I owe each and every one of you the deepest of apologies.

I had intended to get this chapter out long ago but unfortunately life, as ever, never runs smoothly and I hit major mind blocks as well as being rushed so much I had no time to break through them. Nevertheless I did my best and I'm truly sorry for the long wait. This chapter feels a little scattered still but I've written out a template for where I want this story to go so hopefully you won't have such a gap in the future. I hope you enjoy it.

Chapter 4

Lily's eyes snapped to James' mischievous hazel ones, so deep and rich with brown, amber and green, like changing leaves in the autumn -

'You haven't heard a word I've said have you?' he asked smirking.

'Shut up Potter,' she muttered, but with no bite to her words. She was willing her face not to flush. 'I didn't sleep well. I can't concentrate.'

In truth, she couldn't concentrate because every time she looked at him she pictured him from two weeks previously. Drenched in water, his shirt stuck to a chest that revealed rippling muscles; which made her flush in places she'd rather not think about.

How in the name of Merlin was he that buff anyway?! All he did was fly around on a broom for crying out loud! Damn him for being so fit... not that she thought he was fit. Not at all.

'Are you all right?' he asked, looking genuinely concerned. 'There's nothing bothering you is there?'

Only the fact I'm thinking about you throwing me over this table. Merlin she hoped he couldn't read her mind.

'I'm fine James,' she said, holding his gaze. Hazel studied green so intently that she felt he was looking right through her.

'You're lying,' he said softly. 'But I'll let it slide for now.'

'How do you know I'm lying?' she challenged.

He looked across the table at her, an odd look in his eyes.

'You're picking at your nails,' he said, pulling the list of names closer. 'You only do that when you're nervous or lying.'

Lily immediately snatched her hands apart and from the table top, into her lap. James cleared his throat, but she heard the laugh he was covering and glared daggers at him. Lily was more than surprised when she saw his cheeks turn a little pink and he stiffened somewhat, looking away.

'Or am I mistaken?' he said, in a jovial tone. 'And is sweet Alice finding some way of sneaking her man up after hours and keeping you girls awake with their unsavoury activities?'

'Eww!' Lily cringed, kicking him under the table. 'Bad bad bad images there James! Did you channel Sirius for a minute?!'

James feigned looking deeply insulted.

'It wasn't that bad Evans,' he said, resorting to the surname as they did during these teasing conversations.

'Aww did I hurt your feelings baby Potter?' Lily said, pouting mockingly.

Little did Lily or James realise how often this was happening between them now... or that all of their friends quickly made themselves scarce when they realised what was going on.

Leaving them alone to flirt in piece.

And at this moment they were indeed quite alone in the Heads dormitory. Although both Lily and James had declined using their private bedrooms in favour of staying with their friends, they often came up to their private common room. Apart from allowing much needed peace and quiet for their studies, it was much more relaxing than the library, with its comfortable sofas and fireplace. Tonight however, whilst planning the rota for the upcoming Hogsmeade weekend, Lily had steered James over to the table and chairs in the far corner rather than the two person sofa and coffee table.

Thanks to her latest steamy dream, that sofa had sent up a red flag in Lily's mind. It was all too tempting to work over there, in front of the roaring flames, James by her side. She'd get too hot and take off her jumper. He'd follow suit and look her up and down intensely and then she'd find herself straddling his waist, touching his muscled chest while his eager lips worked at her throat...

Not that she'd thought about it or anything.

Not when she'd woke up.

Or during her lessons.

Or whilst having a long soak in the private bathroom.

Lily realised that he hadn't responded, his eyes fixed, she knew, on her pouting lips. She swallowed, licking them instinctively. A surge of pride went through her when she saw him swallow and shift in his seat.

'James?' she said, surprised at the low tone in her voice.

No response.

'James?' she repeated, nudging his leg with hers.

He pushed his leg against hers and the contact sent a bolt up inside her torso and prickles to the back of her neck.

And also a smack on the head like a tonne of bricks. What the hell was she doing playing footsie with him?!

'Potter!'

Finally James seemed to break from whatever daze he was in and looked at Lily.

'Er what?'

A smirk grew across Lily's face.

'You haven't heard a word I've said have you?' she mirrored.

The glazed look from James' eyes had truly vanished now and that spark of mischief glowed.

