My Stranger

Chapter 4

I sat in the cool leather seat of the slick range rover, my hands in my lap as I twiddled my thumbs, aware of the silence that had crept in.  I slowly turned my head to Harry, watching him navigate his way on the busy roads, he moved the wheel with such grace taking care with each turn; it was peaceful to see his hands move slowly and hear his breath mirror the careful, precise movements with no rush or urgency. My eyes skimmed his hands and arms, until they reached his torso, tattoos peering through his white t-shirt. I stared at his chest, ensuring that I was taking in each and every slither of the permanent ink that marked his skin; I soon noticed a star shaped tattoo that was just visible through his shirt, on his shoulder, caressing his neck.

A small cough bought my studying orbs from his body, moving them to his face. His familiar smirk tugging at his plump lips, he knew I was looking at him. “So you do like what you see” he laughed, obviously referring to the text he sent earlier. I quickly removed my gaze to the view from the passenger window, I didn’t recognise my surroundings. I opened my mouth slowly, cautious as to what words and curses might slip out. “Umm no. I-I was just looking at your, umm, window” my already nervous voice became squeaky when muttering the last word, my cheeks crimson glow returning. He laughed again, aware that I was lying about my intense staring. After turning around a corner I had noticed that I was on a street that I hadn’t seen before, the rows of modern houses resembling large dominos, leaning on one another as they waited to collapse. These houses looked as though they belonged to wealthy business men and women and footballers wives, not something you’d expect to see around here. “Where are we?” I asked, my voice hushed as though I was scared. Harry stopped his car before he turned to face me, his smile evident. “This is where I live” he replied as he opened the car door, a small gasp escaping my lips. How did he afford to live here if he went to college? Did he live alone or did his Mum pay for the lavish house?

Not realising that I hadn’t been paying attention to anything other than the thoughts playing in my mind, I felt his warm hands softly grabbing my hips and lifting me up and out of the car. Given our new close proximity, he pulled me even closer to his chest causing my heart to palpitate, I’m sure he felt it as he again pulled me closer, leaving no gap between our two bodies, leaning us against the closed car door.  “Am I making you nervous, Fleur?” I closed my eyes as my name escaped his lips, his hand instantly moving from my back to my chin raising it so he could see my face. His sweet breath fanning my face, deepening the colour of my cheeks. “Look at me with those pretty eyes of yours.” He whispered, sending a shiver down my spine. I opened my eyes, fluttering my long, black eye lashes as he continued his playful whispers. “Much better. Now, shall we go inside?” I nodded my head as he eased my feet to the floor, grasping my hand and entwining our fingers. His gentle gesture making the butterflies that hide in my stomach suddenly come to life. We walked over to a large house with a black door and gold knocker, after studying it, I realised that the knocker was actually a pair of gold angel wings. The wings were so detailed that I could see each and every feather protrude. It was beautiful, yet painful to look at knowing that never will the earth be graced with such beauty. All too soon were the pair of haunting wings stolen from my vision, as the door to Harry’s house was pushed open.