In My Arms

Harry stared down at his phone, thumbing through some of the pictures he’d taken with Elizabeth two days earlier. God, she was gorgeous. His favorite was still a picture he’d taken: she was behind him, her lips pressed to his cheek, and her arms wrapped around his shoulders. They were both laughing. He was happy with her. They’d stayed up for hours, just lying in bed talking, laughing; touching. When they woke up in the morning, she was still in his arms.

He closed the pictures and tapped the phone against this forehead. They’d both been busy the previous day and hadn’t had an opportunity to see each other or call. Even so, they’d texted each other all day. She’d been reviewing scripts with her agent and had sent a running commentary of the absurdity of the meeting; he’d laughed to the point he had to excuse himself from an interview.

Louis flopped down on the couch next to him.“Elizabeth Richards.It’s mad, you and her.”

“I still don’t believe it.”Liam glanced up from the Playstation game he’d been engrossed in since they got to the arena.“There’s no fucking way.You two are just trying to put me on and get me all jealous and excited for him.Just like when you convinced Niall we’d kicked him out of the group.”

“I still don’t think that was funny, prick.”Niall strolled past them, making yet another beeline for the craft services table.“I saw it, dude.She was all over him.”

“I saw the Twitter thing.Whatever.”Liam shook his head.“No.I’m sure you met her and I’m sure she thinks you have cute dimples, but I don’t believe she’s in love with you.And I really don’t believe you fucked her.”

Harry shrugged and slid his finger over the face of the phone.She was going to be on his mind all night if he didn’t call and tell her how he felt.She was going to be on his mind anyway, but, at least she’d know.He pressed his finger against her name in his contacts list and then held the phone to his ear.

It started to ring.

She answered right away.“Hey you.I was hoping you’d call me today.I miss you.”

“I miss you too, beautiful.”He smiled broadly and jumped up from the couch, heading out into the hallway where he could get more privacy.“What are you doing tonight?”

“Eh, got a script to start getting comfortable with and maybe paint my toenails.You have a better option?”

“I’ve got a show tonight, last one here in the States and we close out the tour back in London next Tuesday.I was…I was hoping maybe I’d convince you to come down here and hang out.With me.”

She giggled.He could almost picture her twisting the red ends of her hair around her finger.“And then…”

“Fine.Then I’ll let you take me home with you.”He tried to keep a straight face, but chuckled.“You insatiable girl, you.”

“That sounds like a deal to me, Hazza.”She hesitated.“I meant it when I said I miss you.I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you since you left.”

He broke into a smile, sliding down the wall and crouching down into a sitting position.“It was lonely in my bed last night.I needed you with me.”

“You wouldn’t have gotten any sleep.”

“I hope you’re not planning on sleeping tonight, Lizzie.I…ah…I can’t get you out of my mind.I want you—not just to fuck you, but to be with you.Part of me feels like it’s missing.”

“That’s how I feel too.”He could hear the smile in her voice; it made him smile all the more.“So, what time do you want me to show up there?”

“We have sound check in forty-five minutes, show starts at seven.Soo….maybe five o’clock?Or maybe as soon as you can get here?Because, really, five o’clock is unacceptably far away from now.”

“I’m across town but if traffic isn’t terrible, I can be there in twenty minutes.”

“I’ll let my security guy know to keep an eye out for you and bring you back to me.His name’s Paul.He’s enormous.Come in the C gate; you’ll see the busses.Entrance is back there.”
“I’m in the car.See you in twenty.”

“Lizzie—“ he hesitated.It was probably waaay too bold, but he blurted it out anyway, “I love you.”

There was no hesitation.“I love you, too.”

He shoved the phone back in his pocket and practically skipped back into the room.Paul was reclined back on the couch, mocking Liam’s inability to master the video game.“Dude, my girl’s on the way here.Keep an eye out for her?She’ll be here in like, twenty minutes.”

