Poison Ivy || Draco Malfoy

48 - His Patient Heart

I was woken up by the feel of lips softly pressing against mine.

I couldn't help but smile against them as my eyes flickered open to be met by a pair of silver ones twinkling back at me.

"Morning, beautiful," he murmured in his husky early morning voice which never failed to send tiny pleasant shivers tingling down my spine.

My mind instantly went to the night before, remembering how he had touched me, and I couldn't help but glance down at his hand, my toes curling in instant desire at the sight of his long slender fingers that had managed to expertly take me to that place that I had only ever gone to alone before.

A soft low chuckle emitted from his lips as he followed my gaze. He instantly lifted that very hand up to my face and delicately cupped my cheek, pressing his thumb to my lower lip and firmly sweeping it across.

The very action made my stomach pool in a sudden plunging longing, causing me to release a soft, sighing moan.

The flash in his eyes and the glimpse of a smirk twitching upon his lips told me he was enjoying the effect that he was having on me.

"I could never get tired of watching you enjoy me," he purred softly in my ear, making me tremble beneath him.

But this was too much; I'd literally just woken up and I couldn't bear the thought of my morning breath and not only that, I desperately needed to pee.

"Go on," he chuckled as he softly kissed my temple, "I'll still be here when you get back."

As I made my way to the bathroom, I realised that I'd just had a conversation with Draco without me actually speaking a word. His mind reading thing was seriously freaking me out.

I wished I could read what he was thinking. For a start, I wondered what he expected to happen upon my return to bed. He hadn't seemed to want anything after he had pleasured me the previous evening; he had simply held me before gently suggesting we go to bed, where he cocooned me in his arms and whispered 'sweet dreams' in my ear.

And after everything with Percy, I wasn't bold enough to suggest we do anything; terrified of how I'd react halfway through and end up humiliating myself on top of completely disappointing Draco.

But the night before... it had been amazing. Draco had a way of making me feel safe and I knew it was a step in the right direction. And I couldn't deny that I trusted him implicitly with both my heart and my body.

With this in mind, I found myself practically skipping back to the bedroom, suddenly longing to be back under the covers with him.

As soon as I sank back into his arms, our lips connected hungrily. I could feel the mounting desire building in the depths of my stomach almost instantly.

And not only that, I could feel his, too.

My heart started racing uncomfortably fast as his hardness pressed angrily against my bare thigh, straining through the fabric of his boxers.

"It's okay, Ivy," Draco panted, breaking our kiss as he looked down at me, instantly cupping his fingers tenderly against my cheek, "it's okay."

I was momentarily confused by the concern on his face, until I realised I was shaking; and not just slightly, but visibly so, and my breathing had started coming out in erratic, panicked breaths.

"I'm sorry," I gasped, trying to gulp in the air that suddenly seemed so close, "I- I'm sorry."

"Just breathe," Draco murmured soothingly, resting his forehead gently against mine. "It's okay, Ivy, just breathe with me."

I followed his steady breaths; concentrating on the rise and fall of his chest against mine as he held me to him, comforting me and making me feel safe again.

I felt awful, and I couldn't look at him during breakfast later that morning. I felt so ashamed, like I was the most selfish lover in the world.

How was it that I could happily lie on the sofa with him whilst he touches me into heaven, yet when it comes to returning the pleasure, I clam up and break down?

"It's not your fault," Draco assured me, as he placed a coffee in front of me, "please don't think I'm disappointed with you. What that bastard did to you... I promise you, none of it's on you, Ivy."

I wanted to cry. I wanted to break down and sob in his arms. He was so patient, so generous and loving; and yet we only had just over a week left together. It felt like I was already in mourning for us; for the life we could never have.

And I couldn't even do the one thing I was desperate to share with him. The one thing I'd been dreaming about since the night of the Yule ball.

My sadness quickly turned to anger when I thought about what that bastard had taken away from me. I suddenly wanted to pick up my coffee cup and throw it hard against a wall so that I could hear the satisfying smash of china and watch as brown liquid splattered violently all over the cream walls.

The emotions were surging in me so strongly, I found I couldn't even pick up my fork to eat my pancakes, let alone my coffee, because my hand was shaking so furiously.

I could feel Draco's eyes on me as he watched me intently. He said nothing, but instead I saw him place his cutlery down out of the corner of my eye before getting to his feet.

"Come on, Parkinson," he said, abandoning his breakfast, and moving around the kitchen island to grab my hand.

"What are you doing?" I asked, looking up at him in bafflement as he coaxed me off the stool.

"Getting you out of here," he said in an authoritative manner, "there's no point moping about and letting yourself get angry over that twat. We'll go for a walk and get breakfast out."

I didn't argue, instead I readily grabbed my coat and wrapped up warm as Draco and I set out into the cold, bright December morning.

We took a walk through Regents Park where the grass and trees were covered in a crisp white frost, making it resemble a winter wonderland. The ground crunched beneath our feet as we strolled side by side, our warm breath visible in the cold air.

Despite the earliness of the day, the park was already filled with morning walkers; some alone, some walking dogs; and others - like Draco and I - hand in hand as they cast furtive, adoring glances at one another.

We purchased bacon rolls and coffees from a remote cafe which we consumed whilst listening to the bandstand; of which had already attracted a small appreciative crowd.

Draco warmed me in his arms, seemingly not adverse to displaying his affection for me in public as he planted his lips down upon mine.

For a mad, brief moment, I thought he was going to start dancing with me, right there in the middle of the park, but then the band started playing Christmas songs and Draco couldn't drag me away quick enough.

"How are you feeling now?" he asked me as we finally decided to head towards the studio, choosing to continue on foot over Apparating.

"Never better," I answered, my lips tugging helplessly into a smile as I looked up into his twinkling silver eyes.

He responded by giving my fingers a gentle squeeze before leaning down to press his lips down on top of my head.

"I'm glad," he murmured huskily in my ear, sending little waves of pleasure tingling down my spine.

And it was true, in a way. The morning had been the most amazing morning of my entire life.

But then again, most things were amazing when you were completely and helplessly in love.

*****