Blaise and I had been seeing each other for a few months, and he was often gone with the Aurors, leaving me to my own devices. Most of the time, it was fine. Other times, it reminded me of my relationship with Draco and made me second guess everything. This was something I should've foreseen; Blaise had the same job and level of commitment to it that Draco did. He often worked late and was away on missions. My stomach would be in knots until I knew he was home safely. I'd bought us both Muggle mobiles so he could call and check in with me.

I stood at the window, staring out into the tree line, waiting for my phone to ring. It was well past two in the morning on a Saturday and my stomach was churning with worry. He said he'd call, that it wouldn't be a late night, that we'd have dessert together and go to bed.

But he hadn't called.

I started pacing, hating myself for assuming the worst had happened and comparing the situation to my relationship with Draco. I was wondering if Blaise was with another woman, even though I knew, deep down, he would never do that to me. My mind was filled with anxiety and wouldn't stop running.

It had been months, and I still hadn't let him shag me. Maybe he was tired of oral sex. Maybe he'd realised I'd never fully be over Draco and was sick of waiting, sick of dealing with my hang ups. Who wanted to live a life with a woman obsessed with their best mate's memory?

I thought I had been doing better, that I was moving past everything, but I was clearly wrong. Blaise had seen right through me, just like he always did, and now he was going to leave. Maybe he'd gone back to Falmouth and was going to take Sara the Hufflepuff restaurateur as his girlfriend instead of me.

I was clutching my mobile in my hand and looking out the window, which was irrational since Blaise would Apparate right into my house or use the Floo.

Flipping the mobile open and closed about a hundred times, hoping something would change, I debated calling him. I was afraid to interrupt his mission, though. What if he hadn't silenced the phone? What if it alerted someone to his location? I started scrolling through the very small number of contacts obsessively, and my cursor landed on Harry. It was so obvious I could bloody kick myself. I hit the green button, sending the call out across the airwaves.

"Hermione?" he answered. "What are you doing up?"

"Blaise was supposed to be here by now. I can't—I can't sleep, Harry. Do you know where he is?"

He let out a sigh. "We haven't heard from their team yet. I thought it would've been ages ago. I'm still at the Ministry waiting. Do you want to come and wait with me?"

"Yeah," I answered, already stripping out of my pajamas. "I'll be there soon. I'll just leave a note in case he decides to come here first."

"See you soon," he replied before disconnecting.

I changed my clothes and put my hair up in a messy knot. It was the middle of the fucking night; no one would be at the Ministry and Harry certainly wouldn't care what I looked like. I scribbled a quick note to Blaise and left it in front of the Floo before stepping into the grate.

When I arrived at the Ministry, I ran to the nearest lift and headed up to the DMLE. Harry was standing in the middle of the floor, hands on his hips. When he saw me, his face fell. "I'm sorry, I should've called you, Hermione. I can see you've worked yourself into a state."

Not trusting myself to speak, I shook my head. "Who is he after, Harry? He wouldn't tell me ahead of time, and I know this mission is big if you're worried about it now."

"Dolohov," Harry answered, avoiding my eyes. "Antonin Dolohov. He was spotted near the Russian border, likely trying to get back through, so we put together a mission in record time. I'm beginning to think we were set up, though. They should've been back hours ago."

I started pacing the office, unable to stop worrying. "You need to send someone to find out."

"We sent them in prepared for anything, just like always, Hermione. Merlin, I've never seen you so worried. Malfoy went on missions like this all the time and—"

Before I could stop myself, I shouted, "That was different! He was never mine to lose!"

The words hung in the air between us, full of implications I wasn't sure I was ready for. Harry's mouth gaped, and I slapped a hand over my lips.

"And Blaise is?" Harry asked, not letting me off the hook.

Taking a deep breath, I thought for a moment. "You know the situations are different. If something had happened to Draco, I would've been devastated, but it's not like I could've been here waiting for him. And he rarely came to my house after a mission. Blaise was supposed to call me and come over tonight. We're together. It's just us, no one else in the picture. I was waiting alone at my house for ages."