“I’m going to need some kind of identifying factor other than ‘your girl.’ Hair? Face? Measurements?”

“Elizabeth Richards.”

“No, no, dude.”Liam dropped the controller.“This is going way too far.You’re not fucking Elizabeth Richards.I’m not falling for this shit, Harry.”

“She’s coming here?”Louis punched him in the leg.“That’s fucking brilliant.”

Harry whipped his shirt off and hopped across the floor, wiggling and dancing his way to where his clothes for the show were set up.She said she loved him.She agreed to come hang out with him and then…then, he was going to go home with her after the show.Jesus, it didn’t get better than that.

He jerked a pair of tight black pants on over his boxer briefs and buckled the belt, rocking up and down on the tips of his toes.He remembered her sitting on his lap at the party; just the thought of it turned him on.Hashtag: bestnightever.

Louis leaned up against the wall, shoving his hand into a potato chip bag.He held it out to Harry.“You really dig this girl, don’t you?You’re carrying on like…like I don’t what.I have nothing to compare this behavior to and it’s a little weird, lad.”

Harry tipped the bag back to Louis with one finger.“God, Lou, she’s amazing.Just flat out amazing.I mean, she’s gorgeous and hot as hell, but there’s something more.It drives me insane, she’s just so sweet and funny and so easy to talk to and…shit, I’m falling in love with her.”

“Cheers to that, old man, but don’t you think that’s a little fast?You met her two days ago.”

Harry put his hands on Louis’s shoulders and shook him.“You have no idea how addicted I am to this girl.”

It was the longest twenty minutes of his life.He distracted himself by dancing and bouncing along to loud rap music Zayn switched on.Talk Dirty to Me.He wanted her to do that; he wanted to bite that pouty bottom lip of hers and listen to her gasp out his name.The hell with the show; he’d take out to her car and fuck her in the backseat.

“Getting back here is like getting into Fort Knox.”

He jumped around in a circle.“Baby!”He threw his arms around her and picked her up, still wildly gyrating to the song.“Talk dirty to me.”

She burst out laughing and cupped his cheeks with her hands, pressing her lips to his.“I’ll do better than that tonight.”

He ran his eyes down her body.She was dressed in tight, low rise flare jeans and a thin red tshirt.“You’re just as sexy as ever.”

She danced against him, grinding her body against his.“Casual wear for picking up scripts and having lunch with Jen.”

“I think you’re gorgeous even when you’re naked.”He looped his arm around her waist and guided her further into the room.“You remember Zayn.Hi Zayn.But over here, here are the rest of the lads, one of who insists there’s no way you and I are together.”

Liam glanced up at them and then looked back at the television.He immediately looked back, his jaw falling open.“No fucking way.”

She waved cheerfully.“I’m Elizabeth.I’m totally head over heels for this kid.Another Hollywood A-lister off the market—I know, right?Don’t look so bummed out, dude.I haven’t left a mark on him,” she paused and pressed her lips to Harry’s cheek, “yet.”

He pulled her against him, sliding his hand to her low back, and sucked his lip in.“Promises, promises.”

“How does this even happen?” Liam tapped the Playstation controller against his head.“She’s…well she’s her and you’re you.Twink Harry from Cheshire.”

She looked thoughtful.“Uh…..Maybe it's the way she walked! Straight into my heart and stole it.”

Harry reached behind her thighs and lifted her up into his arms.He could barely sing along though his laughter.“Through the doors and past the guards, Just like she already owned it!”

She wrapped her legs around him, anchoring her body against his.“Don’t think me a total fan girl, but I love that song.”

“Well, I’ve seen a couple of your movies and liked them.Fair enough!”He pushed her against the wall and used it to hold her upright, while he slid his hands up her neck, cupping her face.“Kiss me like you mean it.”

