Lockdown | Harry Styles | AU

Chapter 5

Aubrey stared across the table at Harry, her wide pale-green eyes scanning every inch of his chiselled face carefully. Her palms beginning to clam up as she felt her heart beating furiously, her chest seeming to tighten around it. The clenching in her stomach fluttering so wildly that it made her whole body ache with nerves and throb with anticipation.

Outside, to Harry, Aubrey looked a little stunned, but still poised and graceful, but inside-- she was a fucking mess. Aubrey was tipsy, for sure, possibly bordering on drunk. Being anxious about her date all day, she'd barely eaten a thing. She eyed up Harry, noticing that he was also rather sluggish, but mainly more together than her.

Aubrey could tell from the way Harry drank that he was no stranger to alcohol, perhaps even too aquatinted with it.

Maybe he even had a problem?

He drank alcohol like he needed it in order to function.

Aubrey didn't exactly follow celebrity news much, but like the rest of the world, she knew who Harry Styles was. She also knew of his reputation. He was renowned for being a somewhat troubled person, constantly in the tabloids for all the wrong reasons. It was always in the news every time Harry checked himself in and out of rehab— which was a ridiculous amount— This all being in between the reports of him being arrested or dating his next model or pop star.

Hollywood always perceived that perhaps Harry had fallen under the curse of starting out as a child actor. The pressure of entering the lime light so young suddenly having a heavy impact on him later on in life, just like so many other child-stars. But recently, despite his usual escapades, Harry was seeming to be making a good comeback over the past couple of years, especially after taking a break from acting during his late teens/early twenties. Spending most of this time snorting, drinking and fucking anything he could while living off the royalty money he received from his previous work.

"Don't worry, I don't bite..." Harry smirked, tearing Aubrey from her thoughts when she made no attempt at moving or responding to him, his eyes darting over her face.

He couldn't get enough of her beauty.

"I'm not so sure on that." Aubrey teased, a weak nervous smile lifting her lips.

Harry let out a laugh, his teeth glimmering as he smiled, his charming good-looks captivating Aubrey making her take another long sip from her wine glass— desperate for the confidence. However, at the same time, Harry took it upon himself to shuffle his long lean body around the booth until he was sitting just a foot away from Aubrey, a devilish half smile on his pink lips.

While Aubrey almost choked on her drink at his sudden closeness, her eyes shooting to his as she turned her body to face him slightly, her dainty fingers wiping away a drop of wine that was just about to fall from her bottom lip. Her entire figure had completely stiffened, her pulse accelerating to an almost dangerous speed as she flexed her hands to stop them from trembling with nerves.

Even with the wine in her system Aubrey still couldn't shed the feeling that she was in way over her head.

Harry was famous.

And so incredibly out of her league.

This was the most surreal night of Aubrey's life.

"You're very beautiful," Harry purred softly, his eyes fixed on Aubrey's while his fingers delicately pushed a few strands of her hair behind her ear. His focus dropping to her lips as he continued to run his hand through her golden curls until they draped down her back, exposing one side of her neck.

"Thank you..." Aubrey swallowed, her mouth so dry that her voice came out raspy and hesitant.

Harry then stunned Aubrey further when he, without hesitation, swiftly leaned in so he could place a gentle kiss to her throat, making Aubrey's eyes practically roll to the back of her head at the pleasure that suddenly surged through her, the feeling causing a instant throb between her legs.