Seduced By Darkness

Note : Well, look at me go! I hadn't planned to post chapter 22 today as well but what the heck ... Better now then get behind again and not update for weeks ... It is Rated NC17 again ... Enjoy.

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Chapter 22 : Heart to Heart


Claudia felt extremely apprehensive about this visit with her parents. She had the sinking feeling that her father would spend the better part of their lunch talking about her husband and not in a pleasant way. The problem was that it would be very difficult to deny him his comments. After all, Thomas had kidnapped her, thus putting her life in danger and had forced her to marry him. Her shoulders slumping she knew that her father had every right to be furious about her decision to remain with her husband but she had fallen in love with Thomas and there was no going back for her.

Coming inside, her mother rushed up to her and gave her a big hug, “Sweetie we almost thought that ...” But before she could finish her father said, “...The bastard had kidnapped you again.” Giving a mental sigh she blushed, remembering why she was late, and then said “Daddy! We just lost track of time.” Seeing her increasing blush her mother guessed why she had lost track of time but her father wasn’t as quick to catch on. “Doing what?” However, upon seeing his daughter’s horrified expression at being asked and the fact that she was turning as red as a tomato he got exceedingly uncomfortable and bellowed, “Keely get your butt down here so that we can start lunch!” Then he stalked off in the direction of the den. Keely sprinted downstairs and brightly smiled at Claudia before she threw her arms around her. “How are you?”

“I am alright Keels, let’s eat. I am famished all of a sudden. Afterwards could we go to your room and chat a bit?” Keely nodded because she was also hungry and extremely curious to hear Claudia’s version of things. Lunch was a quiet affair where they made idle chit chat and avoided, at all costs, to mention Thomas. However her mother couldn’t resist and asked, “So do you like Rosewood Manor?” Claudia smiled at her, “It is beautiful momma. Thomas has left some rooms for me to decorate. I think he wants me to make it my home you know? But you know how I am so I would love your help.” Her mother smiled brightly at her, clearly pleased, “I will come over tomorrow to look it over so that I can get some ideas as to what we need.”

“Thank you. Keely I would also like you to help, although perhaps we will just go with what mom likes and you and I can do as we are told.” Keely frowned, “Are you saying that you don’t like my decorative skills?” Claudia smiled sweetly at her, “You said it dear, not me.” She said as she calmly sipped from her tea. Keely gave a mock outraged gasp and pointedly ignored her for all of two minutes before giggling. “Mom, Dad will you excuse us? We have some catching up to do.” Her mom nodded and her Dad grunted as he fixedly stared at the Daily Prophet, but she had the suspicion that he wasn‘t really reading it, just waiting for her to leave so that he could complain to her mom about Tom. Before leaving she grabbed a bowl of strawberries and she headed upstairs.

Sitting down on the bed Keely asked softly, “So you really love him huh?” Claudia looked up from her strawberry and said, “Yes I do. I didn’t plan on it, I didn’t even want it. I fought so hard not to love him but it happened and now I can’t see myself without him.” She then went on to explain to Keely, in detail, even the embarrassing ones, all about Tom and her. “But Claudia, I understand that you love him. That you fell in love and that he’s changed. But aren’t you afraid of what he became before, what if it happens again?”

Claudia stood up and closed her eyes, a visible shiver crossing over her body. “I am terrified of it Keely. This darkness that surrounds him hasn’t really left him, but he chooses to ignore it. He is choosing to be with me. Yet I know that he does this only because he wants to, because he loves me and because he’s smart enough to know that he can’t win. Not now. But if there was a chance that he could succeed I believe that he would take it.” Keely got up and quickly walked up to her, “But how can you stay then, if that’s how you think he feels?” Claudia looked at her, “Because I also believe that just maybe, because he loves me he would still choose me over that path. I believe that, and that’s why I stay. Maybe I am lying to myself but he’s like air to me now.”

Keely went and sat down. “I understand and don’t think that I will judge you Claudia, I love you. But if you are unhappy I won’t stand idly by either.” Claudia smiled at her, “I am not unhappy. How about you? You are dating Draco Malfoy? Poor Daddy.” Keely giggled and groaned at the same time. “It’s awful, not Draco but Uncle Caleb. I really thought the vein in the middle of his forehead was going to burst when he saw Draco out in the foyer after you left last night. Not only that, but Lucius Malfoy too, that man gives me the creeps.” Claudia laughed, “Lucius is not that bad, once you get to know him. Tom regards him highly, which I know is not really comforting to you. But I was surprised to see that he seems to love Draco very much. He is a brat though, the things he says.”

