The comfortable duvet enveloped the couple into a cocoon of warmth and love. Bella's eyes fluttered open as her mind spiraled back to the events leading up to the most peaceful slumber she had experienced since her early teenage years. She felt the warm body pressed into her front and smiled as the scent of Hermione's perfume and her pheromones tickled her nose. The Valentine's Day date was a success except Bella found herself still sitting on Hermione's present. There was never an opportunity to give it to her last night because when they got back to the hotel room, things took a sexier turn than Bella had anticipated but she was in no way complaining. "Is it inappropriate to send my therapist a thank you for fixing my orgasms present?" Bella thought to herself and chuckled, wrapping her arm tighter around Hermione's abdomen. She felt the younger woman react to her touch but not fully wake up. She looked over her shoulder at the clock. It was just nearing 9am. She had secured a late check out for them so they had the room until noon. "Hmm," Bella thought as she snuggled closer, moving thick chestnut waves out of the way, leaving a few feather light kisses on the side of her lover's neck below her ear while her hand wandered down Hermione's side, moving the covers down with her. "Damn, she's beautiful," Bella thought as she felt the soft skin of Hermione's hip. She moved her hand back over her hip and rubbed her ass cheek, giving it a little massage, causing a soft whimper to escape from Hermione. Bella carefully slid her hand over Hermione's hip and down between her legs, and let out a soft, quiet moan when she felt how wet her girlfriend already was. She bit her lip and slid her fingers between Hermione's fold, rubbing a few circles around her clit. The younger woman softly moaned and rolled over onto her back but still remained asleep. Bella circled Hermione's entrance before sliding a finger inside of her, moving in and out slowly a few times before removing it and putting the wet digit inside her mouth, unable to hold back a moan at how good she tastes.
Bella carefully shifted and lowered herself between Hermione's legs, hooking her arms around her lover's thighs, spreading her open wider. She was already so wet and wanting and she wasn't even fully awake. Just little moans every so often and squirms. Bella tentatively swiped her tongue up and down Hermione's sopping folds before entering her as far as her tongue would allow. Bella smirked against her lips when she felt fingers tangle into her dark curls. She pulled back, chin glistening with Hermione's juices and saw glazed brown eyes staring at her, "good morning, my love." Hermione gave her a sleepy smile and returned the greeting before guiding Bella's attention back to the feast in front of her.
"All business this morning," Bella chuckled before wrapping her lips around Hermione's clit gently suckling and lapping at the needy bundle of nerves. She dipped her fingers back into her center with ease, making sure to curl her fingers with every other thrust.
The gentle licking combined with the hard and steady thrusts of Bella's fingers had Hermione panting and arching off the bed, whining for more.
"Bella, please… I need…"
Bella smirked against her lips before biting softly on her inner thigh, soothing it over with her tongue, "what do you need, love? Tell me." Hermione let out a groan from deep in her soul when Bella added a third finger, delivering another bite to her already sensitive thigh. "Is this what you need?"
Bella plunged deeper and harder into her girlfriend, the wet noises adding to the eroticism of being woken up like that. "Fuck," it came out as more of a hiss than a word. "Don't you dare stop." Hermione's hips were rising off the bed trying to meet Bella's diligent fingers thrust for thrust. The older woman chuckled and repositioned her spare hand to hold Hermione down.
"But we have all morning, love. Why rush this?" She practically purred and she pulled out of Hermione completely and lowered herself on top of her lover, nestling her thigh between her legs.
"Bella," it came out as a whine followed by a groan when she started rubbing herself against her girlfriend's strong thigh. Bella was leaving more love bites along Hermione's neck and jaw line and it was working her into quite a frenzy. She could feel Bella's desire on her own thigh as the older woman started to gyrate her hips, rocking into Hermione while seeking her own pleasure. "I could cum from this alone."
Bella moved her ear closer to Hermione's mouth and whispered, "me too," as she rocked into her girlfriend harder. They were both so wet there was no real no rhythm. Hermione reached around and grabbed Bella's ass, bringing her faster and harder into her center, causing the older woman to rock her own pussy faster on Hermione's thigh. "Fuck," she panted as her breathing quickened, surrounding herself in the whimpers, moans and broken pleas that came from below her.
