Hermione hasn't been back at the club for over a month. Ron was either too busy or unenthusiastic, so their membership lapsed. As they attempted to return to their normal routine, Hermione realized that it was impossible. She had experienced pleasures with Lucius of such great magnitude that anything else with her husband paled in comparison. While she felt disloyal for having such thoughts, now that she knew what she was missing, Hermione was far from satisfied in her marriage. To be sure, she still loved Ron. They had a child together, and he was a great father to Rose. They had a good life, but... Hermione knew that he could never make her feel the way Lucius made her feel. The first night at Velvet Serpent awakened something in her that out to have been left in deep slumber.

Hermione was having lunch with Ginny one day when the conversation moved to their marriages. After a few glasses of wine, Hermione felt bold enough to confide in her friend.

Ginny, of course, was predictably flabbergasted. "What were you thinking?" she breathed out when she finally found her words. "Hermione, how could you let my bone-headed brother talk you into something like this?"

"He made it sound like it ... I don't know. We were so distant lately, and he suggested it as a way to spice things up. We weren't even planning on doing more than just having a couple drinks and looking around that first night," Hermione tried to explain.

"You both did more than look. That's not spicing things up, that's throwing a jar of cayenne pepper on it!"

"Nothing happened since last month, so maybe it was just a phase for him. It sounds like he lost interest in it entirely," Hermione said, feeling her emotions rise up.

"Well, good. Maybe you just need some time to yourselves - to get away and reconnect again," Ginny suggested.

"Ginny, we can't now. We're busy at work. And what about Rose?"

"You know mum would be more than willing to mind her. She's always complaining how she never gets to spend enough time with her grandchildren. And work is easy. Summer holidays are due at the Ministry, surely you can coordinate to have your days matched with Ron's."

That night, after a few sips of her red wine, Hermione presented this idea to Ron, who seemed intrigued enough. The next words out of his mouth wounded her, "Why don't we try a lifestyle resort on Canary Islands?"

Her eyes narrowed at her husband. "Lifestyle? As in swinger's resort?" she questioned, offended.

"Yeah, could be fun."

"We joined the club, and you got bored with it. I thought this getaway would be a chance for us to spend some quality time alone. Why go somewhere to some swinger's resort when we have the same thing here in town?"

"Okay, okay, we won't go, if you're so uncomfortable," he grumbled.

After setting aside her hurt feelings, Hermione calmed herself enough to find a perfect holiday spot for them in Manzanillo, Mexico for a few days. However, a week before they were scheduled to leave, Ron found out he would be unable to go due to some work incident at the Aurors' Office. Outwardly, Hermione tried to be supportive and understanding. Inwardly, she was crushed. Ron still encouraged her to go by herself or invite a girlfriend. Hermione was hesitant at first, but then got an incredibly wicked, scandalous idea. Before she could guilt herself out of it, she owled her holiday invitation to Lucius. She knew it was breaking club rules, but she didn't care. She was no longer a member anyhow. And so what if Ron was unaware of it? He made no effort whatsoever in their intimate life and marriage, and couldn't even court an idea of a brief holiday without resorting to swinging suggestions. Didn't he know that her fantasies didn't include other random people? If he insisted on being so cold and lazy, then she would find her own happiness where she could. If he could be so disinterested about working on their marriage, then so was she; Hermione was tired of doing all the work with nothing to show for it.

When she arrived in Manzanillo, Lucius was nowhere to be found. Perhaps she misinterpreted their last encounter and read too much into it. He probably found her invitation to be forward or unsavory. Who knew? He was probably busy seducing another witch in his club. A taste of bile bubbled up in her throat. She'd made a mistake. This whole adventure wasn't working for her. She wasn't the sort of person who could be intimate without developing feelings, and having those feelings made it difficult to contemplate that the wizard she wanted could be callously sleeping around with other witches. No, it really wasn't for her. Hermione was just to sensitive not to be jealous. At least there was a lesson she learned, so perhaps it wasn't such a bad experience. Now she can enjoy some alone time, catch up on her reading, and figure out how to move forward in her marriage.

Taking advantage of her newfound freedom, Hermione spent the first day by the Spice Resort's pool, settling back into a lounge chair with a new novel. Soon she was lost in the world of romance and danger.

"It must be a good book," a voice said above her.

A chill ran down Hermione's back. Lucius!

Despite the hot rays of the sun, her skin broke out in gooseflesh.

"Oh! Yes, I've only just started, but I'm enjoying it so far," she replied with a smile. Hermione was unsure whether to be relieved or disappointed in his arrival. She resigned herself to one way of life, but Lucius Malfoy continued to surprise her and change her plans.

He glanced at the title. "Never heard of this one," he said. "Care to discuss it with me over lunch?"

