Can We Watch Some TikTok's?

We got home from the beach, showered and ate. Pedro demolished his Sunday roast and claimed it was 'one of the best things he'd ever eaten'.  I promised that they were way better in the UK and that one day I'd take him for a carvery. He was a fan of Yorkshire Puddings too; which let me know he was a keeper.

"I should probably head home soon." Pedro stretched out his limbs as he came from the kitchen and towards me.

"Sure. Whenever you're ready, no rush." I told him, but felt a bit sad that he wouldn't be here again tonight. It was alarming how much I depended on him already.

"Yeah. Back to sleeping by myself. In a cold bed. All alone. Getting no sleep." He rested his head against the back of the couch and looked at me with puppy eyes.

"Shame. There's a bed here that I'm sure would keep you warm and someone who could help you get to sleep."

"You won't want me here again..." His voice trailed off at the end of the sentence and I sensed that he didn't want to leave. The hem of his T-shirt rode up and I stared at the patch of exposed skin.

"I like having you here. I feel safe."

"Fine. You've twisted my arm. I'll stay and protect you."

"You could have just asked me to stay again, you know that right? Though, I've got work tomorrow so you'll have to either stay here and occupy yourself or get up early with me and leave."

"I was worried to ask. I mean, it's still new. I don't want to force myself on you. But I just enjoy being around you. You make me laugh, you make me feel .... Good."

"OK, well for the record, you never have to ask to stay. You just let me know when you want to be here." I locked my phone and let it land on my stomach. I was lying on my back on the sofa, with my legs on Pedro's knees. Pedro pulled his phone out of his shorts pocket and started typing something.

"Remember when Lux asked about lunch?" I nodded my response, "Well, my other sister will be in town. And Lux was going to invite her. But she wanted to check with you if you'd be comfortable coming?"

"That's really sweet. And thoughtful of Lux."

"That's Lux all over. A sweetheart. Bit like you. You remind me of her, like personality wise. Would do anything for anyone. My older sister, Javiera, she's a bit more, fierce. A Boss bitch. Won't take any shit. Real protective over us, being the oldest sibling. But with a heart of gold." Pedro's description of her both warmed my heart and scared me.

"Sounds like she's the sibling I need to impress."

"I mean, I can't lie. She is. My brother is so chilled and relaxed about everything. You've met Lux, she's a shy little thing but she really blossoms when you get to know her. Javiera; well, she scares me sometimes."

"You're not making this any easier."

"Don't feel pressured to meet her. If you need time, we can wait. She's always coming to visit."

"When do you need to know by?"

"If you're not ready, we'll put a pin in it. It's OK, baby."

"Thank you." I felt slightly guilty, but my anxiety was through the roof just thinking about it. It didn't help that Pedro admitted she scared him too. How could she ever possibly think I'd be good enough for her brother? "Come lie with me." I held my arms open and watched as Pedro smiled at me, and moved to lie on me. He put his head on my chest, just under my chin. His legs intertwined with mine as we watched the TV. I let my fingers twist and play with his curls, each one bounced when I let go.

"That feels nice." He mumbled into my chest, his breath hot against my skin.

"Don't be falling asleep again." I scolded, remembering how we were in the same position just hours earlier at the beach.

"I can't help it. You make me feel safe and comfortable and relaxed. And you smell so good. And when you tickle me, or play with my hair, it makes me so sleepy."

"You sleep a lot for a guy who says he doesn't sleep well."

"Honestly," He looked up at me and rested his chin on my chest, "I've only been sleeping good with you. Usually, I'm lucky for 4, 5 hours. I sleep like a baby with you."

"Because I'm so boring I send you to sleep?" I smirked, making Pedro laugh. The best sound ever.

"You are the least boring person I've ever known." He rested his cheek against my chest again. We continued to stay there, tickles, strokes, soft breathing. My phone buzzed next to us. I picked it up to see a text message from my Grandad.

Gramps: hello my darling. I just wanted to check in and make sure you are O.K. Oliver has come around for his tea tonight and is telling me all about your adventures. I will video call you in the week. All my love. Gramps. X

"That's so cute." Pedro looked at me through his lashes.

"Reading my texts now?"

"Yep. Making sure I'm still the only guy you're interested in."

"Nothing to worry about... for now." I kissed his forehead. "He's so cute. I miss him so much."

"You gave a lot up to be here, right? Sounds like there's a lot of people who love and miss you back home."

"I'm very lucky to have the best family and friends."

"I think they realise how lucky they are too. Every day, someone's checking in on you. Multiple, in fact. Olivia, your dad, your brother. Your grandpa. Friends. It's so wholesome."

"You're going to make me cry."

"Everything makes you cry. Don't think I don't see you tearing up at TikToks every time you're on that app!"

"I can't help it, I'm an emotional person." I idly clicked on Olivia's conversation, not realising Pedro was still watching me on my phone.

"What the fuck is that? Eleanor!"

"What?" His sudden outburst startled me.

"Show me your phone! Who are you sending that to?" He tried to grab my phone out my hand, and I started to belly laugh, allowing him to take it from me. "You send this shit to Olivia?"

