Mastering Temptation

CHAPTER TWELVE: The Witch Awaits







Severus was not happy as he finally made his way back to his rooms. It seemed fate would always conspire against him. He had intended to have his dinner and head directly to his rooms and the lovely young witch who was waiting for him, willing and eager to indulge in a little amorous exploration. Unfortunately nothing ever went quite so smoothly for Severus. Instead of going straight to his rooms and losing himself in passionate bliss he had been summoned to the Slytherin common room in order to deal with a problem student who made Draco look like an angel.







It had taken him hours to finally get the situation straightened out and unfortunately he was unable to send a message to her without causing people to wonder what she was doing in his rooms after work hours. More than likely she had grown tired of waiting for him and left long ago so Severus resigned himself to going back to his rooms and straight into a cold, lonely bed. He approached the portrait that covered his door wearily and mumbled his password.





“Dragonhide.” The centaur in the portrait nodded his head and put his finger to his lips.







“Quiet now, your lady friend is sleeping.” The image whispered as the door swung inward.







“I’ll thank you not to be gossiping about my guest.” Severus said, frowning at the smiling creature.







“I will not say a word; you can trust me to keep your private activities private.” Severus stared at him for a moment, wondering if the image were trustworthy. Severus wasn’t a big fan of the paintings in the magical realm; they saw everything and were prone to gossiping.







“I would appreciate that, thank you.” Severus stepped inside the entryway and closed the door behind him. He didn’t notice her at first, but he did notice that her skirt, blouse and stockings were draped over the back of a chair and her black shoes were sitting on the floor beside it. There was a fire blazing in the hearth and he could see an empty glass on the end table.







Severus found her laying on the sofa, curled on her side beneath a green and black plaid throw, her head resting on her folded arms. He crouched down beside the sofa and just looked at her for several long moments. He couldn’t believe that she had stayed, had waited for him.





“Hermione.” He called her name gently. She shifted a little, sighing softly as her eyes opened slowly.





“You’re back.” She smiled.





“You stayed.” He reached out and ran the backs of his fingers over her cheek.





“You told me to wait until you came back.” She said, closing her eyes and tilting her head into his touch.





“I was delayed, a mishap with a Slytherin.” He said, stroking his thumb over her chin. “I’m sorry I kept you waiting so long.”





“You can make it up to me.” She said, turning her head and pressing a soft kiss into his palm. Severus chuckled low and pulled the blanket away from her.







“I look forward to it. Put your arms around my neck.” He said, sliding his hands beneath her back and her knees and pulling her into his arms.





“You keep me befuddled, Severus.” Hermione whispered, her arms wrapped tight around his neck. “One moment your forceful and issuing demands and in the next you are sweet and tender. Who is the real you?” She asked as he carried her through the sitting room and up a winding flight of stairs.





“Well now that is the mystery isn’t it?” He said somewhat sinisterly. The door at the top of the stairs opened when they approached and then closed quietly behind them as he carried her inside.





“Are you trying to be mysterious?” She asked, wondering how he could move so easily through the pitch black darkness of the room.





“Not really, but it will keep you from getting bored with an old man.” He said, laying her in the center of his bed.





“Is that how you see yourself, as an old man?” She asked, starting slightly when he pointed his wand at the hearth and a fire sprang to life.





“Compared to you that’s what I am.” He said, sitting on the edge of the bed and loosening the buttons on his jacket.





“I suppose I hadn’t noticed the age difference. Funny, I don’t notice it with Lucius either, yet I feel decades older than my friends.” She said softly, watching the movements of his long slender fingers on the buttons.





“I think perhaps you have an old soul.” He said, shrugging out of the black coat and tossing it into a chair in the corner of the room. He unfastened the top several buttons on his white shirt, but he didn’t remove it. He reached down to remove his shoes and socks and then laid down on the bed so that he was leaning over her.





“People have told me that before. I am apparently the oldest twenty-five year old in history.” She said, reaching up to brush her fingers over his lightly stubbled jaw.





