The grey onset of the Paris morning crept through the blinds as I blinked my eyes open. Noah's hot breaths lightly brushing against my ear, I smiled to myself as I glanced around the bedroom. The previous night's clothes were strewn all over the room; my black lace bra hanging from the lamp, his bright blue Calvins artfully angled on the corner of the flatscreen TV.

Stirring, Noah pulled my waist further into his body. His morning erection pressed into the small of my back as he stroked his thumb across my belly button.

"Morning" he whispered, his voice hoarse and muggy with sleep.

"Morning," I whispered back, turning my head to plant a soft kiss on his mouth.

Stretching his arms up over his head as he rolled onto his back, the satin bedsheets moved lower down his torso. Trailing my fingers over the muscles of his stomach, I stopped as they came to rest on a new design just above his hipbone. One I hadn't noticed before.

"When did you get this?" I asked, leaning up to rest on my elbow.

"In Budapest," he smiled, his cheeks flushing slightly.

The small, black heart seemed out of place amid the swirling design that covered his ribcage and the birds that flew beautifully above his groin.

"A heart?" I said, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah," he shrugged, looking embarrassed. "I'd had a drink."

I laughed as I poked the small design with my chipped red nail. "Feeling Hungary for some love in Budapest, were you?"

"Something like that," he smirked. "We'd had a few drinks after the show and went to get burgers. Alex wanted to get something done and then a few others decided they would, too. It wasn't planned. I'd been thinking about you a lot. Before I knew it, I had this little beaut in the collection."

I laughed louder than I'd planned to. "Seriously, though? A heart?"

Noah let out a huff of air as he propped himself up on his elbows to look down the tattoo in question, his abs tensing under his golden skin as he did so.

"It's a bit shit, isn't it?" he grimaced, cocking his head to one side.

"I love it really" I smiled, climbing on top of him.

Noah's eyes trailed across my body as I straddled his lap, naked besides the pair of black lace pants I'd pulled back on before going to sleep.

"I still can't believe you're here," he said. "Can we stay like this all day?"

I slapped his chest playfully. "No!" I laughed. "We're in Paris, I want to see the sights."

"I've got all the sights right here," he smirked, staring directly at my naked breasts.

"Pervert!"

"No, seriously. Let's just stay in bed all day. We can order room service and watch films until the show tonight."

I'd forgotten about the second night of the Paris leg. The thought of him having to go to work quickly washed away any hopes I'd had for a romantic night strolling through the city, just the two of us.

"What's up?" he asked, shifting to sit straighter against the headboard as he pulled me with him, my knees still either side of his lap.

"Nothing," I sulked.

"You don't want me to have to play tonight?"

I nodded.

"Abi, I'm on tour," he smiled. "I kind of have to turn up."

"I know," I sighed, running my thumbs across his eyebrows and leaning my forehead against his. "I just wanted you all to myself, I guess."

"You can have me all to yourself. It's just that going out will be... annoying."

"What do you mean?"

"The press," he sighed. "I mean, we're hardly Jay-Z and Beyoncé, but I'm sure there'll be a couple of photographers waiting outside. Trust me, it's not fun."

"Well, wear a disguise," I giggled, rubbing my nose against his.

Noah scrunched his nose. "A disguise?"

"Yeah, a fake moustache or something."

"Yeah sure," he laughed, "That'll do the trick."

"I'm serious," I whined. "I want to see Paris with you. I don't care if there are fans or photographers, you are my boyfriend and I want to experience the world with you. Not just from hotel rooms."

"Okay, fine," Noah said, rolling his eyes as he leant forward to kiss me. "I'll get showered and then call security, see what we can figure out."

As I watched him stroll naked toward the bathroom, a tingle fizzed between my legs. Even a year after first laying eyes on him, Noah was still the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen. I may not have had a heart-shaped tattoo to mark the spot, but there was still a special place in my stomach that flipped at the sight of him. Only him.

Luckily, the crisp cold of Paris in February meant Noah's beanie and scarf didn't look too suspicious as we snuck out of the back entrance to the hotel and straight into the waiting car.

Once we were away from the hotel, he seemed to visibly relax.

"So, what do you want to do?" he asked, pulling off his black Wayfarer shades.

"Oh, I don't know," I smiled. "There's the galleries, museums, the tower, the Champs-Élysées; I want to see it all."

"We've only got a couple of hours," he laughed. "Pick the thing you want to do most."

"Well," I started, trying not to show my disappointment at him having to squeeze me into his schedule. "I've always fancied going to the Louvre."

"The most crowded tourist attraction in Paris? Done," he smiled, before leaning forward to tell the driver the plan.

After walking approximately one million steps around the gargantuan maze of a museum and negotiating our way through the heaving crowds of tourists clambering to take a selfie in front of the Mona Lisa, we were both over it.

Whether the art crowd wasn't really into their pop music or if they simply hadn't known who he was, we'd managed to get through the whole experience unnoticed. Among the ancient relics and priceless paintings, we were just any other normal, young couple. It was perfect. 

If only it could always be this way, I thought to myself as we clambered back into the car. The shiver that ran down my spine was unexpected and unwelcome.