"Yes." I laughed, watching him stare at my screen. I'd sent her a picture of me in my bikini bottoms and topless. My hands covering my nipples, squishing my boobs down. I wanted to show her my tan lines earlier, to make her jealous of all the sun she wasn't having at home.

"Why aren't you sending me this kinda shit?"

"You get the real thing!"

"I want this too. Fucking hell. Show me!"

"Show you what?"

"Your tan lines!" Pedro grabbed at the waist band of my pyjama pants and tugged them down lightly to reveal the tan lines I had gotten today. His long fingers traced the slightly whiter patch, from hip to hip, making me squirm when he reached the middle. "God, I just wanna shove my fingers so deep in you right now!" Jesus fucking Christ. I thought I could catch a break when he pulled my trousers back up, but I was wrong. Instead, the hem of my vest was tugged up, revealing my exposed breasts, as I wasn't wearing a bra. Pedro lightly cupped one breast, then the other, letting his bendy, long thumb skim over my nipples to make them hard. "Hmm, look at you. God, I am obsessed. How?"

"How what?" My voice was a pathetic whisper.

"How did I bag you? What do you even see in me when you look like this? Fuck me."

"Pedro." I breathed, wiggling under his touch. He brought his mouth over one nipple and gave a long, hot suck, allowing his mouth to make a pop sound when he let go. He repeated the same on the other nipple, before he pulled my top back down and lay back on my chest. "That was so cruel."

"Not for me. Show me some more pictures you're hiding on your camera roll."

"This is my little baby." I clicked on a photo of my cat, Oscar, back home. I missed him so much. That's Oscar."

"Aw, look at him! He's cute."  I kept scrolling through my pictures, trying to find things Pedro might find interesting. He tapped on a family photo. "You have a sister?"

"Oh no, that's Oli and his girlfriend, Jess. She's lovely. That's my dad, my mom, it's one of the last photos we have of her. Look how beautiful she is. Was." I corrected myself, feeling that familiar pain of having to use past tense to speak about her.

"She is. You look so much alike."

"Thank you. The greatest compliment ever. I'd never tell Oli, but it makes me angry that Jess got to meet her and have all those memories with her. And she'll never meet the man I end up with."

"I feel that."

"It's so shitty. I just fucking miss her so much. She was literally the best human in the world. I still text her. Which is stupid I know."

"It's not stupid. I still talk to my mom all the time."

"I'll find myself re-reading text messages from her. I'll text her like she's still here and she'll reply to them." I clicked off the picture before I got emotional.

"Click on that photo!" Pedro tapped my screen. Up popped a photo of me on a night out, "Gorgeous girl." He smiled at me, the simple gesture made me warm inside. "Let me see that one." He clicked on a photo of a trip I took to Dublin. I had a leprechaun hat on with a pint of Guinness in my hand. "You are so cute."

"That's in Dublin. You ever been?"

"Never."

"You have to go and you have to try Guinness. It's so good!"

"Let me see that one." He asked again, so I just handed him my phone. He clicked on a photo of me on holiday. "You've been paragliding?"

"Twice. Once in Spain once in Greece."

"Look how happy and careful you are. I love seeing pictures of you like that."

"Soppy, old man."

"But look how happy you are. It's joyous. You honestly have the best smile I've ever seen." I placed my hand on his cheek and used my thumb to stroke the fluffy beard hairs. "Wait a minute..." shit! "Is that me?" He clicked on a screenshot of a TikTok of Pedro that Olivia sent me a few days ago.

"Olivia sent me a TikTok of you because she knew I'd fancy you so much on it. She knows my type. Honestly, I don't think I've ever seen a more beautiful human," He looked up at me and raised an eyebrow, wanting more information. "Your hair is just, ugh, the best. Those EYES, the smile, the dimple, the outfit. Everything about that look is just perfect. Not one flaw. You don't even want to know how long I watched that on loop."

"Back when I was young and attractive."

"Still are attractive. But more daddy now. That look though, honestly. I don't think I've been more attracted to anyone in my life."

"Harry Styles?"

"Nope. I fancy you there more than I fancy Harry Styles. Makes me want to sit on your face."

"Eleanor Grace Parker do not do this to me!"

"You are so fucking beautiful it's actually painful."

"You just said you wanna sit on my face and that you fancied me more than Harry!"

"Yeah in that TikTok!"

"I'll fucking take it! Gonna message Coco and get her to cut and dye my hair."

"I think you're on par with Harry right now. Keep doing what you're doing and you'll soon overtake him." I couldn't say anything else because he grabbed my face in a single hand and kissed me hard. I felt his teeth through his lips push against my mouth.

"I hope you know that you're stuck with me forever, now. There's no letting go."

"I suppose I can live with that." I rubbed his hair and gently pulled him back to my chest. I watched as he clicked through pictures, taking a look, asking questions and then moving onto the next one. He clicked on a group photo of my last night out with my friends at home. All eight of us.

"This your friends?"

