Chp. 11- Kiss It Better
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Last Time:
I slip into bed, thinking over tomorrow. It's already the rose cermony, and I have to get rid of two men.
I'm positive now of who I'm getting rid of. Now I just have to worry about what I'm going to say to them as they leave. I close my eyes, not wanting to think anymore.
I'll worry about it tomorrow, in the morning. Perhaps I should get some sleep. Tomorrow is going to be a long day. I yawn before letting myself fall asleep.
Now:
When I wake up, I smile to myself.
I have a rose ceremony today, and with it I have to narrow my choices down. Pretty soon, it will be only me and that one special guy who I want to spend my life with.
Tonight I have to get rid of two guys. It's going to be fairly easy this time, but after this I think it's going to get harder and harder.
The farther into the show we get, the closer I got to every one of the men.
I slowly get up and take a nice long hot bath, wanting to relax for as long as I can. I still have about ten hours till the rose ceremony, giving me plenty of time to think of reasons why I want to get rid of the two men tonight.
When I'm done with my bath, I get dressed in a pair of gray sweat pants and a big navy blue t-shirt. Today is going to be all about some alone time, reflecting on my decisions, and relaxing before the stressful night ahead of me.
I settle down to watch a movie marathon of romantic comedies, and I grab a box of Kleenexes that are on the coffee table. I'm going to need them.
The marathon blows about seven and a half of my hours, and my face is puffy and red from crying.
"Damn tear jerkers," I mutter to myself but I'm smiling softly.
One of my weaknesses is romantic movies with a happy ending. I want that to happen to me, but so far it hasn't happened.
I don't have the greatest luck with love...
Finally I make my way back upstairs. I have to take a shower, so I can soothe my face. I wash up before letting the water fall over my face. I just stand there for a few minutes before turning off the water and making my way into the bedroom.
Looking through the closet, I try to make up my mind on what to wear tonight. Finally I grab out an ivory dress and slip it on over a pair of white lace knickers.
I pull my hair up into an elegant bun, leaving a few tendrils down to frame my face before putting on some light make-up. I spritz some vanilla perfume on before slipping on some strappy ivory high heels.
Now I have about ten minutes until the boys will be arriving, which means Graham will probably be here any second now. I look at myself in the mirror, and a smile appears upon my lips. The dress is loose silk, and its falls to my calves. Its straps are off the shoulder, and the neckline plunges slightly to show off a small amount of cleavage.
I look older than I am, and very sophisticated.
I tear my eyes away from my image as the doorbell rings. I quickly walk to the door, before pulling it open to allow Graham inside. He looks at me, grinning.
"You look wonderful tonight Ginny."
"Thank you Graham," I reply softly, blushing.
Why am I blushing I ask myself. I've gotten much better compliments before from guys.
Maybe it's because I know he's not trying to sleep with me, or hit on me...It's a genuine compliment.
Graham walks past me and waits with me as the cameras set up, getting ready to film. Seven minutes the bell rings, and I place a smile upon my face before opening the door.
Blaise is the first one to greet me. His eyes light up as he takes me into his arms, placing a kiss on each of my cheeks. His hand rests dangerously close to my bum as he holds me for those few seconds.
The rest of the boys file in as I stand at the door, each greeting me with a kiss on the cheek. Draco is last to come in, obviously wanting to be the last to kiss me. He doesn't risk kissing me on the lips again in front of the cameras yet, just pecking me on the cheek although it was really half on the lip and half on my cheek.
"It's wonderful to see you Gin. You look beautiful."
My heart starts racing at this. He thinks I look beautiful? He offers his hand, and I automatically settle mine into his. His fingers lace through mine, and we walk into the living room together. All the boys are standing around, talking with each other. They immediately quiet down when I enter the room. Graham is standing in the middle, and he clears his throat so everyone focuses their attention upon him.
"Tonight you have an hour before the ceremony which will begin at eight."
He leaves the twelve men and I alone, and I smile around at everyone. Tonight I get rid of two me, which will get me down to ten men. Just a couple weeks ago, there had been twenty five men...
Draco squeezes my hand before he lets it go. He walks over to where Blaise is perched on the sofa arm, and engages him in conversation. I grab a flute of champagne that is sitting on a platter on the coffee table, and take a sip.
