Hermione was in a shower and enjoying the relaxing feeling of being clean. She skipped joining them on drinking and enjoyed mellowing out for her night. Her hair was in dripping wet ringlets around her shoulders as she reached out for her towel, wrapping it around her body after drying. She used a smaller one on her hair until she felt it was dry enough and went to get into some pajamas.
There was something missing. Actually, everything was missing from her room! She did not have a stitch of clothing, and all the bedding was removed from the bed. Hermione was furious as she stomped from her room and up to Draco's floor, knowing exactly who did this. She heard the laughter from the office and marched inside.
Flint was lounging in the chair at the desk, and Draco was in his usual spot. "Where are my clothes!" she spat.
Marcus chuckled. "We forgot the towels, Malfoy."
Draco held up a glass. "Come, have a drink, Granger," he declared, and she folded her arms over her chest.
"Draco Malfoy, you best return my things to me at once!" She shouted, and he swayed his head.
"Not until you play a game, Hermione," Draco replied with a smug smile.
"What game?" She said through her teeth.
Flint cleared his throat. "It's called ten reasons, and that is my cue to leave. Good night, Granger. Have fun," He responded before rising from his chair. "Night, Malfoy." He declared and patted the blond on the shoulder.
"Thanks for your help, I will see you tomorrow before the party," Draco said and waved.
Flint left but not before winking at Hermione. "What is the game, Malfoy," Hermione snapped.
He chuckled and pointed to the empty chair. "Sit."
The woman groaned and reluctantly sat down across from the blind man. "Now what?"
"We play," he responded as he handed her a glass of champagne.
She begrudgingly took it and glared. "What are we playing?"
"Ten reasons why you shouldn't sleep with me. I will counter with ten reasons why you should, and if you can't find them false or incorrect, you sleep in my room with me tonight." Draco told her before sipped his glass.
"You are my boss," she said flatly.
"Fair, but not absolute."
"You had an opportunity and didn't take it," she hissed, sipping her glass.
"The day after Charlie broke up with you. Try again," he retorted with a wave of dismissal.
"You are an arsehole," she spat.
"I will give you that one."
She paused and thought frantically for more reasons. "We are always fighting."
"Foreplay, Granger, try again," Draco responded, then drained his glass.
"What about tomorrow?" she was grasping at straws.
Draco scratched his beard and shrugged his shoulders. "What about it?"
"We have a formal dinner, and I shouldn't be promoting any of this with my boss," she reminded him and his brow furrowed.
"Granger, what is really bothering you about all of this? You are running yourself in circles to try and find reasons, but I fail to see any with merit." Draco murmured gently.
"I worry you will grow bored of me," she sighed and rubbed her face with her free hand.
"Never going to happen. You want to know why?"
Hermione gazed over at him and hemmed. "Why?"
"Because you are the only woman on this bloody planet who treats me like a man and challenges me. However, you know when not to do so, and that makes it more worth it when you do. How would I get bored of that?"
She set down her glass and erected herself from her chair. Closing the distance between them, she touched his face. "You mean that?"
"Scouts' honor," he said crossing an 'x' over his heart.
Hermione depleted the gap and kissed his lips gently. "You win. I don't have enough reasons why and that was enough for me," she whispered when they parted.
His fingers went to her cheek and into her hair. "We don't have to do anything. I just want you in my bedroom. Is that clear? No requirements, just you." He grumbled, and she sounded agreement.
"Alright, Draco," she replied and kissed him again, this time a bit rougher.
He set down his empty glass then pulled her into his lap. Her cheeks bloomed at her bare skin touching his slacks while they kissed. His tongue wasn't polite as it entered her mouth. It was dominant and forward, requiring her to either fight him for power or heed it. She chose to fight, straddling him and forcing him to lean into his chair. It was heady and well delivered; completely throwing the Malfoy.
They came up for air, and Draco's hand ran over her torso. "You- are utterly- divine," he panted, making her laugh.
"I am almost nude, can you retrieve me some clothes?" she questioned and he grumbled.
"I would rather not. Can I just take you in there and we keep snogging like teenagers?" he replied.
"Aren't you hungry yet?" she asked, and his fingers tugged at the towel.
"Maybe for something a bit exotic," he rumbled, and she huffed.
"It isn't even nine o'clock, Draco," she retorted.
"I don't give two bloody fucks about the time, Granger. Now, I would have stood up and walked into the room with your agreement or not by now with my sight, but you have me at a disadvantage." His voice was husky.
Hermione climbed off his lap, "Alright," she murmured.
The Malfoy stood up, and Hermione stepped aside, giving him the room to move. He took his cane and started to navigate where he needed to go. It was a nervous thing for him. He had not had her in his room before, and it was going to be different for him to lead her to the only place most don't tread.
