Many drinks, laughs and happy tears later you and Harry were stumbling into the chauffeur-driven car ready to head home.

You were still reeling from the wonderful words Harry had promised you after watching Niall propose to Emmy, and a fluttery feeling had settled over your heart and not left since.

It was crazy to think that you were looking at your future husband. You'd wished for this your whole life; to be with a man who, without even realising, shifted from your boyfriend to husband so easily and seamlessly. And with all the subtle comments Harry had made in the past month alone it was clear where your relationship was eventually heading.

Usually you'd be a bit scared by the thought, of caring, trusting, loving someone so deeply as you did Harry, but instead it only brought you a sense of peace. As though something had clicked and fitted itself together in your soul.

Harry's earlier sensual ministrations hadn't slackened either; his hands had left burning, fleeting brushes against your skin all night, his hazy green eyes tracking your movements across the room with a promising, wicked gleam that had you squirming.

And now that you were finally alone, well almost alone save for the driver - who's sleek black car conveniently had a partition between the front and back seats - your body was near thrumming with anticipation of what was to come.

Settling back into the plush leather seat, you turned to grab the seatbelt, but Harry's hand was already one step ahead and grabbing the material as he leaned towards you, "Allow me," he purred into your ear, pressing a kiss to the point just behind your earlobe and sending a small shiver down your spine.

You gulped as you leant back again just as Harry began to pull the seatbelt across your body. His knuckles grazed your dress over your breasts, stomach and finally your hip purposefully slowly and you tried to maintain your uneven breathing but to no success.

The click of the buckle sounded and your shoulders eased a little, assuming that Harry would stop his little teasing onslaught with you. But you were absolutely wrong.

His hand stayed hovering around your hip, picking up the folds of your dress every now and then with the tip of his finger. Harry hummed a low tune, feigning an unawareness of his actions as the car pulled away from the curb.

You huffed quietly, knowing deep down you should've expected this teasing behaviour from Harry, and also knowing that you truly did not mind for a single second. But instead, you were already feeling the aching pulse between your thighs as Harry slowly inched the hem of your dress up.

"Harry," you warned quietly around a breath, even though you knew any attempt to stop him was going to be useless.

"Yes my love?" He murmured close to your ear again just as his explorative fingers finally grazed the soft skin of your thigh, goosebumps trailing in their wake.

"Stop teasing," you whispered, all too aware of the lack of conviction in your words as Harry's gentle touch moved to the inside of your thigh and began to trace idle circles across your sensitive skin.

You attempted to clamp your thighs around his hand to try and stop his movements but Harry clicked his tongue under his breath, "Usually you're so eager to spread your legs for me baby."

A low whimper left your lips as your thighs disobeyed you and relaxed purely just from Harry's words. You glanced at his face to notice a smug grin taking ahold of his features as he felt the reactions of your body to him, knowing he had you right where he wanted.

"Promise you'll be quiet?" He questioned huskily, just as his pointer finger brushed against the clothed apex of your thighs and probably felt the dampness already there.

You nodded rapidly, running out of patience for his taunting but instead just aching for his touch, your mind going lightheaded from the alcohol and desire for Harry. His addictive scent swamped you as he leaned even closer to you and without even meaning to, you spread your legs even wider to try and indicate to him how desperate for him you were.

"There's a good girl," he hummed in satisfaction, unable to mask the bob of his throat as his own desire built upon him; Harry wanted you with every laboured breath he took.

Your eyelids fluttered as he pressed his lips to yours, immediately sweeping his tongue leisurely with yours as though he owned your mouth. The slow pace of the kiss had your insides melting as Harry finally hooked his finger under the waistband of your tights, nudging them down to give him easier access to the place that was aching for him.

"Please," you begged in a hushed voice against his soft lips, slipping a hand under his suit jacket to rest on the warm skin on his shoulder, the other finding purchase on the leather seat below you.

Harry let out a low growl in response and you noticed how strained his suit pants were around his crotch. Warmth flooded your core again at the knowledge he was just as turned on by this as you were.

You lifted your hips a fraction to urge Harry on as he moved to tug your panties to the side and you gripped his shoulder in anticipation of the touch you had been squirming for all night.

And when Harry lightly swiped his pointer finger up your folds and settled on your clit, flicking slightly, it was all you could do to clamp down on your lower lip just in time to hold in the moan begging to be let out.

"Fuck Cecelia," Harry muttered, his voice wavering slightly as he removed his finger to gaze hungrily at the wetness that now coated it.

