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**** **** HERMIONE **** ****

"Really?" I raised an eyebrow at him, "One room Malfoy? They only had one room left and we have to share it?"

He rolled his eyes at me, "No, Granger. It's not one room. If you pulled your head out of your arse for one minute, you'd realise that it's the penthouse suite, and it has enough space in it so you won't have to see me." He held a key up, waving it in my face. "In fact, you can have your own fucking key, if you want."

He turned from me and looked at the desk clerk, who was trying his hardest to remain impassive to our raised voices. I had to bite the inside of my cheek to stop the laughter at the look on the poor man's face. I was sure that when we stood here to check in the clerk thought that we were here for some sort of romantic tryst. His demeanour was that of sincere delight, but with the current conversation that was happening right in front of him I'm sure he figured we'd had some huge lovers spat and his job had just became that much more difficult.

I had still been nervous about travelling with him, despite his assurances that we were staying at Florence's finest muggle hotel, and no one would even know who I was. But still, Draco had agreed to appear less than friendly with me when we checked in so as to avoid any indication that this was anything more than a business trip. And our early check in – how he'd arranged to check in before our 9am meeting was beyond me – ensured that virtually no one was around to see us at the reception desk.

"Is everything alright, Mr Malfoy?" the clerk asked nervously and Draco shrugged.

He nodded his head in my direction and told him in a curt voice, "Ask her."

The clerk then turned to me and smiled, "As Mr Malfoy said, the suite contains two separate bedrooms, each with its own bathroom as well. There is a large living and dining area also, but if there's a problem, we can certainly adjust things to your needs."

"My apologies, Mr Malfoy seems to have forgotten to explain the exact arrangements to me." I said and glared at Draco, then watched as the clerk's shoulders relaxed, "I'm sure the room will be fine."

He nodded and smiled at me and then gestured towards someone standing behind me. "This is Isaac; he'll be your personal butler for your stay. Anything that you need, he'll be happy to oblige."

I looked at Draco, and he rolled his eyes, knowing exactly what I was thinking; the muggle version of a house elf.

"Mr Malfoy, lovely to welcome you back," Isaac said in a deep voice that was gentle and kind. I liked him instantly. He turned to me, "And Ms..?"

"Granger," I held out my hand and he squeezed it, "Hermione, please."

He nodded politely, "Hermione. It's lovely to make your acquaintance. Now if you would follow me?"

He led us across the foyer and down a long hallway – our bags having already been whisked away - explaining to me that we had our own private entrance, our own private elevator, and a car service ready whenever we required it. Of course we did.

We rode the elevator in silence and when we stepped out, I had to hold in my gasp of surprise. The room was exquisite. Well, I say room. Apartment would be more apt.

It was two stories, with an elegant staircase in the centre of the foyer. Two doors were positioned either side, which I assumed were the bedrooms – which, when Isaac explained that our bags had been delivered to each of the rooms, my assumptions were proved correct.

I looked at Draco, who was avoiding my gaze and looking like he was bored out of his brain, but I knew that there was a smug grin just beneath the surface. He had asked me if I trusted him, and I should never have doubted him. One room, which was actually two rooms; I was worried for nothing.

Isaac led us up the stairs, and I sucked in a breath. I thought the tiny foyer was exquisite; this room was stunning. There was a large living and dining area that opened onto a rooftop terrace and a separate kitchen area. Marbled floors, stained glass and dark wood, and subtle tones of white, grey and gold, accentuated with flashes of red in the furnishings. It was beautiful, opulent, without being over the top

I stepped up to the floor to ceiling windows and looked out over the hotel gardens and the city itself. The unobstructed view was spectacular, but I was sure it wouldn't last long; the grey clouds that I had become accustomed to on the cliffs had seemed to have followed us and were threatening to explode at any moment.

"So, is this to your liking, or would you like a room of your own?" Draco said from behind me. I could hear the snark in his voice. I was sure that the desk clerk already had the word out that Mr Malfoy and his latest 'lady friend' were having a lovers tiff and they would all do well to stay out of the way, but I knew that his tone was simply ensuring that Isaac was none the wiser with our ruse.

I continued looking out the window. I didn't need big, fancy hotels; or my own butler; or my own rooftop terrace. But holy hell, this room was amazing.

"It's fine." I said without looking at him. I smiled at Isaac, "Thank you, Isaac."

"You're welcome," He said with another polite nod. "And please, if you need anything, I'll be only too happy to assist."

