Page 13 of Shatter

Mel slides her hand down Parker's arm and interlaces her fingers with his. I catch the motion before I force myself to look away. The unease from earlier is louder now, but I bear it. I deserve it.

Chris slaps me on the shoulder again, and I grit my jaw, noticing a bottle of beer dangling from his other hand.

"You're just in time for dinner," he says as Dorothy, their house manager and chef, places plates on the dining room table. I follow behind her back to the kitchen area before leaning in.

"I'm so sorry, I didn't call ahead. Please don't feel bad if there isn't enough."

The older woman, who I think was a Marine before becoming a private house manager, smiles warmly up at me, patting my cheek gently.

"I was hoping you would come, so of course I made extra."

I pick up the plates behind her and count. "Are you sure one of these isn't for you?" I wouldn't put it past her to make an excuse.

"Of course not. Jimmy's picking me up after this and taking me out," she replies.

"How is he? Has he settled into his new job?"

Dorothy looks pleasantly taken aback. "So sweet of you to remember my grandson. Yes, I think he's finally found his calling."

Dorothy pats my shoulder as I join the others at the table, but when I look up, all I can see are ice blue eyes, smoldering at me with enough heat to burn the house down around us.

Chapter eight

Melody

Harrison widens his eyes at me across the dining room table in warning. I simply grin wider.

He's always been handsome to me, but memories of that night flitter like a movie in the back of my mind, and all I can think about is how his hands felt against my skin. The adrenaline of the chase. How he toyed and herded me to the room he wanted. How he thrust into me so roughly I tore.

My lower belly flips at the memory, and I squirm in my chair, rubbing my thighs together.

Of course, Harrison clocks the movement immediately, eyes darting to my lap, and frowns.

Parker reclines in his chair, draping his arm over the back of mine. Harrison's eyes drop to where Parker's hand caresses my shoulder, and his frown deepens.

He eats dinner and never really looks at me again. But all I can see is him. The way his broad shoulders flex against the material of his suit, how big his hands are, how plump his lips are. I want to kiss them. I want to bite them. I missed that about our night together. We never kissed. I didn't need it then, but I need it now, more than anything. A craving I've never experienced before grips my stomach in its fist and pulls me towards him.

Chris, Athena, and Parker chat easily about upcoming appointments and shoots, other actors Parker's worked with, directors we like or don't like, celebrity gossip, but all I can do is think about getting Harrison alone again.

The man in question's frown deepens, and I'm about to ask him what's wrong, but he picks up the pitcher of water and nudges Parker's arm with it, tipping his head toward my empty glass in a silent command.

My heart melts. He's disappointed that my boyfriend isn't taking better care of me. Would he take care of me? If he noticed my empty water glass, what else would he notice? What else would he just take care of without having to be asked?

Parker fills it without breaking the conversation with my parents, and I'm grateful for it.

Harrison's sad eyes find mine, and I mouth 'thank you' to him. He nods again in return.

With the three of them engaged in conversation, I feel like Harry and I are alone at the table - sharing an intimacy that the other three are completely oblivious to.

I've thought about texting him over this past month, but what would I say? Sorry for throwing a temper tantrum? But I'm not. Thank you for not asking about my cutting? He'd demand to know why they're there. Can we do it again? He won't want to. It's easier to tell me 'no' over the phone. No. I need him right in front of me. I need to tempt him.

I take three bites of the chicken breast before standing.

"Let's move this party to the hot tub," I say, picking up my plate and turning to leave.

"You sure, babe?" Parker asks, oblivious to my plan.

"Yeah. We can talk there, and I want to get some pictures before the sun fully sets."