"Yeah, my best friends. That's Liv, obviously. That's Charlotte, but we call her Lottie. She's recently had a baby and he's the cutest little boy ever. I can't wait to see him. That's Liam, Lottie's fiancé, that's Jack, Olivia's soon-to-be fiancé, the tall guy is Brad, probably my closest boy friend, we were in all the same classes throughout school. He's the best. That's Luke and that's Scott."

"And you've been friends since school? All of you?"

"Yeah, from the very beginning of school. Me and Olivia since primary school. What do you call it over here? I'm so confused with the whole 'First Grade' stuff. Basically, since we were 7."

"It's so sweet that you've grown up together."

"We have. We used to drink high amounts of cider over the park as teenagers, illegally of course. We've shared all our experiences with each other, first loves, first break ups, first nights out, which in the UK are a big deal. Now we're growing up and getting married and having babies. Well, they are. Me, not so much."

"You're travelling the world and obtained a very handsome guy."

"Very true. I think I'm doing alright."

"You just stand out though. I mean, your girl friends, of course are very lovely ladies. But you just radiate. You shine. They all see it. Look at how all these people in all these photos look at you. A real life angel." I shuffled down so I could be eye to eye with him. I could see his big brown eyes were slightly red, he was tired.

"You're helping me, you know. You're helping me heal pieces of me that I didn't think could be healed. From all my traumas. Thank you." I looked Pedro in the eyes, wanting him to know how grateful I was.

"Ditto, baby. You have no idea how much you're helping. Lux told me she could already see a difference. You're magic." We lay there, just staring at each other. Breathing and smiling. "Shall we go to bed?" As if on cue, he yawned in my face.

"I think an early night is needed." We got off the sofa in unison. I reached for the remote as Pedro folded my blanket and hung it over the back of the sofa. The simple, courteous gesture melted my heart. Like everything that man did.

We crawled into bed, Pedro taking my usual side and me sliding in next to him. He opened his arm, and I crawled over, resting my head on his chest.

"Can we watch some TikToks?" I asked, pulling my phone up.

"Sure." He breathed heavily, and I already knew he wouldn't watch many before he fell asleep. 10 minutes later, light snores escaped his lips. I kissed his forehead and wished him a good night and settled down next to him.

The week had gone by so quickly. I'd spent a lot of time packing and sorting things for my trip back home. I'd had lunch with Lux on Wednesday, which was lovely. She seemed a bit more confident this time, and I was happy to see our relationship grow.

"Yes I'm just topping up my make up. I'll be fine." I reapplied my lipgloss to my lips.

"Call me if you need anything." Pedro's voice was smooth down the phone. It hurt my heart a little bit to know that after tomorrow, I wouldn't see him for almost two weeks.

"Of course. It's only a couple of drinks. I'll be back home by 9, 10pm."

"Where are you going?"

"I'm not sure. They go to this place every Friday and always ask me along and I never do. Thought it was time I started to mingle a little bit more."

"What you wearing?"

"Nothing booby, if that's why you're asking." I low-key loved that he was jealous, though he had nothing to be jealous about. It was just nice have a guy care about me that way. Instead of messing me around.

"I just wanna know."

"I've changed into a green one shoulder vest thing, and some leather trousers and boots. I'll show you a pic when we're off the phone." I moved my hair around, trying to get some more lift into it.

"Alright, well I'll let you go. You text me if you need anything. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Will do. I'll text you anyway. Miss you."

"I miss you too. Have a good night, baby."

"Bye." I hung up and quickly took a picture of my outfit to show him.

Me: as requested. X

Pedro: my god, you look incredible. Don't be pulling any guys, please. Mine x

Me: I'll try my best...

Pedro: try your hardest!!!

I locked my phone, grabbed my handbang and left.

"Shots, anyone?" Lucas was counting the raised hands, when he stopped when he saw me. "I didn't know you were here."

"Yep. Actually came for once." I sipped the last drop of my cocktail. It hadn't been a bad night so far, the people I worked with were a lot nicer than I realised.

"Well, it's good to have you out. Shot?"

"Sure! I'll come to the bar with you." I moved behind Lucas as we dodged the other people out to have a good time.

"You look great!" Lucas complimented when we reached the bar. He was very tall, at least 6"4. Blonde hair, blue eyes. But not my type. At all.

"Thank you." I tucked a piece of hair behind my ear then rested my elbows on the bar, hearing the clang of my rings bashing together when I linked my own fingers.

"How are you finding L.A?"

"It's good. A lot different from being at home. Missing home a bit though. But L.A is fun. You from here?"

"Born and bred, baby." He smiled down at me, "You're English?"

"Yes sir."

"London?"

"Nope. I'm from a place in the middle of the UK, called Worcester. Near Birmingham. In the countryside bit."

"So completely different to L.A?"

"Most definitely. More green, and a lot more rain."

"Have you done the Hollywood hike yet?"

"Not yet, it's on my to do list though."

"You definitely should. Been out much since you've been here?"

"Not really. Couple bars. Cinema. Few restaurants. Nothing major."

"Well, if you ever want to go exploring, I'm more than happy to show you around. I know all the good places." Oh no.

