Sorry about mistakes in the previous chapter!

So, I mentioned it was about 8 hours in total for their journey? I used an online route planner thing, so if the length of the journey seemed exaggerated, I'm sorry, I was misinformed.

U N E D I T E D

"Thank you," I said as Zayn snapped the picture of me in front of Notre Dame. He handed me the camera and I smiled down at the picture. All morning, both of us had been wandering around taking pictures of whatever we could see.

"My turn," Zayn said, walking over to stand in front of me. I held the camera up and took the picture of him. He looked handsome in his khaki shorts and white T-shirt, a cheeky grin on his lips. "Done?"

"Done," I replied, showing him. "Looking very handsome."

"Aren't I always handsome?" There was a trace of humor in his tone and he gently laced his fingers with my own as we walked. I couldn't help but notice several other tourists chatting excitedly among themselves as they took in the breath taking view of the city. I was still shocked by its beauty.

Already, I had purchased many items of clothing, one T-shirt with the phrase 'I Love Paris' scrawled across the front. Zayn had bought a matching one after my pleads and eventually had given up.

After many more photos and the rumbling of my stomach, Zayn led me through the streets and into a small cafe. As soon as we entered, the aroma of freshly baked goods filled my nostrils.

"It smells amazing," I said as we took a seat up the back. Zayn asked me what I wanted and then he left to go and order. The waitress brought over our croissants with a smile and Zayn paid her what was due. "Thank you."

Zayn smiled slowly but didn't say anything. It seemed as if something was troubling him - he'd been rather quiet all morning. I didn't want to ask so bluntly in case I brought up a touchy subject for him. It was no secret that I was bad at doing so. I cleared my throat to get his attention.

"How are you finding sight-seeing?" I asked.

"Pretty," he said, tearing apart his food. "Gets nicer every time I come back to be honest."

"Ah," I muttered, lowering my eyes to my plate. "Do you need to feed?"

He glanced at me in what looked like shock and he slowly shook his head. "Not yet. Why?"

I shrugged. "You seem a little ... down?"

Zayn just frowned at me before leaning forward, his chin resting on his clasped hands. "Not at all," he assured me, "I've just been thinking."

"Do mind if I ask what about?" I asked, watching his face carefully. I knew that if his eyes seemed to darken and his lips were set in a firm line, that I had entered a no-go zone. However, he never did any of that. Instead, he gave me a small smile.

"Just something Harry was saying to me not so long ago," he admitted, closing his eyes for a few seconds.

I nodded, not letting on that I'd heard every single word they had said to one another. They had spoken about love and how things had changed over the years. Harry trying to convince Zayn that maybe Perrie hadn't been right for him... I felt guilty for having listened in on such a personal conversation, but it's not as if I'd had any other choice. But I was still happy I'd heard - I knew what Zayn was thinking; what he didn't like to say to me.

"What did he say?" I asked. Zayn looked at me before letting out a sigh.

"He's very wise, Harry. He told me you've changed me into a better man," he started, his eyes never leaving my face. "I disagreed with him and told him that you made me look weak."

"Very kind," I said flatly, remembering his exact words.

"Listen," Zayn begged. "I told him he was being ridiculous and then he suggested the idea of ... love."

I straightened in my seat as I listened to him, wondering if he was going to say the three little words that Harry had failed to make him say. I nodded for him to continue after remaining silent for a few seconds.

"I ... I told him to drop the subject and he wouldn't." Zayn's voice lowered to just above a whisper and I had to lean closer to make out what he was saying. "He thinks I'm in love with you, and he wanted me to admit it. He told me I was scared of rejection and that you wouldn't feel the same."

"Why?" I asked quietly.

"I told him you couldn't forgive me for all of the horrible things I've done to you," Zayn answered, searching my face. "I told him that I've hurt you too much..."

"Oh," I mumbled, not sure what to say. "And what exactly were you thinking about?"

"What do you mean?" he questioned, confused.

"You told me you were thinking about what Harry said," I continued. "What words of his are you thinking of?"

My question seemed to catch him off guard because he remained silent and frozen in his place. He took a deep breath before answering. "Love."

I nodded, showing I'd heard what he was saying. When he had been speaking with Harry, he'd never said he was in love with me. He had mentioned that I wouldn't feel the same - but what did he mean by that? Love him?

"And what have you concluded?"

