August 2018
"You're going in that?" Allison frowned, sitting on my bed, while she sipped from her can of pre-mixed Peach Schnapps and lemonade, watching as I pulled the bottom half of my play suit up my legs.
"What's wrong with it?" I mirrored her frown, looking down at my black and gold playsuit. I liked the gold leaf print and the capped sleeves not to mention the fact it had pockets!
"I mean it's nice," My best friend responded, "but it's not very 'club-y'," She air quoted as I simultaneously cringed at the word.
"Well I don't have anything more 'club-y' so it'll have to do. I thought my clubbing days were over," I huffed pulling on my black ankle boots.
"Can't you wear heels?" She whined as she shimmied off the bed, unable to move more freely due to the tightest dress known to man restricting her movement. She may as well have been naked since her red bodycon dress left nothing to the imagination. The dress, teamed with her platinum blonde curls and baby blue eyes added up to my best friend being a knock out. Me on the other hand? Not so much. I had a pretty decent figure, could probably have done with losing a few pounds but since I would never be seen dead in a bodycon dress, I could live with it. At 5'6" I was shorter than Allison's model height of 6', but my brown locks complimented her blonde, my fire complimented her heart and my loyalty, though I might currently have called it stupidity, complimented her partying.
At twenty six I thought my clubbing days were long gone. Give me a cosy night in with Netflix and a bag of Malteasers and I would be happy. Tonight, Allison had other ideas. Tonight, to celebrate her new promotion, she'd decided we were going to some club I'd never heard of, to get wasted and party.
Great.
"Heels are a male invention designed to make a women's butt look smaller . . . and to make it harder for them to run away," I grin.
"Oh shut up," Allison laughed at my nerdy need to quote films and passed my can to me. "Drink up. Taxi will be here soon."
I grimaced as I chugged down the warm cocktail left in the bottom of the can. Another reason this was not my scene, I hated alcohol. I'd yet to find an alcoholic drink I liked the taste of. I could stomach cider, and I enjoyed a cocktail, but where some people were gin drinkers or whiskey drinkers, I'd just rather have a cup of tea. Allison had bought the cheap, pre-mixed cocktails from the supermarket as pre-drinks and was intent on downing them like they would soon be out of fashion.
"Oh for crying out loud," I huffed as Allison came out of the kitchen, heels clicking across the wooden floor, and passed me another can, just as I had finished the first.
"The only way this night will work is if you're drunk before you get to the club. Drink up, taxi will be here in 2 minutes."
I grimaced as I started sipping from the new can, this one going down slightly easier now that I was used to the taste of the alcohol.
"I'm excited," Allison buzzed as she danced around my living room. The effects of the four cans she'd already drank, clearly hitting her. "We've not had a night like this in ages," She squealed with delight.
"For good reason," I laughed, pulling my leather jacket on. "We're too old for this" I rolled my eyes while I pulled my hair out from the collar.
"I'm only twenty five!" Allison laughed. "We're still plenty young enough."
"I'll put money on us being the oldest ones in this club. It'll be full of sixteen year olds with fake I.D" I swallowed the last mouthful of the can, taking it and the empty pizza boxes from our dinner into the kitchen. My one bedroom flat was modest. It had been a large Victorian house that had been carved up by a renovater and made in to four one bedroom flats. I had a ground floor flat that consisted of an entrance hallway with a bathroom leading off it, a living room across from the bathroom and at the end of the wide hallway was the door to the kitchen/diner and a door to my bedroom. It wasn't much, and it cost me a pretty penny in rent each month, but with it's hardwood floors and it's high ceilings it was home and I loved it.
"This place isn't like that," Allison disagreed. "Just you wait, I bet you love it."
*
The taxi dropped us off in the middle of nowhere. Literally. I had no idea what part of London we were even in. North? I think. The streets were quiet, with very few signs of life and even less sign of there being a decent nightclub near by.
"Where is this place?" I asked as I followed Allison along the deserted street, past closed cafes and florists.
"Just up here," Allison gestured as she strode along confidently, despite her six inch stilettos.
"What's it called again? And why did you get the taxi to drop us off at the bottom of the street instead of outside?"
"It's called Satire and it's just an unwritten rule for people who come here - don't make it look busy it draws attention. My cousin told me, when she put us on the guest list."
"I've never even heard of this place," I grumbled, the cold autumn breeze nipped at my bare legs. I regretted discarding the tights I'd left on my bed when I was getting ready.