"Thank you, I appreciate the offer."

"It would be my honour. I'd be a lucky guy, getting to take you out somewhere..." Right on cue, the bar tender came over to us and unknowingly saved the day. Lucas paid for the shots, and after a small protest, paid for my drink too. We walked back to the rest of the group, and distributed the shots out to everyone. "To Eleanor, for actually coming out with us tonight."  The small crowd raised their shot glasses and cheered, 'To Eleanor' in unison before we took our drink. I felt my cheeks burn with embarrassment. I noticed Josh slide past one of the guys in accounts and make his way over to me. Ugh.

"See, told you it would be nice for you to come out with us."

"I'm having a nice time." I wonder what Pedro's up to?

"Good, I'm glad. How are you finding working over here?"

"It's... different. Properties over here are a lot different to back home. And way more expensive."

"Yeah, it's L.A. You could put whatever price you want on it and people will snap it up. How was your date the other night?" How did I know he would ask about that?

"My night out with my friend was lovely, thanks."  There was a good few seconds of awkward silence between us. I tried not to make eye contact with Josh whilst his eyes burnt into me.

"Well, we love having you on the team. You're doing great."

"That's really nice to hear, I appreciate it. Thank you." I looked up to see Matt, a guy in my team who actually was really sweet and not a creep waving at me. We got on well. "Sorry, excuse me." I shuffled past Josh, and Lucas and made my way over to Matt. "I didn't know you were here!"

"Yeah, I decided to show my face last minute. Though I'm kinda regretting it. Kelly won't leave me alone. And half these guys are assholes."

"Still feel the same out of work as you do in work, then?" I laughed. We bonded in the kitchen one day when Josh made an inappropriate comment to me and Matt overheard. He called him an asshole and I knew we'd end up being friends.

"They get worse when they have a drink. Just be careful, Elle."

"I'm a big girl, I can look after myself."

"What's made you come out tonight? You're never usually here."

"I go home in two days for almost 2 weeks. Thought I'd show my face before I leave you all for a bit."

"Ah nice! Bet you're excited!"

"You have no idea!!" Harry Styles' Watermelon Sugar came on and my body came alive.

"Isn't this your man?" Matt laughed as he watched me start to move my body.

"Yes! Let's go dance!" I grabbed his arm and pulled him to the dance floor. Matt and I sang the song word for word, throwing our arms out and dancing to the beat. He was a Harry fan too, unapologetically. It made me like him more. After a few more songs, we walked back over to the group, a lot more sweating and out of breath than before.

"Here they are. Someone's having a good night." Josh made the comment to me. He forced a smile on his lips. Ew.

"Yeah, I am. I need a drink. Anyone want one?" A few people politely declined as they show me their drinks, but of course Josh and Lucas wanted one. "Matt, drink?"

"I'll come with." Matt followed me. We idly chatted whilst music played, the two do us chatted away but moved our bodies subtly in time with the music.

"I'll get these." I offered, going into my bag to retrieve my purse.

"No it's fine, Eleanor."

"Please. You got the last ones."

"You sure? I don't like you using your money to buy me something." He sounded like Pedro and it made me laugh. Thinking about Pedro made me want to speak to him. I looked at my phone, and noticed he hadn't text me all evening. It made me worry. Maybe he's with another woman?

"I'm sure. Take my card, I'm just going to the bathroom." I grabbed my bag and pushed past the party goers to get to the bathrooms. The ladies restrooms were empty, thankfully. I pulled out my phone and thumbed through my call list to find Pedro's name. I hovered over the call button. Video call him, see where he is! I let my anxiety get the worse of me and hit FaceTime. I watched the phone continue to ring, each ring made my heartbeat quicker. Then he was on my screen.

"Hey babe. You alright?" His hair was messy and thick black framed glasses sat on his face. He looked adorable. My heart instantly sank.

"Yeah I'm good. I hadn't heard from you. Thought you'd run off to one of your other women." I subtly confessed.

"No other women, just you. I'm at home. I'm watching a film." My heart. "Let me just pause it." I watched him move to grab the remote. "Everything OK?"

"Yeah, I just wanted to see you. Pathetic aren't I?"

"Nooooo. It's cute. Are you having a nice time?"

"I actually am. Surprisingly."

"Good, I'm glad. I didn't text you because I wanted you to have a good time and not be glued to your phone talking to me."

"You - you are the, the cutest human I've ever met."

"And you are fairly drunk."

"I've had a bit to drink, yes. But, I am fine. What are you watching?"

"Face Off. Nic Cage. The best."

"I'm not a big fan of Nic Cage."

"I'm going to pretend you didn't say that. I'll blame it on the alcohol. He's the best."

"I won't keep you, Pedro. I'll leave you to enjoy your film."

"Alright, baby. Be careful please. Text me when you're home. You look beautiful."

"So do you. Miss you."

"See you tomorrow." I hung up the call and sighed. The guilt of thinking he would have been with another woman overcame me. I needed to process those feelings and work on them. Maybe when I was a bit more sober. Shit, I needed to go back out!

