A/N: Hi everyone, my apologies for not updating sooner. Just before Christmas my aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer and well, as you can imagine with such life changing news everything fell to the side. I am not abandoning this story as I really want to finish it, but my updates will no longer be as regular as they used to be.
Once again I would like to stress that, I do not own the Harry potter Franchise, nor do I own the Brenda Jackson Westmoreland series for which this story and characters are based on… I wished I did but I don't… this is purely for my and your entertainment and I gain no monetary value from this story. I would like to thank everyone for reviewing, favouring and following this story it was much appreciated… Happy Reading!
SEVEN
Hermione glanced around the spacious office that she and Draco had landed in. Once they had arrived at the Italian Ministry, she had to give herself a mental shake to ensure all her senses were back in control. Fortunately the trip had been uneventful; she hadn't fall flat on her face when they had landed, nor had Draco tried to kiss her again. After a while she had become more comfortable around him. Draco had informed her, much to her surprise that a private car would arrive later on to take them to his parents' summer villa. Hermione assumed that they would be staying at the villa for the rest of the trip.
She thought Draco's office was beautiful and definitely rival Harry's Ministry office back home. It was elegantly opulent, spacious and with floor-to-ceiling windows that looked out into a lush meadow and luxurious court yard. Hermione strolled to the window and looked out. She missed England already, but she couldn't help being fascinated by all the architecture and green valleys she could see.
Hermione drew in a deep breath and tried to ignore a vague feeling of disappointment. Even though she was glad that Draco hadn't mentioned their interrupted kiss, she hadn't expected him to completely ignore her. Although they'd shared conversation since, most of it had been with him providing details about Italy and with her going over information about the decorating of his home. The thought that he could control his emotions around her so easily meant that, although he had been drawn to her for that one quick instant, he didn't think she was worth pursuing. If those were his thoughts, she should be grateful, instead of feeling teed off. Her disappointment and irritation just didn't make any sense.
She left the window and crossed the room to the decorative mirror on the wall to study her features. OK so she hadn't looked her best after the porkey trip. But she'd used the washroom to freshen up since then. Too bad he couldn't see her now. But overall she hadn't looked awful.
Hermione couldn't help wondering what kind of woman would interest Draco. She was totally clueless. She'd never seen him with a woman before. She knew the types Blaise, George, Charlie and even Ron preferred dating; women who were all legs, beautiful, sophisticated, shallow but easy to get into bed. For some reason she couldn't see Draco attracted to that type of woman.
There were times she'd wish she had a lot of experience with men and was not still a twenty five year old virgin. There had been a number of times when Ron and other guys who had tried, although unsuccessfully, to get her into bed. When they'd failed, they'd dubbed her "Ice Witch Hermione".
That title hadn't bothered her in the least. She'd rather be known as an ice witch than an easy lay. She smiled, thinking that more than one frustrated stud had given up on seducing her. Giving up on her because she'd refused to put out was one thing, but ignoring her altogether was another.
A part of her knew the best thing to do was to relegate such thoughts to the back of her mind. It was better that he hadn't followed up on what had almost happened between them. But another part of her, one that was a woman with enough vanity as any other female, hadn't liked it one bit and couldn't let it go.
A smile swept across her lips. Draco had suggested that they have a light lunch before the car arrived to take them to his parents' villa. That was fine with her as all she could think was thank Merlin she'd had the opportunity to freshen up, and would go change from her casual attire into something a little more becoming. The last thing wanted was for his mother to think he'd hired someone who didn't know how to dress professionally.
She would see just how Draco could ignore her then.
Draco sighed as he and other Auror members left the debriefing meeting room and walked back to his office, where Hermione was waiting for him. He had a hard time concentrating on the meeting as he was frustrated that he hadn't taken the opportunity to taste Hermione's lips, when the chance to do had been presented to him.
Every part of his body hardened with the memory of a pair of luscious lips that had been barely a breath away from his lips. And when she had tilted her head even more to him, placing her lips within a tongue reach, he had felt the lower part of his body throb.
The desire that had flowed between them had been anything but one sided. Charged sensations as strong as any electrical current had surged through their bodies and he had fought back the urge to pull her into his lap while lapping her mouth with everything he had.
He remembered the conversations they'd shared and how she'd tried staying on course by being the consummate professional. While she'd been talking, his gaze had been fixated on her mouth. He couldn't recall a woman who could look sexy and sweet at the same time, as well as hot and cool when the mood suited her. He loved all the different facets of Hermione, and he planned on being a vital part of each one of them. How could any man not want to?
He pulled in a deep breath before opening the door, but she was not in the office. Still in the doorway he called out her name, "Hermione?" to see if she was in the en suite washroom.
"Draco? I will be out in just a moment" she replied.
While waiting he turned to study the hallway that led to the elevator. It was a busy design, but he had to admit that it matched the carpet perfectly; pulling in colours he would not have normally paid attention to. He shook his head, remembering that Hermione had gone on and on about different colours and how her job would be to coordinate them to play off each other. Draco was surprised that he could recall any of her words when the only thoughts going through his mind was what he'd like doing to her physically.
"I'm almost ready Draco, just need to grab my jacket," Hermione said upon opening the en suite washroom's door.
Draco turned around and immediately sucked in a deep breath. He had to lean against the door frame to keep from falling. His Hermione wasn't in her usual casual attire; she had changed into a tan knee length coloured skirt that hugged her gorgeous shapely thighs, a pair of chocolate-suede high heeled shoes and a pale green printed blouse. Seeing her did something to every muscle, every cell and every pore of his body. And his gut twisted in a knot. She looked absolutely stunning. Even her hair was different. Rather than wearing it in a ponytail, she had styled it to hang down her shoulders.
He entered the office and closed the door behind him, feeling a gigantic tug in his chest as he watched her move around the office. He became enmeshed in her movements and how graceful and fluid they were.
"Did your meeting go alright Draco?" Hermione asked.
Draco blinked when he noticed she was standing staring at him and smiling. Was he imagining things or did he see amusement curing her lips?
"I'm sorry, what did you ask?" was his response.
"I wanted to know if your meeting went OK, I'm sure it felt good being back" she asked replied.
He thought about what she'd said and although he could agree that it was good being back at home, it felt even better having her here with him. He'd thought about this a number of times, dreamed that he would share his adopted homeland with her. He had six weeks and he intended to make every second, minute and hour count. Apparently she was waiting for his response.
"The meeting was alright; a bit boring but those kind of meetings usually are… And yes I am glad to be back," he said checking his watch. "Ready to head down for lunch?"
"Yes, I am starving!"
"Yes I can imagine, you ate very early today," Draco said.
Hermione chuckled, "Only because I wasn't sure I could keep it down… I'm ready now Draco."
He was tempted to reach out and take her hand in his, but he knew that doing such a thing would not be a smart move right now. He needed her to get to know him, not as a very good friend of her brother, but as the man who would always be a part of her life.