'Careful Evans,' he warned, brandishing the feather end of his quill at her. 'That tone will only lead you to trouble.'

'Imagine that,' said Lily with a fake scoff. 'Potter telling Lily Evans to behave! If only I had a witness!'

Suddenly she slid forward an inch off her chair as James sandwiched her leg between his and grabbed her foot, pulling it into his lap. He grinned widely, yanking off her shoe and tossing it over his shoulder.

'Don't say you weren't warned,' said James in a sing song voice, flexing his fingers.

Up until that moment, Lily had been fighting James' grip, pretending she didn't relish the feeling of one strong hand holding onto her calf. Now that she realised what was coming she froze, her eyes wide.

'James no!'

'You know what to say Evans,' he grinned, wiggling his fingers like creepy spiders legs near the sole of her foot. 'Just five ickle words and I'll spare you.'

Almost tempted for a moment, Lily practically felt the bitter taste from the words on the tip of her tongue.

'Never Pott - '

She tried. She really did. But from the moment that first fingertip made feather light contact with the fabric of the sock a siren shot to her brain, every muscle in her leg straining with the effort to squirm away and a screech of laughter erupting from her lungs. A thousand tiny prickles danced under her skin, making her nerve endings burn in the most tickling way imaginable.

'JAMES!' she squealed through her uncontrollable peels of laughter.

'That's a start Evans,' she heard him say, never stopping his fingers on their torturous mission. 'Just four more to go.'

'Stop!' Lily squeaked, panting for breath already.

'No no that's not right Evans.'

'Please!'

'Say it.'

'Never! James stop!' gasped Lily. 'Please.'

Tears of mirth clouded her vision but she saw the twinkling hazel clearly.

'Say it Evans and I will.'

She attempted to glare at him but took a gasp of breath instead.

'James Potter is a god!'

Instantly the siren to her brain stopped and Lily gulped in air greedily.

'Now it wasn't that difficult was it?' taunted James with a smile that went practically to his ears.

Lily glared at him, still breathless. 'Egotistical wanker.'

Realising he was about to start tickling again, Lily's leg immediately shot back, her knee colliding with the underside of the table. The resounding thunk took a moment to register as a pain shot through her joint.

'Bloody fucking SHITE!'

'Merlin Evans you clean your teeth with the toilet brush this morning?'

She shot another glare at him, gingerly rubbing her knee; oh yes that was going to bruise nicely.

'That's absolutely charming and very helpful Potter,' she bit out sarcastically.

Bending her leg, Lily brought her foot onto the seat, examining the large pink mark already appearing onto her pale flesh.

Then her face blushed so vivid and hot that she'd swear she'd just walked into a sauna. For James stood up, his chair scraping noisily on the hardwood floorboards, and leaned his tall frame across the table, pressing his lips softly to that spot on her knee. She looked at him, opening her mouth to speak but finding no voice. Lily was positive a flash of panic had went through his eyes; until he saw her expression that is. Then his usual smug demeanour overtook once again.

'Better?' he asked, a proud smile lighting his features.

Lily had to shrug since she hadn't quite recovered enough to stimulate her vocal chords. Her brain was certainly stimulated though. Aside from her annoyance at his attitude, the thought of him continuing to place kisses all the way up from her poor sore knee right to the juncture between her thighs...

Ok so not only her brain was stimulated.

'Don't even get why you wanted to sit over here anyway,' said James, taking his seat again. 'It's uncomfortable and well as dangerous in your case. The sofa would be better.'

Something then clicked in Lily's brain. He refused to meet her eyes as he said that last part. That was the third time he'd mentioned moving onto the sofa since they'd first sat down. At first it seemed perfectly reasonable for him to wonder why they wouldn't sit there. But that 'would be casual' tone he just used had given him away.

He wanted her to move them to the sofa.

But the way he refused to look at her meant there was something else. James always took pride in teasing her. Surely he'd jump at the chance to make a big fuss about her sharing a cosy love seat with him, in front of a romantic fire. But he wasn't. He was genuinely attempting to move them into that situation on her terms.

And Lily wouldn't dream of letting that happen...

***

For the love of Merlin you randy pervert STOP trying to get her onto the settee! It's not going to happen –

'You know what James you're right, I don't know why I came over here,' said Lily, grabbing the parchment off the tabletop.

