CHAPTER 26

Closing my eyes, I stretched my entire body before relaxing completely into the lounger. The sun was making its way towards the horizon, the blaze of orange and pink slowly darkening to deep purple.

We'd been in Bora Bora for over a week and had played tourist for most of that time. These last few days, however, we'd decided not to venture out and just enjoy our private Villa instead. It was one of only a few that were solitary, and was situated over the water, giving us the most amazing views from our patio.

And our bed.

Massive sliding doors in the bedroom opened to the crystal clear view of the tropical aquamarine lagoon meeting the azure blue of the cloudless sky. The only blemish in the mural of blue was the palm covered outcrop at the base of a towering rocky mountain, and it was hardly a blemish at all.

Every night we'd left the doors open, pulling only the half-opaque curtains across and sleeping with the warm ocean breeze for company. It had been complete bliss, and I dreaded having to return to the hectic schedule that awaited me. And the weeks we'd be away from each other.

I felt a thumb press between my eyebrows.

"You have your frowny face on."

"Trying not to think about our return home."

I opened my eyes and my breath was taken away.

Her crazy curls were tied into a lazy knot on top of her head, her tanned skin shimmering in the fading light. And the tiny bikini she wore left very little to the imagination.

Two small, white triangles barely covered her breasts, and the matching bottoms covered her just enough that she wasn't completely naked. Thin strings were tied in bows at her hips, and I was certain just the smallest of tugs would have her naked in no time.

I curled my hand around the back of her thigh and smiled up at her. "It's a little late for sunbathing."

She looked over at the small pool that was sunk into the deck — which she had proclaimed ridiculous, and pointless since we had the Pacific Ocean at our doorstep, when we first arrived — then leaned down and kissed me.

"It's not too late for a sunset swim though."

I watched her walk towards the pool; the rear view was as enticing as the front. She stepped down into the pool, sliding into the water, then glanced back at me. I was certain she wanted me to join her, but I was too content just watching her. I rarely got to see her so relaxed, so at ease, and I simply wanted to enjoy this different version of her.

She drifted to the side of the pool, folding her arms over the edge, and leaned her chin on her hands. She stared out over the ocean at the sun, watching as it made its journey below the horizon, darkening the sky and leaving just a silhouette of mountains in its wake.

Hermione's insistence that I was ridiculous to spend so much when we could have just travelled half the distance to a Greek Island had made me laugh. When I'd finally decided on a destination and announced we'd be holidaying in the South Pacific, her immediate response was to protest. It was too expensive, she'd complained. It was too far away. She wouldn't allow me to spoil her. She would refuse to get on the plane. Of course, I ignored all her protests and explained that since we were unofficially married, I was duty bound to spoil her.

It wasn't until a week later and she was still agitated, I realised there was more going on.

OoOoOoO

"I can cancel this holiday," I said, watching her stab the food on her plate with more vigour than was necessary. "If you're this upset about it."

"I'm not—"

She stopped short at my expression. She was irritated with me, but I was with her as well, and she clearly saw it in my face.

"If you're not happy about it, I'd rather you tell me. This temper tantrum you've been throwing all week is growing old."

She lowered her eyes and her fork clattered to the plate.

"And don't do that either. Don't hide when something is hard," I said sharply. "You constantly tell me to be honest with you and to stop being so protective. So, here I am, telling you I'm annoyed at the door slamming and the lack of communication and you shutting down again. Just tell me if you don't want to go."

I saw the bob in her throat and guilt spiked in my gut. I shoved it away; she needed to tell me what she was thinking. She'd been stomping around the flat all week, slamming doors, speaking only monosyllabic words. She'd even gone so far as to spend a night alone in her flat. I'd been patient, waiting for her to explain the issues she had with our destination, but I'd had enough of her silence.

"I don't like wasting money," she said quietly. "And this feels like a frivolous expense, especially when we could holiday somewhere closer."

"Have you been to Bora Bora?" I asked and she shook her head. "So, it's not a waste of money. You can experience a new place for the first time, somewhere warm and beautiful, and away from the madness that's about to begin."

"You've been there already?" she asked, still not looking at me.

"No." I answered. "I was hoping to go somewhere different for the first time. With you."