"Thank you, I'd love to," she readily accepted his invitation. They walked silently to a restaurant terrace where they had a light lunch and made small talk.

At the meal's end, Hermione couldn't help herself and summoned the courage to mention her boldness. "I hope you didn't find my invitation too much of an imposition."

"Not at all. I was relieved, actually."

Bemused, Hermione echoed, "Relieved?"

"Yes." His eyes pierced hers, and she shivered under their magnetisms. "I thought I'd frightened you away that night," he confessed in a voice so quiet, Hermione had to lean in to hear him.

She shook her head. "No, quite the opposite, in fact. I-I ... It was a beautiful night. I'll never forget it. It's just that ... I realized that swinging is not for me. I enjoy my time with you, because it's just us - no other people. It's the fantasy I've always had: to be desired as much as I desire in return. I've had that when I was with you, but ... it's not the feeling I have in my marriage." She paused. "I don't know how to properly explain."

"Oh, you don't have to explain. I know it all too well."

Hermione felt a wave of intense emotion wash over her. Though they'd only just begun to share the ordinary, surface facts of their lives, she felt the deeper undercurrents had already been exchanged and understood.

His eyes flickered down her body. "Miss Granger, your shoulders are quite red," Lucius suddenly observed.

"I didn't think I'd been exposed to the sun that much," she said. Then she touched her shoulders and felt the throb throughout her entire back. "I'll have to remember to reapply sunblock lotion more often."

"I have a perfect after-sun remedy, if you like," he offered.

"Shall we go up to ... our room?" she hesitantly asked.

"Certainly."

He led the way inside, and they settled on a private master balcony. Out of his light beige trousers he pulled out a small bottle, as Hermione made herself comfortable face down on a lounger. She squirmed when she felt the cool spray land on her back. Lucius slowly worked the ointment into her skin.

"That feels good," Hermione sighed as he continued his soft but firm strokes.

"Your muscles are quite tense," he remarked. "You need to be more relaxed." With that he began to give her an amazing massage. He started with her hands and worked his way up each arm. He definitely had a lot of experience in this area and had a deft touch that really rubbed all the knots from her muscles. Lucius then proceeded to work on her sunburned neck, shoulders, and back.

Hermione closed her eyes, inhaling the scent of salt and eucalyptus.

"Do you mind if I untie your top?" Lucius requested, fingering her bikini strap. His voice startled her a little, as she was drifting off to sleep.

"No, it's fine," she replied, happy to give him permission so he could continue his heavenly massage.

He untied her straps and continued to work down her back, moving lower to her bottom. Lucius eased down her bikini bottoms, and Hermione lifted her hips up to help him. She shuddered a little as the spray drizzled on her buttocks, then relaxed again as his warm hands kneaded her tender flesh. Each time his hands touched the inside of her thighs, Hermione felt a ribbon of arousal course through her. She couldn't hold back her moan when his fingers slid over her nether lips. She knew he could feel her obvious arousal, and her face burned with humiliation.

He stopped his movements, as though awaiting her permission to go further. Hermione parted her legs in acceptance. His hands began moving over her again, fingers occasionally sliding over her clit, teasing it with light touches. Her excitement was building and soon she was overwhelmed by a powerful orgasm and other feelings he stirred up.

"That was fantastic," she said breathlessly.

"I think we should move inside," Lucius suggested. He took her hand and helped her to her feet. As she got up, Hermione felt self-conscious at her total nudity.

Once in the bedroom, Hermione sat down on the bed and watched as Lucius removed his clothes.

"You're staring," he commented as he made his way towards the bed.

"Yes, is that a problem?" she asked light-heartedly, her self-consciousness suddenly disappearing.

"Did you miss this?"

"Yes," she admitted, her voice catching.

Lucius searched her face, then bent down to kiss her. The softness of his lips, gentle at first, melting into hers until she lost track of time. Hermione's body was burning, but her mind was clear and calm. She belonged to this wizard in some strange, special way that couldn't explained. The curves of her body melded into his; they were like the two halves of the same whole. Hermione felt vulnerable and secure at the same time.

He moved down her body, rolling and pinching her nipples between his thumb and forefinger. He teased them with his tongue before sucking each nipple deep into his mouth. His tongue traced its way down her body, probing into her navel, then lower to her pussy. His hands parted her and he inhaled deeply.

"You smell as good as you look," he said. "I missed tasting you." Lucius raised her legs up until her heels pointed at the ceiling, then bent his head down to her.

His tongue flicked over her, very subtly and skillfully, giving her tiny kisses all along her inner thigh and the smooth skin next to her lips. His breath tickled her clit, then he licked her, pressing his tongue firmly along her sensitive flesh. He moved slowly from top to bottom, probing into her from time to time. He repeated these actions several times before sucking her clit into his mouth. Hermione was highly sensitive, and his actions sent little electric shocks through her body.

