76. Chapter 76 (1/2)

previously on returning to his roots: chapter 75

hermione started for the bedroom but turned back. "i'm sorry i put us at odds draco. i miss being with you. i miss being in your arms and in your bed."

draco glanced at hermione. "i'm not at odds with you. the truth is i'm a bit apprehensive about touching you. two days in a row you've mentioned me pulling on you and pushing you around. it's humiliating. i've never done that and never will. i really don't want to hear it again."

hermione came back to sit beside draco. cupping his chin, she spoke softly and earnestly. "i said and did some hurtful things of which i'm not proud. please don't let those things color our relationship. i'm hard headed and obstinate, yes but i love you. i don't want us to

eak up. i don't want us at odds. what can i do to make you give me your best malfoy smile? i'll suck your dick."

when hermione uttered her last sentence, draco exploded with laughter. "thank you for the laugh. i needed that. while having my dick sucked is pleasurable, i don't think we should base the next phase of our relationship on fellatio alone. perhaps if you throw in a shag or two, i can be persuaded."

leaning in against draco's shoulder, hermione felt as though some slight jolt had tipped their world back right. "okay."

"okay, what?" asked draco.

"okay i'll suck your dick and shag you right after."

draco laughed out loud again. "why don't you go put you things away then we can have a drink and discuss your offer. i will give you a caution. your words have put me and my dick in a precarious position. we want to be with our witch."

"good." hermione threw back over shoulder. "because your witch wants to be with you two too."

/*/

draco remained sitting on the couch chuckling over his and hermione's back and forth. he was more than ready to admit he missed her touches as much as she'd missed his. perhaps from here, hermione would keep to her word. the door that had been opened was still open just a crack. if she couldn't or wouldn't keep her word, he would leave the relationship. he'd just have to wait and see. their future was hermione's to throw away.

/

returning to his roots: chapter 76

not taking any chances draco would change his mind, hermione returned to the living room in as little clothing as possible and plopped down beside him hoping her taut nipples and barley covered privates would entice him to do something sexual. draco wasn't quite there yet which made hermione nervous. rubbing her hand up and down his arm, she leaned in to kiss him on the cheek.

draco turned to smile at hermione. "lost your clothes along the way have you?"

hermione hesitated for a second. her wizard was speaking but… she pushed ahead anyway throwing a leg across draco so she was straddling him. "i lost them with a purpose."

although there was still a tiny bit of animosity flowing through him, hermione's lack of clothing and her closeness caused draco to relent a bit. "you do smell nice and the grinding against my fellow makes me want to do sexual things to my witch."

"and your witch is ready to receive those things." hermione replied with a distinct hoarseness in her voice. "i say we head to the bedroom so you can show me. it has been several days since i've felt your fellow. i miss him."

it was supposed to be verbal foreplay but as soon as hermione mentioned the length of time they hadn't been together, draco's mind immediately went to the why. they hadn't been together because she had been on some kind of tear. nothing to do with him and his dick. with a soft sigh, draco pushed the thoughts out of his head, wrapped his arms around hermione and whispered in her ear. "come on then miss granger. let's go give my bed a workout."

grabbing draco's hand, hermione followed his lead to the bedroom even as she recognized his use of the pronoun my. my bed. his bed hadn't been my bed in months. not since she had started sleeping with him. after that, it had always been our bed, or at the very least, the bed. the fear came back. the fear she had pushed her wizard into a place that didn't bode well for their relationship.

hermione didn't have time to dwell on her thoughts because draco had whisked away her bit of clothing and was climbing on top of her.

/*/

cassie and conor had parted in front of her flat. she on her way to diagon alley. he was on his way home to get a bit of sleep.

"you've worn me out miss cassie." conor had joked, holding both her hands in his while whispering in her ear. "however, i will be back at 8:30 pm to see you to theo's party. i'm resilient like that."

cassie looked into the eyes of the wizard who had come to mean so much to her. "big baby. you've worn me out as well, but you don't hear me whining."

conor let out a hearty laugh. "as long as we've come away even, i can live with that. i'll even be so bold as to tell you i look forward to more this evening."

"as do i," replied cassie, holding conor's gaze. "well i should be getting on with my errands. 8:30 pm will be here before you know it."

although reluctant to let go, conor let go of her hands and stepped back. there was more he wanted to say but there would be a time and place for that. at that moment, it was best he had stepped back before the words came tumbling out on their own volition. "i'll see you at 8:30."

cassie remained standing in the same spot for several seconds after conor apparated away thinking that wizard is surely stealing my heart. and i like it. turning into apparition, cassie concentrated on the only beauty salon in diagon alley. she wanted to look stunning when she took the arm of conor byrne.

/*/

conor had finished his sandwiches and was sitting on the side of the bed thinking and reflecting. he had found a fine home where he was welcome where he could watch over declan as well. he had found an outstanding position in a top company. best of all, he had found a witch who made his juices flow and kept them flowing even when they weren't together. cassie graham. her name rolled off his tongue like, like a stream of silver mist. he didn't consider himself a wizard who was ruled by what went on in bed, but cassie. she made him feel as though he was a king.

conor let out a loud sigh as he stretched out on the bed. he needed to get a few hours sleep if he wanted to be in top shape for theo's party and for his cassie.

