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CHAPTER 21

"You don't get to just kiss me and think everything is solved!" Hermione snapped the second they appeared in her bedroom. Draco had Apparated them mid-kiss and if his expression was any indication, he expected that they would have instantly gotten naked and rolled onto the bed.

She shoved him away. "So you think just because you say you won't discuss it, that's the end of it? That's not how this works, Draco!"

"Granger—"

"A woman was all over you. A woman who clearly knows you and your reputation. A woman who clearly knows how to please a man."

"This again?" Draco groaned in frustration. "We talked about this."

"No, you talked about this. You assured me everything is fine, you said you don't care. You. You, you, you!" She yelled and began pacing, the tension building between them in the room. She could feel the anger in him. Anger that she wouldn't just let this go. But she didn't care. "And now you need to listen to me. Are you capable of that?"

Draco shoved his hands in his pockets and nodded. His eyes had grown dark and she could see he was holding back

"All my life I've succeeded. In everything… well, almost everything. I can't fly a broom for shit. But because I've succeeded I..." She paused, closing her eyes and breathing deeply. "Because of that, I hate to fail. I've set the bar so high for myself it seems insane to everyone else, but I can't change that. I can't change who I am. And I won't. Not for you. Not for anyone. You've been with other women, Draco. A lot of other women, and I hate it. I hate that I'm not like them. That I've no idea what I'm doing here. I hate that I might fail at this. And instead of letting me rant and rave, you stomped away from me like a child this morning because you thought I was being ridiculous. And instead of slapping you like I should have done, I just agreed. I placated you, told you what was easiest to calm you down. It's something I have to stop doing." She stopped pacing and met his eyes. "I overthink things. I want — need — everything to be perfect. It's who I am. It's something you will have to learn to live with. Can you handle that?"

He slowly removed his hands from his pockets then crossed the room, leaning down until his face was just inches from hers.

"This is the woman I've been waiting for. The angry, forceful woman who knows what she wants. The one with the fire in her belly and ice in her veins. The one who will stand up and fight. That's the woman you are. That's the woman I want you to be. That's the woman I love."

He grabbed her face and kissed her, hard and angry, and with a want that she felt right to her core.

He wanted her like this. Wanted her angry, wanted her forceful. He—

The woman he loved?

She pulled away from him. "What?"

"You are Hermione Granger. That's who I want to be with. The woman I love."

"You don't love me."

"Actually, I do."

She backed away from him. "Draco, it's only been… a few weeks. You can't say that."

"It's been three months since our first encounter at the Manor." He smirked. "And too bad. I said it. Are you angry about it?"

"Yes I'm angry! Who the hell does that?"

"Me. It's who I am."

"So you've told every woman you've been with that you love them?"

"No." He moved closer to her once more. "I've only ever told one woman."

Hermione blinked at him. Her mouth dropped open in shock and her words failed her.

"I've never known anyone like you." He brushed the backs of his fingers across her cheek. "And as much as I was a bastard about it, you are Alpha. Everyone should have seen it. Smart, brave, fearless, incredibly selfless and kind. You are everything, Hermione Granger. And that's why I've fallen completely."

"But…"

"I've known all my life that when I found the woman I was meant to be with, I would say those words to her and only her. That's who I am. Can you handle that?"

She continued to stare at him, struggling to comprehend his words. She knew he was the one, knew it with her entire being. She felt deeply for him, felt the constant need to be near him. But love?

She wasn't quite sure what actually loving someone entailed. Was it simply the things she was feeling? Was it just the deep want to be with him? Was that all love was?

She gave her head a tiny shake. There had to be more. Love wasn't that simple.

"This is just Alpha bullshit, Draco. It's just your fucked up way of trying to calm me down." Hermione slammed her hands into his chest and he stumbled backward. "How many times do I need to remind you? You're not the only Alpha in the room anymore."

A split second of shock flashed in his eyes, then a sneer curled his lip.

"Maybe you should remind me again. I mean, I'm just a stupid Alpha male. I'm only after one thing."

"Yeah, to be a fucking domineering arse." With a flick of her wrist his clothes vanished. "You need to be taught a lesson, Draco Malfoy."

"And what lesson could you possibly teach me?" he taunted, then gave a yelp of surprise when he slid backwards across the floorboards and landed heavily on the bed.

"A lesson, Mr Malfoy..." She moved to stand at the end of the bed, her fingers toying with the bow at her hip, pleased to note that he wasn't as unaffected as he wanted her to believe. "...that you will never, ever forget."

Her dress fell open when she slowly pulled the tie holding it together. Draco leaned up on his elbows, taking her in.

He met her eyes, arching an eyebrow. "That's what you've been wearing all night?"

She shrugged her shoulders, allowing the dress to slide from her body and pool at her feet. "Does it surprise you? Am I that much of a prude?"