“I take it that since you aren’t looking around that you went exploring during my absence.” He said, pushing her long hair back off of her shoulders and skimming his fingertips over the smooth creamy skin. She blushed slightly and looked up at him sheepishly.





“I’m sorry, I was bored. Are you angry?” She asked. Her skin prickled beneath his touch and she shivered slightly.





“No, there isn’t anything here that shouldn’t be. I no longer have anything to hide.” He said, smirking before he leaned forward to press his lips against her shoulder.





“Except perhaps me.” She said, her breathing growing heavier as his hair brushed over her skin.





“I’m no hiding you; I’m just not courting you out in the open.” He was tracing the line of her bra over the plump mounds of her breasts, dipping below the lacy edge on occasion.





“You’re intending to court me then?” She asked, her eyes widening a bit in astonishment.







“Did you think that sex was my only motivation here?” He asked her. He understood where she might get that idea, they hadn’t had any proper dates and he couldn’t seem to keep his hands off of her, not that he heard her complaining.





“I don’t know what I thought; I tend to get a bit frazzled when you touch me.” She admitted. “I just assumed that since it was being kept a secret that it was more about….this than anything else.”





“And you would be fine with that?” He asked, the low timbre of his voice going impossibly deeper as his fingertips swirled over her soft stomach. “I don’t believe for one moment that you would be happy with a relationship based solely on sex.”





“Normally I wouldn’t, but then I have never been involved in workplace relationship before, and never with a man like you.” She said.





“A man like me?” He played with the satin bow on the waistband of her knickers.







“A man who doesn’t require me to do everything, to be the one in charge.” She whispered.





“Then you haven’t had a real man, Hermione.” He said against her ear, smiling when she trembled and tilted her head to the side. “This isn’t just about sex, you fascinate me, little witch. If you want this relationship out in the open, then fine, I will court you in the open. My intentions weren’t to hide you, but to shield both of us from the gossip.”







Hermione let her gaze meet his and she inhaled sharply as she watched the firelight reflect in his dark eyes. She threaded her fingers through his hair and cupped the back of his head, pulling him down until their lips almost touched.





“Not just yet, I think I want to keep you all to myself for a while.” She whispered, giving him a gentle tug so that their mouths connected. Lips and tongues touching softly, the warm, slick slide of mouth on mouth had her legs shifting restlessly until he threw one heavy thigh overtop of hers to still the movement. Severus broke the kiss, leaning back and chuckling when she tried to pull him back to her.





“Easy now, why are you in such a hurry?” He asked.





“I don’t want you to change your mind again.” She said, her fingers digging into his shoulders. Severus smiled, the uncharacteristic gesture stealing her breath.





“Is that what you think? That I changed my mind?” He asked.





“You always stop just before……” He rolled onto her suddenly, forcing his way between her thighs and pressing his hips against her.







“I never changed my mind about wanting you. It just didn’t seem right to take you on your sofa, or standing against the wall in my office.” He told her, rolling his hips against her so she could feel just how much he did want her.





“And now? Does it seem right to take me here in your bed?” She asked breathlessly, her eyes falling closed as he pressed against her aching center.





“Is that what you want?” He asked, his lips sliding along the side of her neck.







“Yes….please, Severus, don’t torment me.” She pleaded, lifting her hips against him. He bit gently into the spot where shoulder and neck met and Hermione dug her nails into his back. Had he not been wearing his shirt she would have broken the skin.





“I promise you I won’t let you leave this bed unfulfilled.” He pushed himself off of her and rose to his knees between her thighs. “I want to see you, all of you.” He said, taking her by the hand and helping her to kneel in front of him. He reached behind her and with one hand managed to unfasten the clasp on her bra. He tucked his index finger between her breasts and tugged the lacy garment forward and off, tossing it across the room carelessly.