Choosing to surprise him slightly, you captured his finger in your own mouth and sucked on his digit, looking up at Harry under your lashes. He had a glazed over expression on his face as he watched you, his eyes darkening with longing even more than they already had done.

Swirling your tongue around his finger a couple of time you removed your mouth with a slight pop and offered him a sultry, teasing smirk. You had to get at least a little moment of your own taunting after all.

And just for a moment you were transported back to another time and another car when you'd sucked Harry's thumb into your mouth on the first night you'd met, pretty much exactly a year ago. Your heart skipped a beat as you locked eyes with Harry and knew he was replaying the same memory in his head.

Harry's responding small shake of his head and blissful expression said all they needed to let you know just what you'd done too him with your little show, "You're gonna be the death of me I swear," he said wonderingly.

You giggled quietly in answer, but soon enough the laughter was fading from your face as Harry took his opportunity to move back towards you and slide his pointer finger in your slick entrance with no warning.

Your hips bucked and you were unable to stop the pleasured sound of surprise leaving your mouth, but quickly coughed to try and cover it.

Harry looked at you with a cheeky grin before beginning to pump his long finger in and out of you, clearly done with the teasing from the fast pace he set. The metal of his ring brushed against your clit as you widened your legs even more, and your head fell back against the seat as another moan almost escaped you.

Needing more, and feeling your orgasm already start to build what with the insistent teasing all night, you started to move your hips in time with the thrusts of Harry's finger, "That's it baby," he purred in your ear, nipping at your earlobe soon after.

He got the hint as well though, adding another finger to your heat and curling upwards. The motion had you snapping your head back to him with wide eyes as your grip on his shoulder tightened to the point where you knew little crescents would be left in Harry's skin from your nails.

Every curl of his fingers had you nearing even closer to the edge, and knowing that you had to be quiet and the thrill of doing this in the back of a car of all places, was setting your every nerve on fire.

Harry's other hand came up to palm your breasts now, already feeling how hard your nipples were through the thin material of your bra and dress. Due to the low neckline of your patterned dress, Harry was quick to push the material to the side, exposed one of your soft breasts and instantly attaching his lips there.

It took everything in you to swallow the whine rising up your throat, instead just letting a small mewling noise out as Harry gently sucked and flicked your nipple with his tongue.

The added pressure on your electrified body, and a few more hard thrusts of Harry's fingers along with his thumb softly grazing your clit had you arching up into him, your mouth opened in a silent moan.

"That's my girl," Harry whispered in your ear, his voice so husky and full of awe at how unbelievable you looked climaxing on his fingers, "God you look fucking amazing coming for me."

You were almost certain you drew blood from how hard you bit your bottom lip as your fist clenched on the leather seat while the other squeezed Harry's shoulder so tightly you'd be surprised if there wasn't a bruise there tomorrow morning. Your orgasm spiked through you in the best possible way and when you finally opened your previously squeezed shut eyes to be met with a huge shit-eating grin on Harry's face, you laughed lightly and swatted him away.

"'m impressed you managed to keep quiet sweet," Harry commented, his voice still hushed as he brushed your mussed up hair away from your face.

"Oh shut up," you mumbled, unable to hide your dopey smile as Harry chuckled smugly, "Just know Styles, I'm gonna get you back..." a yawn cut of your sentence, "once we get home and I've had a rest first."

Harry laughed loudly this time as you snuggled into him and smiled sleepily as he hooked an arm around your body, "Better not fall asleep on me then."

"I don't think that'd be possible with what's currently poking into my back," you quipped with a slight wiggle of your hips to emphasis where Harry's crotch was currently pressed against.

Another heartwarming laugh from Harry that had you grinning to yourself as you gazed out of the window at the passing blurry New York lights, your heart rate still slowly getting back to normal, but your body still thrumming with arousal at how this had only been the start of your night.

◇

"Honestly Emmy he did so well," you gushed to your best friend as you held her left hand in your own and examined the sparkling diamond on her ring finger.

It was the next weekend and you'd planned to go for a spa day with Emmy as part of her birthday present.

You'd managed to get booked in at the spa located in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel which overlooked the long, frost covered verdigris of Central Park, flanked by the countless buildings that made up central New York; the city you both loved so dearly.

The pair of your had just finished having a full body massage each, and were now relaxing around the glistening indoor pool wrapped in the fluffiest champagne coloured robes and sipping on the matching beverage.

Emmy sighed happily, "He really did Ceece, I genuinely had absolutely no idea at all!"

You gave her a knowing smirk and raised your eyebrows over the rim of your glass as you took a drink of the sharp bubbles, "That's good! Means we all did our job well."

