The Emerald Manor

Chapter 17

"The devil himself!" Gawain spat. "What is he doing here? Thought you could parade him in the Ministry, and it might convince me?"

Cora was confused and looked at Draco, his face was flat. She attempted to come up with a plausible excuse on the spot.

"I have an interview with Mr. Malfoy today, didn't realize it was time already." She clenched her jaw, seething in Gawain's direction. "Despite my feelings, I can still do my job. Unlike you it seems!" Her voice was laced with disdain. She refused to believe Gawain's reasons were anything other than a personal resentment.

A large vein throbbed in his throat; looking as though it might burst. "We are not done here DuPont! We have more to talk about." He made to leave when his way was blocked by Draco's frame taking up the doorway. "Out of the way!" He gnarled.

"Say please." Draco was intent on pushing Gawain's buttons.

Gawain thrust the tip of his wand into Draco's throat. "That false sense of security will be your downfall. I will dance on your grave." He moved his wand down to his chest. "Now. Move."

Blood rushed to Draco's face and his hand flexed next to his wand. He fought the instinct to raise his own wand. He moved to the side allowing Gawain to pass.

A small crowd had gathered outside to watch the shouting match between Cora and Gawain, and he was not having it. "Don't you all have work to do! Get back to it or I'll fire every one of you before the day is done!" He yelled walking through the halls. Everyone scattered, returning to their offices, mostly in pairs to gossip about what they had heard and seen.

Cora was breathing heavily, fired up after her screaming match with Gawain. Strands of hair had broken free from her braid, sticking to the sweat on her face. Her cheeks and ears were warm with the heat rising throughout her face. She slammed her hands down flat on her desk before she looked up, forgetting that Draco Malfoy was standing in front of her.

He took a few steps forward. With a masterful flick of his wand, the shade on the window dropped with the door closing silently behind him.

The air around him was more palpable than before. He brought a finger to his lips, drawing it back in forth in contemplation. He assessed Cora. Her shoulders heaved behind her with each breath she took. Her arms were taught, as she leaned into them on the desk. Draco moved to her side. In one instance his towering frame was locked on her.

She looked up from her desk. Her eyes connected with his. Before either one of them could speak his mouth crashed into hers. This kiss was desperate and passionate; he forced his tongue past her lips. Deepening the kiss, leaving no question, claiming her mouth as his own.

She moaned into his mouth letting his tongue do as it pleased. His hands were moving up and down her arms. He took her face in his hands determined to leave no question of his intentions. He tangled his hands into her braided hair. He gave it a swift tug, forcing her head back, exposing her neck to him.

A yelp escaped her. The hard lines of his jaw etched on his face. His eyes darted down at her; his hand still locked in her hair. His face was firm when he spoke. "Quiet. Do you want everyone to hear you?"

She mewled in acknowledgement. His lips started focusing on her neck, planting kisses with a bite here and a lick there.

She admonished him through stuttered breaths. "If you keep kissing my neck like that it will leave a mark."

A hiss escaped through his teeth. "Perhaps I want to mark you." He added a persistent suck to her neck, purposefully to leave a mark; to remind her.

Her mouth was open. She was panting while focusing on keeping quiet. He released her, moving one hand to her lower back to hold her tight to him. His free hand was untucking her shirt and moving down her pants to her middle.

"Mmmhmm." He moaned in approval as his fingers found her center. It was dripping wet, ready for him. He tightened his grip on her back in preparation for the onslaught that was about to happen between her thighs. He thrust a finger in her and pounded it in and out, building up speed.

Cora was unable to keep quiet, her moans of pleasure getting louder. He silenced her with his mouth pushing down on her lips, capturing the noises from her rising pleasure in it.

He thrust a second finger in, rocking them back and forth dragging his palm against her clit with each thrust of his fingers. Her hips began bucking as the building warmth spread throughout her body. Her back started arching, her knees giving way. The only thing keeping her from crashing to the floor was Draco's grip on her back.

She pulled away, a warning on her lips. "I can't.... I can't stop...may I p......."

"Cum for me now!" He commanded.

He fingered her through her orgasm, keeping his mouth pressed to hers. She desperately reached for his arms during the height of her climax, digging her nails into his biceps dragging them down his arms to his elbows, riding the endless waves of pleasure cascading over her. Her body went limp, trusting Draco's strength to keep her from falling.

As she expected he held her steady as she recovered. He planted several kisses to her lips waiting for her ragged breaths to cease.

A chuckle passed his lips. "You are full of surprises." He whispered in her ear. "You are scary woman if you want to be it seems."

That compliment surprised her, a giggle escaping her. "I don't know about that, you're the one holding me up here."

"I think you got a few good licks in there." He pressed a hand briefly to his shirt; it was pricked with a few drops of blood from where she dug into him.

Fear overtook her face. "You're bleeding. I'm so sorry. I never met to hurt you. I have dittany, let me grab it and tend to y...."

"Shhhh." He kissed her lips again. "I am fine, don't worry yourself, I can take care of it when I leave."

"Are you sure? It will only take me a moment, I'm a skilled healer." She focused on the blood pricking through his white shirt.

He shook his head. "I am sure, and I have no doubts about your capabilities. The way you handled Robard was impressive enough on its own."

She bit her lip. Her embarrassment flushing her cheeks. She had forgotten about her row with Gawain, distracted by Draco's conquest of her.

Her mouth gapped open, a knowing look flooding her eyes. She looked up to Draco. "How long were you standing there? How much did you hear?" Did he hear her talk about his past. Did he know that she knew?

"I was there long enough." His hand was brushing the stray hairs off of her face.

Cora didn't push the matter further, she knew she wasn't going to get anything more out of him, at least not now.

He held her close as he spoke his next words. "I owe you an apology."