"I bet you thought I'd ran off." I said as I went back to Matt, who was at the bar with all our drinks.

"I was about to text you. Everything alright?"

"Yeah, sorry. Was just on the phone."

"Don't be, it's fine." We collectively picked the drinks up and headed back to the group.

I'd drank and danced a lot more. I stayed with Matt majority of the night, the occasional conversations I had with Josh and Lucas continued to increasingly get more flirty so I tried to keep my distance.

"I'd love to take you on a date, Eleanor." Lucas slurred in my ear. Even drunk, I still found him unattractive.

"I need the bathroom." I handed him my empty glass and went into the bathrooms. Once I'd finished and washed my hands, I checked my phone. A text from Pedro.

Pedro: bit lonely...

Fuck!

Me: inih I was the re with y I

Pedro: are you drunk?

Me: yeah ibm wii re drunk now but will wish I was the re with you

Pedro: want me to come fetch you?

Me: absolute not I'm Al l goo d I promise x

Pedro: where are you?

My head was spinning far too much to think about how to move my fingers to my phone. I jumped when my phone started to ring. Pedro.

"Hello."

"Hey Eleanor. You alright?"

"Yes I'm absolutely fine."

"You sound better than you're texting."

"My brain and my fingers won't work together."

"Where are you?"

"I dunno. Some bar round the corner from my work."

"Do you want me to come fetch you?"

"No I'm good. Stay in bed. You look so cosy and cute."

"You sure you don't want me to come and get you?" His tone remained cool and composed.

"No I'm enjoying myself."

"Alright. Well, I'm going to sleep soon. So if you want me to get you, you'll have to let me know in the next 10 minutes."

"No, I'm going to party some more. I'm actually enjoying myself. The guys are being creeps but Matt's here so I'll be fine. I'll get a taxi home."

"What do you mean 'being creeps'?"

"Just usual, flirting and stuff nothing bad. Nothing handsy. Lucas keeps asking me on a date. But don't worry, I'm not interested."

"Have you told them about me?"

"No, I haven't." There was a pause, neither of us saying anything. "I didn't know what to say."

"Right. Well, if you told them you're seeing someone, I'm sure they'd back off a little." He was annoyed. Shit.

"I sure will. Now go to sleep. I'll text you when I'm home. But hopefully you'll be asleep by then."

"Ring me if you need me."

"Will do. Goodnight, sweet dreams."

"Goodnight Eleanor." His tone was slightly softer, but he was still annoyed. I put my phone in my bag and headed back out. Lucas came out of the gentleman's bathroom the same time I left, and I idly wondered if he'd timed it on purposely. He would have no idea when you left, it's just a coincidence!

"Hey you. Drink?"

"Sure." We walked straight to the bar, where Lucas ordered me a G&T and himself a whiskey. "I hate whiskey."

"You're very attractive, you know that, Eleanor?" He took a sip of the drink and winced.

"I guess you don't like whiskey too? Judging by the face you've just pulled." Avoid his comments.

"Liquid confidence. Do you have a boyfriend back home or something? You keep avoiding me."

"I'm not avoiding you. I'm talking to you aren't I?"

"You've just done it again. Every time I try and get the scoop, you swerve."

"I don't have a boyfriend back home. I'm going to dance." I took a long sip of my drink and moved past him and over to Matt and Kelly. Matt looked like he needed rescuing.

The night continued to pass. I slowed down on drinks, knowing I'd already gone past my limit. I didn't, however, slow down on dancing. Pedro would be fast asleep, the idea of him tucked up in bed made me swoon. The Trammps 'Disco Inferno' came on, and me and Matt almost jumped into each others arms with excitement.

"Room for one more." I heard his voice before I saw him. Matt laughed when I rolled my eyes and mumbled, "not really." Lucas slid into a gap by us, trying to side step his way to dance with me. I kept focused on Matt, who kept staring at Lucas. Ready to defend me if needed. "You're a really good dancer." He mumbled into my ear.

"You're a kiss ass." I groaned.

"What? I think you're hot. You've got it all Eleanor." He continued to dance next to me, each step he came closer and closer to my face.

"Move away, please."

"You're not gonna give me one kiss? Just one?" He snaked his arm over my shoulders and pulled me into him. Without thinking, I lifted my hand and shoved my palm into his face and pushed him away.

"Please fucking don't." I moved away. Matt put his arms between us, making sure Lucas didn't try it again.

"Fine. Have it your way." Lucas blushed as he shook his head and moved on.

"Are you alright?" Matt asked me, his hand on my elbow.

"Absolutely fine. Had a feeling he'd pull a move like that." Matt looked over my shoulder and smiled, making me turn around and see him standing there. Fuck.

"Hi." His voice was low. He looked edible. Messy hair, glasses, oversized jumper, jeans and trainers. Underdressed compared to everyone in the bar, but still the best looking guy in here.

"Hey you." I grinned like a school girl at him. Fuck. He looked so good.

"Ready to go home?"

"Pedro Pascal?" Josh moved to stand next to him, wanting a better look. "No fucking way man." Pedro didn't look at Josh, but continued to stare at me. "Can I buy you a drink?"

