My hands tightly gripped the sink, leaning my weight on it as I tried to control my breathing. I raised my head up to the mirror attempting to calm myself down. I couldn’t believe how forward Harry’s actions were. It’s like he didn’t care if anyone saw. I patted my pockets to check for my phone.
“Shoot.”
I had left it in my bag, at the table, with Harry. My heart sunk at the realisation that I had no one to contact. I shook my head, my hair swaying from side to side.
“I can’t do this.” I spoke to myself.
I glanced up at my reflection in the mirror again; I don’t think I had ever been more scared. Frantically I paced up and down in the empty toilet, trying to figure out my options. I could either go back in and face Harry or I could make a break for it. My eyes darted over to the window and I quickly opted for option two.
My hands yanked the window open, I was about to climb on to the sill when the door creaked open. To my relief I spun round to see the waitress that had served us.
“Are you Bo?” She asked.
I nodded my head and waited for her to continue.
“The guy you’re with asked me to check on you.”
“Oh god.”
She walked closer to me, catching my hand and pulling me to the side.
“W-where is he?”
“He’s waiting outside the door.” She whispered worriedly.
My eyes widened at what she told me. Her head turned to the open window and then back to me. She obviously knew what I had been attempting before sh arrived.
“Go.” She nudged me towards the escape. “I’ll tell him you weren’t in here.”
“Thank you.” I smiled.
I caught hold of the window sill, pulling myself up. I glanced back to see her exit the toilet.
“What!” I heard a low voice shout on the other side of the door.
“Crap.”
I sat with my legs hanging out the window. But just before I jumped down the short distance to the floor outside, the toilet door swung open. Harry’s dark eyes locked with mine. His angry gaze quickly changed into grin and I realised this was fun for him. A chase.
***
I ran as fast as I could along the promenade, the air cooler than when we had first arrived. My long hair blew out behind me. I quickly passed the entrance to the restaurant, hoping I could gain as much distance as possible. I glanced back to see Harry hot on my heels.
“Bo!”
I refused to give up, I had to get away from him. My legs began to ache as I forced myself harder. The air I was drawing in, not being able to satisfy my need. I was gasping for breath as I rounded a corner, still on the path that ran alongside the water. I began to panic when I realised the path was quickly coming to an end. My head darted one way then the other, desperately searching for a way out. I skidded to a stop, turning round to find Harry slowing down. He smirked at me as he strolled closer, knowing I had nowhere left to run. I took a few steps back only to hit the railing. Both of our breathing was forced out in heavy puffs.
“Where’d you think you’re going, Love?”
He continued towards me as I moved slightly to the left, thinking I might be able to get past him and run the other way. Harry was only a few metres from me when my back pressed up to a gate that led to a straight drop down to the water. I pressed harder into the barrier, urgently trying to increase the space between us.
I let out a shriek as the gate behind me gave way. It swung open, I lost my balance and fell through the opening.
“Bo!”
I hit the cool water below, my body sinking down. My arms and legs worked together to try and reach the surface. For a moment, relief washed through my body. It may not have been the perfect solution but I was now out of reach from Harry. That was until I felt another splash not far from me. A strong arm wrapped tightly round my waist and I was tugged to the surface. We both gasped for air as I spluttered out water.
I shoved my hands to his chest, pushing him away. He swept back his wet curls from his face as he watched me. I kicked my legs to keep myself above the water. Harry grinned at me, revealing his dimples before he spoke.
“Well, this is the quickest I’ve got a girl wet on a first date.”
I groaned at his suggestive comment. I highly questioned his words having heard many things about his relationship with women. I wasn’t a very strong swimmer and after the run my body felt weak in the water. However, I attempted the swim to the dock anyway. My hands pressed to the hard surface but before I could push myself up Harry caught hold of my hips. He twisted me round to face him, his body closer than what I would have liked.
Harry could tell I was struggling to keep my head above water.
“Hold on to me.” He roughly whispered.
My hands stayed in the water, continually moving to keep myself afloat. He gripped my arms pulling them up and round his neck. Harry’s right hand caught hold of the dock behind my head while his left pressed to my lower back, forcing my body into his. He held us up, his eyes never leaving my face. I had to trust him not to let me drown. My breath hitched in my throat as he began to lean into me.
