Perilously Close

Luna yawned delicately, today had been a very difficult day. She felt emotionally drained and was really looking forward to a long soak in the bath the house elf had prepared for her. Dropping her towel to the floor Luna gratefully slid into the scented bath, enjoying the warm water washing over her skin.

She had been grateful to escape from the dinner table, the atmosphere had been sour indeed. Tension had pressed heavily down onto her shoulders as she sat opposite the stony face of Narcissa Malfoy who refused to even look her way let alone speak to her.

Lucius and Bellatrix had dominated the conversation, discussing matters which were of no importance to Luna, things she didn't understand and didn't really care to understand.

She signed softly, sitting with the Malfoy's tonight it had hit home that aside from them, she had no-one. Her friends were on the other side to her and her father was locked away. Although Luna hated it, she knew it was the right thing, and her father was receiving the specialized help he needed. Luna knew it was selfish but she couldn't help but wish her father was there with her.

Draco was her family now and Luna was thrilled with the hand fate had dealt her; but she felt a little lonely surrounded by the splendour of Malfoy Manor. She wasn't used to this kind of life, Luna was a simple person with simple needs, all she really wanted was someone to share her life with, someone who loved her for her. Draco would be that person, Luna was sure of it, even if he did take some time to discover he cared about her. Luna wasn't too worried about Draco's inability to open up to her, he was just that sort of person, Draco didn't like to admit to feeling something which made him vulnerable to another person. One day he would realise he could trust her with the deepest part of himself and their relationship would be complete.

Resting her head on the side of the bath Luna closed her eyes and allowed her mind to drift. She didn't really have it too bad, Lucius was very nice to her and Bellatrix was all right, providing you caught her at just the right moment. Luna's favourite thing about Bellatrix was when she spontaneously decided to tell a story about Esperanza. Not for one moment did Luna pretend Bellatrix Lestrange was anything other than a cold woman who lived entirely to serve the Dark Lord and create pain and misery to those who opposed him. Luna had seen the woman at her worst and Bellatrix scared the life out of her, but Luna knew it was in her best interests to attempt to get on with Draco's aunt, so she always tried to be amenable. Bellatrix Lestrange was family after all, and Luna embraced the idea of a family of her very own, even if the Malfoy's were not exactly what she'd had in mind.

The problems with her father aside, Luna thought life would be quite nice at the moment if only Narcissa would at least pretend to like her, with a fake smile every now and again to lift the horrible tension in the air whenever they were in the same room. Luna didn't wish to steal Draco away from his mother, she was sure they could share him quite nicely if only Narcissa would meet her half way and stop being so obstructive.

If Narcissa was like this towards her now, Luna couldn't help worrying how she would be when the day came for Luna and Draco to have their own family? Luna shuddered at the image of a white faced, livid Narcissca whose blue eyes could turn so cold they literally made Luna shiver.

I was not a pleasant situation for Luna to be in and she wasn't sure how to handle it. Always her father had been there to talk to and offer advice. Now Luna was alone, she didn't feel she was able to tell Draco she was uncomfortable around his mother, it wasn't fair to put Draco in that sort of position. Although, Luna's face scrunched up slightly, she was in no doubt if the situation were reversed Draco wouldn't hesitate to tell her, he wasn't exactly the most sensitive of people. Luna was sure Draco would learn to be more diplomatic as time went on.

Her father was diplomatic, he tried to get along with everyone just the way she did, although, in much the same way as happened with her, he would also get strange looks and people tended to avoid him. Hot tears stung at her eyes and Luna hurriedly dunked her head under the water and proceeded to scrub shampoo into her scalp with vigorous fingers, almost as if she could scrub away the thoughts if she tried hard enough.

It was so difficult for her to accept she had been living with a man who was ill and she had never seen it. Luna adored her father and to think she had believed whole heartedly in every word he said and every story he told her, which had probably made his illness worse, upset her so much Luna had to fight to stop the tears.

Climbing out of the bath Luna carefully began to dry her hair, sometimes she tended not to concentrate and she could singe the ends of it, even when she used the mildest of drying charms.

Brushing her hair over her shoulder Luna rolled her eyes when she realized she had left her nightgown in the bedroom. Knotting a towel around her chest she left the bathroom.

