Elude [H.S.]

TWELVE

*This is a double update. Please read 'ELEVEN' first. I also suggest going back and reading 'THE RELATIONSHIP' if you're not doing a continuous read.*

*TW: Mentions of sexual manipulation*

With Maeve's hand in mine, we walk into the door of my loft and I flick on the light. Discarding our shoes, I adjust the strap of her bag on my shoulder.

"Do you want me to put this in the spare bedroom for you or..."

"Your bedroom is fine," she says, giving me a soft smile. "As long as you're comfortable with that."

I was more than comfortable having her sleep in my room with me but I wanted to make sure she felt that same way instead of just assuming. The last thing I want to do is freak her out and move too fast. I know this is probably nerve wracking for her.

"I'll just go drop it in there and then I'll be right back."

Leaning down, I rest a hand on Maeve's side while pressing a kiss to her temple before pulling away. I can feel my heart pounding against my chest as I walk down the hall and into my room. I set Maeve's bag down on top of my dresser and I toss my hat and sunglasses next to it.

I run my hand back and forth over of my chin as I try to get out of my head as much as possible.

What the fuck are we doing?

Bringing her back here could lead to so many things and the outcome of every single one of them, except for one, is bad. I drop my hand back down by my side and begin to shake both of them out - trying to calm myself down as much as possible.

I move and sit down on the end of my bed, looking down at my sock covered feet as I wedge the knuckle of my thumb between my teeth. One of my legs bounces up and down and I shut my eyes, doing my best to get my mind to shut off.

"Harry?" I hear Maeve's gentle voice and I lift my head to see her standing in the doorway of my bedroom.

"Hey, sorry, I was about to come back out. I just needed a minute."

Maeve nods as she chews on her bottom lip and I can tell by the look in her eyes that she's going through the same thing as me.

I stand up and walk over to her, cupping her face in my hands. "You're sure this is what you want?"

She lifts her hands to rest on mine, her thumbs rubbing against my skin. "I do if you do. Only if you do."

"Maeve, I want this," I whisper, holding her eyes. "I want you more than I can fathom."

Maeve presses onto her toes to gently place her lips against mine and I hum softly, moving myself closer to her so our bodies are flush together. The kiss remains slow for a while before I feel Maeve tap her tongue against my bottom lip - asking for permission.