Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any related characters.
A/N: Happy *Whirlpool* Wednesday! This chapter is definitely on the steamier side!
Shout-out to my thirsty betas: accio-broom, be11atrixthestrange, smjl, and adenei. You're all amazing!
Find Me Under the Waterfall
Chapter Four
Whirl Me In
Hermione
Her hands are shaking as she pushes the door open just wide enough for Ron to slip through. He gives her a tentative smile, his hand brushing her hip as he steps around her. He's standing just close enough that she gets a whiff of his cologne, and she can already feel the wetness pooling between her thighs.
Maybe this wasn't her smartest decision in the world.
Yet again, as Hermione spots the moonlight shining through the open window, she knows the outdoor whirlpool is calling their names. All at once, she is certain that she made the right decision, and she doesn't want to relax all alone in her decently-sized tub.
"Care for a dip?" Hermione suggests, already walking backwards towards the bathroom where her bathing suit hangs behind the door.
"Y-yeah. Although, I don't have my trunks with me."
Hermione taps her chin, analyzing her brain for possible solutions. "That's a good point. Would you like to go back to your room to grab some?"
"I mean, it wouldn't be the first time I'd go for a swim in just my boxer shorts." Ron gives her a wide toothy grin, and just that small admittance awakens the carnal energy inside of her. "If that's alright with you, I mean."
Hermione smiles at his thoughtfulness before raising a teasing brow. "Really? Not the first time, huh?"
Ron's eyes widen, and she can tell he's piecing together what she's insinuating.
"Oh no...I didn't mean it like that. Just stupid teenager stuff, is all."
Hermione gives a short, perfunctory nod then reaches for the two hangers on the hook attached to the door. "Well, then. For one night and one night only, you are free to be a teenager again, Mr. Weasley."
Hermione debates between her two options of swimwear, not even realizing how close Ron is until he sneaks up from behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist.
"You should go for the two-piece again," he whispers in her ear, sending shivers down her spine.
"I'll be just a moment," Hermione chokes out. She unravels herself from Ron's arms and throws her body through the door, slamming it shut behind her with more force than she intends.
Hermione presses her back against the door, closing her eyes. Just relax, she chants to herself. He's seen you like this before, and he's still here, isn't he?
She dresses quickly, and takes in a large, deep breath. She combs her fingers through her knotted curls before twisting the long strands up into a bun with little ringlets framing her face. With her heart drumming against her chest, she opens the door to find Ron leaning against the railing on the terrace with his back facing away from her. A pleasant ripple runs through her as she notices he is now shirtless but still has his trousers on. Hermione's feet slowly pad forward, and it isn't until she steps outside that she alerts him of her presence.
He turns, and his eyes travel up and down her swim-clad body. Hermione fights the urge to wrap her arms around herself to cover up. Somehow, the way his eyes are burning holes through every inch of her bare skin doesn't make her as nervous as she anticipated.
When he flashes her a crooked smile, she knows she's never felt so safe with a man before as she does with Ron.
Hermione bends over to turn the whirlpool jets on and throws the two white towels she brought outside with her onto the chaise lounge. She's aware of Ron's eyes watching her every move, so with a small smile playing on her lips, she sits on the edge of the oval tub. In a move that she hopes to be seductive, she bends her legs and lifts them over the side of the tub, dipping them into the hot freshwater.
She closes her eyes and lets out a content sigh, enveloping her senses in the warmth and relaxation that the luxurious bath provides. She moves her legs around in a circular motion, watching as they create a pattern of swirls in the water.
Hermione feels the water move beside her, and when her eyelids flutter open again, she finds herself staring straight into Ron's irises. He places one hand on each of her thighs at the surface of the water.
"This was a brilliant suggestion," Ron chuckles, giving her a wink before leaning his head back into the warm liquid to dampen his hair. He kicks off from the edge of the jacuzzi with his feet, coming to rest on the opposite end from her.
"It's quite therapeutic, isn't it?" Hermione remarks, holding his gaze over the steamy bubbles that form from the high-powered jets. In the reflection of the water, Hermione can see the tea lights hanging above them. They almost look like floating candles, providing low lighting in their small oasis of privacy.
The whirlpool melts away any stress or tension, massaging Hermione's muscles and joints in all the right places. She observes Ron with his head tilted back and arms bobbing up and down in the water. He looks more comfortable than ever, and although she is itching to be closer to him, she hesitates to disrupt his relaxation.
Hermione takes a careful step to submerge her body into the heated pool, and the small movement causes Ron to peek one eye open.
He grins at her. "What are you thinking about?"
"I'm thinking about how I owe my boss a thank you letter for providing me a room with a private spa."