He leaned over and pressed his lips to hers.It instantly deepened and he sucked her bottom lip into his mouth, nibbling on the soft flesh.She tasted like vanilla lip gloss and spearmint.The taste of her mouth and the feeling of her body against his was maddening: he wanted her.His body responded to the thought of being inside her before he could stop it and he mumbled against her lips, “I’m going to have to stand with you in front of me until I can calm down.”

“I like having that effect on you.”She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, running her fingers through his hair.Her face turned serious.“I don’t want you for just a one night stand, Hazza, or a fling.I don’t have time for that shit and…honestly, I’m crazy for you.You’re going to break my heart if that’s all you’re interested in.”

He smiled broadly, touching his forehead to hers.“I told you loved you and I meant it.I don’t want a one night stand either.I want you every night; every morning.Sometimes in between.”

“Our schedules won’t make it easy.”She trailed her fingertips down his cheek, tracing his dimple.

“That’s why you’ll be naked when we’re able to be together.I’m creating the no clothes rule.”He tried to look serious, frowning and wrinkling up his nose.“And you have to abide by it, Lizzie.Rules are rules.”

“Are you going to spank me if I’m not a good girl?”

He kissed her, trailing his lips to her throat.“I like it when you’re a naughty girl.I’ll spank you anyway.”

####

By the time the show was over, it had started to rain.He was pumped from two hours of performing and, now, was ready to start his private party with Lizzie.

She was sitting on the couch with his stylist, Lou, deep in conversation.He sauntered up behind her, leaning over the couch and pulling her into his arms.She giggled, squirming against him.“You’re all sweaty.”

“Yup.”He nuzzled his face against her neck.“Let’s split, shall we?”

“We’re having a nice conversation, Harry.”Lou pushed him away.“Let the girl decide who she’d rather be with: me or you.”

Elizabeth slid her hands into Harry’s and stood up.“Sorry, chickie, but he wins every time.”

“Peace out.”Harry draped his arm over her shoulder and guided her to the door.

Louis tossed him his bag.“Now remember, Harry, we have a flight to catch on Sunday.You can’t miss it.”

He ignored him and slung the bag over his shoulder.Paul held up his hand.“You know they’re going to swamp you, Harry. There’s mobs of them behind the barricades.”

Harry exchanged a glance with Elizabeth.Their relationship was new: he wanted to enjoy at least a little privacy before letting the world know they were together.She shrugged her shoulders.“I can put you in my trunk if you want.”

“I think we’ll manage.”He slid his hand to her lower back and nudged her forward.“The fan thing will bother you, won’t it love?”

“Not necessarily.I mean, I obviously don’t get underwear thrown at my face like you do, but I get swarmed on occasion.I’m one of the cool kids.”She giggled.“Of course, I’ll probably lose my female fan demographic ages 14-34 once they find out I’m fucking you.”

He hesitated.“Is that bad?”

She stopped walking and faced him, pressing her hand to his cheek to keep his gaze steady on hers.“I’d rather have you than a million fans.”

Harry’s heart fluttered in chest as if it stepped out of beat for a moment.He leaned over and kissed her, then slid his hand to hers, lacing his fingers around hers.“Let’s get out of here.”

Her car was parked next to the entrance and she clicked her keys, unlocking the door.“You can give move that sit to the back.It’s just the script from earlier and other crap from my agent.My new headshot is in there if you want to look at it.It’s pretty hot.”

He picked up the stack of folders off the passenger’s seat and slid in, closing the door behind him.“You’re damn right the headshot is hot.Look at you.”

“I think I need a haircut, honestly.You know, just in order to need yet another new headshot.”She glanced in the rearview mirror and jammed the key into the ignition.“Last change to hide in the trunk.”

“I’ll just wear your sunglasses.”He picked up the hot pink, cat eye sunglasses and slid them on.“Do I look sexy, baby?Does it turn you on?”

“You always do, Hazza.”

He plucked the sunglasses off and returned them to the cup holder by the seat.“Do you mind if I look at your script?”