Keely was nodding rapidly, “YES! That man has no sense of decorum! But I actually chastised him last night, I could’ve just died!” She covered her face in mortification. “Don’t worry Keels, I am sure that had he been truly offended he would’ve told you so. Now what about you and Draco? I would say that I am surprised but then I just look at my romantic life and nothing really shocks me now.” Keely blushed and said, "Draco asked me to the Halloween Ball. I was shocked but since I didn't have a date I decided to go for it and he is so hot. Anyhow, we started talking and I realized he isn't all that bad. He is a prat though. He's conceited, full of himself and loves to get his way. But then, he's also so incredibly sweet. Just makes me want to hit him for being so confusing, but we are just dating though."

She looked at Claudia, wanting to turn the conversation back to Tom. “I saw him of course, your husband.” Claudia smiled at her, “His name is Thomas. Only Daddy can get away with calling him anything else.” Keely grinned, “Yes. Thomas. Well he is ... so ... Beautiful. I am afraid that I just stared at him like a simpleton and with my mouth half opened. I am so embarrassed.”

Laughing slightly Claudia said, “Don’t worry about it.” Keely perked up, “You think that he didn’t notice then?” Claudia smile widened, “Oh, he noticed, he just didn’t want to say anything. I sometimes think that he knows what people are thinking before they even know it themselves.” Keely was thoughtful for a few quiet moments. “He’s so intense though Claudia. He doesn’t seem to be a man that has a lot of laughter in him and I know that you love to laugh and play. It’s just so hard to picture you and him together and making it work.” Nodding, Claudia got up and paced a little still eating her strawberries. “He laughs with me. Even teases me a bit. He can be such a brat. I know that you can’t even imagine it. I think that he only lets Lucius and me see that side of him. As long as I know that it’s there and he shares it with me it’s alright, now enough of this. We have been up here for hours, and I want to get home in time for Dinner or Thomas will think that Daddy kidnapped me again.”

“Well that’s rich of him. Of all the things to think...” Keely began in indignation on behalf of her Godfather, whom she called Uncle. “Well Daddy did try to take me away last night and Thomas won’t let that go easily.” Keely smiled as they left the room, “At least it shows that he is mad over-protective and possessive with you, as long as he doesn’t go overboard then I think it’s cute.” The girls entered the parlor giggling which earned them a fierce frown from Caleb. Claudia immediately went up to him to hug and kiss him goodnight. “Daddy, stop worrying about me. If I am ever in trouble you know that I will contact you right away. I love you Daddy.” He hugged her back tightly, “Just say the word and I will snap his neck” His wife pinched his bottom. “Caleb! Really now!” But he winked at his daughter and watched her go. Still not happy with her choice of husband but unwilling to continue to try and talk her into divorcing the scum. He was not going to be the one that caused her any more unnecessary stress or worry.

Claudia apparated in Rosewood Manor’s courtyard a few minutes later. She marveled at the rosebushes and their multi-colored centerpiece. She stood outside for almost twenty minutes just looking around, taking it all in. This was hers, all of it, hers and Thomas. They would make a life here, for themselves and their children. A small smile tugged at her lips and she headed inside. She nearly ran into Nagi, “Hi Nagi, is Thomas here?” Nagi turned her big, bright eyes to her and nodded, “Master is upstairs missy, has been in a frightful mood all day after you and Mr. Lucius left.” Claudia bit her lip, “Ok, thank you.” She headed upstairs to find him.

Tom was outside on their bedroom balcony. He only had red silk pants on and no shirt. The cool breeze was playing with his hair and felt soothing on his skin. He felt when she had gotten home, and he couldn’t help the sense of relief that had flooded through him at knowing that she had come back. It was the first time since they had met that she had been out on her own and had come back on her own. Tom felt her arms go around his waist as she laid a soft kiss in the middle of his back. “Hi Baby” She whispered against his skin, “How was your day?” He gave her an exaggerated sigh and said, “Bloody boring, so I take it that your parents are well and in good health?” He said it with a hopeful tone. She playfully slapped his back, “Tomorrow my mom is coming over.” When she felt him stiffen, “Just my mom and Keely, to look at the rooms that need decorating so that they can help me.”