I'm trying to decide who to talk to first, when Chris comes up to me. He places his hand on the small of my back, and leads me out to the patio, where we sit on a lounge chair by the pool. His hand remains on me, and he smiles over at me.
"So how are you tonight Ginny?"
"I'm wonderful thank you. How are you?"
"I'm fantastic now that I'm here with you."
I give him a smile before I take another sip of my champagne. With twelve men only having an hour to talk to me altogether that leaves them five minutes each. I'm going to be passed off to each of them, and I'm positive Draco will wait to be last.
When I talk with the various guys, Draco's small smiles and winks at me as I pass him make my heart flutter. Those little things make my night amazing, knowing that Draco thinks of me as someone special.
With only six minutes left, Draco walks over to me, and I excuse myself from Keith. Draco offers his arm, and I slip mine into his. I lie my head upon his shoulder, and we head to a secluded area. The cameras have stopped following us by now, and once Draco notices, he draws me close to his body.
He looks breathtaking in his tux tonight...I wonder if he spent a long time on his appearance, just like I had, knowing I was going to be there.
"You look absolutely smashing Ginny..."
Laughter bubbles from my throat, and I stare up into his eyes.
"You already said I looked beautiful earlier Draco."
"I know...I just wanted to remind you how attractive I find you," Draco whispers softly.
My stomach is filled with butterflies, and I want to make the most of our alone time. I smile seductively at Draco before wrapping my arms around his neck and slowly bringing his lips to mine. Draco's breath falls upon my rosy red lips, and I let my body fall into his more as our lips touch.
Draco kisses me passionately, letting his feelings out through the kiss. My knees almost give out, but Draco wraps his arms tighter around my waist, hauling me into his body. After a few minutes, he nibbles on my bottom lip.
I open my mouth for Draco, letting his tongue gain entrance. His tongue expertly roams the crevices of my willing mouth before slowly stroking my tongue. I moan softly as I allow my tongue to tango with Draco's. His right hand rests on my lower back, touching the top of my bum. I wiggle slightly till his hand is resting completely on my bum.
Draco smirks against my lips, and I smile at this. He squeezes my bum before pulling back to allow us to breath. I take in deep gulps of breath and Draco looks down at me with a soft smile. My cheeks flush a deeper pink, because they're already flush from that wonderful snog. In the distance, I hear the clock ringing, which snaps me out of my daze.
My head is still spinning slightly as we make our way back into the living room, and my heart is beating so loud that I'm sure everyone can hear it. Draco leads me over to Graham, who takes me upstairs to the room with all the boy's pictures. He tells me he'll be back in five minutes. I nod my head, letting my eyes wander over the pictures till I find Draco's face in the sea of pictures.
He's got that smirk upon his face, but on him it looks wonderful. That smirk will be my undoing...I'm sure of it.
That smirk makes me want to snog him senseless, and even hit the sheets with him. I know I've only known him as he is now for a couple weeks, but I feel like I've known him my entire life.
His lips upon mine feels like heaven, and I don't know if I can stand not being with him. I want to believe he really likes me, unlike all the other girls he's been with during Hogwarts and beyond that. He's changed, and I want to be the woman beside him.
That kiss was amazing, and I felt like I could actually see into his heart. Like he was allowing me to know his feelings for me ran deep.
Finally I draw my eyes away from Draco. I already know who's going to go, so I take one last look at the two men's pictures. Graham knocks on the door, and I turn my head towards the door.
"You ready?"
I take a deep breath before nodding. Graham starts down the stairs and I follow him. I stop once I'm next to the pedastal.
"Tonight two men will be leaving, leaving us with ten men. Ginny when you're ready, begin selecting the men that will stay."
I nod and smile at Graham, who steps back to allow the camera a perfect shot at me. I grab the first rose pin and look at all the men. My eyes catch on Draco's, and he winks quickly at me, causing my smile to widen.
"Ryan."
Ryan breaths a sigh of relief before stepping up to me.
"Ryan will you accept this rose?"
"Of course Ginny."
I pin it carefully on his jacket and let him kiss my cheek softly. I grab the next rose as he gets back in line.
"Nick."
Nick grins at the sound of his name, walking or rather striding towards me.
"Will you accept this rose Nick?"
He nods and I pin the rose onto his shirt. The next rose goes to Jacque, and the fourth I give to Keith.
