Trace of Innocence (No Control Book 3)

Chapter 43

(No Control - 43. Taken)

I stress out the following morning while Jess is in the shower over what to wear. We are more than likely to get papped today, and there is honestly nothing worse than looking like shit when your face is plastered all over the tabloids. I also want to look like I've made an effort. Although Jess is staying in my house, when we go out it's sort of like going on a date, so I want her to think I look good.

I'm putting the breakfast plates in the dishwasher when she comes down, and she looks amazing in a tiny little pair of shorts and a sleeveless top.

"You look lovely," I tell her, and she smiles shyly at me and murmurs a "thanks."

We get in my car and as soon as we're out of the driveway, Love Me Like You Do starts playing. I get a flush of goosebumps over my arms as I think back to the house party where we met.

Should I tell her this song reminds me of her? Or is that really pathetic?

"I love this song," she says, and she sings along quietly. I watch her when she's looking away, but she catches me staring a couple of times and I grin sheepishly when I catch her eye. She starts singing louder, and cranks the volume up for the first chorus. I listen to her singing, my heart pounding.

What is it about her that has got me so hooked? I don't understand it. It's like everything she does is amazing.

The song comes to a close and she turns the volume back down.

I grab my courage with both hands.

"That song reminds me of you," I say quickly.

"What?"

I can see her out of the corner of my eye looking at me in disbelief.

"The DJ played it at that party the night I came back from tour," I blunder on.

I can't look at her. I feel like such an idiot saying all this. But I can't seem to stop now I've started.

"It was on while we were sitting on the couch talking," I continue. "It always makes me think of you whenever I hear it." I can picture Liam and Louis taking the piss out of Niall when it came on in the backstage lounge at one of the stadiums a couple of weeks ago, and I remember thinking about Jess as soon as I heard it.

She's quiet, and I risk a glance at her. She's staring at me with her mouth open. I can't help laughing at her expression.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" I grin.

She says nothing, but shakes her head and turns her face away to stare out of the window.

Shit. My heart's pounding. She looks pissed off.

"Did I say something wrong?" I ask.

"No," she squeaks, and clears her throat nervously. "It reminds me of you, too. That's all."

My heart soars at her words and I smile at her, and she smiles shyly back.

I'm looking out for a parking space and when I spot one I quickly pull into it and kill the engine. I can't see any paps, and I'm pretty sure we weren't being followed, but they have a habit of turning up uninvited at the most inconvenient moments. I need to warn her.

"We might get spotted while we're out," I begin awkwardly. One of the downsides of being me, I want to add, but don't. "People might start taking photographs and stuff."

"Yeah, I've already prepared myself," she says confidently. "I won't do anything to set rumours flying, don't worry."

I'm not worried about what she might say or do. I know how discreet she is. I'm worried for her, in case the attention scares her. Or worse, puts her off me. And I also don't want her to think I'm brushing her off when I don't act like I have been when we're in private.