Chapter Five
A/N If you see this symbol ⬹ and you don't like to read explicit content then just skip until you see the symbol again. This is the last part of the main story the next chapter is a little epilogue.
The journey home was torturous. Every time she had to stop at a crossing, every time there was a delay to her journey, she wanted to run right back to him. Her mind was calling her every kind of fool for leaving, as was her body. She was filled with the anticipation of what it could be like to be with him. Her body felt like a charge of electricity had run through it. She was so responsive to him, to his touch, that she did not know how much longer she was going to be able to stop herself. If she was feeling this way, God only knew how James was feeling right now.
A part of herself - a small, tiny, insignificant part - was proud for leaving, of sticking to her conviction for once in her life and not just jumping into bed with a guy before she properly knew him. The problem was, of course, that she did feel like she knew him so well already. What she knew was how much he was going to ruin her. It was silly, but her superstitious self kept thinking things would only work out if she saw all the dates through properly. It was a stupid feeling and complete nonsense, but she just couldn't shake it.
She kept in contact with him during her journey home, fueling a little more of her desire to turn around and go back to him. He needed to know she got home safely. She needed to know everything was okay with them. He sent her a snap of him telling her to get a good night's sleep, because she most certainly wouldn't be getting much tomorrow night, if he had anything to do with it.
Hang the cold shower, she thought, I'm going to need a fucking ice bath.
She didn't know how she did it, but despite all these feelings along with the built up frustration, she fell asleep the moment she collapsed onto her bed.
It was odd to think of how different her day had been yesterday compared to her days before, how much her mood had been lifted by James. After spending the entire day with him and feeling so quickly like he was an essential part of her life, she was becoming more and more sure with every passing moment that being with James was what she wanted and what she needed to stabilise her crazy life.
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Date four:
Despite the late hour she got home, despite how tired she should be, she was already up bright and early when her phone buzzed a text from James telling her to dress warmly, leave the heels at home, and be outside in half an hour.
It took her awhile to decide on what to wear. She didn't think a worn-out hoodie three sizes too big would quite work for a date even though it was warm and comfortable, and It definitely wasn't cold enough yet for her winter coat. Then, she remembered a chunky cream aran knit cardigan Remus had bought her last Christmas, paired it up with a dark green spaghetti strap top, skinny jeans, and her ankle boots. The only footwear she owned that weren't heels, or her Converse. When she looked at her reflection, she hardly recognised herself. She looked like an ordinary girl about to go on an ordinary date, even her hair was behaving itself framing her face in soft waves. She grabbed her purse from the bed, threw her phone into it before taking the stairs two at a time, excited to have this day start and see James.
He was already waiting outside, wearing a long dark wool coat with a red scarf draped over his shoulders, and a backpack that looked really out of place with his fancy coat. His grin nearly split his face when he saw her.
"Alright, Evans?" He beamed
"Hey, Potter. You're looking fine today," she replied, taking his hand as he offered it and kissing his lips softly like they had been greeting each other this way for years.
"Not so bad yourself." He added with a little wink. "Come on, we have to book it a bit to get the train out of town."
"Out of town?" She stopped dead, dropping his hand. "Why are you taking me out of town?" She squinted suspiciously at him.
"It wouldn't be much fun if I told you that, now would it?" he told her with a knowing look. "Come on an adventure with me and find out." His grin was devious, like he knew a special secret and didn't want her to know.
"Okay," she replied to him eventually. "But only because I like you."
It took most of the morning to get out to the field they now stood in, but, goodness, was it worth it. She stood and watched in wonder as the giant multi-coloured balloon slowly filled and lifted itself off the ground, its bright colours contrasting vividly against the dull grey sky.
"When did you find the time to organise this?" she asked mildly impressed, "I was with you all day yesterday." She glanced at him and spotted how smugly pleased with himself he was looking.
"I looked through a few options when I went home to get changed yesterday morning. Also," he waggled his phone at her, "have you heard about all the amazing things you can do with your phone these days?"
"Okay, smartass." She smirked at him. "If you're so smart, what do you call the guy who's inflating the thing?"
