A/N: Surprise! Well i didn't expect to be able to update today, but here we go! This is a slightly longer chapter where things start to get dramatic... Enjoy!

The next morning I awoke to Abi singing after finishing her shower.

'Morning Lauren! Where did you get to last night? Abi questioned.

'Oh I just went for a walk,' I lied.

My heart fluttered as I remembered the night before. I climbed out of bed and began to get ready before we all headed down for breakfast. I saw Joey as we reached the restaurant and instantly smiled.

'Hey you' he whispered sweetly.

'Hey,' I replied nervously.

I had no idea what I was feeling or why I was feeling like I do. All I know is I shouldn't, or should i? My head is all over the place!

We all sat down and began to have breakfast and discussed our plans for today. Every now and again Joey and I would make eye contact and take it in turns to blush a shade of crimson. Alice and Abi planned to go shopping today, in the town up the road.

'Do you want to come Lauren?' Alice asked happily

'Nah I think I'll miss this one Al, I'm not feeling too good' I said quietly. That wasn't a lie, I felt sick, sick to my stomach purely because I couldn't explain my feelings and it was killing me. I was falling for Joey.

Joeys POV

As we all finished dinner, everyone headed off into town to shop, whereas Lauren decided against it. Every time I saw her or thought of last night I'd smile, there was something about her that brightened my day.

I watched as Lauren got up from the table and headed back to her room. She looked pale, and as though she was about to break into tears. I saw her turn the corner and run off down the hallway towards the lifts.

I got up and began to follow her up to her room. I checked no one was watching and knocked on her door. A minute later she opened it and as she looked directly at me, I could see she had been crying.

'Lauren talk to me' I said as I walked into her room, 'I need to know you're okay'

We both sat down on separate beds and Lauren sighed deeply.

'I'm so confused Joey, I need you to tell me what to do. I'm scared' she said fighting back tears.

I immediately moved next to her and held her hands. 'Don't be scared, its okay Lauren, trust me'

Tears began to form and fall down her cheeks and I lifted a hand to wipe them away. She began to lean on me and I wrapped my arms around her holding her close. I could feel my heart racing as I stroked her hair.

'You should go, I'll see you later okay?' Lauren said as she stood back up.

No part of me wanted to leave her, ever, but especially in this state. 'I'm not leaving until you have stopped crying Lauren.' I began to wipe her tears and kissed her gently on the forehead. 'I promise everything will be okay.'

I turned to leave her room and head back down to mine, where I sat for the remainder of the morning.

Lauren's POV

Okay, get a grip Lauren! Its not going to happen, he's your cousin! You are on holiday and you need to get real.

With this thought in mind, I got ready for a swim and made my way down to the pool bar.

'Hello beautiful' the bartender said winking at me

'Hi, can I have a cocktail please?' I asked politely

'Only if you tell me your name' he flirted

'Erm, Lauren' I said blushing

This was good, a normal conversation.

'This one's on the house' he said handing me my second drink.

I wasn't aware of how drunk I was becoming although I'd been drinking all day. The conversation was in full flow with the bartender, whose name was Rick.

'So, you coming out with me tonight baby?' Rick said as he handed me another drink.

I nodded as I downed it, grabbing my stuff and leaving. As we walked off, I noticed Joey by the entrance to the hotel.

'Where the hell are you going?' he shouting worriedly

'Out' I snapped and hurriedly walked off after Rick.

I glanced back as I saw Joey's head drop, my heart hurt but I was too drunk to notice.

Joey's POV

Where was she going? My heart sank as I watched her walk off with the bartender I recognised from yesterday. What was happening to me?

I headed back to my room and tried to block out all the alien feelings I was having mixed with worry. 'She will be fine' I told myself over and over again in my head, however it didn't seem to matter how many times I said it, I couldn't seem to relax. I picked up my phone and called Lauren, when it went straight through to voicemail.

'Lauren, where the hell are you? I'm worried, please please call me.' I hung up and before lying back down; I grabbed my coat and headed out of my room. I needed to find her.

Lauren's POV

I don't know what time it is, or where I am to be honest. All I know is im very very drunk.

'I'm gonna get some fresh air' I shouted over the noise to Rick, the bartender.

