Hermione woke the next day, surprised to see daylight shining behind the closed bedroom curtains. She had slept the whole night through and hadn't been woken once by nightmares, for the first time in almost 6 months. And they hadn't even done the spell last night.
The thought of her spell partner brought memories of the previous evening rushing back, and she suddenly became aware that she wasn't alone in bed. More to the point, she wasn't even in her own bed. She was in Draco Malfoy's bed, and the afformentioned party was currently fast asleep against her back. His long legs were tucked up under hers, his chest snug against her shoulders, one arm thrown casually but protectively around her waist, holding her to him. She could feel his warm breath on the back of her neck and, more urgently, his morning erection on the back of her pelvis.
She remembered how careful he was, how tender, and she was amazed by how attentive he'd been. He'd even taken the time to take care of her afterwards and hadn't just rolled away and fallen asleep, as she had expected him to from past experiences. Instead, he'd held her all night.
Other parts of the evening started to return to her, parts that her body began to respond to. Something in the comments that he'd made, his tone, the way he'd looked at her at times, made her wonder if he suspected that she might be getting off on his command of her. If she'd read his promises correctly, he was telling her to expect that he would want to explore that side of things with her more.
Desire shot through her, and she felt herself clench at the thought of her fantasies becoming reality. He stirred slightly against her, and her lust-addled mind homed in on his thick, warm cock now nestling between her arse cheeks. Without further thought, she carefully turned over in his arms, then wormed her way down the bed, under the covers, until she came face to face with his member.
She'd seen it briefly last night, but up close it was significantly more impressive. It stood, proud and pulsing, out of a small nest of tight, blonde curls. It was pale, like the rest of his skin, but the swollen head was a deep red. A bead of pre-cum was already oozing out of it, and she only hesitated for a moment before she stuck out her tongue and flicked it against his slit, catching the fluid. He groaned and rolled onto his back, and she watched as the large vein on the underside beat slightly with his pulse. She waited until he stopped moving, then reached for his shaft, amazed at the silky texture of his skin under her hand. He grunted as she gripped him, but she carried on, not registering his response. She ran her small hand up and down, and was about to change her position so that she could use both hands when the sheet was ripped away from over her head.
'Don't get me wrong,' he drawled, his eyes heavy with sleep but completely focused on her. 'I can't think of any better way to be woken up than this. But couldn't you at least have waited until I was awake to enjoy the whole thing?' He raised one eyebrow and smirked at her, but she didn't answer. She simply stuck out her tongue and slowly ran it up the length of his shaft, from the base to the tip. His smirk faltered as his mouth dropped open, the amusement on his face replaced instantly by pure lust. She grinned up at him as she grasped him once more, pumping his length. When the pointed end of her tongue flicked against his head again, he dropped back against the mattress with a muttered, 'Fuck.'
She continued to work him slowly, enjoying his groans and rolling hips in reaction to her movements. She enclosed his shaft between her lips and slid up and down, taking more of him into her throat with each pass. His hand wound into her curls and he balled his fingers into a fist, and the way his hand twitched made her think that he was desperately trying not to take over and force her down on him while he fucked her face. The thought made her groan against him, and she raised her hand to cup his balls, wanting to see if she could make him break his composure.
'Dammit, Granger,' he gasped, his other hand also finding her hair. She rolled his balls in her palm as she sucked him hard, using her other hand to grasp the bit of him that her mouth couldn't quite reach. She looked up to find him watching her, and locked her gaze on his. Something in her eyes seemed to affect him strongly, as he began to tug at her hair, but in the wrong direction, like he was trying to pull her off. 'Fuck, Hermione, I'm gonna - ' Understanding what was happening, she ignored his pulling at her and sped up her efforts, pushing him towards his release. His eyes turned almost black immediately, and he grabbed her head to still it. His balls tightened in her hand and then he was thrusting once, twice, three times into her and shooting ropes of hot, salty, slightly bitter cum into her waiting mouth.
She released his cock with a small pop and sat up, watching him, massaging his trembling legs and waiting for him to look at her from under the arm that he'd thrown over his eyes as he recovered. When he finally met her gaze, she opened her mouth briefly to let him see his own cum, sitting cupped in her tongue, before she made a show of swallowing it all and wiping the corners of her lips with her fingers.
'Fuck, that was dirty,' he growled, swiftly reaching up and grabbing her arm to pull her back to the bed and roll her under him. He smirked down at her. 'But then, it seems that the little bookworms are the kinkiest.'