"I told him I've been in love before - with Perrie," he answered. "She was the love of my life, but he was determined to change my mind. He wants me to think you're the love of my life." He laughed suddenly and shook his head. "What an idiot."

"What?" I asked. His words hurt, and I found myself longing for him to tell me how much I meant to him - if he did in fact feel that way. There was no denying the chemistry between us, and it only became stronger each day.

"Laura," he said upon seeing my expression. "I didn't mean it like that. I just ... can't think about love. It would-"

"Make you look weak. Yeah, I get it," I said, rolling my eyes. "You just don't want to lose the tough guy appearance do you?"

"Stop being childish," he scolded. "What I meant, was that I find it hard to admit such feelings after everything that happened with Perrie!"

I met his eyes and there was no mistaking the pained looked in his eyes. He was still haunted by the memories, I realized. "Do you mean to say ... that you're scared it will happen again?"

Slowly and almost reluctantly, he nodded. "I'm scared that I'll lose you. You are one of the greatest things to happen to me in a long time, Laura. I don't want to lose you like I lost Perrie. Now, I've never let anyone in except for Harry, Perrie and Louis. I never thought I could love anyone like I love those three people."

"You loved Louis?" I questioned suddenly.

He paled. "Once. Louis, Harry and I were like brothers for a long time, after I managed to forget how he tortured me. The bond between us strengthened because he's my maker. Now, I can speak differently to how I felt then. I hate him now."

"Yeah..." I said, nodding. I didn't blame him - Louis had treated him like shit. Something like that was too horrible to forgive. And yet, Zayn claimed he did exact the same as Louis had done to him, but to me. I was able to move on from that and see the real Zayn - the broken, vulnerable one.

"As I was saying," he said. "The three of them were the closest people I've ever had. Until I met you. Whether it's your ability to stand being mere centimetres from me or your prude, childish nature, I don't know."

"What are you trying to say, Zayn?" I urged.

He sighed deeply, scratching his chin carefully. "I have strong feeling for you, Laura. I don't know if it's love, like Harry believes, or if it's a little more than a crush."

"I ... feel the same way," I said and he looked at me, shocked for a second. That's when I remembered saying something similar the night after him and Harry had argued. I wondered if he was remembering the same thing. "I have strong feelings for you too."

Zayn gave me a small smile before he reached out a hand to tuck my hair behind my ear. "Would you let me kiss you?"

I didn't reply, instead I leaned across the table and kissed him. He cupped my face with his hands and kept me close, his lips moulding with my own. It wasn't a random, for the sake of it kiss; it was a truly meaningful one and I couldn't help but smile as his thumbs caressed my cheeks.

I tuned red however, when I heard someone clapping to our left. We broke apart and turned to see a couple of elderly ladies sitting at the table right next to ours - they must have entered when we had been distracted. They were smiled and smiling widely as they spoke in French to us.

Zayn laughed suddenly, "Merci." He smiled as he spoke and the ladies looked away, down at their menus. I cleared my throat and Zayn just smiled at me wickedly.

"What did they say?" I asked curiously.

"They said I have a very beautiful girl in my life," he said. "They said we look very happy together."

I raised a brow. "Seems like they might be on Harry's side."

Zayn let out a sigh at my words but just continued to grin at the previous applause. "I suppose they are."

We finished our snacks in silence, a few glance being passed between the ladies every so often. I would smile politely at their curious stares. I took a moment to recall what Zayn ha said about his feeling for me and I frowned. Did he...?

"You think I'm a prude?" I asked suddenly and his hand stilled before he could place the food in his mouth. He slowly lowered it and avoided my questioning stare. I raised a brow as I waited, a small smile on my lips.

"Er ... no?" he mumbled and I just laughed.

"How am I a prude?" I asked.

"Well, whenever I say something suggestive or mention anything sexual you always cringe as if it's a bad thing," he stated and I looked down, knowing what he was saying was true.

"It's not a bad thing, and I know it's not. I guess I just feel ... a little awkward discussing it? I'm not the type of person who would be involved in a conversation about it. Do you know what I mean?"

"Completely," Zayn said nodding. "Though, I do tend to wonder what your opinion about it is."

"Sex?" I asked and he nodded, leaning back in his seat as he waited for me to delve into my thoughts. I took a deep breath. "Honestly?"