Severus swallowed hard as her perfect, round breasts were bared to him for the first time. He had cupped them in his hands, felt their heavy weight through her clothes but had not touched her skin to skin. He took her in his hands gently and brushed his fingers over her tight, coral nipples, watching them pebble beneath his touch. He drew his hands back long enough to finish removing his shirt and then pulled her into his arms, pressing her tight against his chest.







“You are so soft.” He said, lowering his head and kissing her with a rough, possessive passion that had her head spinning. His mouth opened over hers as he devoured her, his tongue and teeth taking what he wanted. She responded with equal passion and fervor, trying to get closer to him yet always feeling as though she weren’t close enough. His mouth’s assault moved from her lips to nibble along her jaw and down her throat, sucking softly at the pulse throbbing at its base. “Stand up.” He ordered, his hands digging into her hips as he helped her to her feet.





“I can’t keep my balance…” She said, her hands on his shoulders as she tried to steady herself on the mattress.





“Hold on to the canopy.” Hermione looked up and saw the wood support beam that went over his bed, holding the heavy velvet canopy up. She reached above her head and wrapped her fingers around it, wondering just what he intended to do to her.







Severus watched his hands as they moved over her shoulders and down the front of her body. Her confidence in her own body, the fact that she wasn’t shying away from him and trying to cover herself kicked his arousal up to almost painful proportions. He rose on his knees and took one aching nipple into his mouth. He sucked and licked the tender bud gently as she cried out. His name slipping past her lips on a breathy moan before he turned his attentions to the other breast.







He abandoned her ripe breasts to traverse the soft curve of her waist with his lips and tongue. He kissed her stomach, his tongue circling her navel then traveling lower to skim the line of her panties.





Her stomach muscles clenched and she gasped softly when his fingers hooked into the waist band and began to slide her knickers down and off. He blew softly against the tight curls that crowned her sex and she whimpered. His hands were caressing her thighs, kneading gently as he wordlessly encouraged her to open to him.





He stroked over her gently, his touch feather light against her softness. She was beginning to tremble, her breath coming in rapid bellows that were punctuated with tiny whimpers of anticipation.





Hermione’s grip on the wooden bar increased to the point that she figured it would forever be marred by her fingerprints. Her body was on fire and the dark wizard kneeling before her seemed in no hurry to extinguish it. His touch was soft when she had fully expected him to be rough, she had expected to be ravished, not seduced with such tenderness. Just when she thought she had him figured out he changed things on her.







“Severus, touch me please…I need you to…” Hermione yelped when she felt his hand smack hard against her bare bottom, his fingers digging into the soft flesh.





“I am touching you; you just need to learn patience. Hasn’t anyone ever told you that the anticipation is part of the pleasure?” He asked, leaning forward to place soft, teasing kisses along the inside of her thigh as his fingers continued to tease gently against her sex. She wanted him to open her, touch her more deeply but he just continued with his gentle torment.







“No…..I need you, please.” She whimpered as his tongue slid along the sensitive seam where thigh and pelvis met.





“I know what you need, Hermione. Trust me and I promise I’ll take care of you.” He said, knowing it was a struggle for her. He could feel the tension in her body as arousal and frustration warred within her. “Don’t let go.” He said, his hands coming around to grip the backs of her thighs. He pressed his mouth against her, his tongue sliding between her folds to taste her. Her soft scream of shock and pleasure had him smirking against her as he licked and sucked at her wet, tender flesh.





Her thighs were shaking and her moans were coming louder and louder as her release approached. He slid one hand from her thigh so that he could ease his finger inside her, he moaned against her flesh as her tight, wet heat gloved him. The vibration against her highly aroused flesh was too much and she went over with a rough, hoarse cry.





Severus caught her as her legs gave out and she crumpled into an exhausted heap onto his lap. Her head was buried in the side of his neck, her thighs splayed over his and her arms wrapped tight around his shoulders as she panted and whimpered against his throat. He stroked her back soothingly as she came down slowly.





“Severus.” She whispered his name.





“Yes?”





“Nothing, I just like saying your name is all.” She said, kissing the side of his neck before lifting her head to look at him. “I’ve never experienced anything that intense before.”





