"I never heard people exchange goodnights for a whole hour," Ginny's remarked by way of greeting as soon as Hermione walked through the door.
Hermione felt her cheeks grow warm. "You were listening?"
Ginny shrugged. "Can't blame me for being curious. He sounded … normal enough."
"Normal enough?" She laughed. "What did you think he was going to do? Perform dark magic on our doormat?"
"I just … never mind."
Uh-oh. Hermione recognized the Molly Weasley look in her friend's eyes.
"Just say it, Ginny."
The redhead folded her arms over her chest. "I was just curious why he's not dating someone his age. He's not just older, he's got couple of decades and then some on you. It's just that I can see that you're smitten with him and you did accept a promotion, which coincidentally just happens to allow you not to have to travel as much. It would be terrible for you to feel so strongly about him, only for it to be just a midlife crisis to him."
Hermione held up her hands. "Whoa. Slow down. Yes, I love spending time with him, but that's not why I accepted my editing promotion. It'll allow me more time to focus on my own research. I can even get a cat now, if I wanted to. As to your other point, why should age matter in our case? It's not like he was specifically looking for someone younger regardless of compatibility. How is it a midlife crisis if he's not with me to stroke his ego or to feel younger, or whatever?"
"Okay, okay. Your unconventional approach to this is a bit alarming, you two aren't about to elope for your one month anniversary, are you?"
Hermione laughed, shaking her head.
Ginny didn't look as amused though. "Look, if this was anyone else, I wouldn't be trying to act like my mother, but since it is Lucius Malfoy, I wish you'd slow down. Not that he'll ever admit it, but to this day Draco still carries all kinds of issues growing up with that for a father."
Hermione didn't know what to say to that and right now she didn't want to even think about it. She just wanted to enjoy this. "I can't help how I feel and I'm not going to play games to disguise my feelings. He just does it for me."
Ginny smirked, her eyes glittering with mischief. "Apparently he does it best by tying you to the bed."
"I wish I had never, ever told you that," Hermione joked, as she flopped down on her bed and threw a pillow at her roommate.
"So have you two tried to repeat that night?"
Hermione felt her body shiver in remembrance. "Not yet," she answered, clutching another pillow to her chest. Just thinking about it made her giddy with anticipation.
Ginny wagged her eyebrows at her. "Not yet, huh? Do you think he'll be all slow and romantic this time or just ravish you?"
"You know for someone who's having so many reservations about me being with him, you are very curious about the naughty details."
"Duh! I'm always curious about those details. I've had one colossal failure after another in that department. Let me live vicariously through someone who has an exciting sex life," Ginny said.
"Well, Lucius and I don't have a sex life at the moment. We're taking it slow. It's kind of exciting actually," Hermione gushed. "The best part is that there's no pressure from Lucius at all. I've never been with someone who didn't feel like he was entitled to it."
Ginny tossed the pillow back at Hermione and turned to go back to her room. "Sound like a winner. Just don't get carried away."
Easier said than done!
Lucius loathed Mondays. One could always count on bad news, and this was no exception.
"Draco, I told you if this happens again you have to fire these simpletons. I never had so much problems with shipments in the last twenty years as we've had this year alone. This is unacceptable," Lucius ranted.
"I know, I know. I sacked Gilbert. Oh, and Grandmother owled. She's scheduled a dinner event this Saturday." With a wink, he added, "She wrote that she specifically invited an old lady friend of yours, Pansy's aunt on her father's side."
Lucius frowned, unhappy with the change of plans. He was looking forward to the weekend with his brilliant witch.
"Violet and I used to be prefects in our year at Hogwarts," he said when he saw Draco still looking at him for some sort of elaboration. "In the future, tell your grandmother that she can't demand my attendance at her dinners with so little regard for my previous plans."
"Oh, yes, you have your hands full with Ginny's friend. I noticed that you've been staying in the city a lot," Draco slyly remarked.
Lucius arched his brow. "Miss having Lowndes House to yourself?"
He smirked. "Not as much as certain witches. Is it serious then?"
The older wizard really didn't know how to respond to that. "Could be." He wanted it to be.
"So who is she? Ginny always gets a cheshire grin on her face whenever I ask her but stubbornly refuses to say a thing."
Lucius wasn't sure how his son would feel about him dating a former schoolmate of his, so he treaded lightly. "I'll give you a hint: you went to school with her."
Draco glared. "That's not a hint. Do you know how many students we had in our year? Give me a real hint, like what House was she in?"
"The one which you let consistently beat yours for the Quidditch Cup," he quipped.
His son grimaced. "Gryffindor had some homely witches in my year. I can't think of a single one you'd be remotely interested in. Unless someone had a face transplant."
"Well, neither you nor I thought much of her … back then."
Draco furrowed his brows in concentration. "So it's someone you didn't care for then that you do now. Someone Ginny said was brilliant, very good-looking, highly accomplished, and mature … hmm… this is hard."
"Emphasis on brilliant. She consistently scored higher than you."
Draco let out a snide laugh. "Only one person did that and it couldn't possibly be Granger. Good one, Father."