James watched in almost gleeful disbelief as she made her way over to the fireplace. Her hips swayed in the most enticing manor and he swallowed a groan when she bent forward to drop the parchment onto coffee table.

The fact that she had no real need to bend forward never even entered his mind. But a lot of things did when she looked over her shoulder at him.

'Aren't you going to join me?'

Oh hell to the sweet Merlin yes!

He got up, willing himself to be calm and thankful for his trusty jumper sleeves trick. Lily had already sat herself down so James settled next to her, trying with all his might to approach this as though Lily was any other girl. But unfortunately for him, Lily wasn't any other girl, so when she scooted closer to him, their thighs up against one another, he swallowed several times, grabbing the parchment and moving it into his lap.

'So,' said Lily, nodding to his lap. 'What do you have for me?'

Oh you have no idea Evans.

He managed after another swallow. 'Er well I've sorted the Hogsmeade weekend –' Don't ask her to go with you. Don't ask her to go with you. 'Each pair of the Prefects will have an hour and a half shift with the third years from their house.'

His plan was greeted with a perfect, gorgeous Lily Evans smile.

'That's a great idea James!'

He grinned back, feeling a swell of pride he tried to push down. 'A brilliant body needs a brilliant mind Evans.'

She simply rolled her gorgeous green eyes. 'And to think people call you egotistical.'

'It's a true rule Evans!'

'In that case, with my test results, I must be a goddess.'

'You are.'

He attempted to mask the feeling of wanting to smack himself. First it was kissing her knee better, then its confessing how beautiful he thought she was. So much for the plan. At this rate I should just tell her about the massive hard on I have every time she's near! He met her eyes briefly, knowing she was searching him for lies so he quickly cleared his throat.

'Er did you get the night rotas finished?'

Lily seemed to be willing to let the comment pass and he breathed a sigh of relief. 'Yes so I think we're done up here for now.'

'Just when we'd got comfortable,' James added, shaking his head. 'Typical.'

He was now torn. Her presence around him was dangerous and intoxicating... but also irresistible. Should he leave before he made a bigger fool out of himself and blew the whole plan? Or should he stay; purely to be around her for an extra second?

The latter won out but at least, he told himself, he had a genuine reason for needing to stay.

'James?'

'Hmm?' he answered, attempting to ignore the fact she'd crossed her legs and her skirt was riding higher up on her thighs. Damn her and that creamy skin he wanted to kiss and nibble until she was begging him to –

'I was actually wondering if you could help me with something.'

Please let it be shagging you senseless.

James cursed his teenage hormonal impulses. This was Lily Evans for Merlin's sake! That beautiful, vibrant, fiery witch he'd spent years pining after. She was special and deserved for him to man up and stop these thoughts where she was a piece of meat.

'Anything you need Evans,' he answered. She wants maturity she'll get maturity.

He noticed a light blush (for Lily anyway) come to her cheeks and she smiled nervously.

'Well it's about my Transfiguration. You know it's my worst subject and I'm struggling with it even more this year. I'd ask Alice to tutor me but she's having trouble with her Herbology and her tutor is taking up all her time. And since you're the best in the year, I was wondering if you wouldn't mind tutoring me for a few weeks?'

An uncontrollable grin came to James' face. Another opportunity to spend time with Lily alone and prove he could live up to her standards.

'Of course I will Lily,' he said, trying to hide his elation. 'Do you want to get started now.'

'Definitely,' said Lily with a dazzling smile, pulling their latest essay out of her bag. 'Thank you James.'

Every single hair on James' body stood up as she wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a tight squeeze of a hug. Her scent wafted around him when her fiery hair fell forwards from behind her ear and her chest was pressed right up to the side of his torso. Merlin was she trying to break him?! Maturity only stretches so far when a girls tits are against your body!

She pulled back after a moment and flipped her textbook open.

'Can we start with Animagi?' asked Lily, without looking up. 'Since its the most interesting?'

Through his euphoric daze, James grinned. It certainly was.

'Course we can,' said James, feeling a little more confident. 'Might have to keep you here a while though.'

Lily looked up at him through her eyelashes. 'You can keep me here as long as you like James.'

Holy fucking shit!

So has Lily rumbled James' plan? You'll find out soon enough haha. Please let me know what you think and again I'm so sorry for the wait. The next will be better I promise XXX