An expert hand snaked its way down Hermione's front as she swiftly entered her needy pussy, thrusting in and out of her hard and fast, her palm pressing against her clit as she used her thigh to rock her hand harder and deeper. Hermione's walls here pulling her fingers in, drowning in the liquids rushing from her. "I'm cumming," she breathed out, followed by a scream as white lights blinded her eyes as she was hurdled over the edge of ecstasy by Bella's expert fingers.
Bella's hips were still rocking her own pussy against Hermione's thigh but they slowed in order to see her girlfriend back down from her orgasm. She brought their lips together in a passionate kiss, Hermione groaning at the taste of herself on the older woman. "Did you?" She asked breathlessly when they separated.
"No," Bella shook her head, placing a few kisses on Hermione's mouth and around her face, ending at the tip of her nose. "We have all morning," she pulled back and winked at her girlfriend.
"You are so wet," Hermione flexed her thigh up into Bella, causing her to groan. The noises of Bella's pleasure was the most melodic sound she had ever heard. She reached up and cupped Bella's cheeks, pulling her down into a heated kiss before she flipped them over and straddled her hips. "My turn," she whispered as she licked the outer shell of her ear before she started her slow descent, leaving a trail of open mouthed kissed down Bella's body.
The pair finally rolled out of bed completely satisfied twenty minutes before they had to check out, taking a quick shower and putting on the spare clothing Bella had packed for them. Hermione's body ached in the best possible way after spending the night and morning being completely lost in her girlfriend. They arrived back at the English Rose a little after 2 having stopped for a quick lunch on their way home as they had both worked up quite the appetite from their bedroom endeavors. "Let me," Bella smiled at Hermione as she pulled out the box with her new key in it.
The bookshop owner just smiled at her girlfriend. The shop looked like it was closed, her grandfather must not have come over to open it knowing they would be still coming home from their date. She would have to call him later to thank him for checking in on the cats. "Go on then," she nodded towards the front door.
Bella hurried up the sidewalk and put her key in the lock, turning it slightly to the right as she heard the telltale sound of the door giving away to her magical key. "Works like a charm. You'll never get rid of me now."
Hermione came up beside her girlfriend and kissed her cheek, "that was my master plan all along."
"A plan I can fully get behind," Bella chuckled and stepped aside for Hermione to enter while she grabbed the bags from the donation bin. When she entered the shop, a tiny yet fierce, loud, angry and slightly opinionated meow was heard as the patter of little feet flew down the stairs. "It seems someone wasn't happy about our lie in this morning," she chuckled, putting the bags of books on the counter and placing their overnight bag on the floor. "Good afternoon, madam," she smiled at the kitten before bending down and scooping the tiny bundle up in her arms. "I'm sorry we were gone for so long. Mummy finally gave me some last night," Bella looked over at her girlfriend who scoffed at the remark. She shrugged, "do you forgive us? We missed you terribly." The small kitten looked up at Bella seemingly considering her apology before rubbing her head against her best friend and purring. "Now, we got you something while we were away," she put Squeaks down with only the smallest protest and walked over to her overnight back rustling around for a small baggie of homemade cat treats that they bought from one of the vendors at the festival the previous evening. "It seems your brother didn't miss us as much but we got him some treats too," Bella smiled when Squeaks started meowing and circling her feet after the baggie was opened. "Speak of the devil," she laughed when the chunky orange cat came prancing over for his treat. "Here you go sir," she handed one to Crooks. "And for you madam," she placed a small treat in front of Squeaks who pounced on it.
"You can win anyone over with treats," Hermione shook her head at the antics of her cats before powering on the computer and walking over to flip the closed sign to open. "Is it okay if we open the shop for a while?"
"Why would you ask that?" Bella gave her girlfriend a confused look.
"Well," Hermione's cheeks turned pink. "We just got back from our mini getaway and I wasn't sure if you wanted to do this or spend some more time together. You know…"
"We can still work," a small smirk playing on the older woman's lips, "and have time for other activities later."
"I think I need to do some stretches next time," Hermione laughed. "I'm not used to all the thorough attention."