"Not a lot of people have, but all the right people have, if you know what I'm saying."
"Nope, I have no idea what you're saying! What's that even supposed to mean? That sounds dodgy as hell." I laughed as she eventually turned down the side of an inconspicuous looking white, brick building. I followed her up to a dark door, half expecting her to do a ridiculous, rehearsed knock. Instead, the door opened for us as if by magic. On the other side were two burly bouncers who took our names and checked their list.
"End of the corridor you'll find a set of stairs, take them down and turn left."
He nodded towards Allison's shoes. "You be careful," His thick cockney accent transforming him from terrifying to tender in under 3 seconds.
"Thanks," Allison laid her hand on his jacketed arm as she stepped over the lip of the door. I nodded my thanks to the bouncer as I followed Allison down the dimly lit hall.
"Maybe folk wouldn't have to be careful if you put some decent LEDs down here," I grumbled, only half joking.
We walked through a set of double doors and it was like we'd been transported to an entirely different building to the one we'd just entered. The dark, dingy corridor was forgotten, the walls were a sleek black, the ceiling was made of one massive dim light that looked like someone had cracked it, causing shards of light to illuminate the whole room, the floor was a mix of marble and plush black carpet which was surprisingly unsticky, for a club. The music was pulsating, the beat was familiar although I couldn't place the song. But I could feel it the beat was making my heart skip and my tummy flip. Shit, I thought to myself, the alcohol is hitting me already.
"Ok, I admit, this place is pretty cool," I giggled linking my arm through Allison's as she pulled us in the direction of the bar.
Allison ordered for us while I took in our surroundings. All around the room booths lined the walls. All of the booths were occupied and the dance floor was crammed with clubbers, grinding together.
"Let's do a lap, see if we can find a table," Allison shouted in my ear as we left the bar, drinks in hand. It didn't take us long to find a table with two leather tub chairs. Allison squealed and clapped her hands together as I threw my jacket over the back of the chair and took a seat.
"What's the deal? Why does no one know about this place, yet it's packed?" I asked leaning in so she could hear me. Allison scooted her chair closer to me to answer over the music.
"Because it's full of people that don't want to be papped stumbling out of Mahiki at 3am," Allison explained, stirring her drink with a tiny black straw. Allison had ordered our drinks as doubles to try and make them last longer, instead I could tell it was going to end up with me drinking mine in the normal amount of time, consuming twice the amount of alcohol.
"What does that even mean?" I laughed, her explanation too tricky for my alcohol soaked brain.
"Look," She turned my chin to look over at the bar, "That's Rita Ora behind the big guy with the navy shirt, and I'm sure that guy was on 'Love Island' last year, and that's someone from 'TOWIE' I'm sure," Allison turned my face to look at everyone she was pointing out.
"So it's full of wannabe reality stars? Cool." I added sarcastically.
"Oh, shut up. Rita Ora isn't a reality star," Allison replied. I rolled my eyes at Allison and giggled. I really needed to lighten up and remember why we were here.
"Ok, ok, enough about everyone else here, this night is about you," I turned to face Allison. "To my beautiful, insanely talented..."
"Keep going," Allison laughed grabbing her drink, her less than sober state making her slosh some over the rim of the glass.
"Incredibly humble, kick ass best friend."
I lifted my glass to Allison's.
"Cheers," We said in unison.
*
Three drinks later, we found ourselves on the dance floor, dancing like no one was watching. The alcohol gave us both the carefree abandon to dance our hearts out. The dance floor was busy with bodies and I was suddenly glad I had left my tights at home because I was sweating. Despite the clubs air-con, the middle of the dance floor was HOT. The back of my neck was damp and fanning myself wasn't cooling me down at all.
"I need a drink," I yelled in Allison's ear, but she was too lost in the music to listen and she just waved me away.
"And to tie my bloody hair up," I muttered to myself as I squeezed through the multitude of bodies on the dance floor. Everyone was nice enough to dance out of my way to let me pass. I made my way over to our table to grab a hair tie from my bag before heading to the bar. Allison had convinced me it was safe enough to leave our stuff at the table while we danced and true enough it didn't look like anyone had touched any of . Granted my phone and money were in my pockets but my bag and jacket lay where I left them. By the time I made it to the bar I had pulled my hair into a messy top knot, something that I hoped looked natural and sexy but in actual fact probably resembled something Miss Trunchbull would sport. I was too drunk too care and the air suddenly getting to the back of my neck was delightful. My legs were slightly unstable as I propped myself up on a bar stool and waited to be noticed at the bar. I tried to be discreet as I wiped my fingers under my eyes, hoping to god my mascara hadn't started the fall down my face.
