Nineteen

A/N: Another update for you, my darlings. Yesterday, I finished chapter 25 and the end of this fic. I'm sad to see the end of it, I've had so much fun. So, we'll continue with the daily updates until it's completed. Smooches to you all, and big sloppy kisses to everyone who's taken a moment to review. No beta- so any mistakes are my own.

Disclaimer- They are not mine; I only take them out to play.

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There was no food to speak of in the house. Neither of them relished the idea of having to put on clothes. Once their passion had momentarily settled, they ventured out to get Indian takeaway, and then sat naked on the rug in front of Hermione's sofa, eating out of containers.

Hermione was charmed by the fact that Severus was perfectly shameless in his nudity. He had been adorably unsure about the ways of sex, but there wasn't one iota of shyness about the man. She happily stared at his naked form as he got up from the rug to pad into the loo. When he caught her staring on his return trip, he simply grinned at her, seemingly pleased to catch her looking.

He did his share of staring as well. He couldn't get enough of her. His eyes were always on her, even while they were eating. It was often accompanied by a blatantly adoring expression that made Hermione feel like she was a goddess instead of merely a witch.

"How was Genevra?"

"She was good. We had a nice talk. It was good of her to come over. I was concerned about something and she helped me understand it." At his patiently raised eyebrow, she continued. "I was worried about the fact that I cannot keep my hands off of you. I'm not at all complaining, but I would eventually like to be able to read a book or something."

Far from being offended, Severus threw back his head and laughed as if this was the funniest thing he'd heard in ages.

"We are well mated," he managed when he could speak again. "It should calm down in a week or two. You could have asked me. I didn't realize you would have no understanding of this."

"I know I could have asked you," she said, blushing a little.

"It's of no import, Hermione. I know that sometimes a witch wants to discuss things with her girlfriends. And by all means, do tell her that I'm a demon in the bedroom if you like. Merlin knows, I've never had that sort of reputation before. I find that I rather enjoy the thought of it."

"Hmm," she mused, smiling. "In the bedroom, on the sofa, against the door...you seem to be a demon just about everywhere."

He laughed again at that, and she loved that she could make him laugh.

"I shall leave my reputation in your capable hands, then."

"How was Marta? Had she been worried?"

"She was happy to see that I was well. Shocked that I was a wizard and she didn't know it. Her magical family lives in Kent, and she still sees them, though she lives with Muggle cousins. So, she knows of magic, but little of our world. She thinks you hanged the moon, by the way. She told me that if I didn't latch onto you, I was three kinds of fool. I agreed with her."

"I think she is wonderful as well. She ran out to us on the street, you know, to help me get you to safety. There was fucking Ron throwing hexes around, and Marta didn't even hesitate. I already loved her for scheming with me to get your attention. I love her even more now."

"You didn't have to scheme to get my attention, witch. You had it from the second you ran into me on that rainy street corner. I don't make a habit of dragging women into my shop, you know."

She snogged him silly then, and enjoyed his gobsmacked expression while she nibbled on another pakora. Her need for him was increasing, a nice slow burn she could feel in her belly. Severus was already hard and had been for a while, but he seemed content to eat and chat, letting the arousal build.

"Did you tell Marta about your idea to expand into magical books as well?"

"I did. She thinks it's a grand idea and a sound business decision as well. She also wants to learn more about her wizarding roots. She's concerned she may have magical children, and not understand the world they will live in. We talked about you and me taking over the magical side of the shop and her cousins coming onto staff permanently. They already know the shop and will be a good addition. Marta also told me in no uncertain terms, that I am not to even think about working at all this week. I felt no need to argue with her."

Happiness bubbled up inside Hermione as she had never felt it before. It must have shone on her face, for Severus put a hand to the back of her neck and tugged her forward until their foreheads rested together as they stared in each other's eyes.

"Good thing I decided to skive off classes this week, then."

"Indeed."

Then he was kissing her, so gently, as if she was the most precious thing in the world. His free hand came up to tangle in her hair as she wrapped her arms around his neck. When she opened her mouth, he hummed in pleasure and deepened the kiss. The leftover food was magically swept away and he was gently laying her down on the rug. This time, their lovemaking was slower, sweeter. Skin was worshipped and caressed. Words of love softly exchanged. When he entered her, she told him that nothing in the world could possibly be better than having him in her arms. He sighed against her lips, slipping his arms underneath her so he could press her against him. Stared into her eyes as he rocked them to completion.

