Guess what? I love you guys and I really like this chapter, so here's an early Valentine's Day present!

L

***

After the rose ceremony, we're not forced to go home. We're not forced to say goodbye to Harry and wallow around for 3 days without him. Instead, the producers decide to be nice for a change.

"Girls, listen up!" Emily calls as the camera's change their batteries- "We cut the rose ceremony short but the vans aren't booked to come for another 2 hours, so you'll be staying until then. Feel free to do whatever you'd like." She announces. I can feel excitement immediately light up the room and the girls move in to engulf Harry in another round of hugs.

I keep to the sidelines and smile hugely. I know I heard Emily say she would figure something out while I was eavesdropping, but I didn't think her idea would work so well in my favour. Oh, well. I'll take this good news without question.

I'm delighted that I'll have another 2 hours with Harry, especially now that there are 3 less girls present. However, I am a little worried, and rightly so I should think. If Harry decides to act the same way he has been the whole night (constantly clinging to me for attention and affection), I may be in serious trouble. Not only will the limited number of girls, including my friends Tanya and Kiana, begin to become suspicious, but I'm sure Astrid will find a way to murder me in my sleep.

I hope, for Harry's sake as well as my own, that he tones down the drinks and gains a little common sense. However, as people begin to disperse and Harry wanders off, I'm hardly surprised to see him heading for the bar. It looks like my wish will not be granted.

I so badly wanted to take advantage of Harry's mood right now- be the girl he devotes himself to for the night- but I can't. If he's not going to take responsibility for his actions someone must. In the long run, avoiding Harry for an hour or two tonight may help me stay a few more weeks on the show.

If everybody, including the audience at home, thinks I'm an attention whore whose unfair to the other girls, I won't be around much longer. I can't have that. So, sure, I'll spend time with Harry, but to avoid being kicked off and possibly stabbed, I will have to try to maintain some sort of distance. As we assemble around the main couch, though, it appears that my mission will not easily be completed. Harry sits himself down right next to me again.

This time the girls envious stares are glaringly obvious. I sigh with relief when Amber stands and places herself on Harry's adjacent side. Maybe the playing field will seem evened out.

The good news is that now that the rose ceremony has passed, the women don't seem so desperate to gain Harry's attentions. Nobody pulls him off to talk in private and instead they seem comfortable, for once, to sit in a group and hold a conversation with him like normal people.

I do appreciate this for a while and begin to realize that some of these girls aren't so bad after all. There are a few exceptions to this epiphany -of course Astrid is no less crazy and Christie is no less annoying- but I find that when Perrie goes for more than 20 minutes without talking about her trust fund, I don't mind her company at all.

It's nice to feel on equal ground with the women for once, but my mind starts to turn. Some of these girls really aren't so bad- even likeable. Are they more likeable than me? A flicker of doubt starts to form in my chest as I glance around nervously and eye Harry's interactions with the others.

-No. I am not going to do this again. I won't be selfish or jealous, just like I promised myself. Who has Harry been spending all his time with tonight? Me. Who has he pulled off innumerable times to kiss and talk to and spend time with? Me. Not the others. I have no reason to feel scared. My name was called first off the roster during the rose ceremony tonight and there should be no fear within me. I am safe.

At this realization, the night passes easily. Harry and I laugh along with all the women and for a time I find I can imagine the others as merely friends gathered around for a dinner party, not competitors.

This fantasy is shattered when the vans finally roll around outside and the cameras lower. The producers start to pack up and we're all ushered out of the house, away from Harry. After our mics have been removed, everybody makes sure they get in a large hug with the man of the night. When my turn comes, though, Harry seems to linger for a little longer.

"My room. Tonight." He whispers as we embrace, his request barely audible, even to me. I try to contain my joy and to my surprise don't spare a single thought about the repercussions of being caught. If Harry wants me up there, I'm there. I'll just have to figure out a way to make it in without being discovered.

