Chapter 7
Louis' POV
I was sat beside my bed where she was lying and watched nonstop as she breathed deeply in and out. With each breath she took I felt more and more relief, air rather than the heavy, salt water she was ingesting by the gallon when that fool tried to drown her. Harry, sweet Harry, saved me from my possible death. She completely risked her life for my own and the feeling made me sing inside. But I couldn’t be completely joyful until she opened her eyes and I could give her my thanks and finally tell her how I feel about her.
Liam had called me an imbecile for not kissing her when I had the chance, and I knew Harry was disappointed to say the least. But I couldn’t take advantage of her like that. I’d already taken her away from the life that she loved so much. She was confused…
That’s what I had been telling myself. That she was the one who was confused. Deep down I knew I was the one who couldn’t read her feelings and that made me afraid. What if she didn’t really want to kiss me? What if she was doing it out of pity?
Her lips part slightly and I’m drawn from my thoughts just to watch the movement of them. She’s whimpering in her sleep, calling for someone I think. Her brow is furrowed and her fists clench around the thick blankets covering her.
“Harry?” I lean closer, so I can see her features incredibly close up. I brushed my hand over hers, her skin only moderately warm. I bite my lip and think about asking Liam to bring in another blanket.
I move to go get her, but Harry’s hand curls around mine and I freeze. I look down to see that she’s still asleep. My hopes slowly fall again and I go to sit on the edge of the bed. The exhaustion hits me. I had been waiting for her to wake up for over twenty- four hours.
“Louis…” My name leaves her lips in a beautiful whisper. It’s the most beautiful sound and I wish she were awake so she could say it again. I don’t even think before making my next move. I slowly lay down next to her. I let my hand slip out of hers, but they don’t leave her skin. I lightly let my fingers trail up her wrist, tickling up her arm, I pause at her shoulder and watch her lashes flutter before going still again. I bite my lip before brushing her hair away from her neck. I check to make sure she isn’t waking again before I allow myself an insane pleasure; I let my fingers gently stroke over her collarbone and hear something resembling a purr come from Harry.
I stop. It’s crazy, I shouldn’t be taking advantage of her much less when she’s asleep. I sigh and slowly sit up before checking on her once again. Nothing.
I lean down slowly so my face is just above hers, “Wake up soon Harry.” I gently press my lips against hers. It’s an incredible feeling. Her lips are so soft and warm in contrast to her skin.
I pull away quickly when I hear her groan. I nearly tumble backwards over a chest in the process but I turn and plant my hands on the very thing that nearly caused my injury. I breathe a sigh of relief, glad that I didn’t cause enough noise to wake Harry.
“Louis?” I stand up straight as a board, then turn to see Harry, awake.
“Harry? Do you feel alright?” I rush back to her side and brush her hair away from her face.
She makes a face, showing slight discomfort when she tries to take a deep breath, “I’m alright.”
“W-what do you remember?” I ask quietly. I don’t want her to relive the awful memory, but I need to make sure she’s okay. I help her sit up, stacking the pillows to support her back.
“I…I remember you being thrown overboard by that man.” She looks at me as if she’s asking if that part was real, I nod and urge her to continue, “I remember jumping in after you. He—” she swallows hard, “he tried to drown me.” she looks down at her hands, “I also know that you kissed me just now.”
My eyes widen, they must look like plates right about now, “I’m sorry! I shouldn’t have—”
“Louis. It’s okay.” She takes my hand in both of hers. I try to slow my heart rate down before she says anything else, “Before the raid. When we were going to kiss…” she trails off and interlocks our fingers, “I thought that you didn’t want to kiss me. I thought it was because you weren’t interested in me…” she’s blushing now.
I shake my head and laugh, “Well you don’t have to mock me Louis, I’m trying to be honest with you.”
I laugh again, “Harry, you silly, silly, lovely girl. I wanted to kiss you. I just wasn’t sure if you really wanted me to kiss you. I thought you were…I don’t know, confused? I didn’t know if you were in the right mindset to make a decision like that. And,” I look her in the eye when I say this, “I don’t want to take advantage of you Harry. You’ve only just joined the crew, how could you be so sure of what you want?”
She bites her full bottom lip but keeps her gaze on me steady, “Louis. Since I’ve gone away from home I don’t regret a single decision. I don’t regret choosing to be a part of the crew, I don’t regret choosing to attend the raid, I don’t regret almost kissing you, I don’t regret jumping overboard to save you, and I absolutely don’t regret…being attracted to you.”
A smile creeps up my face and I can’t help but want to kiss her. So I scoot forward, bring my hand up to her cheek, and let my thumb brush across her cheekbone. She leans into my palm.
“Louis…” she whispers again. And once again the sound is beautiful and she’s awake and it means so much more to hear it now.
My gaze drops to her lips, and like a gravitational pull I fall towards her lips.