Their lovemaking (for even though the phrase disgusted him, Severus found no other words justified the act) carried on late into the night and even the early hours of the morning until finally the pair collapsed in a sweaty, panting heap bent over the edge of the British professor's desk which had been untidy before, but was now absolute chaos.

Severus' body still ached, but it was a different sort of dull pain that consumed him. Every muscle was throbbing in the most delectable of manners. This pain was a good one, a satiated one. At least for the time being.

Reaching up, he brushed the mussed locks of dark auburn hair from the back of the woman's neck to place the tender flesh where already small bruises that kept growing darker and faint teeth marks that would fade during the day.

He didn't feel bad about the markings in the least either because Evangeline had paid him back for each and every one of them.

The Potions master was rather thankful that he wore such concealing garments now. It would be difficult to conduct class with scratches and "hickies" visible to the students. Difficult? Hell, it'd be a nightmare.

Propping himself up on one arm, Severus looked down to the woman before him.

Merlin. He would almost daresay that being naked and laying across his desk made Evangeline all the more lovely. There was a radiance to her now that she was spent and happy, reveling in the shared sensations and feelings, that he had not noticed before.

For a moment his fingers drifted down from her to trace the scars on her back. They weren't all hideous, only a few looked particularly painful. Those were whelped up and jagged, stretching across her spine about half a foot before dissolving into finer, less noticeable blemishes that danced along her shoulders and lower back.

He didn't know what could have caused the disfigurements and he hoped that he never encountered it.

Slowly he brought his black gaze to rest on Evangeline's face which was partially concealed by her hair and shoulder.

Leaning forward again, Severus drew in a deep breath as he felt her round bottom press against his groin. He needed rest, but didn't want it. Not while she was still there.

With a gentle touch, the Potions master brushed her remaining hair back to better look at her.

Evangeline was looking at him over the graceful curve of her shoulder, a dreamy, soft smile on lips swollen with Severus' kisses.

"Had enough?"

Snape shook his head before he bent it to brush his own lips over her throat.

"I don't think I can get enough of you," he murmured against the heated flesh.

Evangeline laughed warmly. "Your classes start in less than four hours."

"If they haven't learned it by now, they're all lost causes."

Again she laughed. "Severus, please…"

His eyes closed as though he could somehow savor the sound of her voice better without sight. "Say it again."

"Severus?"

It was music. To hear his name spoken without disdain or disgust, taunting or malice was…paradise.

Grudgingly, Severus stepped back and let the redheaded woman up. Instantly he noticed the absence of her body's warmth against his. It made him frown.

Evangeline straightened herself and turned so that she faced him. To counter the scowl on his face, she smiled. "I can come back later if you really want, Professor. No need to pout."

"I do not pout," he replied in voice that was not truly cold.

"Mmhmm."

Severus couldn't help but let the sour façade melt when she wrapped her arms about his chest. He had never felt so wanted before in his life. It was a delightful and exhilarating experience that made him feel as though he could do and face anything.

"I really should be going. Carrier will be worried," Evangeline whispered lovingly as she looked up to him.

With a soft sigh, Severus bowed his head to press his forehead to hers, no words able to find him.

What did one say when they had just spent an incredible night with a woman's whose beauty could have made Helen of Troy a hag?

"Come back tomorrow," he returned in a low whisper.

Evangeline nodded and quickly pressed her lips to his. "I promise."

Once again, Severus had to force himself to tear away from her so she could get dressed. All it took was a flick of a wand and the red-haired siren was gone, leaving Severus to the dark loneliness of his dungeons.

Now that his one-time apprentice was gone, the Potions master dragged himself to the small chamber off his office that served as a bedroom.

He didn't even bother tugging on his old grey nightshirt before crawling into the bed. The heavenly scent of honeysuckle, of Evangeline, still clung to his skin and he didn't want anything to interfere with it lulling him into slumber.