He sat up, watching her kick her heels off. "My thoughts when it comes to you are not prudish."

She allowed him half a smile, then leaned forward, placing her palms on the end of the bed. His eyes dropped instantly to her chest and the flimsy fabric barely holding her breasts in.

"Again, it's all about you. Your thoughts…"

"No, I meant—"

She crawled onto the bed — stopping his words — and knelt between his legs. She touched her hands to his chest. "Mr Malfoy, you might want to lay down for this." She shoved him backwards and leaned over him. "Now, are you going to be a good boy or will I have to tie you up?"

Draco grinned, reaching up to pinch her nipple through the lace.

She sat back on her heels and smirked at him. "Tied up it is."

His arms flew above his head and the sash from her dress floated towards him, winding its way around his wrists and anchoring him to the headboard.

"If I'd known this was your kink…" He winked at her.

"Don't make me gag you as well."

"Maybe that's my kink."

"Hmm," she hummed, teaching behind her back. "Likes to be gagged. What about blindfolded?"

"Don't you fucking dare!" His eyes swirled with greys, the prospect of her covering his face angered him, but amused her.

"You like to watch. That's your kink."

She released the clasp on the bra and let it slide from her body. She took no small amount of pleasure in the way his body reacted. His cock — already hard — bounced on his belly, the thick knot beginning to form at its base.

How angry would he be if she covered his face? She smirked, and found she didn't really care.

"Granger," he warned. "If you cover my face…"

She dangled the tiny piece of lace in front of him. "You'll do what? Break those bonds and spank my arse?"

His hips lifted, despite the strain she could see on his face. He was fighting for control. The Alpha in him wanted out. But she wouldn't let him win.

Draco tugged at the restraints. "Granger…"

"Poor baby. Can't you get free?" She pitched her voice to sarcastic whine and laid the lace across his eyes. "Maybe you should try harder."

"Granger," he warned again. "Are you sure you want to play this game?"

"You can still see. It's only lace." She smiled sweetly at him and ran her finger down his chest. "But I'll make you a deal. If you can free yourself, you can have me however you want."

She saw his jaw clench, watched as his hips lifted once more, bit back her laugh as he tugged against the sash around his wrists. His lips moved, silently attempting to break the spell she had cast, but her magic was stronger than his and he knew it. There was no way he could counter the spell that now bound him.

"Oh, you can't break my magic?" she taunted, her fingers trailed along his thighs, circling over his hips and stomach. "I guess it must be tough being the second Alpha in the room."

He flicked his head to the side in an attempt to dislodge her bra from his face. "Let me see you."

Her hands continued to tease over his skin. "Might I remind you that you're not in charge here?"

"Granger, take this off my face!" He flicked his head again and the bra slipped down, covering his mouth.

Hermione laughed. "I think I like you gagged."

"Not funny." He lifted his head, shifting the lace with his chin.

"Oh, you don't like what I'm doing?" Her fingers brushed over his knot, making his entire body jerk, and he cursed. She held her hand up and looked up at him. "Too much?"

"Fuck no! Keep going."

She hesitated for a second, then Pansy's voice sounded inside her head.

Explore. Ask him what he likes.

"Like this?" She repeated the movement, brushing her fingertips lightly over him and gauging his reaction.

His eyes were on her, watching her hand, her face, her bare breasts. And his body tensed every time her fingers touched what was clearly the most sensitive part of him.

"That feels... fuck that feels good."

"Yeah?" She giggled at the sight of him. Her bra had lodged itself at his throat, one cup sitting just on his chin, the lace forming a pretty blue beard. She reached up and dragged it away, flinging it behind her. "Sorry. I should have listened to you."

He shook his head. "Don't apologise. Just keep doing what you were."

"You like it?" She bit her lip, her nerves beginning to surface.

"I love it." He nodded encouragingly. "Please keep going."

Hermione took a breath. It wasn't a demand. He wasn't trying to take control. He didn't think her ridiculous for touching him so lightly, for exploring, for learning what he liked.

Pansy's voice whispered inside her head once more.

...if he doesn't lose his load… try with… something else… your tongue, or your teeth… touch his balls...

"Granger, come back to me," Draco said quietly. "What you're doing is incredible. Please don't stop."

She shoved her nerves away and leaned over him. "Thank you."

"No, Ms Granger. Thank you."

Hermione laughed, tracing the red scars on his broad chest. "Do you like to be teased?"

"I'm loving you teasing me." He tugged on the sash once more. "But I'm not sure I'm loving this."

She paused her fingers. "Do you want me to remove it?"

"No, it's… not yet." He nodded towards her hand. "What I want you to do is stop thinking and go back to what you were doing. My dick was enjoying the handshake."