"Wait you knew?!"

"Well obviously, asking the best friend is way more important than asking the father of the bride," you replied teasingly, enjoying the fact that for once Emmy, who always knew everything and anything, hadn't clocked on to Niall's plans.

"When did he tell you?" Emmy asked around an incredulous grin, smacking you lightly on the arm.

"Not that long ago," you confirmed, "He implied it on New Years but then actually told me more about it when you both came round for dinner the weekend after."

She shook her head in disbelief, but her eyes were sparkling with adoration, "That cheeky bastard."

You chuckled at the contrast of her loving tone paired with the insult, "I'm honestly so happy for you Ems, I cried so much when he asked you to marry him you'd think I was the one being proposed too."

"I know, I saw you big sop," Emmy teased before taking a sip of her drink, "Thank you for my present too, I honestly wanted to start wedding planning the minute I opened it."

"You're more than welcome," you smiled fondly at her, "I was just glad you didn't open it before he proposed."

"Oh god could you imagine!" Emmy said with wide eyes as you both laughed at what a disaster that would've been.

But as you carried on talking you soon realised Emmy had her wedding already half planned. She told you it would be happening in May next year because the end of Spring and into Summer was her most complimentary seasons. Told you how she already had a pile of wedding magazines that gave her all the insight into the latest colour schemes, decorations, and venues she was interested in.

Turns out she'd already decided her bridesmaids too - her two older sisters and childhood best friend, as well as her young niece to be the flower girl. Emmy also confided in you that she would've loved for you to be a bridesmaid but needed you to be her own personal wedding assistant of sorts, because if her sisters didn't have a role in the wedding party they'd just try to take control of all the planning. And if that happened, Emmy didn't hesitate to inform you she would indeed rip her sisters hair out.

You'd laughed at her dramatics, knowing full well what it must be like to deal with two older sisters who'd both already been married and had families of their own. In truth, you'd not minded your role as assistant to the bride, since it meant that once the ceremony was over you had no obligations to stay sober and aware as the bridal party did.

In all honesty, you were just incredibly grateful that Emmy had even considered you to be such an important part of her big day.

The two of you had just discarded your robes and were wading into the warm swimming pool when Emmy gave you a sidelong glance, "You and Harry left all over each other last weekend, how are things with him?"

You huffed out a small laugh, feeling some warmth rise to your cheeks at knowing you'd been caught. Not that it really mattered though when your mind recalled the memory of the morning after the AMA's - yeah, Emmy had definitely seen worse.

"Yeah we're pretty good thanks...he actually implied we'd get married after Niall prop-"

"He said what?!" Emmy's voice rose a couple of octaves as the water churned around her from how quickly she turned to look at you.

You offered her a sheepish smile, knowing that she wasn't expecting you to say that at all but had instead been hinting at the tension she knew had been brewing before you and Harry had arrived at her birthday party.

Emmy was always very in tune to these things, and since she knew both you and Harry so well, it was no surprised she'd assumed the court case was putting a small strain on your relationship, especially at the office. But in all honesty, you didn't really feel like talking about that today as this weekend was about having a girly catch up.

Besides, you already felt a little apprehensive for Monday morning and the conversation you were planning on broaching with Harry again.

"He just said that he couldn't wait for me and him to be you and Niall one day," you explained as she gaped at you.

"Ceece! This is huge!" She said her eyes wide with glee as she grabbed your hands excitedly, "I had no idea that both of you had even spoken about it."

"Well we haven't, this is the thing," you started, "Harry drops these little hints every now and then and the thing is usually it would have me running for the hills but...but it just feels so right Ems."

Emmy sighed happily as she looked at you, understanding clear in her eyes, "But that's how it's suppose to feel."

"We've known each other for a year!" you countered, though you knew that didn't matter in the slightest because it was the joy and comfort a person brought you, not the time they'd been in your life that truly mattered to you.

And if anyone had proved that to you, it was Harry.

Because even regardless of the arguments, and the shitty situations life had thrown yours and Harry's way, he was always there, unwavering and constant.

"Oh shut up you know that means nothing," Emmy chided you jokingly, seeing straight through you, "Cecy this is amazing, honestly - I'm so happy for you. I've known Harry for quite a few years and it's clear the impact you've had on him, he's a better person because of you."

You smiled shyly at that, "I'm a better person because of him too."

Emmy just replied with a huge grin before pulling you into her chest for a brief hug, "Look at us both - soon to be married!"

"Emmy!" You cried incredulously, but with a laugh at her antics as the two of you continued to move deeper into the pool to continue the conversation you both could never seem to leave - Harry and Niall.