"I'm not joking."
His son stammered, flummoxed, "B-but … she's my friend's roommate … she's p-plain and … so far up her own arse."
"Watch your mouth. There's nothing plain about her."
"Well, she does like the same boring stuff you do, so there's that." He grinned at Lucius. "Grandmother is going to lose her shit! She probably wants you to rekindle something with Pansy's aunt."
"My mother doesn't get a vote in this, and there's no chance of me rekindling anything with Violet. That's ancient history."
"Maybe Grandmother thinks you're done with Granger by now. You've only been seeing each other for like a month."
"We're going tonight to the opening of the Picasso exhibit, so I'll be staying the night in the city again," Lucius said, giving his son a warning look. "That means no overnight guests for you."
Smirking, Draco ignored his last statement. "A Picasso exhibit? How exciting. I guess not all dates can be as romantic as mine are."
"Well, thanks to your Grandmother, I'll have to cancel my plans for Saturday now," Lucius grumbled. He really hated Mondays.
"You're in a foul mood. It's only one day. It's not like Granger would put out this early on anyway."
Lucius muttered, "Shows what you know."
"Over-share. But listen, it'll be a good business opportunity to see Pansy's aunt. She owns wineries in Douro Valley that she may be interested in selling."
"Well, it never hurts to catch up with an old acquaintance," Lucius agreed.
Except he really wanted to spend the whole weekend with Hermione Granger. She's become the best part of his days.
"That exhibit was so amazing!" Hermione raved once they've settled into Lucius's car. "And I'm not even a fan of Cubism."
They were finally alone for the first time all night and Lucius just wanted to stay like that for a while since they wouldn't be seeing much of each other over the weekend.
When they said all they could about the exhibit, she looked up at him with pleading eyes.
"You haven't kissed me yet," she said softly, looking deeply into his eyes.
He smirked before moving in slowly, licking his lips just before he pressed the softest of kisses against hers. The sound of her sweet sigh went all through him and Lucius pressed again, parting his lips against hers as she did the same. He kissed her again and again gradually sucking on her bottom lip. She opened eagerly for him and slid her tongue against his until the kiss grew so passionate that he feared they would explode from the intensity of it. When he pulled back for air, she clutched to him and reached for him again.
"I should take you home," he hoarsely said, pulling away from her.
"A-alright," she managed, swaying slightly towards him across the console.
His body ached. The taste of her lingered on his tongue, nearly drugging him. It was torture but he promised to go slow. Ravishing her in his car was definitely not slow. He tried to focus on navigating through heavy traffic. The frequent stops made it impossible not to give in to her ripe mouth, which begged to be kissed.
"I wish you could stay the night," she whispered, lightly nipping his ear.
"Don't tempt me," he growled, letting one of his hands stray to her knee.
"Why not?" She chuckled. "Maybe I like tempting you."
"Mercy, Hermione. You have no idea what I want to do to you right now. You arouse me beyond reason."
She glanced down at his lap, placing her hand shyly on his thigh. "All this just from kissing me?"
"Indeed."
Hermione inched her hand higher to his groin, then suddenly became bashful and stopped.
"You can touch me. You don't have to be shy." He took her hand in his and slid it up along his thigh. She pressed her hand along the outline of his hardening cock and cupped him.
Lucius removed his hand from hers, thrilled that she continued to touch him. He stopped at another red light and immediately embraced her. Hermione whimpered into his mouth as he ravaged her with kisses. He kissed her like he was starving for the taste of her and pulled away only when the light changed again. Her curious fingers continued to explore him throughout the entire journey to her flat. When they arrived, he walked her to her door as he usually did. Lucius meant to contain his passion as he kissed her goodnight, but she was kissing him back so ardently that, instead of slowing down, he was twenty seconds away from Apparating them to his bedroom.
"Would you like to come in?" There was that pleading tone in her voice again that was too seductive to ignore.
"I'd love to, but I'm not sure it's a very wise idea," he replied,.
"I am." She kissed him again. "Please … come. You wouldn't have to stay very long."
Against his better judgment, Lucius gave in to his baser instincts and followed her inside. A lecherous part of him was hoping he'll get to see more of that lacy black bra he caught a brief glimpse of when she bent down earlier.
She gave him a quick tour of the place, which ended in her bedroom by her desk. Lucius's mind reeled as she pulled his face down to hers for a passionate kiss.
"Mmm…" He hummed almost inaudibly at the softness of the witch's mouth under his own. The taste of her was driving him to the brink of madness. He groaned and one of his hands went to Hermione's waist, pulling her closer. His other hand went to the back of her head, cupping it for a moment. Hesitantly, her hands went to his hips. Her touch set Lucius off and his hand tangled in her hair.
Kissing her felt better than breathing.
Brushing one hand down the back of her neck, Lucius pressed her body harder against her desk.
"Lucius," she breathed out against his neck, her fingers gripping the front of his shirt.
"Yes?" He leaned down to kiss her again, moving both hands to the small of her back, slipping them under the silk fabric of her shirt and stroking her smooth, heated skin.