"I think I owe them the exact same thing."
Hermione throws her head back in laughter. Gaining the confidence she needs, she wades forward through the water. As she comes closer to Ron, his eyes open fully. He straightens his back and holds his hand out in an invitation.
Hermione's fingers tremble without permission, intertwining with Ron's as he pulls her towards him like a magnet — the water undulating between them. She drinks in his features like cinnamon whiskey, and she's desperate for a way to quench her thirst. Her tongue darts out to moisten her dry lips, and she watches Ron's eyes darken at the action. The steam from the water wafts up, mixing in with the heat of their stares.
With a low growl, Ron attaches his hand to the back of her head and smashes their lips together, both moaning from the anticipated contact. Hermione feels like she's drowning in a single kiss — clinging to his shoulders to avoid slipping straight to the bottom of the pool.
As his mouth folds over her bottom lip, Hermione tightens her grip around Ron's neck, pressing her hips down onto his lap. She snakes her fingers through his copper strands, basking in the sensation of his long, strong hands exploring every inch of her body. A small whimper escapes her mouth as his lips sear a path down her neck.
Everything is hot and wet, and Ron claims her body like she's the dessert of the week at the resort. Goose pimples erupt all over her skin, and her heart pulses between her legs, encouraging her to press more firmly into his evident arousal.
"Granger...you're killing me here," Ron groans into her mouth.
"It's okay to relax," Hermione breathes against his lips, unwilling to break their connection.
"Right, because every couple uses the whirlpool for just relaxation." Ron's voice is dripping with sarcasm, yet he continues to snog her like his life depends on it.
Couple.
"Still want to…take things...slow?" Hermione gasps out through ragged breaths, fully distracted by Ron's teeth grazing her ear.
"Maybe...maybe we can do a bit more…" Ron's voice is deep and scratchy, and it takes everything in her not to grab his very obvious erection and have her way with him. "If you're comfortable with that."
"Yes." It's almost embarrassing to hear how quick she is to respond.
He chuckles against her lips, "Why, Hermione. If I didn't know any better, I'd say this was your plan all along."
She pulls back just enough to nuzzle her nose against his. Looking down, she can see the bubbles forming between their bodies from the jets. "What on Earth would give you that idea?"
Ron's hands trace a teasing path down her lower back, brushing the lining of her swim bottoms. The touch of his fingers creates little sparks of electricity along her skin. Her body is humming with desire, preparing for an explosion of ecstasy. When he finds the ties on the back of her suit again, she does nothing to stop him, and this time, she is brave enough to pull her top clear away from her wet skin.
Hermione hears a gurgling sound come from the back of Ron's throat, and she dips her exposed breasts down under the water on instinct. Ron grabs at her forearms to pull her back up, and Hermione doesn't miss the way his eyes drip with lust.
"Fucking hell, you're beautiful."
His hands reach out to cup her tender breasts, giving them a soft squeeze that has Hermione almost biting a hole through her own lip to keep from screaming out in pleasure. The way he massages her is so gentle, yet firm, and it's like his hands fit perfectly into the shape of her.
Their eyes dance together as they marinate in the silence around them, apart from the sound of the short water bursts spilling out of the jets. As Ron's eyes change from dark to light, Hermione discovers the waterfall of emotions that cascade down his face. He's looking at her in such a way that she's always hoped a man would — not just with desire, but adoration. Passion. Fondness.
Dare she even say love?
She can't stand not to be as close as possible to him anymore, so she pushes her breasts against his naked chest — skin to skin, she can feel the rapid pulse of his thumping heartbeat.
"Hi, there," he mumbles, so close that she can taste his breath.
Resting her forehead on his, Hermione grinds her center into the prominent bulge beneath his boxer shorts. She feels his breath coming out in small puffs of air against her lips, and his firm hands grip her bum to repeat the action. Their hips roll in slow, methodical movement, and just when Hermione senses she is about to lose all control, Ron freezes.
"Hermione, we need to stop."
"Why?"
Ron grabs her hips and slides her off his lap to keep her at bay, letting out what appears to be a regretful sigh. "Because if we don't, I'll have my way with you right here."
Hermione raises a suggestive brow, unabashed by her forwardness. "Would that be such a bad thing?"
Ron releases another strangled groan, making Hermione squeal by tickling her sides. "You are such a bad influence on me!"
"Hey, you started it with your chiseled muscles and handsome face!"
"Oh, really now? Chiseled muscles?" He's roaring with laughter at her. Hermione huffs and snatches up her discarded swim top, tying it back on before swimming to the edge of the whirlpool.