“Harry, I’m cold.” I whispered.
I let go of his neck, turning round to grip the dock. I watched as he hauled himself out of the water. His clothes dripping as he bent down and helped me out. I was surprised by his strength, Harry easily getting me up onto the platform before I caught my foot and stumbled into him. The action took him by surprise, falling backwards with me on top of him. Harry let out a grunt as we lay on the wooden dock. I placed my hands on his chest pushing myself up, my legs either side of his waist.
“Hmmm, I always like a girl on top.”
I let out a disgusted noise as he winked at me. Before I knew it Harry had caught hold of my hands from his chest and rolled me under him, pinning my wrists down.
“But I prefer to have them under me.”
Drops of water fell from his curly hair to my skin as he hovered above me. His green eyes travelled down my body, my wet clothes sticking to the skin. Harry dipped his head down, lightly blowing across the uncovered skin at the top of my chest, which was quickly rising and falling. His lips held a smile when goose bumps formed. My eyes fluttered closed with the sensation.
I jumped as a pair of wet lips pressed to mine. My eyes shot open. Harry’s dripping hair tickled my forehead. He continued to move his mouth against my lips, attempting to get a response out of me. But I couldn’t, I just lay there frozen.
“Bo.” Harry encouraged quietly.
He tugged at my bottom lip with his teeth before releasing it and pressing his forehead against mine. My breathing came out in short puffs. We stayed like that for a little while longer until Harry pushed himself up. His body loomed over me as he deeply chuckled. What had just happened?
“You coming?”
I quickly sat up, staring at the hand he offered to me. I took it and he pulled me up to stand next to him. My eyes wandered over his wet body. His white t shirt stuck to his torso revealing a toned stomach and chest. I quickly looked away, knowing I had been caught by Harry as a smirk crept onto his face.
He entwined my fingers with his as we walked along the dock. The step up to the path was quite large so Harry placed his hands on my hips, lifting me up. He easily climbed the ledge where I had already gotten over the railing. I waited for him, Harry then taking my wrist tugging me over to where his blazer was thrown to the floor. He must have taken it off before he jumped in after me. Bending down Harry collected his phone, keys and wallet before picking up the clothing, slipping it over my shoulders.
“Thanks.” I spoke quietly.
***
The man at the front of the restaurant frowned as he took in our appearances. Our clothes were still dripping wet, making puddles on the floor. The rest of the customers in the restaurant struggled to look anywhere but us. I couldn’t blame them, we had caused bit of a scene. Any other time my cheeks would have flushed red but it just didn’t seem to matter now. Harry handed over his card to pay.
“Get your bag and let’s go.” Harry harshly whispered in my ear.
I quickly walked over to the table, our waitress was clearing away plates nearby. She caught my eye and hurried over to me.
“I’m so sorry, he wouldn’t believe me when I told him you weren’t in the toilet.” She gushed.
“Don’t worry, it’s not your fault.” I smiled at her, squeezing her hand lightly. “Thank you.”
I jumped as Harry came up behind us, I hastily collected my things before he dragged me out.
***
We pulled up outside my house, it was now dark with the exception of the street lights. I huffed having to wait for Harry to release me from his car. He stayed by my side all the way up to my front door. I scrabbled round in my bag, pulling out my keys which I dropped moments later. Harry forced me up against the door, pressing his lips firmly to mine. One hand held my hips to him, the other caught hold of the back of my neck.
I didn’t have much left in me to fight him off but I weakly pushed my hands to his chest anyway. The “kiss” did not last long. Harry pulled away, his green eyes looking down at me as I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand.
“Oh come on, it’s wasn’t that bad was it?” He jokingly asked.
I flinched away as his fingertips brushed my cheek.
“We’ll definitely be doing this again.” He winked.
I wasn’t sure if he meant the kissing or the date, either way made me shiver at the thought. Glancing up to his face I noticed his curls beginning to dry out, he looked almost cute, that was until he opened his mouth. His way with words made my skin crawl.
I pulled his blazer from my shoulders, holding it out between us for him to take.
“Keep it.”
He dipped his head a final time, lightly kissing me on the lips before I watched him walk away back to his car.
Well, this was a date I would certainly remember.