◇

You arrived alone at work on Monday morning. After your spa day with Emmy you'd spent the rest of the weekend at your own apartment, needing to do some chores, and because you'd wanted some thinking space away from Harry.

Having realised your mistake in bringing up your idea to confront Liam before Emmy's birthday, you'd decided to try again this week.

As silly as it might've been, you'd spent Sunday afternoon scribbling away in a notebook all the ideas that you'd thought into about how best to get Liam to be unaware of the trap you would draw him into.

And you'd finally settled on a plan.

It would take a lot of stealth and caution, but you were sure you could pull it off, even if it meant bringing Phoebe into a situation that could put her in an awkward place. But you'd be unable to pull it off without her.

You loved Harry so much, and knew that his response the last time you'd spoken about this had purely been from a protective, loving influence - not a controlling one or an indication he felt you incapable of the task - but you still felt as though you might be able to get through to him.

And if you couldn't convince him...then he would just have to be none the wiser about your plans.

You settled into your desk ready for the usual onslaught on Monday morning emails and voicemails left over from the weekend.

Everything was going without a hitch as the morning wore on, that was until you received a starred email from the publicist of The 1975. Furrowing your brow you opened the email and scanned it, frustration building the more you read on.

For some reason, Harry had decided to go ahead with an album release party for the band in March, a mere two weeks after the date of his court case.

You shot to your feet, storming towards his office as countless thoughts clouded your brain. Why was Harry acting as though he had the time to even think about planning these events when for all you all knew, there could be no company and no Harry to run it in a few weeks time depending on the severity of the legal battle dawning on you?

And why hadn't he let you organise all of this? Surely the band's team must be aware of what was going on right now and how insensitive the timing of this was?

Reaching the door you paused for a second. You took a few deep breaths to try and settle your annoyance at Harry's need to act like everything was fine and to put everything on his plate even when it was already overflowing. Now was not the time to go in all guns blazing like some crazy person. Even if thats what you wanted to do.

Knocking lightly and grabbing the handle, you made your way into the familiar room, bracing yourself and plastering a relaxed expression on your face.

"Oh hey darling," Harry said with a faint, but happy smile from his desk.

"Hey..." your eyes jumped from Harry to the figure sitting in front of his desk, "Sorry I can wait if you're busy?"

"No not at all," Harry began as the figure turned and you were greeted with the warm face of Jeffery.

"I was just about to leave Miss Stone," he explained as a way of greeting.

"Please Jeffery, you can call me Cecy," you responded, "but don't leave on my account...if anything maybe you should stay," you finished with a harder undertone to your voice.

That caught Harry's attention. He looked up sharply from the papers he'd been rifling through, a clear crease between his eyebrows and his lips set in a thin line.

Not giving him the chance to speak, you began, "Why are you planning album parties without telling me?"

Harry's shoulders seemed to relax a fraction at that as he blew a breath out of his pink lips, "I did tell you, at least their publicist should've told you today."

"Yeah that's why I'm here; I just got the email," you shot back, not liking the boss-like tone to his voice, he never usually used that with you.

"Okay so what's the problem?"

Your eyes narrowed at his question. It was at though he could already sense where this conversation was going to wind up, "The problem," you began, crossing your arms over your chest, "Is that you seem to be forgetting what you and this company are about to go through Harry," you shot Jeffery a pointed look as though to relay your point to him as well.

Harry swallowed, his jaw set as he leaned his chin on his thumb, one long finger stretching up his cheek as he levelled his gaze at you, "It's just a launch party Cecelia -"

"But it's not though Harry," you interrupted, fed up of the tone he was using to speak to you as you took a few steps forward, "It's the fact that all of you seem to be acting like this company isn't about to go up in flames!"

In fairness, Harry managed to cover his slight flinch at your words, unlike Jeffery, who looked stunned - as though you'd physically hit him. But he cleared his throat, and turned in his chair to address you, "Miss St - Cecy, it's not that we're ignoring the problem here, we're just trying to deal with the cards we've been dealt."

The mild anger began to simmer in your gut at his complacent words and borderline condescending tone. Choosing to try and rise above you acknowledged him with a quick look before turning back to Harry. Maybe Jeffrey should've left when he'd suggested.

"And you're okay with that?" You questioned your boyfriend, noticing the flicker of doubt in his green eyes as they flittered to his legal advisor, "To just sit by and watch this, your business, your career, possibly fall to Liam's bullshit?"

"Cecelia it's not that simple," Harry tried to explain.

