When Destiny Hesitates [ZARRY]

Chapter 17

Zayn's POV

My knee bounces a mile a minute on the way to pick up Harry on Saturday evening. I wipe my clammy palms discreetly on my black skinny jeans over and over, nerves hitting an all time high.

Tonight has to go perfectly. Luke glances my way with an encouraging grin as we near Harry's house. Even though Harry's house is beside Luke's but Luke goes out his way picking me first before Harry. Then, we come back here, return to his neighbourhood. My chest floods with warmth for his efforts setting all this up so I can properly romance Haz without scaring him off by calling it an obvious First Big Date.

Luke may tease me relentlessly for catching feelings so quick. But his support means everything right now while I figure out how to translate these swirling emotions into forging a real connection with guarded, intriguing Harry.

We pull up outside Harry's just as he exits his front door in slow motion. The golden glow from inside frames his broad silhouette, glinting softly in his unruly chocolate halo of curls. My limbs all turn to jelly taking in his sheer beauty backlit like a heavenly painting.

Then Harry turns, eyes landing on our car. His whole face animates breaking into a dimpled grin that steals my breath all over again. He raises one hand in an endearing small wave that never fails melting me into helpless puddle.

As Harry folds himself gracefully into my backseat, the sugary scent of his trademark strawberry shampoo fills the enclosed space. I have to resist the sudden temptation to bury my nose shamelessly in those soft strands.

Tonight has barely begun and I already crave wrapping this precious boy beside me in my arms beneath twinkling carnival lights. To coax more pieces of his marvelous self to trust me with until we're both drunk on this exhilarating new connection...

Harry's POV

I slide into Luke's backseat, nerves and excitement warring inside me. When Luke insisted we all coordinate carnival outfits, part of me wondered if this group hangout might secretly be a date.

Wishful thinking probably after Zayn and I kissed again the other night. Still, seeing him twist around to grin happily at me sparks flutters of hope. I smooth the bright red shirt of Luke's I'm borrowing, stomach swooping at the possibility of looking cute enough to impress Zayn tonight.

The ride over flows comfortably chatting and joking around. As we get closer though, Luke makes a sudden sharp turn into the big makeshift parking area. He throws the gearshift in park so abruptly I lurch forward.

"Well here's our stop fellas!" Luke chirps with forced brightness. He swivels to beam sunshine smiles between Zayn and I. "Why don't you two head in to grab tickets or queue up a ride first? I'll park then hunt you down!"

I blink slowly, confusion swirling. We can all go together, why Luke has to drop me and Zayn here and goes on his own looking for parking spot.

"Yeah sure, good idea babe! C'mon Haz, night's wasting away here." Before I can react, Zayn is out his door holding mine open expectantly. Eyes crinkling, he offers a gentle hand helping me climb out Luke's lifted truck cab.

Luke shoots Zayn ridiculously exaggerated finger guns and winks so intensely I fear for his facial muscles. What the actual hell? Did someone spike the water supply with hallucinogens suddenly?? Because both my friends are acting batshit bizarre right now.

As we turn towards the bright carnival lights though, Zayn slips his palm to the small of my back guiding me forward. Warmth seeps through my shirt from the innocent point of contact. Okay, maybe odd behavior is a tiny price to pay if it means I get Zayn's attentive touch all evening...

We wander casually around the carnival midway first. My skin buzzes hyperaware everywhere Zayn's arm or shoulder brushes mine. After awhile with no Luke, I peer around puzzled.

"Should we call Luke? See if he found parking yet?" I ask.

Pink stains Zayn's golden cheeks slightly. "Ah he's probably just taking a while to get tickets and stuff!" he deflects, not quite meeting my eyes. "I'm sure he'll find us eventually."

Cryptic response but okay sure... As we continue walking, Zayn guides me gently by the wrist towards a cluster of colorful balloon dart games. My nostrils fill with sugary churro and cotton candy scents mixing playfully. With Zayn's warm palm pressed against my spine, I can almost imagine this feeling like an actual date.

When Zayn insists on paying for five rounds of balloon pop games with goofy determination making me laugh loud and bright, any lingering confusion melts away. Launching darts with flirty competitiveness under strings of lights strung just for us, I think maybe wishes and dreams do come true sometimes.

Especially when Zayn eventually shy shuffles close enough for me to count each strikingly long eyelash framing his honey stare...

Zayn's POV

My breath catches as Harry steps closer, green eyes glittering playfully up at me through dark lashes. His dimples flash, stealing rational thought. Before I can overthink, I reach up slowly to tuck one soft chocolate curl behind his ear.

Harry makes a soft sound, teeth sinking into his full bottom lip. My thumb brushes featherlight over the sharp cut of his jaw, pulse kicking faster feeling him lean subtly into my touch. The noise and lights of the carnival fade around us.

Time seems suspended in this tender bubble, just the two of us studying each other's faces with similarly elevated heartbeats. When Harry's tongue darts out wetting his pretty lips, my restraint snaps. Sliding my palm around to cradle his nape, I close the scant distance between us.

Warm breath ghosts my mouth for the sweetest heartbeat before I capture Harry's lips fully. He melts against me instantly with a soft gasp, lashes fluttering shut. My hand tightens at his waist pulling him as close as physics allow. Tilting into me, Harry kisses back tentatively at first, then building heat.

I feel his lips part, tongue swiping my bottom lip in shy request. A low noise rumbles my throat allowing the slick caress entrance. Harry makes the sweetest sounds letting me lick delicately into his warmth. My whole body goes molten at how eagerly he responds once we find our rhythm.

How could I have forgotten this intoxication? Trading breath and exploring the hot silk of his mouth is all I can comprehend in this timeless moment. The addictive sweetness flooding my senses eclipses everything except Harry, Harry, Harry...

Harry's POV

Everything narrows down to warm cinnamon overwhelming my taste buds. The graze of Zayn's teeth catching my swollen lip wrenches another embarrassing noise from low in my throat.

Who gave him permission to kiss like liquid sex poured directly into my bloodstream? I wonder dizzily. My fingers twist possessively into his midnight hair without thought, keeping those unfairly skilled lips fused to mine.

The heady taste combined with his firm athlete's body caging me in short circuits rational awareness. Zayn shifts, one muscled thigh slotting deliciously between mine. Arousal spikes hot and startling down my spine at the friction.

Before I totally humiliate myself though, Zayn withdraws blinking slowly. His eyes shine liquid amber studying my kiss-stung mouth up close. Everything narrows to this beautiful boy I'm frighteningly close to placing my fragile trust in.

As Zayn smooths both palms down my heaving ribs to settle proprietary on my hips, the charged moment expands then crystallizes perfectly between us. Hidden beneath cotton candy clouds and sparkling bulbs strung just for us, I realize this unexpected twist of fate might just be the next thrilling chapter of my story instead of another closed painful door...

My eyes flutter shut again smiling against Zayn's mouth as curious lips descend seeking mine once more...