"Steve," James replied without missing a beat, which started her giggling uncontrollably. It wasn't long before he joined her in the merriment, his rich laughter sounding out across the field.
She was still giggling when Steve signalled them to come over and climb in.
"This is amazing," she breathed as the ground began to sink away and the only noise was the burner behind them. She turned to share this feeling with James, and her excitement dropped when she saw him. He was not looking exactly as calm as he had been when they were on the ground. "James?"
"What was I thinking?" she heard him mutter to himself. One hand was holding the edge of the basket in a white knuckled grip, and his fixed smile was more like a grimace.
"James, it's okay." She placed one hand on top of his, the other stroked his face. "Why on Earth did you think this would be a good idea when you're afraid of heights?"
"I just thought it would be romantic and pretty cool, you know?" he said, his voice quaking slightly. "Didn't really think about my slight discomfort about being off the ground. Didn't realise how small the fucking basket was going to be, or the fact nothing but wicker is preventing us from plunging to our doom."
"James, you can relax, it's perfectly safe." She glanced sideways at Steve who nodded his agreement. She let his hand keep its firm grip on the edge of the basket and rubbed his arm trying to give him comfort, the muscles of his arm were like solid knots he was gripping so hard.
He nodded and smiled shakily. "I'm okay, I just need to distract my mind. Wow, look at that!"
They had cleared up higher than the treeline, so they could now see the great grey mass of the city on the far horizon. She hugged his middle and pressed her head against his chest.
"Thank you," she told him, genuinely pleased, despite the fact it felt like she was hugging a tree trunk.
He stroked her hair with the hand that wasn't holding on to the basket in a death grip.
"You're welcome." He replied pressing a kiss to the top of her head. When they went high enough to be just above the clouds, it was like they had entered another world. James seemed to relax when they could no longer see the ground, and produced a small bottle of champagne and two glasses from his backpack.
"Wow, I'm impressed. This is quite romantic isn't it?" She told him as they clinked plastic. It was a surreal moment as they enjoyed drinking champagne together while Steve looked in any other direction, impassive and silent.
"I'm certainly enjoying the view." James told her softly looking straight at her with his intense look. His scrutiny made her blush and cuddle back into him again, hiding her face in his chest.
Lily was still enjoying leaning into James as the balloon slowly started to sink back to the ground. She tried her best not to laugh at him as he let out a very unmanly yelp when the basket connected once more with the ground, sliding along for a while before finally coming to a stop. He sat for a long time with his eyes closed at the bottom of the basket, his arms wrapped around his knees.
"Don't say a fucking word Evans," he breathed as she knelt down beside him, as if he thought she would make fun of him.
"About what?" she asked. "That my boyfriend wanted to do something so romantic for me he went up in a hot air balloon despite being afraid of heights?" She asked him gently "That he was brave enough to overcome his anxiety and actually enjoyed it a bit? Why on earth would I tell anyone that?" she rubbed his leg and he seemed to be bolstered by her words. "Come on." she told him firmly. "I have someplace in mind I want to take you."
Date five:
The train ride back was quite soothing for both of them. They shared sandwiches James had brought with him and polished off the last of the champagne. Lily leaned herself into his side as they sat together, her eyes drifting closed for a time while James idly played with a strand of her long red hair and checked a few emails on his phone.
When he looked down at her once more, he saw she had drifted off to sleep, her long eyelashes fluttering and a gentle curve to the side of her lip. She was so stunning it made his heart burst to look at her. Without thinking about it, he bent over and kissed her forehead. As he looked up, he saw an older women sitting opposite smile at the pair of them like it was the cutest thing she had ever seen in her entire life. James had to agree. The pair of them were pretty adorable.
He opened his notes in his phone and tapped out a few ideas these past two days had given him. Lily slept on, resting comfortably against him.
"So, where are you taking me?" James asked as they switched lines back in the city. He was still not overly confident about getting around on the subway, but Lily guided him through everything, completely at home in this environment. He knew enough to know they were taking a train away from their usual haunts and tried to catch the name of the line. Lily's hand was small in his, but she guided him strongly and confidently through the crowds and confusing tunnels.
