Today is the 3rd rose ceremony. I spent the entire day soaking myself in the shower and painting my nails and curling my hair to make sure everything is perfect, because I'm seeing Harry tonight.

No, I don't like him. Well, I mean, of course I like him, as I like all my friends with benefits. I like kissing him, I like touching him, and I like when he touches me, obviously. That doesn't mean anything special- it means that he may earn himself a spot as another notch in my belt once I leave the show.

Still, I want to look nice. I guess there's no need to, since I already have the rose from my first group date this week- the rose that was given to me by a pleading, desperate Harry. But still, I want to look nice. I like to see the light spark within a boys eyes when he see's me all done up for the first time in a while. It's exciting, and I especially like how it'll look in Harry's beautiful green eyes.

I sit with Kiana and Tanya in our room now, helping them decide what to wear tonight. I already know what I'll be dressed in, but they're still undecided. In the past 2 days I've grown closer to them and have started to appreciate their company a whole lot more, especially after getting a taste of how my experience here would be without them via the group date the other night.

"Ok, red or blue?" Kiana inquires.

"Definitely blue." I respond, trying not to let on how distracted I really am. I can't stop thinking about the dress I'm wearing tonight. I know Harry will love it. 

Maybe he'll love Kiana's more, a nagging thought pushes through, but I try to force it out of my mind for now. I'm not going to let my brain ruin anything tonight.

After another hour Tanya also decides on an outfit, and we find there's only 2 hours before the cocktail party is due to start, and while Kiana jumps in the shower, I start on my make up. I'm trying my very hardest tonight, and I can't exactly tell why.

Sure, last rose ceremony I had been excited to see Harry, but I feel a whole lot different now. More eager to impress- the feeling is familiar. I chalk it down to the fact that Harry and I have shared more than a few sexual experiences this week. This happens with every other guy I've had these sorts of relations with, too. As soon as they show me a good time, I feel the need to become desirable- something ingrained within me by now, I assume.

I decide to push aside the reasoning for my feelings, which are normal and definitely not anything special, and continue to get ready. I try my damnedest at a highlight and contour and keep perfectly still while applying my eyeliner. An hour passes and I've finally finished.

I touch up my hair and finally it's time to slip into the dress I picked out a day in advance. It's plain black, nothing over the top, two thin straps hold the top together while the neckline sinks low on my chest- lower than any other cocktail dress I've worn before. It's tight material- figure hugging- and stops just above my mid thighs.

Most would consider it short, but I feel right at home in the length. It's plain, but it doesn't have to be flashy, my body does most of the work. It's my go-to dress.

Once I manage to pull it on successfully and zip it up, not without a lot of help from Kiana and Tanya, I slip on my matching black stilettos, finding there's only a half hour before Harry is due to show and the cameras are scheduled to begin rolling.

I wander downstairs with Tanya and Kiana on either of my sides and feel good. I feel good about what I'm wearing and absolutely good about the fact that I'm going to see Harry tonight. I push away the small fear that this rose ceremony may turn out like the last- that Harry might completely ignore and humiliate me, but I know that nothing seriously damaging can happen- I already have a rose.

Kiana, Tanya, and I sit around in the living room, eventually accompanied by the rest of the girls, and soon our mics are being attached and Chris is entering the room.

"Ladies! So good to see all of you again after the events of the past week! I hope you're all looking forward to the rose ceremony tonight, although I know it's going to be difficult. 3 more of you will be going home."

The girls let out an anxious sigh collectively and I'm sure I spot 2 or 3 envious glances in my direction. I sigh too, but more out of annoyance than anything. I don't need more ammunition for the girls to become suspicious of me.

"On the brighter side, here's your bachelor, Harry!" Chris finishes and Harry walks around the corner. I have to stop myself from audibly gasping at his appearance.

He looks as perfect as ever in a clean cut, form fitting black suit, but that's not what captures my attention. Harry has cut his hair!

The sides have been shaved down considerably, and the top rests in perfect curls atop his head, a single strand making an escape down to dangle perfectly across his forehead. I find I've never wanted him more. It's so much shorter and he looks so amazing, I can barely contain my enthusiasm. I force myself to stay seated on the couch, but marvel at the fact that I've actually kissed the ridiculously handsome man standing before me now, not to mention every other thing we've done together.

I stare up at him in awe as he begins to speak, but barely capture any of his words. I'm too taken aback at just how good he looks with his hair cut. Once he finishes speaking Jessica jumps up to take him away and I can't help the sting of jealousy I feel. Not really at the fact that she's with him, I just  want to get a little bit closer to look at him and I don't feel like waiting

Nonetheless, I sit patiently, waiting my turn. I know that everyone will think I'm a bitch if I go steal him away now- I already have a rose after all- so I stay still and bide my time, which I find passes agonizingly slow.

Finally, after 2 hours, I decide enough is enough and I spring up.

"I'm going to go find Harry, do either of you know where he went?" I turn and ask Kiana and Tanya, both situated next to me.

