Trace of Innocence (No Control Book 3)

Chapter 49 - part ii

(No Control - 49. More Than This, second part)

We go straight upstairs when we arrive home, and I switch some music on in the bedroom to add to the atmosphere. I'm feeling romantic.

Thinking Out Loud is playing, and it couldn't be more perfect.

Fucking hell, I don't want her to go home. I'm going to miss her so much.

"This week has been amazing," she says softly as I sit on the edge of the bed and kick my boots off.

"Yeah, it has," I sigh, and I take a deep breath. "Idontwantyoutogo," I say in a rush.

"I don't want to go, either," she says, looking down at the floor.

My heart jumps.

"Then don't," I say, and she looks up me. "Stay."

"What?"

"Stay another week," I suggest. "We can change your ticket to next Saturday instead."

She smirks at me, like she's trying not to laugh.

Why is that funny? I feel stupid.

"What's funny?" I ask.

"Come on let me change your ticket home," she sings.

For fuck's sake.

"Sorry," she grins. "But I can't, I've got work on Monday."

So dismissive.

"So call in sick," I offer. "Or book another week off."

She stares at me for a moment, her mouth slightly open.

"Oh... Harry, I wish I could, really I do, but I can't," she stammers.

"You mean you don't want to," I say, pettily, before I can stop myself.

"What? Of course I do," she says, but her eyes are on my chest, not my face. "Of course I want to stay with you."

"Ok, so stay."

Seems simple enough to me.

"I can't, Harry," she sighs. "It's not that simple...."

Here come the excuses. I should have known better than to believe she cares.

"I can't just take a holiday at short notice like that," she continues. "Other people are off next week so I'm needed back in the office. I know it sounds like I'm making excuses but I promise I'm not. If I could, of course I would stay."

She's entitled to paid time off isn't she? Sounds like a excuse to me.

"Harry," she says softly as I turn away and yank my shirt over my head moodily. Her arms slide around my waist and immediately my skin breaks out in goosebumps.

"I.. I'm not messing you around," she murmurs against my back.

I stay still, my heart rate increasing as I sense she is going to say something else.

"I like you," she practically whispers.

My heart lurches as I let out my breath and lift my arm up so she can duck under it. She hugs my chest and mumbles, "Don't think I don't care, because I do. I really really do."

Finally. Finally, she is opening up to me.

I don't want to scare her off. I need to tread lightly here.

"I really do too," I murmur into her hair, holding her tight.

"I'm scared of getting hurt," she says suddenly, still not looking at me.