"Hi, can I have a double peach schnapps and lemonade and a... double vodka and fresh orange, please" This was my fourth different drink of the evening and I knew I was going to wake up to a killer hangover in the morning. But it was worth it. I twisted round in my seat to spot Allison, dancing close with an equally blonde bombshell. The guy had some gaudy Hawaiian shirt on that I knew Allison would just love. I smiled as I turned back round and the barman was finished pouring my drinks.
"I'll get these" A familiar voice appeared close beside me.
"Thank you" I turn to see, the tall stranger standing beside me. He looked familiar but I'm sure I don't know him. His strong jaw and curly brown hair look familiar but it takes another second before it dawns on me.
"Shit I must be really drunk" I laugh taking in his floppy brown and sheer black shirt.
"Huh?" He asked, turning to face me. He was standing so I had to strain my neck a little to get a good look at him.
"I could swear you look just like that guy from One Direction"
"I get that a lot" He chuckles, lifting his own drink to his lips. My eyes follow the motion and get stuck on the bob of his Adam's apple.
What an odd body part to find sexy.
His fingers, adorned with silver rings, clasp around his glass as he leans his forearms back down on the bar. I take the chance to grab my glass and give my hands something to do.
"So my friend wasn't lying when she said all the famous people come here" I swivel my bar stool round so I'm facing my present company but I have to grab the bar to stop spinning right round and my knees connecting with his balls. That would be a bad start.
"That's the same line my friend used on me to get me here" He reaches his arm out to steady my chair. "You all right?"
I nod, embarrassed and for the first time, slightly regretting being so drunk.
"I'm Harry by the way" He nods, a hint of a smile blessing those beautiful lips.
"I guessed" I smirk "I'm Nora" I offer, taking a sip from my drink.
"Nora? As in flamin' Nora?"
I burst out laughing at his dreadful joke in his thick, Northern accent making my stomach flip with nerves.
"No, as in Bloody Nora" I attempt to copy his dreadful cockney accent but mixed with my Scottish accent it just sounds ridiculous, evoking a deep chuckle from Harry.
"So, do you come here often?" Harry grins using a pick up line I didn't think anyone actually used. But, my god, what a grin it is. Jesus, adimple. I feel the need to fan myself despite having cooled down considerably. That grin has me all hot and bothered again.
"Virgin" I eventually reply, causing Harry to swallow his drink. Clearly too quickly as he begins to cough and splutter.
"Wow, smooth" I laugh as I push myself off the stool to pat him on the back. I'm pretty sure it does nothing to help but he thanks me all the same as he uses a napkin to wipe his mouth. I take a sip of my drink to distract myself from the close proximity of my new friend but I realise it's finished, so I reach for Allison's. I glance to the dance floor to see her, lips locked on gaudy Hawaiian shirt. Well she won't be needing it.
"Ah Jesus" I grumble.
"Huh?" Harry asks as he places another order with the barman.
"This is the fifth type of alcohol I've drank tonight, and for someone that doesn't drink that often it's a recipe for disaster" I shake my glass at him.
"Give me a couple bottles of water too, mate" He signals to the barman who nods in response. He turns to see me watching him.
"Better keep you hydrated then" He smiles as he takes the tray filled with drinks. "Do you have a table?" He surprises me by asking, I assumed he was going back to his own friends.
"Yeah, over here" I turn and lead the way. Becoming overly conscious of the way I'm walking. The sudden urge to impress Harry, walking so closely behind me, a little overwhelming and dreadfully juvenile.
He unloads the tray and I see he's reordered my vodka and Allison's peach schnapps, a dark drink for himself and a few bottles of the much needed water. Surprising me again, he sits down in Allison's chair and take his drink in his hand.
"... okay" I mumble as I sit down beside him. Grateful for the way Allison and I left the chairs sandwiched together.
Harry cocks an eyebrow at me, but doesn't say anything as I grab a bottle of water and chug down as much as I can manage. Which is a lot, so much so I can feel droplets running down my chin as I pull the bottle away.
"Wow, so sexy" I laugh at myself as I wipe the moisture away. I look up to see Harry watching me with that panty soaking grin on his face.
"God, you should be illegal" And immediately my subconscious slaps herself on the forehead for my lack of filter.
"Really? Why so?" Harry asks, his voice is deep and loud enough that I can hear him over the music.