Flinging his shirt carelessly over the back of a chair, Draco swiped a Quidditch magazine from the small table intending to flop out on the bed and catch up on the sports news until Luna had finished in the bathroom. He needed something to do to relax, the atmosphere in the house was driving him mad. Even though he wasn't the most perceptive of people, and Draco would willingly admit that if only to himself, he could feel the animosity coming from his mother in waves and he had no clue as to what was causing it. Draco was aware it wasn't just due to dislike towards Luna, there was something deeper rooted at the back of it all, but he had no idea what it was.

Glancing up as the bathroom door opened, Draco stopped short when Luna entered the bedroom, absently fluffing up her hair from around her neck, her eyes on the floor. Fascinated, Draco watched as the long blonde waves tumbled about her slender shoulders, her skin looking creamier than ever when paired with the dark blonde of her hair.

His mouth running dry, Draco swallowed when her surprised blue eyes met his. Draco made his slow way toward her, the magazine slipping from his fingers. Luna's skin was warm and soft beneath his palms when he placed them on her bare shoulders and he noticed she trembled slightly, taking a small step backwards.

"You have to get used to me, Luna." Draco's voice was rough and throaty, his fingers moved gently, unhurriedly over her shoulders, up her throat to the back of her neck, as though he were mapping her out, his eyes darkening the longer he stared at her. Sliding his fingers into the thickness of her hair, Draco tilted her head back to examine her face more closely.

Catching her bottom lip between her teeth, Luna gazed back at Draco, unable to take her eyes from his face. Every nerve ending in her body was humming with awareness and Luna wasn't sure if it was mostly nerves or desire which caused her stomach muscles to quiver so frantically. Luna didn't think she would ever get used to the effect Draco had on her senses.

The pad of his thumb traced over her cheekbone, trailing slowly down to nestle briefly at the corner of her mouth before subtly stroking over the full bottom lip which had been released from its hold between her teeth by a soundless gasp.

Cupping her face, lowering his mouth to hers, he pressed a tender kiss to her lips. It was a light kiss, with hardly any pressure in it at all, and Luna's lips parted to kiss him back. This kiss was extremely different to all the other kisses they had shared, Luna knew instantly this was a seductive kiss.

His tongue slid easily into her mouth, gliding slowly over hers, causing Luna's mind to shut down and her senses became unable to focus on anything other than Draco. Slowly but surely, Draco explored her mouth, it was a leisurely tasting, his tongue stroking hers, drawing a low moan from the back of her throat.

Dropping his hands from her face, Draco massaged her shoulders lightly before pulling her against him, wrapping his arms around her shivering body and pressing her close to his chest.

Luna's arms slid up his back and she held on tightly, worried that if Draco released her even for a second she might collapse into a boneless puddle on the floor.

The idle caress of his fingertips across her back made Luna shiver even more, and she felt her nipples reacting to his touch, hardening against the cotton of her towel.

Draco was well aware of the trembling of Luna's body, thrilled she could have such a reaction to him from a kiss alone. The force of his own reaction to her had taken him completely by surprise, never had Draco wanted anything with the intensity he wanted Luna. He was also at a loss to explain where this gentle, tender Draco had come from, it just seemed to be instinct when he was with her. It was almost as if he were trying to protect her from himself, even though he wanted her so badly, Draco didn't want to scare Luna, he didn't want to hurt her, those feelings were new to him and he wasn't sure how to deal with them.

So engrossed was Luna in the delightful ache in her body and the twitching of her muscles at Draco's lightest touch, that she was startled at the feel of his hand brushing over her breast to dip into the tuck of her towel.

Luna jumped, a small gasp leaving her as she leant her body away from him trying to pull herself together enough to think straight.

Draco's hand shook slightly as he lifted it from the tuck of her towel to touch her cheek. Luna looked up at him anxiety clearly written on her face, but Draco could read the misty confused longing in her eyes as well. He pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. "I'm not going to hurt you," he assured her thickly.

Pressing a hand to her chest Luna tried to still her shallow breathing and rapidly beating heart. Was it possible to want him so much and still be frightened of giving in to him? He lifted her up so suddenly that Luna gave a startled squeak, her hands grasping his shoulders as he moved her carefully to the bed.