"Hermione, how serious are you about Blaise? I didn't think it was like that. I thought you two were just… having a good time. You know, a rebound sort of thing."

Fuck, he was dense sometimes. "I think it's serious, Harry. To me, making the decision to start something with him… it was almost like how making the decision to start something with you would've been. It was either nothing or everything. There was nothing in the middle. Once we crossed that line, and we weren't just friends anymore, there was no going back."

A heavy silence seemed to settle over us again. My words carried weight and he knew that. We'd never talked about starting a romantic relationship, but we both knew it would've been one of the most serious decisions we'd ever have made.

My mobile rang, shattering the stunned silence, and Blaise's name lit up the screen. I fumbled with it, trying to open it quickly. "Blaise? Where are you? Are you okay?"

"Hermione, calm down. I'm fine. Where are you?"

"I'm at the DMLE with Harry," I said.

"Tesoro, tell Potter he owes me. We're on our way back to the Ministry, and we've got both Dolohov and Rabastan Lestrange. A few others were killed," Blaise replied.

"I was worried when I hadn't heard from you."

"I promise you, I'm fine. None of the good guys were badly hurt or killed. I'll see you in half an hour or so. I hope you're ready for me to snog you senseless in front of everyone," he teased before disconnecting, not waiting for me to answer him.

I relayed the message to Harry and he was annoyed that Blaise had taken the time to reach out to me and not him. A moment later, a Patronus charged into the room. I examined the lioness closely when Blaise's voice came out of it. "Potter, we've captured Dolohov and Rabastan Lestrange. Rodolphus and some lower level Death Eaters were killed. We're on the way back as soon as the Portkey is sorted."

"I think the Muggle means of communication was faster," I laughed. "The Patronus did have to travel here all the way from Russia or wherever they were."

Our anxiety relieved, Harry and I lounged in his office. I tucked myself into his side and dozed off, exhausted from the events of the day. I didn't even stir when the Aurors started marching through the department. In fact, the only thing that woke me was Blaise's gentle stroking of my hair. When my eyes fluttered open, he said, "I don't really fancy coming back from risking my life to find my girlfriend cuddled up with another man."

I smiled up at him, still drowsy. "Glad you made it back in one piece. I'm starting to like having you around."

He grabbed my hands and pulled me to standing, wrapping me in his arms and kissing me softly. "Good. That was my plan, Hermione. Make it so that you want to keep me."

Harry groaned. "Take it literally anywhere else. I don't want to be sick."

Blaise held his wand to his temple and pulled out memories, sealing them in vials for Harry. "Here's what you need from today, Potter. I'm going to take my witch home and put her to bed since she's clearly exhausted."

"Thanks, Blaise. For everything today, and for looking after Hermione."

Nodding, he led me out of the room and through the Ministry to the Floo. He pulled me in with him and we ended up back in his flat.

"I need a shower," he commented. "It's been a long day. You know where everything is. Feel free to borrow something and climb into bed."

He kissed me again and headed for the bathroom. I stood frozen, thinking about the way I'd felt earlier when I was worried about him and the things I'd said to Harry. Blaise was mine to lose. That could mean so many things; I could lose him on a mission, or from some kind of illness, or in some kind of freak accident.

Or I could lose him because, regardless of what I felt, I was still keeping him at a distance. It had been three months, and I'd not yet given myself to him fully. While he was patient and kind and claimed he was fine with it, I knew he was worried that things wouldn't ever progress between us.

Steeling myself, I walked into the bedroom and stripped off my clothes. I thought of the way Blaise made me feel. Everything about him got my heart racing. I was holding back for no reason at all. As I studied my reflection in the mirror he kept in the corner of the room, I realised I looked healthy again, maybe even a little bit sexy. Working my hair out of the knot on top of my head, I ran my fingers through it and fluffed it, trying to bolster my confidence. I thought of his mouth on me, his fingers working their magic, his body, all muscles and smooth skin. I watched the change come over myself in the mirror as I thought about having sex with him, and I knew I was ready.