"Maybe not all of you" I backtrack. The alcohol keeping my filter turned off. This was the part of being drunk I enjoyed. They confidence it gave me to say whatever I thought. "Your mouth though" I nodded. "That shit should be illegal" I pointed my finger towards his mouth, I then pull my glass to my mouth with the same hand and nearly poked myself in the eye.
His grin appeared again.
"Hey, not fair, stop grinning" I chastised
"Why?" He shrugged nonchalantly. His black shirt was missing plenty of the top buttons, stretching tightly over his shoulders. Maybe the shoulders should be illegal. I'd always had a thing for big shoulders. Or the biceps. Maybe I lied, all of him should be illegal.
"That grin does bad things to me" I answered quietly, leaning back in my chair to try and put some distance between us. Flirting was never my strong point, probably why I'd been single for quite some time. Harry leaned forward to place his glass on the table. Leaning his elbows on his knees, he looks up at me from under his dark eyelashes.
"Maybe I want to do bad things to you"
Now it was my turn to choke. Which turned into a laughing fit that I couldn't stop. I wiped the tears from under my eyes. It was a sure bet that my mascara was running now.
"Jesus Styles, don't say that to a woman, unless you mean it" I laughed, trying to down play his words. Not wanting to admit to myself how hot it got me.
"Maybe I meant it" He shrugged casually, leaning back in his chair.
"Dance with me?" He asked after a beat.
My eyebrows shot up in surprise.
"I think I'm to drunk to dance" I answer.
"Don't worry, I'll hold you up" He winked, pushing his chair back with his thighs and holding his hand out for me.
"Fuck it" I answered, tossing my bottle into the table. Holding my breath as it rolled across the table and into Harry's glass that thankfully didn't fall over.
I looked up to see Harry's striking green eyes dancing with amusement. I shrug my shoulders and take his hand as he leads me to the dance floor. His hand surprised me by being soft. I imagined a musicians hands to be dry and calloused. He must have a good moisturising cream, my mind wanders. His warm palm, pressed against mine has electricity coursing through my arm, the blood pumping just a little quicker where his body is connected with mine.
It crossed my mind that I don't think, in my 26 years I've ever danced at a club, with a man that I actually wanted to dance with. Yes, I've had the usual creepy bloke grind up behind me when he's thought he could get lucky. I've danced with guy friends at clubs but never have I actually danced with someone... I was interested in.
Shit. Was I interested in him? He was Harry fucking Styles for crying out loud. What planet do you live on? My subconscious mocks as Harry turns to face me as we find a spot on the dance floor. Yes he's attractive. Maybe the most handsome man I've ever laid eyes on but there was zero point in being interested in him. I'm sure he could have any model he wanted, so what would he want with me. But I was willing to find out, if only for this evening.
My eyes immediately search the dance floor for Allison. I spot her red dress close by, still dancing with Hawaii.
"My best friend" I lean in close to answer his questioning look. When I do I catch the scent of his cologne. It's smells dark, earthy a bit like cigarette smoke but in appealing way but also somehow sweet. Without a doubt a sexy smell.
Unsure what to do, Harry leads the way, wrapping an arm around my waist and moving his hips to the beat of the music. I follow suit, tossing my arm over his shoulder and following his lead.
I'm surprised that, despite being a massive music fan, I didn't know much of his bands work. Wait hadn't they split up? I knew a few tunes, but it wasn't necessarily my kind of stuff, I liked older bands like The Eagles, Fleetwood Mac and Simon and Garfunkel. But you had to be living under a rock these days not to know who Harry Styles was. What I didn't realise that upon meeting him, I fancied the pants off him. It was easy to see his appeal. He had a quiet confidence, bordering on cockyness that wasn't irritating, he also had a calm kindness about him that made him endearing. He also had muscles and a good hair cut and a grin that made me want to squeeze my thighs together to relieve some tension. Sexy on legs. Or sex on a stick as Allison would say but I don't know what fucking stick you'd find him on.
All this dancing was doing was getting me hot and sweaty and slightly turned on. Harry's hand was now gripping on to my side and part of my wished he'd move the hand round to my ass, the other part of me wanted to get the fuck off this dance floor before I passed out.
"I need water" I leaned in and shouted in Harry's ear.
He pulled back "Huu?"
I leaned in again. "I need to go back to the table, I need a drink"
A grin spread over his face again. "I heard you the first time, I just like the feel of your breath on my neck"
I pull my arm from around his neck and swat him on the chest.