He turned to Draco and the two conversed briefly, but I tuned them out. I was staring out the window, watching as the first drops of rain began to fall and wondering in my ever pragmatic and logical brain just how much this room was costing him. I knew that he was a Malfoy and that he was used to only the finest things money could buy, but this was insane.

I turned to tell him such, but he caught me off guard and his mouth slid over mine before I could speak.

"Do you know how fucking hot you are when you're angry at me?" His lips skimmed my throat and all I could do was groan. "And what the fuck are you wearing?"

I had decided to tease him that morning, knowing full well that he'd lose his shit when he saw me. I had chosen a simple blue wrap dress that hit just above my knee. The vee of the neckline showed off just enough cleavage to have him hard the second he saw me, and the four inch red heels? Well, I was sure he had almost come in his pants twice already.

It was both professional and as sexy as hell at the same time, and I knew that it was the perfect distraction when he was trying to remain professional himself.

"I want you naked." He pulled on the tie at my waist and my dress slid apart, then fluttered to the floor when he slid it from my shoulders. He ran his fingers across the strap of my electric blue bra, his pupils dilating his breath becoming heavy. "I want to fuck you against that window and let all of Florence see."

"We don't have time for this," I whispered, "We have a meeting to attend."

"Oh, we have time," He said, shoving my hand against his trousers and his erect cock. "I've been fucking hard since I first saw you."

I traced my finger along his covered length, "The dress worked then?"

"Fucking tease," He murmured against my shoulder and then bit down gently.

I gasped, instantly aroused by his teeth marking my skin. He placed his hands on my shoulders and turned me around. I peered out the window; the clouds had burst and a heavy rain had set in and distorted the view. I let out a small sigh of relief. I was already nervous about being seen here with him, and if he was about to fuck me against the window, I was glad that if anyone who happened to look over from one of the surrounding buildings would only see a blurred image.

"Hands on the window," He ordered in a dark voice and I complied, swallowing hard.

He twisted my hair in his hands, pulling my head back, allowing himself access to my neck. His mouth was hot as he dropped kisses across my shoulders and along my spine. We really didn't have time for this, but the trail of wet kisses was causing a spark of electricity to burn across my skin and the space between my thighs was throbbing with need. There was no way I was going to tell him to stop.

He dragged my underwear down my legs, and I made to kick my shoes off.

"No. Leave them on." He growled and dropped to his knees behind me, lifting one foot and then the other and dropped my knickers to the floor. He grabbed my arse, his fingers digging hard into my flesh and his teeth biting into my hip making me gasp. He stood, his hands curling around my ribs and landing on my breasts, eliciting another moan from me.

"Did you like that?" He whispered in my ear and pinched my nipples hard. He ground himself against me and I gasped, my head dropped forward and my hands slipped on the glass. I yelped when his hand came down and landed a loud, stinging smack on my arse, "I said did you like that?"

I turned to look at him, shrugging one shoulder, "Maybe."

"Maybe?" He leaned in and nipped my shoulder again, "Maybe I'll get you all worked up and then not fuck you. Would you like that?"

"And you called me a tease," I said and turned back to the distorted view in front of me.

I heard a wry chuckle behind me and then found myself shoved hard against the window, the cold glass sending a shiver through me. His hand slid around my waist and down across my belly, his fingers brushing over my sex with feather-like touches. I gritted my teeth; I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of knowing that what he was doing was exactly what I wanted.

His finger slipped lower and pressed down on my clit. I inhaled a sharp breath, as he pressed and released over and over, until I was biting my cheek to stop myself from begging him to fuck me.

"Are you wet?" He pressed down hard and a small whimper escaped me. Moving lower, his finger circled my entrance, and his lips pressed down on my neck, "I think you are."

Two fingers pushed inside me. I gasped his name, and wondered how it was that he knew exactly what I needed.

"Draco," I whispered and pushed into his palm.

He kissed the back of my neck, "What's that?" He pressed his thumb hard into my clit and I groaned, "You want more?"

My yes came out as a soft whimper and the hiss of his zipper was loud, almost erotic, in the quiet of the room.

"Spread your legs," He growled into my skin and I immediately parted my legs, leaning further into the window.

His hands went to my hips, pulling me back roughly and plunging inside. My hands slapped hard against the glass as he thrust deep, hitting what I could only presume was the very end of me. My entire body burned, hot and needy, and I shoved back against him wanting him deeper.

He leaned over me, taking my earlobe between his teeth, the fabric of his shirt brushing over my bare skin. "Your pussy is so fucking tight," he ground out, driving deeper and deeper with each thrust, "So fucking wet."