Placing a hand in the middle of her back to steady her, Draco lowered Luna to the bed. Taking her hand from his shoulder, Draco kissed her fingertips, raising her arm over her head, his fingers entwining with hers. Leaning over her on his elbow he brushed Luna's hair from her face and kissed her softly. She felt so small and delicate beneath him, Draco hadn't really realized how much bigger than Luna he actually was, and the realisation just made him want to protect her even more.

The sweet taste of her was prominent on his tongue, Draco felt as though he would never tire of kissing her, she drugged his senses, pushed them to overload until he could feel nothing but Luna, and yet she was entirely unaware of the effect she had on him, which just made Draco ache even more.

His tongue caressed hers as his fingers caressed her hand, smoothing down around her wrist, where her pulse raced like crazy. Luna's skin was soft beneath his fingers as they trailed down her arm, curling around it, massaging the warm flesh as he made his way towards her shoulder.

Luna's free hand moved over his back to curl around his nape, drawing Draco closer as she tipped her head back to allow him to deepen their kiss. Liquid heat flooded her veins and she squirmed beneath him, the weight of his body, the warmth of his skin, the tender touch of his fingers and the gentle kisses he gave her were all slowly driving her mad.

Draco was now completely and fully aroused, his blood burning as it rushed through his system. A deep, dark desire tightened in the pit of his stomach as he struggled to control himself and Draco couldn't stop his hand brushing over the firm swelling of her breast just above the towel.

Luna's body stiffened slightly at the contact. She was shocked at the way her nipples reacted to his touch, hardening even more until they strained achingly against her towel and her breasts felt ripe and heavy.

Ignoring the sudden stiffness of her body, Draco unhooked her towel and he groaned into her mouth when his hand finally made contact with her breast.

Luna gasped at the gentle touch, colour flaring across her cheeks when Draco finally broke the kiss to gaze down at her exposed upper body. She shifted awkwardly, her hand dropping from around his neck to grasp at the towel and attempt to cover herself from his dark gaze.

"No," Draco's command was quiet and husky, almost a plea, and Luna's hand faltered.

His eyelashes dusted his cheekbones as Draco's gaze lowered to feast his eyes upon his wife's bared breasts for the first time. Luna's skin was the colour of rich cream, her breasts warm, round and firm in his palm. Draco touched the pad of his thumb to the rock hard nipple. It was such a light touch, barely a touch at all, and his eyes flew to Luna's face when she let out a small gasp and goosebumps erupted over her skin.

Watching her face intently, Draco touched the nipple again and another gasp escaped through Luna's parted lips. Her nipples felt ultra sensitive, his fingers burning her skin. Luna had never experienced these kind of feelings before; anxiety, desire and her nerves stretched so tightly her entire body vibrated with longing.

Draco's lips captured hers again, and Luna readily granted his tongue entrance to her mouth. As he gently massaged the flesh filling his palm, Luna's hand twisted and gripped hold of the bed sheet beneath her, her body arching, pushing her breasts further into his hands.

Luna shifted frequently beneath him, her body rising up to his, and Draco was delighted with her responses to him. Releasing her mouth, Draco pressed his lips to her throat, lightly sucking on her frantically beating pulse. Draco's deep groan against her neck seemed to be in answer to her low moan of appreciation.

The taste of Luna's skin was driving Draco crazy and his erection throbbed painfully in the confines of his trousers. He had always worn clothes that were tailor made for him, but now his trousers were too tight, too restricting, too hot, too clinging. He wanted to be free of them, free to lie against Luna flesh to flesh, to really feel her body pressed to his, joined to his as she should be.

Draco felt a surge of satisfaction at her muffled gasp when he brushed his lips over the swelling of her breast, but his body jerked in surprise when Luna gave a sharp cry as he took possession of her nipple. Her free hand curled through his hair, arching her back so that the dusky pink crests pushed forward provocatively. Her shallow breaths turned to harsh pants as his tongue moved back and forth over her nipple, sucking lightly, laving slowly. Draco took her other breast in his hand, massaging the aching mound rolling her nipple between his thumb and fore finger until a whimper was wrenched from her throat.

