Behind the Velvet Curtain

*Harry's Pov*

Walking away from her was hard as hell, but I didn't need anyone here seeing us together. Hearing her sigh as I walked away urged me to turn around. But my head decided against it as I pushed the meeting rooms solid door open. Tossing my things on the table, trying to toss all thoughts of her soft lips and long legs away as well. The door bursting open right as I finally sunk into one of the leather chairs. I already dreaded the rowdiness of the four lads filing in.
"So what happened to you last night, mate?" I groaned as Zayn started the dreaded conversation.

"Yeah, why didn't you show up?" Niall added to my torture. A groan rumbling through my chest as I tried hiding my head in my hands.

"Hangover?" Louis evily teased, figuring me out.

"Shut up, Lou."

"Who were you drinking with?"

"Lou,"

"Either last night was absolutely horrible or she was sex worthy."

"Stop."

"Was she blonde?"

"Stop Lou."

"Come on mate, give us something. You blew off poker night, so what was this shag like?"

"Brunette, heavy weight drinker, oh and I didn't shag her." I confessed easily, shoking everyone including myself.

"Why not? A night of drinking for you always ends in a one night stand." Niall spoke sliding into the chair across from me.

"Things change."

"Except you," Liam agreed.

"At least not without a good reason." Zayn added.

"Who is she?" Lou asked with a sly grin.

"Doesn't matter," I countered.

"Come on mate."

"Leave it," I spoke before pushing my way out of the room. Preparing to have to face her, while still saving my ass.

The sight of her joking with Perrie and Marie was one I never wanted to forget. Her cheeks were slightly pink as their banter increased. The sight of how she laughed easily, ignoring everything else around her drew me toward her. How could a good girl survive this dangerous area? How could a good girl look so bad? How could a good girl grab my attention this way?

"Open the doors Mary," I called finally forcing myself to interrupting the moment.

"It's Marie you dip shit." I fought the smile that begged to show at her soft giggle. Catching her eye I easily spotted the disappointment in them.

Tonight men and women of all ages filled the booths and side tables.

"'Adore' pulled in quite the crowd tonight." Perrie commented as she poured liquor into shot glasses.

"She'll be a good one to keep around." I added noticing how Lilly's mood changed quickly. I could hear the music perfectly as I followed her backstage. Hoping to get a few sentences out of her at least.

"Well look what the cat dragged in," I heard 'Lace's' voice before I saw her.

"Ahh, the attention whore herself. " I could feel the ice in the girls voice. Pushing myself, I kept myself hidden in the shadows of the velvet curtains.

"You do realize grabing attention is the backbone of this job." her soft voice calm but a harsh tone was buried underneath.

"True but we do it onstage. Not on the club floor."

"We preform, you just deliver drinks"

"We're talented and sexy. You're useless and slutty." The words were the furthest from true, but I knew I couldn't do anything about it.

"I have a question, do you enjoy having all eyes on you?" I assumed they all agreed with Lilly's statement as she continued. "And do you all compete to have all those viewers?" I had no clue where she was going with this, but I was drawn to figure it out. "Considering I only grab a few eyes a night and wish to give you girls all the attention you 'deserve'. So, whose really the attention whores?" The sass she produced impressed even me. Who would've known a girl like her could leave those bitches speechless. I could feel the boiling anger radiating off her as she stormed past me. Part of me wished she had seen me as she left, though part of me wished I could of protected her from that cruel jealousy. Once again I chose to go after her, hoping to be the one to calm her down. Just as I was about to catch hold of her arm I felt my phone vibrate harshly in my pocket. Cursing the damn thing as I struggled to pull it out of my pants. Had anyone been watching at that moment they'd obviously laughed at the scene.

"What?!" I growled as I finally accepted the damn call.

*Lilly's Pov*

I could feel my ears burning as I stormed back toward the bar. The way they thought they were better than anyone inside in the fucking building pissed me off more than being blown off by that green eyed beast. God I feel like I'm gonna go crazy if I don't stop thinking about it all. Just passing by him filled my mind with both questions and fantasies. I felt stupid for both but I couldn't help it. No matter how hard I tried those damn green eyes haunted me. As I passed drinks out to a table his hushed voice caught my attention, trying my hardest to ignore it as I accepted my tip. Though his words pulled me to listen closer.

"Didn't I tell you about her?" .... "No, Lilly," .... "Listen love, she's cute, but there's nothing there." I didn't know who he was talking to, but I had a good idea. Even though it hurt I felt I needed to listen further. "Work is work" .... "Alright" ..... "Love you too Gem." He sighed as he shoved the device back into the pocket of those tight jeans. Before his eyes could land on me I lead myself to the bar once again.

"Take these to table 13, the one with the lady in red." Marie told me as my tray was placed on the bar again.

"Cruella DeVille, Cruella DeVille, if she doesn't-" Perrie jokingly sang.

"Hush, don't cause trouble tonight." Marie cut her off.

"Why?"

"Harry's not in the mood to be messed with tonight."

"Fine." Perrie groaned sliding the now filled tray closer to me.

Approaching the table I cursed how close it was to the partners booth. Their soft conversing being heard as I spotted the 'Cruella DeVille'.

"Alright I have two jacks and one apple martini." I greeted the group as 'Lace's' act ended.

"Thank you love, don't you seem as nice as the drink." the youngest man at the table checked me out.