“That was just a taste.” He said, nipping her bottom lip gently as he laid her back against the pillows. “It is going to get so much better.”





He rolled off of her and pulled her tight against him as he pulled the blankets over them.





“Aren’t we going to....” Severus kissed her quickly, silencing her.





“No, it’s late, go to sleep, I’ll make sure you are up in time to go back to your house to change.” He said softly.







“What about you? Don’t you want to…I mean you didn’t…?”





“Unlike a certain chatty little witch, I have some patience. Do you ever worry about yourself or do you spend all of your energy worrying about everyone else?” He asked.





“I just feel bad that you gave me so much pleasure but deny yourself.” She said, nestling her head into his shoulder.





“I’m not denying myself anything. This was about you, not me. Let me take care of you a little for a change.” He said, kissing the top of her head and closing his eyes. She was silent for several minutes and he thought perhaps she had gone to sleep, but he should have known better.





“Did you have dinner?” She asked. Severus started to laugh softly and shook his head. She really couldn’t help her nature it seemed.





“Yes, Hermione, I ate dinner. Are you hungry? I didn’t expect that you would stay so long so I didn’t bring you a plate.”





“No, I found your biscuit stash.” She said. “And I drank the last of your milk; I’ll have the elves restock your icebox tomorrow.”





“Just go to sleep, Hermione, stop fussing over me.” He said.





“Goodnight, Severus.” She whispered, curling against him, her palm resting on the center of his chest.





“Good night, A Mhuirnín.” Severus said, laying his hand over hers and settling in to sleep.









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Hi! Sorry the update took so long! I had work, and then we had a snowstorm. No, I was not holding the story hostage for reviews, I don’t do that. I love hearing from you all, but I write for the joy of it, for the fun and the release it brings, not for reviews. So I will never ever hold chapters hostage, I promise! A Mhuirnín is Irish for my dear (ah weer-neen)…. Not sure why I figured he would know the language, just thought it would sound sexy in his voice LOL





Anyhow, a little smut for you………





Mariteri – I like sexual tension, it makes the culmination so much more interesting LOL





Little Old Me – I have been challenged to write a Hermione and Sirius fic, not even a pairing I had really considered before challenged by a friend…..we shall see what my sick little brain comes up with for the two of them.





Madietta - the D/s relationships fascinate me though I really didn’t plan on this being the center of the story. It will definitely not be 24/7 lifestyle choice for our beloved couple, more of a sexual thing and not all the time. Hermione is a control freak who needs to learn to let go, and Severus, well he just needs to be loved by the right person. :) I am sorry your experience was negative and hope you will continue to read with no negative emotions being brought out. I intend that the D/s aspect be explored within the confines of a loving relationship, he would never hurt her.





Ska – have known many a girl who went from skinny to voluptuous after age 17. College has that effect on some women. A lot of female athletes are late bloomers as well.





Sampdoria - always happy to see your name in my review list!





Aliciana – I would write a scene with all four, but as much as I love them, I just cant get over the creepy factor when I think of Draco and Lucius at the same time LOL





Jen618 – nope, no canon for me LOL I like to think of my AU as exploring their potential alter egos LOL



A_reader - I don’t fret LOL It would be odd for Americanisms not to sneak in unintentionally given I am an American. But I did ask my friend (she’s a brit) about the endearment “hon”. Her answer was that it is used, but not between lovers, it is generally used amongst friends, but honey/hunny is not. So it ended up in an interesting conversation between us and a very expensive phone call LOL She said between lovers you most often hear, love, my love, darling, dear, dearest, my dear and sweetheart or sweetest but never sweetie. Babe and baby are pretty much American terms but you will occaisionally hear it used by people who are or have been in close contact with Americans. She is married to one, so she is used to being called baby. She unfortunately calls me dearling…..makes me think of Bambi. Anyhoo, thank you for reading, I always like to hear from people…….never read a Dr. Who fic, just watched the show for the first time the other day…not bad.