/*/

theo and ajay had come out of the study laughing over something or other. declan was glad. even though he was glad to help out his father, sitting on the couch for this extended period of time had caused his bum to go all tingly.

"there he is. the young mr. nott. i'm sure he has everything ship shape by now. what do you think theo?"

"he's my son jay. of course everything is ship shape." theo replied with a smile.

declan smiled at both the men. "it's been quite busy father, but i did as you asked. the deliveries have been managed. everything is in fine shape for the party. if you don't need me for anything else, i'd like a small snack then have a bit of a lie in before we greet our guests."

turning to jay, theo

oke out in a wide grin as if to say, that's my son. "call cely. tell her what you want. you may have it in either the kitchen or your room. i'll have cely call you when it's time to shower."

"alright father. cely please."

cely popped up asking declan what did he need. after explaining himself, declan excused himself to his room.

"that's a fine boy you have there theo. i think he's destined for big things."

theo was quick to agree. "thanks jay. those are my exact feelings and i'll do all in my power to make it so. i'm going to take a quick check of the kitchen and dining rooms to make sure everything is in order. i'll see you and leanne tonight."

the two friends shook hands.

"absolutely theo. we'll see you later. one last thing i forgot to mention. leanne has a request. i know you don't mind, but i'll ask to be sure. leanne made fast friends with a witch she met while we were in spain closing up my house. the witch returned to london with us to see a bit of the city. her name is ga

iella abalo. leanne and i hope you won't mind if ga

iella accompanies us to the party. it would be bad form if we left her sitting in the flat while we are out enjoying ourselves."

with a laugh, theo grabbed his good friend around the neck. "so my wayward

other-in-law has made a decision to return to

itain for good. good man. nice how things worked out only doing nothing with your clothes on."

jay cuffed theo on the arm responding with a huge smile. "never you mind what i do with my clothes on. will ga

iella be welcome or not?"

a sober sounding theo responded thoughtfully. "jay. you are one of my closest mates and cousin to my late wife. i know you wouldn't

ing anyone into my home who had bad intentions. of course ga

iella is welcome. you don't even have to ask. besides, she'll be only one of many who haven't ever crossed this threshold. several of wcs staff will be coming through as well.

"thanks theo. i didn't think you would mind, but, unlike blaise, i have manners. i had to ask. you'll like her. she's a love."

"alright jay. it's settled. i'll see you, leanne and ga

iella tonight."

as jay headed for the door, he called back over his shoulder. "perhaps ga

iella will interest you as something more than a guest."

theo who had been on his way to the kitchen stopped in his tracks. i know jay didn't just say what i think he said. if he

ought some witch all the way from spain because he thinks she'll interest me, i'll have his arse. at the same time he was thinking how awkward it would be if he was put in the position of entertaining two witches when he was still floundering about how to entertain one.

continuing on his way, theo checked everything before heading to declan's room to check on him. peeking in on the sleeping wizard, theo gazed on his mini me with pride knowing there wasn't anything he wouldn't do for his son which, at the moment, included playing host to miss anna grace and miss ga

iella abalo. theo shrugged. he'd been saddled with harder things in his life.

glancing at his wonder wizard watch, theo was surprised it was only 2:00 pm. it felt as though he'd been up for days. just as he had thoughts of nipping away for a

ief lie down, the doorbell rang. theo had forgotten all about his expected visitor.

"shite." theo mumbled softly. "what was i thinking inviting someone here in the midst of madness?"

theo put a welcoming smile on his face as he opened the door to face reginald

iggs. "come in mr.

iggs." theo said, greeting declan's new manny. "declan is sleeping at the moment but i'd be chuffed to have a chat and show you around. would you care for something to eat or drink before we get started?" he asked, extending his hand.

"no thank you mr. nott. i'm set for now. thank you for inviting me into your home."

giving reginald a direct stare, theo responded with a no nonsense remark. "declan and i have hired you. it would be exceptionally hard for you to see to your charge without being invited in. please call me theo."

reginald made a sheepish smile. "yes theo, there's that. it was a foolish thing to say, but i'm trying to make a good second impression. please call me reg."

with a quick laugh, theo nodded in agreement as he gave the quick witted wizard a second look up and down. "we'll start off with a quick look at your rooms then we'll look in on declan." theo took two steps before turning back to reg. "i know you mentioned you are in a hired room. you are now part of the nott household. after we are finished here, why don't you clear up things at your rental,

ing your belongings here and get settled in. i realize most of your personal belongings still remain in wales, but for now

ing what you have to the house."

reg was chuffed. he had expected to remain in his rented room for at least two more weeks. theodore nott jr. had just made things so much easier. this time he responded to theo with a much firmer resolve. "that would be splendid theo. i accept your invitation. in fact, if we could put off our tour, i'll nip over to the room, get my things together then return here."

"alright reg. i can get behind that plan. go do what needs to be done. when you return, i'll have declan awake and ready to accompany us on our walk around. you haven't been keyed to our wards yest so you'll still have to ring the bell. i'll see to that down the road. for now, let's just get you settled into your rooms."

"okay theo. i'll go and get right back here. thank you for your confidence."