She kissed him along his jaw, then down over the sensitive skin of his throat and neck.
The Pureblood wizard groaned, tipping his head back, his blond hair cascading halfway down his back. His hand moved lower to stroke the subtle curve of her bottom through her skirt.
She let out one of her charming half-gasps, half-sighs. Lucius would never get tired of hearing that flattering sound from her lips. He was losing himself fast in her.
Her hands started to undo the buttons of his shirt from the bottom to the top.
Hermione slowly slipped her hand down his chest, over the strong, supple skin she found there. Pressing her face into Lucius's neck, she kissed it a few times, breathing heavily against him, before moving her hand to cup his throbbing cock through his trousers. How he wished he could vanish those abhorrent things!
"Hermione," he breathed out, pushing himself against her hand. "It's not a good idea. I have only so much self-control."
"I want to … just let me touch you … please."
Lucius nodded and lowered his face, kissing her hard again. He felt her shiver at the way he kissed her, taking her tongue into his mouth. His own hands roved freely over her chest.
"You are intoxicating," he mumbled as their lips collided feverishly again.
"Mmm!" Hermione licked his lips. "Lucius … please. I want to touch you … see you."
Pulling the zipper open, Hermione dipped her hand into his trousers, cupping Lucius's cock with a groan.
Lucius was amused when he heard her gasp in surprise. Hermione pulled away so that she could look Lucius over his entire body, his chest, down to his firm abdominals, and at the gap where her own hand disappeared. She gave him a firm squeeze.
"Oh fuck yes …" he gasped.
Hermione kept her head raised, studying how Lucius moved to her touch. She seemed to be fascinated by his reactions … fascinated by him …wanting to make him feel good.
Twisting her hands around his cock, Hermione moaned. Lucius closed his eyes in pleasure, feeling her fumble with his trousers before yanking them down, exposing himself completely to her eyes. She pushed him to sit down in her chair, then resumed her experimental touches. His head fell back as his hips started to rise rhythmically in tune to her strokes.
She took her time, changing her ministrations: sometimes using firm jerks, sometimes caressing his shaft with just the tips of her fingers, sometimes rubbing just the head. Lucius shuddered quietly with delight, opening his eyes to watch the pretty witch pleasure him.
Lucius's hands gripped the edge of her desk, his knuckles white. "Right there ... so good … there, yes!" His lips parted as he quickly panted.
Massaging her hand over the sleek head, Hermione was dedicated to only watching her hands move on his cock, propelling him towards oblivion.
"You are the sexiest wizard in the world…" she whispered to him, her voice husky. She leaned over and kissed the center of his exposed chest.
One of Lucius's hands went to the back of Hermione's head, tangling in her curls. "I'm so close," he grunted out.
"I want to see you come all over my hands," she told him.
A soft, strangled noise escaped his lips. "Yes, just like that!" he moaned, his voice shaking. His cock pulsed in Hermione's hand just before Lucius was swept away in tidal wave of a blinding orgasm.
She continued to watch him. Her brown eyes wide as he came into her hands, coating her fingers with warm, sticky fluid.
"Wow," she whispered, amazed. The entire process seemed to thrill her. Had any woman ever showed so much enthusiasm at pleasing him?
Once Lucius recovered, he pulled Hermione into his lap.
"You," he whispered, their foreheads touched as he fought to catch his breath.
Closing her eyes lightly as they breathed against one another, Hermione sighed in contentment.
Of all the hand jobs Lucius had ever received in his life, this one was different. He felt like Hermione had drawn something out of him … something he had given up on ever feeling.
She cast a cleaning charm on her hands before curling her arms around Lucius's neck and pulling him in for another kiss, as she ran her fingers through his hair.
They heard the entrance door open and slam.
Hermione looked terribly embarrassed. "Um … looks like Ginny's home. I guess we don't have much privacy anymore."
Lucius laughed and kissed her again. "I think it's a blessing in disguise. I truly contemplated Apparating you back to my house and having my wicked way with you."
She blushed and kissed Lucius sweetly on the cheek. "That doesn't sound too unbearable."
"I gave you my word to take it slow."
"And we have. We also agreed not to follow any rules. If we feel something, we should just go with it."
"Speaking of feelings, what are your feelings on seeing other people?" he inquired, looking at her with an unreadable expression on his face.
She looked nervous, distressed even. "Well, I'm not seeing anyone else, but if you … if you want to … then … it's your choice." Lucius could see the tears glistening in her eyes as she struggled to finish the sentence.
He rushed to clarify, "I'm only asking because I'm not interested in anyone else. Only one witch has been on my mind lately."
She immediately brightened. "Oh? What a coincidence. Because there's only one wizard I want to be with."
"Lucky him."
"Lucky you," she corrected him.
Smiling, he kissed her slowly, getting lost in her sweetness again.
For the first time since his release from Azkaban, Lucius felt truly happy to be alive.
Thank you for all the wonderful support for all my stories! You guys are amazing! I'll update more next month after I come back from Portugal. If you don't hear from me by the end of July, assume there's a HEA for all my stories :-)
Hugs,
Lana