"You alright?" Noah asked, clicking his seatbelt into place and pulling off his wooly hat.

"Yeah fine," I replied with a tight-lipped smile.

"Liar," Noah said, raising an eyebrow.

I let out a big sigh as I undid my seatbelt and shifted across to the middle seat among the bustling traffic. Wrapping his arm around my shoulders, Noah lifted his hip so I could find the lap belt and strap in.

"What's up?" he asked, as I leant my head onto his shoulder, breathing in the smell of his aftershave that had gently infused into his thick coat.

"We're leaving tomorrow morning," I said quietly. "You'll just carry on travelling the world and selling out shows, while I just have to go back to normality. Without you."

"Abi," he groaned, "We've been through this. Please don't start."

"What do you mean, 'don't start'," I replied. "I'm not starting anything, I just don't like being without you."

"Me neither. But that's just the way it is right now."

"Well I'm sorry, but it's hard," I snapped. "Every time I go online I seem to see your face. Your name being linked to some stupid Instagram 'celebrity' or something."

"You know that's just gossip, Abi. I can't control what they write about me."

"Well, maybe if you could just admit to having a girlfriend then it would stop."

"Maybe if I could, I would," Noah shot back. "I thought I'd get some control back in my own life once I ditched all that shit with Karen and her mates, but obviously I was wrong. I'm still just everyone else's fucking property."

His tone had taken on a colder edge; his fingers had stopped tracing small circles on my shoulder. I physically bit my lip to stop myself from causing a full-blown argument. Having to be apart so much and keep our relationship secret was clearly as difficult for him as it was for me. If not more so.

The only difference is, he was living the high life. I was the one keeping it together back in the real world.

We rode the rest of the way back to the hotel in silence. After Noah had gone in through the front and the driver had delivered me to the back entrance, I made my way up to his suite. He was already in the shower by the time I stepped through the doors.

Out of nowhere, a hard lump began to rise in my throat. We hadn't argued, but I knew I'd upset him. That was the last thing I ever wanted to do.

Reconnecting to the WiFi, my phone buzzed in my handbag as a stream of text flooded through. I felt even worse as I realised I'd pretty much forgotten about Charlotte. She'd been texting all afternoon to find out where we were, what we were up to, and whether I was okay.

Am I okay? The truth is, I didn't even know. When it was just me and Noah, safely wrapped in our bubble, I was more than okay. But, when the doors opened and the world elbowed its unwelcome way into our cocoon, things were... complicated.

I fired back a quick message.

Sorry, been out all day - no Internet. Are you going to the show again tonight? x

Charlotte replied almost instantly. She may have a baby to look after now, but her phone was still glued to her hand. Her ability to type coherently with that hand, meanwhile, had slipped somewhat.

Thought you"d be sightseeing. Not tonight - Erin super ducking grumpy. Going to chill in room. Wat to join? cx

A smile crept across my lips as I typed out a reply.

Sounds perfect, be there soon xx

Slipping my phone back into my handbag, I kicked off my boots and padded over toward the huge wooden door leading into the bathroom. A cloud of steam rushed out as I heaved open the door and stepped inside.

The large cubicle was frosted with condensation. Behind it, I could make out the outline of Noah's tall, muscular frame, his fingers vigorously scrubbing against his foam-covered scalp. Without saying a word, I slipped off my burgundy skirt and tights, then pulled my long-sleeved black top off over my head.

Noah jumped slightly as I clicked open the cubicle door, the gold handle slippery in my hand. Squinting one eye open as he ran his head under the powerful stream of water, he watched silently as I unclasped my bra and let it fall to the floor.

He rubbed his face with his hand, pushing his wet hair back from his face. Hooking my thumbs under the waistband of my underwear, I leant forward as I pulled them to the floor then flicked them off my ankle.

In the corner of my eye, as I tried to maintain contact with Noah's gaze, I could see him growing for me. The hot water formed streams down the taut contours of his frame, teasing my eyes to break away and follow their direction.

Stepping into the shower, I pulled the door closed behind me as Noah reached out and placed his hands on my hips. Without saying anything, he tugged me towards him, his fingers moving to grip my buttocks as I too became drenched under the rainfall showerhead.

His lips met mine softly at first, escalating quickly with furious passion. We may not have had a blazing row, but I was sorry. I was sorry for pointing out the obvious challenge facing our relationship. Sorry for making it all about me. Sorry that I could only be with him a few more hours.

As though he knew what I was thinking, Noah's hands moved towards my head. Wrapping my long hair in his fist, he pulled my head back and began to graze my neck with his lips, his teeth nipping gently at the wet skin.

Pulling away, he stopped to stare into my eyes as I looked up at him through heavy eyelids.

"It's not easy for me either, you know."

"I know," I breathed, his fingers still tugging my head back as he slipped his other hand down between my legs.

Working his fingertips in slow circles, he brushed his mouth against mine.

"I feel guilty enough already, without you bringing it up all the time." His voice was deep and commanding as his fingers continued to move against me. "Do you know how many times I've had to lie to people? How many girls I've turned down because the only person I want to be with is you?"

