Chapter 6

You're as much to blame, Draco's conscience mocked. You didn't even try to resist him.

Two hands settled heavily on Draco's hips, and a distinctly male body crowded him from behind. Abruptly Draco whirled around his palm midway to the man's cheek before he realized it was Rodney. Draco immediately jerked back and dropped his hand to his side.
Rodney looked as surprised as Draco was. "Hey, it's just me" he said his fingers tightening at Draco's waist.
"I'm... I'm sorry" Shaking his head trying to move away but Rodney wasn't letting go. "you startled me"

"I didn't mean to" slowly Rodney drew Draco forward, sexual prowess gleamed in his eyes "I was just wondering where you had disappeared to"

Harry's plot had worked. The thought of another man touching him made him want to bolt, not that he'd ever intended for him and Rodney to become intimate.

"Rodney----" Draco sucked in a deep breath of dismay as Rodney's hands slid up his dress and groped him.
"You like that?" he said near Draco's ear, obviously mistaking Draco's shock for pleasure. "how about we take a walk around the garden and find a spot where we can be alone for a bit?"

Draco grimaced, and his stomach lurched at the suggestion. Very calmly he removed Rodney's hand from his crotch, "If you don't mind, I think I'm ready to leave"

"Great" Rodney said enthusiastically, while passing a friendly hand over Draco's bottom and all but undressing him with his eyes "your place or mine?"
Draco squirmed out of his reach "Mine. I've got a horrendous headache and the runs" he said effectively dousing the lustful look in Rodney's eyes.

Draco's lungs burned and the muscles in his legs strained with every stride. Normally he had Harry by his side goading him to keep running and not give up, but those days were a thing of the past. The thought of Harry, or rather his anger toward the man kept Draco's legs pumping and his mind focused. After Harry's outrageous behavior the night before, his own response to him and Rodney's obtuse attitude, Draco wanted nothing more than a little peace and quiet in his life. And no men to complicate it.
His wish wasn't meant to be. The sound of an approaching jogger slowed by his side. Without looking Draco knew who it was, and refused to acknowledge the man responsible for his present black mood and sleepless night.
Draco tried to hold tight to his anger, which proved to be difficult considering Harry kept staring at him and occasionally brushing his arm with his. Draco's senses had an annoying way of tingling whenever Harry was near, and he shook the sensation before he could do something stupid...such as be nice to Harry.
Draco looked up at Harry and glared.
Harry grinned. "Good morning, Sweetheart" he said cheerfully

"Go to Hell, Potter" clenching his teeth Draco lengthened his stride.

Harry's long, muscular legs easily and effortlessly kept by his side "Beautiful day, don't cha think"
"It was until you showed up." taking a quick detour, Draco jogged up a grassy hill, leaving Harry momentarily behind.
Deep laughter rippled along Draco's nerves, then Harry was besides him again "can't say I mind being behind every once in a while. The view is quite delectable

Harry continued to jog beside Draco. Draco kept hoping if he ignored Harry long enough he would just go away. No such luck though.
"You know, I have to say you're getting good, Babe" Harry teased "usually by now youd've passed out on the side of the road."
Harry's subtle jibe provoked Draco. On impulse, he hooked his foot around Harry's ankle and tripped him. Harry stumbled and fell on the grass with a string of curses.
Grinning and enjoying his small victory, Draco turned around and jogged backwards so he could look at him. In his sweetest voice he said, "My, Harry, when did you get so clumsy?"
Faster than a panther, Harry sprung back up. A determined, you're-gunna-pay look in his eyes. Draco's heart gave a frantic leap of apprehension. Knowing he was in big trouble, Draco whirled back around and ran as fast as his legs could carry him. He was no match for Harry's speed. He anchored an arm around Draco's waist, throwing him off balance. With a shriek, Draco twisted around and grabbed for Harry in an effort to stop from falling, but he fell anyway, pulling Harry with him. Harry ended up sprawled on top of Draco, their faces inches apart.

