One Plus One

Chapter Twenty-Four

"So, how was babysitting, hmm?" I asked as we put the last of the equipment away.

"Like the Spanish Inquisition."

"Why?"

"Alesha kept asking me who you were."

I began to blush.

"Then when Em came home, she started in on it as well. Thank god my mum didn't come home."

"What did you tell her?"

"I didn't have to say anything. She worked it all out for herself. She only had to count the chains around my neck and she knew."

My hand instantly flew up to the pendant that hadn't left my neck since he'd given me it. A few thoughts crossed my mind. Maybe I wasn't the first girl he'd given it to, how else would his sister have known if she hadn't seen him do it before? Harry saw me staring into the middle of nowhere and pretty much read my mind.

"Marlie, you're the first girl that's ever worn that."

"You mean-"

"You're my first girlfriend."

I couldn't help but smile, something he reciprocated before wrapping his arms around me in a protective hug.

"Lets go, angel."

*****

Harry was lay down on my bed whilst I pulled out dance gear and clothes for the next day. I stuffed them into my bag and zipped it up. When I looked back to him, he was staring at his phone, fingers busy typing something. Being curious, I dropped my bag to the floor and walked over to the bed. I crawled onto the bed and sat astride his waist.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

He didn't answer me verbally, I was instead thrown a wink as he sat up. His hand caught my lower back, teasing me closer. I pressed my hands to his chest as his dusky pink lips meshed with mine. He lingered there for a few seconds before pulling away. He cupped my thighs and lifted me with him as he stood, placing me back down onto the carpet.

Harry walked over to my wardrobe and started to rifle through. I saw a satisfied look on his face as he pulled out the item of clothing that had taken his fancy.

"Wear this tonight, I'm taking you out."

I looked at the dress he held out to me. The top was cut low and it was fairly short, both of these put together were probably the reasons for his decision.

"Where are you taking me?"

"It's a surprise."

Harry suggestively glared at me, my heart beginning to race. I hesitantly took the dress from him and brushed past towards the bathroom. I quickly slipped it on and then walked back out to Harry and turned around.

"Zip me up please?"

I pulled my hair over to one side and felt Harry tugging the zip up. When he finished, his arms slipped around my waist from behind and he rested his chin on my shoulder.

"Beautiful." he whispered.

"You talking about me or my arse?" I teased.

"You."

There wasn't a single hint of amusement in his tone. It was spoken deep and seductively into my ear, my insides swirling into a mess. Harry sponged a kiss just beneath my ear before letting me go to finish getting ready.

*****

I watched as we drove into the fancy part of the city. The buildings became more elegant, taller and the surrounding areas were much cleaner and picturesque. All they needed was to be covered in snow and they would have made an extremely pretty Christmas card. Harry slowed outside one of the fanciest and most expensive looking hotels I'd ever seen. When he came to a stop and swung open the door to help me down, my mouth fell open.

"We're going in here?"

"Yeah, I've booked us a table in the restaurant."

"Harry, this place looks really expensive."

"Well this is our first proper date as a couple. I thought it should be special."

His emerald eyes twinkled as his lips curved into a smile. He took hold of my hand in his and lead me into the hotel. We were directed to the restaurant which looked like something out of a movie. There were multiple chandeliers dotted around the ceiling. The tables were dressed in crisp white table cloths and the napkins were all twisted into intricate shapes. I felt incredibly out of place. My grip on Harry's hand tightened as I caught sight of the people sitting at the tables. They gave off the essence they were all incredibly successful business men and women. I followed behind Harry, still clasping his hand to a table in the back corner of the vast room. He pulled out my chair like a true gentleman before walking round to sit in his own.

I glanced up to Harry who seemed unsettled, nervous even. He was fidgeting with his fingers and his eyeline was skipping all over the room.

"Harry, are you ok?"

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine."

I couldn't help but smile. It was so out of his character and only made him more adorable. It was evident he'd never done this before. This was as much a first for him as it was for me.

We enjoyed a quiet meal, the both of us catching each others gaze every now and again and smiling at each other. Each time his gaze connected with mine my stomach jumped, butterflies erupting inside.

"Marlie." he spoke quietly. "Fancy a swim?"

"What?"

Harry's head flicked towards a huge set of glass doors. The dim lights were enough to allow me to see the massive pool outside. I spotted a sign on the door which quite clearly stated that the pool was closed.

"It's closed."

"So?"

Harry's mischievous glint sparked a smile on my face. I nodded at him, smile growing more and more. Harry mirrored my smile as he rose from the table and took my hand. We quietly sneaked away and outside into the night air. Harry was quick to remove his phone, wallet and car keys from his pockets and threw them onto one of the chaises with his blazer. I took off my heels and added them to the pile as we crept around to the back end of the pool, quietly giggling.

Harry took one last look around to make sure no one was around. Being satisfied, he took a run up and cannon balled into the pool. I jumped back to avoid the water splashing on me and giggled as he resurfaced.

"Well, come on. Get in."

I glanced around before taking a deep breath and jumping into the freezing cold water. I swam over to Harry and once I was close enough, he wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into him.

"This is becoming a habit."

"What is?" I asked.

"Me getting you wet."

"Harry!" I shrieked, splashing him with water.

He laughed before returning the favour, splashing water into my face. The two of us threw water back and forth, Harry chasing me around the pool. In my peripheral vision I saw another light come on.

"Harry, someone's coming."

We quickly rushed to the side of the pool. Harry used his strong arms to haul himself out first before taking hold of me underneath my arms to pull me out too. We scrambled to collect our belongings before darting around the corner of the building, just as the door we had earlier snook out of was violently pushed open. There were a few seconds of silence whilst an inspection was conducted. Harry and I were desperately trying to stifle our giggles.

We heard the click of the door lock and finally let out the laughs we'd been holding back. Droplets of water trickled down my back making me shiver. I felt material being placed over my shoulders. I took hold of it, seeing it was Harry's blazer and pulled it tighter around me.

"Thank you."

"Come on, gorgeous. Lets get back."