Through the dizzying mist clouding her mind, Luna became aware of Draco's hand pushing her towel away, and slowly moving down her stomach. Doubt and uncertainty immediately sprung to life inside her and she wasn't sure what to do. She knew she was drawn to Draco, and him to her in a way she didn't quite understand, but Luna also knew it wasn't love, not yet. Although her body did indeed long for him, was a few moments of pleasure really worth giving in to him so quickly? Shouldn't she wait at least another week or so to see what kind of relationship they forged? If they did grow closer Luna knew she would regret making love with Draco tonight when it could mean so much more if she just waited a little while longer. And if they didn't grow closer, then really, she had only delayed the act and it would happen anyway. If she allowed him to touch her for much longer, or allowed his hand to go any lower Luna knew she would be powerless to resist whatever came.

Wouldn't Draco hate her if she asked him to stop now? She had been matching him kiss for kiss, and desire for desire. The passion in him when he touched her, when he kissed her took her breath away and Luna knew deep in her heart Draco fully expected her to be ready and eager for his total possession. Her heart lurched, Draco would be furious when she told him she had changed her mind.

Draco could feel the change in Luna's body. The way her stomach muscles clenched and tightened beneath his palm told him she was not comfortable, pausing in the action of sucking her nipple, Draco raised his head. "Luna?" he questioned quietly.

Being here with Draco filled her with reservations; nobody had ever seen her naked or touched her the way Draco did and Luna was not convinced she would be able to give him what he wanted from her. All of a sudden she just felt vulnerable and insecure; something she really wasn't used to feeling.

Squeezing her eyes tightly shut she spoke in a hushed voice. "Please don't, Draco." Her hand groped for the towel and she pulled it close around her chest.

Frowning, Draco shifted to balance on his elbow. "What's the matter?" he asked softly, his fingers stroking her cheek gently.

How could she tell him? It was ridiculous and she felt ridiculous for thinking and feeling such things. Draco knew she was a virgin, he wanted her that way, he wouldn't be expecting too much from her. But the thoughts of what he could do to her made her chest tighten, Draco knew what he was doing, there had been other girls in his life and even though Luna knew it shouldn't really matter and the past was the past, it still hurt

Swallowing, Luna took a steadying breath and wiggled into a sitting position. "Please let me up, I want to get dressed." Her voice was shaking and her skin still buzzed from his touch, Luna wasn't convinced by her own request and she knew Draco wouldn't be either.

Draco didn't let her up, instead he pressed her back down to the bed, keeping her pinned beneath him as he examined her flushed face and shimmering eyes closely. "I'm not trying to take anything you aren't willing to give," he promised, his voice low as he brushed a kiss against her temple.

He wasn't angry, Luna realised, Draco was being nice and understanding. "I am willing," she whispered, biting her lower lip and turning her head away from him.

Draco shook his head in bewilderment, his frustrated body burning painfully. "Then I don't understand, Luna."

Luna figured Draco probably never would understand, he was way too arrogant, too confident to ever feel the things she was feeling now. No-one had ever wanted her before and she knew there were girls who had wanted Draco. He wouldn't understand what it felt like to be on the outside of everything, not to have someone who wanted you. Her own husband didn't really want her. Pain flashed through Luna at this thought, if she were not his wife she would not be here with him, he would not be touching her this way. Draco wouldn't want her if it was left down to him to decide, but he'd had no choice, his fate had been mapped out as hers had been and Draco was stuck with her. Luna supposed Draco had just decided to make the best of things.

Of course, she couldn't very well tell him that. "No-one has ever touched me before," she told him quietly. "No-one had ever seen me…. I've never felt …. It's all new." Luna decided a half a truth would be better than the whole truth. "It's a big step, Draco, I'm not sure you understand that."

Although Luna didn't see it, Draco smiled, relief filling his face for a moment. Taking her chin in his hand he turned her face towards him and kissed her lightly. "Then we'll take little steps, one at a time." Draco knew in that instant he would have to keep his promise if he wanted Luna completely.

It was right then, looking at the tenderness in his eyes and listing to his gentle voice soothing her that Luna knew she was in deep trouble, she knew without a doubt she could love Draco very easily and that particular emotion was perilously close to surfacing.