He felt his doorknob in his grasp. "Before we go in here, there is something that needs to be restated. There is no requirement or payment due for my company, Granger. No guilt. Until you tell me you want more, there isn't much else." He declared and opened it up.
The room was dark for Hermione. She felt around for the light and flicked it on, noting things swiftly. All of his drawers were labeled with thick braille tags. His comforter was green and silver, much as she expected, but his pillows were a satin black. There was a stack of books on the nightstand and a considerable armchair by a dark fireplace. Along the wall were shelves of models and figures of fantasy creatures. Giant snakes, dragons, and half-horse flying beasts.
"Very interesting décor, Malfoy," Hermione teased.
He exhaled and waved his hand. "I can't see it, so it is what it is."
Hermione walked over to the giant bed and sat on it. "This is comfortable. Is it made out of children's broken hearts too?" she asked, trying to lighten the mood.
"I think so. My mother special ordered me a nice bed when I got injured. I was so disoriented from lack of sight that I didn't leave my bed for almost a month aside from scrambling to the restroom."
Hermione realized this was harder for him than he thought it would be. "Come lay down with me. I want to hear about how this came about."
He thinned his lips as he tossed his t-shirt to the floor. Draco debated taking off his slacks but thought against it yet. He was able to navigate his room easier than anywhere else, so he had set his cane by the door. Walking to the bed, he felt her hand touch his arm. He let her climb on first, following her with a timid realization; she was actually in his bed. His.
Hermione's hand tugged him to the pillows and her body curled against his. She was bare, and he could feel her pert chest pressed against his side as she rested across his torso. "Well, my father was a drunk. Everyone knew that, but no one did anything. We were going to the office every day together, and one day he pickled himself more than I thought. I was too busy with my own life to worry about him. I hated him, but I also feared him disowning me, which he threatened daily. So, without little concern, I drove us home." He paused and huffed.
"He was hallucinating. The man was completely gone. He grabbed my wheel when a truck was driving by, and I had to grapple with him to release it. The man was trying to kill us both. Raving about how we were cursed with ill fit genetics. I finally gained a bit more control, forcing him off if it, but by the time he did, we ran into a tree. I was out for a week my mother told me. However, some of the debris had flung back at me when we crashed and clawed at my eyes and face. I wore the patches for two weeks before they spoke of permanent damage. Another two months and it would be official I would never get my sight back."
Hermione exhaled heavily. "Wow, Draco. I am so sorry," she whispered.
He ran his fingers through her hair and enjoyed her body heat against him. "Well, it is what it is now. I make it by, with a few adjustments. Now, I need to know something."
"What?"
His fingers traced circles on her bare shoulder. "I need you to tell me why you didn't seek help after you lost your baby."
Draco felt her breath hitch, and she choked a bit. "I felt… ashamed. I was four months pregnant. Ron blamed me and that hurt even more. I felt like a failure of a mother."
"Why? It happens more often than not. Daphne has had two miscarriages since the twins. Most young mothers suffer from one before they have their first child. But you blamed yourself. Shame on Weasley for not protecting you and comforting you. That isn't right." He told her, and she swallowed, he could hear she was trying to hold back tears.
"I- couldn't- everyone," she sputtered, and he made a calming sound.
"It's alright, you know. My mother went through several of them after me. She was pained beyond belief she couldn't have more children, and I watched my father berate her for it. If she didn't have me, I think she would have likely done something horrible to herself. That's why Teddy is so special. He saved you from your darkness. I am glad he was there to heal you when you needed unconditional love the most."
Hermione's fingers ran over his face. "How did I miss this? This side of you I never knew of, Draco." She whispered.
"I don't usually pull this out for everyone. The sad stuff is never kind for conversation."
She made a sound. "Tell me something good then," she demanded, and he chuckled.
"Back in school, I had the biggest infatuation with you," he said with a wide grin.
"Really now? You had a funny way of showing it," she snickered, and he nodded.
"It was a curse. I was a horrible boy who wanted something good and knew I could never have it. Boys break hearts; men take care of them."
"Now, this Draco Malfoy is someone I could grow on," she sighed gently.
Her lips touched his, and he groaned lightly at the emotional thickness of the air. He had not planned to make this so deep with pains and vulnerability, but it felt almost healing to live them with her. This woman who twisted in his fantasies was just as pure and gentle as she was a pixie with a corset.
She pulled away and leaned to his ear. "Let's hide from the world. Make our own," she snickered, and he grinned.
"Oh? How would we do that?"
Soft fingertips ran over his chest, and he grumbled. "You tell me," Hermione's voice was breathy and seductive.
He flipped them and pinned her to the bed with a heady kiss. Her legs wrapped around him as she moaned into his mouth. Draco couldn't wait, but he knew he needed to do so. If he didn't, he could squander a gift. Her legs release him, and he felt a bit disappointed by such, at least until a tug at his trousers revealed her intentions clear enough. Hermione slid her hand inside and gasped as he groaned.