'Know that from experience, do you?' she jested, her fingers digging into his ribs. He grabbed her hands and pinned them above her head, causing her to gasp and arch towards him as his breath played across her nipples, hovering just far enough away from her that all she could feel of his lips on her skin was a light brushing sensation. It drove her wild nonetheless.
'No,' he murmered, ignoring her desperation. 'Just going off a very, very recent study of mine.' Suddenly he was gone, sitting up on his mattress as he looked down at her, grinning when she whimpered at the loss of him. He continued, appearing unphased. 'I have a lot more experimenting and research that I need to do on that particular subject, however, before I can present my findings. And I'm afraid - ' he looked at the clock on the wall beside his bed ' - that I just don't have the time to indulge in my studies right at this moment.'
She heard the meaning behind his words, and despite her disappointment she knew he was right. If they had any hope of getting breakfast before classes, they would have to get dressed and head down to the Great Hall right now. She sighed, but nodded her acceptance and got up. He stood too, and collected her clothes from the floor, handing them to her as she made for his door. She didn't bother dressing again - no-one else had access to their shared common room.
'So, when do you plan to continue your research?' she asked, playing along with his game. He leaned casually against his doorframe and she forced her eyes to remain on his face.
'I was thinking tonight.' He was outwardly cocky, but his eyes scanning hers made her understand that it was really a question. 'I was supposed to be having a de-brief this evening, but last night's work was more than sufficient to meet those requirements.' She blushed at this, her heartbeat speeding up. So he too had slept last night, completely unaffected by any nightmares.
'Tonight would probably be best,' she agreed, her manner professional once more.
'Until tonight, then,' he grinned. She opened his bedroom door and had started to walk across the common room, her mind buzzing, when he called out to her. 'Oh, and Granger?' She turned, and found him staring at her naked body, his eyes hungry. She tried not to acknowledge how his body was reacting to what he saw. 'Don't wear any knickers under your uniform today.'
Hermione spent the day feeling slightly uncomfortable and more than a little on edge. Despite her better judgement, she had struggled to fight against the part of her mind that always responded when he used that commanding tone, and before she knew it she was walking down to the Great Hall, an unfamiliar breeze flowing around under her skirt, making her shiver.
She entered the Hall, looking around to see if anyone had noticed anything different about her, and she almost stumbled when she caught his eye. He was watching her, a mask of disinterest carefully in place. When she met his gaze, he raised one eyebrow a fraction in question, just enough for her to see. She felt herself blush instantly, and it seemed to be all the answer he needed. His eyes turned almost black with desire for the second time that morning, but he returned his gaze to his breakfast plate so that no-one else would notice. She joined her own table, her legs crossed tight, and forced herself to join the conversation around her so as not to draw attention to herself. Ginny had looked at her a little weirdly, but thankfully did not press the matter when someone congratulated her on her recent placement as this year's Gryffindor Seeker.
All through the day, she felt his eyes on her during every class they shared. His gaze was hot, burning into her, and she could almost hear him thinking dirty thoughts at her. It made it very hard to focus, and her notes weren't nearly as neat as they usually were.
It was the same at meal times. Although he looked at her less frequently, she could feel it just as intensely when he did slide his eyes her way. She resolutely kept her gaze away from him, eyes fixed on her food, her friends, the ceiling, anything to avoid meeting his gaze. She was genuinely concerned that she might spontaneously orgasm if his face showed any of the pent-up frustration she was currently feeling. It got worse as the day wore on, and by dinner time she was a frazzled, wound-up wreck.
'Alright, what's with you today?' Her head snapped around to find Ginny sat next to her, glaring at her with narrowed eyes.
'What do you mean?' Her voice sounded a little shrill, even to her own ears. Ginny's eyes narrowed further.
'You've been antsy all day. Shuffling around in your seat, picking at your food. You almost forgot which class you were supposed to have after lunch, for Merlin's sake!' Ginny threw her hands up in exasperation, and Hermione couldn't help but giggle at the girl's dramatics. That was, until Ginny leaned closer to her and said, 'Spill it.'
'Well ... ' She fidgetted with her napkin, thinking quickly. She wanted to tell her best girl friend all about what was happening between her and Draco, but she and Draco hadn't even talked about that yet. But maybe, she could tell her just enough ... Hermione faced the younger girl and lowered her voice. 'I'm thinking about ... going on a date with someone.'
