AN: Sorry its taken so long for me to upload this chapter. I cut my index fingertip on my right hand with a mandolin slicer about two weeks ago and I still can't use it (which makes typing a much slower enterprise) and I'm also working on my ABA accreditation now and also doing work for my instructional design graduate classes so it makes it difficult to find time to complete this. As always, I appreciate the reviews immensely.
Onwards with the story...
I almost laughed at the way he asked me to dinner. It feels different than the other times he has asked me to dinner when we were just friends. It feels more romantic and sweet and it warms my heart. And then I see the hesitation in his eyes that he tries to hide from me with his bold words and smiles but its there, as though he thinks I will say no to him, will reject him after everything.
I can't help but smile at the sweetness of his words and to show him how pleased I am.
His hand is held out for me to grab, for me to hold, touch, and caress.
"Of course, Remus. I would love to accompany you".
I place my hand in his and he kisses the back softly, letting his supple lips linger on my knuckles softly. I can't help but sigh. I've never been kissed like this before. I never would have pegged Remus as a sensualist, considering how selfless and giving he is but apparently there is still a great deal to learn about the man and I can't help but feel excited by the prospect.
His lips on my hand feels heavenly but he drops my hand a little too soon for my taste and I pout at him.
He laughs and then he quickly kisses me, making sure to lightly nip at my lower lip.
I gasp and he uses that to touch my tongue with his own. I can't help but kiss him back and I feel like I'm being consumed. I feel his hands on my waist. I move my hands up so I can run them through the hair at the nape of his neck. It feels so soft against my fingers, like goose down.
And he groans in my mouth and presses his lips harder against mine.
He pulls away and we are both breathing hard.
"You don't know what your pouting lips are doing to me sweetheart".
There is a part of me that wants to jump up and down while I squeal excitedly. I am barely able to control myself.
I gently place my hands on his face as I look in his eyes
"Remus, you can do whatever you want to my lips any time you like".
Then my stomach growls loudly.
I laugh nervously and apologize. Damn stomach, ruining everything including my plans to forgo dinner so I can snog him some more.
He gently leans his forehead against mine and laughs softly. I can feel my cheeks blush.
"Sorry. Its so easy to get carried away with you".
He slowly lets his fingers lightly trace my cheek.
"I know the perfect place for dinner. Are you ready?"
"Yes".
Suddenly I feel Remus' strong hands lightly holding my waist while I feel a tugging sensation near my navel as the world blurs past us and all I can do is stare at Remus. There is a soft smile playing at his lips and all I want to do is kiss it.
We land in a wooded park that appears deserted.
"Where are we?"
"In New York City's Central Park, love."
"You mean you took me all the way to America to have dinner?"
"Its about 1AM in Scotland and the only thing I would be able to get you at that time is some takeaway."
"Takeaway is fine, really. A nice spicy curry with naan bread sounds delicious."
He laughs softly. "For a woman who regularly tells me I don't know my worth, you obviously don't know yours. I could never let you eat takeaway on a first date love. Besides a woman as special as you deserves better."
He gently cups my cheek with his fingers.
"You're the first person I've brought here, to America with me. I want to share this with you. The restaurant is not far from here."
He lets go of my face and intertwines his fingers with mine and starts walking. It feels lovely to have his hand in mine.
I can't help but follow.
"What is it you wish to share with me Remus?"
"There are a lot of things about me that no one else knows. I promise to explain later since you said you would explain you calling to me while I was in my werewolf form during your third year".
He stops me right before we leave the safety of the trees.
He gets out and points his wand toward himself and transforms his worn, threadbare robes into a tuxedo with a crisp white silk shirt, black silk tie, and black vest with a open tuxedo jacket and impeccably tailored black pants. My jaw drops as I peruse his clothing with my eyes. Seeing Remus in a tailored outfit for the first time is even better than I could have imagined. Now I can see the hint of muscles that his loose robes always hid from me. It makes me wonder what he is hiding underneath his clothes.
"See something you like?" He smirks.
Clearly he has caught me gawking.
"You."
I rise on tiptoe and kiss him. The kiss is delicious, intense, and full of heat. I roughly push him up against a tree and press my hips into his. I finally pull away my face away and I can feel his eyes burning into my flesh as we both attempt to gain our breath as I lean toward his ear.
"All I can think about is unwrapping that pretty suit off you like a present. Letting my mouth taste each inch of skin that is revealed".
He groans and nips my neck with his teeth. I can't help but moan his name. He gently rests his forehead against my collarbone.
"Fuck. You're going to be the death of me."
I laugh. "Sounds like a lovely way to go."
He pulls me out of the shade of the trees and suddenly we are on one of the pathways of the park.
"Come. Dinner awaits."
He intertwines our fingers and then brings them up and kisses the back of my hand again. He slowly pulls me forward quickly now and we walk in silence.
Suddenly I see the bright lanterns hung from ropes and mingling with the trees with gas lamps sprinkled throughout, and lots of people talking and eating with tall buildings surrounding us on all sides. A building directly in front of us is covered in ivy. It feels like we have found a haven, a lovely place and I suddenly see why Remus would travel all this way just to come here. I feel so touched that he would bring me to such a beautiful place.
Remus stops me right on the edge of the light of the lanterns so we are surrounded by semi-darkness.
"Welcome to Tavern on the Green, Hermione."
"Wow! This place is beautiful, like something out of a storybook fairytale. How'd you ever find it?"
"I came here with my parents as a boy. My father proposed to my mother here, so it became one of her favorite places. They would come here for every anniversary and celebration."
He lets go of my hand and offers me his arm. I thread my arm through his and let my hand rest on his forearm.
"Come, our table awaits."
He slowly pulls me forward to a little podium with a nicely dressed man behind it.
"Hello Mr. Lupin. It's nice for you to be joining us again. I'll let the chef know you're here. Would you like a table inside or outside?".
Instead of answering, Remus looks at me.
"What do you prefer Hermione?"
"Outside definitely."
"Outside it is."
Remus goes into his jacket pocket and pulls out a bill and hands it to the man at the podium.
"Thank you sir."
"Nonsense. I appreciate how much you are accommodating us at such short notice."
Another man with a nice suit comes forward.
"Alex will lead you to your table".
"Right this way sir".
Remus and I follow Alex who leads us to a table off to the side of the center of the patio. Our table is quite far from the others which surprises me since most of the tables look rather close together. I notice people stare as we walk past and I blush because their hard stares seem to suggest that they think I am with him for his money and it saddens me that most of these people will never get to know how wonderful he is and how much I care for him.
Remus uses his other hand to gently rub the one I rested on his forearm.
"The women stare at you because they are jealous that they can't be as beautiful as you are and the men stare at me because they are jealous they aren't in my place. Being with you makes me the luckiest man alive."
Remus gently lets me go and pulls out my chair. I notice that he picks the seat that faces me away from everyone for which I am grateful.
Remus quickly seats himself.
"Would you mind if I ordered for us, Hermione? There are certain tastes I want to experience with you together".
"Sure".
Well at least he asked me first.
He smiles softly and then begins.
"We'll have the roasted figs, hand cut steak tartare, and grilled baby octopus for starters along with a bottle of champagne, please. Then well have the grilled lobster risotto, the caramelized diver sea scallops, the dry aged NY sirloin steak medium rare, the grilled whole fish, and the caramelized rack of lamb medium rare"
"Very good sir."
Alex immediately bows and leaves us.
"Remus, you ordered far too much food for only the two of us".
"Perhaps, but each dish will build on the others and will become like a symphony of flavors on the palate".
He smirks then leans in close and whispers.
"Besides, you're going to need your strength for what I have planned for us".