Trace of Innocence (No Control Book 3)

Chapter 24

(No Control - 24. Little Black Dress)

"Harry," Karen answers the phone curtly.

Hmm. I see she is still pissed off over my indiscretion on Friday night.

"Hey Karen," I say cheerily. I need full on charm offensive to get her on side.

"What's up?" she asks.

"I just need to keep you in the loop with something," I begin.

"Did you use a condom?" she sighs.

"What - no! I mean - I haven't had... it's nothing like that!" I stammer, feeling my face getting hot. I switch the air con on in the car and immediately icy cold air hits my face.

"Well that's a relief," she says briskly. "What is it then?"

I clear my throat nervously.

"It's about the girl from Friday isn't it?" she interrupts before I can speak.

I decide there's no point beating around the bush.

"Yeah," I admit.

"Go on, what have you done?"

"Asked her out on a date and she said yes so I'm taking her to C London tonight," I say in a rush.

I know it's hard to believe, but I can talk quickly when I want to. Its just most of the time I don't.

"Bloody hell, Harry!" Karen snaps. "I thought we were going for damage limitation on this one?"

"I told you, she isn't going to blab," I insist. "I want to see her again, so I asked and she said yes."

"Course she did."

I decide to ignore this. I know Karen is just pissed off because she doesn't know anything about Jess.

"I'm just letting you know so that if we get papped it won't come as a surprise," I tell her.

"You need security tonight then," Karen says, and I can tell she is writing something down as she is talking.

"No. No security."

"What do you mean, no security? Have you got a death wish?"

"I was fine last Friday - "

"Paul was with you last Friday."

"Yes but only to drive me around. He didn't come in to the party, or the club."

"All the more reason to step it up tonight."

"No," I tell her. "Not happening. I'm taking Jess out myself, like a normal guy. No security."

"You know, I preferred it when you never used to argue with me about anything," Karen sighs.

"I know," I grin, and I know I've won this one. "But a calm relationship is so boring. I prefer tempestuous."

I can practically hear Karen's eyes rolling.

"The Styles charm doesn't work on me," she says. "So stop trying."

"I don't know what you mean," I tell her.

"Course not. Be careful tonight. Take your own condoms, don't drink if you're driving and don't answer any questions from any paps."

Sometimes I really hate that everyone thinks it's OK to talk to me about my contraceptive choices. It feels like the whole world has to know when I have sex. I may as well take out a Sponsored ad in the Daily Mail.

Out loud I say, "I know the drill."

"You're not usually the one giving me grey hairs, Harry, but I think I've added a few more these past few weeks thanks to you," she says wryly.