"My career could end so easily." She ran her finger back and forth along the edge of the table. "I could injure myself seriously and that would be it. I have no other skills and… I know I've been flippant about injuries, but I'm not. I'm terrified every time I hurt myself."

"And you're terrified you won't have enough money to support yourself?"

She nodded and I pushed my plate aside, leaning forward on my forearms. I hadn't put much thought into how she lived, but I now realised — with the exception of her flat — she lived a very simple life.

"We should have had this conversation sooner," I said and she finally looked up at me.

"Which conversation is that?"

"The conversation about money."

"I know you're rich, Lucius. But I'm not a gold digger—"

I held my hand up, "I have never once thought of you as a gold digger. I simply wanted to ask you a few questions regarding your inheritance. If you'll allow it."

She nodded her consent then looked to be steeling herself for the worst.

"You said your parents had homes in Spain and France." I waited for her to confirm what she'd already told me, "and you also said that you used the proceeds from the sale of their home here and the cash inheritance to purchase your flat. So I can assume you still own the two houses abroad?"

"Yes," she said. "I haven't been able to bring myself to sell them. Not yet anyway."

"You've had financial advice?"

"My parents had a consultant, so I kept her on to look after everything for me."

I nodded, glad she'd seen sense in having a professional take care of her finances. I knew what her flat was worth, but had no idea of the value of the two other properties. I could imagine though. With everything she'd told me, her parents had invested well.

"Hermione, I understand your concerns about how easily your career could fall apart, but, you do understand your flat is worth three quarters of a million pounds? You could sell it and buy something smaller, and live comfortably for quite a few years. And the houses you have in Spain and France are always an option for that as well."

"I know," she answered, a little snippily. "But, they belonged to my parents. And because of the shit that happened in the home I grew up in, I had to sell it. I can't sell these."

"I'm not asking you to. All I'm saying is that you don't need to be concerned if you do get injured. You're in a good position financially." I smiled, knowing what her reaction would be with what I was about to tell her. "And you have me."

"I said I'm not a gold digger."

"And I agreed you aren't. But we made a commitment to each other. And that commitment means what's mine is yours. And what's mine is about one and a half billion."

Her gasp was a sharp intake, and her jaw dropped open. We'd both made assumptions as to each other's wealth. However, gauging her reaction, she'd been way off.

"Billion?" she whispered.

"Yes," I replied. "My father, for all his many and egregious faults, was a wise investor. I also inherited from my grandmother, as you know. Plus, I do alright for myself."

She was still staring at me in disbelief.

"I don't wish to sound chauvinistic or egotistical, or any other negative stereotypes, and I certainly don't want you to give up anything for me. But, now that you're with me, you don't have to worry about money ever again."

She continued to stare at me wordlessly, but I knew her mind was whirling.

"This holiday is something I want to do for you. I've known you for over a year now and you haven't had any time off. The only plan you had was to follow me around on my book tour, and that's not any kind of relaxing holiday in my opinion."

"I would have been happy doing that though," she said. "I would have had the chance to watch you work. I don't need billions of pounds to make me happy."

"And neither do I. But, I've already told you that you deserve to be spoiled, and I intend to do so."

"You also said you spoiled Narcissa," she pointed out. "And look how that turned out."

"She said was spoiled to begin with." I raised my hands, palms up, and shrugged. "I didn't do anything to stop that."

"I don't want you to spoil me," she said. "You're all I need."

"And I am grateful for that." I reached across the table and held her hand. "May I suggest something? An arrangement, perhaps? I think you're familiar with those."

She finally smiled, "An arrangement? What kind of arrangement?"

"Well, since you're happy with your simple life, may I propose something equally simple? For two weeks every year, I spend a ridiculous amount of money on a hugely frivolous holiday, and you don't get to protest."

"Two weeks, and that would be it?"

"Correct. Two weeks of ridiculous frivolousness, fifty weeks of the simple life. What do you think?"

The twitch returned to her cheek, but at least she was considering my proposal.

"I think I can agree to that." She squeezed my hand then leaned back and sighed, "I'm sorry. I overreacted."

"No, we should have had this conversation a while ago, and your reaction makes sense now that I know your concerns. If it makes you more comfortable, we can continue to keep our finances separate, but I do feel that you should at least have some idea of my position."