As I finally part from Harry and enter the van, I look around. Charmed by the good news of the rose ceremony and the events of the night, all the women, even Astrid, have drunk more than their fair share. I refrained from having too much, Astrid's glare throughout the night making me feel a little too sick for alcohol, but I suspect I may have been the only one, including Harry, to exercise self-control.

By the time we make it back to the mansion, most of the women are already asleep, heads lulling back sloppily against the leather head-rests of their seats. Maybe it won't be too hard to get to Harry after all.

We reach the mansion, and upon entry every girl heads straight for their room. I need to make an excuse now and I need to do it quick. Kiana must have a reason for my absence.

"I'm going to make food, does anyone want some?" I ask loudly, ensuring everyone can hear me. A unanimous 'no' resounds through the house as I receive my answer. The women tromp upstairs and I hear 6 doors all shut in unison. I am alone.

I wait a couple minutes, fiddling in the kitchen in case any of the women are still awake and listening to hear me execute my announced intentions, but after 10 I know they will all be fast asleep. I switch off the lights downstairs, arrive to the second floor, and tip toe down the corridor to the entrance which I know withholds the secret staircase.

After securely fastening the door behind me and carefully making my way upstairs, I waste no time padding down the short hallway and raising my fist to knock sharply 3 times on Harry's door.

Within half a second I hear loud shuffling, then the entrance is swung open exuberantly. Harry stands before me, shirtless yet again, but this time in only his black, rather tight, briefs. I enjoy the view, but I can't get in a single word before Harry has swept me off my feet and thrown me to his bed- it's like dé ja vu. This time, though, he's almost naked.

Harry flings out his foot and shuts the front door with one swift movement then hastily jumps on top of me, pressing his lips to mine and grabbing my waist selfishly. He continues on like this, but I find I can't stop from laughing.

At my chuckle Harry ceases his movements and looks up, obviously confused. I can see, clear as day, he's had more to drink since he arrived back at the mansion. I glance around the room and, sure enough, spot evidence- a brandy bottle stands wide open on his dresser.

I wrap my arms around Harry and, taking advantage of his drunken state, flip us so that I now sit on top of him, knees straddling either of his sides, holding him down. I keep my hands firmly planted against his chest to stop him from moving. He's been quite a nuisance tonight- I'd rather not take any risks.

"Harry, what the hell has gotten into you!?" I ask, laughter interrupting my question. My sobriety is glaringly obvious thanks to the drunken heap beneath me.

"I missed you so much." Harry slurs, letting his hands rise and wrap around my back, before attempting to pull me down for another kiss. I resist and slip out of his grasp. Now I'm forced to take both his wrists within my grip and restrain his arms. It's like dealing with a feisty toddler.

I wait a couple moments before making a reply. I examine Harry. His eyes are half shut, lazily moving beneath their lids. His mouth is parted as he takes breaths heavier than normal and his movements are sloppy. I've never seen him like this, but I don't miss the one defining factor of his drunken state- a permanent half smile stuck to his face. It refuses to falter.

"You saw me half an hour ago." I smirk down at him, withholding my laughter until I can get a straight answer out of him. Harry chuckles and his head falls clumsily to the side. His eyes close for a second, as if he's sleeping, but the smile on his face stays put.

"That's too long." He murmurs. A large grin of happiness invades my expression but Harry doesn't see it.

I'm worried he'll fall asleep if I allow him to stay silent for any longer, so I place my hands on either of his cheeks and turn his head to face me once more. His smile grows and his eyes idly squint open.

"So pretty..." He mumbles to himself as he's forced to look at me. I lean down and afford him one small peck to the lips. At this he seems to wake up and with an unexpected amount of strength he flips us once more.

I'm trapped beneath his body again. He moves in close and begins to suck harshly on my neck. The feeling is amazing, but I need to get Harry under control- help him to sober up just a little bit. I don't think it would be right to go farther than first base with Harry when he's in this state. Maybe in an hour or two he'll have his senses back.