We had made our way into town and found a club, a tacky cheap club. I walked out the front and reached around in my bag for my phone, pulled it out and panicked at the amount of messages I had.

4 missed calls from Joey, 3 texts, a message from my mum and another from Abi. Shit.

'Lauren, where are you? Call me, please!' was the final message from Joey. Wow, he really does care, I smiled as I opened my texts.

'Are you okay? Xxx'

'Please come back, whatever is wrong I will help you, just let me know you're okay Lauren xxx'

'I can't help but worry Lauren, love Joey x'

My heart melted as I realised I was hurting him, I needed to get back. I returned to the club to find Rick to tell him I was leaving.

'Rick I'm gonna go, see you around' I said and turned to leave. As I reached the outside of the club I heard footsteps running behind me.

'I'll walk you back baby' Rick proclaimed. I just carried on walking and Rick walked by my side. All I wanted was Joey.

We walked I silence for about 10 minutes before I saw the hotel. Suddenly I felt Rick grab me and push me behind a wall.

'What the hell are you doing?' I shouted at him, trying to push him away.

Rick began to try and kiss me as I did my best to force him away. 'Get off me!' I screamed.

Rick wasn't moving and I began to fear the worst as I wasn't strong enough to get him off me. Tears began to stream as his lips crashed down on mine. I closed my eyes and hoped it would all be over.

'Get the fuck away from her.' I open my eyes as I felt Rick being pulled off me by someone behind him. I looked up to see Joey just as his fist came into contact with Rick's face. Rick stumbled and slumped down on the floor in pain.

'Joey' I whispered as it was all I could manage.

'It's okay, I'm here' Joey said calmly as he walked towards me and wrapped his arms around me as more and more tears stung in my eyes.

'I'm sorry' I sobbed.

'Sssh, don't talk about that now, lets get you back yeah' He said as he kissed the top of my head and I heard him sigh. I never wanted him to let go of me, ever again.

We let go as he wrapped his right arm around my waist and walked me back to the hotel. The walk was silent apart from a few sobs. I felt Joey tighten his arm every time he heard me sob as though it was hurting him as much as it was me. I'd been so stupid, and I was so grateful for Joey being there. I winced at the thought of what could have happened.

We made our way into the lift and Joey pressed the button for his floor and I looked up at him.

'I assumed you wouldn't want to go back to your room just yet, you know with the girls n'all?' he questioned.

I nodded and smiled slightly before looking down at my feet ashamed. I felt Joey entwine his hand in mine and squeeze it gently. I squeezed back to show I was grateful.

We reached his room and he turned the light on and tidied up quickly. I chuckled slightly as he attempted to create some order in his room and he looked up at me and shrugged.

'Go clean yourself up if you want, then we'll talk yeah?' Joey said simply. I nodded and made my way to the bathroom where I began to shower and clean up.

As I came out of the shower and got changed, I caught a glimpse of my reflection and stopped. I looked pale and tired, dark rings circling around my eyes. I began to sob again as I got flashbacks of events that happened earlier. The bathroom door moved slightly and I turned round to see Joey stood looking at me with nothing but worry.

'I'm sorry' I said apologetically. He walked towards me and wrapped his arms around my waist from behind, burying his head in my neck.

'I was so worried Lauren' he said shakily. I mentally begged that he wouldn't cry because I know I wouldn't be strong enough to help him. 'Why did you go?'

I bowed my head as shame came over me. 'I was scared of my feelings' I began to say, as I turned round and faced him. 'You're my cousin, I can't feel like this'

He nodded understandingly and I looked down. He reached up and tucked a stray hair behind my ear and pushed my chin up so I'd look at him. 'I'm scared too, beautiful' he said staring straight into my eyes.

I felt my heart flutter as I leant on his chest while he once again wrapped his arms around me. 'Come on, lets get you warm' he said kindly.

We walked out of the bathroom and I sat on the bed and Joey stood over me handing me his hoodie. It was all very quiet, but we both understood exactly what was going on. Joey shuffled me up as he sat down on the edge of the bed.

'Did you kiss him Lauren?' Joey asked suddenly, I sat silent, shocked.

'No' I said sharply.