"You're a fucking billionaire." Hermione shook her head. "Who else knows this? Because you shouldn't be walking the streets or taking the Tube alone. Someone might take you out or something."

I laughed. "My son knows, my ex-wife knows, but she signed a privacy disclosure which disallows her to discuss my finances. My solicitor and financial advisors. And now you."

"That's it? What about your friends?"

"They know I'm wealthy, just not how wealthy," I explained. "And we don't discuss money. It's the fastest way to kill a friendship."

"So, why did you choose to live here?" she asked. "You could live in a freaking castle or something."

"You know I grew up in a Manor house and how much I hated it. And, much like you, I prefer a simple existence. Also, had I chosen a castle, I would never have met you."

She considered the karmic sentiments we'd already expressed several times previously, and nodded.

"This is true," she agreed, then frowned slightly. "You're not on some 'world's richest' list?"

"Honestly, I'm not even in the top one thousand. I'm really a nobody."

"That's not true." She picked up her fork and slid her plate back in front of her, grinning mischievously at me. "I wouldn't commit to a nobody."

OoOoOoO

I inhaled deeply. I wanted to continue to watch the love of my life as she stared over the ocean, but the warm, evening breeze and the sounds of the water were lulling me to sleep. I let my eyes blink closed and the sleepy weight of my head dropped my chin to my chest. I couldn't remember the last time I was so relaxed.

I refused to allow either of us to talk about our upcoming schedules, not wanting to stress about how busy we both would be. And how distant we would be for a few weeks.

That thought alone was causing my anxiety to spike.

Much to my own detriment, I'd never been concerned when my ex-wife travelled. I was more than happy for her to explore the world while I focused on my writing. With Hermione, my heart would pound furiously at just the thought of time apart. I repeatedly told myself two weeks was no time at all, but it was useless, and I was seriously considering breaking my contract and not touring with my book.

I smiled to myself: Hermione would never allow that.

"What are you smiling at?" Hermione asked and I dragged my eyes open. She'd moved across the pool and was watching me, her head tilted slightly to one side.

"Just thoughts of you."

"That smile had better mean good thoughts."

"Very good," I assured her. "I'm just thinking about how bossy you are."

"Ha ha," she replied dryly. "I'm not bossy. I just like things my own way."

I laughed, making her grin. "I'm not certain there's a difference."

"There's a huge difference," she said. "And, if you join me in this ridiculous pool, I can explain those differences."

I reached my arms above my head, stretching lazily. "I had hoped to join you out of the pool."

"Oh, really, Mr Malfoy?"

I nodded, deliberately making a show of adjusting myself in my shorts.

"You've joined me quite a lot on this holiday." She made her way out of the pool, "Are you sure you're not bored of me?"

She walked towards me, dripping wet and tugging teasingly on the ties at her hips.

"Bored is a fairly broad term. You've completely committed yourself to me, so, indifferent might be more apt."

Hermione laughed and flicked a wet hand at me, sprinkling me with drips of water. Her bathing suit had left little to the imagination prior to her getting into the pool. It left even less now she was wet.

She picked up her towel and dried off. "I don't think I've ever seen you this relaxed."

"I have to admit, I am rather enjoying this island. I'm thinking of purchasing property here."

Hermione paused, asking me a silent question: are you serious?

"Or, I'll discuss that idea with you after we return home."

"It's your money, Lucius, you can do as you please with it," she said with a shrug and dropped the towel to the deck.

Suddenly wide awake, I gave her the once over, my eyes roaming slowly over the scantily clad body I knew many of the younger men on the island had been ogling. The body I'd been enjoying with enthusiasm. The body I wanted nothing more than to be enjoying once more.

And I saw the same look in her eyes.

"But," she began, pulling the ties at her hips and striding past me towards the bed. "I would have no objection to returning here regularly."

I stood, smirking when the bottom half of her bikini landed on the deck at my feet. She glanced over her shoulder, her hands untying first the strap at her back, then at her neck, flicking the top half behind her. Then she turned, her hand rising to her breast, her fingers circling her nipple.

"Were you still planning on joining me?"

