Chapter Forty Five

Draco held Ginny's hand as they made their way back to her bedroom. She had her hand on the doorknob and was about to turn it when Draco stopped her. She turned to give him a puzzled look. "Is something wrong?"

"I have to carry you across the threshold," he said, as though it were the most obvious thing in the world. She giggled as he bent and slipped his arm beneath her knees, cradling her as he picked her up. She wrapped her arms around his neck and laughed when he had trouble turning the doorknob. He finally managed to get it open, almost dropping her in the process, and then kicked it shut behind him.

"All right, you've done your husbandly duty. May I walk on my own again?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with silent laughter. He grinned.

"I haven't done my husbandly duty yet, and I intend to carry you to the bed," he said, waggling his eyebrows. She giggled even as she blushed, and held tighter to him.

"Don't drop me!" She squealed as he almost tripped on a corner of the rug. He made his way to the bed with her and laid her down gently.

"What, no applause?" he asked, looking wounded. She laughed and clapped her hands together lightly, feeling giddy as she watched him mock-bow to her. He sat on the edge of the bed and gazed down at her. "Still nervous?"

She nodded.

"Why don't we take things slow, then?" He slipped his shoes and socks off, then turned and slipped her shoes and socks off as well, tossing them onto the floor. She watched with bated breath as he unfastened all of the buttons on the front of his shirt, then slid it off. Her eyes traveled slowly over his exposed torso, then met his eyes again. Her throat went dry at the look he was giving her.

"My turn?" she asked softly.

"Only if you're ready." He watched as she sat up and lifted her shirt over her head, exposing her white cotton bra. She met his eyes again tentatively, and waited for him to say something. Red splotches were starting to appear on her chest and throat from the nervousness she was feeling; it roiled around in the pit of her stomach and made her squirm slightly. She had seen Daphne's body, and knew that hers was nowhere near as filled out in certain places. Would he be disappointed with her?

Instead of speaking, he reached out and stroked her cheek with his hand, letting his thumb caress her skin lightly. He was gentle when he forced her to lie down on her back, and she felt a surge of adrenaline when he crawled over her, resting his weight on his hands and knees. He stared into her eyes for several moments before closing his eyes and pressing his lips to hers. A soft sigh escaped her, and she raised her arms to wrap them around his neck. When her fingertips met his bare flesh, she ran them lightly across his shoulders, then down his arms. His kiss became more intense, and his tongue begged entrance to her mouth.

Her hands found the back of his neck, then moved lightly over his back. He groaned and his mouth moved from hers to trail kisses down her jaw. When his mouth found her throat, she arched against him, eliciting a low growl from him. He nibbled and licked her neck by turns, causing her to gasp with every new sensation. When his teeth scraped gently against her collarbone, she moaned softly.

"Sweet Circe," he whispered, gently cupping a breast. Her eyes flew open and she gasped louder than before when his thumb brushed lightly across her already hardened nipple. She watched as he fumbled around on the side table for his wand, then muttered a charm that removed her bra. His wand was tossed to the floor, and she was lost in a world of new sensations when his hot mouth covered a nipple. Instinctively she bucked her hips against him, causing him to stop his ministrations and groan. He moved his attentions to the other breast, and she felt a surge of wetness below her hips.

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"Are you all right?"

She nodded, not trusting herself to speak. He kissed her languidly, taking his time and letting his tongue explore her mouth. When he pulled away, her eyes were still closed, and she was still struggling to steady her ragged breathing. He withdrew, leaving her with a feeling of profound emptiness, and gathered her close in his arms, nuzzling her neck.

"Wow," she managed. He grinned against her neck. "I never thought-"

"It's amazing, isn't it?" he agreed. She nodded, and he dropped a soft kiss on her neck. She shivered in his arms.

"I-"her voice died momentarily, but when she felt him drop a kiss on her bare shoulder, she smiled. "I love you, Draco." He squeezed her close.

"I love you, Ginny Malfoy," he whispered. She closed her eyes and savored the sound of the words on his lips. His whispered words of love were the last thing that she heard before drifting off to sleep in her husband's arms.