A/N: At long last, this chapter is FINALLY complete. And weirdly enough it is all thanks to Batman. (Probably best not to ask.) After months of distractions and writer's block, I finally cranked out this lovely chapter. I would rate it a light M. And thanks to everyone who's reviewed, it really is one of the few things that reminds me "oh yeah, I was working on that."


Chapter 34: Dazzled By… Wits

She had barely uttered the three words before he'd promptly rid himself of the top half of his costume, the plates clinking against each other as they tumbled off the side of the bed.

Ginny paused, shooting him a cocked brow. "Really?" The words were skeptical, but the deadpan effect was lost with the twitch of her lips.

"Not my fault I'm ahead of the curve," he smirked back, sitting up further so she had to sit back on her heels (her shoes having already been kicked off). "Now, do you intend to return the favor, or should I do it for you?" He eyed where the apron was magically held against her breasts, looking all too pleased to take on the challenge.

Ginny very nearly went for her wand, but she figured – based on the pulling she'd felt earlier – that a good stretch could pull the fabric taught enough that the charms would slip. The seductiveness of her smirk was lost a bit by its undertone of giddiness as she asked him, teasingly, "Want to see a trick?"

He narrowed his eyes at her, and she could tell he thought it was some sort of distraction technique.

She rolled her eyes. "You'll like it, I promise," her words and lips were touched with a wry humor. And a second later, a wicked gleam came into her eye. She remembered her own reactions that had caused the earlier strain on her costume, and had an idea. "…Actually, I think you can help."

With a devious smirk, she moved forward, their bodies shifting until his back was propped up against the pillows and headboard at the top of the bed, and then she straddled Blaise's lap (to his delight). Flipping her hair over one shoulder, she placed one of his hands on the exposed skin at the base of her neck, untying the neck strap with a brief tug. In this position, with her hands now resting on his bare chest, it wasn't hard for her to lean just an inch nearer to purr, playfully, "Unzip me?"

He looked a little bemused at the concept, but complied, running his fingers gently down her spine as though opening the clasp of a zipper.

It felt good. Ginny bit her lip, arching her back with his movements, but there was something missing. As much as she hated to admit it, it didn't have the same effect that M- the other one – had had. So, when his hand reached the base of her spine, and she hadn't tugged the apron loose, she pursed her lips, fixing Blaise with a gaze that was nearly molten. Her voice was low but demanding. "Harder."

This time his thumb pressed firmly up the ridge of her back, and she gave in to the urge to roll her body in response to his touch, her back arching and her hips grinding down onto his as she bit her lip once more and her eyelids fluttered. Her back – and neck – were her weak spots.

Just as he hit the spot between her shoulder blades she hit peak arch, head tilted back, and with a tug the fabric fell away even as she bit back a pleased moan.

Blaise faltered at the sight of her newly bared breasts, but only for a moment before Ginny shifted her hips against him, reminding him of what he was supposed to be doing, and he finished the path his fingers had taken. Ginny felt the delicious sensation of goosebumps breaking out across her back and shoulders at the touch, and she quickly rolled her head back around to the front, her hair not-quite-whipping back around with her movement. She was grinning, cheekily, eyes still burning. "Ta-dah."

He only caught her eyes for the briefest of moments – just long enough for her to spot the hunger in his gaze – before he'd pressed his mouth to her left breast, making her bite back a surprised intake of breath.

Wrapping one arm around his neck, pulling him to her, her other hand ran languidly down his chest as she closed her eyes to fully experience all the touching that was-

"-Next time I'll be sure to bring a blindfold."

Ginny's eyes shot open. No way. She was most definitely not thinking of him right now. Not happening.

Luckily, her train of thought was quickly redirected, distracted by the jolt of sensation as Blaise's teeth grazed her nipple. Suddenly, she felt incredibly present.

She pursed her lips, humming in pleasure as one of his hands cupped her other breast, his thumb attempting to mimic the attentions his mouth was currently giving to its twin. His ministrations were rewarded as Ginny sank her hips down to grind against him, a blush washing across her chest. She felt her heartbeat quickening, pupils dilating and focusing in on one thing and one thing only: the gorgeous specimen who she'd somehow managed to leave speechless.