"It's a fun place I've not been to for ages. Don't worry, James, I'll keep you right." She walked backwards a few steps so she could look at him, still holding his hand with a mischievous smile on her lips.
The last date.
He had never before even contemplated having five dates in two days. Of course, technically, yesterday had been one long date, but he was never going to mention that to Lily. She was looking so happy, and he had done that. Her brightness and warmth had filled the cracks in his own heart and melted the ice he thought he would have forever. He was finding it more and more difficult to imagine a life without her.
"I'm not worried," he countered. "Just intrigued to know where you are taking me."
"I followed you on faith this morning. You have to do the same."
He had to admit that was true and faithfully followed her without any more questions.
As it turned out, the place Lily took him was an Irish bar in Kips Bay that had live music every night.
It was early evening when they arrived. The place was nowhere near quiet, and Lily was greeted warmly by every member of staff they passed.
"I used to work here," she explained when he asked her. "Before my dancing paid me enough to not need extra work. I'm surprised so many still recognize me since it's been a while."
One of the staff members squealed excitedly when she saw Lily and practically threw her tray away to hug her. "Oh, it's so good to see you," she said with her arms still firmly around Lily's neck while rocking them from side to side.
"Hey, Dorcas." Lily's voice was muffled slightly and she patted her friend's back.
Dorcas seemed to notice Lily was not alone and eyed James up appraisingly.
"This is my… James," Lily continued.
Dorcas' inspecting eyes roved him over like he was about to be sold at a market.
"Your James, eh? Well, I like the sound of that, 'Bout time you got yourself a good egg." She nodded her apparent approval before she was called over to the bar to get back to her work.
"This place is pretty cool. It has a really good feel," he said as he made his was through to the bar and ordered their drinks.
While he was waiting, he took a moment to look around the place. It certainly had the feel of the old country with the dark wood and brass fittings. The walls were lined with framed old photos, some of the bar in different states of decoration, some of people, and some were even signed. The ceiling's low beams were covered in little trinkets and badges too. There were plenty people in the place, but James didn't feel claustrophobic. The whole atmosphere was relaxed, warm, and friendly.
Lily had wandered to the back and was now standing beside the group of musicians who had been playing until a moment ago. A couple were holding guitars and what looked to him like a large tambourine, which he assumed must be a drum. They were all talking animatedly with her, and she was smiling and laughing back, looking completely at ease with them all.
One of them stood up. He was a bit taller than James and a fair bit younger than the rest of them, only a few years older than himself at most. He was holding his fiddle and bow in one hand as he moved to give Lily an overly familiar hug with his free arm.
James resisted the urge to scowl at him as he joined them and tried to nod politely to the fiddler along with the rest before handing Lily her drink.
"Oh, James, this is the unofficial band."
"Unofficial?"
"Well, it's just whoever feels like turning up and playing. More a social thing than a job, but they get tips from the patrons." She shrugged.
James noticed the variety of instruments squeezed into the small stage and the jar at the front with a few notes and some change sitting inside.
"Well, from what I heard when we came in, you're all amazing." He fished out a note from his wallet and stuffed it into the jar, not really looking at the amount.
Some of the musicians goggled in surprise at him. Then, as one, they took up their instruments and started to play once more, to the cheers of the other patrons.
Lily grabbed his arm and pulled him aside sharply. "What was that?" she asked him quietly.
"They play for tips. I thought that was a normal thing to do?"
"James, you dropped a fifty," she hissed. He wasn't sure exactly if her tone meant he had insulted them or not.
"Well, there is a lot of them, and I don't know. Was that not enough?" he asked.
She shook her head at him in a fondly exasperated way, slapping his cheek gently before kissing the corner of his mouth.
"You and the fiddler seem close?" he asked, trying to sound innocent and taking a sip of his drink.
"Who? D'you mean Fabian? Yeah, I know him a bit." She shrugged. "Me and Sirius used to hang out with him and his brother before things got a bit weird."
The tune they were playing was lively, and Lily was stamping her feet to the beat along with several others.