Ginny's freckled face instantly lit up, and she grabbed Hermione's arm with a squeal.
'Oh my Gods, well now it all makes sense! Who is it? Do I know them?' Hermione laughed at the steady stream of questions, and found that she was pleased by Ginny's reaction. Part of her had worried that some family loyalty to Ron might make it difficult for Ginny to support her moving on, but that didn't seem to be the case.
'There isn't anyone yet, Gin,' she half-lied, and the girl stopped bouncing on the bench next to her, looking slightly disappionted. 'It's just, I've noticed I'm getting a little more attention recently, and I thought - '
Ginny cut her off with a loud snort. ''A little more attention.' Hermione, 75 percent of the student population here look at you like they'd pay good money just to be allowed to wash your underwear.'
'Ginny!' She swatted at the younger girl's arm, but with her Seeker's reflexes she easily ducked just out of reach, still grinning.
'Well, it's true. But I'd be careful who you tell that you're ready to start dating again,' she added, her face now serious. 'I know you don't think so, but I promise you'd be swamped by offers in no time.'
'Thanks, Ginny.' Hermione gathered the girl to her and held her tight, grateful for her care and understanding. As Ginny hugged her back, Hermione noticed over her shoulder that Draco was leaving the Great Hall. She gently released her friend and gathered her things. 'I've got to go study now. But really, Ginny, thank you.'
'Always here,' she replied, squeezing Hermione's hand briefly before letting her go.
Hermione hurried from the Hall, hoping that anyone who saw her would just assume it was normal Hermione Granger keenness to get back to her books. Her stomach was flipping over and over with mixed excitement and apprehension at what the night might bring. As she rounded the last corner into the corridor that led to the Head's shared rooms, she spotted Draco only a few steps ahead of her. She maintained her pace, and fell easily into step bedside him as he strode casually towards their portrait. He looked down at her from the corner of his eye, and a slight smile tugged at the corner of his lip.
'Granger.' His tone was carefully indifferent. 'Ready to finish our study?'
'Yes,' she whispered, not trusting herself to speak any louder. They reached the portrait in no time, and he spoke the password and held the door open for her. She scrambled inside, and only had time to lower her bag to the floor when a pair of large hands grabbed her. She was swung around, her front pressed against the stone wall next to the portrait hole, and instantly felt his body press against her, his erection obvious at her back. She moaned and wriggled to try and rub against him, but was prevented from doing so when his hands tightened on her.
'Be still,' he growled in her ear, his voice laced with warning. It made her legs turn to jelly, but she did as she was told. 'Good girl,' he breathed, and she had to bite her lip to stop another moan escaping her. He noticed this, and chuckled darkly. The sound went straight the her already damp core. 'Time to see just how good you have been. Did you follow my instructions this morning?' Without waiting for an answer, he lifted her skirt and slid his hands between her legs, cupping her mound. She bucked and moaned as he slid a finger along her folds, and he pressed himself harder against her. 'Fuck, yes you did. Such a good girl, indeed. And so wet already. Is this all for me, Princess?'
At his use of the nickname, her hips bucked against his hand again and her head fell back to his chest.
'Do you like it when I call you that?' he murmered, the hand that wasn't up her skirt slid up her arm and over her shoulder, coming to rest in a loose grip at the base of her throat. All abilty to form a coherent sentence left her at his touch, so she simply nodded. His fingers left her centre. She whined at the loss, but his hand at her neck tightened slightly, and with an effort she stilled herself.
'When I ask you a question, I expect a verbal answer. Understood?'
'Yes,' she panted immediately.
'A fast learner, I see.' She could feel him smiling against her ear. 'Now, I also asked you another question. Do you like it when I call you Princess?'
'Gods, yes,' she breathed, and he chuckled again.
'Good to know.' Suddenly his hands on her softened, and he placed a gentle kiss on her shoulder. 'You sure this is alright?'
'Yes, Merlin yes. Draco, please - ' He spun her around to face him, his lips latching to hers immediately. The kiss was almost bruising, but she melted into it, grasping at him as his hands clutched her arse and pulled her tight against him.