I didn't respond, instead, I pulled the sheer curtains closed and unfastened my shorts, allowing them to drop to the floor. I kicked them away and stopped in front of her, wrapping my hand around the back of her neck.

"It should be illegal to look as good as you do."

"I know you weren't thinking that when those guys were staring at me on the beach."

"Hmm," I hummed, brushing my mouth along her cheek. "Do you think any of those young men could satisfy you?" I traced my fingertips over her hip, "Would they touch you with gentle fingers?" I slapped her arse lightly, "Would they discover what you like?"

"No," she sighed. "They wouldn't know the first thing about what I need."

She pressed up on her toes and smiled into a kiss, then she dropped to her knees, surprising the hell out of me.

"Hermione, no. This was supposed to be about you."

"You always take care of me, Lucius," she said, running her cheek along my cock. "I haven't thanked you properly for dragging me here."

"You don't need to do that to say thank you."

"I know." She shrugged one shoulder, "But I do love this part of you."

I wanted to argue, but it would have been useless. Her face was set and I knew I was just here for the ride.

Gripping the base of my cock, I touched the tip to her lips, and she immediately surrounded me with her mouth. I closed my eyes for a beat, feeling myself grow harder between her lips. When I opened my eyes again and looked down at her, she was watching me, her eyes dark and determined. I traced her face with my fingertips, feeling the movements of her jaw as she moved over just the tip of my cock. Her greedy tongue teased the underside, her lips sucked me like I was a decadent lolly.

If given the choice, I would prefer to be buried inside her. Moving through the tight sheath of her body was what I loved more than anything else we did. But at that moment, what she was doing was perfection.

I inhaled sharply as she took more of me in, her tongue still teasing, her teeth scraping as she slowly slid her mouth down my shaft, meeting my hand where I still gripped the base. Groaning at the near overload of sensation, I followed her mouth with my hand, stroking in time with the back and forth slide. She hummed around me and I let my free hand drift to her hair. I tugged at the clip that held it on top of her head, tossing it to the floor, wanting her crazy curls to tumble free.

She winked at me, her hands slipping around my hips to grip my arse, rocking me forward.

"Are you sure?" I asked and she nodded.

I carded my fingers through her loose curls, pushing her hair back from her face. Her eyes flicked up to mine, and for a moment, time froze.

The island life had definitely slowed us both down. And while we'd done the crazy tourist thing initially, as the days passed we slipped easily into relaxation mode. We'd made love every night, and most mornings, and even that had been slow and quiet. Now, however, with her mouth wrapped around me and her eyes pleading, I could see exactly what she wanted.

Holding her head still, I began to fuck her mouth, thrusting in and out in short, sharp strokes. She moaned, closing her eyes and digging her fingers harder into my arse. Her lips stretched around me, and her eyes watered when I pushed in and held still. She pulled back, licking her lips and gasping.

"More," she said and leaned back in, her mouth sucking, her hand stroking, driving me wild. I was closer to the edge than I wanted to be, but I didn't want to be on that edge this way. I wanted to feel her tight walls around me. I wanted to feel the friction, the burn, as she clamped down and shuddered her release around me.

Using her hair as leverage, I gently pulled her head back, sweeping my thumb back and forth across her bottom lip. "I want to fuck you while you watch the stars."

Her inhale was audible and she shivered, her body tensing, goosebumps raising on her skin. I'd known exactly what she wanted when she glanced at me from the pool. She didn't want me to be gentle — she'd had too much of that.

She wanted to play.

I helped her to her feet and she gave my cock a playful squeeze.

"One day you will finish in my mouth."

"Perhaps," I said, brushing my fingers down her chest, "But you know I prefer to finish inside you."

"Hmm," she hummed and lifted her hand to touch my cheek. "I thought you said this was supposed to be all about me, and what I want."

"And it will be." I backed her closer to the bed. "It will be everything you want."

She turned and crawled onto the bed, glancing back over her shoulder, a mischievous little smirk on her face. I slapped her arse lightly, enjoying the gasp and shudder that it brought forth.

"Turn around. I want you watching the stars."

She repositioned herself as I walked to the side of the bed and climbed on, positioning myself behind her. I gripped her hips, drawing her back to me.