"Are you sore, love?" Bella asked with concern in her voice.
"A little but it's a nice kind of sore."
"We can always just watch a movie later or read," Bella reassured her girlfriend. "I don't want to cause you any pain."
"It's nothing I didn't want, trust me," Hermione sighed thinking back over the wonderful night and morning they shared together. She had been dreaming about making love to Bella for months and it was everything she had imagined. That was something she wanted to experience on repeat over and over again for the rest of her life.
She was so lost in her own thoughts that she hadn't realized Bella had quietly moved across the room towards the counter and was standing pressed up against her back and until she felt the older woman's breath tickling her ear, "well then, who am I to disappoint you. We can just," she placed a kiss behind her ear and felt her girlfriend shiver. "Play it by ear after we close." Hermione nodded and was just about to turn around when the shop door opened and Henry came in. Bella swiftly moved out of Hermione's personal space and busied herself with the online orders that came in overnight.
"Good afternoon," Henry gave his granddaughter a knowing smile. "I was just coming by to check on the babies because I wasn't sure when you'd be back." He walked over and kissed Hermione on the top of her head. "Hello, Bella. Lovely to see you again."
Bella looked up from the order slips and gave the elder Granger a smile, "hello, Mr. Granger."
"Mr. Granger?" He looked at his granddaughter who just shrugged her shoulders. "Mr. Granger was my father. I thought you called me Henry. What's with the sudden change?"
Bella eyed her girlfriend, looking for help. "Papa, leave Bella alone. She's perfectly happy to call you whatever she likes."
"Maybe she'll even call me papa one day," he smiled at the older woman.
"Umm," Bella cleared her throat.
"Papa, stop teasing."
"I'm just going to go get the books for these orders. Excuse me," Bella gave an awkward smile before leaving the room in a hurry.
"Now see what you've gone and done?"
"No," Henry shrugged.
"Well you've clearly made her uncomfortable," Hermione chuckled.
"I'm sure she'll bounce back just fine. Have you asked her about lunch with me?"
"I did," Henry's eyebrows shot up. "And she agreed but after that little stunt you just pulled. Who knows now."
"I'm sure it'll be fine," Henry waved her off. "How was your Valentine's Day?"
Hermione's smile lit up the entire room and it warmed Henry's heart to see his granddaughter so happy. "It was magical, papa. We went to dinner and then she took me to a winter festival. Oh my goodness, look what she bought me from one of the vendors." She quickly went over to the overnight bag and grabbed her treasures that Bella had bought her. "The inkwell was said to be recovered from WWI and the vendor made the quill herself. I just love it so much."
"It's utterly you, sunshine," Henry said as he examined the quill up close. "This intricate glass work must have taken the vendor a lifetime to make. It's gorgeous. Bella has good taste."
"She really does papa and then we walked further into the park and she had a gazebo set up with fairy lights and we danced in the snowfall. It was truly the most romantic night of my life," Hermione had a twinkle behind her eyes.
"It sounds like an amazing night, sunshine. Did you give anything to Bella?"
Hermione chewed on her lower lip, "I did actually. I gave her a key to The Rose and told her I wanted her to move in with me whenever or if ever she feels comfortable with the idea."
"Oh? You don't look extremely happy," he noticed the wrinkles on his granddaughter's forehead. "Did she not accept?"
"Well she did but she said she has to talk to her therapist before she can say yes to any life altering events which I totally understand."
"That makes a lot of sense," Henry walked over and picked up Squeaks who was pawing at his hands. "Hey little one, did you miss your papa?" He scratched behind her ears and she started purring happily in his arms. "She sure is a little lover isn't she?"
"She is," Hermione smiled at the site of her grandfather babying the little kitten. She turned and looked over her shoulder and saw Bella moving around in the room next to her. "I'm going to go check on Bella."
"I'm just going to give this kitten a little love and head out. Only stopped by to check on the babies. I'll be back in the morning," Henry smiled at his granddaughter. "Enjoy the rest of your day, Sunshine. Oh and get Bella on board for lunch. I really want to get to know her."