Draco was instantly aware of Harry's hard body, slick with sweat against his own. His chest crushed against his own chest beneath the thin tank top he wore and his musky scent filled every breath Draco took in. The heat threatened to consume him. Draco struggled for freedom.
Harry cocked his brow and kept Draco pinned beneath him "Clumsy, eh?" Harry's gaze focused on Draco's mouth, his eyes darkening. Alarm bells went of in Draco's head. If he didn't do something soon Harry was going to kiss him, and if his lips so much as touched him he didn't know if he had the strength to stop him. Harry's head lowered, along with his slightly parted lips. Draco turned his head just as Harry's mouth landed on his cheek. Except that didn't stop him. Harry's mouth moved along Draco's jaw, nuzzled his neck, while his body arched subtly, intimately into Draco's.
Biting back a groan of pure need, Draco wound his fingers through Harry's thick, damp hair, and gently but firmly pulled his head back. "I suggest," he began in a voice more steely than he felt, "that you get off me before I scream my head off and have you arrested for assault"
Harry's mouth curled into a smile "Did someone wake up on the wrong side of the bed this morning?" Harry drawled huskily "or just the wrong bed?"
" GET...OFF...ME" Draco's low, precise tone held a warning.
The dark brow remained cocked but Harry didn't argue. Slowly –oh, so slowly he slid off Draco and stood, then offered Draco his hand.
Draco gave into the urge and punched Harry in the gut. His fist bounced off the well toned muscles and Harry didn't even flinch. "If you so much as touch me I won't be held responsible for my actions"
Frowning, Harry rubbed the spot that Draco punched "You're mad at me?"
Draco released a growl of frustration and stomped away, knowing if he stayed he would probably hex him "You catch on quick, Potter"
Harry caught up to Draco but wisely didn't touch him. "What did I do?"
"You know damn well what you did!" Draco yelled.
Harry jammed his hands in his pockets and tilted his head. "you talking about last night?"
"Yes you idiot" Draco hissed.
A little smirk touched Harry's mouth "Oh, that" his tone was rough and sexy at the same time.
"Yes 'that'" Draco repeated heatedly. He tried not to think about the incredible, erotic fantasy he'd fulfilled. "not only that but you walked away"
Harry slowly wiped the sweat off his forehead, his eyes looked very pleased "Is that what's bothering you? That I walked away afterwards?"

"Ooh!" the enraged sound rumbled in Draco's chest. He clenched his fists at his sides. "you seduced me deliberately!"
Harry's expression shifted, showing Draco his serious side. "I can't stand the thought of you sleeping with another man" he sounded and looked so vulnerable Draco wanted to weep. "It's not up to you who I sleep with, Harry. Not anymore. And you have no right to... To.."
"Make love to you?" Harry offered helpfully.

"Yes!" there wasn't many people in the park, but the few that were, turned around and stared at them. Draco gave them a small smile.
Harry lowered his voice "I didn't hear that mouth of yours say no. Not once. And I didn't do half the things I wanted to do to you."
Draco gasped "You didn't give me the chance to say no"
"As far as I was concerned, the moment I saw you wearing the stockings I sent, you were mine" Harry whispered.
"That is so chauvinistic"
Harry shrugged "It's the truth. I know you better than you think. You might have attended the party with Rodney but your heart and mind were with me all the time. And I don't think I have to remind you how hot your body was for me."
"You're crazy" Draco said shaking his head.
Harry caught his arm "Crazy for you, just like you're crazy for me" his gaze pierced Draco's soul "look me in the eyes and deny it"
"You're being obsessive," Draco said on a low hiss of breath. "you treated me like a possession last night, and I resent that."
"I treated you exactly how you wanted to be treated" Draco opened his mouth to issue a retort but Harry plowed on "maybe your mind is saying we're through but your body feels differently. Last night proved it.
Harry let go of Draco's arm and pushed his fingers through his hair. "I can't believe you're wasting your time on that Rodney fella."

Draco didn't bother telling Harry that he'd broken things off with Rodney last night. "Just like I wasted my time on you?"
Harry's mouth stretched into a grim line, and Draco could have sworn he saw hurt in Harry's eyes "Is that how you really feel about us?"
Draco turned and started walking away without answering.
Harry blocked his way, his body a formidable obstruction. "Dammit, answer me"
Draco looked up at him. "I love you, Harry" Draco whispered, giving into the urge to touch Harry's cheek. "how can I love someone so much and think of our time together as a waste? I regret how things ended---"
Harry caught Draco's wrist and pulled him close "no-one says it has to end" he said gruffly.

"I do" Draco's smile was shaky at best. "you can't give me what I need. You're not even willing to try"
Harry's jaw hardened, along with his eyes. "What do you want me to do?"

The impossible, Draco thought "I want you to love me."

"How can I give you something that doesn't exist for me?" Harry let go of Draco's hand and rubbed his scar "Merlin Draco I don't even know what love is."

Draco explained it in the most simplistic terms he could "Love is caring, and sharing, and wanting to be with the other person so much it hurts when you're apart."

"I'm hurting Draco, more than I've hurt in my entire life" the truth of the statement reflected in his eyes "and I care"

They were missing one important element "But you don't share. You don't share what's deep in your mind"

Harry cringed, silently admitting the truth "Would it make a difference if I did?"

Draco had to think carefully before answering because he didn't want to lie to Harry
"I honestly don't know if it would make a difference now, but maybe it would help me understand why you don't believe in love or why the word marriage makes you pale"
Harry offered no explanation just stared at Draco. Draco reached up and gave Harry a gentle kiss said goodbye and walked away.
This time when Draco walked away, Harry didn't try to stop him.