Strings and Schemes

Chapter 16

Louis is the last one out, giving me a knowing smirk before turning to Zayn. "Take care of our girl, yeah?"

Zayn gives a small nod, his hand pressing against the small of my back. "Always."

I close the door, and lean against it, a new sense of peace drifting over my body. For the first time, I'm at my own house, doing what I want, with no questions, or inquiries about who is here, what I'm doing, and when I'm going to be ready to be back "on". Zayn smiles at me from the counter, "Looks like you're finding some peace in the quiet."

I hum, "I really am," I grin. "There's something so nice about this place just being mine."

Zayn smiles warmly, reaching out for me to come closer. I gladly accept his hand and twirl myself into his arms. The music has shifted from the previous upbeat to something softer, more sensual, something suiting for the end of an Independence Day party and the beginning of my independent era.

"Watching you tonight," Zayn starts, cutting himself off to breathe out a breathy sigh - "it's been something else entirely."

I smile, "you bring it out in me."

Zayn shakes his head, "No, it's just who you are, own it."

I swallow, nodding. This is me being good at taking compliments. I can't stand to stay in the light of his compliment for too long, so I change course.

I take in the sight of my apartment, totally wrecked, exactly the way I'd want it to be after a house party. "Who made this playlist?" I eye Zayn

He smiles, "I did. Your playlist skills are going to put me out of a job as an artist, so I knew I had to learn how to do it too." He teases. He flashes his phone towards me showing me the name of the playlist

"What could possibly go wrong? (Vol. 1)"

He smiles, sharing the playlist with me for me to listen to whenever I'd like to.

Zayn watches me carefully, the way my fingers tighten around his, the way my lips part slightly like I'm trying to find words but don't quite know what to say. He doesn't push, doesn't fill the silence with something unnecessary. He just waits.

"Zayn-" The air rushes out of my lungs. Tears prickle my eyes. "This is so kind of you."

He grins, tilting his head slightly. "You bring it out in me." He confesses.

I flush, as I glance at his phone, at the little notification that says Playlist shared. Something about it, about the thought behind it, unravels something in me. The last of my self-control leaves.

I glance back at him, at those dark, knowing eyes, and without thinking, I reach up and cup his jaw, my thumb brushing against the rough stubble on his cheek.

His lips part slightly, surprised, but he doesn't move away. If anything, he leans into the touch.

"You make me feel, like me."  I confess.

Zayn lifts his hand, tracing his fingers lightly down my arm before wrapping them around my waist. "I only bear witness" he murmurs, voice low, reverent. "And I like what seen so far."

Something shifts between us, something weighty, something electric. I am acutely aware of the music humming low in the background, coursing through my body. Evoking the most delicate, and sensitive of reactions. The anticipation fills the air, and I know he's teasing himself with this moment. I shift closer, ensuring there's no way to escape his grasp or the look in his eyes.

His breath catches.

I flick my eyes between his, and his lips. Before tilting my head, just enough that our lips brush in the most teasing of touches. So soft, I almost don't know we have kissed. Except for Zayn's reaction; his grip tightens instantly, his fingers moving from the counter into my lower back, like he's holding himself back from taking more, from taking all of me.