He nodded. "I want you to be one-hundred percent honest."

"OK." I sat up in my seat and thought for a moment, choosing my words carefully. "I know sex isn't something disgusting - it's a part of life; it's what's natural. I just think that with all of your innuendos and references to sex - with me, I might add - makes me feel kind of ... pressured?"

"Elaborate." Zayn frowned as I finished speaking, his fingers tugging at his bottom lip.

"Well, what I'm trying to say it is that you make me feel awkward because of how often you mention it. I've never... I'm still a virgin and not ready for..."

"Ah," he said, picking up what i was hinting at. "You think I'm trying to persuade you into thinking you should do it with me?"

I shrugged. "Kind of."

"Laura," Zayn said, taking my hand again. "I will not force you to do anything you are uncomfortable with. I've always been like this - sexual jokes and such. I'm not in any way trying to make you think it's what I want from you. Are you worried you won't satisfy me?"

My eyes widened at his straight forwardness. "Excuse me?"

"Is part of your worry the fact that you are inexperienced?" he asked seriously. "If you think that's the case, then please don't feel like that."

"Zayn," I muttered. I cursed myself for letting the question make me feel awkward and I quickly cleared my throat and looked him in the eye. No longer would I let his sexual references make me feel embarrassed. "No, it's not that. Some people like screwing virgins, I believe?" I cringed at my bluntness. "I'm just scared, I guess."

"Of what? The sex, how it would feel? Losing your virginity?"

"All of it. Once it's gone, that's just it - its gone," I said, shrugging.

"Are you curious about sex, Laura?" Zayn asked, leaning forward once again.

I thought for a moment. Was it simply my curiosity? Could he be making a fair point and be right about the fact that I was maybe over thinking the whole thing? No. Some people would find the situation extremely awkward, and then there were others who wouldn't find it as such. The current conversation wasn't awkward for me, simply something I'd never spoke about in depth before.

I nodded. "Yeah. Who isn't?"

"So you're simply curious about having sex?"

"Yeah..." I said, trailing off, my eyes lowering to the empty plate before me. "I do but don't want to know what it feels like." I frowned as I thought it through. Was I even making any sense?

"You're still on your period, aren't you?" Zayn said suddenly.

I shook my head. "It should stop a little later today?"

Zayn nodded slowly and leaned in so no one else could hear us. "Would you allow me to try something tomorrow?"

The last time he had asked me if he could try something, he had ended up in the shower with me. I felt butterflies in my stomach as I found myself nodding. "Sure."

"It's harmless, and just to see how you'll react, OK?" Zayn said, begging me with his eyes.

"OK," I agreed, nodding. "What is it?"

"Well, I was thinking that because you said you were scared about sex, we could try something a little less sexual."

"Such as?" I questioned.

"Well, you gave me a hand job, so it only seems fair I should return the favour," he said, smiling.

"How is that a 'little less' sexual? It seems very sexual to me," I laughed and Zayn just shook his head.

"Prude," he muttered and I kicked him under the table. "Prove me wrong, tomorrow Laura. Prove to me that you're not a prude."

I stuck my chin out stubbornly and agreed. "Very well. I will."

"Challenge accepted," he said, lowering his eyes to his empty plate. There was no missing the wicked smirk on his lips.

***

The Eiffel Tower was quite something, especially up close. I had to tilt my head right back to be able to see the top because it was so damn big. Zayn had snapped several pictures of me with my hands out, pretending to lean against it or hold it up. Each photo turned out to be a failure. So did Zayn's, though he did look miles better than I when pulling silly faces and such at the lens.

 "You should have seen it when it was in construction," Zayn said when he made his way back over to me. "It was quite something watching it being built."

"You were there?" I asked with a smile. "When was that?"

"Er..." Zayn thought for a moment. "1887 I think? It was a long time ago."

"It must have been quite something," I commented, looking up again.

"Oh, it was," Zayn said. "Wanna go in?"

I nodded enthusiastically and Zayn took my hand, leading me forward, under the Tower and to the entrance.

"Where-"

"There's stairs and elevators," Zayn reassured me. "There's three floors for visitors, two I think have restaurants?"

"Sounds lovely," I said as we entered. The crowd of tourists was insane. Hundreds of people stood taking photos, chatting excitedly and waiting to take the elevator. I saw one little girl with an Eiffel Tower T-shirt on. "Stairs?"

