ONCE

Chapter 5

Once I'm done with my shower I walk outside to find Harry waiting patiently- I hope- I become paranoid hoping I didn't take too long.

"You finished?" Harry asks.

"Yes," I mumble.

"We will have to stop past my dorm first, so I can change," he nods at me.

We arrive at his dorm. He opens the door and lets me go inside before himself.

Harry put's up one long-finger to signal for me to wait a moment while he gets changed.

He takes off his top, leaving him shirtless. It's the second time I have seen him without a shirt within the hour. Stop looking Nastasia! My subconscious scolds me.

He throws on a cream chunky-knit sweater, showing off his collar bones. He then slips on a new pair of shoes, brown suede walking boots?

He turns back at me and I feel my heart fail. He looks ravishing, completely breathe-taking.

"You ready?" His voice is warm and husky. Holy crap.

A ghost of a smile crosses his face when I don't answer.

"Yes," I stutter.

We walk outside his dorm and make our way to the parking lot. We reach his car. An Audi. He opens the door for me. Trying to be a gentleman I presume. A gentleman wouldn't be sleeping with his step-mother my subconscious reminds me. How I hate my brain for reminding me of such a thing.

We arrive at a little café, it's cute. He opens the door for me again. I almost trip over my feet, while getting out of his car but his long strong arms catch me.

"Thank you," I flush.

He simply smiles a small smile.

I follow nervously behind Harry walking into the café. Much to my surprise, he takes my hand, clasping it with his long fingers. I feel my already rapid heartbeat accelerate.

"Table for two," He lets go of my hand, and I find myself somewhat disappointed.

We are shown our table. Harry pulls out my chair. He just looks at me, not saying anything once we are seated. I try to hide behind my hair, trying to ease the embarrassment and my blushing face.

"Why are you hiding your face from me?" His brows knit together.

"Look at me," I say referring to my blushing face.

"I am," He laughs "And you're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen."

I doubt that very much.

"I like to see your face," He says. "Stop looking down."

Oh, I look up at him.

"That's better," Harry mumbles.

"I'm going to tell you now, I don't like the woman to order, alright. I order for her." He tells me.

"Alright" I speak up, my voice squeaking. "But get me a coffee, please."

"I'll be back."

I shake my head, watching him get up from his seated position. He waits in line. I take the chance to look at him, really look at him, without him seeing. His black jeans cling to his lower half, they sit loosely on his hips. He runs his hand through his hair, messing it up a bit. His hair looks so soft and...touchable.

He's back.

He places my coffee in front of me and I thank him.

"Tell me about yourself," Harry asks the simple question.

"There's not much to know," I look into his green eyes.

"Yes, there is little miss Nastasia," He says my name for the first time.

"How do you know my name?"

"You don't remember?"

I shake my head. What is he talking about?

"We've meet before," Harry frowns.

"When?" I ask.

"At the college party, last week," He raises an eyebrow.

Oh gosh how could I forget more importantly how could I forget him?

"Yes, I do remember now," I say feeling my face flush.

Why do I keep flushing? Maybe it's because his so attractive.

"Let's move on," Harry says. "How old are you?"

"Eighteen almost nineteen."

"How old are you?"

"Twenty-two."

"What are your parents like?" Harrys asks.

"My parents?" I frown. "They're like any other parents."

"Give me more than that," Harry laughs quietly.

"My mother is a control freak. She has had two husbands in the time span of a year, she's on her third husband now. My father left when I was young," I finish.

"I'm sorry," he mutters, a sad look crosses his face.

"I don't remember him, really."

"Your mother remarried three times?"

I laugh.

"I guess she couldn't keep a man after my father left," I whisper.

"Because she was a control freak?" He whispers also.

"That's my guess," I continue to whisper.

"You have a ring on your finger, I didn't notice it before," Harry picks up my hand.

His touch sends tingles through my whole body.

"Yes, I do"

"Are you married?"

"No, just engaged ," I mutter.

"At eighteen?" He questions.

"Yes."

His eyes turn a darker green as he looks at me, intently.

"Do you love him?" Harry frowns.

That's getting a bit personal. All his questions were personal I'm reminded.

"Do I love him? That's personal. What makes you ask that?" I ask baffled.

"It's a simple question, do you love the guy or not?"

"I don't need to answer that," I nod at him.

"Alright," He says in a calm voice, a small smile tugging at his lips.

Oh his lips... they're just so plump and pink.

You're engaged, stop thinking about his lips.

"It's almost time for class, should we head off," Harry looks at his watch.