Page 22 of Shatter

God, she's beautiful like this. No makeup, no fake eyelashes, happy. She's not performing for anyone. She's not managing the room, like she normally does. I've noticed she takes on this persona when she's with other people. Internally I call it "Actress Mel". She talks like she's being interviewed; even to her parents and Parker. It's not fully her on-camera persona, but somewhere between that and this.

Right now she's not trying to say the right thing or do the right thing or be the right thing. Maybe that's why she comes to me. Because she knows she's safe to be just this Mel. That she doesn't need to impress me, or manage me. That she knows I'll never judge her, and that I've always proved I've wanted the best for her.

I toss the wash clothes into the open door of the bathroom.

I gently shake her shoulders. "You gotta go, Little Bird. They can't wake up to find you in here."

She pouts. "I don't wanna."

I gather her clothes from the floor and dress her under the covers so she doesn't get cold. I pull my clothes back on, too.

"I brought you a present," I say, trying a different angle. One blue eye pops open and I suppress a chuckle. Damnit, she's cute like this.

"But I'll only give it to you if you go back to Parker's room." I try to sound stern, but I'm not sure I pull it off. I trust that they're not together. I don't think she would lie to me. And if I were Parker and we were together there's no way in hell I'd share her with her parents. I'd sure as shit make sure she had everything she needed so she wouldn't have to seek something out at a kink club. I'd keep her so sated with orgasms she wouldn't be able to think of another man, let alone cheat. I'd give her the goddamn world.

I stop that train of thought the second I have it.

Both eyes open now, but her frown deepens.

She watches me for a long, uncomfortable moment.

"You're leaving."

I nod. "You may be the world's best actress, but it would take a blind man to miss how you were looking at me in the hot tub."

"I'll behave."

I shake my head.

"The temptation to touch you, when I know I can't, will be too much. Watching Parker touch you when I can't, will be too much. Enjoy your vacation."

I leave what I want to say unsaid. Hit me up when you get back to DC.

I want her to, but I know we can't open that door. If we start something, I won't want to stop. If we start something, I'll try to ruin her for every other man. If we start something, I'm not sure I'll survive when she leaves.

She stares at her lap for a minute, likely coming to the same conclusions. Whatever she decides, she's smiling softly again when she looks at me.

"And my present?"

This pulls a hearty laugh from my chest. When I look at her again, though, there's a satisfied sparkle in her eye. Almost like she likes seeing me laugh. It's not something I do often.

"I'll leave it on the kitchen island," I say, before dropping my voice low, "... if you're a good girl and go back to Parker."

Her eyes glaze over, as a shiver runs through her body. Yeah, my brat has a praise kink. Good to know.

She scrambles, fighting with the comforter and nearly racing to the door. My heart sinks, knowing I have to let her go.

But when she spins on her heel and comes back to me to drop a kiss to my cheek, it soars.

"Thank you, Harry. For everything."

It's surprisingly soft-spoken, and it makes my heart squeeze.

Afraid that my voice might crack with emotion, I simply nod.

Then she leaves.

Chapter twelve