One Plus One

Chapter Three

It was tidy. Everything had a place and everything was in its place. It took me by surprise a little. Harry had raced ahead so I was left to wander. I popped my head around a few door frames and discovered where the kitchen was and where the living room was. I dropped my head to the carpet of the living room floor and noticed how clean it was, I then thought how dirty my shoes must have been so flicked them off and then proceeded inside. I sat down on the sofa and looked around. My inspection was interrupted by Harry's voice.

"You can have a shower if you want, I've left some towels in the bathroom for you."

"Thanks."

I hesitantly rose from the sofa and walked towards Harry. His emerald eyes studied my every move. I felt a nervous swarm of butterflies in my stomach. As I got closer, Harry moved to one side of the doorway, allowing me room to get through. As I brushed past, his warm hand caught hold of my chin, fixing my gaze upon his. I followed his wandering emeralds which fell upon some pieces of wet hair that fell upon my shoulder. He gently and delicately brushed them off, revealing my bare shoulder which he then caressed, ridding my skin of the droplets that had fallen from my hair. I inhaled at his warm touch upon my cold skin, my heart racing. My eyes instantly darted to his face, his smirk had reappeared as he lustfully scanned my chest with his eyes. He then began to lean in towards me. His chestnut curls tickled my cheek as he moved his head closer to my neck allowing me to inhale his scent, almost sending me weak at the knees.

"I'll be in the kitchen if you need anything." he whispered in my ear, sending shivers down my spine.

Harry then swiftly moved past me, leaving me breathless in the doorway. Even with his back to me I knew he'd have that smirk plastered across his face. He knew it as well as I did. He had me hooked.

*****

I negotiated my way around his flat until I found the bathroom which was curiously connected to is bedroom. All the while I was mentally cursing myself. I knew that I was falling into his trap yet I found I was unable to prevent myself from it. He had me captivated by the new cut emeralds that were framed by lengthy, dark eyelashes. Every time he stared at me I itched to run my fingers through the curls that adorned his head.

Snap out of it, Marlie. You don't want to be involved with a guy like him.

Mid shower I realised an awkward fact. I had no new underwear or clothes to put on afterwards. I fiddled with the towel trying to cover up as much of myself as possible. It seemed that Harry had picked the smallest towel possible, no doubt on purpose. I wandered into the kitchen but Harry was nowhere to be seen. I peered in a little further but there was still no sign.

"Looking for me?" sounded his raspy voice behind me.

I quickly spun around to be faced with his tall frame towering me. The quick action of my startled turn made me almost lose my towel. Both mine and Harry's hands dived in to save it from falling, our hands momentarily brushing. My skin tingled as the feeling of his touch lingered on my skin.

"Can I lend a t-shirt please?" I finally said, stopping myself from drifting into a daze.

"Yeah, in the wardrobe."

"Thanks." I mumbled nervously.

His eyes were wandering once again. This time his gaze strayed further than my chest. Harry traced his eyes over every inch of exposed skin. I feared he could see my heart jumping out of my chest, it was beating harder than I'd liked. I quickly squeezed past him and went back to his bedroom.

HARRY'S POV

I watched as this amazingly beautiful, petite girl made her way into my bedroom. Even in the towel I could see the curvature of her body, something that had made me instantly attracted to her. I was careful not to allow her to see me peaking through the tiny gap between the door and the doorframe as she slipped on one of my t-shirts. It fell to mid thigh, rising slightly higher at the back, revealing the tiniest hint of bottom. She curiously searched through my drawers, and pulled out a pair of my boxer shorts. She slid them up her legs and adjusted herself, pulling her dark locks from the back of the t-shirt.

This was unlike me. I'd never lusted after a girl like this before. Usually it'd be flash my charm and get them back to the flat for a bit of fun. There was something different about Marlie. Her stubbornness towards my actions was a huge turn on. I found myself wanting to be more delicate with her. I could tell I wasn't going to get anywhere with her by being forceful.

I could hear distant chatter coming from my bedroom, when I poked my head in a bit further, Marlie was pacing up and down with her phone in her hand. She almost looked as of she was going to cry when she put the phone down.

"What's up?" I asked, sliding the door open.

"I can't get back into my house. My sister can't get back until tomorrow."

"Where is she?"

"Uni. But she's been out with the girls and can't drive now. Not until tomorrow."

"Well, what about your mum? When does she get back?"

He face paled at the mention. Her hand reached out to me, so I took it and she squeezed tight hold, steadying herself on her feet as he held her head with her other hand.

"I, uh, can I, can I just have some water please?"

I sat her down on the bed and I left her sitting there. I don't know what I'd said that made her go so weak. She looked as if she'd seen a ghost. I came back, glass of water in hand and sat next to her. Her hands shook as she took it from me. She had to take several deep breaths before she could even lift it to her mouth. A part of me wanted to ask what was wrong but seeing her in such a state, I decided not to press.

"You know, you can stay here."

"Thank you, but I think it will be better if I stay at Lily's."

It looked as she were trying to convince herself as much as she was me. She jumped off the bed but I caught her by the wrist and pulled her back to me. Her breath started to tremble as I leaned into her, her chest rising and falling at a faster pace than before. Her piercing grey eyes widened when one of my hands took hold of her lower back, teasing her closer to me. I felt her heartbeat on my chest as I went in for it.

MARLIE'S POV

I felt my eyes fluttering closed as his presence neared mine. Our faces were within centimetres of each others. His dusky, pink lips were about to meet mine when I pulled away and cleared my throat, rising from the bed and picking up my bag. When I looked back, Harry's curls had flopped over his face, making him look more adorable than he already was. There was a hint of a grin teasing on his face.

"Thank you for letting me use the shower and for the dry stuff. I'll go now." I gushed, the nerves taking over slightly.

"Let me drop you off."

"No it's fine, she lives in the next street and it's not raining anymore."

I tried my best to break a smile before making my swift exit out of his front door. Before I could get out completely, he caught my wrist again, my heart fluttering once more.

"I want to take you out." he stated.

"Ok."

"I'll pick you up at eight tomorrow?"

"I don't remember agreeing to it."

"You just did."

"No, you told me you wanted to take me out. That's nice to know. I'll see you around, Harry."

He stared at me, mouth slightly agape. I threw him a grin as I stepped out of the door and into the street.