Caught in a Lie ~ h.s.

♕ XVIII ♕

Will he be angry, furious even? Maybe. Will he demand to know the truth? Most definitely. Will I tell him the truth? Probably not.

He holds me tight, wraps a soft blanket around us like a shield, and lays with me until the storm of my emotions has passed and I'm no longer hyperventilating. I focus on his breathing; in and out at a consistent pace whilst his heart beats strong from his chest. Ultimately, it's the sound of him existing and the drum of his heart that pulls me from my crazy. He keeps me safe in his arms, strong hands rubbing my back and squeezing my own shaking hand.

"Look at me, Mary."

I fight him a bit, trying desperately to leave my head in the crook of his neck, but it's a losing battle. With his hand on the opposite cheek he brings my face from his neck so that I'm staring over at him. There's a flash of happiness, probably because he got me to look at him, but it's gone in an instant. A look of worry breaks out across his features as he turns my head to the side and lifts my black hair out of the way.

"What happened to your face?" I keep my jaw clamped shut, eyes falling downward as a few tears continue to leak out. "Who did this to you, baby?"

"I-I can't -"

"Please, Mary. I just want to help, love. Tell me what happened." His hand cups my jaw gently, thumb brushing over the sensitive skin lightly as he shushes my cries. It's the look in his jade eyes that has me agreeing to telling him, even though I just don't know where to start or what to say.

This is the time, Mabel. Just tell him everything. He truly cares about you and sure he'll be mad but he'll get over it eventually. It's not like you didn't warn him of your secrets; he knows they exist.

"Do you remember the morning after the first night I spent with you?" I start, taking slow, deep breaths to calm my racing heart. Harry nods his head. "And I told you that I had things can't tell you?" Again he nods, his expression remaining stagnant. "I suppose my relationship with my father is one of those things that I didn't want to tell you." That's what you're sticking with, Mabel; daddy issues?

"Your dad did this to you?" Harry's in a state of disbelief, his jaw clenched slightly but that's about all the reaction he's given thus far.

"Yes, but I don't think he meant it entirely. I guess I kind of deserved the slap."

Again, it goes back to what I was saying before. I may not always like my father, but I do love him. I have a lot of reasons to be guilty, but today I feel guilt for fighting with my father. He must be stressed or tired, because he's never gotten so angry with me before.

I have been acting irresponsibly lately, my mind focused on the man before me rather than my duties. When I'm working my mind is filled with day-dreams of Harry and I as opposed to the task at hand. I used to be so focused on being a princess that the small things in life went unnoticed and all I cared about was preparing speeches and putting together puzzles. Now, nothing measures up to Harry, not even the tasks of s princess. No wonder my father is angry.

"A slap? No, Mary, he hit you and you didn't deserve it." Harry gets up off the couch and leaves the room, his actions worrying me immediately. I'm relieved when he returns with an ice-pack and a dish towel, taking his place beside me again and pressing the cool pack to my face. "Does he hit you a lot?"

"No, he's a good father and I know he..." My words trail off as I replay our argument we had today in my head. "He's never laid a hand on me before today. We don't always see eye-to-eye and I we were arguing and then bam!" I wipe a stray tear from my eye as I lean against Harry's chest.

"What were you guys arguing about?"

"I don't even know, if I'm being honest. Something stupid." Lies.

We fall into comfortable silence, his arms cocooned around me as I rest the non-bruised side of my face against his firm chest. We say nothing, but this silence doesn't bother me as much as the silence between my father and I earlier. I find myself lightly smiling when Harry begins to hum a random tune, filling the quiet air with his beautiful voice. There isn't anything this man can't do.

Though I've calmed since arriving here, there is still an undeniable anger deep within in me towards myself, especially because of my lies. It's that very anger that drives me to straddling Harry's lap and throwing away the ice pack. He's still, watching me as I wrap my hands around the back of his neck.

My hate for myself translates through the self-destructive actions I decide to make in this moment. With my judgment impaired, I press my slightly chapped lips to his with so much force and need. Sex has never been the answer for me, yet here I am with desperate hands tugging at Harry's clothes to get them off. I rip his shirt from his body when we part our lips, carelessly tossing the fabric to the floor.

"Are you sure?" He mutters, prying his delicate lips from mine to inhale a breath of heated air. I nod my head erratically, staring down at him with seductive eyes. Like a flash of lightning, Harry and I are collapsing down in his unmade bed, our hands tangled together as our lips fight for dominance. Instead of explanations for my always sneaking away, underlying guilt, and reasons for there always being tears in my eyes, the room is filled with the sounds of pleasured moans.

We're naked in an instant, his touch burning my skin as his lips ghost playfully over the sensitive parts of my body. The foreplay doesn't last but a couple minutes before I'm tugging him up to meet our centres. Unlike all the times before we're rough with need.

I beg him to go harder, not giving the slightest dåmn about the soreness that will be present later on as he merely obliges. His lips dance over my throat as I arch my back and moan out with pleasure; right now I could care less if the neighbours hear. Despite the roughness of our actions, there's clear care between us as his dirty talk remains sweet and his fingers do wonders to enhance the excitement at my core. I don't last long and neither does he. Too soon we lay panting heavily as we stare up at the ceiling of Harry's bedroom.

"Was that okay?" My head slowly turns in Harry's direction, looking over at him only to see him already looking at me. With a smile on my lips I turn into his side, molding my body with him. My head rests on his chest and I place multiple chaste kisses to the tattoo lined skin.

"That was more than okay." Though I can't see Harry's face from this position, I can tell he's smiling. "Was that okay for you? I know I kind of just threw myself at you." Harry laughs, his fingertips tracing my bare spine as we lay together.

"It was alright." Feigning hurt, I slap his chest, earning an exaggerated ow and a laugh. "I'm kidding, I'm kidding. You're the best I've ever had."

"Well you don't have to lie to me, a simple yes would have sufficed."

"Who said anything about me lying?" Flipping myself so I'm laying more on my stomach, I stare up at Harry in the slight darkness of his room.

There's absolutely no way that I'm the best he's ever had. Harry's right fit and I know he's had a bit of a past with girls, at least back in university, which makes him extremely talented in bed. I can't fathom being the best he's had after all the women he's had relations with and the lack of men in my life. I'm usually not one to put my abilities down too much, but I'm really not that great in bed. I need more practice.

"You want to know why you're the best I've ever had?" I hum in response, fearing if I say anything I'll look like an idiot. "Because with you I have a connection, which makes the sex much more pleasurable. In the past there's been a lack of connection with the women I've slept with. It was all about having a release, but with you it's about so much more." A sad laugh leaves my lips as I find myself trying not to cry again.

"Stop being cute before I cry again."

"I can't help it; I like you too much." I lift myself up only high enough to place a quick peck to his inviting lips before snuggling back down against his body.

"The feeling is mutual by the way."

"Good to know."

♕♕♕