He broke away, his eyes dark once more as he murmered, 'Fuck, you have no idea how hard it's been today, watching you walk around, knowing that you have nothing on under that skirt. Prim, proper Hermione Granger, doing such a naughty thing. For me.' He rolled his hips against her, and smirked when her eyelids fluttered. 'The amount of times I had to stop myself from dragging you behind a tapestry and fucking you senseless ... '
His hand raised to her throat again, then stroked a slow path down her chest, over her breast, to her stomach, before finally coming to rest on her hip. Hermione could feel herself becoming wetter from his words, needy from his touches, and she leaned into him, eyes locked on his. He looked down at her for a moment, then abruptly stepped away from her. She frowned in confusion, and watched as he folded his arms over his chest.
'Strip.'
'W-what?' She felt her cheeks colour at his command, but her body yearned to obey. He smiled at her knowingly.
'Come on, Granger, you've just spent the day walking around the castle with no underwear. Surely you're not going to balk at the idea of taking off the rest of it now. So be a good girl, and do as you're told. Strip.'
She didn't know whether it was his tone, the evident lust in his eyes, or the prominent bulge in his trousers that did it, but she suddenly realised that he was enjoying this just as much as she was. Still blushing, but with more confidence now, she met his gaze. She wriggled her shoulders, and her robe fell down her arms to pool around her feet. She raised her hands to her tie, pulled it off, and started to undo her buttons.
'Slower.' His jaw had clenched slightly, his eyes fixed on her fingers. She slowed her movements, taking her time over each button, and when she reached the last one she carefully peeled the shirt away to drop it to the floor. His eyes roved her chest hungrily, and she noticed his knuckles turning white as he gripped his own arms tighter. But his voice was still placid, unaffected, when he said, 'Continue.'
She slid her thumbs into the waistband of her skirt, toying with it slightly before pulling outwards, widening the elastic enough to slide the garment slowly down her legs. Leaving her shoes behind, she stepped out of the skirt, also taking a step closer to Draco. She heard him swallow, and couldn't help the grin that spread across her face. Despite the cool, calm demeanour he was affecting as part of his game, he still wanted her. Badly.
'You still have something left,' he said, a slight huskiness at the edge of his tone confirming her suspicions. Eyes locked to his, she reached behind her and opened the clasp of her bra, shrugging it off and throwing it over her shoulder to join the rest of her clothes behind her. He stood before her for a long time, his eyes roving her body, breathing hard. She noticed she was panting too as the air between them filled with that crackling electricty.
Then he was on her. His mouth attacked hers, his tongue roughly entering her mouth. She whined at the sensation, and his hips thrust against her at the noise. With a growl, his hands slid from her back down, over her arse and to the tops of her thighs. He lifted her, pulling one leg to either side of his hips as he did, tugging her tight against him. She bit her lip and her head fell to the crook of his neck as he began to walk, the friction his of him movements sending delicious waves of pleasure through her. She didn't care where he was taking her, she just didn't want him to stop.
'You've been a very good girl today, Princess,' his voice rumbled low in her ear. 'And good girls always get their reward.' Suddenly he dropped her, and Hermione let out a small scream. But she bounced harmlessly onto a bed - her bed - and glared up at him. He chuckled. 'Don't like at me like that, Granger, or you'll earn yourself a punishment as well.'
Her heart skipped at the thought of what that might entail, and she subconsciously caught her lower lip in her teeth, her legs widening slightly. He groaned above her, and leaned forwards, placing one hand on the mattress next to her. He was between her legs, but held himself carefully so that his body didn't meet hers. With his other hand, he reached to cup her face, and his thumb tugged her lip from between her teeth.
'I've told you how distracting that is,' he murmered, eyes fixed on hers. The slight threat in his voice made her breath catch in her throat, and her legs spread wider. He chuckled again, then straightened. He slowly removed his clothes in an imitation of her earlier actions, and she watched, heart pounding, growing wetter with the anticipation. When he was naked, his cock looking impossibly hard where it jutted from his body, he lifted one leg to kneel on the bed beside her, his other knee sliding to rest between her thighs. Again he hovered over her, and his hand raised to touch her lips. She opened her mouth and flicked her tongue against the tips of his fingers, and his eyes sparkled. 'Careful, Princess, you're straying into naughty territory there.'
She thought about doing it again, but she was keen to see what he was planning to do, so she stayed still. He smirked and nodded at her, then his hand began to move. It traced lazy patterns down her jaw, her throat, over her collar bone and sternum to her breasts. He tickled the soft skin there, drawing circles around her areolas, flicking against her nipples, drawing gasps and moans from her where she lay below him. He sped up, his movements becoming rougher, until she was writhing on the mattress, panting.
