Trace of Innocence (No Control Book 3)

Chapter 10

(No Control - 10. Another World)

Once we're safely inside I steer Jess towards the bar, keeping my hand on her back. It's not really necessary, but I like having the excuse to touch her.

We reach the bar and I ask her what she wants to drink, but she just answers me with a vague "anything." That's sort of difficult to get right, so I decide to buy a bottle of Dom Perignon, because she's classy and I want to impress her. I just hope she doesn't think I'm trying to be flash.

The barman brings over the bottle and two flutes, so I hand one of them to Jess and point to an empty booth. She leads the way and slides gracefully onto the seat and I sit down next to her, placing the bottle on the table along with my flute. She catches sight of the label and looks surprised. "Blimey, you shouldn't have," she says. "I would've been happy with a glass of coke!"

"Couldn't have you thinking I was a cheapskate," I tell her nervously, as I pour our drinks.

"I would never think that," she says, and her expression is serious. I believe her. She seems like a really genuine person. I smile at her, thinking how lovely she is.

We start talking about our plans for the next few days. I'm really looking forward to seeing Mum and Gemma, and I'm planning on taking Mum out for a meal, just the two of us, so I tell all of this to Jess, and she smiles at me.

She taps her fingers in time to the music as she jokes about being hungover tomorrow, and tells me about her weekend plans with her friends. I wonder if the girl she was with earlier - Carrie or Callie, or something? - knows she came out with me. I'm not quite sure how to ask the question.

"Does she know you're with me now?" I blurt.

Oh. Looks like I didn't have trouble finding the words after all.

She gives me a strange look. "No, why?"

"Isn't that what girls do when they hook up with a guy? Text all their friends?"

Do they not do that?

She laughs. "First of all, we have not 'hooked up'. Second of all, you're not just some random guy. The whole world knows who you are."

Damn, she's slapped me down again. I shift to face her, grinning as I switch to Flirt Mode. "So we're not hooked up, huh?"

She shakes her head. "Not in the way you mean."

Oh come on.

"Your kisses say something very different," I argue, but I'm still smiling at her so she knows I'm not being pushy. At least, I hope she knows.

"I don't do one night stands. It's tacky."

Oh. Well I won't argue with that, but I can't say I'm not disappointed.

"I won't deny you're classy," I tell her, and I mean it sincerely, but she looks at me like I'm being sarcastic. "I mean it," I say. "You're really discreet, and a lot of the time you seem really innocent."

"What do you mean, 'a lot of the time'?" She's smiling now.

OK how do I say this without accidentally offending her?

"I mean, when we're talking you come across all sweet and innocent. Then you kiss me and it's a different story."

I mean that in the best possible way.

"Well that's your fault," she declares, and I begin to smirk. Is she saying I turn her on? "I am all sweet and innocent, but then you give me that look.." (I smolder at her) "Yes THAT look, and I can't control myself."

I can't wipe the smirk off my face. I feel like all my Christmases have come at once.

"I don't know what you mean."

"You damn well do, Harry Styles, you know exactly what effect you have on me, and millions of other women," she retorts.

Actually, I don't - not on her, anyway. She seems at least partially immune to my vain attempts at charm. But damn she's sassy. I fucking love it. Louis would be in his element if he was here right now.

"I'm not doing it on purpose," I protest, but she's not fooled.

"Don't give me that. You could quite easily turn off that charm if you wanted to. But the fact is, you like the attention."

Oooh, she's got me so sussed. Am I that obvious?

"Sometimes," I concede. "From the right person. Now are you going to stop telling me off and let me kiss you again?" All this back and forth is all very well, but when she's talking I stare at her lips, and when I stare at her lips it reminds me they're not pressed against mine.

She drains her glass and sets it down on the table, looking me squarely in the eyes. My stomach flips over. "OK," she agrees, and it flips again with anticipation. "But we're not in a deserted kitchen, or the backseat of your car now. Don't expect a full on PDA like before."

Oh I'm sure I can change your mind, Jess. Or at least have fun trying. Watch and learn.

"That's just a challenge now," I say out loud, and I pull her towards me and begin planting soft kisses on her lips, one after the other. Her hands curl around the back of my neck as our chests touch and it's taking everything I have to stop myself from ripping my shirt off and diving on top of her. What the hell is wrong with me?

"Oi oiiiii!"

Oh fuck, I know that voice.

We pull apart and I discreetly adjust my crotch. I'm so hard, it's almost painful.

"You little rascal, Mr Styles, what are getting up to, hiding away in the corner?" James Corden says loudly. I smirk to myself at his choice of words. He doesn't need to know exactly what is "up" right now.

I watch as he introduces himself to Jess and they shake hands and do the pleasantries. Then he says (and I want to die on the spot) - "What are you doing, cosying up to this loser? Is he trying to tell you he's from that poncey boyband? Don't listen to him, he's just a really good lookalike."

But I can't help but laugh along with Jess. "Get lost, James," I tease.

"All good with you?" he replies, grinning.

"Great thanks."

"Well listen I'm not going to keep you as I can see you're busy here, but I just wanted to say hi, and we'll have to meet up properly next time you're home." He gives me a knowing wink and I smirk back as we do our bro handshake.

"Catch you later, James," I say, and we both watch and chuckle as he slides out of the booth and prances across the dancefloor, looking deliberately ridiculous.

"I shouldn't laugh really, its better than I could do," I say out loud.

"Really?" Jess looks at me, her attention piqued. "Now I'm curious."

Oh shit. This can only go one way, and it won't be back to mine. "Honestly, don't be, it's embarrassing."

"Oh please." She rolls her eyes. (I've noticed she does that to me a lot.) "After the way I have blushed every time you've looked at me tonight?" she continues. "I think it's time for you to be the embarrassed one."

I barely have time to acknowledge this admission before she's grabbing my hand and getting up.

Oh please no. This can't be happening. I'm not drunk enough for this.

But damn, something in her eyes makes me drain my glass and follow her obediently onto the dancefloor.

I'm fucking putty in her hands.

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With all the excitement over Zayn and Naughty Boy's Twitter spat I almost forgot to post this update!! I've been glued to Twitter ever since I finished work!

Hope you're liking it so far - what do you think of Harry's thoughts about Jess? :)

Don't forget to vote if you like it!!