Rejected

Chapter 20

Chapter Twenty

I curl the sleeves of Harry's dark jumper up slightly to free my hands, turning back to face him.

He's staring at me, smiling wide with dimples on display with his arm wrapped around my shoulders, keeping me tucked into his side.

I can't help but enjoy the view of his half naked body beside me, his tan skin mesmerizing.

"You're staring," Harry chuckles in amusement, reaching down with his other hand and pinching my bare thigh. I giggle and push his tickling hand away, nuzzling myself further into his body.

With his arm wrapped around my shoulder, his right ribcage is displayed and I stare at the tattoos there. A certain one catches my eye and I trace the bold lines with my fingertips.

It's a name.

Anne.

I could hardly read it, with so many other tattoos surrounding it; it was slightly covered. But the lines of the name were thick and dark, prominent on his skin.

I look up to Harry to see his eyes locked on my fingers, watching me trace the letters. I wanted to ask but I wasn't sure if I should.

"My mum," He says, looking up to meet my eyes then back down to his ribs where my fingers have stilled.

"Oh," It saddens me as I stare at the tattoo, unable to take my eyes away from it.

"Do you miss her?" I ask carefully, lifting my hand away from his body to push back some of his messy hair.

"Everyday"

I smile sadly, pressing my cheek against his chest. Harry flips my body over so I'm now against his other side, his arm lifting to wrap around my shoulders once more.

I shift to get comfortable, placing my head back on his chest. I listen to his heartbeat, the steady sound of it seeming to bring some sort of comfort to me.

"I'm not upset Zoey," Harry tells me, squeezing my shoulder to reassure me. I sigh in relief, almost afraid that Harry's mood would shift dramatically after I brought up his mum. I didn't want to ask too many questions. I didn't want to push him.

I trace over another tattoo, this one on his chest.

"What does this one mean?" I ask, stroking gently over his chest. Goosebumps rise on his skin and his much larger hand covers mine, causing me to smile.

"It's Hebrew for 'Follow Your Heart', I got it when I was 16. One of my first ones, actually."

I look at the placement, realizing the quote written in Hebrew is close to his heart.

"Are you following your heart, Harry?" I ask, staring into his eyes. He smiles at me, before biting his lip and nodding his head.

I lean up on my elbow and Harry tilts my chin, leaning up himself until our lips meet. My fingers wrap behind his neck as his teeth tug on my bottom lip, his lip ring cool against my mouth.

My hips are lifted slightly until Harry manages to pull one of my thighs over his waist so I'm straddling his lap. Our lips break as he shifts up to a sitting position, the sheets falling down his torso and bunching at his waist.

He kisses me again quickly, sucking all of the air out of my lungs. My hands wind into his hair, something I'm seeming to do more and more of.

"You don't regret last night, do you?" Harry asks as we break for a bit of air, my lips back on his immediately. He holds tightly to my hips, pushing his jumper up to hold onto my bare skin.