Joey nodded and sighed, sounding relieved.

'Lay with me?' I asked bravely, knowing it was wrong but it was exactly what I wanted.

Joey sat still for a moment as if he was thinking about the request before moving to lie next to me. He put his arm around me and I snuggled into him content and warm.

'Joey.. thank you, I really mean that' I said snuggling into his chest.

I felt him lean down and kiss the top of my head. 'I'm just glad I got there when I did' he said shakily.

'I didn't..' I began to say before Joey cut in.

'I know, it wasn't your fault Lauren, I know that. He is to blame, for everything and if I see him again, do not hold me responsible for my actions' Joey said strongly as I felt his body tense.

'Please don't tell anyone' I pleaded.

'Course not' he replied calmly.

As I lay there, wrapped in Joey's arms I felt safe and protected. It was the first time I'd felt this way for a very long time. It was the first time I'd felt like it since Bradley. He protected me. I felt tears prickle in my eyes and I lifted my hand to wipe them when Joey noticed.

'you okay?' he asked worriedly.

'its just.. overwhelming, you know?' I said convincingly. I wasn't sure Joey even knew about Bradley, but I didn't think now was the right time to tell him.

'You're safe, I'm here and I will protect you' Joey said as he looked at me and smiled. He just answered my exact worry.

We lay there in silence as Joeys hand found mine and they entwined as he brushed his thumb over mine.

'What are you doing to me Lauren?' Joey chuckled. I looked up at him and smiled.

'I could say the same to you Joseph' I tried to joke. He gazed at me, his blue eyes fusing into mine. 'It's getting late'

Joey turned his head and checked the clock, 12:49am. 'I can't remember the last time I just lay down with someone' he admitted. I turned to face him, 'It's perfect' he said looking down at me, and smiled.

I snuggled into him and we both lay in silence. I don't know how long we lay together, before I began to feel sleepy and dropped off to sleep.

Joey's POV

I turned slightly and gazed at Lauren, asleep in my arms. Safe. I couldn't begin to think about where she could have been. I winced at the thought. I pulled the blanket over her and just reached the lamp and I leant back and tried to sleep myself.

Lauren's POV

My eyes opened, it was light. Shit, I'd slept at Joey's. I turned my head, careful not to wake him as his arm was draped across me, 8:10am. I turned to face him as he slept, looking so innocent and pure. I smiled to myself, as he opened his eyes one by one.

'Morning' I said shyly, not caring that I'd spent the night with him anymore. 'We slept through'

He looked at me, smiled and nodded. 'Sleep well?' he enquired.

'Yeah, I was very comfy' I giggled.

'Good to hear it' he smirked back.

I didn't want to move, for a very long time but I was forced to when my phone started to ring. Alice.

I climbed out of Joey's arms and over to collect my phone.

'Hey Alice,' I said quietly.

'Lauren! Where have you been?!' Alice said instantly.

'Erm. I'm in the hotel, but shush I'll explain later, I'm fine and im alive.' I said sarcastically

'Right, well you leave your companion and we'll meet you at breakfast for 9:30am?' Alice replied.

I agreed and hung up, turning around to look at Joey, surprised to find him standing directly in front of me. I looked up at him as his hand reached to put a stray hair behind my ear. He leaned down and planted his lips gently on mine before pulling away. I smiled as I looked up at him, he smiled back.

'I've wanted to do that since we left London' he admitted.

I giggled and rested my forehead against his. 'What are we doing Joey?' I asked quietly.

He shrugged and the corner of his mouth lifted into a smile. 'Who knows?'

'I need to go, Alice wants breakfast soon, call me?' I asked hopefully.

'Sure,' Joey answered. He wrapped his arms around me and kissed the top of my head before walking me to his door.

'Thank you,' I said apologetically.

'There is nothing else I would rather do than protect you Lauren,' Joey said, taking my breath away and he leant down and kissed me gently. 'See you later,'

I turned and walked away towards the lift, my insides jumping with joy. I'd fallen for him, I'd fallen for Joey – my cousin. What?

A/N: Hope you enjoyed this chapter, R&R? Hopefully see you tomorrow, but it's looking more like Wednesday... could be convinced though!xxx