Secrets / Black & White / Playing for Keeps

Harry looked keyed up by the time she and Ben returned to the studio.

“Where did you go?” He asked curiously.

“Just for a walk.” She added “And a coffee.”

And it was true, she thought guiltily.

We went for a walk (Ben snorted a heap of cocaine) and we then went for a coffee (I drank coffee and Ben talked my head off). Harry nodded briefly, his attention elsewhere.

Lara followed his line of vision to see Louis speaking to one of the sound engineers. They were laughing, as if they had just shared a joke, and Lara noticed Harry’s expression darken slightly. He chewed his bottom lip before turning to Lara.

“Did you hear about our latest photo op?” He asked shifting from one foot to the other restlessly.

“No.” Lara replied wondering why she was always the last to know.

“Get your bikini out Lara, we’re going swimming.” He said raising his eyebrows suggestively.

“I don’t have a bikini. And I don’t swim.” She stumbled over her words. ”I mean I don’t know how to swim.”

“You’re so cute when you’re flustered.” Harry laughed.

“I’m flustered. I mean I’m not flustered.” She didn’t know why she couldn’t make sense.

“So you’re going to have to get out of these… clothes.” He flicked her baggy shirt. “Hmm they don’t look like Modest Management issue to me.”

She could tell that he enjoyed seeing her uncomfortable, but a part of her did not mind his playfulness. She preferred this to his moody moments or even worse when he ignored her.

“Shouldn’t you be working instead of swimming?” She asked.

“It’s meant to be work isn’t it?” He asked bluntly.

Lara tried to hide her disappointment, but it must have been obvious that the comment hurt her.

“You know what I mean.” He said lightly tapping her on the shoulder. “Hey let’s not forget that you’re being paid a pretty penny to be with me… or have you suddenly forgotten.”

He smiled at her cheekily as she tried not to blush, her eyes darting around to make sure nobody was listening.

“It’s okay; I understand why you’re doing it Lara.” He said with another reassuring squeeze of the arm.

“Yeah well… not everyone’s a millionaire like you.” She huffed.

“I didn’t always have money Lara.” He said quietly.

They stared at each other for a moment before they were interrupted by Ben who pressed a shopping bag into Lara’s hand.

“This is your costume for tomorrow. Be poolside at 10am.” He paused for a moment and hid his mouth behind his hand, as he waited for her reaction. Lara briefly peeked in the bag.

“I’m not wearing this!” She said indignantly.

“It’s just a bikini Lara.” Ben said calmly, his mouth twitching as though he was suppressing a smile.

“Here let me see.” Harry grabbed the bag and pulled out a skimpy baby pink bikini. He let out a low wolf whistle and with mock concern said, “Hmm now I understand why you’re freaking out.”

Lara grabbed it from him as he laughed merrily, and she stuffed it back into the bag.

“You owe me for this.” She seethed to Ben, before stalking off.

************************
Lara realised she wasn’t out of place as she tentatively walked to the sunlounge at the Roosevelt Hotel pool. All except for the sarong, that she tightly clutched to hide her body. Everyone else seemed to be lazing around wearing next to nothing. She on the other hand had inspected herself from all angles in the hotel room mirror, seeing how the pink bikini did not hide anything. Her full breasts were just covered with the top of the bikini, the bottom just covering her backside.

She sat on the lounge still making sure to cover her body with a sarong, and squealed when Harry pulled it away from her and sat down on it so she wouldn’t be able to retrieve it.

“No covering up.” He said firmly. “You look great, why hide yourself away?”

She glared at him, as she tried to get comfortable, making sure she was covered appropriately.

“So what do you think of LA?” He asked watching her adjust the front of her bikini.

“It’s interesting.” She said eyeing a busty blonde nearby.

“Yeah you could say that.” Harry said following her line of vision. Harry paused to stare for a moment before turning to her mischievously.

“I have an idea.” He said suddenly.

“No. No ideas.” Lara said adamantly. “This is humiliating enough as it is.”

Without another word she then lay face down on the sunlounge as if it to escape the outside world.

“Fine, I don’t mind the view.” She heard Harry say, and she squirmed slightly hoping against hope that the bottom of her bikini was not too revealing.