"What do you mean by weird?" he asked, trying not to sound like an overprotective boyfriend.
"It was nothing, just something between them and Sirius. I don't really want to talk about," she said hurriedly, looking more and more distracted by the music. She shed her thick cardigan and threw it, along with her purse, into the booth they were stood beside. She placed her drink carefully down on the table.
"Come dance with me?" she told him, offering her hand.
He looked at it, unsure.
"I'm no dancer, Lily," he told her, completely uncomfortable with the idea of being shown up by a professional. He didn't want to disappoint her, though she was practically bouncing to get up and dance.
"It's real easy. All you've to do is tap to the beat and swing each other around. Just watch for a bit you'll see"
As if to demonstrate this, she joined the group of people already on the free space reserved for just such an occasion. She immediately looped arms with one of the other revellers, and they spun a few turns before moving to link arms with another smoothly. He watched her dancing and enjoying herself. Her long red hair streaming behind her, her white teeth shining as she smiled and laughed, her bright green eyes sparkling with happiness. When one too many men had spun Lily around and held her a little too closely for his liking, he shucked off his coat, took a large swallow of his drink, and joined in the madness on the dance floor.
Lily almost cheered when she saw James join her. He smiled nervously back at her, sliding his arm around her waist to spin her again.
The last time she had been here, she had been in such a dark place, barely surviving and wondering if she would ever be able to quit working here. This place had become a reminder for everything she'd been running away from, but she was no longer running. For the first time in as long as she could remember, she didn't feel like a failure. She finally felt like her life was clicking into place. Seeing some of the familiar faces and listening to the reels gave her comfort. This bar no longer reminded her of her shortcomings but instead was welcoming her home. It had always been so full of warmth and energy, and now she felt happy to share it with James.
James. He looked to be actually enjoying himself, despite the occasional stumbles. He was trying his best. He seemed determined not to let up and matched her dance for dance. She could see he was improving as the evening wore on, and they consumed a few more drinks. He was no longer self conscious about anyone else, and there were moments that he danced with her like there was not another soul in that room.
She spotted Fabian looking at them occasionally and hoped James didn't notice the look in his eye. Fabian was ancient history, from when Lily was a different person and nobody needed to know. Her life was different now and still changing, She would make a success of her new opportunity. She would give her all into this burgeoning relationship with this incredible man.
Eventually, Lily took pity on James, and she pulled him off the dance floor into their booth. His hair was damp, and his navy t-shirt was clinging even more than the cut normally made it. She felt it herself. She was a complete mess from dancing so much. The bar was now packed, and as soon as he was seated, she pulled him in for a kiss.
"Thank you," she said when she finally let him go.
"For what?" he asked, moving his lips to kiss her ear, not letting up as he nuzzled into her neck.
"For today, for yesterday. For dancing with me all night and for going up in that balloon. For lifting me up out of the rut and proving to me I have value." She slid her hands through his hair, tugging slightly to make him look up. "You wanna get out of here?"
His eyes grew dark as he regarded her. "Do you even have to ask that?"
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James' apartment block was quiet and cold when they finally got back. She had relented to his request for an Uber in order to get home quicker and also agreed his place was closer, nicer, and James actually had real food.
Now that she knew where they were both going, she didn't want to waste any more time. James was so gorgeous and she was so ready for him that it was a struggle to keep her hands from wandering into inappropriate territory in the car. This was it, there was no more need to put on the brakes.
James himself seemed to be having the same problems. As soon as they were walking in the elevator, he snaked an arm around her middle, pushing his whole body against her back and brushing her hair aside so he could kiss the nape of her neck. Her knees almost buckled at his attention, and she braced herself against the wall as his free hand slipped down between her thighs, rubbing against her jeans. She couldn't resist grinding her butt back against his crotch, making him moan softly into her hair. He slid the thick wool of her cardigan down, exposing her shoulders, and kissed along it, making her whimper.
She barely had the strength to stand as the lift came to his floor. She spun in his arms as they walked the short distance to his apartment, so she could kiss his mouth and taste his breath. Her back thudded hard against the front door. He pressed her into it more as he placed his left foot between hers, rubbing his leg against her groin, the keys forgotten in this moment. She could feel how hard he was for her against her own leg, even through the thickness of his jeans.