I pick up another rose, and call out Blaise's name. He smirks as he slowly wanders up towards me. I notice that although I find Blaise extremely attractive, he doesn't make my heart pound, my stomach doesn't fill with butterflies, my hands don't start to sweat, and his smirk doesn't drive me crazy with want. Even a glimpse of Draco does all those things to me, and so much more. He doesn't have to even touch me, and I'm like putty to be molded in his hands.
Next I call out Devon, and follow him I call Harry's name. They both accept, and then the next two are Chris and Matthew, leaving me with only one rose. Dean, Luke, and Draco are left. As per usual, Draco looks calm while the others nervously glance around.
"Draco."
Draco beams at me as he walks over to me. I watch him and even though there are at least fifteen other people in the room besides us, I feel as if it's just him and I. He stops when there's only several inches of space in between us. I grin up at him, and almost forget to ask if he'll accept the rose, because in my heart I know he will.
"Draco, will you accept this rose?"
"Definitely Gin."
I smile at the nickname, and take longer than usual to pin the rose upon the lapel of his suit. Draco continues to beam down at me the entire time, and I'm so absorbed in his smile that I prick my finger. No one else notices the small change in my face from the flash of pain except him. He stares down at my finger, where a single drop of crimson red blood rests. I give him a reassuring smile and stick the finger in my mouth to yield the bleeding.
Draco stands in front of me for a few more seconds before finally going back to his spot. Graham comes to stand next to me, and I take my finger out of my mouth so I don't look like a complete prat.
"Dean, Luke. You didn't receive a rose tonight. Please say your goodbyes."
They shake hands with the guys before coming towards me. Luke is first.
I kiss his cheek softly, and grab his hands in mine.
"I'm sorry that this is goodbye. You're a wonderful man, and whoever catches you is one lucky girl."
He nods slowly, and gives me a hug before walking out the door. Dean is in front of me, and I hug him tightly.
"You're a wonderful friend Dean, and I'm sorry we couldn't be more."
"You're amazing Ginny..."
I blush softly before kissing his cheek. "Keep in touch," I whisper softly for only him to hear.
Dean nods and smiles at me to show that he harbors no hard feelings towards me. I watch him go before turning my attention back to the remaining ten guys. They're holding flutes of champagne as the custom is, and no surprise, Draco's holding an extra flute for me. I sidle up next to him, accepting the drink from him. I raise my glass, and ten others join mine.
"To the remaining ten. May there be many adventures awaiting us," I say and let my eyes drift over to Draco's.
He's grinning at me as the men chorus out 'to us'. We all take sips of the champagne and the camera shuts off after a few more seconds. Graham smiles at everyone.
"This next week we're going to have two single dates, and two group dates of four each. The first single date will be Monday, the first group date will be Tuesday. Then the second group date will be Wednesday, and finally the last single date will be Thursday. You'll all have tomorrow off and then Friday with the next rose ceremony being Saturday at 7. Enjoy your week."
The boys stay for several more minutes, chatting with me, and drinking champagne before Graham tells them it's time to leave. There's sighs and boos at the suggestion, but they all file out after kissing my cheek. Draco's the last to go, of course. He kisses me on the lips quickly.
"Is your finger alright?"
I grin at his concern.
"My finger will be fine Draco. If it falls off, I'll still have nine left."
Draco pales slightly at my joke, obviously not finding it funny. I burst out laughing before resting a hand upon his chest.
"Honestly. My finger won't fall off. It's a tiny scrape, nothing major."
"Would you like me to kiss it to make it better?"
I grin at Draco before offering my finger. He places a soft kiss upon it, before grabbing my hand in his and giving it a squeeze.
"I'll see you soon Gin..."
"Mmm...Not soon enough Draco."
I know he wants to kiss me, but there's not time for it. The limo honks outside and he groans. He kisses me quickly on the cheek before offering me an apologetic smile.
"Goodnight Ginny. Get some sleep."
I wait till he's out of sight, and close the door. I lean back against it and feel my heart about to beat right out of my chest.
"Not likely with you on my mind Draco darling."
Well what did you think? I hope you all enjoyed it, and I'm terribly sorry about the wait. Please forgive me...I know things have happened, and then I've been having writer's block, but it turned out better than I hoped. Please leave me a review! You guys are the best.