"I'm not sure if we're staying yet?" Again, his eyes were on me. Not breaking contact.

"I don't mind. It's up to you?" I smiled at him.

"Just a coke, please. I'm driving." Pedro finally looked at Josh. Josh looked back at him, then at me and then scurried off to the bar.

"Are you mad at me?" I asked as I stepped closer to him. He was stood tall, upright. Giving nothing away.

"A little bit." Shit.

"I'm sorry." He could tell that I was timid, that I wanted to reach out and touch him. But I was nervous. He leant forward and hugged me, two arms engulfing me and pinning me to his chest.

"I thought you were asleep."

"I couldn't sleep," he pulled back but kept one arm around my shoulders. "Then saw the time. And that you didn't call or text to say you were home. Just wanted to make sure you were OK."

"That jealous side coming out? Making sure I wasn't with other guys?" I playfully mocked, raising my eyebrow.

"A little bit. This isn't me. I'm not like this. I don't get jealous, I don't come to bars at 2am checking in on a girl. What are you doing to me?"

"It's 2am?"

"It was when I left. It's probably later now."

"That's usually how time works." I mocked. "Honestly I'm fine. But thank you for coming."

"Looked like you knew how to handle yourself." shit, he saw. "Proud of you." I could see Pedro looking behind me, so I turned, seeing Matt and Kelly dancing. Matt, looking miserable as ever.

"Matt, come here." I signalled, ushering him over. "This is Matt, Matt, Pedro."

"I know who you are sir, good to meet you." Matt shook Pedro's hand, Pedro politely returned. He seemed to instantly click with Matt. He didn't stare him down like he had done with Josh.

"Good to meet ya, man." Pedro smiled. Josh returned with Pedro's drink and handed it to him. Pedro made a point to not let go of me.

"I was going to ask you what brings you here, but I think I can guess." Josh looked at me, then back at Pedro.

"I'm here to collect Eleanor."

"Eleanor, you never mentioned... is this who your date was with the other week?"

"Yep, me."

"Ah cool, so you guys a thing?"

"Yes we are." Pedro smiled at me, though I could tell this was a show for Josh, staking his claim.

"Ah that's great! Good for you guys." There was an awkward silence, but Pedro broke it by asking Matt where he got his shirt from. Josh had noticed that Pedro had no time for him and retreated to the others. I stood at Pedro's side, our fingers locked, listening to him and Matt converse. I could feel myself sway on the spot. I was angry that I allowed myself to drink so much.

"You wanna go?" Pedro asked, knocking me awake.

"Yeah." I tried to keep my eyes opened but couldn't.

"It was great to meet you, Matt. And thanks for looking out for Eleanor." He never let go of my hand as he used his other to offer a handshake to Matt.

"You too man. Not a problem. Get home safe. Have a great trip, Eleanor!" Matt waved to me, and I went for a hug and wished him a goodbye.

"Do you need to say goodbye to anyone else?"

"Nope."

"Let's go!" Pedro threw back the last of his drink and put the glass down with a small thud. As we weaved through the crowds, KC and the Sunshine Band sang Give it Up. Pedro must have felt me started to dance a little bit as we moved, because he turned and started chuckling. "You're so cute." He smiled, I blushed, "Fine, you wanna dance. Let's dance. Just this song then we're going." He yanked me into him, one firm hand on my back, the other holding my hand. He bobbed and span on the spot, occasionally spinning me around and then pulling me back to him.

"Are you still mad at me?" I pulled my head back to look at his beautiful face.

"How can I be mad at you when you look like this? When you look up at me with those green eyes, even if they're slightly red."

"I am pretty drunk. Sorry."

"Why are you apologising? You've had a good night, you're safe. And you're coming home with me." He pulled me into him as the song finished, and kissed my forehead. "Come on then, let's get you back."

"Did you drive here?" I asked when we hit the streets. The air was cold, but the alcohol kept me warm.

"I did." He walked over to his car, a slick black Audi. I didn't picture him driving that, but I could also see it.

"You're gonna get a ticket for parking on the street."

"So?" He shrugged. He walked me around to the passenger side and did my seatbelt for me. Then kissed me on the forehead. "Feel alright? Do you need anything?" He asked when he started the car.

"I'm a bit hungry. But I'll be fine. I just wanna sleep."

"When was the last time you ate?"

"Lunch time."

"No wonder you're fucking drunk." He giggled, pulling off. "Want some food?" I don't remember answering, as my eyes closed and I drifted off.

"Eleanor. Eleanor, wake up." I peeled my eyes open to see Pedro hand me a McDonald's bag. We were still in the car. "Wake up and eat babe."

"Did I fall asleep?"

"You did. Eat please. We'll be back at my apartment soon." I lazily opened the bag and saw fries and nuggets.

"Didn't you get yourself anything?"

"I already ate. Please eat. You'll feel better."

I took a nugget out the box and put it into my mouth. Chewing made me more sleepy, but it tasted so good. I took another, and another. Then fell back asleep.