"Could you get me a seltzer dear?" 'Cruella' asked me. Before I could answer I felt the mans hand grabbing my bum. Nodding quickly I escaped to the bar. Letting out a breath I turned back to see those emerald eyes giving me a look of anger and something else I couldn't quite identify.

"Perrie, a seltzer for 'Cruella'" I called out over the blasting music.

"Got it, what happened over there?" she answered me.

"What do you mean?"

"Harry's been staring at you since you arrived at table 13."

"Oh,"

"Here. Get it there before she skins some puppies." Perrie joked, passing me the clear glass.
I felt his eyes the moment I came within 2 feet from table 13. The gaze seemed to burn through me more as I finally reached it.

"And finally, your seltzer." I smiled trying to ignore the sudden silence from the booth behind me.

"Whats your name, love?" the lady asked, a warm smile gracing her aged features.

"Jinx,"

"I think you've been the best part of tonight," she informed me. My mind left what the woman was saying as a hand found my bum again. Half of me chose to ignore it though the other half wanted to desperately slap him. "Thank you for being so lovely." she finished easily. Making my way to leave I was abruptly stopped.

"Don't forget your tip Jinx." the man said, pulling me closer by the wrist. Feeling the folded bills as he slipped them into the bra of my uniform. "See you soon doll." he smirked letting me go finally. Before I reached the bar I turned to see Niall and Zayn stand from the booth and approach the man. I saw him walking toward me before too long, pulling me toward the wooden door. Hearing it slam as we faced each other again.

"Are you alright?" he asked as he looked me over.

"It's part of the job," I shrugged, pulling the tip from my top. "Best tip yet," I mumbled unfolding 5 $100 bills.

"It shouldn't be." he sighed. I watched as he sat on the long meeting table. The room was dimly lit with leather chairs and papers scattered.

"Stop worrying so much, it's not this uncommon."

"He still shouldn't hav-"

"Jealous much?" I teased, not wanting him to finish that dreaded sentence. Though the slight forming blush on his face caught me off guard.

"Back to work," he groaned, turning away. Smiling I got back to the bar with ten minutes left in the clean up shift.

"I can't believe you got into the meeting room." Perrie gushed as we swept up.

"What do you mean?"

"Marie has been working here for 13 years and never been behind that door. And you did it after 3 days."

"Well it's a large room with a long table. Nothing to special."

"I swear this place clears out as soon as cleanup shift starts." Perrie grumbled as she wiped down the bar for the last time.

"Do you really expect some prissy showgirl to sweep a floor?" I chuckled.

"True, now lets get out of here, it's almost three am."

As I finally walked out the front door my breath caught. It was absolutely freezing and he was still there. But of course not alone. I watched as he gracefully leaned into the window of a white car, a beautiful brunette as it's driver. I sighed in relief as it pulled off without him. I couldn't help smiling as he stood there in only the white t-shirt, his hot breath coming out in visible puffs. How was he not freezing? His eye catching mine as I selfishly took in the dangerous beauty that is Harry Styles.

"Enjoying the view?" his voice coming out harsh because of the cold.

"Does that really matter?"

"Fair enough. Would you like a ride?"

"No." I answered pushing myself to work past him.

"Really?"

"Look what happened last time."

"I rather enjoyed how it ended honestly." I could practically hear his damn smirk. "Just get in." he said grasping my arm. The internal battle that waged ended with a white flag. The 15 minute drive seemed longer as the only noise came from him humming a tune I knew far to well. As soon as the vehicle came to a stop I was on the pavement, headed toward the buildings entrance. Though not quick enough to avoid him fully.

"Trying to run away now?" he asked opening the door for me. I couldn't help chuckling at how he acted. Now it was easy to see he wanted to show everyone he was that badass who didn't need anyone, but I knew he was willing to chase me as far as I ran.

"I've been trying for a while." I confessed starting the journey to my flat.

"Trust me, no matter how hard you try to run and hide. I won't be giving up that easily." his words scared me, but I enjoyed it.

"Good luck," I smirked bracing myself for the next comment and flight of stairs.

"I seriously don't know how you do this everyday." he commented as we finally reached my floor.

"What? Dealing with you?" I teased digging for my keys. I felt my back hit the door, keys hitting the floor beside me. Though all I could focus on was his toned arms on either side of my head and his hot breath washing down my neck.

"Funny." That one word about made my heart stop all together. "Can I come in?" he breathed. All I could do was nod, not trusting my voice. I hadn't even noticed he'd picked up my keys till he was unlocking my door.

"I didn't expect you to have such a cute place." he teased.

"Now that you've seen the place, I guess you can leave then."

"Would you really force a poor lad to walk down 13 flights of stairs and into a rain storm?"

"Well I may force you down 13 flights once the storm passes."

"Oh good." he chuckled. "Well then I better make myself comfortable," rolling my eyes I made my way into my room. I already knew he'd go investigating as soon as he had the chance, but I needed a shower to bad to care.

Having the hot water run down my back both calmed me and drove my mind wild. How was I supposed to cope when that damned green eyed beast was only a few feet away? I cursed myself for not bringing clothes in with me. Taking a deep breath I secured the towel around me and stepped back into my room.

"I have to say, this is my favorite part of your flat." his voice slightly startling me. I hadn't expected him there.

"I bet, now could you please give me a moment?"

"As long as I can have this one," his eyes trailed over my towel clad body. "Beautiful." he whispered, he was holding his breath. Harry Styles is breathless over me.

Notes

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