*Charli POV*
"Harry, I think I'm going to go for a swim. I haven't been doing anything lately, and I should probably get out of bed."
He laughed and sat up, pulling the blanket with him, "Can I come?"
"I'd prefer not, but if you must," I giggled and jumped out of the bed, running into the closet to quickly change into a bathing suit. I tossed my old clothes into the hamper on my way out of my bedroom.
I stopped in the hallway at the linen closet and grabbed out two towels, before heading down the stairs. I didn't check to see if Harry was in the bathroom changing or if he had already head downstairs, so I made my way to the poolroom.
I knocked on the door before entering, in case Georgia and Niall were still down here. I opened the door to see her sitting with her feet dangling in the pool, and Niall standing in the water, resting his arms on her knees.
"Well isn't that just adorable?" I cheered, walking in and tossing the towels to the side.
"What are you doing down here?" Niall asked, sounding somewhat annoyed. "Shouldn't you be in bed?"
"No need to get your panties in a twist, Nialler."
"But seriously. What made you get out of bed?"
I shrugged and made my way over to them, "Am I not allowed to go swimming in my own pool?"
"You are."
"Look, I'm sorry for disrupting your whole cute romantic time, but you've been down here for a couple hours now. I have every right to join now," I laughed and sat down next to Georgia. "Plus, it's my house."
"Well, I'm glad you're here, Charli," Georgia looked up at me with a smile.
"Did somebody order some fun?" Harry's voice echoed in the room.
"Yeah. Do you know where it is? It should've arrived by now," I laughed and turned to look at him, sucking in a sharp breath at the sight of him in a bright yellow bathing suit, causing myself to cough and choke slightly.
"Are you okay?" Georgia asked, gently rubbing my back.
"Fine, fine," I mumbled. I dipped my head down, letting my hair fall in my face to hide the embarrassment written across my features.
Harry ran and jumped in the pool, shouting 'cannonball!' as he landed in the water.
"Harry!" I groaned, pushing some hair out of my face that had gotten splashed by his entrance.
"What? What did I do?" his tone was full of innocence, but a devilish smirk played on his lips.
I wanted to jump in and kiss it right off his lips, but figured that the others wouldn't enjoy seeing that. So in turn, I rolled my eyes and turned back to my sister.
"Niall, can you go see Harry for a minute? we need to have a quick sister chat."
"Seriously? You're making me leave again!? Charli, you owe me," he huffed and walked towards the taller boy.
"How's it going?" Georgia whispered, looking up and meeting my stare. "You two weren't up there long, is everything okay?"
"Y-yeah, it's copacetic," I muttered and looked up at the two guys who were standing in the shallow end of the pool splashing and chanting 'die!' at each other.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"Copacetic? It means okay, or fine."
"I know what it means, Charli. I was meaning in what context is it fine?"
"Oh. Well, we talked a bit."
"And?"
"And we discussed some things."
"You've only been up there for like a half hour. That couldn't have been enough time to talk over everything."
"We had enough time," I mumbled, hoping she wouldn't notice the redness creeping into my cheeks. "And it was about two hours, G."
"Somehow I think you're lying, and you've left something out," she narrowed her eyes.
"I'm not lying. We talked about everything, and it's all out on the metaphorical table."
She sighed, obviously not accepting of my answer and wanting more details. I slipped into the pool, submerging myself entirely in the warmth of the water.
I turned to see Georgia staring at me, looking like she needed to say something, wanted to say something, but wasn't sure how to say it.
"Georgie, just spit out whatever you're holding in. I can tell it's killing you," I laughed, splashing some water on her.
She waved her hand for me to come closer, so I paddled my way over and held on to the edge of the pool, looking up at her. "What's up?"
"So, um, did you two do anything other than talk?" she whispered, peering down at me.
I let go from the edge of the pool and pushed myself under the water. Of course she would ask that. She couldn't have just asked if we kissed, she had to beat around the bush. Which of course we did, but that's beside the point.
I used the wall as leverage to help myself sink lower in the water, my attempt at avoiding her question. I felt my feet hit the bottom, and I turned myself to swim towards the other end of the pool.
I kicked off from the bottom and swam, paddling my feet behind me before smashing my head into someone. I emerged and rubbed my head, letting a loud groan escape.