Eventually, he remembered to open the door, and they stumbled into the kitchen, lips still locked. They were barely through the door when he was lifting the edge of her top, sliding his hands up to brush the bottom of her breast.
"Surprise!" came a shout from the living room.
"Fuck!" Lily screamed out loud in shock. James' hands jumped off her as if she was now scalding hot. She hastily tried to correct her clothing before she saw who it was standing in the living space.
"Thought it would be better to announce our presence while you guys still mostly had clothes on." Sirius' sounded amused as he spoke, but there were definitely spots of colour on his cheeks.
"Sirius! You nearly gave me a fucking heart attack." Lily's heart skipped to see him and practically vaulted over the couch to give him a hug, grabbing Remus and pulling him in too. They were here, they were real, and she had missed them so, so much.
"Sorry for interrupting, er… things," Remus apologised, his face a delicate shade of pink, much more obviously embarrassed than Sirius.
James was still standing awkwardly by the door, hand shuffling his hair and an awkward smile on his face, as if he was unsure he was welcome to this reunion. Sirius stepped away from Lily and moved to his friend, hugging him fiercely. James and Sirius seemed to exchange a lot in that hug, but Lily didn't listen in as they spoke softly to each other, because she was giving Remus the hug of his life.
"Thank you," she murmured softly to him. He looked slightly confused when she pulled away. "You brought James to me. I know it was you."
Remus gave a little half shrug and waved her away as if it was nothing. "I just said what you needed to hear. You are both glowing with happiness right now. You have done that for each other. It had nothing to do with me." He stepped away from her. "We are disturbing you and have interrupted something a little special, I think, but you will make time for us tomorrow?"
She nodded her promise that they would before Remus looked to his partner. "Come on, now, my darling. We have disturbed these love birds enough." He grabbed Sirius by the belt buckle and pulled him towards the door.
With a smirk and a wink to James, Sirius added, "Enjoy your evening." Then, they were gone, leaving Lily and James alone and staring at each other from across the room.
"Come here," he told her, his eyes intense and never looking away.
Her whole body was electrified with the thoughts of what was about to happen. She walked over to him slowly, her hands reaching for the buttons of his coat as her lips met his. It wasn't the intensely passionate kisses they had shared in the car. It was soft, slow, and so very sexy. His hand cupped the back of her head as her hands removed him of his coat, dropping his hold of her face only to let the heavy fabric fall to the floor with a soft thud.
"Shower with me." It was less of a question and more of a demand, his voice slightly hoarse. One hand was now holding her chin, the other making its way up under her top.
"Oh, I like you being all bossy," she murmured then gasped as his thumb brushed under her soft bra and slid across a firm nipple.
"That's good to hear, because I like being bossy too." He started to drag his lips across her jaw, moving backwards with his hand at the back of her head, urging her to follow. "I want to make you come so hard you are going to forget what fucking day it is," he rumbled into her skin.
Oh fuck, where did this James come from?
If she thought she was wet before, that was nothing compared to how she was feeling now. His words, just his words, were turning her into a quivering wreck.
"James," she breathed his name, her hands tangling through the strands of his hair. "I need you so much."
"Oh God, I love the way you say my name."
He stepped away from her for a moment, lifting his shirt from his body before bending down to remove her boots for her. There was something strangely erotic about a man at her feet, sliding down the zip and slowly slipping them off. His body was beautiful as she looked down at him, no longer needing to hide how much she liked watching his muscles move.
Carefully, she slid his glasses from his face and placed them on the table. In response, he unhooked the button of her jeans and slid them down her hips. She took off her top as he stood back up, then placed her hands on his shoulders to jump, wrapping her legs around his middle. He caught her easily, splaying his hands across the firm globes of her behind.
"I love how your ass feels in my hands." She chuckled at that and kissed his face, moving slowly to suck at his neck with her open mouth, feeling the slight burn of his stubble against her soft cheek.