Minutes passed and Lara lazily listened to the hum of people chatting around her, the soft sound of music in the distance and the odd splash in the pool. The scent of coconut filled the air, and she could hear the squeeze of the lotion bottle. She jumped slightly as something cold hit her back.

“Sorry.” She heard Harry say.

“What are you doing?” She asked her voice muffled.

“What do you think? Do you know how pale you are?” He admonished. “You’ll be burnt before you know it.”

He was sitting beside her now, and Lara felt his hand lightly rub the sunscreen into her back. She could not help but take in a sharp intake of breath.

“Just relax…” He said softly. “You’re always so tense.”

How could she tell him that his presence made her ache inside? The lightest touch made her want to squirm, and here he was gently massaging her. It felt nice… too nice. She resisted the urge to sigh with pleasure as he smoothed the lotion onto her back, with slow, deliberate strokes. She held her breath as his hand travelled to the small of her back where it swirled for a moment before landing on her thighs.

“Your skin is so soft.” He said, sounding almost in awe. “It’s amazing.”

It was an unexpected sensual moment and she allowed herself to close her eyes, her now languid body enjoying the feeling of his touch.

“How does that feel?” He said, his voice suddenly sounding husky.

“Mmmm.” She replied, unable to form any words.

“Turn over.” He said after a few moments.

She paused before rolling onto her back. Her eyes were still closed, as she lay there waiting with anticipation. Closing her eyes made it easier; she was able to block out the rest of the world and not have to see his face which she knew was watching her intently. She could hear his even breath become slower and deeper as he applied more cream to her skin.

He started at her neck, his fingers trailing down to her chest where they lingered for a while. Her eyes flew open and she saw him looking down at her, a hard, determined edge to his face, as though he was focussing hard. He paused for a moment before continuing to caress her, moving down to the top of her breast. Her breath quickened as her hands gripped the side of the sunlounge. She could see a small smile play on his lips, as though he realised the effect it was having on her, and his hands slowly moved to her bare stomach where he tenderly touched her. His hand edged slowly to the top of her thigh.

“Not here…” She suddenly spoke.

“Then when?” Harry said lowly.

They heard a low whistle and their heads turned to see Ben watching from afar. He gestured to the pool, looking slightly nervous. Harry swore under his breath.

“I guess they want us to cool off.” He said grabbing her hand to help her stand. Lara reluctantly stood and then let go of his hand in an effort to self-consciously adjust her bikini.

“You look fine, Lara.” Harry smiled, his eyes travelling down her body. “Trust me.”

He licked his lips and laughed at her shocked expression.

“Where are the cameras?” She asked as she tentatively dipped her toe in the pool.

“Over there on the right.” Harry tipped his head toward the general direction. “There’s only one though.”

He stepped into the pool and dunked his head under the water almost immediately. He grinned up at her, the water dripping from his hair. She sat down on the edge of the pool and looked down at him returning the smile and trying not to stare at his glistening chest.

“Come on in.” He said, parting her legs so he was standing between them.

“I don’t know how to swim.” She said in a small voice.

“I’m here… I won’t let anything happen to you.” He said backing away with an outstretched hand. Their eyes met and his reassuring smile prompted her to take it.

The water was cold but she tried not to show it as they both bobbed in the water. His strong arms wrapped around her waist as he pulled her closer to him

He was taking her deeper into the water, and under any other circumstances she would have panicked. But her eyes were fixed on his and she found herself relaxing in his embrace.

As he ventured deeper she lost her footing, the water reaching her chin. He picked her up from the waist, forcing her to wrap her legs around him as he continued to move toward the deep end. She could feel his bare chest pressing up against her as her arms held onto his shoulders.

“Put your arms around my neck.” He murmured. She could feel him becoming hard against her, his green flecked eyes boring into hers.

“I really want to kiss you.” He said finally. She waited, the anticipation high, hoping that the ache she felt would be satiated by his lips, but he stood still just staring at her.

“What are you waiting for?” She whispered.

His eyes glanced to a spot behind her.

“Your Uncle hasn’t taken his eyes off us.” He said. She instantly loosened her grip and couldn’t help but look to see Ben in the distance watching intently.

“Don’t worry.” Harry breathed into her ear, and she felt her heart beat faster. “He can’t be around all the time, right?”

Notes

:)