The club heaved around us, pulsing to the beat of the music; the bass vibrating through our bones. The noise was deafening, but at the same time somehow muted. Louis' lips moved against mine; softly and gently but with restrained urgency, as if he had been waiting for this moment for a while and was trying to keep control. Or maybe that was just me.

His hand pressed against the small of my back, pushing my hips forward to meet his, closing every inch of space between us so our bodies were pressed together as perfectly as our lips. After a moment I lifted my arms and draped them around his neck, and his other arm wound around my waist to lock me into his embrace. He smelled amazing; the combination of his aftershave, his shampoo and probably some kind of facial moisturiser was making my knees weak. His tongue touched mine delicately, his mouth opening slightly, and I could taste the Champagne we had both been drinking, coupled with something stronger - Jack Daniels, maybe - and a very faint hint of cigarettes. 

I could feel a fire igniting in the pit of my stomach, and the longer we kissed the more aware I became of his body against mine, and the more I began to imagine removing these clothes so that nothing was between us. I had never been so turned on from a first kiss before, but as his hands stroked the back of my waist through my dress I found myself pushing my body closer to his, pressing myself against his chest and increasing the intensity. He pulled away an inch after a couple of seconds and took a deep breath, followed by a soft appreciative murmur, and then his mouth was back on mine again, rivalling my own passion, and gently squeezing the sides of my waist with his palms. 

I never wanted this to stop. I never wanted to break away from him again, and by the way he was holding me, he seemed to feel the same. I couldn't stop my fingers from stroking the hair at the back of his neck, and he breathed hard, his hips pressed against mine so firmly I could feel the effects of the kiss digging into me. I wanted him, and I could tell from the heat in his kisses that he wanted me just as badly.

"Louis!"

We broke apart guiltily, and I glanced up to see a familiar-looking man dressed all in black standing next to us looking at Louis. It took me a moment to realise it was Preston Mahon - once Zayn Malik's bodyguard but more recently rumoured now to be Louis'. From the looks of things this particular rumour was true.

Preston leaned forward to speak directly into Louis' ear, and I stood a little awkwardly while they had a brief conversation, Louis' eyes darting to me a couple of times. Eventually he nodded, and Preston moved away through the crowd, with a little difficulty considering his size. Louis took my arm wordlessly and led me off the dance floor to the corner of the room, near to where we had sat together last time we had been in this club. I felt a flutter of nerves in my stomach. 

"Is everything OK?" I asked him when he stopped and turned to face me.

"Yeah - well, sort of. There's a pap over there, but he hasn't got a camera with him. One of the paparazzi, I mean," he explained, when I must have given him a confused look. "Preston recognised him, but it looks like he's just on a night out with some mates. He's seen me, and has probably tipped off his other pap pals, but so far he hasn't done anything to make us get him thrown out. But if he knows who I am, he could ask anyone to take pictures on their phone, and they'll be all over the tabloids in the morning."

"Oh," I breathed.

"Yeah," he sighed. "I just need to be careful what shit gets leaked about me at the moment, after the whole Zayn and Perrie story, and me and Eleanor breaking up. You know?"

He looked at me apologetically, and I nodded. "Yeah, I get what you're saying," I confirmed.

"Our management will have me strung up by my balls if I bring the band any negative publicity," he elaborated. "They keep me on a tight rein."

I couldn't help chuckling at this, as I knew from being a One Direction fan just how much trouble Louis had caused in the past. It was funny to hear him admit this sort of stuff.

"Let's go back to our booth," he suggested. "We've got it for the evening anyway. And maybe... I mean, you could always come back to mine later..?"

If he had asked me this question five minutes earlier, when his erection had been poking against my leg and his hands gripping my waist, I would have dragged him off there and then. But now the moment had been broken by Preston I was able to rationalise my thoughts and think clearly.

"Um, I'm not sure," I began, feeling embarrassed and shy all of a sudden. "I, er, haven't really done this before. It's not my usual style."