"Let's go take that shower," she told him as he carried her into the bathroom.
The shower did not take long at all to heat up, filling the room with clouds of steam. They had long since disregarded the last of their clothes and now stood staring at each other with heat in their eyes.
She thought she would feel self conscious under his scrutiny, but instead he made her feel worshiped and wanted.
"You are so beautiful," he told her as he closed the space between them, lips crashing hungrily together.
The steam had made her whole body slick, and his hands skimmed easily over her skin, holding her breasts, squeezing them, brushing the pads of his thumbs across her nipples making them stiffen before bending his head to take them in his mouth, nipping gently and making her gasp. She reached out for him as her back arched at his touch, fingers clawing at his toned body, running over the bumps and grooves of him, fingernails dragging through the soft hair on his chest and down his stomach until her hand moved lower, sliding along the length of him. The soft moan he let out as her hand gripped his arousal intensified what she was already feeling between her own legs.
With a shake of his head he moved her hands back up his body.
"Not yet," he murmured, walking her backwards into the stream of water, dulling her senses to the feel and sound of the water cascading over her head and running channels down her body. His lips met hers before she could open her eyes. His left hand cupped her sex, skimming his fingers along her slick folds before they rested against her entrance, the heel of his hand pressing against her center, moving in ever such slow grinding circles.
She moaned at his touch, felt the cool tiles against her shoulders as James continued to press her backwards. Her knees felt weak and she thought she might have collapsed, but James' other hand held her steady, gripping just under her left breast. Her hands gripped his head, pulled his lips to hers so she could share his breath, and let him know exactly how much she wanted and needed him right now.
"You are a goddess," he whispered before kissing her back just as intently, just as full of this undeniable wanting. "I've never wanted anything as much as I want you right now." Finally, they would know each other completely.
"James," she gasped his name into his open mouth, sliding her hands down his body and gripping his buttocks, digging her nails into the soft flesh.
He stepped away and suddenly his hands and lips were gone, making her feel bereft. She opened her eyes to see him lather his hands with soap and hand the bottle to her to do the same. It took her a moment to come back to herself and comply, but then his hands were on her once more. He started to rub the suds against her shoulders, sliding down her front to press, swirl, and rub her breasts. Hands then moved up her back, pressing the pads of his fingers into her, making her body curl at the feel of him. In return, she ran her soapy hands over his chest, up and down his back, rubbed long, large circles over his toned stomach, and slid her hands a few times along his length, enticing another groan from him. He grabbed her wrists to stop her and pulled her back under the water to rinse them both.
It wasn't long before she was pressed up against the tiled wall again, quaking under his touch. She was coming undone quicker than she thought possible.
He knelt to rub his hands along her thighs, pressing his thumbs along the crease of her legs. "Let me taste you?" he asked, his lips so close to her sex that she felt his breath puff against her.
"Oh, God, yes. Please, yes."
He lifted her leg onto his shoulder, like he had done before, but this time, there was no way she was going to stop him. His hand glided along her folds first, quickly followed by his tongue, sliding along her before gently nipping the bundle of nerves between his beautiful, soft lips.
She tried her best not to wriggle and squirm as his tongue masterfully swirled, lapped, and sucked, bringing her body up to a whole new level of ecstasy. Her hands desperately clawed against the smooth tiles before grabbing his head, gripping his hair tight enough for him to wince slightly. She would have apologised if she could, but her whole mind was completely on what James was doing to her.
Her release was sudden and intense, like a wave crashing over her. The only thing holding her up was James' solid grip on her hip. She felt like she had been fractured into a million pieces, only for him to gently bring her back together.
He was grinning like a fool when he stood back up to her eye level. Her heart was pounding so fast that she could hear it in her ears. He softly kissed back up her body as it slowly stopped trembling.
She grabbed his shoulders, pulling him in even closer to her, so his chest was pressed against hers. She turned them around so now his back was against the wall.
"Your turn," she told him before moving down his body in slow, lingering kisses.
"Lily, you don't have to," he told her honestly, but she did not stop. She knew she did not have to but knew he wanted her to.
"It's only fair." she told him, continuing her slow journey.