Opening the bathroom door quietly, I snuck in. Blaise nearly jumped out of his skin when I slid the shower door open, but he recovered quickly, his eyes roaming over my bare body. For the first time, he didn't pause to ask if I was ready or sure or anything else. He just crashed his lips down onto mine and wrapped his arms around me, pulling me against him.

He didn't give me any time to overthink what was happening between us.

I could feel his cock getting harder and longer, pressing into my abdomen as he kissed me. When his tongue slipped into my mouth, I welcomed it. One of his hands found its way between my legs, trying to determine if I was ready for him. His fingers grazed my clit and then he worked them inside of me, making me even more needy.

"Blaise," I panted. "Please, Blaise. No more waiting."

Pressing me into the cold tiled wall, he repeated my words. "No more waiting. It feels like it's been half my life at this point, Hermione."

His lips were on my neck and his fingers were still inside of me, teasing me relentlessly. I could feel my legs quivering as he stroked me, his thumb moving against my clit. "You need to come at least once before we start. I'm probably not going to last long." I let out a moan, and he continued, "I've wanted you so badly I'm probably going to perform like a randy teenager."

I laughed and smiled, meeting his eyes. "Blaise, I'm close. How do you want me? I'll come. I'm so close."

"Can I… Fuck, we should be in a bed, not in the bloody shower. Shower sex sounds sexy, but it's not," he groaned, shutting the water off. "I appreciate the spontaneity, though."

I led him to the bed and he lifted me, setting me on his mattress. "How do you want this to be?" he asked, stroking a hand over his length while he looked down at me.

Fuck, he's sexy, looming over me and touching himself.

"I want you to do it the way you want to," I answered honestly. "Just… careful at first. It's been awhile."

Blaise nodded and climbed onto the mattress beside me, laying flat on his back, and gestured for me to straddle him. I didn't anticipate this would be his choice; most of the men I'd been with preferred from behind or to throw my legs over their shoulders. However, I certainly wasn't complaining.

"Tesoro, you set the pace. I just — I can't wait to finally be inside of you," he admitted.

I positioned myself over him, his tip at my entrance. Instead of dropping down, I rubbed myself against him, sliding against his length, teasing both of us. Groaning, he held my hips tightly, pressing me down harder and turning the torture around on me. I cried out when my clit pressed against the hard ridge of his head, and he moved his hips upwards, rocking against me again.

"Okay, I get it. No more teasing," I cried out, and he laughed.

Leaning down to kiss him, I felt his fingers slip inside of me — twisting and curling, opening and stretching me — and I moaned at the feeling. When I started to move with him, he broke the kiss and said, "Imagine how good this will feel when I'm truly inside of you."

Despite his words, he kept fucking me with his fingers, not stopping until he made me come.

Once I'd recovered, I felt his lips move against mine when he whispered, "Now you're ready."

Blaise's eyes locked on mine and he held his cock steady for me, allowing me to sink down and take him in fully.

"Fuck," I hissed. "You feel so good."

After a moment, I started moving, riding him at a slow pace while I got accustomed to the feeling again. My body was on fire, every nerve ending alight with pleasure. Sex was something I loved and I'd denied myself for so long. I picked up the pace, and I noticed he was watching my breasts as I moved. He'd been silent, which surprised me. Blaise always struck me as a dirty talker.

When I bottomed out on top of him, I ground forward, my clit rubbing against his groin. I moaned and his hands clamped down on my hips, moving me in the same way I just had.

"Do that again, Hermione. Just rock against me. I felt you tightening," he ordered, and I obeyed.

I instantly realised what his intentions were. Every slide against him was making me moan and I felt a current zipping and zapping throughout my body. After a few minutes of this easy grinding, I was clenching around him and Blaise was praising me. "So fucking gorgeous. Perfect. I love it when you come for me."

When I regained my senses, I started riding him in earnest, moving quickly and feeling him so deep it almost hurt. He struggled his way up to sitting, leaning forward to take one of my nipples into his mouth, giving it a quick suck and gentle bite before releasing it. "Hermione, fuck, this is so good. You're gonna make me come."