Louis' eyes widened and his face dropped. He stared at me with what could only be described as a look of horror. "Fuck - are you... are you a virgin?" 

He looked so terrified that I couldn't resist having a bit of fun with this, at his expense of course.

"Well... yeah," I lied, looking away from him and swallowing a laugh at the look of panic that was spreading across his face. "But I think I'm ready... if... if you are."

He stared at me, speechless, and ran his hand over his hair, his eyes darting all around the room. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly through his lips, before looking me in the eye nervously. "Look, um, I had no idea. I mean, I don't know if this would be appropriate, if you've never slept with anyone before. It wouldn't feel right, y'know?"

"I've been waiting for the right person," I argued, using every ounce of willpower to keep my face straight while he visibly squirmed in front of me. "And I think that's you."

He ran his hand over his face and took my arm gently, leaning close to me. "OK... Jess, look, I really don't think this is a good idea. I don't want to take advantage of you - you're an amazing girl. You're beautiful, and you're funny, and you're clever, and you're... you're... you're fucking winding me up, aren't you?!"

A laugh burst from my lips - I couldn't hold it in any longer. I leaned back and squealed with laughter, while Louis grinned and put both hands on his cheeks and looked skywards.

"Fuck's sake," he cursed, chuckling. "I fell for that one hook, line and sinker."

"I'm sorry," I wheezed. "I just couldn't resist! "When you got the wrong end of the stick it was too funny not to set you straight!"

"You're a fucking wind-up merchant," he accused, shaking his head at me in disbelief. "So you're not a virgin, then?"

"No," I smiled. "I'm not. But I am a bit inexperienced when it comes to one night stands. As in, I've never had one. Ever."

He surveyed me for a moment, his head tilted to the side thoughtfully. "I don't know if that surprises me or not."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Well, I find it hard to believe that someone as stunning as you has never just hooked up with a random guy before. I imagine you've had plenty of offers. But then, you strike me as the classy type, so I suppose I'm not surprised you don't sleep around."

"Well, thanks," I smiled. "I'll take that as a compliment."

"It was intended as one," he smiled back. "Can't say I'm disappointed that you might not be coming home with me tonight, though."

He winked, and my stomach somersaulted sharply. 

"Yeah, well, I won't deny I'm more than tempted," I admitted. "Had you asked me back there -" I hooked my thumb over the shoulder in the direction of the dance floor " - you might have had a different answer."

He gave a deep sigh, and smirked at me. "Now you're just being a tease."

"Not intentionally," I smirked back. "Just being honest."

"Well, unintentionally you just made yourself even more irresistible to me," he said softly, training his gaze on me and causing a new flutter of desire in my belly. "There's nothing sexier than a girl who plays hard to get."

I licked my lips nervously. "I'm not playing hard to get," I denied, truthfully. There was nothing I wanted more than his lips on mine again, and his hands on my skin, in the privacy of a bedroom with no interruptions. 

His gaze never wavered, but instead increased in intensity. "Really? Well, just for the record, that innocent, butter-wouldn't-melt look is driving me fucking wild."

"Louis," I whispered softly, as he took a step towards me and I felt myself inadvertently leaning into him as his arm slid around my waist again.

He groaned softly, and leaned his head back, closing his eyes. "You're killing me."

"Well... you're killing me too," I countered. "It's probably a good thing your bodyguard interrupted when he did."

"I wholeheartedly disagree," he breathed as he leaned towards me again and his lips brushed mine.

I knew I should push him away, particularly after what he had said only a couple of minutes earlier about a member of the paparazzi having already seen him, but I couldn't fight the pull of his soft kisses, or the enticement of his fingers stroking my waist in a way that hinted at what else they would do, if given the chance. My resolve was crumbling, yet deep down I couldn't help feeling I would regret it if I gave in and let him take me home. It was just difficult to think rationally while I was this turned on. I could feel him again through his jeans, and my hips seemed to move forward of their own accord to apply a slight pressure to where he was bulging.