Her head dipped, breath sweeping down the elegant curve of his neck, teeth closing lightly on his earlobe before she peppered kisses down his jaw, drawing his face up to hers again to capture his lips.

He returned the kiss eagerly – hungrily – and soon their mouths were partnered in a playful dance that grew ever more intense. She would nip at his lower lip, giving him the authority to return the action; her tongue would venture past his lips, and he would respond in kind. Ginny was taking the initiative, leading the charge, and Blaise happily following suit.

Her skin was tingling delightedly, body thrumming with electricity, her breath hot and shallow. She pulled back, eyes alight, and caught his gaze briefly. She looked away for just a moment, a touch of nerves pausing her action, before her eyes met his again, determined. "I want to touch you." Her voice was hoarser than she'd expected as she made the announcement, confident despite the color rushing into her cheeks.

Blaise's brows raised, but he looked intrigued. His head bent to nuzzle his lips into the crook of her neck, kisses slowly moving up to just behind her ear: "Well then, by all means." She felt his lips smiling as his voice vibrated against her skin, and Ginny felt a brief delightful shiver at the sensation.

Given the go-ahead, she unhooked her arms from behind his neck, her hands running down his chest and giving a gentle push back, even as she sat up on her knees, his hands slipping from their place around her waist. As he settled back down against the bed, she supported herself with one arm as her other hand traced a finger down his chest, skimming over each muscled plane, following the outline of his well-toned abdomen. She couldn't help herself. "Honestly, if I'd known you were hiding this…" Her lips curved into a playful smirk as she tapped each defined segment, and she let out a low whistle. "I suppose that's the upside of being such a narcissist," she teased.

"Physical perfection isn't easy, love." He grinned at her jibes, his hands cupping just above her bent knees, gradually migrating upward. He paused halfway up her thighs, just below the hem of her 'skirt.' "Though you seem to be having a simple time of it."

Ginny let out a soft scoff. "And you were seeming so sincere…" Her words may have been mocking, but her voice was a purr, as she bowed her head to run her lips down his neck, past his shoulders, pausing only briefly to flick her tongue out over one nipple, a devilish smirk on her lips. As her mouth continued lower, she sank back onto her elbows, her back arching dramatically. This particular position had Ginny's chest pressing against him and both her butt and her skirt raised as she swayed her hips gently side to side, inviting his hands to continue their upward voyage.

Blaise seemed to have lost track of the banter, distracted by – well, the whole maneuver. His eyes weren't quite as sharp as they had been, hazy as he watched her lips caressing his skin, his hands pushing up the hem of her skirt, gliding up her thighs until his thumbs hit the edge of her panties.

Ginny shifted forward a bit, allowing his hands to shift from her hips square onto her ass, and she could feel herself practically dripping as the tips of his fingers, now cupped around her upper thighs, brushed the thin fabric attempting to be underwear. She saw his mouth open slightly, heard his heated breath, and she knew he could tell just how much she was enjoying this as well. But she had more teasing to do.

She moved backward a few inches, his hands slipping up to her waist, pulling the hem of the skirt with them. Meeting his eyes again, she held his gaze as she shifted onto one elbow, laying her cheek on his lower stomach, mouth just slightly open, as her other hand ran a finger along his waistband.

Unfortunately, it was at this moment – a mostly naked Ginny with her mouth suggestively poised upon a half-clothed Blaise – that the door of the bedroom swung open.


A/N: Bum-bum-buuuuuhhhhh!

So there we have it.

And I should probably go ahead and apologize now for the inevitable long break between this chapter and the next. Opposed to my early days on this fic, I don't have overflowing muse and several chapters in reserve. I am finishing this chapter 9/21/16 at 2:26 AM EST, and posting it immediately afterward. I'm not sure when I'll next be writing, but hopefully I'll at least start the next chapter. (A good cliffhanger certainly helps.)

And, if anyone caught it, this chapter's title is meant to be a reference to 10 Things I Hate About You. The detention scene, and just after. (Ha, I just realized it's the detention… for The Detention. Teehee.)

Happy fall everybody. And happy birthday to me. :)