sugar & spice

chapter twenty five

Back in Draco's room, she relaxed, breathing deeply for the first time all evening.

At her side, Theo cracked his neck and rolled his shoulders. Apparently she wasn't the only one feeling a little tense after the day's events.

She cleared her throat. "That was..."

"Strange?" Theo suggested. His dark brows rose and fell in time with his sigh.

"I was going to say perplexing," she said. "But I suppose strange works, too."

Her mind was whirling. Lucius had certainly had one thing right-it was going to take more than a few words, even good ones, for her to believe him, let alone endear him to her.

Dinner had been an effective first step in moving forward, but it had been only that, one step. The journey to redemption couldn't happen overnight and it would require more than an apology, even if that alone had been surprising. Part of her had been shocked that his tongue hadn't knotted up like the aftermath of a tongue-tying curse when he'd forced out the words I am sorry, and she wasn't the only one left reeling. Theo still looked dumbstruck, like he'd watched a bowtruckle prance across the dining room table and do a jig. She certainly knew the feeling.

"I'm going to take a shower," Draco muttered, already removing his cufflinks and unbuttoning his sleeves. "And then I think I'll head to bed."

Draco's dark mood was back. Circe only knew what was going through his mind in light of the evening's revelations. In apologizing to her, Lucius had slipped in several apologies, at least words of remorse, in regard to what he'd put Draco through, and he'd tangentially admitted he'd been wrong in aligning himself with Voldemort. It was a lot to process.

But that didn't mean Draco needed to fall back on old habits of bitter introspection.

She bit the inside of her cheek and stepped toward him, reaching for the buttons at his neck. "Or we could take a bath."

As much as she encouraged Draco to talk and share his feelings, they'd talked enough for one day. Maybe what he needed, what they all needed, was a little distraction. Talking could wait until morning.

Theo chuckled and molded himself at her back, palms resting on her hips. "I like that idea."

Draco didn't say anything, so she glanced up at him through her lashes. He was staring down, smirking. "Feeling dirty, Granger?"

Not until he said that, no. Dinner and Lucius' words hadn't exactly-she shuddered-put her in the mood. But the look in Draco's eyes and the warmth of Theo's hands soaking through her dress provided a good start to getting her there.

"While you were gone, I showed Draco the books you picked out." Theo's breath was hot against her ear. "Didn't I, Draco?"

Draco hummed and reached out, brushing a curl away from her forehead. "He did. Theo also told me about what he showed you."

Showed her-oh. Showed her. She squirmed on her feet, toes curling in her flats. "Did he tell you what I showed him?"

Draco bit the full swell of his lower lip, eyes darkening. "I'm in agreement with Theo that I'm rather fond of looking into your eyes when you come undone, but as long as I can hear all those perfect sounds you make, I'm willing."

"I don't think blindfolds and bathtubs go together." Her breath caught when Draco reached out, fingertips dancing along the exposed, thin skin covering her collarbone.

Theo laughed and pressed himself closer. He wasn't hard, not all the way, but she could feel the slight swelling of him against her lower back. "Another time. We can save the charms for later. Right now I want to watch Draco fuck you until you can't feel your legs."