Secrets / Black & White / Playing for Keeps

Harry was back by her side by the time it was time to walk the red carpet.

“You know, I just figured it out.” He whispered in her ear, as the cameras clicked away.

“About why you look so different…”

Lara could not keep her eyes off his pink lips as he leaned forward to whisper.

“It’s the short dress; I can see your legs finally.” He smiled cheekily.

They were interrupted by Julian, of all people, who prodded them forward. Fans, reporters and photographers lined the red carpet, and as they walked arm in arm, a barrage of questions were thrown at them. It was hard to hear what they were saying, but Harry paused every now and then to answer a question or to pose for a photo. At one point he leant over and murmured in her ear.

“Watch what happens when I do this.” And he kissed her on the cheek.

The fans squealed, and he smiled before letting his lips brush against hers. The screams grew louder by the second kiss. Lara looked back to see Julian nod at her with approval, but her eyes searched for someone else. Louis stared ahead as though he hadn’t seen a thing.

As they neared the theatre Harry stopped to speak to a reporter. As they walked into the theatre, Harry gave a little backward glance.

“Was that your hand on my ass?” He asked Lara.

“Check out Julian.” She said with a conspiratorial wink, and he looked to see Julian’s eyes almost pop out. Once again she glanced at Louis and he ignored her, although she could have sworn his eyes were burning a hole in her only moments earlier.

Lara was surprised to see herself featured briefly during the documentary, once at the New York concert, and a few throwaway comments about her being Harry’s first serious girlfriend in a long time. Time seemed to fly, and it was not long before the lights went on in the darkened theatre. Everyone applauded and she looked over at Harry to see him shake his head.

“What’s wrong?” She asked quietly.

“That ending looked tacked on. It looks like they rushed the ending to get this thing out on time.” He said looking disappointed. As everyone filed out, she saw him seek out Julian. Their conversation must not have gone well because Harry returned looking unhappy.

“What did he say?” Lara asked.

“He acted like he didn’t know what I was talking about. What did you think?”

“I thought it was fine. I enjoyed it.” Lara said, even though she could tell he wasn’t really listening. They followed the others out to the car and he headed straight to Louis. Lara felt deflated as she watched them talk, their heads close together. It was obvious to anyone that they shared a closeness that she and Harry didn’t have.

Harry was hers for the rest of the night though…

She made sure to hold his hand, as they entered the venue.

“Come on, this is meant to be a party…” Lara said, noticing his glum face.

“I just hate it when they rush to release stuff... it’s like they think we’re not going to last forever, so who cares if it’s shit, the fans will buy it.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about… I really liked it, and I don’t even like the band.”

This made him smile and she noticed it didn’t take long for him to loosen up, especially when

Liam pressed a glass of something into his hand. The music was loud and the venue was bursting with industry people, various celebrities and hangers on. The members of One Direction sat together and it was impossible not to notice that half of the eyes in the room followed their every move.

“Right, I’m gonna have a smoke.” Zayn, grabbing Perrie by the hand. Lara sat next to Harry, a three inch gap between them. She noticed Julian motioning for her to move closer to him.

She could imagine him berating them later for looking like two strangers instead of two people in love.

So with that in mind, she shifted over until their legs were touching. He responded by putting his hand on her knee, but in her innocence she wasn’t sure if it was intentional or that he was so caught up in his conversation with Niall, that he had done it without realising. She soon figured out that he knew what he was doing, because his hand moved from her knee to her bare thigh where he caressed it gently.

Lara resisted the urge to pull down her dress, and hoped nobody else had noticed her face flush pink. Niall had turned his attention to his date, and they laughed as they shared a joke. Lara snuck a look at Louis who was tensely sitting next to Eleanor, trying not to notice what was happening three feet away from him.

“He’s right there.” Lara couldn’t help but whisper to Harry.

“So?” He said, his hand still resting on her leg. “Julian said we have to put on a little show didn’t he? Well I’m putting on a little show.”

His lips travelled from her ear to her neck and he kissed her in the same spot he had given her the love bite weeks earlier. She held her breath for a moment, wanting to close her eyes, but aware that they were in a crowded room. She tried to keep a poker face as his mouth moved to her pursed lips.

“Relax…” He murmured, and she did as he said allowing him to kiss her freely. At that point, Louis was forgotten as were the other people in the room. She could still feel his hand high up on her thigh as the kiss deepened. Sensing she was losing control, she pulled back slightly.

“Harry…” She breathed.

“What?” He frowned. From the corner of her eye she saw Louis abruptly stand up. He moved to walk past them, but not before leaning down toward Harry.

“You’re a fucking prick.” He said lowly.
Harry shrugged it off with a fake smile as he leant back in his seat cradling his drink.

“Jealous much?” Lara couldn’t help but say.

“You’re not as innocent as you look are you?” Harry said looking at her intently. “I have an idea.”

“What idea?” She asked suspiciously knowing that Harry’s ideas tended to get them into trouble.

“Let’s give Julian what he wants. And more.” He raised his eyebrows suggestively. He took her hand and scanned the room for Julian who was chatting to a group of people. Harry pulled her close to him.

“C’mere.” He drawled before embracing her close. She felt her heart beat faster as he leant in to kiss her, oblivious to the people around them.

“Is he watching?” Harry murmured in her ear, and she opened her eyes to see Julian glance at them unconcerned before continuing his conversation.

Later he moved to the opposite side of the room where he chatted with Ben.

They were wrapped in each other’s arms not long after, and he let his hands roam over her body.

They giggled quietly when they noticed Julian look noticeably uncomfortable. They continued to follow Julian around the room throughout the night, their public display of affection becoming more brazen by the minute. It was not long before Julian was sending them loaded death stares, warning them to stop.

It was a far cry from jumping puddles, like they did on their first date, and although Lara was pretending to go along with it for the sake of getting under Julian’s skin, she couldn’t deny she was beginning to ache for more. It had started out as fun, but it was obvious Harry was turned on, and when they ended up escaping to a secluded area, the “fun” didn’t stop. She noticed Harry breathing harder and his green eyes turn dark as he backed her onto a table. He hitched her dress high upon her thighs.

“You should wear short dresses more often.” He ground out, as his hand disappeared up her dress. Her eyes flew open as she felt him pull on her underwear, his fingers touching her down there. A small gasp escaped from her lips as she felt his tongue explore her mouth at the same time. His fingers moved rhythmically and she could feel the pleasure building. She instinctively reached down and unzipped his trousers and there was no doubt he was enjoying this as much as she was.

“Slow down.” Harry said breathlessly.

“Why?” She asked confused as she kissed his neck.

“Not here, Lara.” His voice was suddenly firm.

“You’re doing it again.”

“What?”

“It’s always on your terms isn’t it?” She snapped.

“What are you talking about?” He sounded annoyed as he pushed her away and zipped up his pants.

“It’s always whatever Harry wants.” She said, feeling the anger inside her build up. “You don’t give a fuck about anyone but yourself!”

Lara pushed him back and he momentarily looked shocked.

“You might not know it, but I’m doing you a favour.” He said his voice rising. “I’m fucked up, don’t you understand that?”

“Well thanks for fucking me up too.”

Lara didn’t wait for an answer as she rushed away. She banged her way into the nearest bathroom where she adjusted her dress and composed herself for a few moments. The anger didn’t subside, but she managed to calmly walk out and seek out Ben who was downing shots at the bar.

“I’m going home with you.” She said evenly.

Notes

What do you think?