"Harry, you're so drunk." I exclaim. He doesn't stop his movements as he responds.

"I know!" He shouts. For a second I worry he's so loud that the women beneath us will hear him, but I realize they're all probably passed out and soundly asleep.

"I've never seen you this drunk." I continue my observations. Harry hums complacently in agreement as his fingers greedily grab at the hem of my dress, attempting to hike it up as fast as possible.

"Oi, slow down there, Styles." I giggle. Harry finally looks up at me, his eyes watery and red, and lets a large pout take over his face.

"Please?" he practically begs, but I know I must wait until he sobers up.

"Not now- you're too drunk. Later." I tell him strictly. I know if I continue to laugh, like I want to, he won't listen to me. If Harry's going to act like a child, I'll have to scold him like one, too.

He growls in frustration, but after a few seconds throws himself dramatically to the other side of the bed, landing on his back spread eagle. A loud laugh sounds from me.

"What has gotten into you?!" I ask once more, moving closer to inspect this new side of Harry. I like it a lot, although he is rather hard to manage. Harry shrugs lazily, his smile still prominent, and yet again he nods off and his eyes begin to close.

"Hey! Stay awake!" I shout. I grab his pillow from the top of the bed and playfully bring it down upon his face. Harry's eyes shoot open and a mischievous grin invades his features.

"You'll pay for that." He slurs before reaching over and grabbing my waist. He begins to tickle me. A loud giggle escapes me, but I find Harry is much too strong to kick off. In my struggle I lose my footing, Harry's grip on the bed falters, and we both roll to the floor.

It seems we're back where we started. Harry's body rests on top of mine, squishing me beneath his tall frame.

Once I stop laughing and regain my vision, Harry swoops in for another peck, then positions his face within inches of mine. He remains like this for a moment, his eyes staring into my own searchingly.

"You sure you want me to stop?" Harry murmurs, and I see his eyes drag longingly from my face to my chest. The cold metal of Harry's cross dangles from his neck and touches my skin lightly, raising goosebumps all across my body.

In a calculated motion, Harry lets his hips sink lower so they meet with mine. The pressure is welcome. I don't make a response as Harry leans in and begins to nibble at my ear.

No, I can't let this happen. Not when he's like this. I don't want to take advantage of him.

"I'm not gonna fall for that this time!" I exclaim, squirming playfully underneath Harry. He sighs, exasperated, but slowly detaches himself.

"Suit yourself." He pouts playfully, rolling off me once more.

I watch with interest as Harry slowly brings himself to his feet and stumbles across the room. He arrives at his objective- the brandy bottle- and takes it within his hand.

"I think you've had enough." I chuckle, rising myself in order to stop Harry from drinking. He does not bring the bottle to his lips, but instead holds it out for me.

"Not fo' me." He says. I know I shouldn't drink, but I'm almost completely sober now while Harry is pissed. We've never been drunk together before. I'm sure a few sips won't hurt.

I hesitantly take the bottle from him and allow myself a generous swig. Harry cheers, his arms raising in triumph. After I've set the bottle down Harry approaches, scoops me up, and lays me back down on the bed. Instead of trying to initiate something again, Harry only crawls in next to me.

His hand wraps tightly around my stomach and his head lays softly against my chest. His legs come to intertwine with mine, although his feet stick off the bed while mine barely reach the end. I allow my arm to wrap around his back while the other cradles his head and plays with his hair gently. I can't believe my usual strong, intimidating, authoritative Harry has now executed a complete 180 in personality. It's my turn to hold him and I don't mind at all.

"Harry?" I question, looking down at the drowsy man on top of me. He hums in acknowledgement but does not form words to respond.

"Why did you drink so much tonight?" I ask the question I've been wondering since he first pulled me off during tonight's rose ceremony. He's never really drank much in front of me and from what I can tell, he doesn't particularly appear to like alcohol until he's consumed a fair bit of it.

