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The sound of the door opening behind me made me jump.
I whipped around to see who it was, and there he was. He was dressed in black velvet dressing robes, and it looked like he had actually attempted to comb back his hair for once. I'd be lying if I said that I didn't find him madly attractive like that, standing tall and his shoulders broad (the crooked slant of his glasses was so cute I almost smiled), but he was too late- and we both knew it despite how desperately we wished he wasn't.
"Evans, you... Merlin, you're so beautiful," He was standing, one hand rested on the door handle and the other in his pocket, with his eyes on me. His features were soft, and yet I could see what was behind his eyes- a mixture of desire, of regret, and almost shock all concocted inside the hazel eyes that only left mine to look at what I was wearing.
It was the first party that Slughorn was hosting this year. I would've been significantly more excited had he asked me, but Daniel Thomas got to me first. Don't get me wrong, Daniel's a great bloke, but James and I were finally beginning to be friends and... Well, as much as my stubborn pride detested, I was starting to really fancy him.
And now we had to watch each other go on dates with different people (although I didn't view Sirius much as a threat) because James, for some reason, hadn't asked me when I was available.
I cleared my throat and looked down. I was wearing a floor-length blue dress, and my hair was in some sort of updo Marlene did. I felt pretty- I just wished that I could feel pretty for James instead of the boy I've only talked to in herbology.
"Thank you, James," I said before turning to grab my lipgloss from the desk that I came here for, "Excited for your night with Sirius? Think he likes you back? Maybe you'll even get a kiss."
I straightened up and faced him again. He had closed the door and was leaning back against it, his hands in his pockets. I knew that his refusal to banter back with me meant he was serious and when James Potter isn't in the mood for a laugh, you know something is really bothering him.
"Don't go with him," He repeated, his expression reading seriously. There wasn't more to it other than that, as much as I wished I could find something else.
"You know why," His tone was soft and gentle, a man pleading. And while he was figuratively on his knees, begging me to choose him, I couldn't help but think about how god damn handsome he was. Looking at the man before me, leaning cooly against the door, it was almost difficult to picture who he was merely a couple of years ago. He had grown and matured so much, both emotionally and physically, into someone whom I found nearly irresistible.
And he was right. I did know why. Everyone- including me- knew he had fancied me since at least fifth year. I continued to catch him staring at me, peeking glances behind his books or up from his dinner plate, and he knew that I had recently begun to do the same.
Each time he caught me staring at him or sneaking a stolen glance, he'd flash me that cheeky grin and wink that always drove me mad- although in a much different way as I got older.
He knew I was starting to fancy him back. And he knew that I knew how he felt. That was why.
"That's not fair," I responded, "You could've asked me much sooner. I can't wait around for you."
He exhaled, looking up at the ceiling before back at me. Eye contact with James was always magnetic- he held onto it like my eyes were a lifeboat. It was intimidating, yet it made me feel like I was the most special girl in the world.
"I'm not some trophy wife waiting for a man-"
"Merlin, Lily, I know but-"
"No, James, listen to me," I adored the way he said my name, but I had a point to make, "You can't just expect me to still be here for you when you've finally decided to do something about it- especially when you've given no indication that-"
I didn't finish making my point. Before I got the chance to, he strode forward, taking my face into his hands and bringing it up to his lips. I was surprised and taken back by the unexpected action, but in no way did I intend on stopping it. My hands found their way to him, one on the back of his neck, the other clutching the lapel of his dress robes. The velvet was just as soft as his lips as they moved against mine.
The kiss was only a few seconds, and my lips felt naked as he pulled away. His voice was soft as he spoke.
"Was that indication enough?"
I took in his scent and ignored the way it made me want to rip those soft dress robes right off of him. I smiled and ran my hand down his body to put both on his chest and then gently pushed him away.
"I suppose," I smiled, ignoring the way he had me blushing like a little girl, "but I can't ditch my date. As much as I'd like to."
"I know you do- as do I. Sirius is quite the diva," His tone was back to its friendly teasing one as he cleared his throat, leaning against the desk as he watched me walk towards the door. Placing my fingers on the handle, I bit my lip and turned to face him. He was all around unfair. He had a whole lot of audacity between not asking me soon enough, then kissing me and- Jesus - looking at me like that . A bloke can't look at a woman with that sort of desire in his eyes and expect her to regain composure quickly. His hands were back in their pockets, and his lips held that devilish smirk- see what I mean when I say that it drove me mad? He overall was standing with a casual confidence that shouldn't be as sexy as it was.
"But that isn't to say that we can't fool around after our dates," I said, making my way towards him. I grabbed his lapel again, pulling his body into mine while my lips were once more against his. His hands- hands I have been lusting over for what seemed to be months now- were on my waist, pulling me into him even more.
I want to say that he kissed me aggressively, but it was honestly all me. In my defence, James Potter was holding me like he held eye contact- confident, firm, and strong- and I wasn't willing to let him go that easily.
"I've really got to go," I said, pulling away to look at him, my hand on his strong jaw.
James kissed me once more before burying his face into my neck, "This dress isn't fair, you know."
I held back noises that I knew would only encourage his behaviour as I looked at the ceiling. He had shaved, but there was just enough scruff tickling my neck that made me pull at his hair and his robes.
"Neither are you," I said, pushing him off of me. I knew if I let this continue, I would show up to Slughorn's party dishevelled and sweaty- a look I would much prefer to achieve after, "Save this for later, Potter."
He exhaled, watching me leave, one hand in his hair, "Only if I can take that dress off of you."
"I'm counting on it," I smiled at him as I started to back away. His eyes were darker now, holding a different type of desire. I'm sure my eyes matched his shade of lust.
"You're fucking gorgeous, you know that, right?"
"And you're unfair," I looked at him before leaving, "Let's hope the night goes by quick."
He breathed out heavily again, looking up with his hand still rubbing the back of his hair. My hands had ruined the sad attempt at keeping it neat- although I didn't care much. I liked this James much better.
He looked at me, swallowing. I couldn't help but bite my lip at the sight of his adam's apple- taunting at me to kiss his throat.
"I'll be right here, Evans. Don't forget about me."