Zayn nodded, looking at the semi-long line for the lift. "Looks like it."

We decided to go all the way to the third level, and my eyes widened at the view - it was incredible. Zayn and I leaned up against the railing as he snapped picture after picture of the buildings below.

"This is such a great view," I commented and I saw Zayn nod out of the corner of my eye. I quickly pulled out my phone and sent a text to Kate.

To: Kate
Guess which Tower I'm on? :)

Not a second later she replied and my mouth fell open as I read the message.

From: Kate
Zayn's dick? ;)

"Who's that?" Zayn asked, peering over my shoulder to try and get a look. I hid my phone from him and shoved it into my pocket.

"Just Kate," I said, forcing a smile. He raised a brow but asked no questions. He then pulled his phone out and called someone. I looked at him questioningly but he only smile.

"Yeah, hi Harry," he said and I grinned. "Yeah, I'm doing great. Laura's good too, you're on speakerphone." Zayn pulled the device form his ear and pressed the button to allow us both to hear Harry.

"Hi Harry," I said and I heard him laugh on the other line.

"Bonjour mon ami!" he said and I could picture his cheeky grin easily. "Ça va?"

"Ça va bien merci," I answered, the little French I remembered coming back to me. "Et toi?"

"Urgh, Laura stop it," Harry groaned suddenly. "My French is rusty."

"Doesn't seem like it," I said and Zayn smiled at me.

"I was always better at French than Harry," he told me and I rolled my eyes.

"Liar!" Harry snapped. "I'm best at Japanese."

"Only because you've studied it longer," Zayn muttered.

"So what's up for you two today?" Harry asked.

"Sight-seeing," I said with a smile. "We're in the Eiffel Tower just now."

"Oh, great view, isn't it?" Harry said. "I remember it being built-"

"We remember," Zayn corrected and Harry scoffed at the end of the line.

"Yes, we remember it being built," Harry said and Zayn just chuckled to himself.

"What's up for you today, Harry?" I asked.

"Er..." Harry was silent for a moment, probably thinking the day through. "I'm going out with Marielle to see a movie."

"Oh, that's nice," I said smiling. "Look after her!" I warned and he just laughed.

"I will, don't worry. Actually, I'm running a little late - the film starts in fifteen minutes and I've not even found the car keys - Zayn where are your keys?"

"Top of the fridge," Zayn said but then his eyes widened. "You're taking my car?"

"Don't worry, I'll look after it," Harry promised before I heard a jingling of metal. "I've gotta go, bye guys!"

"Bye," Zayn and I said in unison and then Harry hung up.

"I think it's great how often he's been seeing Marielle," I said with a smile and Zayn nodded.

"Yeah, he hasn't had a girl for a long time," Zayn said smiling. "He does fall for them too easily though."

"So you've said many times," I muttered and Zayn just let out a sigh before taking my hand and leading me around to the other side of the Tower. The view was just as spectacular and I began snapping more pictures.

"So, the beach tomorrow, huh?" Zayn said and I nodded as I pressed the button to capture the scene. "Fancy a picnic?"

"Sure," I said, nodding. "We'll have to do some shopping."

Zayn nodded. "Another trip to the beach," he murmured as he wrapped his arms around me, his cold skin contrasting with the heat of the day. "You like swimming, right?"

"I've already told you I'm not the best swimmer," I answered.

"That's not what I asked," Zayn said. "Do you like swimming?"

I nodded. "I suppose."

"So, picnic, then a swim then...?"

"Ice-cream," I said instantly. "Then a walk?"

"Whatever you'd like," he told me and I smiled. We spent another half hour by the Eiffel Tower before deciding to carry on. We left the building, pushing carefully through the crowd of people gathered around. "Where now?" Zayn asked.

I shrugged. "Where would you recommend?"

 "Well, there's always the Musée du Louvre?" he suggested and I looked at him curiously, hoping for a translation. He rolled his eyes. "The Louvre Museum."

"Sure!" I said.

"It's not too far," Zayn said, taking my hand. "Let's go."

***

I took a picture of almost every thing inside the museum - Zayn included. He posed a lot in front of different pieces of art, pulling silly faces and poses as he pleased. He'd even asked some complete strangers for photographs and they had all agreed. Zayn was charming towards everyone we bumped into and he spoke as much French as he could - greeting everyone we passed.