"He said I couldn't talk to you." Harry replies quietly. What the hell does that mean?

"Who said you couldn't talk to me?" I prod him for a clearer response. Harry doesn't answer this question and instead starts talking of his own accord.

"It made me mad so I had a couple drinks... to take the edge off." He goes on. I decide it's best not to interrupt and let him talk without my input.

"I needed to talk to you. I can't go a whole day without talking to you. I can't even wait a whole hour. So then I got drunk and I didn't have to listen to him anymore." Harry mumbles on. My cheeks suddenly heat and I blush profusely. Luckily, he can't see my face. I'm assuming his eyes are closed now as he continues.

"I like you a lot, Charlotte." Harry finishes. I stay completely still as his words reach my ears. I know he's telling the truth- drunken rambles, in my experience, are always sober thoughts. Alcohol gives you the courage to say things you normally wouldn't.

"I like you a lot, too, Harry." Is all I can think to respond. This time I'm not lying. I do like Harry. A whole lot more than I ever intended to. I can feel him smile against me as I confess and then he's placing a gentle kiss to the skin just above my heart.

A few moments of silence pass and then I hear a light snore from the man cradled in my arms. He's asleep. I smile down at him for a few seconds, fiddling with a soft curl before I begin to feel the pull of sleep, too.

I can't bear to part from Harry, not right now. I simply can't leave him. Of course I want to make sure he's alright tonight sleeping off the booze, but even if he wasn't drunk I couldn't leave. It would hurt too much.

So, against my better judgement, I reach over to switch off the single lamp illuminating Harry's room, slide down so my head is now flat against the sole pillow on the bed, and with one hand throw a blanket over the both of us.

Harry instinctively strengthens his grip around me. Even if I wanted to leave, I don't think I'd be able to. Harry holds me so tight I can barely breathe- I'm sure in order to prevent me from escaping. I don't mind one bit, though, and instead let myself slowly relax and drift off into unconsciousness.

***

The next morning I don't wake to the screeching of the other women or the annoying shout of a producer or the blinding light of the sun. Instead, I wake to Harry's curls nestled between my thighs, tickling my skin to rouse me.

Harry's bare body kneels on the bed. His hands have pushed up my dress, removed my underwear, and pulled my legs apart. Before I can summon the strength to speak, Harry has connected his mouth to my centre and is sucking harshly.

The first sound I let out this morning is a moan.

Harry doesn't stop as he realizes he's woken me. Rather, he nestles further into me, dragging his tongue along my exposed nerves and jolting me awake.

His fingers slowly release my legs now that I can hold them apart myself and gently slide inside of me, pumping slowly while his tongue darts out back and forth against my most sensitive spot.

"Fuck-" I stutter as Harry lightly bites at me and my body squirms beneath him at the pleasure. I realize I won't last much longer under his skilled tongue, but I don't quite want to tire out yet. I take Harry's short curls between my fingers and pull his head up away from me.

A dopey grin is displayed across his face and his eyes are still puffy with sleep. It's obvious he's just woken up, too.

"Take off your pants." I command. Harry doesn't need to be told twice and hastily slips out of his briefs, kicking them to the floor. He's already hard as I take his hands and pull him towards me, until his knees straddle either side of my hips.

"You sure?" He looks down at me with concern.

"Do you really need to ask?" I respond with a giggle. A huge smile takes over Harry's face and then he's lining himself up at my entrance and slowly pushing inside me. A low groan escapes involuntarily and I let the sweet pain of Harry's stretch engulf my senses.

He pushes in as deep as he possibly can and as slowly as he possibly can before drawing out again. I can tell he's trying to maintain control, but his breaths are already shaky, hands already trembling.

This time he pushes in faster, and then again, and again, and again, until he starts a perfect rhythm between our two bodies. His hands come to grasp my breasts, which still remain covered by the thin material of my dress. I let my legs raise and wrap around his hips, bringing our bodies closer.