Hermione can hear Ron pouting behind her as she lifts her body out of the tub, and she allows a playful eye roll. Despite the warm evening, her teeth chatter from the vast change in body temperature, and she shivers her way over to the towels. Before she can drape the white cloth around her shoulders, Ron snatches the towel from her hands and does it for her. His hair is dripping wet, and he has a smile that makes her feel weak in the knees as he wraps her up in the cloth and pulls her closer.
"Warm enough, now?" He asks, bending his head low to give her a soft, sweet kiss on the lips.
Ron pulls away at the slowest pace, and Hermione closes her eyes. "Hmm, come lay with me for a moment?"
"O'course."
Hermione makes herself comfortable on the chaise, scooting her bum over so that she leaves Ron enough room, but not too much room so that she can still snuggle up against his chest. He joins her after drying his hair with his own towel, taking her in his arms and intertwining their legs together.
They sit together in silence for several minutes, listening to the sounds of the trees rustling in the wind and the waves crashing against the shore.
"Ron?" Hermione mumbles from his chest.
"Yeah?"
"Today's been a great day."
She can almost see him grinning. "The best."
That is the last thing she remembers before her eyelids flutter close, drifting off into the warmth of Ron's arms that she craves.
Her body feels like a twisted pretzel when she wakes up, and for a single, disorienting moment, she isn't sure where she is.
Then she recalls the eventful night before, and there's not a lot she can do to keep the giggle from escaping her lips. Her soft rumble of laughter shakes Ron from his slumber, and he rubs his sleepy eyes before settling on Hermione's face.
"Well, it's good to see you."
Hermione traces a pattern of freckles on Ron's chest. "It was quite a night."
His low chuckle vibrates against her ear. "It was."
Hermione presses a kiss to his sculpted chest and sits up, stretching her arms high while rolling out the kinks in her neck.
"So, Hermione, what's your plan for the day?" Ron inquires, looking around for his misplaced shirt.
"Breakfast with you, I was hoping." Hermione bites her lip in anticipation, knowing that she isn't ready for their time together to be over. She just hopes he agrees.
To her relief, he responds, "That sounds perfect."
Hermione makes a move to head inside and change clothes when Ron catches her hand to bring her back to him. He gives her a slow and sensual kiss that Hermione feels down to her toes. The sensation of snogging him makes her lightheaded and gasping for air.
Damn, this man kisses with passion, and she's quite certain she's never been kissed like this before.
When their embrace ends, Hermione takes a moment to steady her breathing and clear her head. "Mmm, we better get going then, before we have a repeat of last night."
Ron's stomach growls between them. "Alright, alright. I suppose I should actually get some work done today."
"So, naturally, that means eat food, right?" Hermione teases.
There's a mischievous glint in Ron's eyes. "Naturally."
After a quick pit stop at Ron's room for him to change, they head to breakfast together, walking hand in hand.
Ron's eyes light up as he sees the assortment of breakfast options at the buffet and he wastes no time piling his plate high with bacon, eggs, pancakes, and toast with various jams and butters.
Hermione laughs, watching him chew on a piece of bacon while still in line to get more food.
"Wow, when you say you're hungry, you're hungry."
Ron flashes her a massive grin. "One of the things you'll get used to about me. 'Sides…" He points towards his full plate, "Most of this is for research."
An anxious bubble rolls through her empty stomach. Did he just say I'll need to get used to it? Meaning he intends on making more plans with me?
Hermione allows his words to replay through her head over and over, and doesn't realize that she is so lost in thought until they are already seated at a table.
"You alright?" Ron asks through crinkled brows.
Hermione shakes her head, picking up her spoon to dip it into her porridge topped with fruit. "Y-yeah, I'm fine!"
Ron doesn't look convinced, but before he can inquire further, the two men from karaoke last night find their table.
"Hey, look, it's Ron and Hermione!" The man Hermione remembers as Seamus exclaims. "Every little thing she does is magic…" He sings, making Hermione blush red.
"Hey, Seamus, Dean, how are you guys this morning?" Ron greets, wiping his greasy hands on a napkin.
"Doing great!" Dean replies. "Reckon it's hard not to be happy when you're here, right?"
"We're going on a massive excursion today," Seamus pipes in. "It's a speed boat tour through the island, making stops at the Arenal Volcano, continuing through the rainforest before ending with a dip in the natural hot springs. I heard there's a waterfall, too! Comes highly recommended from frequent island visitors."
"Wow, that sounds amazing!" Hermione marvels.
"There were still spots available when we checked in this morning," Dean shrugs, eyeing them both. "Do you two care to join us?"
Hermione meets Ron's questioning eyes. "What do you think?"
The corner of his mouth lifts. "I say you had me at waterfall."
