She tasted like Granny Smith apples—equal parts sweet and tart.
Delicious.
Delectable.
Hermione's lips were plump and full and they glided over his own as if they were made to meld together.
He pulled back slightly, just to make sure she was okay, but she gripped his jumper and pushed up on her toes to kiss him some more.
He angled his head to run his tongue along her lips, urging her to open for him and she complied without hesitation.
She tasted even more divine.
Apples with a hint of alcohol—his new favorite flavor.
His hands gripped her hips on each side, not wanting to let her go or to stop.
When her arms wound around his neck and their kiss turned more passionate, he came to his senses and realized they were in the middle of a very crowded—and very public—bar.
Hermione must have realized the same thing, as she pulled back, with a look that was a mix of surprise and bashfulness.
"It's awfully warm in here, don't you think?" she asked. "Perhaps a bit of fresh air—"
"Fresh air, yes. Couldn't agree more." He took her hand and led her towards the door, making sure to grab their coats and slip them on as they headed out.
The two of them practically ran, hand in hand, to the side of the building. The moment they were out of sight, he pushed her up against the brick wall and couldn't get his lips on her fast enough.
When her arms wound around his neck, his hands slipped into the opening of her coat and gripped her hips, pulling her flush against him to keep them both warm. His fingers explored the exposed skin along her sides and back. He only hesitated briefly before he brought them to her breast.
She moaned into his mouth and the feeling went straight to his cock.
He kneaded her through her bra and pinched her nipple through the thin fabric. Hermione removed her lips from his and rested her head against the wall, panting softly.
He let her catch her breath as he peppered kisses on any exposed part of her he could find—her cheek, her neck, along her collar bone, and behind her ear. She hummed in approval until she nudged his nose with her own.
"We ought to go back inside, or at least somewhere out of the cold," she said, her breath wispy in the crisp, night air.
His own breath mingled with hers as he rested his forehead against her. "I think I've had just about enough of other people for the time being."
She giggled, burying her face into his neck. "Shall we head on out then?" she asked. "I don't know about you, but I'm famished."
He smiled and took her hand, leading her back to his car.
They sat in his car in a parking lot while they ate cheeseburgers and fries, seeing as how the only place open at midnight that had food available was a drive-thru.
Hermione leaned back in her seat and turned her head to study him.
He mirrored her. "Sickle for your thoughts?" he asked.
"I was just thinking how I owe Rachel ten dollars."
Draco laughed and reached over to lace his fingers with hers. "Why's that?"
"Because she bet you would kiss me tonight."
"Well, technically, you kissed me first," he corrected and tapped his cheek to remind her where her lips had first brushed against him.
Hermione ducked her head. "She also mentioned something about tongues too…."
Draco used his finger to lift her chin so she could look at him. "Like this?" then leaned over and kissed her.
The taste of apples was gone, but that didn't mean kissing her wasn't enjoyable.
He enjoyed exploring her mouth; finding the perfect pressure of his lips that made her sigh; teasing her with his tongue until she opened for him.
They kissed each other slowly, familiarizing one other through their mouths and tongues.
One of her hands cupped his cheek, drawing him closer which allowed him to deepen the kiss as his own hand found purchase in her hair.
After a few moments of snogging, they broke apart.
"I hate to say it, but we should probably call it a night," he said, peppering her with kisses between words.
"I suppose we should."
He kissed her three times more, then finally started the car and drove to her place.
Being the gentleman he was raised to be, he walked her to her door, his hand within hers as she leaned into him.
"I had a great time." She turned to face him. "Did you want to come in for a night cap or…something?"
Merlin wanted to. He cupped her face and kissed her against the door. "I don't think that's a good idea." He nipped her neck then licked the small blemish he left behind.
He felt her shiver as she moved her head, giving him more access to her skin. "Why's that?" she asked breathlessly.
"Because." He pressed his lips to hers. "If I go inside, there's no way I'm not leaving before I have my way with you on whatever surface is closest, whether it be your dining room table or your couch, maybe even both."
She grabbed onto the lapels of his jumper, pulling him close. "Who says I don't want you to do just that?"