'Draco, please ... '
'Oh, I love to hear you beg. Tell me what you want.'
'T-touch me.'
'I am touching you, Princess.' As if to make his point, he pinched her right nipple between his thumb and forefinger. The painful pleasure shot lightning straight to her core, and her back arched, pressing her breast further into his hand. His eyes danced as he watched her. 'I'm afraid you'll have to be more specific.'
'T-touch my p-pussy.'
'My, such filthy language. And where did your lovely manners go?' His hand had left her nipple and dipped lower, stroking tantalising patterns across her lower abdomen. Frustrated, she tried to roll her hips against him, seeking friction, and grabbed his wrist to try and push it lower.
He wrenched his hand from her grip, and before she could move he had grabbed her hips and flipped her over, pressing her front into the mattress. She was about to protest when she felt his palm descend on her backside. The noise it made was loud, but the impact had been relatively painless. Her body responded nonetheless, her eyes rolling in her head as she let out an open mouthed moan. Then his fingers were in her curls, wrapping around them and pulling, twisting her head so that she had to look at him, still hovering above her.
'I warned you,' he growled, his face so full of lust that Hermione almost felt it radiating off him. 'That's just the kind of thing that will earn you a punishment. Do you understand?'
'Yes,' she whimpered, eyes on his lips.
'Then tell me what you want.'
'Please, Draco, I want you to touch my pussy. Make me cum, I want to cum for you. Fuck me, take me, please, I need you.'
'That's much better, Princess,' he grinned, and she pressed her hips into the mattress as her body responded to his praise. 'Well, seeing as you asked so nicely ... ' His hands left her hair, and ghosted down her back. He stroked the inside of her thighs for a few moments, teasing, before one finger sank between her folds. They both groaned at the contact, and he sank in his teeth into her shoulder briefly. 'Fuck, you're soaked.'
'All for you,' she gasped, eyes fixed on his. His growl rumbled in his chest, and his finger sank into her. She whimpered, clutching the bed sheets under her as he worked her with a quick, rough pace. Her hips rolled as he added another finger, then a third.
'That's right,' he breathed in her ear. 'Use my hand to get off. Come on, I want you to cum all over my fingers so I can suck off all your delicious juices.' His thumb was suddenly at her clit, and she cried out his name. 'Fuck, I love it when you say my name like that, in your voice it sounds like sin itself. Come on, love, give it up for me. I know you want to, I can feel you getting close.'
He was right, she could feel the edge of her orgasm steaming towards her. His expert fingers combined with the flow of filth falling from his mouth were making her dizzy with desire. She clenched around his fingers as her orgasm neared.
'That's it, Princess, you're almost there. I want to hear my name on your lips every time you cum, I want you to scream it so that anyone who hears you will know just who is breaking you apart. Come on, baby, cum for me.'
This last command tipped her over. She clenched around him and, just as he'd instructed, she cried out his name as she pulsed, her hand finding his on the bed next to her head and gripping tight. He wound his fingers into hers and sank his teeth into her shoulder again as he continued his movements, doubling her pleasure until she started to see sparks of colour in her vision. Then it was over and she collapsed against the bed below her, spent, breathing hard. He slowly pulled his fingers out of her, and she looked over her shoulder to watch him slowly licking them clean, eyes locked on hers. The sight made her let out an involuntarily whimper, and he grinned wickedly at her.
'You taste devine.' Without another word, he shifted out of her sight. She felt the mattress between her legs sink and realised he was now kneeling there. His long fingers wrapped around her hips and he lifted her, causing her to scramble to her knees. She didn't have the energy to raise her head, but found that if she rested it on her folded arms then she could look around enough to see him. He was surveying her body with that hungry look again, and when he noticed her watching him, he licked his lips. 'Perfect.'
Hermione felt her arousal sky-rocket once again, and Draco leaned forward. She felt his tongue sweep her overly sensitive folds, and she keened and tried to pull away but his hands kept her still. He licked her once more, then she felt something hard and slick pressing urgently at her entrance. She opened her mouth but before she even knew what she had been about to say, he entered her completely in one hard thrust. All that left her was a cry of ecstacy, her sensitivity making him feel larger inside her than the previous night.
'Gods, Hermione,' he grunted from behind her. 'So ... tight ...' He began to thrust, his pace already hard and fast. She grasped at the sheets below her, whimpering every time his head hit her walls. He was so deep at this angle. She looked over her shoulder again, and found that he was leaning over her slightly, looking down at her face. 'You're absolutely beautiful like this, all turned on with me inside you. I'm going to be seeing this image every time I close my eyes for a long time to come.'