"Easy there love, are you okay?"
I nodded and looked up at Harry, who looked quite concerned. "Ye-yeah I- I'm fine."
"Yo, Georgia! I'm gonna get out now!" Niall shouted. I looked to see Georgia nodding, and standing up from the edge of the pool. She walked over to where he was waiting, and followed him out of the room.
"I didn't think they'd ever leave," Harry whispered, stepping closer to me.
I took a step backwards, watching, as he took one step forward. Before I knew it, the water level had risen to where I wasn't taking steps any longer, I was simply just treading.
"Are you done yet?" Harry asked in a joking tone. "You're running out of room to escape from me."
"What are you talking about?" I asked, and instantly my back crashed into the wall of the pool. I realized exactly what he meant and rolled my eyes.
"Can I ask you something?" he spoke quietly, treading in front of me.
"Ye-yes," I stuttered out, keeping my gaze locked on his.
"Can- can I kiss you?"
I couldn't do anything but nod, which made his smile widen. He took my hand and started pulling me away from the deep end, before stopping where the water landed just under the swallows on his chest. He backed me into the wall and brought himself closer, resting one hand on the ledge of the pool, and bringing the other to my face.
His thumb gently dragged along my bottom lip, before having it settle on my cheek, with the rest of his palm gently holding my face.
My body tended slightly, and my breathing started to sharpen, a small amount panic filling my mind right before he brought his lips down to meet mine. I instantly let out a sigh, moving mine against his effortlessly.
I let one of my hands tangle in his mess of wet curls, bringing the other to rest at the nape of his neck, an attempt at bringing him closer to me.
He had a similar thought in mind, bringing his free hand down to my legs. He disconnected briefly and mumbled 'jump' before reattaching our lips and pulling my legs up to wrap around his waist, quickly settling his hand on my lower back.
He wasted no time in coaxing my lips apart with his tongue, immediately exploring what I had to offer. Our tongues met in frenzy, and a low moan escaped from within me.
I have never experienced anything close to how I'm feeling right now, and to be honest it makes me slightly apprehensive.
But that's the part of me in trying to let go. The part that worries about every single thing going on. I need to bring back the carefree, worry free me that I was when I originally met Harry.
When he broke away and rested his forehead against mine, I immediately shook my head and took charge, bringing his lips back to mine. I was craving more of this. I haven't felt this sane in years. There's something ridiculously calming about him that I think I need in my life.
I regret giving him a reason for leaving my life in the first place; and I know that now that he's back in my life, I'm willing to do whatever I have to in order to make sure I don't lose him. Ever again.
I was brought back from my thoughts when he let a loud moan out, causing me to slightly smile.
"Hey Charli, can we borrow- what the fuck?"
We immediately detached our lips and I looked to see Niall standing in the doorway, Georgia rushing in right behind him.
"What the hell is going on here?" he asked.
I had to bury my face in Harry's neck, to hide the embarrassment that was obviously featured in my expression.
"Niall, what's - Charli?" Georgia practically shouts my name, causing me to slightly wince.
Harry's hands were now both settled on my back, gently rapidly trailing on the skin exposed under the water.
"Is this the talk you two had?" she asked in a harsh tone, making me look up at her, only to see a smirk on her lips.
"No, we actually did talk originally," Harry cut in.
"I've never seen you two talk like that before," Georgia winked.
"I have!" Niall shout. "At my birthday one time! Remember when we played spin the bottle? And you two had that steamy make out session-"
"Niall! Shut it!" I groaned and couldn't help but roll my eyes.
"Oh yeah. We said none of us were going to talk about that night. Whoops?" his tone told me he was sarcastic, but he his face held no expression. "You guys are unbelievable."
"Why?" Harry and I both asked at the same time. I looked at him and he quickly winked, causing me to go red again and hide in his neck.
"Is this why you two have been cooped up in your room for the past month, Charli?" Niall couldn't hold in his laughter any longer.
"What!? No! That's not even true, Niall," I groaned and looked up at him.
"How long has this been going on for!?"
"Does that matter?" Georgia asked.