My hands tangle in his hair, and another shout of pleasure escapes me as Harry's mouth moves from my lips to my jaw, biting and sucking a little harder than usual.

Harry's pace increases as I sense he's starting to lose control. One of his hands comes to firmly grip the bed frame above my head to steady himself and the other tangles in my hair, holding my head in place as he stares down at me.

"So fuckin' beautiful." He mutters, his voice still raspy with sleep, eyes now wide and pupils dilated. At this I take my lip between my teeth and sit up. Harry doesn't seem to understand as I quickly disconnect our bodies and push him onto his back. This way I'll really be able to see him- all of him.

I straddle Harry and slowly let myself sink down onto his length. He wastes no time lifting my dress over my head and throwing it across the room. Both of us are now completely bare and I begin to move my hips up and down leisurely. My movements are slow- so slow, in fact, that Harry begins to squirm with impatience. I like teasing him, but after a few more second his hands are around my waist, guiding me to go faster.

I place both hands flat to his chest, covering both sparrows that decorate his collarbones. After a while, his hips come up to meet my own, and we find a perfect harmony. This angle, me being on top, presents a feeling I've never experienced before- most likely due to the fact that Harry's length is... considerable. Within a minute beads of sweat are breaking on my forehead and my legs are shaking with pleasure.

In between grunts and sighs Harry admires my body as I ride him, staring in awe it seems at my face, then my chest, all the way down my stomach and then to the place where our two bodies meet.

One of Harry's hands releases it's grip on me and comes to rub the bundle of nerves between my legs- that's when I know I'm nearly done for. Not enough strength to remain sitting up, I bend over so I'm chest to chest with Harry, never ceasing my movements. He moans loudly at this newfound contact and his fingers lace through my hair, gently pulling it back away from my face.

"I'm- I- I'm gonna..." I begin to stutter, but I can't get out a full sentence before hot is bursting through my body and my own movements stop- I'm stock still. I come down from my high, and with only a few more trusts Harry is finishing, murmuring my name over and over.

I have no strength to get off of Harry. He doesn't seem to mind and sits up, myself still on top of him. He peppers kisses all the way up the space between my breasts, my neck, and finally my lips. Both his arms wrap around my back tightly and I'm left sitting, still straddling him, while he gets out the last few affections he needs to.

"Good morning." I chuckle, taking Harry's face between my two hands and inspecting him. I see dark circles prominent under both eyes, which are still a little bloodshot. His hair sticks up haphazardly, as if the laws of gravity don't apply to his untamed curls. I'm surprised he had the energy to start our morning off this way- he should have a raging hangover.

"Good morning, lovely." Harry responds, a boyish grin adorning his features, both dimples prominently displayed. His voice is hoarse- almost unrecognizable- and I realize the change may be due to more than just sleep.

After a few moments I carefully climb off of Harry and lay on the bed next to him. He comes to rest beside me and his fingers trace the curve of my breasts and stomach.

"How're you feeling?" I ask with a slight smirk. Harry looks away sheepishly, but answers nonetheless-

"Better now." He says. I laugh and shake my head in mock disapproval.

"Remember anything?" I question as I admire his cheerful expression. Harry hesitates, only letting a bashful smile serve as an answer, but eventually replies.

"To be honest, after you got to my room It's sort of a blur." Harry admits. I laugh loudly and smack the side of his head playfully. Harry winces. He does have a hangover.

"To tell you the truth, I didn't remember falling asleep on you. Woke up to quite a nice surprise." Harry tells me. My brows raise in astonishment, but soon I'm smiling again.

"Yeah, me too." I scoff sarcastically, making Harry chuckle.

"Like it, then, did you?" He asks. I snort in disbelief.

"A lot fucking better than my alarm clock." I tell him. Harry's head is thrown back in laughter and he pulls me in closer to him.

"Thank you for staying the night." He coo's. I smile up at him.