Hermione giggled and kissed him quickly. "Well, if a handshake is all it takes…"

She reached down and stroked her hand over him while she kissed her way down his chest, his stomach, nipping at his hip.

"Your skin is so warm," she murmured.

"I've no idea why," he laughed.

She glanced up at him. "You have a fever?"

Draco snorted a laugh then choked when she ran her tongue along the length of him.

"Fuck," he growled. "More."

Moving slowly, she flattened her tongue against him and dragged it along the underside of his thick cock, from base to tip, flicking over the crown. He was already leaking and she was surprised at the sweet taste.

She glanced up at him. His eyes were fixed on her face, staring at her with a mixture of utter disbelief and unadulterated desire, a combination that spurred her on.

Pressing tiny, wet kisses back down the length of him, she paused at the base. Lifting her head, she studied him. His knot had swelled, and he looked even bigger than he truly was. His balls had pulled up tight and she could see the restraint in his body as he held himself still.

Tongue… teeth…

Her hands found his hips, her fingers digging into the hard muscle as she touched her lips to the thick knot. He hissed through gritted teeth, his cock twitching and lifting from his belly of its own accord. Grazing her teeth over his skin, he grunted, the sound like a drug to her senses and her own need grew heavy between her thighs.

She would never have dreamed performing this act would have such an effect on her. She assumed this would only be pleasurable for him, but the taste and feel of him, the visible reactions, the sounds, the scent of his arousal flowing from every pore — it was an experience she had not been prepared for.

But it was one she was thoroughly enjoying.

She began to tease him mercilessly. Teeth and hands and mouth and tongue. His pleasure growing with each touch.

Surrounding the tip of him with her lips, she opened her mouth and slowly drew him inside. Stroking her tongue over him, he shifted beneath her, sucking in a breath when she cupped his balls.

Hermione looked up at him. His jaw was set and his arms were tense, the tight muscles straining against her magic. He was struggling with being restrained, but she knew his Alpha pride wouldn't allow him to beg her to release him.

Stroking her fingers gently over the soft skin of his sac, she lifted her free hand and released him from the restraint. The sash slid away and his hands were on her instantly, his fingers threading through her hair and holding the unruly strands away from her face. She continued to slide her mouth over him, humming at the feel of his touch. He wasn't guiding her, wasn't trying to take control, he was just holding her. Watching her. Feeling her.

"Fucking hell," he groaned. "This is… everything you're doing is fucking perfect."

She hummed again, a surge of power rushing through her. This beautiful, strong man was falling apart. And it was all because of her.

Closing her eyes she fell into an easy rhythm, working her mouth and hand in time with the slow movement of his hips. His breath was heavy, deep grunts vibrated in his chest, and his hands tightened in her hair.

"More," he groaned. "Suck harder. Show me how much you love this."

She closed her lips around him, grazing her teeth against the tip and curling her hand tighter around his knot. A string of cursed nonsense spilled into the air.

Fuck… more… fuck that's… yes… fuck!

His body tensed, his thighs tightening, and his hips rocked up in sharp thrust. His cock throbbed against her tongue, and he pulled her mouth away.

"Coming, Granger," he warned in a deep growl. "Fucking coming."

Hermione squeezed her hand tighter around him. She watched, fascinated, as his heavy length pulsed against her palm and he came, wet and warm, covering his stomach and her fingers.

Draco's hand relaxed in her hair and his head thumped back onto the pillows. His breathing was choppy and he grabbed her wrist, murmuring, "Enough."

A shot of pride tingled along her spine and she smiled. She'd rendered him immobile, more so than any petrification charm could ever do.

But she wasn't finished with him.

She lifted her hand, hovering it over his stomach and whispering, "Scourgify." The mess vanished and she crawled over him, her knees pressing into the mattress either side of his hips. He opened his eyes and lifted his head, watching the place where her slick skin slid over his still-hard cock.

"Granger," he groaned, his hands gripping her hips in an attempt to stop her movements. "Give me a minute."

She laughed and brushed her fingers across his chest. "You're an Alpha, Malfoy. You can go all night. Or was that a lie?"

"After that, it's definitely a lie."

She rose above him and reached between them. He was still hard, still pulsing, twitching eagerly and she teased the tip against her entrance. "Well, little Draco says otherwise."

She sank down onto him, both exhaling heavily as she took him inside her. He felt so good. The stretch and pull of her body around him. The length of him hard against her sensitive walls. This was what she wanted. To feel him like this. Giving himself to her. Giving her everything.

Placing her palms on his chest, she began to move, rocking her hips and slowly finding the right angle, the right rhythm. She slid along the length of him, feeling every solid inch, every ridge, every vein. It was a sensation she'd not had the chance to completely feel the first time. She'd been too concerned with not dying from pleasure.

But this… him…

She curled her fingers into his chest, feeling the steady thump of his heart, watching the heavy rise and fall as he tried to control his breathing.