He smirked at her. "Easy there, Lioness." He kissed the tip of her nose. "I made a rule for myself a long time ago that I won't take a woman to bed on the first date. That'll be reserved for the third."
Her brows shot up in surprise and he couldn't help but chuckle.
"But….why?" she asked.
"Because." He dipped his head so he could whisper in her ear. "Waiting makes it all the more sweeter." He pecked her cheek. "Good night, Hermione."
A shudder seemed to ripple through her before she rasped out, "Goodnight, Draco," and then she slipped inside her house.
He knew he would regret not taking her up on her offer, but it seemed like the right thing to do. He was interested in more than one night, which meant taking his time with her, even if it meant taking care of his own sexual needs for the time being. His erection was already prominent through his jeans but was nothing a good wank in the shower wouldn't fix, especially with the new memories of how she tasted and felt beneath his hands.
Draco groaned the next morning as his alarm went off. He had gone to bed later than anticipated, seeing as how he'd needed to take care of himself twice before he was sated enough to fall asleep.
As he sat up, he thought about what had transpired between him and Hermione the night before and was pleasantly, and happily, surprised with how flawless it felt slipping into something more.
The moment she asked him out for New Year's Eve, he knew it would be different—that their relationship would change. He couldn't deny he had developed feelings for the witch, but he hadn't known if those feelings were reciprocated and he didn't want to risk losing her by acting on it.
If anything, their date that night made it clear that he needn't have worried. Sitting in the car scarfing down burgers had given them a chance to talk and he'd been relieved to find Hermione was on the same page as him. And, they both agreed that while they navigated this new thing, they wouldn't tell Lyra just yet.
He knew Lyra had come to love Hermione and that she'd be ecstatic to find out they were dating, but the two of them needed time to figure out if a relationship would work before they said anything to her.
As far as relationships went, especially serious ones, Draco's history was practically non-existent. It was for this reason he'd made rules for himself when it came to any woman he planned on pursuing something more with—of course, that hadn't happened until now.
He'd dated Pansy Parkinson briefly in his youth, but that was mostly on the insistence of their mothers. It worked out in their favor though—being friends since diapers meant they knew each other well and were comfortable enough to explore and figure out what they both wanted in a partner.
Unfortunately for their families, it wasn't each other.
Pansy had been a few of his firsts—giving him his first kiss that led to his first snog; letting him feel up her shirt to touch her breast; he even received his first hand job from her. That had all been during the summer between fifth and sixth year. Once the school term started, he had an impossible task from the monster who lived in his house, and being in a relationship wasn't his top priority anymore.
Apparently though, he'd been wrong, seeing as how he did have a relationship during sixth year that created Lyra.
He had been truthful to his mother about not dating anyone since moving to the states, but it was only a half truth. There had been a few times, usually during the summer months, when some tourist or visitor would ask him out for a night of fun. Draco had originally turned these offers down, then realized that he had needs that could be better met than always wanking.
He always took precautions on these nights as he didn't want to accidentally father another child with someone who was a stranger.
It all felt different with Hermione—she was such a prominent figure in both his and Lyra's lives already. So much so, that when she was away during the holidays, he found himself missing her and he knew that Lyra felt the same way.
He hadn't expected that from Hermione Granger—how could he have? But here he was, well on the road to falling for her.
If he were honest with himself, he was already halfway there.
He glanced at the clock and realized he had been lying awake in bed for the last half hour. Lyra was due home soon so he figured he'd better hop in the shower and get ready for his day.
His cell phone pinged, he knew it was Hermione before he even checked. A smile formed on his face as he reached for his phone.
Dinner at my place tonight?
Absolutely. Just tell us what to bring and we'll be there.
Great! You and Lyra bring dessert, I'll take care of the rest.
Yes, he was definitely starting to fall head over heels for the witch.
A/N: I feel like it took FOR-EV-ER to get to here! And we still have a ways to go! Remember this fic is 42 Chapters... and we're only on Chapter 16! The next few chapters will be pretty fluffy, so make sure to brush your teeth so your they don't rot from all the sweetness lol See you next week! xoxoHufflepuffMommy