Strings and Schemes

Chapter 5

His looks don't fall short on me; he smiles back at me, one of those cute british smiles that makes me melt and want to kick my feet giggling all at once, when he reaches for my cheek and pulls me in to kiss him. His kiss is more forceful than Zayn's. In the way that he knows me and knows just what I want and need in each moment, he smiles into the kiss, having fun with tracing my breasts with his forefinger outside of my clothes; he meshes our tongues together in unison, in the way that makes me want to hop on top of him and grind on him like we're back in high school to just relieve the desire that leaves my core burning for action. Which is exactly what Louis is hoping for. I take the bait, because truly, this night has just been one long session of foreplay that hasn't amounted to anything more than me being hot and bothered. I quickly hook my leg over Louis lap and take control, licking my tongue into his and tracing the line up the middle; he bites my lip with just enough intention to make me suck in some air, as he traces up my lower back to the middle, until he tangles his hand in my hair, pulling my face from his and giving me a knowing look, as Zayn approaches and offers me some vapour from his freshly lit joint. Zayn kisses me, blowing the weed in my mouth, holding my mouth and nose closed in a completed domineering way to ensure I get the true high of the weed. I cough against his hand when its clear that I can't quite breathe anymore and he releases his hand from my mouth, replacing it with his mouth kissing me deeply while Louis puts my finger in his mouth and sucks on the pads gently, alluding to his plans.

I fidget with all the attention, and Zayn pulls away, grabbing my hand and placing what is probably the finest crafted old fashioned I've ever seen.

"How did you know I was an old fashioned girl?" I ask, trying to hide the shock.

Zayn laughs, the smile rising to his eyes, he rubs the back of his neck and shakes his head a bit. "Who orders cognac at the ministry of sound?"

I shoot him a look, gently removing myself from Louis as Zayn sits on the other side of me, he says, "It was either a move to make me interested, or you genuinely like liquor forward cocktails. I took a gamble, if it was a move, it was cute and it worked. If you genuinely like it, then it just makes you that much more of a puzzle for me to solve."

Louis laughs, "I'm telling you man, she is still insolvable to me and she's my best friend. I'm not sure you could solve her unless she did the solving and let you think it was you the whole time. Hey, babe?" He pokes me in the side.

"I am not that complicated," I state. "I just am not an open book like you, Louis."

Louis laughs, "I know that is meant as an insult, but it hardly is insulting to me, love."

I sip the old fashioned and hum in delight. Zayn watches approvingly, "What did you add to this to make it so unique?" I ask.

Zayn shakes his head, "ah, a mixologist never tells his best secrets first."

"Raina, we've gotta talk about things before we start truly doing things." Says Louis, in his parental voice.

"Ugh, but I don't want to feel so exposed." I say into my hands, feeling embarrassed about being the main focus at this moment.

Zayn pulls my hands from my face, and smiles warmly, "Love, if we have our way with you, you'll be exposed in so many ways. It's best we talk it over first to make sure you're good with everything we both have been thinking about."

I nod slowly, he's right in theory, but god am I ever horrified by the idea of talking to someone I only just met who I barely know. Louis pulls me back into his lap, with my back to his chest; with my legs falling naturally over Zayn's lap. God, Louis knows just what to do to make me feel safe.