Rolling her hips back, she ran her palms across his chest, feeling the firm definition of every muscle. Curving around his ribs. Down his stomach, tracing every smooth inch of him before covering his hands on her hips.

Every one of her senses was suddenly heightened. Everything became more vibrant — an explosion of sensations like fireworks under her skin.

Was this what he had felt the first time he'd been inside her? Had he felt everything at once? Felt the euphoric feeling of pure pleasure in every cell in his body?

Hermione let her head drop back as a white-hot wave swept over her.

"No," she choked. She'd barely started and she was already falling. "No... not yet."

Draco's fingers dug into her hips, holding her steady.

"Come," he growled. "Give in and come on my cock."

A clenching orgasm shot through her like wildfire, blurring her brain, and rolling her eyes back in her head.

It was heaven.
Nirvana.
Paradise.

And she'd only just started.

She opened her eyes, her body shuddering, and looked down at him. He was smiling at her, cocky as hell she'd come so quickly.

"Shut up," she told him and he laughed.

"How good did it feel?" He squeezed her hips. "To just let go, to not think? How did it feel?"

"So good," she breathed.

"Then..." he slid his hands along her thighs "...do it again."

Hermione dragged her bottom lip through her teeth, linking her fingers with his when he lifted his hand to her.

How did he do it? How did he become the one person her entire being reacted to so strongly? Why was he the one person who frustrated her to the point of madness, then made her laugh just moments later?

She hated being vulnerable, was terrified of losing herself. She needed to feel like the woman she had worked so hard to become and not be labelled as simply a female Alpha.

But the thrill of him — the way they fit — curled a deep warmth inside her that told her she was safe.

Safe with him.

He would never allow her to be anything but who she was.

"Granger?" Draco whispered her name, his eyes searching hers.

"I'm right here," she whispered and reached for his other hand. "I'm right here with you."

His fingers squeezed hers, and she closed her eyes, just feeling the endless strength of him underneath her. She was anchored to him in a way that was more than his cock inside her, more than the Alpha instinct they both shared.

It was a deeper feeling.

Not something he was doing to her.

Not something she was doing to him.

It was them. Him and her. Together.

As one.

She opened her eyes and he was watching her. His eyes glowed brilliant blue and he smiled slowly, knowing that she had finally given herself to him completely.

"Look at you, Granger. You are a goddess over me." He pulled her down to him, releasing their joined hands and threading his fingers through her hair. "You own me, Granger. I belong only to you."

He smiled again, then kissed her like the world was ending, slanting his mouth over hers and groaning into her open mouth. She shifted her hips, needing the friction inside her once more, and he settled his hands on her the curve of her arse, urging her to chase what she wanted.

Curling her arms around his head, she slid her body over his, moving along his length in a torturously slow slide. She found the gland at his throat with her tongue, causing him to shudder and thrust up as she slid down.

Hermione's gasps mingled with his grunts, and she sat up, needing the space to move, to chase the ache that was building and boiling inside her. Draco was watching her with reverence, like she truly was the goddess he named her as.

And she felt the overwhelming need to prove it.

Planting her palms on his chest again, her confidence growing — she'd brought him over once, she could certainly do it again — she found her rhythm once more.

Up and down, she teased him. Up and down, the length of him slid through her. Up and down, she forgot about everything and lost herself in the feel of him.

Just him and her. The hardness of him. The wetness of her.

Draco cursed, groaning her name, and thrusting his hips up to meet hers. Moving, rocking, their bodies pressed together. Meeting and parting, over and over, each pushing the other harder, deeper, until her breath was little more than gasps, and bursts of white stars coloured her vision.

Then she shocked him.

She lifted her hips one last time and came down hard over the entire length of him, his knot filling and stretching her body, then locking inside her.

His spine snapped in a sharp arc and she felt him swell, felt her own body clench hard around him. His eyes snapped open and with a roar he released his seed, pumping hot, fiery bursts into the depths of her being.

Her whole body arched, and she began to fall. Her mind went blank, all her fears and doubts leaving her for just this moment. A spark ignited inside her, growing and spreading, winding through her and pulling her apart in the most pleasurable way she could ever imagine.

She threw her head back, crying out his name in a voice she barely recognised. Raw and unhinged, wild and untamed. A rough and rasping cry of worship to the beautiful blue-eyed man beneath her.

Falling forward, his strong arms caught her and held her to him. His mouth was on her throat instantly, lapping at the gland with a desperate need.

Threading her hands in his damp hair, she wrenched his head back.

"No," she gasped. "Too much."

He growled and held her tighter, as if trying to pull her body inside his. She could scent the Alpha possessiveness, and this time it wasn't just his.

She stared down at him, their eyes locking, and she knew.

She didn't just want to mark him.

She wanted to claim him.