Afterward, he sat naked on the sofa with her head in his lap. One hand tangled in her hair as he read to her from Daddy-Long-Legs. Hermione closed her eyes, enjoying the caress as well as his deep, lovely voice as he read one of her lifetime favorite books. A book about a younger woman and an older man. A secret identity, a love revealed. And on top of that happiness, the knowledge that he did this for her. She had made an offhand comment about wanting someday to be able to read a book, and here she was, being read to. Severus Snape was a man who could scream in her face for calling him an idiot, yet he listened to every word she said and read to her now, simply because he knew it would please her.

He read to her for an hour. It was she who stopped him, wanting rather desperately to show him how much he was also loved. He did so much for her, she wanted him to know how deeply he was cherished. Holding him by the hand, she led him into the bedroom.

"Shall I show you something new?" she asked, looking up at him through her lashes.

His eyes flashed with heat as he replied. "I spent many years teaching you, Hermione Granger. But, oh, how I love the lessons you give me. Shall I suck you first?"

"Not yet. After. After you've made me wet and dripping."

He growled as he joined her on the bed, obviously taken with that idea. For a while, they simply rolled on the bed, kissing, groping, caressing each other into a frenzy. Their earlier joining had been sweet and gentle, this one rough and passionate. Hermione could not decide which was better, as each thrilled her in its own way.

She no longer had to guide him, he lined up his cock and entered her in one fast thrust, making her gasp in pleasure. His endurance was also increasing. Their first couplings had been fairly fast. As he got more experience and got more used to the needy way her flesh gripped him, he lasted longer. He stroked into her for long minutes, drawing almost completely out of her channel before pounding back into her.

"What do you want to show me?" he whispered into her ear. "How can I please you? Please show me."

"Raise up so you support your weight on your palms, love, arms straight."

He did as she asked, his face showing his curiosity, his hips still rocking against her own. He was so much taller than she, his arms so long, that she had little trouble bringing her legs up through his arms to rest them on his shoulders.

"Now, lean forward a little, love. Bend my legs towards my torso."

He followed this instruction, then his eyebrows rose in surprise at his next thrust into her.

"Lord, Hermione. The way you rock with me now, the way you take me in so deeply. You are the most amazing creature."

"Look down, Severus. Look down and see how deliciously you fill me."

He did as she bid. Hanging his head down, he avidly watched his hard shaft as it slid in and out of her body.

"Look at us, pet. Look how beautifully you surround me. Look how I fuck you. Merlin, Hermione, I'm going to come."

"Yes, Severus. Fuck me. Fill me up."

Then he was pounding into her, still staring at their joining until his hips began to lose their rhythm. Throwing his head back, his eyes squeezed shut as he groaned out his release.

His arms were shaking with the effort of holding himself up. Sliding her legs back down to the bed, she drew him down to her and he pillowed his head on her breasts. She ran her fingers through his hair as he panted, but he was not still for long. With his devil's grin, he slid down her body, burying his face between her legs and eagerly licking up the combined juices of their desire. Turning his talented tongue to her clit as he fingered her. Bringing her to the peak of her desire again and again.

She fell asleep with him wrapped around her. Spooned at her back with one leg thrown over hers, one arm banding her waist, one of his strong hands pillowed between her breasts. She'd never felt so safe and content in her life.

He woke her again in the middle of the night. His face buried between her thighs as she hovered on the edge of orgasm and moaned his name as she came. Then she reached for him, grabbing him, tugging him on top of her and sighing in relief when he sank into her depths.

"Oh, my beautiful man, need you, need you so much."

"I'm yours. Always, always yours. Love that you need me...love that you need me as desperately as I need you."

Then she was flying again and she felt him twitch and throb inside her as he followed her to bliss.

As they settled in for sleep, his husky voice spoke in her ear.

"We will live together, won't we? You will live with me?"

"Of course. I couldn't bear to be separated from you."

"Good. We'll sort it out in the morning."