Bad Intentions

Chapter 10

Julian's POV

Harry stops at the old ice cream parlor just down the block from our neighborhood. I hop out of his car and he follows closely, never more than a foot from my side. I try to shield my face from the gentle rain as Harry opens the door for me. I thank him, and am rewarded with one of his award winning smiles. I order for the two of us while he finds a good seat somewhere close to a heater.

I carefully carry our treats to our table, not able to stop the giddy feeling in my chest. Maybe I just really like ice cream.

Or maybe I just really like him.

He takes the chocolate icecream and devours it within seconds while I'm left eating mine and feeling self conscience.

"Thank you" I find myself saying once I'm finished eating.

"For what?"

"For tonight."

"Don't pretend that you had fun" he says harshly, but I know he's nervous so the gesture is sweet.

"I did, but only because of you" I giggle. His eyes light up in amusement.

"Why me?" He questions, biting his bottom lip.

"Nothing. It was just nice to spend more time together." I lie. How could I possibly tell him how it felt when he looked at me like he did tonight? While I was standing at a table playing Strip or Dare in my panties and bra, and he looked at me like I'm the only reason the sun decides to shine. How do I explain that feeling?

"I had fun too." His velvety voice pulls me out of my thoughts and I smile at him.

I never want this night to end.
'~'~'

Harry's POV

I walked beside her back to the car, being careful to keep my distance. If she was any other girl, I would be bored right now and ready to move on.

But something about her is just so damn enticing that I keep coming back for more.

Fuck the bet. Fuck Dominic.

I don't want her to be another pawn in our games. Losing Ashley was bad enough, but losing Julian.... Hell, she's not even mine and I can't stand the thought of losing her.

I drive her back to her house when we're done at the parlor. The lights are off and I see her shoulders slump slightly.

"Whats wrong?" I ask her. She shakes her head slightly, looking down into her palms.

"My dad isn't home yet." She says. Her voice is so heart breakingly soft that I can feel a hairline fracture in my heart. "He was supposed to be home a few hours ago." She continues.

"I can stay with you until he gets home." I offer. She shakes her head.

"I don't wanna be in there." She trys to smile, as if she wants to convince me that she's okay. I nod and back down her driveway, heading out of our neighborhood and drive untill I hit the freeway.

"Where are we going?" Julian's intrest is piqued and I find it adorable how she sits forward in her seat to face me.

"On an adventure" I tease.

"It's the dead of the night, Harry." She giggles. I shiver when she says my name.

"Well, if you don't want to go then I can drop you off somewhere..." I tease. She smacks my arm playfully and I grab her wrist out of instinct.

I hold on a little too long.

She pulls away a little too slowly.

Silence falls between us, capturing us in its net. I steal a glance at her and am relieved to see her full lips turned up in a smile.