"Didn't have much of a choice. You were holding onto me so tight I couldn't leave even if I tried." I joke. Harry blushes and he looks away.

"Was I? Sorry..." He murmurs, embarrassed.

"It's alright, I liked it." I admit. That's not a lie. I'm telling an awful lot of the truth to Harry lately. He seems to have the courage to meet my gaze again, and now he wears an adorable little grin. I have to restrain from reaching out and pinching at his cheeks.

I let my eyes stray from him for a moment and note the suns position in the sky outside. It looks to be relatively early- maybe 6? I'm not sure why Harry's up so early, but I realize that I need to leave. The girls will be waking up soon and I can't afford to be caught sneaking out of here.

Harry follows my gaze and looks outside.

"Suns coming up." He states my own thoughts. I nod. I don't want to tell Harry I have to leave. Not again. I feel like I'm always the one forcing us to part. I'll let him be the bad guy for once.

"Girls will be waking up soon." He tells me. I nod, roll my eyes, and sigh despondently. I don't wait for Harry to clarify as I begin to roll to the other side of the bed and stand up. Instead of letting me go and get dressed, though, Harry reaches out and pulls me back into bed.

He wraps his arm around my back tightly and stuffs my face into his chest.

"Harry!" I exclaim, halfheartedly swatting at his arms. I don't want him to let go of me, not really, so my attempts to have him release his grip cease after a few seconds. I manage to dislodge my face from against his chest and crane my neck to look up at him.

"I should leave." I tell him, leaving my statement up to interpretation.

"Yeah, you should, but I don't want you to." Harry tells me matter of factly. I can't help the blush that spreads across my cheeks. I stuff my face back into his chest and groan sadly. I'm indulging myself a little too much- If I get anymore greedy I'll be caught for sure.

"Alright, alright, let me go." I moan, really attempting to break free now. Harry lets out the same moan of dissatisfaction, but eventually agrees to release me.

I stand from the bed and leisurely walk around the bed to retrieve my dress from wherever Harry threw it. I take my time and find Harry laying back on the bed, legs straight out and arms crossed beneath his head, watching me with a smug look.

"See something?" I ask innocently as I bend over rather dramatically to pick up my discarded clothing, affording Harry a great view. He arches an eyebrow.

"Don't tease me, love. You won't be leaving anytime soon if you do." Harry threatens and his domineering side makes a quick appearance. It takes conscious effort to stop from squeezing my legs together. I know if Harry see's my reaction to his words he really won't let me leave.

I start to slip my dress over my head, but realize that that may not be the brightest idea. If any of the girls see me walking down the hall in my dress from last night, they will automatically know what transpired.

"Harry?" I call. He hums in response, still watching me intently.

"I can't go downstairs in this." I voice my concern.

"Why not?"

"If the other see me in my clothes from last night they'll know I didn't sleep in my own room..." I reason. Harry seems to think for a moment and then springs up from the bed. He hands me the briefs he was wearing last night.

"Prefer clean ones?" He questions. I don't. I shake my head sheepishly and Harry smirks.

He pads over to his dresser and pulls out boxers to cover himself, then a large white t-shirt. It seems to be some sort of Rolling Stones merchandise. Perfect. These looks like my own pyjamas, if a little oversized. 

I thank Harry quickly and slip on the briefs and shirt. I check myself in the mirror and find my appearance to be suitable. I leave my dress from last night in Harry's room. No need to risk bringing it down with me.

I finally will myself to pad over to the door. Harry follows and we both stand face to face, silently studying each other.

"I'll see you soon?" Harry asks, breaking the silence. I afford him a shy nod- I don't think I could survive longer than a day without seeing him.

"Of course."

I open the door and turn one last time to reach up and kiss Harry. As I back out of the entrance and down the hall the last view I'm granted is Harry grinning from ear to ear, watching as I walk away. 

***

Let me know what you think! I love to hear from you guys!

L