Chapter 5

What he wished he had done

She was completely still for a moment, in shock. But then, as the seconds ticked by, the reality of the situation slowly sifted into her mind, and, after a brief struggle, she gave in to the sensations coursing through her entire body, and kissed him back. The kiss was simple at first – chaste, innocent. But then Lily parted her lips, almost imperceptibly, and it changed suddenly. Suddenly, seven years of wondering, of missing, of dreaming, of regretting, of remembering that last look on Platform 9 ¾, became a deep, passionate kiss. Their lips and tongues met, and it was everything Lily had been longing for since…well, since 4th year, to be perfectly honest. And, without even thinking about it, she had scooted closer to him on the couch, and she was on her knees, almost straddling him (the very thought sent a wondrous tingly feeling down her spine). She rested her hands at the base of his neck, pulling him closer, and his hands were on her hips – just like before, when they were dancing.

James broke away first. His breath was slightly erratic, as if he couldn't get enough air – as if he'd just run a race, or (Lily cackled gleefully in her mind) he was rather…excited.

Lily looked at him, her lower lip poking out, like a young child denied sweets. He grinned.

"Don't look at me like that, or I may be forced to…" Lily raised one eyebrow suggestively. James inhaled sharply, but he managed to control himself. "No, really, Lily…Are you sure –?" I mean…I always thought you hated me…"

Lily laughed softly. "Maybe I did…for a while. In 4th year, maybe. I thought you were an arrogant prick… but then --- well, I guess I just let people believe I hated you, because it was easier…Towards the end, it became more an issue of pride than anything else…I thought how, well…stupid I would feel it, after all that, I just gave in and said yes…I guess I'm just too stubborn…" She trailed off.

James smiled. "We really do make a funny pair, don't we? This whole thing was so ridiculous! You know what I wish?"

"No. What?"

"I wish that, back in Hogwarts, I hadn't be go damn show-offy, and I'd had the chutzpah to –"

"James Potter, did you just say chutzpah?"

"Yes, I did," James said very seriously. "And now, if you would kindly listen to me, and not interrupt, I would be able to finish my sentence." He attempted a menacing glare. Lily giggled.

"Anyway, as I was saying, before you so rudely interrupted me, I wish I had just gone up to you on day, and –" He caught her chin between his thumb and forefinger, brought her face to his, and gave her a hard, fast kiss. "What would you have done?" he whispered.

"This." Lily kissed James again, starting slow and gentle, and then softly nibbling on his lower lip, his lips parted with a gasp, and then their tongues twisted for a moment – not long enough, James obviously thought. But Lily had already pulled away, and was at work on his neck – kissing, playing, teasing, biting – gently and not so gently. When she reached his earlobe and nipped it playfully, James groaned, and forced his lips on hers.

He murmured, between kisses, "And I would have…" and he left a trail of feather-soft kisses down her neck, and along her collarbone, and – here she gasped – along the neckline of her hater top. Wanting more, not caring where this might lead (She was 24 years old! She could fuck whomever she wanted! And she certainly did – want him, that is), she pushed him away, roughly even, in her haste. He looked up at her, shocked. But then understanding lit in his eyes, and her hands went to the hem of her shirt, and she lifted it – slowly, watching his widening eyes all the while – and then pulled it off altogether, and threw it on the floor, carelessly.

James was looking at her, almost reverently, murmuring "Beautiful…" but she wanted more, so she leaned in to kiss him again, and then she set to work on his shirt, fumbling with the buttons. Coming out of his daze, James reached up to help her, and then it was off, and they moved closer, and Lily gasped as she felt his bare skin against hers.

And then James seemed to remember where he'd left off, and was kissing his way down her neck and shoulder (too slowly!) and finally…she gasped, and arched towards him. And his hand was on the small of her back, pulling her to him, and then, all too soon, he dipped his lips lower, and trailed kisses down her stomach, and flicked his tongue into her belly button. But she grabbed him roughly by his (now even more tousled than usual) jet-black hair, and pulled his head up until she could kiss him, fiercely. Then she imitated his lovely ministrations, touching, kissing, licking, biting, every centimeter of his wonderfully toned torso.

But they were both growing bored of this – yearning for more. Lily at least had dreamed of this – vivid, unsettling, and not at all satisfying dreams – and something told her James had too. And she wanted to get to the best part – quickly, damn it! Bu that didn't mean she had to let James know that. She could at least make him wait a bit.

A/N: I know, am I evil, or what? I stopped right in the middle of a scene – a steamy, smutty, sex scene, no less. giggles…Sorry, I couldn't resist. But I promise I'll update soon…if you review. smiles sweetly like the young, innocent girl she is (not).