He moaned softly against my lips, his breath hot on my cheek.

I pulled away from him, putting one hand on his chest and looking down at the floor. "I'm sorry," I apologised.

"You're really going to turn me down?" he murmured. "Again?"

"I'm not easy," I tried to explain. "I'm not trying to be a tease, or to lead you on. This is really hard for me."

"It's hard for me too," he winked.

"Stop it," I moaned, as he chuckled and put his arms around my shoulders in a hug, pulling my face into his chest as I continued to stare down at the floor.

"I'm just joking," he said in my ear. "I respect you. Like, a lot. Too many fans are so eager to jump into bed, y'know? They offered it on a plate, even though they knew I was in a relationship. It's cool that you're not like that. You're classy. And I like classy."

"Thanks," I muttered, hating myself for having morals and wishing I could be like Callie or Sarah just for one night and give into temptation and enjoy the moment.

"I mean it," he said firmly, hooking his finger under my chin and tilting my face up towards him. "I'm not just interested in one thing. There's more to me than that."

I gave him a confused look, as I wasn't sure where this was going.

"I mean, maybe this isn't the best place to be getting to know you," he explained. "I'm having a few friends over this weekend at my place. Why don't you come over? No pressure, no heavy stuff, just hanging out and a few drinks. I'm heading over to the US in a couple of weeks, so I'd really like to see you again before I go, in a less noisy and less crowded environment. What do you say?"

My heart was banging in my chest so loudly I was surprised anyone could hear the music over the din it was making. "Sure," I replied, hoping my voice was steady. "That sounds great."

"Sick," he smiled. "And now that's sorted, and we've decided we're not having sex tonight, let's get back to that dance-off. Unless of course... you're worried you won't be able to resist me and my erotic moves."

The openness with which he discussed us having sex - albeit to clarify that it wasn't going to happen - caught me off guard, and I felt myself flush hot all over at his blatant overconfidence, attitude and nerve. My legs wobbled slightly, and I caught a flash of satisfaction flicker over his face while I scrambled for a comeback.

"More like you can't resist me," I retorted, ignoring the tremor in my voice. "Don't start pretending you weren't feeling it."

"Oh I was definitely feeling it," he breathed, leaning close to me and smirking. "And I know for a fact you were feeling it too." He gave the slightest nudge of his hips against mine, causing my face to burn harder and hotter, and I held my hands up in surrender and grinned sheepishly at him.

He gave me a smug look in return, and then looked across the dance floor towards the VIP area. "Maybe we should go back and get our drinks. I've worked up quite a thirst. I mean, I'd much rather be working up an appetite, but there's always next time..."