"There's not need to show off," I told him as we left the building. The sky had turned dark rather quickly and it was already five o'clock. Zayn and I had agreed to go shopping before returning to the hotel, and that's exactly what we did. Both of us carried several bags full of the necessary foods such as butter, milk and eggs. There was probably enough food to last us the rest of the week, maybe even longer because of Zayn's diet.

"You hungry or will something light be OK?" Zayn asked as we entered the hotel. We smiled at the receptionist as we headed for the elevator with our bags.

"I might just make a sandwich," I said with a shrug. "I'm not that peckish."

Zayn nodded before he suddenly dropped his bags and pulled me towards him, pressing his lips down on mine. Before I could register what had happened, he quickly pulled away and grinned down at me, picking up the bags just as the doors opened to the 'sophisticated' corridor.

"Ladies first," he said, gesturing for me to step into our room. I unlocked the door and headed into the kitchen, emptying the bags and storing all the food away. Zayn did the same before shuffling through to the living room, kicking his shoes off and falling face-first onto the couch with a groan. I just smiled to myself as I made a quick bite to eat.

"What was that kiss for?" I asked suddenly and I heard Zayn sit up.

"You'll have to get used to surprise attacks if you're going to try and prove to me that you're not a prude, snobby, scared little girl," Zayn said with a wink. I just narrowed my eyes at him.

"You're mean," I told him and he raised his hands in a surrender like manner.

"Guilty," he said, nodding.

I quickly ate what I'd prepared and cleaned the dishes before making my way through to the living room to sit next to Zayn. He wrapped an arm around me and switched on the TV to a channel about all the latest French news.

 "Anything exciting?" I asked as I leaned my head against his shoulder.

"Nah," he muttered. "Some criminal shot someone."

"Oh," I said with a frown. How lovely, I thought. I stretched my legs out and  grimaced when I heard a faint crack. We'd done a lot of walking throughout the day, and it was nice to finally be able to sit back and relax. Zayn's arm tightened around me and I closed my eyes.

"I remember the first time Louis took Harry and I to France," Zayn said suddenly and I opened my eyes to look at him. "The pair of them had done a lot of travelling before, but even for Harry, it was his first time in France."

"What was it like back then?" I asked.

Zayn smiled. "Well, as you can imagine, back in the 1800's the fashion was quite something."

"The fashion was great," I argued. "I liked the fashion from those days."

"I have to admit, I did look good then," Zayn said thoughtfully, grinning.

"You look good now," I said before I could stop myself.

 Zayn smiled at me. "Well, yeah. But back in the day, I looked real smart in the smart suits, top hat and baggy white shirts. Dashing."

"Mm-hm," I murmured closing my eyes.

"You want to go to bed?" Zayn asked and I nodded. He carefully scooped me and walked me through to the bedroom, laying me down on top of the white duvet. He carefully took my shoes off and began to undress me, but I stopped him.

"I'll do it," I told him and he nodded before throwing me my pyjamas which were lying by the side of the bed. I quickly pulled my T-shirt over my head, much to Zayn's surprise, his eyes widening. "What? Haven't you seen a girl in a bra before?"

"A few too many," I heard him mutter and I rolled my eyes. Zayn was handsome; it wasn't hard to guess that he had been with his fair share of women over the years. The funny thing was, it didn't disturb me. That was his business, not mine. After hearing about Perrie, I didn't think hearing about any other of his female companions would be too fun.

I pulled my top over my head and unclasped my bra, pulling it out from under the T-shirt before slowly tugging off my jeans. Once I was dressed, Zayn pulled the covers up over me and pulled his shirt off. I found myself staring and only when Zayn cleared his throat did I look away.

"Take a picture, it'll last longer," Zayn said and I just grinned at him.

"Come to bed," I groaned, rolling over to face him.

"You don't have to ask me twice," he said before jumping into the other side of the bed. He pulled me close and tucked my hair behind my ear. I  closed my eyes as he gently stroked my head, quiet humming coming from the back of his throat. "The beach tomorrow," he reminded me once again, a hint of excitement in his voice.

I nodded slowly. "Yeah," I muttered, smiling.

"Sweet dreams, baby girl," I heard Zayn say before sleep finally consumed me.

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This chapter is unedited, so sorry for the mistakes!

Let me know what you think, please leave a comment :)

Cazza