"But it is Harry," you fired back, "If you just let me try and catch Liam out in his lie -"

"No!" Harry said, his voice louder than it had just been, "We've already spoken about this - you're not doing it."

Jeffery looked between you both with wary eyes, "Do what?"

"Clearly there's no point me explaining since I'm not allowed to do it according to my boss," you replied sassily, shooting Harry a steely look as though daring him to say something.

You saw a muscle feather in Harry's jaw before he set his piercing gaze to Jeffery, "Cecelia wants to try and confront Liam and get him to confess to lying about the context of the video."

"What? Are you out of your mind?" Jeffery turned to you again, gripping the arms of his chair, a seething look in his eyes as though he believed you to be plotting the downfall of this company rather than trying to save it.

You narrowed your eyes at him. Never had you been spoken to like that by one of Harry's colleagues or friends, and you knew from Harry's strained expression that he saw the fire in your eyes he'd only ever seen a few times when people tried to belittle you.

"Maybe I was wrong in thinking you should've stayed for this conversation," you snapped without an inch of waver in your icy tone as you set your unyielding gaze to him.

Jeffery gulped, but you didn't back down. Luckily the moment didn't last long as Harry cleared his throat and stood from his desk chair, "Jeff I'll see you out, we can catch up again tomorrow."

Part of you sighed a small sigh of relief; at least Harry had been wise enough to back you on this one, and to know when a conversation was best left to you and him.

You lifted your chin a fraction and finally broke your stare from Jeffery to stalk over to the tall windows to look outside at the world beyond instead.

Hearing the sounds of the two men walking to the door, a few hushed words being shared, the door opening and closing and then, when a single pair of footsteps approached you, you turned around.

Harry couldn't help but feel the rush of pride at your headstrong behaviour, and how even if you were both angry at each other and where this conversation was no doubt heading, you were still the strong women he'd always known you to be.

While you'd been gazing at the outstretching city before you, some of your anger had melted away, "I know I shouldn't have snapped at Jeff like that but I'm not going to apologise."

Harry chuckled quietly, but the tension still remained in the set of his jaw and eyes, "Wouldn't expect you to, he shouldn't have spoken to you like that."

You took a deep breath, but still kept your arms crossed over your chest, as though protecting yourself from the still budding frustrating floating between you both as you waited for Harry to speak again.

He slipped his hands into the pockets of his dress pants, "Ceece, I thought we'd decided to forget this whole idea?"

"No Harry, you had - but I hadn't. I don't understand why you won't even consider it -"

"Because he nearly fucking forced himself upon you!"

And there it was. You set your jaw tightly at his words and the way Harry's voice had risen, almost as if he was struggling to keep a lid on his own temper.

"I can handle myself Harry, and it would be in his office in broad day -"

"You want to go to his office? Alone?" The quiet fury in Harry's voice made you stop for a moment before you replied.

You knew the fury was in no way aimed at you; more so at the idea of you being possibly put in a compromising position without him anywhere near. It was as though you could see the memories of New Years flash behind Harry's eyes and it made you sag a little.

"Harry he was my friend, I'm not excusing what he did but I just - I can't let him do this to you," for the first time since you'd stepped foot in Harry's office your voice wobbled with emotion.

His own eyes seemed to soften at your tone and you took the opportunity to try again, "I'd be in and out in less than an hour, all I'd need is a few sentences to catch on the mic and then we can stop him from doing this to you and your company. I don't need to be protected from this."

But it was the wrong thing to say.

You saw the misunderstanding flash in his eyes, as though you were implying you didn't need him to protect you, as his brain whirled away and decided that he couldn't let you do this, he could never be too careful with you because there was no way he'd be the one who put you in a position with a man he despised.

"No Cecelia," a slight shake of his head as he spoke quietly but incredibly firmly, "We'll find a different way, or maybe we should just leave it alone like you should've done in the first place."

yikessss who keeps making hecy argue like this :/

what do you guys think is gonna happen? will cecy still go to confront Liam? will her and harry make up and he'll let her go and do it? leave your thoughts here!! I've love to see if you guys have got any theories 

sorry for the wait for this chapter too, my dissertation is just consuming me 24/7 but I'm hoping to keep writing as much as I can in my spare time!!

anyways I'll keep this fairly short, hope you're all doing well, remember my dm's are always open to anyone if you need anything!! and also before I go, a massive thank you for almost 20k reads on PA, it truly means the world to me so thank you so much! remember to VOTE as we're so close to 1.9k votes and its such a big way to encourage writers :))

sending loads of love your way and hopefully see you soon!! 

kait x