When she took him in her mouth, he groaned loudly, his head tilting up to look at the ceiling, the muscles of his thighs bunching, and one hand fisting in her hair. "Holy fuck," he breathed as she glided her lips up and down him, sucking gently and swirling her tongue. She could feel him losing himself just like she had done. "Oh, Lily." He reached for her hand that was resting on his stomach and encouraged her to stand. He pressed a kiss to her wrist before pulling her in for a long lingering kiss. "If you keep that up, I'm not going to last," he told her breathless.
She smirked back at him.
"We have all night. But, if you want, let's continue things somewhere more comfortable."
She had not appreciated how soft this bed was in her drunk state last time. How her body sunk into its embrace as James followed her onto the bed, lips locked, his hand pressed to her back, lowering her gently. His hands wandered over her body once more, making her hum with anticipation.
She grabbed his shoulders, slid her hands down his chest, squeezed his buttocks, and pulled him to her, wanting to feel his weight on her, but he kept one arm braced and lay to her side. This time he did not touch between her legs but kissed, nipped, and stroked everywhere else, building up the tension inside her until she was begging him to touch here there, just there, and lifting her hips every time his hand skirted close.
"Please, James," she begged, her back arching, her eyes rolling back in her head.
"Patience. Trust me. You beg so beautifully, but it will be worth it."
"At least let me touch you." She growled her frustration, making him chuckle wickedly from deep in his throat. She had to admit that he had already proven himself more than capable of building her body up to heights she had never before experienced. She was strung out, completely at his mercy, and she was loving every second of it.
"Oh, fuck, James. I'm so ready, please," she begged, her hands fisting the sheets, her legs twisting, her hips bucking. Wanting nothing more than to feel the weight of his body against hers, the pressure of him inside her.
"Alright then, just a sec," he murmured, moving to rummage in a drawer and taking out a foil packet.
"Let me," she told him, taking the condom and putting it on him as he sat on the edge of the bed, enjoying finally being allowed to touch him again.
"Lie back down," he told her cupping her face, but this time she decided she wasn't going to do what he said, and shook her head.
"Sit up against the bed," she commanded. "It's my turn to be in charge."
He did as he was told, holding her waist as she swung her leg over him. His face was level with her breast as she positioned herself above his manhood, but his eyes were looking up at her, letting her know she had complete control.
Slowly, she lowered herself down his length, letting him fill her. They both groaned at the same time, enjoying the sensation as she started to grind a rhythm. He felt amazing; he was amazing. His hands moved up from her stomach to her breasts and nipped her nipples a little harder than he had done before. She ran her hands through his silky, soft hair, pulling on it playfully.
"Holy fuck, Lily," he breathed. "You are amazing." She could feel the tension building in her body once more. She closed her eyes and arched her back.
His fingers slid down to her centre once more, and it was her undoing. His touch tipped her over the edge, making him lose control too. She pressed their heads together as they caught their breath and she waited to come back down to earth.
Oh God, she was ruined. He had ruined her, and she absolutely loved him for it.
When Lily woke the next morning, the first thing she saw was the blissfully sleeping form of James, his hair a chaotic tangle and his arm resting between them, fingers almost touching her nose.
His body was hers now. Resolutely marked, the property of Lily Evans. They had made love several more times through the night, never being quite enough. Until finally, they had collapsed, exhausted, completely spent, and blissfully satisfied as dawn's light slowly started to filter through the giant windows.
She couldn't stop staring at him.
Is this love? She thought to herself as she gazed upon his face, so relaxed in sleep. Surely, it was too soon. If it wasn't yet full love, it was certainly a strong foundation for them to grow on. She had found stability in his arms and ecstasy at his touch. He was a steady presence, and she felt comforted by the belief that he was never going to let her go. Her night with him, her mind-altering night with this amazing example of a human being, was just the first. This was it. She was now a they or an us.
She turned to slide her back against him and settled down to sleep again.
Barely waking, his arm curled around her waist, pulling her closer as he kissed the back of her neck.
This was meant to be. There was no way she was ever letting this man go.
FIN