"Yeah, I saw him go into the gardens around the back of the pool with Astrid." Kiana informs me, pointing in the direction they took off. I thank her and walk confidently towards the pool. I have to admit, I did reconsider finding Harry when I heard it was Astrid with him, but I reason with myself:

Harry would be absolutely crazy to blow me off for Astrid after what happened earlier this week. I savour in the fact that he most likely will leave her to come talk with me. I smile to myself.

I round the corner and arrive at the gardens and, sure enough, spot Harry and Astrid seated behind a couple trees on a luxurious bench. I desperately hope they don't start to kiss before I can make it to them and am pleasantly surprised to find that Harry sits so far from her that they're skin makes absolutely no contact.

I clear my throat.

"Do you think I could steal you for a minute?" I ask Harry, coming up from behind with a shy smile displayed on my face. I don't miss the way Harry's head whips around quickly and I certainly don't miss the way his eyes drag down my body in the greediest way possible. I've never seen the dark look in Harry's eyes that I do now, save for maybe a glimpse of it when he showed up to my bedroom earlier this week.

"Yeah, of course." Harry responds a little too quickly, causing Astrid's face to fall in frustration. I take a few steps away as Harry gets up and gives Astrid a swift hug and a curt 'goodbye', before she walks in the opposite direction of us.

"Hello, lovely." Harry greets me warmly, wrapping his arm around my waist tightly as he matches his stride with mine.

"Hello, Harry... or should I say hairless." I exclaim as I take in his much shorter locks.

"That noticeable, eh?" He asks.

"Yes, in the very, very best way possible." I admit, unable to tear my eyes from his face now that his hair falls in such an attractive way.

"You really mean that?" He asks, searching for my approval.

"Harry, you look so handsome! I love it!" I chuckle, although it's clear that I'm being genuine. There, I'm not lying to Harry about that!

"Well, I wasn't so sure about it, but I'm glad you like it." Harry smiles warmly next to me and I feel his hand squeeze my waist tighter. We continue to walk away from the garden, around the pool, then find another seating area to the left of the mansion.

I almost forget about the cameras following us as we sit down, and Harry immediately takes my hand in his, pulling it into his lap.

"So, what have you been up to?" He asks and I flash him a genuine smile.

"Oh, really, not a lot. Lounging around the pool, pretty much." I tell him. I see his eyes spark, and I know he's recalling the memory from earlier in the week, when he saw me in my less than modest swimsuit.

"Yeah, we've stayed pretty wet for the past few days." I sneak an innuendo into my comment, smirking slyly in Harry's direction. His eyes bulge.

"Oh, I'm sure. Anything else?" He presses.

"Taken lots of baths- the ones in our bathrooms are huge! Enough to fit two people, I'm sure." I disclose in the most innocent voice I can conjure. He stiffens slightly next to me.

"Of course." Harry answers, barely a whisper.

"And our beds are so big, too, now that I think about it. Shame, I spent every night alone this week. You see, Kiana was off in Tanya's room." I say, batting my eyelashes and looking up at him from under hooded eyes. Harry seems to choke on air.

"Such a shame." He tells me, his grip on my hand much tighter than before.

"And what have you been up to?" I return his inquisition virtuously.

"About the same as you, although I wish I'd been with you- you girls, I mean." He quickly corrects himself. I giggle and nod.

"Of course."

"Listen, I wanted to thank you for sharing with me the other night. It really meant a lot to me." Harry starts and I can't stop the small frown that takes over my face. This does not sound like something Harry would say. I realize he must have a script from the producers. I remember what he told me the other night- he has no choice. I accept that and nod along. I won't let this subject ruin my night, I'm having a great time so far.

"It was nothing at all. I felt like I wanted to share that part of myself with you." I explain, granting him a small smile that I'm sure the cameras will love. I see understanding flash in his eyes and I'm quite sure he knows I can tell that he's listing off a script the producers wrote for him, not speaking of his own accord.

I attempt to rid my mind of the topic and can't help that my eyes wander up to stare at Harry's hair again.

"What're 'ya staring at?" He exclaims, a goofy grin displayed across his face, making his dimples pop.

"I just love your hair so much." I blurt, before reaching my hand up and running my fingers through his thick locks. They feel so good against my fingers, although I am a little disappointed that I have less to pull now when we kiss.

His cheeks burn a deep red and I realize I've made Harry blush, truly blush, for one of the first times.

"Don't be embarrassed, babe. It suits you." I can't help the pet name from slipping out. Harry's cheeks turn redder still and a smile that looks like it hurts breaks out across his face.

I've never felt so happy before. At least not for a long time. I don't know what it is, but I just love sitting here with Harry, showering him with compliments.

He quickly clears his throat and looks away, embarrassed. I can't help but smile at how cute he's acting.

"You look cold. Need a blanket?" He blurts, not waiting for my response as he grabs a knitted quilt from the back of the sofa and throws it over both our laps.

"Sure." I giggle, admiring his hasty actions.

"Well, I'd also like to say that I like your dress very much." Harry tells me. As he does so I feel his hand snake under the blanket and grab my thigh. I look down discreetly and see that his actions are completely masked by the heavy fabric.