Hermione smiled and nodded at her papa before saying goodbye and walking into the other room. She spotted her girlfriend standing along the back stack of books, diligently picking the needed books to fulfill the online orders. She felt a warmth spread through her whole body and it wasn't just the sexual feeling of warmth. She felt this love that was all encompassing and she couldn't hold in it for another second, "I love you," she blurted out. Her ears turned a light shade of pink from her sudden decree of love to her girlfriend's back.
Hermione couldn't see it but a warm smile spread across Bella's face. The older woman put her slip down on the book shelf and slowly turned, giving her girlfriend a look that made Hermione's toes curl. "And I you," a soft chuckle came out of her as she made her way over to the other woman. "Not that I mind in the least but what's with random love announcement. Did Henry say something about me?" She looked past Hermione when she heard the front door close signaling Henry had left the shop.
The insecurity in Bella's voice made Hermione a little sad, "of course not. You just looked so cute amongst all of the books that I couldn't keep it in any longer." Bella smiled, nodded and turned back around to gather the last two books of the final order she was working on. "He did ask about lunch. He really wants to get to know you, Bella." She noticed the small hitch in her movements and continued, "he likes you. And he loves how you love me. He'll be on his best behavior. I can promise you that. It won't be uncomfortable at all and if it is, you can have the first pick of the donation books for two months."
Bella gathered the different piles of books, stacked them, picked them up and walked past her girlfriend, "well that's a deal I can't pass up now, is it?" She stopped to kiss Hermione's cheek before walking over to the counter and putting the orders down. "Set it up with Henry. I'm ready."
"Are you sure? I don't want to rush you into something you don't want to do or that you aren't ready for," Hermione followed Bella to the front counter with her forehead wrinkled in concern.
"It's fine," Bella waved off the concerns and started printing the shipping labels for the orders after ringing them through the system. "Besides you've told me countless times how much Henry loves me. I can't deny him my presence much longer." Hermione laughed but seemed to relax a little. Bella held out a packing slip, "want to help?"
"Sure," Hermione took the slip of paper and stood on the opposite side of the counter so they both had enough space to move around and breathe. Squeaks was napping in the little cat bed on the far side of the counter by the register seemingly unbothered by all of the commotion around her and Crooks was sunbathing on the chairs by the windows. Hermione had looked around before smiling to herself and picking the stack of books that was meant for the order she was given. She didn't know how or when it happened but her new little family unit was all Hermione had ever hoped for and she could not have been happier.
The afternoon and evening went by quicker than Hermione had been prepared for. There had been a steady flow of customers throughout the day and she had to admit that since Bella started working more, the customer base had grown. The older woman had a way of talking people into buying more and more books and they always returned. At one point in between check outs, Hermione had caught a glimpse of Bella being pulled into the other room where the children's books were kept by an overzealous little boy. Hermione stifled a laugh when the boy pulled her by the hand harder and Bella threw a look that screamed help me over her shoulder. She was good with customers of any age and it really made Hermione's heart smile seeing it. Once the store sign was flipped to close, they both plopped down on the chairs by the window. Bella looked across the street and saw Dora outside taking down the love hearts and flipped her off which earned the same response from the pink haired girl. "It's only the day after Valentine's and they are already taking down the love hearts?"
Bella shrugged, "it's never been a favorite holiday for the Blacks. Though," she smirked, "after yesterday, it skyrocketed to the top of my favorite holiday list."
"It was rather nice," Hermione blushed. "Did you want to make use of that key and stay the night?"
Bella seemed to think it over, "I do. I really, really do. But I think I should go home and tell Andy about the key. I am going to have Cissy set up an appointment with my psychiatrist so I can talk to her about this as well. I'd like to take advantage of this key as soon as possible." She turned back to look out the window but seemed to be lost in thought.
"Hey," Hermione reached out and touched her knee. "You okay?"
Bella nodded, "just thinking."
"About?"
Bella sighed, "would you ever be interested in coming to a therapy session with me? My psychiatrist has mentioned it in the past and I've just blown her off but I think the whole moving in together thing might go over better if you are there with me."
"Of course. Whatever you need," Hermione moved over into the seat next to Belka and laced their fingers together. "Let me know what day your sister sets your appointment for and I'll be there."
"You truly do love me. Don't you?"
