I walked back into my bedroom from changing my clothes in the bathroom. Harry propped himself up on his elbows as he watched me enter. The covers had fallen lower on his bare chest and I hoped to god his lower half was still clothed. I made my way over to the bed as Harry pulled the duvet back for me to slip in. It was warm, but goose bumps quickly rose on my skin as a strong arm dragged me closer to Harry’s body. There were a few minutes of silence before my mind wondered back to the picture in Harry’s flat. My mouth seemed to have a mind of its own, the words tumbling out before I could stop them.
“Who were the people in the photo with you?”
I felt his arm tense tightly round my waist. The subject was obviously something that touched a nerve. My body wriggled round in his hold, our faces close. Harry’s curls flopped onto the pillow as we both lay on our sides. His big green eyes stared at me as I felt his warm breath fan over my skin. I was about to tell him not to worry about it, but he quietly spoke.
“My mum and my sister, Jess.”
I noted that he and his sister looked nothing alike.
“They’re beautiful. Do you see them often?”
He lightly shook his head, his gaze falling away from my face. I could tell something wasn’t right. The hurt in his eyes, painfully clear.
“Harry.” He slowly rolled his head back. “What happened?”
I patiently waited as he seemed to be divided as what to say.
Harry’s POV
No-one had really asked about them before. Louis’ blue eyes peered into mine as he waited for me to say something. It may have been the fact alcohol still flowed through my system, giving me the push I needed, but it surprised me when the words fell from my lips.
“M-my dad used to hit my mum.” I stuttered.
I watched as his eyes filled with concern.
“I tried to stop him, but I wasn’t strong enough.”
My eyes squeezed closed at the painful memories. My mum urgently pushing me into my sister’s room in a desperate attempt to keep him away from us. I remember sitting on the floor with Jess, my older sister’s arms wrapped round me as we tried to block out the sound coming from downstairs.
“But a year later my mum kicked him out, they split up and the beating stopped. That’s why I couldn’t believe it when Jess started going out with a complete bastard. She used to come home with bruises up her arms and when I asked her about them she would just brush it off saying she had fallen or knocked into something…she told me she loved him.”
I looked back to Louis, he had pushed his soft hair back from his face. His beautiful eyes locked on me as I continued to talk.
“Jess brought him home one night.”
*Flash back*
I laid back on the sofa, aimlessly flicking through the TV channels trying to find something to watch. But the task left forgotten as I intently listened to the sound of voices in the hall. I turned the volume down attempting to distinguish what they were saying.
“For god sake, just say goodbye and let’s go.” He demanded.
I heard a dull thump against the wall, my feet instantly moving towards the noise. I found him pulling her towards to door, her wrists held tightly in his hands. Her face displayed pain as tears slipped from her eyes.
“You’re hurting me.” She whispered.
His head turned in my direction and I swiftly walked forward.
“Get off of her!” I shouted.
I roughly grabbed his shoulder, yanking him back. Jess was released, her body slumping to the floor as she rubbed her sore wrists. My hands angrily fisted his t shirt as I dragged him outside. I was bigger, stronger than when my dad was around.
“What are you gunna do, Kid?” He taunted.
I didn’t think. My fist slamming into his face, again and again. I shoved him to the floor, before climbing on top of him, hitting him. Blood covered his face, making my knuckles dark red as I brought my clenched fist back again. I pictured my dad as I repeatedly brought my arm down, thinking about all the times I wished I could have hit him, the man who was supposed to love my mum.
“Harry! Stop!”
My mind didn’t register the voices until my mum tried to pull me off.
“Harry, I love him. Please stop!” My sister cried.
I continued to hit him until my arm ached, my breathing erratic. I forced myself up, not being able to look at the mess of a guy on the grass. My head turned to find my mum tightly holding my sister as she cried.
“Mum.”
I started to walk towards her, but she stepped back. The hurt I felt as I recognised fear in her eyes was almost unbearable. She was scared of me.
“Please, mum.” I begged.
But she shook her head, urgently taking my sister back inside the house.
*End of flash back*
I intently watched Louis’ face as he processed what I had told him. He hadn’t moved from his position, still propped up on his elbow beside me.
“I nearly killed him in our back garden.” I spoke quietly.
My vision fell to his lips which were parted but no words came out. He nervously fiddled with his fingers.
“Does that scare you?”
My heart sunk. There was no reaction from him.
“Do I scare you?”
“No.” He didn’t hesitate to answer.
I felt his grip my right hand. My fingers curled up in a fist before he gently pried them open.
“I just wanted to protect her, keep them both safe.” I paused. My body leaned slightly closer into his. “I want to keep you safe.” I whispered.
As I withdrew I noticed his eyes had closed. He opened them again as he slowly brought my hand up to his mouth. His soft, warm lips delicately kissed over my knuckles as he held my eye contact. I allowed him to nudge my shoulder so I was laid on my back. His body hesitantly moved so he straddled my waist. His small hands roamed my chest before dipping his head, sprinkling kisses over my skin. I noticed him jump slightly as I rested my hands on his hips. But he continued his actions as my thumbs rubbed small circles into the warm skin below his t shirt.
I couldn’t remember the last time someone had been this gentle and tentative with me. Normally it was rough, finger nails and teeth leaving marks over each other’s skin. But it was almost as if Louis wanted to kiss away the painful reminders and make me forget.
Louis surprised me when he found a sensitive spot on the right side at the base of my neck. My throat released a deep moan. He instantly pulled back; wide eyes connecting with mine. His hair fell over his forehead as his vision flicked back to the area. I observed him as he cautiously leaned down again. I tilted my head a little to the side to allow him more access. My mouth parted, eyes squeezing closed as his warm lips touched over the skin as he gently sucked.
A short while later he withdrew. But not before he planted a soft kiss to my injured lips. His hands hesitantly travelled up to my hair, carefully twisting a curl round his finger. A low hum released from my lips as he combed her other hand through my hair. The muscles in my body had gradually relaxed with the delicate touches Louis had given me. I felt his eyelashes tickle my skin as he placed another kiss on my cheek before he lay down beside me.
“Louis.”
My hand caught hold of his forearm, pulling him into me. His head rested on my chest as I snaked an arm protectively round his back. He didn’t object. I liked the way he felt against my body.
“I understand.” He quietly spoke into my skin.