"I like it, too!" I announce, glancing down at my dress and taking both the straps between my fingertips delicately, pulling them up a little. This actions hikes my breasts up in a way that the cameras can't see, but Harry definitely can.

The movement causes Harry to stiffen yet again, then his hand is sliding up much higher on my thigh, playing with the hem of my dress before slipping underneath it.

"What would you like to talk about, love?" Harry asks, looking completely normal. Oblivious, I'm about to reply, but Harry greedily pushes my panties to the side with his long fingers and slips one down my slit. I'm cut off instantly and have to stop from gasping.

"I-I- I don't know, what do you want to talk about?" I try to maintain my composure. The camera men are very, very close to us. I pray they can't notice the tiny movements Harry's hand is making as it circles my clit underneath the cover of the blanket. Our position on the couch and the draping of the quilt looks as though it conceals everything. I hope for both our sakes my eyes are not misleading me.

"Well, I'd like to say you were a very good judge the other day on the date." He tells me, applying a little more pressure to my most sensitive spot. It takes me a second to respond in the most even voice I can conjure.

"Oh, but all I did was write in tallies." I respond weakly. Harry's finger picks up the pace and I close my eyes for a split second in pleasure, a small sigh escaping me.

"Oh, love, trust me, you did much more than that." He tells me and instantly I know he's alluding to the little favour I granted him under the table.

"I did, did I?" I ask him, trying my utmost best to sound normal and not as if the man next to me has his fingers halfway inside me.

"Of course, you carried the entire thing! You made sure there was a winner! Without you, nobody would have come!" Harry exclaims with a boyish grin and I can't believe his words right now. Nobody would have come?

I don't think he understands just how dangerous his little anecdotes are becoming. One person with half a brain listening to our conversations will know something is amiss.

"Oh, no, that can't be true." I reply breathlessly. It takes everything I can to keep my eyes open as his finger slowly slips inside of me. I can feel the cool metal of his rings against me and I want to whimper at how turned on I am right now, especially by the fact that Harry is doing this to me in plain view of everybody and there's nothing I can do to stop him. I love it.

"I think it is." Harry presses, his voice much huskier than it had been a few seconds ago. I don't doubt that he likes the fact that I'm already so wet for him.

"Well, then, you're welcome." I struggle to think of something to say as his finger pumps in and out of me slowly. I want so much more, but I know that I can't have it- Harry knows it, too. He's teasing me and I can't stand it. It takes everything in me to stop from squirming in my seat to make him go faster.

"Oh, yeah, I'm very grateful." Harry says, and I want to moan. His voice and his words and the expert movements his fingers are making are all too much for me. Far too much. I know I can't come right here on this couch, but I really won't last much longer.

However, seconds before I'm about to involuntarily expose Harry and myself, I hear footsteps coming around the corner, then see Amber in bright pink heels standing before us. She clears her throat loudly.

"Mind if I interrupt?" She asks. I find I want to thank her and strangle her at the same time. Harry does not seem to want to stop, but after another 2 seconds withdraws his fingers from within me. I'm finally able to sit normally without fidgeting.

"No, not at all." I respond to Amber, as Harry doesn't seem to want to. He lets his finger slide across my slit once more before I stand from under the thick blanket, causing my body to lurch and a blush to spread across my face. I adjust my skirt, attempting to mask my near-fall, and walk away from my seat. I risk one glance back and find Harry addressing Amber now.

"Spilled wine on my hand!" He laughs, before slipping two fingers into his mouth quickly and sucking them clean. He turns while he does this and makes eye contact for a split second. I realize exactly which two fingers he's popped into his mouth and a small squeak escapes me as I turn hastily back around and scurry away.

I'm so turned on right now, all I can think about is how much I want Harry inside me and yet, nothing of that sort can happen.

When I'm far enough away from the cameras I groan in despair. I can't take teasing like this anymore. At least when I gave him a hand job I could finish him off. This is the worst form of torture and, yet, it turns me on the most I ever have been.

I make a quick trip to the bathroom, cleaning myself up, before returning to the other women. I'm forced to sit with them, making polite conversation, while I find it impossible to stop squirming in my seat.

Finally, Harry returns to the house and we're all assembled in the rose ceremony room. Christie, Perrie, and I stand on the special bench allotted to those with roses, and Harry's selection commences.

3 women leave, including Jessica, a girl named Tiffany, and another named Georgia. A total of 14 women remain now.

After those not chosen say their tearful goodbyes, we all assemble around Harry.

"Here's to another week with you wonderful ladies! I'm very excited to tell you something- tomorrow morning we're all going to be setting off for Paris!" Harry exclaims and the women go wild. I cheer. I mean, I've been before, but I absolutely loved it. I clap along with them and Harry sends us to bed with a skip in our steps. I wonder if Harry's lips will taste different in France...

***

Hello! Hope you enjoyed!

I just wanted to let everyone know that I've just started school again, so updates may come less regularly than before but there will still be a new chapter at least every week :)

Also, I couldn't resist adding an image at the top- that's what I pictured Harry looking like when I wrote this chapter

Let me know what you think x

L