His admission made me move faster, fuck him harder. The glazed look in his eyes as he watched made me feel powerful. His arms wrapped around me, holding me close, and he stopped all my movements, thrusting up into me at the pace he wanted. Needing to kiss him, I leaned forward, capturing his lips with mine. The passion with which he returned the kiss turned my insides to jelly, and then he moved just the right way and I cried out, breaking away from him.

"Oh, I found it. Don't move, Hermione. I'm gonna make you scream my name right now," he stated, his cockiness incredibly sexy at this moment.

He moved the same way and I felt myself shiver. Continuing to make shallow thrusts, he rubbed against the perfect spot inside of me until another orgasm rocked through me. My head tipped back and I grabbed my own breasts, squeezing them as my pussy spasmed. "Oh, Gods, Blaise!" I cried, a wail of pleasure following my words.

"Yes, so fucking hot. I'm right there with you, love."

And he was. As my orgasm faded, I felt Blaise pulse inside of me. He brought his knees up and let me recline against them, catching my breath. "Holy shit," I said.

"Yeah, that about covers it," he replied.

We stared at each other and then laughed, the stress of the day and the endorphins flooding our brains getting to us. He sat up fully and kissed me again, smiling against my lips.

"When can we do that again?" he asked, and I rocked my hips against him in answer.

I was willing to give it a go as soon as he was ready.

I woke the next morning, tangled in his arms and sheets, completely naked. My heart started racing, forgetting just for a moment that this was fine — this was where I was supposed to be and who I was supposed to be with. When the memories of the previous night started playing over in my mind, I felt the strangest mix of emotions.

I was terrified of his job, of the anxiety I'd had while waiting for him to come home. I was relieved he'd actually made it home. I was happy we'd finally taken things beyond where we'd been on our first date. I was sore from our physical exertions, having woken up a few times throughout the night to sate ourselves again and again.

Rolling onto my side to face Blaise, I smiled. Even if I'd felt slightly panicked and like I'd done something wrong, seeing him quelled those doubts. He was still fast asleep, flat on his back with the grey sheet covering him from the chest down.

I studied him, looking over every visible inch of skin and slab of muscle. Scooting closer, I slung a leg over his hips and cuddled up to him, my lips landing on his neck. He grunted in his sleep and I stifled a giggle before kissing him again.

"Insatiable," he said. "Haven't you had enough of me yet?"

My only answers were more kisses along his jaw until I found his lips. Once the kissing began, he quickly rolled to his side, hiking my leg up higher so his cock was touching my pussy. He rocked towards me, teasing me.

"Do you need more, Hermione?" he asked.

I nodded, moving my hips towards his to make more contact.

"Say it," he commanded. "Tell me you want me."

His lips were on my neck, and then my collarbone, and then around my nipple while he ground his erection against my center, teasing me to the point of no return. Inhaling deeply, I shuddered. "Blaise, I want you. Please."

He pressed me down on my back, into the mattress, and settled himself between my thighs. When I looked up at him, he was all I saw — no memories of the past, no Draco — just Blaise, the man who brought me back to life. He had helped me rebuild, and now I was quickly approaching happy again. Letting go and taking this final step with him made me feel free and more hopeful than I'd been in a long time.

Expecting him to push into me right away, I braced my heels on the mattress. However, he worked his way down my body, and I quickly learned that he really liked to take his time and that his tongue might be the best thing about him.

He made me beg and plead for him before he finally slid inside of me, and I nearly cried out in relief.

"That's right, Tesoro. Let me hear you," Blaise said. "I want to hear you come for me again and again. I want you to get lost in me, the same way I'm completely lost in you."

And I immediately decided that was how I wanted to spend the whole weekend, completely losing myself in Blaise, in his body. I wanted to be so focused on him that I forgot everything — and everyone — else existed.

It would be just the two of us in a little bubble made of happiness and lust.

As I shook and cried out underneath him, I found myself hoping things could stay this way forever.

Author's Note: *bounces up and down in desk chair*

I can't wait for next Saturday. We need to get this story moving a bit faster, yes?

See you then. *wink*