He looked back at me and winked, and I pushed his chest with my hand in mock indignation, before letting him lace his fingers through mine and lead me back to our booth where the others were waiting.

~~~

It was almost two in the morning by the time I accepted I needed to call it a night. Sarah had left just after midnight, insisting that I stay, and only after Louis had promised he would make sure I got home safely. She had given me a surreptitious wink, and muttered "fill me in on the details tomorrow," before Louis had sent her out with one of his bodyguards who put her in a pre-booked (and paid-for) taxi.

"I'll take you home," he said immediately, when I said I should go.

"Honestly, I'll be fine," I argued, but he wouldn't take no for an answer, and after assuring me he wasn't trying to put any pressure on me, or take advantage of me in any way, I let his security team usher me through the club and out of the main door into the cool night, keeping my head down as the cameras flashed all around us and pushy men shouted questions and instructions at Louis. He was several paces ahead of me, and although the noise from the photographers was deafening I was flanked by two huge minders dressed all in black who discreetly kept me shielded from the view of the paparazzi until I could jump into the backseat of a waiting car, next to Louis. Preston climbed into the front passenger seat and I kept my hand over my face as the car began to move off slowly, the media thrusting their cameras against the windows in an attempt to get pictures of us leaving together.

Once we were onto the main road and away from the crowds, I took my hand away from my face and caught Louis watching me, looking mildly impressed.

"Well. You handled that brilliantly. You done this before?"

I chuckled softly. "No, of course not. But after what you said earlier about keeping your name out of the media I thought it best to keep a low profile. And I don't really want my face all over the tabloids as your new girlfriend, or latest hook-up, or whatever else they might want to assume from seeing us getting into a car together."

He smiled at me. "You're smart. I like that."

"You like a lot of things," I teased.

"I do," he nodded, shifting across the back seat of the car towards me with a wicked smirk. "I think you like a lot of things, too."

"Maybe," I conceded, smiling as his face came close to mine, and reaching my hand up to cup the back of his neck and draw him to me into a kiss.

"No 'maybe' about it," he murmured, smiling against my lips as I closed my eyes. 

Kissing him in the back of his car was completely different to kissing him in a crowded club. Although the club was public, it had also felt more private thanks to the mass of bodies surrounding us and the music pounding in our ears. With no background noise except the hum of the Mercedes engine, and two people sitting in the front only a couple of feet away, I felt far more conspicuous. I was more aware of his fingertips now caressing the side of my dress, the sound of his breathing, and the gentle murmurs of approval he was making as my tongue glided against his while my body crushed against his chest.

My hands stroked the front of his tshirt, and a couple of times I curled my fingertips over the neckline to touch his collarbone, which earned me a few soft grunts of appreciation. His hand slipped down from my waist to my bottom and squeezed gently, showing undisguised desire. Yet again I found myself struggling with my own conscience as the passion between us ignited and it became more and more difficult to control myself. My fingers clenched his tshirt and my hand on the back of his neck pulled him harder to me, pressing my lips to his fiercely, never wanting to release him. I was aching for him, and I knew that any minute I was going to give in and let him do whatever the hell he wanted, because there was only one type of satisfaction I was craving now, and only one person who could give it to me.

Then all of a sudden he broke away from me, his breathing hard and fast, and pressed his forehead to mine. "I'm going to drop you off at home," he mumbled.

Maybe I was more drunk than I thought, or maybe he was. The air in the car seemed thick and hazy, and I stared at him in confusion until he opened his eyes and met my gaze.

"What?" I whispered.

"I don't want you to regret this. I respect what you said earlier, and I don't want you to do anything drunk that you wouldn't do sober."

It took me a moment to process his words, and I stared stupidly at him. "So... you're turning me down?" I clarified.

"For now... yes," he said. "I meant what I said - I'd like to get to know you. Come to this party at mine on Friday night. No pressure."

"OK," I said uncertainly, a little confused at his change of heart, and definitely disappointed that I wasn't going to get the release I now needed.

The driver swung into the car park of my flat, and pulled into an empty parking space. The engine stayed running, and both men in the front stared out of the front windscreen at the bushes, in a lame attempt to give us privacy.

"OK," Louis echoed.

He leaned towards me one last time and kissed me deeply, resting his hand on my thigh and squeezing it gently. I reached forward to return the gesture, and with his free hand he grabbed mine and guided it to his crotch instead, before I had time to react. My hand made contact with the soft fabric of his skinny jeans, and behind them the product of our heated kissing. I squeezed it softly and he let out a sigh, smiling against my lips.

I smiled back, my insides dancing, and gave him a soft kiss before reaching to pick up my bag and open the car door. As I carefully climbed out he unbuckled his seatbelt and scooted all the way across towards me, so he was now partly hanging out of the car.

"Hey," he called, leaning up to give me a quick peck on the lips before I stood up fully and straightened my dress. I looked at him as he smiled mischievously at me, his blue eyes glinting wickedly in the moonlight. "Think of me when you're alone in bed tonight.... I'll certainly be thinking of you."