"I'm sorry," I whimpered, the sensation of his finger slipping inside me causing the words to catch in my throat.

"You don't have to be sorry," he continued, curling his fingertip as he pushed it gently in and out. "Just understand you're not the only one in this relationship."

Releasing his grip around my hair, Noah's rough palm moved down to the small of my back. Without warning, he span me around to face the cubicle wall. Placing my hands flat against the white tiles, I gasped as his finger continued to move inside me, his strong arm reaching around my waist as his other hand found my nipple.

His hot breath mixed with the jets of water as his voice rumbled thick and low, close to my ear.

"I'm supposed to be some kind of heartbreaker," he murmured from behind me. "Some free and easy guy with all these fans throwing their knickers at me. But you know that's not who I am. Not anymore."

His teeth felt sharp as he nipped the side of my neck again. "I'm meant to be out getting laid left right and centre, but I come back to my room every night and beat myself stupid thinking of you."

His words sent a ripple of electricity through my body. Pushing his knee between my thighs to spread my legs, his body pressed mine against the tiles, the cold, smooth ceramic causing my nipples to harden.

"Do you understand what I'm saying, Abi?" he said, thrusting another finger inside me as his pace quickened. "I'm sacrificing here, too."

"Sacrificing?" I gasped, my knees beginning to tremble. "Sacrificing the chance to shag all your fangirls?"

He pushed his body harder against me, his length throbbing and solid against the wet skin of my buttocks.

"Sacrificing you," he muttered. "I want to be with you, more than I want all this band shit sometimes. Other girls don't mean anything."

I couldn't resist the opportunity to provoke even more from him. This new, forceful Noah was unleashing something within both of us. I liked feeling as though I belonged to him, in every sense of the word.

"Not even Arla Breeze?" I muttered.

Quick as a flash, Noah's forearm snaked around my waist, pulling my chest away from the wall. The fingers of his other hand slid quickly from between my legs, leaving me panting and empty.

Opening the shower door, he stepped out, pulling me with him. Leaning over to rummage in his washbag, laying on the elaborate worktop of the double sinks, he pulled out a small, silver packet.

"Put your hands on the bath and lean over," he instructed, his eyes glinting at the corners but his face stern and steady.

Doing as he said, I tried not to cringe at the thought of what I must have looked like in that position. The room was filled with steam but a chill still rushed over my skin as he stepped up behind me and ran his hands lightly across my buttocks.

"Open your legs."

I did as I was told. Slowly, I felt the tip of his length pushing inside me, deeper than ever before. As he started to move his groin back and forth, his sharp hipbones hitting my behind with each thrust, it was as though a new level of pleasure had been unlocked. Almost painful in the depth of each thrust, but overwhelming at the same time.

His fingers gripped my waist tightly as he continued to push in and out, his hips circling slightly to massage the newly discovered spot within me. There was no doubt he knew exactly what he was doing in this position, but I shook the thought from my mind as I allowed the pure ecstasy to wash over my body.

As I cried out loud with the final, delicious wave of pleasure, I felt the slap of his palm making unexpected firm contact with my buttock. The short, sharp sting combined with the overwhelming rush of my orgasm, causing my knees to buckle.

Luckily, Noah's arms were there to catch me as I fell against the cold porcelain of the bath, his length throbbing inside me as his own orgasm rushed to join mine.

Gently lowering me onto my knees, my forearms draped over the side of the roll-top bath, he gripped the bottom of the condom and carefully withdrew. The fluffy towel he draped across my shoulders was still warm from the rail.

"I need to get dressed and head to the venue," he said softly. "Are you coming to the show tonight?"

The abruptness of his question caught me a little off guard. I pulled the towel around my body and curled my knees up to my chest, leaning my back against the wall.

"Um, no. Not tonight. I'm going to hang out with Charlotte and Erin."

"Okay, cool. Well, I need to get a move on. Are you alright to sort yourself out with some dinner?"

The glint had disappeared from his eyes. If I didn't know better, it seemed as though he couldn't wait to get away from me.

"I'll be fine," I smiled weakly.

"Good," he replied, ruffling a towel through his wet hair. "I'll see you back here after the gig?"

"Yep."

Stepping towards me, he wrapped the towel around his waist. Bending down, he placed a soft kiss on my forehead before turning to head back into the bedroom.

I listened to the sound of the hairdryer blasting for a couple of minutes, then heard the jangling of his belt as he pulled on his jeans. Slowly moving towards to door, I stepped into the bedroom just as he was spritzing himself with aftershave.

"Noah. Are we okay?" I murmured.

Silently placing the bottle on the dressing table, he turned to face me.

"We're fine. Aren't we?" he replied.

"I guess so," I shrugged.

"Let's talk more after the show," he said, slipping on his boots before walking towards me.

Placing his hands on my bare shoulders, he rested his chin on my wet hair. "I love you," he whispered.

"I love you too," I replied. "See you later, yeah?"

"See you later," Noah said, placing one more quick kiss on my lips before gently squeezing my shoulders and walking towards the door. 

His smile was brief and almost sad as he glanced back over his shoulder, then headed out to face thousands of screaming Parisians for the second night in a row.