"No, I'm just curious. She just denied it earlier... and I've been waiting for this for four years now. I thought it wouldn't be for at least five years. Well, that's what Louis and I had going."
"What are you talking about?" Harry questioned his friend.
"Louis and I had a bet going on how long it would take for you two to finally realize your feelings for each other."
"You made a bet on us!?" I shout, quite offended at his confession. "That's horrible!"
"It wasn't over anything. It was just bragging rights. Louis won by the way."
"I don't care if it was for a million dollars, or a single chicken nugget from McDonald's. That's my life you made a bet on," I grumbled. "What would make you do that?"
"It was only out of hope that you two would end up together. Lou and I always thought since that night that you'd end up together. But a..." he stopped talking and stroked his chin. "...Distraction if you will, came for a couple of years; and then here you are, finally together! I knew you'd finally realize each other's feelings."
"Oh. But it seems like everyone already knew Harry had feelings for me and-"
"Charli!" Harry groaned in my ear. I looked over to see him pouting, so I leaned in and quickly gave him a kiss.
"Could you just like, not do that in front of me?" Niall asked. "Get a room, that's disgusting."
"Excuse me?" I scoffed, sending him a glare.
"I mean- no. Not like, gross disgusting. Like it's too cute and I don't want to see it disgusting," Niall defended himself. "But yes Haz, we all knew you had the hots for Charli. It was no secret."
"It was to me!" I cut in; a little hurt that everyone apparently knew Harry's true feelings before me. "I had no clue until recently."
"You also had no clue about your own feelings until recently too," Georgia interjected.
"I guess I'm just oblivious to everything," I shrugged.
"But seriously, how long has this been going on between the two of you?" Niall's voice was full of curiosity. "When did you first... you know?"
"Not long," Harry stated, but sounding it more like a question. "But you can't tell anyone Ni. Neither can you Peach."
"Wait, I'm actually really I curious. Why does everyone call you Peach?" Niall asked as he looked over at my sister.
"It was a nickname our parents gave me when I was younger. Georgia is known for its Peaches," she shrugged. "It's not the best reason, but it's better than being called Apple or Orange."
"I'm going to call you Orange from now on!" Niall laughed loudly, the sound echoing in the room.
"It wouldn't be the worst thing that I've been called," she nervously chuckled to herself. "I can promise you I won't let anyone know."
"Thanks," I sent her a smile. I turned to look back at Harry who seemed impatient. I couldn't help but giggle slightly at the frown that was covering his usual bright smile. "Hey, what's wrong?" I whispered.
"These two came in and interrupted us," a groan left his lips, before he gently attached them to my neck.
"Seriously! Stop!" Niall shouted. "I don't need to see this!"
I laughed, but didn't turn to him, "Leave then. No ones making you stay here."
"Actually, there's a reason I'm here," Niall spoke, but I was too focused on Harry's tongue that was making its way along my jawline.
"Whatever you need, just go for it," I shout.
"All I came down here for was to see if we could borrow your Netflix login."
"Yeah, whatever. My password is netflixpass, all one word. It's not original but whatever. Just go," I rushed out. "Bye!"
There was an audible grunt before the sound of the door slamming shut was heard.
"I thought he'd never leave," Harry mumbled, trailing small kisses along my shoulder and neck, finally landing on my lips.
I smiled and immediately opened my mouth to allow him back in. He slipped his tongue in, letting it meet mine in a slow manner. His movements were more gentle this time, less urgent and more tranquil. Just being near him seemed to have this harmonious affect on me, and I couldn't help but crave even more of him.
I tightened my legs around him, needing him to be closer. I wanted him more than anything at that moment, and I let every bad thought slip from my mind as his hands came down and squeezed my bum, causing me to let out a squeal.
"Harry!"
"What?" he laughed, bringing his lips back to mine, and squeezed my bum a second time.
I just shook my head and pulled away, resting my forehead on his as I attempted to regulate my breathing.
"I really like you Charli."
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Authors Note:
🙊
I'm stoked about what's to come. I have 12 more chapters already written for this book, and I'm excited for you to find out what's coming!
If this chapter gets three votes by the end of the day I'll do a double update. ❗️❗️
Also, pictured is the pool room in the house I picture the Rose family to live in. :D
As always... please comment and vote! ❤️