Trace of Innocence (No Control Book 3)

Chapter 4

(No Control - 4. Through The Dark)

"What's up?" I ask Nick as we walk back through to the lounge.

"Nothing," Nick grins. "You looked a bit uncomfortable so I thought I'd come to your rescue."

"What?" I say, stopping and staring at him.

"She was going all gooey over you," Nick explains. "You looked embarrassed. Did I read it wrong? Sorry man, I'm just used to pulling you away from hysterical women."

"She wasn't hysterical," I muse. "I don't think she recognised me." Nick throws me a skeptical look.

"Dude she was practically dribbling. She was totally under the Styles spell. Isn't everyone? That Disney prince hair never fails."

I roll my eyes. "Stop calling it Disney prince hair. It's embarrassing. And I just made a total dick out of myself in front of her just then."

"See, I did the right thing pulling you away then," Nick justifies.

I shake my head. "It was the girl I told you about before. I'm gonna see where she's gone. I'll be back in a bit."

"No way man, we have a boys' night out to plan!" Nick declares. "I'm thinking Paul could drop us off at Kahiki and we could meet Alice and Ellie?"

I'm tempted. A night out with Nick is always a good laugh. But I know he'll want to stay out until the early hours, and I'm way too tired for that. I've made my mind up.

"Sorry mate, I'm gonna pass," I say.

"You going after that girl?" Nick teases, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.

An embarrassed smile creeps across my face. "I might go and find her and try redeem myself. Show her I'm not a complete loser."

"Just give her a casual hair flick, she'll fall at your feet just like the rest," Nick grins at me. "She's definitely into you, trust me."

He holds his hand up and gives me a high handshake and pulls me into a one armed hug.

"We'll get a cab now. Text me in the week ok? Say hi to your mum from me." Nick slaps me on the back.

"Will do," I nod. "Paul will take you to Kahiki. I'm gonna stay here for a bit."

"Cheers pal," Nick smiles.

I text Paul who is waiting outside and ask him to take Nick and some friends to the club, and tell him I'll call him in a bit when I'm ready to go. I say goodbye to Nick and then weave my way back through the crowd of people, looking for the blonde girl. She is nowhere to be seen, and after two circuits of the downstairs I conclude she must be either in the bathroom or outside. 

I try my luck outside first, opening the patio door and stepping out into the night air. I see movement on the other side of the trellis and as I get nearer I can see her through the gaps, standing alone looking at the trees, holding the drink I made her. I take a deep breath and step around the trellis.

"Hi," I say.

She visibly jumps and the hand holding her drink jerks violently. It's like I'm watching it in slow motion. The liquid leaps out of her glass and splashes down my front for the second time tonight. It's freezing and even though I see it coming, I jump back involuntarily.

"Woah!"

She looks at me, horrified, and squeals an apology. I can't help but grin. I'm glad I'm not the only one making an idiot out of myself.

"Y'know, if you wanted me to take my shirt off, you should have just said." 

Oh no, why did I say that? She's going to think I'm an arrogant prick on top of everything else.

But to my relief she just laughs. "I'm glad you can see the funny side. I'm so embarrassed!" she says.

"Why, because I've sussed you trying to get my shirt off?" I decide to stick with the theme.

She laughs again. "I'm not trying to get your shirt off! Although I'm sure you're inundated with that request."

Ah. So she does know who I am. Unless she's implying I'm hot? I'm not sure.

I look down at my wet shirt. "Yeah, I may have been asked that before."

"Well not this time," she says, but I can see her eyes sparkling in the darkness.

"Shame," I tell her, at an attempt to flirt. I smile at her and her eyes widen slightly. She's onto me. "I'm Harry, by the way." I hold my hand out to her.

"Yes I know," she replies, casually. "It's nice to meet you. I'm Jess." She shakes my hand. Her fingers are really soft.

"You not a fan then?" I ask, without thinking. Great. So much for showing her I'm not a complete loser. Or an arrogant prick.

"Of One Direction?" she asks. "Actually yes, I am a fan." OK, I wasn't expecting that. "But not the sort that hangs around outside your hotel room trying to steal your underwear," she continues.

Oh God, she just mentioned my underwear. I can't stop grinning. She's blushing hard - I could warm my hands from the heat coming off her face right now. This is funny.

"First my shirt, now my underwear," I chuckle.

"Actually, if you'd been listening I said I didn't want either of those things," she emphasises.

I'm not having that. She's definitely flirting with me.

"Well, you can't claim to be a fan then if you wouldn't steal my shirt or my underwear," I tease, and she grins at me over the top of her glass.

"I don't have to be a kleptomaniac to appreciate your music do I?"

Alright, Miss Play-It-Cool. Let's see whether you really are a fan. 

I take a step closer to her and lean forward. Her lips look really soft.

"Favourite song then?" I ask her.

If she says What Makes You Beautiful I will scream.

"Little White Lies," she says immediately.

I feel myself blink I surprise. An album track? Interesting.

"Really? Why?"

"It's sexy as hell," she responds.

I feel the space closing between us. It's like there's a magnetic force pulling me towards her. Her eyes meet mine. She's beginning to turn me on.

"And I like the beat, and the bass," she says, and I remember we're talking about the song. I can't stop my eyes from flicking to her lips.

"That's cool," I say, because I can't think of any other words right now. I want to kiss her.

Should I make a move?

Fuck it, I'm going in for a kiss.

My heart begins to pound and suddenly I am nervous. I hope I've not read this situation all wrong.

"Actually, I think it's hot," she whispers.

I am definitely not reading this wrong.

My stomach flutters as I lean forward towards her. "That's not what's hot," I breathe, as my lips are about to touch hers.