I groaned, unable to form a coherent response. I wanted to tell him how perfect he felt, how big, how hard, but all my words were lost as he continued to thrust over and over until I began to shiver.

He reached his hand around me, pressing his fingers hard into my clit and sending me flying. My entire body shuddered and I cried out, warmth spreading down my spine and exploding around him. He gripped my hips harder, letting me ride out the wave of pleasure that was washing over me and leaving me gasping for air.

I felt his lips press into my spine, his cock pulsing inside me. "Perfect," he murmured and began to move again.

"Draco," I moaned and reached my hand down, wanting to feel him sliding through me.

"Hands on the window," He growled, his skin slapping against mine as he moved faster, harder, gripping my shoulders and pulling me back into him with every thrust "No touching."

I slammed my hand back on the window, and he chuckled, "Now, now, Granger. Don't be angry."

"I thought I was hot when I'm angry," I panted.

He laughed again, circling his hips and making me moan, "So fucking hot."

I closed my eyes, focusing on his breathing, his quiet grunts, losing myself to the delicious feeling that was surging through me again. My legs began to tremble and his hands slipped back to my hips, steadying me

"Draco...I'm...come—" I stammered as a buzz of pleasure sped down my spine and I heard him groan as I tightened around him.

"That's it," he said, panting against my shoulder, reaching for my clit once more. "That's it, Granger. Fucking come."

My breath stuttered and I choked out his name as I came, squeezing him tight. My heart was pounding in my chest, the hot rush of blood flooding my veins making me feel like I would implode.

He made a low growling sound in his throat and I looked back over my shoulder. My breath caught. His face was flushed, there was a crease between his brow, and he was breathing hard. His thrusts were wild, almost erratic, and when his eyes met mine, he thrust one last time, holding my arse against him, and I felt the warmth of his seed as he came inside me.

His head dropped to my back, his breath was hot on my skin. "Shit, Granger." He groaned and slowly moved back and forward, once, twice more and then slid out of me. He gently pulled my arms from the glass and massaged my wrists, the feeling gradually returning to them. He kissed my shoulder, my neck, the spot behind my ear, and finally he captured my mouth when I turned to look up at him.

"You okay?"

I nodded, "Perfect." I twisted from his grip and bent to pick up my dress and knickers from the floor and took a step towards the stairs.

He grabbed my arm, stopping me, "And you're going where?"

"Um, we have a meeting in," I glanced at the clock on the wall, "Twenty minutes, and I need to clean up."

He shook his head and grinned smugly at me, "No, there's no time."

"Draco!" I stared at him in disbelief as he calmly tucked himself back into his pants, "I can't meet with Theadora Trentino with your...still inside me."

He brushed his hands across his shirt, smoothing out the wrinkles, and straightened his jacket, "You'll have to. We need to leave, now."

I glared at him, stepping forward and punching his shoulder, "Arsehole."

He laughed and watched as I scrambled to get dressed. "No one will know."

"I will," I snapped and pulled my underwear on. I squirmed, and he grinned at me, "Arsehole." I said again.

He helped me with my dress, kissing my shoulder as I tightened the tie around my waist. "You already said that."

"And I'll keep saying it all day." I grimaced as I took a step away from him. My underwear would be ruined.

"We can shower when we get back," He winked at me and I narrowed my eyes at him.

"I'll shower," I said and headed for the stairs, "You can sit on the couch and think about me showering."

He threw his head back and laughed, "That's nothing new. I think about you showering all the time."

I looked back and tried not to laugh with him. I shook my head, "You're an arsehole Malfoy."

"Signor Malfoy!" Theadora exclaimed, "Why you not tell me Hermione Granger work for you?"

She greeted me as if we had known each other for years, grabbing my shoulders and kissing both my cheeks, all the while babbling excitedly in a confusing mix of Italian and English, her hands flailing animatedly.

I blanched at the tiny woman standing in front of me. I was known to Theadore Trentino. I could hardly believe it.

"You know who I am?" I asked, unable to hide the surprise in my voice.

Theadora laughed, "But of course, tesoro, you more famous than me!"

I laughed, "That's very kind of you, but I don't think that's true."

"Oh, you modest," she laughed, "You hunt Dark Lord and survive, you famous in my book."

I looked at Draco, he was staring back at me with wide eyes, but I could see the smile behind them.

