Three Willows {Harry Styles - One Direction Fan Fic}

Chapter 21 ~ Bali

Harry stood trying to just breathe as he watched Kate make her way across the waterlogged field. He had offered her his heart and she had said no. She'd reasoned with him, trying to make him understand, but the bottom line was he had finally opened up to the idea of loving someone. Of letting someone back into his life and once again he had been slapped down.

What was so wrong with him that each time he got close to someone they pushed him away? Didn't accept him for what he was, who he was or what he could offer to them – if only they would let him. His family had never accepted that he wasn't made out to be a solicitor. And now that he wanted to follow Kate home and do whatever she needed him to, so they could be together, she was telling him that he wouldn't be able to fit in there either. That he wasn't good enough.

It crushed him to think that she wouldn't let him try. That she was willing to just give everything away.

He knew the depth of his emotions seemed ridiculous, they had known each other only a week, but in that week he had completely opened up to her. There had been something in Kate's eyes that first day, he knew that if he wanted to get to know her he had to open up to her. So he had. He never told anyone about his life growing up and how lonely he had been, but for some reason he trusted her with that. With the dark thoughts that thinking about his family brought to the surface.

As that trust between them grew, he opened up more to her. Yes there were times where he'd wonder if she'd ever let her guard down, but even though, he trusted that she'd be honest with him. She may not have been an open book with him, but the trust was there. Little did he know that when she finally let her guard down, that honesty would drive a dagger through his chest. Yet still, he loved her for it.

He bowed his head to gather his thoughts. Damn, he was already – in – love – with – her. As the realisation hit, he became more determined to fight for her. He looked up just in time to see her disappear into the house.

Harry was going to fight for this. He was going to turn it around. He started slowly making his way to the house. He'd talk until she was all talked out and if that didn't work, he'd give her his body until she realised how much she needed him. He had to convince her that they belonged together.

Kat quickly made her way up the stairs of the veranda fighting her tears all the way. She hadn't wanted to say no to him. She hadn't wanted to make him feel the way she had. The one time she had looked back at him, he had been in the same spot, his head bowed as the rain pelted him. It broke heart to think she had been responsible for that, and that was when her tears had started.

She rushed through the house to the bathroom and slammed the door shut behind her. At that very moment, she hated herself. She knew now, that Harry opening up to her, and bringing her to his home was a huge step for him. It was likely the biggest chance he'd taken on anyone since he'd left England. He had taken that chance, she had encouraged it for a few days before tearing it to shreds and throwing it back in his face.

She should have gone with her original decision not to get involved, to avoid him, but her gut had overruled her head. Her gut had her thinking it would be ok. They'd have a little fun together before she went home. Her gut never let her down. Until that very moment, that is. Why couldn't she have just ignored his advances? Deep down she'd known the moment he'd dropped to the sand at her feet that she had to be cautious with him. That caution had only lasted a day. The moment he kissed her goodbye the next night, she knew she would fall for him, if she let herself. And even knowing that, she'd thrown caution to the wind with open arms.

It was at that point that she should have backed off. It was there that she crossed a line, willingly crossed it too, just to get closer to him. She knew it wasn't just going to be about sex. Although he was as sexy as hell, he was so much more and she'd known it. In some way she'd craved it. She liked the way he looked at her. She liked the way it made her feel to know that this man wanted her. She loved the way other women would look at him on the beach, but his eyes remained only on her. He had no idea who she was. She wasn't Kat Murphy, Tommy's daughter, heiress to Three Willows. She was Kate from Australia. It was as simple as that. There was no ulterior motive attached to his attraction. He simply liked her. And now she wouldn't blame him if he hated her.