Protect

Chapter 4

As I make my way down 4th street, I realize I forgot to put on makeup because I was so paranoid over my dream. This day is not starting well. Also, I am being pushed and shoved and puffed with smoke in my face by all these city people. This is nothing like Delaware, but that can also be a good thing. I take a seat on one of the green benches outside of Starbucks and wait for Harry.

"Hey Kris! Sorry I'm late." I look up from my phone and see Harry with his hair pushed back with a bandana all loose but so sexy. He is wearing yet another black t-shirt with tight jeans making notice of his bulge along with black converse. "Its okay. Thanks so much for offering to show me around!" I reply in a squeaky voice because honestly, I cant control myself in front of Harry. "Of course." He says and gives me his famous half smile.

I stand up and he takes my hand and we walk into Starbucks. A beautiful smile on his face and a giddy one on mine. His hand is rough yet gentile and warm. It makes me feel safe.

After we order our coffee, both Harry and I take out our wallets. He quickly says "its on me" and I give him a look of disproval but thank him anyway.

"So what do you want to do today?" Harry asks me after taking a sip of coffee and smiling. "Well can you show me some nice affordable apartments? I am so sick of the hotel already." I say and smile at him. "Yea of course. Gemma gave me a list of apartment buildings I should show you. Is the hotel nice at least?" I think about that for a second then say, "Yea its nice, just expensive and small. I pretty much stayed in my room all night last night because there were some loud drunk boys lurking the halls." Harry immediately stopped walking and looks at me in total seriousness. "You cannot stay there. If there are horny boys who are drunk looking for trouble and lay one eye on you, they wont be able to control themselves. I dont want to scare you, but its really not safe. You shouldnt stay there."

I am shocked that Harry is so concerned for me. I mean he is my friend so I would expect to care about me, but I am so flattered on how panicked he is. I know that sounds bad but I love how he wants to protect me.

"I'm sorry if you think I'm creepy or protective or something. I just dont want anything bad to happen to you, I care about you and never underestimate people in New York." Harry tells me. "No thank you. I like that you care about me. I care about you too." I smile at him and he smiles back and blushes. I take his hand in mine and walk across the street close to him. He smells wonderful, like fresh mint and its absolutely the best smell in the whole world.

After a few blocks of walking and many people bumping into me, we reach an old building. I look up at the building then at Harry. "I know it doesnt look like much on the outside, but give it a chance. If it meets Gemma's standards its got to be good!" Harry says. "Its on the inside that counts." I say to him and wink. Only realizing seconds later how actually cheesy I sound. "Dont go getting all life lesson on me now Kris!" Harry teases. I playfully slap him and we walk in the old building.

When we walk in there is an old man sitting at a large desk. He has white hair and looks very run down. He's yelling at someone on the phone about paying rent, he slams the phone on the hanger when he spots Harry and I in the doorway. "What?" he looks at us and shrugs his shoulders. I cant believe he would treat potential clients like this. I am getting extremely nervous about living here alone, especially with this creepy rude man only a flight of stairs away.

"We are looking for an available apartment to rent." Harry tells the man. "For both of you?" He asks in between puffs of smoke. "No for her. Now cut the crap, act like a human being, and show us some fucking respect before I do something I am going to regret." Harry says through his teeth at the man. I am a little surprised Harry threatened the man and is acting like he is someone to be scared of because he is such a kind caring guy. But I'm not scared. I like this side of Harry. When he wants something he gets it. And he always does the right thing, and cant stand people dont.

Harry's face is red with anger and his fists are clenched at his sides. His right hand is squeezing my left hand, but I dont mind. Harry's face softens and so do his clenching fists. He looks down on me with a soft face. "Sorry, I just cant stand this ass hole." He says to me his eyes barley meeting mine. "No, thank you." I say and smile. He immediately smiles and pulls me closer to him.

"She's living here alone?" The man questions. He puts his feet on the table and puffs his cigarette, not even fazed my Harry's prior threat. "Yes I am." I say to the creep. Harry's face was getting red again. This guys is a dirtbag and pisses me off, but he really gets under Harry's skin. I have never seen him so angry, then again, I have only seen him now twice.

"You shouldnt live in the city alone sweets. Hasnt your daddy ever taught you nutin?" The creep says. "People in dis city likes to have demselves a damn good time, and if yous the prize of the night then yous the prize of the night!" He says laughing with a smug smile on his face. What is he even saying? I am so confused, what does he mean by prize of the night? All of a sudden I look over at Harry and he looks as if he can burst at any second. His whole face is red and his hands are turning white. His body is trembling with rage. "Harry its ok, lets just go somewhere else." I try to calm him down. "Hold on a sec Kris, I dont want to scare you, but I am sure as hell not letting this dick get away with how he just spoke to you." Harry is protecting me. And I love that. But I dont want trouble. "Harry, please lets go." He stays focused on the laughing creep in front of him. "Harry look at me." I say to him. He gives in and looks down at me. I touch my hands to his face. "Lets go." I whisper to him. He takes my hand and storms out of the building. He keeps walking, with me almost running behind him trying to keep up. We are at least 25 feet away from the building when he stops.

"I am sorry about that. I dont want anything to happen to you because even though I just met you I really care about you and that man was an ass hole and needed to learn a lesson." Harry tells me, his face getting red again. Then he cools down and looks at me, "Thank you." He says to me. He completely turns to me and looks in my eyes. "For what?" I ask him lost in his eyes. "For being you and knowing how to control me." As I begin to speak the next thing I know his soft lips are against mine and my arms are wrapped around his neck. My fingers knotted in his hair and his hands squeezing my hips. His minty fresh breath is perfect against my skin. He kisses me, our lips and tongues intertwining with such passion.

We slowly finish our kiss and our foreheads meet. We look into eachothers eyes and slowly breathe and smile. I am safe. I am happy.

"Would you be scared if I asked you to stay with me and Gemma right now? We can split the rent 3 ways." He asks me. My heart is jumping into his bed but my brain is taking it slower. "I thought you werent staying in New York, just visiting." I say, our foreheads still connected. "I want to stay for you. I wanted to take this slower because from the moment I met I knew we werent just going to be friends. But I dont want to wait, I need you now." He tells me looking straight into my soul, grabbing my heart and taking it for himself. "Will Gemma care?" I ask him. "Who gives a shit? No I'm just kidding. She would love for you to move in, that way her rent is cheaper. I know its soon but instead of moving in alone just move in with us." I am trying to think logically about this. Its a very serious and difficult decision. I want to be with Harry obviously, but its so soon. Then again, its better then living alone and the rent is cheaper, and I will be with Harry.

"Okay, I am moving in!" I say to him. I throw my arms around him and my legs and he is picking me up while kissing my cheek. Its the best feeling in the world. My life is about to begin.