"You're going to make me come again," she gasped out, dropping her legs over his shoulders to pull him closer. Lucius increased the suction on her nub.

Hermione screamed as her body convulsed in the throes of another orgasm. He brushed his tongue lower, licking at her wetness.

"I want you," Hermione told him after he surfaced from between her legs.

His face was glowing and victorious. "You'll have to help me first," he replied jokingly, looking down at his half-hard cock.

She raised herself up and playfully pushed him on his back. Wrapping her hand around his shaft, she smoothly stroked until he began to stiffen and grow. Impatient to taste him, Hermione lowered her head and licked the head of his cock, coating it with her saliva. She lowered her lips and sucked his head into her mouth, running her tongue over his slit and all around the corona.

"Fuck, that feels good!" he exclaimed. "Your tongue is so wicked."

Hermione felt his hand gently pressing into the back of her head, pleased by the reaction she was evoking in him. She responded by taking more of his length into her mouth.

He moaned in approval.

Her head bobbed up and down his erection, nearly gagging as she sometimes slipped below her comfort level and took more of him than was comfortable for her.

Groaning, he lifted her off him and rose up.

"On your knees, Miss Granger," he ordered her. She bent down in front of him, lowering her head onto the pillow. He lifted her bottom higher and knelt behind, then Hermione felt his cock nuzzling at her entrance. He applied light pressure and pushed in.

"I missed your tight pussy," he murmured into her neck.

Lucius started a slow, steady rhythm. Her moans grew louder each time he penetrated her deeper.

"You're so wet. I can feel it leaking down my balls," he said.

"You always make me this wet," she informed him.

He increased his pace and intensity, driving deeper and harder into her.

"Yes! Yes! I love it like that!" Hermione's voice grew shrill, as she encouraged him, relishing in the great pleasure he was giving her. She could feel that stirring starting to build deep inside and knew that she was going to come again. Lucius continued pumping hard and fast into her.

Her whole body started to shake as Hermione came again, screaming out her orgasm. As she started to recover, she felt his hands pressing down on her back and bum until she was laying down flat. She was grateful for a change in position, as her knees were still unsteady from her climax.

Lucius was gentle in his movements, nibbling at her ear and lightly kissing the nape of her neck. It felt good and comforting to be so well-loved.

"I could get used to you doing this to me all day," she told him.

"I enjoy having you," he said with a chuckle. He slipped out of her and rolled her to the side.

She turned to face him. "You're incredible."

He smirked. "My work is not yet done. Why don't you ride me?"

Hermione sat up and lowered herself onto his cock. He slid up smoothly inside her. She leaned down until her breasts crushed against his chest. She lowered her head to kiss him, their tongues dancing together once again. As they kissed, Hermione rocked herself on him, feeling relaxed. His arms went to her hips as he encouraged her to increase her movements. She lifted herself up off his chest, and he took the opportunity to massage her breasts.

Lucius's riveting gray eyes watched her with longing. Another orgasm overtook her.

"You're unbelievable," she gasped, struggling to catch her breath. "I want you to come now."

"Where would you like it?"

"In my mouth," she said, moving to kneel between his legs.

She could taste herself on him as she sucked him. After a few minutes, he began to furiously stroke himself and then shot several large spurts into her waiting mouth. Hermione eagerly swallowed, but continued to suck at him until he'd become limp.

Silently, he pulled her up, so she was lying beside him, snuggling her head into his chest.

"This was perfect," she told Lucius. "It's remarkable how you can go on and on. I don't know how you do it!"

"I have always taken an immense pleasure in satisfying my lovers," he said. "Does Weasley know you're here with me?"

Hermione felt taken aback by his unexpected question.

"No. He doesn't even care what I do on this trip," she honestly answered. "What about your wife?"

"No, we lead separate lives."

"Is it difficult?" she inquired, wondering if that was the future of her marriage.

"No, we prefer it that way."

"I never thought that would happen to me," Hermione confessed after several minutes of silence.

"The pitfalls of marrying young," Lucius stated.

"You think so?"

"That, and other factors." He paused. "Sometimes you don't meet the person who fills that emptiness inside you until you're well past the point of having options to make any choices." He gave her a smile that sank directly into her heart.

They both had unhappy marriages and no choices. They had to make do with what little options they had available to them. Hermione could live with that. As long as they could have this, it would be enough.

Thank you, dear readers, for all your wonderful feedback and unflagging support! I'll work on being more consistent with updates now that wedding stuff and honeymoon are over. I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Hugs,

Lana