He had briefed me before we met with her, explaining that she might be difficult as she hated change and would most likely want to interrogate me for hours – possibly the entire two days we would be there. No matter how relaxed he had been after shagging me senseless, he had been more nervous than I had; nervous that yet another supplier to his company would abandon him. But I watched as all the tension left him when Theadora greeted us; he knew that the partnership with Tretino's was secure.

I would have to remind him of just how much he owed me.

"Come, come," Theodora beckoned for us to follow her, "I show you shop."

And her shop was amazing. It was something I had hardly dared to dream that I would ever get the chance to see. It was pristine, unlike most other wizarding shops, everything clearly had its place and I was reluctant to even step too close to her wares.

"Theodora," I said in awe, "Your shop is amazing. I could spend days here."

She smiled and patted my cheek, "You welcome anytime."

We spent barely an hour with her, touring her shop as she chatted animatedly and meeting her few staff, before she told us that she was delighted to be dealing with me and that she hoped that she would actually see me in Florence often, not just over the floo. And in a move that had me laughing, she pinched Draco's cheek and nodded towards me, telling him you pick a good one, and then sent us on our way.

"Two days, okay," my mind was racing, "Well definitely the Uffizi Gallery and The Galleria dell'Accademia, we'll do those tomorrow. If we head to the Cathedral now, and maybe the Piazzale Michelangelo, and we can see The Ponte Vecchio before we head back here."

"I didn't think you wanted to be seen in public with me." Draco was leaning on the door of the bathroom, watching as I showered and changed. I had been firm in my stance of him not showering with me after his performance that morning, but he had insisted that we talk about our meeting with Theadora.

And now, because the meeting with her had gone so well, we had almost two full days to explore the city. He had already been here, several times, but it was a first for me, and I decided that if we stuck to the muggle tourist attractions, we'd most likely not be seen.

"I didn't," I answered, "But if you can keep your hands to yourself, I'm sure it will be fine."

"I will try my best to be the perfect gentleman," He said stepping forward and running his finger down my bare arm, "I know I already said thanks, but today went better than I ever thought it would. Theadora loved you."

I nodded and smiled, embarrassed at the compliment. I had been overly nervous to meet with her, but Theadora had been a complete surprise. While I hated the fame, I found that I was delighted that she had actually known who I was. "I'm still not sure how she knows me." I said and Draco rolled his eyes at me, "What?"

"You do remember who you are, don't you?" He looked at me with amusement, "Hermione Granger. War Hero."

I grimaced. I hated the title. Hated it more than anyone could know. There were more than just three of us that fought, yet Harry, me and Ron had been singled out as the heroic trio that saved the Wizarding world. We'd played our part, for sure, but War Hero, it couldn't be further from the truth.

"Is that not who you are? Did I hire the wrong person?"

I leaned over and shoved at his arm playfully, "Yes, I am Hermione Granger, funny man, but I'm no more a war hero than you're a Death Eater."

His expression changed from one of amusement to one of thoughtfulness. "Why do you say that? You did more than anyone else."

I shook my head, "No. Everyone helped. I was just one person. Everyone deserves as much praise as I get. I hate the title and I hate all the attention that comes with it. And I hate that The Ministry wanted a pretty face that they could simply exploit. They didn't want me working in the basement, but I guess the basement was better than nothing."

He smirked at me, "A pretty face?"

"Yes Malfoy," I shrugged one shoulder and smiled sweetly, "You know it. It's why you hired me, remember? You needed a pretty face to make you look good."

He stepped towards me and his hand reached out and brushed my hair over my shoulder, "I believe I've already told you that your other talents far precede your pretty face."

"I believe you have," I said and ran the tip of my finger across his jaw, "But you won't get to enjoy those other talents for some time after the stunt you pulled this morning."

"Oh, come now," He murmured as he ran his nose along my cheek, "Tell me you didn't enjoy having a part of me that close to you all morning."

"No, actually I didn't," I said stepping away from him. I actually did. I shouldn't have liked that he was being possessive, and I definitely shouldn't have liked that he wanted to mark me – as it were – as his. But I did like that he wanted me, and that he wanted me in a way that let me know that I owned his arse.

I held up my ruined knickers, "You owe me new underwear."

"Hmm, well, that's something we'll need to discuss," He said pulling me back to him, "I much prefer you without it."

"Of course you would," I laughed, "Now, I believe you said you would show me Florence?"

"I said no such thing." He shook his head, "What I told you was that I would show you the view of Florence."

"Yeah, nice try," I said stepped around him, headed for the door. I paused and looked back at him, "We have two days to kill. I hope you like museums."

A/N:

One chapter became awfully long...so you get two instead...Enjoy :)