"Babe, wake up. Come on, let's go to bed." I opened my eyes again to see Pedro at my side of the car. The McDonald's bag now in his hand, the other trying to undo my seatbelt. "Come on." I hopped out the car and stumbled. "You really are quite drunk, aren't ya. Come on." He put his hand around my waist and allowed me to lean into him for support.

"I'm sorry."

"Stop apologising. It's fine. I'm just glad I got you. God knows how you'd have got home in this state."

"I'm not that bad."

"You had a nugget hanging out your mouth."

"God, really?"

"Yes. I've got a photo to prove it. I'll show you in the morning. I'm sure you'll appreciate it more when you're sober."

"You were driving and on your phone?" I frowned.

"Nope. Noticed it when you fell asleep. It was still there when we pulled up." We got to his apartment door, where he choose to put the McDonalds on the floor instead of letting go of me. He kicked opened the door, grabbed the bag and pushed me inside. "Straight to bed for you."

"I need to take my make up off."

"Can that not wait till tomorrow? I've got nothing for you to take it off with except water and soap. You can have a shower in the morning."

"I'm going to get make up on your sheets."

"I have a machine I can wash them. Come on, get to bed." That was the last thing I heard Pedro say before my eyes closed again.

I woke up with the worlds worst headache. My mouth was dry. The bed was empty. Fuck. I begrudgingly opened my eyes and turned to find my phone. On the bedside table nearest to my side was a glass of water with a handwritten note on it, and some tablets.

'For your sore head. I'll make you breakfast when you wake. P x' My fucking heart. I took a photo and sent it to Olivia.

Me: woke up with a horrific hangover and look at this... *photo attached*

She would still be asleep, but would squeal when she woke up. I took the tablets and downed the water. When I actually sat up straight, I regretted doing so. The water lay on my stomach, the impending doom. I was going to vomit. I ran to the en-suite, knocking off something in the process. I held my hair back, feeling my stomach hurl. The worst feeling in the world.

"Hey, are you alright?" I could hear Pedro ask through my heaving. Soon, he was next to me, and holding my hair back for me. His other hand rubbed my back. "You'll feel better when you've been sick."

"I am so sorry."

"Don't be. It's OK. We've all been here. Let me get you some water." He said, when he felt it was safe to do so. My heaving had stopped. I sat with my head against the wall, not having the energy to move. Soon, he was back with a glass of water. "Here you go."

"What did I break?"

"The glass on the bedside table. But don't worry about it. Just watch yourself when you go back out there, I've not cleaned it up yet."

"I'm so sorry. I'll buy you some new ones."

"I just said not to worry." He kissed the top of my head and sat on the floor with me. "Feeling any better?"

"Not really. Why the fuck did I drink so much?" I groaned.

"Because you were having a good night and it happens."

"Why are you just like the perfect human? Always just say and do the right things. Doesn't it get boring?"

"I try my best." He shyly smiled at me, and reached for my hand. "I was going to take you out for lunch today, before you go. But we don't have to if you don't want to?"

"Let me see how I feel after a coffee. I'm sorry for ruining your plans."

"Stop saying sorry, Eleanor. It's fine. We'll have the day together, so it's fine." He lifted himself, then me off the floor. "Let's get you some coffee."

Pedro cleaned the broken glass, whilst I showered and got dressed into some of his clothes. I was slumped on his sofa with a coffee.

"I didn't realise you had a pool?" I was looked outside, at the small decking and outdoors area. It was really nice.

"Yeah. Don't really use it much though."

"I'll be using that a lot."

"Always welcome."

"So you can see me in my bikini often?" I turned to look at him in his kitchen.

"Exactly. And without anyone else looking at you. I wouldn't mind you being topless here either." He gave an evil hahahaha laugh, making my eyes roll. "Are you hungry?"

"A little bit I'm scared to eat."

"I'll make you my scrambled eggs on toast. They're light. And delicious."

"Didn't think you could cook?"

"I can't, but I'm great at making breakfast and I make great sandwiches. Which is all you need in my opinion."

"I'll have just one piece of toast, please. With your eggs."

"Coming right up, my lady." He set about grabbing things from different cupboards. I watched in awe of the God-Like man, drifting through his kitchen, cooking me breakfast.

"You look like a domesticated god." I said; making him laugh like a child. I moved myself off the sofa to join him in the kitchen, "Just wanna get a better view of you."

"Stop distracting me whilst I try and cook for you."

"I'm not doing anything."

"Wearing my clothes and looking pretty is distracting. Let me show you the nugget picture from last night I love it." He grabbed his phone off the side and I gasped.

"Is that from the beach?" I pointed to the back of his phone. The Polaroid he took of me was in his clear phone case.

"Yeah I love it. Not as good as angel photo. But a real close second. Because you're with me. Smiling at me."

"You've put it in your phone case?"

"Yep, so I can see it all the time."

"My heart." I clutched my chest. The feeling was short lived when he showed me the hideous picture he snapped of me last night. Mouth wide open, a nugget stuck to my bottom lip. My head tilted back in the seat, fast asleep. "You can delete that."