“Go for it.”She maneuvered the car around the other parked vehicles and then, without slowing, waved at the security guard motioning her forward and onto the road.She turned onto the side street and swiftly made another turn onto the main road, narrowly avoiding running a red light.“Beat it, nerds.”

He flipped through the script, skimming what he could in the dim light.“Looks like a period pierce, yeah?”

“Yeah, 1930s New York. Gangsters and drinking and dancing.I have to learn the Charleston again.”She merged onto the main highway and then seemed to hesitate.“I have to tell you something.About me.”

He glanced up from the script.“Okay.”

“I’m a drug addict.”She sucked a deep breath between her teeth, patting hands against the steering wheel in obvious nervousness.“I mean, I’m a recovering drug addict.They say you never really lose it completely, anyway, I had a problem with heroin for a few years.I’ve been sober for three years now.Three years and six months, actually.I just wanted you to know.If you’re going to love me, I want you to know what you’re getting into.Sometimes I’m a mess.But I don’t use.Not anymore.”

He slid his hand to her thigh and squeezed it gently.“I’m glad you told me.But it doesn’t change how I feel about you.”

“Good.”She dropped her hand to his and trailed her fingertips over his across his knuckles.“That’s what I was hoping you’d say.”

By the time they pulled up to her driveway, Harry had her jeans unbuttoned and unzipped and had slid her hand down the front of his pants.She giggled, trying to steer the car around the driveway with her left hand.“Hazza, I’m going to drive into the side of my house.Explain that to the press.”

“I’ll tell them your hand was in my pants and you were completely distracted.”He looked down and pretended to be surprised.“You’re taking advantage of me, old woman.”

“Keep it up and I’ll make you sleep by yourself tonight.”She slipped her hands out of his pants and peered out the windshield.“This is why I need an attached garage.”

They both climbed out of the car, but halfway to the door, Elizabeth stopped.“I left my purse in the car.I was too busy touching your junk to remember my house keys.”

He started laughing and allowed her to pull him back into the rain.Wrapping his arms around her waist, he pulled her back from the car and dipped her backwards like they’d been waltzing.He then pulled her up and crushed his lips against hers.“I want to hear you screaming my name tonight.”

She kissed his throat, trailing her lips to his ear and sucking the lobe into her mouth.“Take me inside then.”

Keeping one hand laced around hers, he retrieved her purse from the car and pulled her back to the front door.She unzipped the top of the purse and jammed her hand inside.“Fucking keys.I’ll break a window to get in.”

He tugged her drenched shirt over her head.“This is wet, so you should take it off.”

She laughed.“You’re never going to get in pants if you don’t let me find the keys.”

“This is wet too.”He unhooked her bra and slid his hands under the straps, sliding them down her arms.He pressed his lips to the tops of her shoulders, gently nibbling on the tender flesh.

“Keys, I’ve got them.”She pulled out another set of keys, punched a code into the keypad, and unlocked the door.Once they were inside and the door shut behind them, she pulled him towards the kitchen.“I can’t wait anymore, Haz.You’ve teased me long enough.”

“I do try my best.”He pulled off his shirt and peeled his wet pants and briefs off his legs.Pulling her into him arms, he picked her up and planted her on the kitchen island, pulling her jeans and panties off and tossing them aside.Her body felt amazing as he entered her.Jesus.

He cupped her face with his hands, pressing his mouth to hers.They stared into each other’s eyes and he fucked her; her lips crushed against his, his tongue exploring every inch of her mouth.After a beat, he pulled her down from the counter and they slid to the floor together, still as one.

She ran her fingers through his hair, breathlessly murmuring against his lips.“Harry…I love you.So much.”

His face broke into a smile and he pulled away slightly, staring into her wide blue eyes.“I love you, Lizzie.I want you to be mine, just mine.”

“I will, Hazza.”

He kissed her again, cradling her face in his hand.There were only two days left before he flew back to England.What then?

He shrugged the thought off and rolled to his back, pulling her up on top of him.The only thing that mattered was her.

Notes