"Dick" I try and frown through the laughter.
"Oh hush" He laughed and lacing his fingers through my own he leads me through the crowd. My skin tingles at the connection, but it could just be alcohol making my body feel fuzzy. Who knows. Either way by the time we get to the table I don't want to let go of his hand. His thick silver rings feel chunky next to my nimble fingers but the cold silver is helping cool my hand, at least. He picks up an unopen bottle of water and hands it to me with his free hand. I take it but am unable to open it one handed so point the lid back at Harry who chuckles and unscrews the lid while I hold the bottle.
"Team work makes the dream work" I mumble as I guzzle more water.
"That it does" Harry grins as he leans against the table and pulls me in between his legs as I finish the bottle.
"Noraaaa" I hear Allison screech from behind me and suddenly she stumbles into my back.
"Holy shit" She stops to stare at Harry like a dear caught in headlights. "You're Harry Styles! Nor' that's Harry Styles" She gasps nudging my shoulder.
"I know Al' I worked that one out myself" I laugh as I notice Hawaii hanging about behind Allison.
"So... I came to tell you I was going to take off, if that was okay with you?" She finally drags her eyes off of Harry to pull Hawaii closer. "This is Michael" She throws a hand in Hawaii's direction.
"Nice to meet you, mate" Harry nods in his direction.
"Are you sure Al?" I try to whisper, eyeing Hawaii suspiciously.
"Yeah" Allison giggles "Michaels nice. And you clearly have your hands full. I'll phone you in the morning. Have fun baby cakes" She giggles kissing my cheek and grabbing her jacket from the table.
"You kids have fun" Allison laughs as she tugs on her blazer. Taking Hawaii's hand, she waves then stumbles away.
"Make good choices" I call after and without looking back she raises her hand and gives me the middle finger.
I turn back to face Harry who still has a grasp of my hand, I notice his questioning eyebrow and smooth it out with my thumb.
"I like to wind her up by quoting random films"
"Ahhh" Harry nods his head in understanding, my thumb still resting on his eyebrow, my hand resting against his cheek. Gently he tugs on my hand so I fall further into him. His free hand comes up to cup my cheek in a mirror image. His eyes dart from my own eyes to my lips, instinctively my tongue runs across my lips. As he pulls me closer I can feel my heart hammering in my chest above the din of the music and suddenly when his lips join mine the music disappears to nothing.
His lips are soft and tender as they slowly move with my own. The hammering of my heart is replaced with butterflies fluttering like crazy in my stomach.
He picks up the pace of the kiss and my lips part to welcome his tongue. Letting go of my hand Harry wraps his free hand around my waist and I use my free hand to steady myself against his chest. His sheer shirt feeling soft against the hard muscles of his chest. Everything about the kiss feels sloppy and disheveled but completely perfect at the same time.
It becomes more difficult to fill my lungs with air as I become so totally lost in the kiss. My senses on Harry overload. He's all I can smell and all I can feel.
Eventually I pull away from him, a contented sigh slips from my lips.
"Do you want to get out of here?" His voice is raspy from our teenage makeout session.
"Really?" I asked surprised at his bold questions.
"Only if you want to" He backtracks. "If not, I can get you a taxi home"
It only takes a split second to make my decision.
"No, we can get out of here if you want" the edges of Harry's lips quirk up as I take a step back from him.
"Ok, I'll just settle my tab, wait here for me" He instructs as he pulls his wallet from the back of his tight skinny jeans.
"Yeah like I'd be leaving on my own after an offer like that" I mumble to myself as I pull on my jacket and immediately regret it. Just because I'm not on the dance floor doesn't mean it's very much cooler. I can feel the sweat forming on my back already. God I hope he isn't long or I'll fucking melt on the spot. I check my bag and transfer my phone and money into it before pulling it over my shoulder. I turn to spot Harry at the bar, chatting to a group of important looking men in suits.
It sobers me quickly as I realise what I'm about to do. Go home with Harry Styles. Despite the headlines I've read about him and his womanising ways I don't get that vibe from him. Fuck it. He seems genuine and he's fit as hell. It's been a while since I last had sex and even longer since I had a one night stand. What harm can be done, right?
Authors Notes: Hope you like it so far :) I've got quite a few chapters in the bag so there should be quite regular updates... to start with at least! Any comments/feedback is greatly appreciated. It's only me second fic (that I plan on finishing at least) so any constructive criticism is welcome!
Thanks for reading!! xxx