But what’s done is done.
Meaghan glanced down at Harry. He’d fallen asleep on the couch with his head on Meaghan's lap. According to the watch on his wrist, it was past eleven.
After dinner, when Meaghan suggested a movie night, only Zayn had refused. Most likely so he could Skype Lorraine.
Louis had left around eight-thirty when Charlene phoned him. Less than an hour into the film, Leah was bored with Niall's running narration and declared herself off to bed—not without Niall, of course. Liam went home soon after that.
Meaghan brushed a curl away from Harry's face. His broad chest moved slowly with each breath he took. She let her hand trail over his strong jawline and his soft lips. Just as she began to move back to his hair, his hand came up and grabbed her wrist. Green eyes met blue.
“Don’t leave me, love.” Carefully, he sat up without breaking eye contact. Brushed his lips against hers. Left her wanting more. Harry tangled his hand in Meaghan's hair while the other cupped her face. “Tell me you want me.”
“I want you,” she breathed, closing her eyes and leaning into him.
Harry pulled her onto his lap so that she was straddling him. He pressed his mouth against hers roughly. Meaghan responded just as forcefully.
When he forced her lips apart, she felt a strange tightening in her stomach. The same monster that wanted to keep him away now wanted him. All of him.
Too soon, he pulled away. “Wow,” he mumbled against her lips. His green eyes had darkened and he stared keenly at the girl on top of him. Her eyes were closed and her head was bent forward. She didn’t protest as he laid her down on the sofa and ran his lips over her collarbone.
“God, Meg,” he sighed when she raked her nails down his chest. He sucked on the soft skin of her neck. A soft moan escaped her mouth. Harry smirked triumphantly.
“Please, Harry,” she moaned as she arched her back in pleasure. “I want you.”
“Me too, baby.” His voice was strained. Meaghan let Harry slip her shirt off over her head. “You’re mine for the night.” He pulled off his own t-shirt and ducked his head down to her chest. Hungrily pushed aside her bra and took her breast in his mouth.
“Jesus, Harry,” Meaghan gasped as he bit down. She pulled him back to her lips. “Don’t stop.”
“You like that?” he growled before biting her bottom lip. “Tell me what you want, love.”
She replied by moaning and grinding her hips against his. She felt him hard against her thigh. Harry pushed her jean-clad legs apart and slipped his hand under the waistband of her jeans.
“Meaghan,” he breathed, kissing her softly. “Jesus, I love you so much.”
Her eyes snapped open. He loved her. This wasn’t a hook-up for him, it actually meant something. Meaghan flattened her palms against his chest and pushed. He sat up and blinked, obviously alarmed.
“Did I do something wrong?”
She didn’t answer. She couldn’t. Her mind was racing.
“Babe, what’s wrong?” Harry asked again. “I’m sorry if…if I didn’t anything wrong.”
Meaghan took a deep breath and pulled her shirt back on. “You didn’t do anything. It’s—it’s not you. It’s me.”
Harry's eyes nodded. “This is about your boyfriend, isn’t it?”
She nodded slowly and hung on to the lie. “We haven’t worked things out yet.”
The boy kneeled on the floor in front of Meaghan. “Don’t work things out,” he insisted. His voice was barely a whisper. “He doesn’t love you. He can’t. Not the way I can.”
“You don’t love me, Harry.” Tears were forming in her eyes at the sincerity in his voice. She closed her eyes to force them to disappear.
“Why do you keep saying that?” He took her hands and clasped them in his. “I may not have known you for years and years, but I know what love is. And I know that what I feel for you is love. The real kind, Meg. The kind that few people ever find.”
Meaghan stood up and paced the floor of the living room. The only light came from the muted television. A couple was kissing passionately. Harry wrapped an arm around Meaghan, his hand splayed out over her heart. His chest pressed to her back.
“I love you, Meg. I really do,” whispered Harry in her ear. “Just give me a chance. Let me show you that I can make you happy.”
Meaghan turned and buried her face in his chest, sobbing freely. He wrapped his arms around her and stroked her hair.
Finally—seconds, minutes, hours, who knew?—she pulled away.
“Babe, I won’t force you into anything,” he said, “but don’t fall into something you don’t want.”
His eyes shone with tears that he tried to blink back. Harry gently cupped Meaghan's face and kissed her before leaving. Meaghan sank down against the wall and stared at the spot where he’d been less than a minute ago.
“I love you, Harry.” Meaghan buried her face in her hands. “That’s why I’m doing this.”
