed silently, then in the next moment her husband had pulled her up against the warmth of his chest. "I am not going to force you," he breathed, and she felt his breath upon her neck.
Lily forced her body to relax, glad of Scorpius's warmth. She'd foolishly worn one of her silly sheer nightgowns again and it didn't do much to ward off the chill of night. Her husband's hand moved up, slowly, teasingly, and she had to bite her lip as he circled one finger around a nipple. It hardened traitorously even as she fought to contain the rush of arousal and the soft moan his touch elicited. "I am tired," she breathed, even as his hand molded the shape of her breast through the gauzy fabric of her nightgown.
He tugged her nipple, the ache intensifying within her almost painfully, and Lily had to bite back another moan. "Tell me to stop," he murmured, and she felt his mouth moving over a sensitive patch of flesh just behind and below her ear.
She opened her mouth, but the words would not come out. She could feel his manhood pressing against her from behind and couldn't seem to banish the thought of what he felt like within her, filling her, bringing her to the very brink before- no! She could do this. She could resist the urges he stirred up in her, and she would. Even if he was her husband, she would not whore herself for him. His hand moved down, away from her nipple, and cupped the curve of her hip, pulling her against him tighter.
"I promise," he rumbled, "I am not going to hurt you." She felt her resolve weakening as his hand curved inward from her hip, over her mound and between her legs, and when his thumb brushed purposely over her secret pearl of pleasure, she couldn't hold back the moan this time. "Tell me," he whispered erotically into her ear, tongue flicking the lobe, "why you are pretending you do not want this."
Lily wasn't entirely sure she even knew at that point. "I do not... I will not be... I am not..." she murmured, her eyes still tightly closed, trying to find the right words. His hand stilled on her, and the redhead bolstered her courage.
"Lily," he said quietly, "look at me." She didn't move. "Lily?" The redhead opened her eyes and turned over to at last meet his silvery gaze. The dim light shimmered in his blond hair and she saw he was shirtless. It took a measured effort not to reach out and touch him, even as his hand slid to her inner thigh, warm and possessive, and altogether enjoyable. "If you are not in the mood, darling, do not pretend otherwise. I have told you already I am not going to force you and it does not give me pleasure to take what may rightfully be mine if you are not also appreciating the experience, darling."
Again she opened her mouth to seize on the excuse, but the words did not come. Instead she found herself whispering, "I am not a doxy."
Scorpius almost grinned, but tamped down on the urge. "Not even for me?" he murmured back, trailing teasing fingers back up her body, over her nub of ecstasy once more, enjoying the sharp intake of breath, flattening his palm against her belly and teasing her other nipple now.
"Especially you," she said sternly, eyes flashing in the dim light. She made to roll over again, but in the next moment Scorpius hauled her up against himself, their fronts pressed together from navel to knees. He was shocked she could think herself such, especially when he had taken special care to ensure she enjoyed going to bed with him with as much gusto as any of his previous lovers.
"But as you so rightly yourself have pointed out to me," he said instead, "I am a rake. I take great pleasure from your pleasure, darling." Her mouth pursed.
"Then perhaps," she said, a large part of herself trying to stop the words to no avail, "you should go back to London and find someone who might be a better replacement." She was certain he would be offended, and wasn't prepared for when he kissed her, sucking her lower lip erotically, tongue caressing teasingly.
"No," he replied simply. "I want you, right now," he kissed her jaw, "right here," then her pulse point, "all night, being my doxy." His mouth moved down her neck and Lily fought to control herself. It was like trying to hold water in her hands.
"Scorpius, I-" She put a hand on his chest in a measure of control, trying to calm her beating heart, but it was the wrong thing. He groaned, shifting lower, then rolled atop her.
"Tell me to stop, Lily," he said huskily, looking at her, then dipped his head to kiss between her breasts. "Tell me you do not want me here," he rumbled, suckling a nipple through the fabric of her nightgown, the material scraping deliciously over her sensitive flesh. "Tell me you are not all but aching for it, darling," he murmured, and she felt his mouth move lower. Her hands, of their own accord, smoothed over the broad expanse of his shoulders.
"I do not..." She bit her lip, unable to voice the lie. "Scorpius, please...do not stop," she murmured, as his mouth moved lower still, blazing a flaming trail over her flesh, her nerve endings all on red alert.
"Say it again," he breathed, pushing up her nightgown even as he worked his way lower, kissing her hip.
"Please do not stop," she breathed, unable to help arching into him, even as he spread her thighs.
"No," he rumbled, "my name. Say my name again." She could feel herself blushing, fingers threading through his thick, silky blond hair, and his warm breath fanned over her most intimate areas. "Say it," he all but demanded.
"Scorpius," she whimpered, the need spiraling out of control. She wondered how she had gone so many years without knowing that this was what her marriage bed would be like, so very far off the mark from what she'd been told, and how in such a short time she'd come to crave her husband's attentions in the bedchamber so completely. At last, he obliged her, and she almost exploded out of her skin as his hot wet tongue parted her slick folds, tasting her, then flicked over her gem of pleasure. "Scorpius!"
"Yes, darling," he groaned, torn between taking her all the way with his mouth alone, and satisfying his own lust. He focused on her for several long minutes, enjoying her cries of abandon and growing arousal, the way her hands fisted in his hair, and the soft sweetness of her femininity. "Again."
"Scorpius, please," she groaned, too far gone to care anymore if she was acting like the cheapest, bawdiest hooker that ever lived. He'd awakened something in her flesh that demanded satisfaction. "Please, Scorpius," she moaned as his lips tortured her into sublime bliss. Abruptly he broke away, moving back up her form quickly, his pelvis quickly filling the space between her splayed thighs.
"You have no idea how perfectly delightful my name sounds coming from your lips that way, Lily," he rasped, then kissed her, thrusting his tongue into her mouth as he filled her in one slow push.
She writhed beneath him, arching up for more, greedy in her hunger, too far gone to care. "Make love to me, Scorpius," she rasped.
"With pleasure, my darling," he rumbled, and set a dizzying pace that had her arching and crying out and clawing her nails down his back as she reached the pinnacle of pleasure in the same breath he did.
Some time later, when she came back into herself, Lily curled into her husband's warmth. He pressed a kiss into her forehead. "You are not a doxy, Lily," he murmured, "unless you have done that with many men before me, which I know you have not."
Lily cleared her throat and pulled away, disliking that he was back on that subject again, feeling ashamed she had succumbed so easily to his prowess in the bedchamber. "I do not-"
Scorpius held her in the circle of his arms and kissed her. "And," he continued as she laid, stiff and unyielding beside him, "you are not a doxy if you enjoy whatever pleasures your husband gives you alone in bed."
Lily grit her teeth a moment, then said as calmly as she could, "Even if he should give me pleasure only to enhance his own?" she asked pointedly. He grinned.
"Does that matter? Face it, darling, you are overflowing with passion, and I am but a man dying of thirst." She felt her cheeks heat and he ran a finger down the bridge of her nose. "Now go to sleep, Lily."
She made to turn away, and this time he did not try to stop her, but even as she got comfortable, the redhead felt Scorpius fit himself around her from behind, one comforting arm around her waist, and she couldn't help the tiny, pleased smile that blossomed as she closed her eyes for real.
XXX