"With all my heart," Hermione smiled and rested her head on Bella's shoulder.
"Oh wait," Bella started to stand, "I forgot all about your gift last night. I was preoccupied," she smirked, "in the best way possible of course."
"Bella," Hermione watched her girlfriend walk across the room and start digging through the overnight bag, "you didn't have to. You did so much for me last night. It was the perfect evening."
"Did you really expect the holiday to go by without something from me?" She found what she was looking for in her jacket pocket, she smiled and walked back over with a small wrapped box. "It's honestly not much and I'm not sure you'll even want it but it's truly something you deserve."
Bella sat down opposite Hermione and handed her the small box. She eyed her curiously, causing the older woman to chuckle. "I'm nervous," she admitted when her stomach butterflies started doing flips.
"Don't be," Bella smiled. "Just open it."
Hermione cast her eyes down and lifted the lid of the box and confusion filled her expression. "Bella? What's this?" She pulled out a slip of folded paper.
"A piece of paper," she tried to hide her smirk when her girlfriend shot her an exasperated look. "Read it."
Hermione unfolded the piece of paper and took in the writing. It had a date for two months from now with a time and a woman's name on it. Nothing else was written on the piece of paper. "Okay. I have significantly more questions now."
"Do you know what Cissy does for a living?" Hermione shook her head no. "Do you remember at the ball when you asked me if my name was Malfoy and I laughed and said no?" Hermione smiled and shook her head yes. "After I was arrested, taken to jail and then put in the mental institution, there was a settlement trial for Narcissa and her boy. They already came into a lot of money from my parents' will as did Andy, myself and Dora. Narcissa decided her best course of action to assuage all the rumors and media would be to change her last name."
"Malfoy," Hermione concluded and Bella nodded. "And what does that have to do with this?" She held up the slip of paper.
"Ahh," Bella smiled and sat up further in her chair. She had a look of excitement on her face. "I'm taking it that you've done no digging into the name Malfoy." Hermione shook her head no. "Good. Then it will be a surprise after all. Narcissa is the owner of a business called Malfoy Publishing Agency. She and her team have published many author's works and have even gotten a few on the New York Times Best Sellers list."
Hermione looked at the slip of paper and looked at her girlfriend. "Wait. What?"
"I read your book you gifted me at Christmas Hermione and it's wonderful. You have a true talent and the world would be amiss if you didn't get to publish it."
"It's not even finished yet."
"The meeting is in two months," Bella grabbed the little piece of paper. "Plus it's just the first meeting to hook you up with a publishing agent and to get the ball rolling. They have a couple editors as well. Honestly, the team and my sister will get you where you need to be to publish your book."
Hermione looked away, "it's not good enough."
"Hey," Bella tried to catch Hermione's eyes but failed. Her voice softened, "it's brilliant. I wouldn't have suggested this if I wasn't impressed by your writing. You have what it takes, Hermione. I wouldn't throw you into a situation I didn't think you were ready for." Bella smiled when Hermione finally looked at her. "I'm here now. I can handle the shop with Henry if you want to take some time to work on your chapters or whatever you need. I won't even be disappointed if you don't take the meeting. I just wanted to give you the chance to show the world what I already see, how talented you are."
Hermione chewed on her bottom lip and reached out to take the little slip of paper back, "you honestly think I can do this?"
"I think you can do anything you want to in this world, Hermione. You are really going to be someone in this life and I'm just happy to be along for the ride," Bella leaned over and kissed her cheek.
"Valentine's day, sex, lunch planned with papa, a future therapy visit, a scheduled meeting with a publisher, that's a lot to take in in less than 24 hours."
"Would you change any of it?"
"Not for anything," Hermione kissed Bella, slowly and with purpose. In all of her years, no partner had ever given her as much hope and support as this woman did. She believed in her and her abilities as a writer. The love she felt was overwhelming in the best way. Every kiss, every soft touch of her hands, every kind word, it invaded Hermione's soul and she felt herself being pulled from the wreckage everyday. She was no longer drowning. Bella was saving her life. The past would always haunt her but the present and future seemed so bright because of this woman. She pulled back from the kiss, breathless. "Please. Stay tonight."
"As you wish."