Draco took that as a resounding green light. He managed to pull away enough to unbutton his slacks, and she was yanking them down. That made it even more sensual to know she wanted it just as much. They were gone without much ado and then he was there. Waiting for a motion of disapproval or a word of doubt. He couldn't see her face, but he heard her panting.
"Draco, please?" she whispered, and he leaned to her, kissing her deeply.
It was a burst of colors and euphoria when they met. Something along the lines of heart-stopping and praying to the gods of whatever religion for this to not end. A description would fall short of the divine nature that was the woman he had dreamt about for years.
O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O
Hermione woke up unbelievably sated and sore. It had happened. She had slept with Draco Malfoy. Rubbing her face, she felt the body below her stir. "Not yet, I am too tired. You wore me out, Granger." His voice was rasp and warm.
She flopped against him and groaned. "My god, when did we actually fall asleep," she yawned.
"Not until the wee hours of the morning. The birds were up singing when we finally settled on sleep instead of dozing." He responded and ran a hand over her back. "You, Hermione, are an exceptional lover. I would have gone my entire life not knowing the depts of such pleasure if you didn't decide to take that job to work for me," he chuckled, and she exhaled.
"I slept with my boss. I hope this doesn't affect our working relationship, Malfoy."
"It won't. I will still be an arsehole. Now you just will have the option to shag me outside of business hours."
"That's if I ever want to again. Maybe once is enough," she retorted and tried to pull away.
He was quicker and pinned her to the bed, "Really? Because I think you like it when I hold you down and fuck you, Granger." He growled, and she moaned.
"Draco, if you start this, I am going to be too sore to sit right tonight," she sighed, and he laughed.
One of his hands went to her neck and she whimpered. "Oh, the absolute deviant things I could do with you. As much of a fighter as you are, you love it, don't you?" he asked, and she puffed.
"Wouldn't you like to know?"
He ran his hand down her body and found what he sought. They both sighed in delight which only propelled him to rumble. "Seems I found out. Now, breakfast and some shopping? You need a dress to match my suit." He said and pulled away from her.
"Why are we matching?" she questioned as he pulled to the edge of the bed.
"Because I said we are. Is there a problem?" he retorted, and he could almost feel her contemplation.
"Won't that look a bit- wrong?"
Draco hummed as he wandered toward his dresser. "Well, does it matter? It isn't like half the board and offices don't have that on the side either. What our business is, isn't anyone else's, right?"
"Do you want more than this?" she questioned, and he heard her shifting from his bed.
"Of course, I do, but I am not stupid. Your options are far more expansive than mine. You can choose whoever you want for more, but I am stuck on you, Granger. I have been stuck on you for years."
"What do you want from me, Draco Malfoy?" her voice was stern, but he felt her hands on his sides.
"I want you, Hermione. Whatever that means to you. If you just want me as a shagging companion, I suppose I will have to settle for that."
Her hands glided to his chest. "I want you to take me on a real date, Draco. The whole thing. I want you to set the pace on what you want from me," she murmured and his breath caught in his throat.
"Really? You are giving up your entitled right as the woman to determine the boundaries of what this is?" he questioned, and she snorted.
"Don't be stupid, Malfoy. You wouldn't let me if I even tried. I know that," she retorted, and her hands wove around his neck. "Now kiss me so I can get something fitting on for breakfast," she whispered, and he obliged.
It was still passionate but restrained and focused. Draco was still thinking about what she had asked him. What did he want from her? That was a silly question. He couldn't see himself living without her now. Not ever.
They parted, and she sighed softly. "I have to say, I regret not doing this before. Even if I thought you were still with Astoria, it would have been nice to know. That at least you can do more with your mouth than talking." She teased, and he laughed, shaking his head.
"Well, the same could be said about you," he responded.
"A perk of being a know-it-all, that is expected of me," she grumbled and Draco belted out laughter. "I am going to use your football shirt and your boxers with the hearts on them. You will have to point me to my clothes later, Malfoy."
He grinned brightly. "I might not if you end up climbing into mine more often." He felt for her and pinned the now clothed woman to his dresser.
She arched and he felt her rounded behind press against him. "Food first, shagging later, alright?" she breathed.
He ran a hand over her shoulder and kissed her hair. "Alright, but only because I cannot think passed my stomach and my cock right now."
Draco released her from his captive hold and she shoved fabric to his chest. "Wear these," she had a teasing tone.
He ran his fingers over the braille tag hanging from them and laughed. "The rubber ducky pants? Have you gone mental?"
"Yes, now please wear them? I want to see your mother try to smother her laughter."
"Alright, but grab me a black shirt. I need to retain some dignity," he grumbled and she handed Draco the requested shirt.
They soon were dressed and headed down to breakfast, his free hand skirting her back every so often. He couldn't believe his luck.