"What were you thinking about in the pool? Were you thinking about me fucking you like this?"

"Maybe," she said, rocking against me. "Or maybe I was thinking about blowing you until you finally gave it up and came in my mouth."

I slapped her arse again and she shoved her hips back into me. "You're full of cheek tonight, Hellcat. Perhaps I should have gagged you with my cock."

"I wouldn't object to that," she answered, glancing over her shoulder at me.

I slapped her backside once more, then slipped my hand between her thighs, smiling smugly at how wet she was. "Oh, I think you would have objected. You're almost dripping for me."

Her head dropped down and she let out a quiet moan when I pressed two fingers against her clit. I teased her, sliding my fingers between her deliciously wet folds, dipping, pressing against her entrance but not pushing inside.

"Lucius," she groaned. "Don't tease."

I moved my hand away and leaned over her, both my hands landing beside hers. My cock, heavy and hard, pressed against her arse — her perfect, firm arse — and I had to stifle my own groan. I wanted this as much as she did, but I also wanted her closer to the edge than she was.

"Do you want me inside you?" I murmured close to her ear, reaching between her thighs to touch her clit again.

"Yes," she groaned as I ground my cock against her and pinched her clit between my fingers.

"Do you want me to fuck you?" I slipped the tip of one finger just inside her, "Do you want me here?"

"Lucius… yes!"

She groaned again when I circled my finger.

"Yes, what?"

"Yes you pompous arse! I want you to fuck me!"

I laughed; my frustrated ballerina was a sight to behold, and I was enjoying playing with her.

"Patience, my Hellcat ballerina." I pulsed my finger in and out of her, before gripping both her hips roughly. And with one sharp snap of my hips, I was inside her.

And I didn't stop.

I wasn't gentle or careful. I was wild. Primal. Fucking into her like a man possessed. Hermione gripped the sheets and slammed her hips back into me, muttering about wanting more, wanting deeper, harder, rougher. Wanting me touching all the places inside her that she knew would drive her insane.

She moaned, loudly, when I hit one of those places, and her head dropped down again. I reached out, wrapping one hand in her hair, and pulled, bringing her head back up. Her breath caught, in surprise.

"I want you to watch the stars," I said, drawing back slightly and slamming forward.

She nodded as best she could, and I ground against her, pushing in deep and pulling out again in a frantic rhythm.

There was no finesse in what we were doing, only pure desire. We'd played rough before now, but never like this. And never in this position. Over her or under her, I had no preference, but I loved watching her face as she unravelled. In this position that was impossible, I had to rely on her sounds and eager movements to know just how ready she was to fall into the abyss.

And I didn't want anything else but to dissolve into that abyss with this woman's body wrapped around mine.

Releasing my hold on her hair, I brought my hands to her shoulders, gripping tightly. Her skin was slick with sweat, her wild curls clinging randomly to her skin. I squeezed her shoulders, and using them as leverage, I unleashed, pounding her deeper and harder.

"Lucius," she panted, one hand shifting to reach beneath her, and I knew she was about to fall.

"That's it," I said, my own breath coming in great gasps. "Get there."

My legs were burning, pleasure built low in my stomach, and my balls grew tight. My name became a moaned chant as Hermione's body began to shudder. She tightened around me, her back arching and her hips shoving back against me. She cried out, a thrill of sensation slithering across my skin, sliding in a heated rush to where our bodies were joined. Hermione cried out again, but I didn't stop. I rode her orgasm, pumping into her harder, faster, and until my vision blurred and my already erratic movements became more so.

"Fuck!" I shouted, and then released inside her, holding her hips against me.

She dropped to her elbows, her forehead leaning heavily on the bed. I exhaled a slow, exhausted breath, my body shaking, and, unable to remain upright, I collapsed on to her.

She whimpered, reaching her arm back to squeeze my hip.

"You're okay?" I whispered. "I didn't hurt you?"

"No, that was…" she twisted her head to look back at me. "Lucius, that was incredible."

"Good. I never want to hurt you." I kissed her jaw, her cheek, her temple. "However, I think we might need a shower."

Once again, I apologise for the delay. I'm still dealing with some health issues, and am doing my best to keep up with writing... but am failing miserably :(