Chapter 16
Sirius Black's expression was cocky as he walked down the hallway to his cousin's room.
The smugness on his face wavered when he heard what sounded like moans… coming from Bella's bedroom. His eyes narrowed and his pace picked up.
He knocked on the door with undue force.
"Who is it" came Bella's husky voice. "Siri" he said in a rather irritated tone. "Just a moment…" she said sheepishly.
He didn't wait for her permission before pushing the door open.
Frank Longbottom was pulling on his jeans, an expression on his face like a deer caught in the headlights.
Bella was lying back on the bed, a self-satisfied expression on her face. The short lacy nightgown she was wearing left practically nothing to the imagination. For just a moment it distracted him.
He shot a look at her that said 'Frank? Really?' but she just smiled in her usual smug, feline way.
Frank gave him an embarrassed, apologetic look before running from the room.
"I thought you had more taste cuz" he drawled. She chuckled wickedly.
"He may be inexperienced but he knows what he's doing" she purred. Something like jealousy crossed his face.
She grinned and crawled towards him. He watched as she sat on the end of the bed and crossed one slender leg over the other. He sat on the bed beside her. She slid over the covers so she was behind him. Her arms wrapped around his waist and her chin rested on his shoulder.
"So… did the goody-two-shoes mudblood finally give it up?" she purred silkily in his ear.
"Actually yes" he said smugly. A lascivious grin spread slowly over her face.
"Then I'm guessing you're here to… claim your prize?" she whispered huskily.
She pressed her body along the back of his and trailed her lips down the side of his neck.
"Another time…" he said airily, disentangling himself and standing up.
He smiled smugly at the peeved, incredulous look on her face.
She got to her feet and walked slowly over to him. "Are you sure?" she purred, running her hands over his chest.
"Yes I'm sure" he said brusquely, pushing her hands away.
With that he turned and left, leaving her standing there. She looked both stunned and furious.
When he was gone she grabbed a crystal wine glass and threw it at the door, shattering it into little pieces.
Sirius Black sat at his desk, long dark hair falling around his face as he penned a letter to Lily.
His quill scratched gently over the paper. He was so focused he didn't even realize he wasn't alone anymore.
"I love you?" said a husky, disdainful voice behind him, making him jump slightly.
He turned and scowled at his cousin. She was wearing a sky blue, unusually conservative dress and a rather subdued expression. Her curls were piled up on her head, spilling down to frame her pale, heart-shaped face.
She snatched the paper out of his hands and read it. Her expression fell further with every line.
"Dear god. She's got you wrapped around her little finger hasn't she?" she said in a disgusted voice.
"Shut up" he snapped, snatching the letter back.
"My my. Someone's touchy today" she said airily. "Maybe it's because your so in loooove" she drawled mockingly.
"I'm not in the mood for your barbs today cuz" he said irritatedly.
"What happened to you?" she asked softly. "She's tamed you" she continued in almost a sad voice. He face softened slightly.
"Nothings changed" he said in a tone that was both reassuring and slightly defensive. She gave a pitying look that seemed to say he was fooling himself.
"You may be genuinely unaware of this but it's obvious you're in love with her. You don't love me anymore…" she said in a voice that was almost vulnerable.
"It's just a bet. She means nothing to me!" he said in almost a yell.
She walked towards him and slid her arms around his neck. Her body pressed up against him and his arms slid around her waist as her lips crushed his.
It was deep, fierce, searing in intensity… full of lust, desire, sex… but he couldn't get another pair of lips out of mind. Lily never seemed to be far away from his mind nowadays. Why couldn't he get her out of his head?
He broke the kiss and pushed her away with a sigh. She looked almost hurt as he pulled back.
"I'm going to tell her everything" he said firmly, telling himself as much as her.
For a moment she looked like he'd slapped her but then her usual expression of haughty disdain crept over her face.
"How sweet. Your going to come clean… she's going to understand… and the two of you will live happily ever after? Give me a break!" she said contemptuously.
"People don't change cuz. You and I… we're two of a kind. Do you honestly think you're capable of being true to her? Of being the man she needs you to be?" she sneered.
"And what about your reputation? If people find out that Lily Evans of all people has made an honest man of you they'll laugh. You'll be nothing but joke" she continued in that same contemptuous tone.
His face was cold, mouth set in a grim line. She walked slowly over to him, stopping inches away.
"Is she really worth losing your freedom… your reputation… and your best friend?" she said in a soft hiss.
"Maybe she is worth it" he said stubbornly, turning to leave.
"Then you really are pussy-whipped" she sneered.
The last think he sad was her mocking expression as he slammed the door behind him.