She bit her lip at his words, and his eyes fixed on her mouth with a groan. He straightened behind her, his palm connecting with her arse again. She cried out, pleasure ripping through her, and her back arched harder, letting him reach even deeper inside her. He hissed at the sensation, his hand winding into her curls once again.
'Yes, you feel so good, Princess. I can feel you pulling me in. Come on now, I know you can cum again. Just one more time for me before I finish.' The hand that was on her hip slid below her and he pressed his fingers to her clit, rubbing in harsh circles. She pushed her hips back against him, crying out as the pressure built once more. 'Cum for me, my good girl. Cum on my cock.' She broke, again calling out his name as she shattered. The release was stronger this time, and he seemed to feel it too as he cursed softly from behind her, his thrusts erratic as her ending brought his own. His hips snapped against her arse and she felt him spill inside her. His hand left her clit to grasp her hand, and he squeezed her fingers as he gave her the last of him.
They stayed still for a moment, panting, before Draco slowly eased himself out of her. She felt a flash of heat as his cum dripped from her and rolled between her thighs, then he was there with a piece of cloth, carefully wiping her clean as he had the night before. She stiffly lowered herself to the bed as he saw to himself, then collapsed onto the mattress next to her. Immediately, he pulled her into his arms, holding her tight, and she dimly noticed him pressing his palm gently to her rips, then her neck, the familiar tingle of the healing spell warm against her skin. She listened to his heart beat slowing in his chest as he held her close, occasionally pressing kisses into her hair. Finally, she looked up at him. He looked satisfied, but underneath it she could see a slight insecurity. He brushed the curls out of her face and murmered, 'Hi.'
'Hi, yourself,' she smiled back.
'Are you OK?'
'Gods, I am so much better than OK,' she breathed, and she saw the insecurity fall away as he chuckled, eyes dancing. 'That was incredible. Better than I imagined.'
'You'll have to share some of those imaginings with me some day,' he said, and nuzzled his nose into her hair. They lay in silence for a while, enjoying the warmth and breathing in each other's scent. After some time, she thought he had fallen asleep, and looked up to check.
He was staring at the canopy above her bed, deep in thought, his blonde brows creased together. She raised her hand and turned his face, breaking his concentration. 'Everything alright?'
'Yes,' he responded, a little too quickly. She raised an eyebrow and waited. He looked away, but continued, 'I saw you talking with the Weaslette at dinner.'
'You saw me talking to my friend Ginevra after dinner,' she corrected, and dug a finger into his ribs when he just rolled his eyes at her. 'And yes, it has been known for us to converse. What of it?'
'Well,' he went on, and she was surprised by how nervous he appeared. He was doing his best to maintain the Malfoy calm as he asked, 'Did you tell your friend Ginevra about ... us?'
She stared at him for a moment, struggling for once to read the tone under the mask. She decided to probe further before answering.
'Would you be mad if I had?' He seemed to consider this for a moment, then met her gaze.
'I wouldn't be mad,' he said slowly, seemingly trying to put his words together carefully. 'But I would be concerned. I mean, I'm still trying to get my head around the idea that we're together without my subconscious screaming at me that I'm holding you back or doing even more damage to you in some way. So while I want to feel free to parade you around on my arm and show all those love-struck fools out there that you're already taken, I think it might be better to introduce the idea gradually, and to our nearest and dearest first, to give people time to adjust. Don't you?' She had felt her own eyes widen as he was talking, and he suddenly seemed to register how stunned she was. He leaned up on one elbow and cupped her face. 'What is it? What did I say?'
'You ... you see us ... together?' she spluttered, unable to think straight. Fear suddenly filled his face, his hand frozen to her cheek.
'Well, yes. Don't you?'
'Of course I do,' she breathed and watched hin thaw instantly. She blinked, realising the anxiety she must have caused him in that moment, and tried to get their banter back on track to ease it further. 'It's just that I had this whole speech prepared about morals and promiscuity and now I'm just disappointed that I don't get to use it.'
Her words had the desired effect. He fell back to the bed next to her, chortling and shaking his head.
'Thank goodness for that,' he said, pulling her close again and nuzzling into her hair again. 'Thanks to our successful research session, I don't think I have the energy for one of your lectures tonight.'