"Absolutely no way. I'll use it to bribe you."

"Do I want to question why you have La Mer moisturiser in your bathroom?" I noticed a pot of it in the bathroom. I was tempted to use some but would never. The intrusive thoughts won again.

"The last woman I slept with left it here." He looked at me quickly before he continued to whisk the eggs. Fuck. "I'm joking. I've told you, no one stayed here. Coco uses that brand on my skin for shoots and filming. She told me to continue using the moisturiser for daily use."

"That shit is so expensive. I've always wanted to try it. But cannot and would not justify that much money on skin care. Not that I could afford it." I watched him wipe his hands on the towel that was hanging on his shoulder, and move the eggs from the heat. He walked towards me.

"Well, you can use mine whenever you want to."

"No way. Not for how much you have to pay for it."

"Fine. I'll just buy you your own."

"Absolutely no way. I'd be so angry with you."

"Come. Eat. Now. Please." He slid the plate to me and kissed my forehead.

After breakfast, Pedro took me home to get changed. We decided to go for a walk, and grab lunch. Though my head was still banging. Thankfully, my stomach had settled. We had just left Starbucks, and was walking down the street together. I was always reserved about holding his hand in public.

"Oh, can I just have a look at the earrings?" I stopped at a Jewellery shop window. "I want a pair of every day hoops. These aren't so good anymore." I absentmindedly pulled the hoops in my ears. "Those are gorgeous, but not for that price tag!!" The $890 gold hoops with a pearl teardrop pendant had my heart but I wouldn't justify it.

"You want them?"

"NO!" I spat as I panicked, knowing he would get them if I showed how much I really liked them. "Sorry, no. Thank you! I appreciate your offer. But it's all good. I'll look when I'm back home."

"Do you have my wallet?"

"No you never gave it me. Seriously. I don't want them."

"No, but I don't have my wallet." Pedro started to pat his jeans. Then Olivia called. FaceTime. It was something good; I hoped.

"Did you leave it in Starbucks? Sorry, Olivia's calling."

"Take the call. I'll go check. Meet you on the bench round the corner?" He pointed in front of us. It warmed my heart that he always gave me privacy on calls. Though I had nothing to hide from him.

"Hey bitch!" I answered happily; glad to see her face. My heart dropped when I saw she had been crying! "What the fuck is wrong?" I started to jog towards the bench, needing to sit down before my legs collapsed.

"Bitch look!" She held out her hand, and there on her ring finger, was the ring Jack had previously showed me. Though it looked way more perfect on her finger than it did in the box. My eyes instantly began to fill. We sat there, millions of miles away from each other, crying and laughing at each other at the same time.

"Liv, my god! I'm so fucking happy for you. I wish I was there with you!!" My heart hurt. I needed to squeeze her. One more night.

"I wish you were too. I told Jack that you should have been here. Elle, I'm so happy."

"You deserve it, baby! My god, I can't believe it. I'm shaking!"

"Me too! I actually need to go in a second to tell my mom because I've not told anyone yet, you were the first person I told. Obviously."

"Obviously. I love you so much. I'm so happy!!" I used the back of my hand to wipe away my tears.

"Where are you?"

"Just getting lunch with Pedro. I am so fucking hungover. I smashed a glass this morning trying to get to the bathroom before I vomited. I felt so guilty."

"Did you go out with Pedro?"

"No, but he came to collect me at 2am. Good job he did because I was a mess."

"Girl you have him smitten. Give it time, this will be you two!" She held up her hand again and wiggled her fingers.

"Liv, it's so beautiful. He did such a good job!"

"He really did! Babe; I have to go. I'll call you later. Love you so much."

"Congrats my angel. I love you so much." I hung up and used both hands to wipe my tears from my face. Little did she know she would be getting a party in two days and I would be there to squeeze her.

"Why are you crying?" Pedro came over to me, with a bag in his hand. I stared at the bag, and then at Pedro.

"Jack just proposed to Olivia and she just showed me the ring. She's so happy!" I felt the tears well up in my eyes again. "I'm so happy for her." Pedro hugged me as I nuzzled into his chest.

"You are so cute. Maybe this will make you feel better." I sprung my head back, giving him the look.

"If this is what I think it is, I'll be so angry with you." I gingerly took the gift bag from his hands and opened it up, seeing two boxes in there. A small square one and a long rectangular one. "Pedro, what the fuck."

"Just open it." I handed him the bag and pulled out the small square one first. The earrings.

"You bastard. Why would you do that?"

"Open the other one." I did as I was told and was presented with the matching bracelet.

"Why would you do this?"

"Because I wanted to. You can wear them and think of me." I almost took him out as I lunged towards him and hugged him as tightly as I could. I was usually reserved when we were out with my affection towards him, but I grabbed his head in my hands and kissed him as lovingly as I could.

"I'm going to give you the best head tonight. I'm going to suck your dick so good." I mumbled against his mouth. Our eye contact didn't break when I watched his eyes darkened.

"I'm going to buy you everything if this is how I'm getting rewarded. I look forward to having your dirty mouth wrapped around me, baby."