“You start school soon, with your mother and friend coming over tomorrow I am beginning to think that we won’t have any time alone. To be honest that pisses me off Claudia. I don’t bloody like it.” He turned in her arms and looked down into her eyes. He was annoyed to see her amusement, he knew that he sounded like a child who was being denied his favorite toy but that was how he felt. She had been only his for so many months and now he had to share her and he hated it. “It’s already March, I finish school in June. That’s only three months.” She got up on tiptoe and kissed him. She intended for it to be a chaste kiss but it quickly turned into one of carnal need. His hot tongue rubbed hungrily against her own as he pressed her against his erection. He broke away from her and looked down at her.

“I don’t think that I will ever be what you would want me to be.” She frowned, “What do you mean? I love you just how you are.” His eyes were dark and hard, “What I mean is that, this life only gives me pleasure because of you. You are the only reason why I can bare it. Why I do not ache for what I used to crave. However, that doesn’t mean that it’s out of my mind.” She knew what he meant because she felt it sometimes when she touched him, when she looked into his eyes. It was a darkness that he had inside him. She understood its seductive power because sometimes she had entertained the crazy notion of getting lost in it. “I understand. I know that this isn’t the life that you would choose but I am not sorry for it.”

“Do not misunderstand my words Claudia. I would choose you, always. It’s letting go, or compromising my beliefs, that’s difficult. I don’t really care about anyone else, how what I do affects them. I only have room inside me to care about you and how you feel. Nothing and no one else really matters.” Claudia buried her face under his neck, “Lucius matters to you, do you not care about how he feels?” Tom grinned, “Lucius shares my views on most things. However, I do not have any desire to see him naked.” Claudia burst out laughing, “I would hope not, because if you did then we would have problems. Although that would be interesting...” She finished thoughtfully. He slapped her bottom and picked her up in his arms. “You little hussy.”

She gasped, “I cannot believe you just called me that! I am a healthy seventeen year old young lady. I just have a healthy interest in...” He smiled wickedly at her, “Sex? Yes, it’s good to have a healthy interest. However, not so good to be having thoughts about Lucius and me in bed together.” She put on her most straight face, “Actually I had an image of us three together, whatever could three people do I wonder?” She asked innocently. “Not a damn thing!” Tom said sharply before covering her lips with his own. He knew that she was teasing him but it still annoyed him for her to even joke about being with another man, even if she included him on the fun. He rolled his eyes, now he was thinking of it as fun. If Lucius ever found out about this conversation he would tease him mercilessly about it. “Be quiet and lets go to bed.”

“But I am hungry.” She protested before he unceremoniously threw her on the bed. “So am I” He said, as he got on the bed and advanced on her as if she was his prey. “Tom...” She began to say but his hands reached for her robe and he took it off her. She tried to scoot out of his way but he pinned her lower body down with his thighs and began to undress her. “Does what I want not matter here?” She asked crossly. “In about five minutes you’ll want what I want.” He huskily whispered sending shivers down her spine. She felt his hard erection against her abdomen and the heat that she always felt with him began to uncoil inside her. He took off her shirt and undid her bra, freeing her breasts. Her nipples felt so sensitive that when he bent down and took one into his mouth she nearly jumped off the bed, almost knocking him off her.

It wasn’t surprising, every time they made love he made her feel as if she was coming undone. Sometimes when he was inside her it was hard to tell where she began and he ended. They felt as one. At the moment he was giving particular attention to her breasts with his tongue and mouth. One of his hands was busy with her clit. He was teasing her hardened knob until it was swollen and she was gasping for breath. His mouth left her breasts and he moved to her mouth. She met him halfway and kissed him hard and hungrily. She sucked on his tongue making him groan deep in his throat. Roughly he parted her thighs and buried his cock deep inside her, making her scream out in pleasure. He began to rhythmically pump in and out of her. He loved the silky feel of her, her heat, her smell. It intoxicated him, he wouldn’t mind dying inside of her, if it meant that it would feel like this. As they came he remained inside her. A lot of times he never pulled out her, marveling in her warmth.

They kissed for a while, their hands touching every part of that they could reach of their bodies. For a few moments she had been so still and quiet that he thought that she had fallen asleep on him until she spoke. “I am still hungry you know. I want ice cream and lasagna.” He raised himself up by his elbows and looked at her, “Lasagna, at this hour? With ice cream?” She nodded, “I am famished Thomas. Can you go and get that for me please? And while you are doing that can you have Nagi bring me the ice cream? French Vanilla please. Oh, you can make it a sundae, with strawberry fudge, whip cream and a cherry on top.” She actually licked her lips as she finished. He smiled at her and got up to get what she wanted, after all, there were many ways one could eat ice cream in bed. He would tell Nagi to wait about two hours before bringing the Lasagna.