Page 69 of Tamed By You

Shit.

I’ve clawed the hell out of my skin again. I reach for a washcloth and run it under the cold water, pressing it to my chest. The coldness making it feel a little easier to breathe. I need to get a grip on this. I can’t have Harry see me like that again. I make my way back to bed and slip in next to him, praying he doesn't push and ask questions.

He pulls me to him and wraps his arms around me in a protective hold, and I sink into him. He presses a kiss to the side of my head and whispers, “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I watched a scary movie on the plane, messed with my head clearly,” I say, letting out a nervous laugh, hoping he buys my blatant lie.

“Remember what I said. I’ve got you, okay? I’m here.”

I don't say a word. I squeeze his arm that he has wrapped around me, and I let myself drift off into one of the most peaceful sleeps I think I’ve ever had because, in his arms, it feels like they can’t get me anymore.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Harry

It’s been five days since we landed in London and five days since her nightmare that scared the ever-loving shit out of me. The way she screamed and called forIriswill haunt me. I’ve only ever heard one person scream like that and it's a day I’d like to forget. I want to ask her who Iris is but now isn't the time. I don't want to ruin this time we have together, pushing her to have conversations she’s not ready to have.

I have delivered on my promise of mind-blowing sex, with some sight-seeing thrown in. I've had Ali on just about every hard surface in the apartment. Our antics in the kitchen meant I was ordering my sister a new set of wine glasses, but hey, it was worth it to watch Ali come undone like that.

We’ve visited all the main sights, the Tower of London, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, a West End showand I even took her on the tube, but I've saved the best for today. Something has changed between us since we got here. Yes, I still want to sew her mouth shut sometimes, and she loves to give me shit, but I like being around her. We have more in common than I thought. It turns out I do indeed love a chick flick and a pamper session and give her a pack of playing cards and she will win at almost every game. We have similar tastes in music and food. We've tasted just about every food London has to offer, including donuts shaped like a penis and a vagina. Watching her eat a donut shaped like a penis with whipped cream oozing out the tip shouldn't have been a turn on, but boy, was it? I know she has to leave in a few days' time but truthfully, I don't want her to go.

The cab pulls up at our destination and I get out of the car, reaching for Ali’s hand and helping her onto the sidewalk.

The look on Ali’s face right now will forever be etched in my memory. She glances up at the tall building, eyes wide and jaw slack. “Harry… what are we doing here?”

“I thought Alice should get to go to a real tea party.” Her hand flies to her mouth and tears form in her eyes.

I have brought her to Fortnum & Mason, London's famous tea rooms where they serve Afternoon Tea.

“Oh, my god, did you know the Queen comes here and they make their own tea and jelly and they have these chocolates that…” she rambles like an over-excited child on Christmas morning, and I’m hit with an unfamiliar emotion. My body feels all warm and light and I don't know what to make of it, but what I do know is I'd do anything to keep that look on her face.

“Harry, this is… this is amazing! I’ve dreamed of coming here.” She clears her throat, emotion getting the better of her. “My dad came here, and I’ve always wanted to come. How did you… just... thank you,” she says, fumbling through her words. I take her hand and interlink our fingers. What she doesn't realizeis I noticed the Fortnum & Mason teapot on her shelf in her apartment, and it was the day I felt like I peeled away another layer of Alice Hart.

Underneath that harsh exterior, the one where she seems like nothing bothers her, the sarcastic, good-time party girl, lies a sentimental and caring woman with a heart bigger than she allows others to see. The woman, I sense, carries a weight far bigger than any of us could imagine. Day by day she's letting me in, and I hope she never stops because I want… no, I need, to know every part of her; the good, the bad, the broken… all of it.

I press a kiss to her forehead. “Anything for you, Ali Cat.”

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Ali

“I don’t think I could eat another bite,” I announce, wiping the corners of my mouth with my napkin.

We have devoured our afternoon tea. We have had little sandwiches, scones with jelly and clotted cream, delicate little pastries, and tea. The menu showed pages and pages of different flavored teas and I’m going to need to bring one of each home.

“Same. I’m scared to move in case I puke,” Harry grumbles, rubbing his stomach.

“This was really sweet of you. Who knew you could do something so nice?” I tease, lifting my tiny China teacup and taking a sip.

“Well, I might have one more thing up my sleeve.”

My eyes widen. “What? No, I was just teasing. You’ve already spoiled me this trip. You don’t—”

He presses his index finger to my lips to quieten me. “Sssshhh, just let me have my moment, Ali Cat, okay?” I nod, not saying another word. I really am seeing a different side to him on this trip. Sure, the sex is great, mind-blowing in fact, but I enjoy just being with him, talking about the mundane things. I have never had this type of connection with anyone.

“Finish up your tea. Your next surprise is almost ready.”

I must have received a bang to the head because I willingly let Harry not only blindfold me, but stuff earplugs in my ears. Convinced he was taking me to one of those sex dungeons, I protested at first. We boarded what felt like a train from the feel of the seats and after what felt like forever, Harry removed my blindfold and earplugs, but to my annoyance, all I was met with was open fields when looking out the window. I’ve never been to the UK so I had no idea where he could be taking me but truthfully, as long as I was with him. It didn’t matter.

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