The Chase (h.s. au)

Chapter 34

Harry.

Small fingers hold mine as I walk Lauren to the car, my fingers laced tightly with hers in order for her to stay close to me. My other hand sets on the car door and I open it for her, making sure she's situated before I walk to the driver's side.

Once in, I drive back home and set my hand on hers. She's cold and looks upset, my fear of her shutting me out high.

"Are you upset?" I ask, her head turning to look at me.

"No. I'm sorry; I'm exhausted."

I nod and feel her hand hold mine again, my lips releasing a sigh of relief. My hand turns the wheel to the subdivision and park in the driveway, rushing to Lauren's side after I park. Her hand is warm in mine now and we walk into the house, her mother standing from the couch.

"How was it?" she asks, Lauren wrapping her arm around me. The gesture has my heart beating rapidly.

"It was nice. Needed," she says, her mother smiling.

"I just hope you know what you two are doing," she explains, my head nodding.

"It's on her terms," I state, her eyes glinting with understanding.

"Well, I must be going. Have to get the dog," she says, my eyebrow raising. As soon as her mother walks out the door, Lauren turns to me.

"She has Butler," she states, my lips forming an 'o'.

She starts walking upstairs while I lock the door, my feet following after her. Her thin form moves perfectly, my eyes on her hips the entire time. She could not get any more beautiful.

My hand reaches out and I grab her hand, desperate for any type of contact from her. My needs have been pushed far to the side, but I wouldn't want it any other way. We walk into the bedroom and I close the door, watching her enter the bathroom.

"Can you unzip this?" she asks, my head nodding. Her fingers brush her hair over her shoulder and I grasp the zipper, tugging it down for her.

She walks into the closet and closes the door, my hand almost grabbing the doorknob. I want to change together again; stealing kisses and touches together.

As she changes, I do as well, but she walks out on me without a shirt. Her eyes meet my gaze and she looks at my body, my stature significantly different than the last time she's seen me like this.

"I'm sorry," I rush, quickly trying to find a shirt. I bend over and find a shirt, her hand felt on my back.

"Harry," she whispers, my eyes meeting hers.

"It's nothing I haven't seen before. Don't worry," she smiles, my head nodding. Regardless, I pull the shirt over my head and walk into the bathroom behind her. I brush my teeth and look over at her, studying her like I always do. But I see something different. Something I haven't seen before.

"What happened?" I wonder, her head tilting to look at me. Her whole body turns and I see it better, the small horizantal scar on her left collarbone. Without thinking, my fingers run along it and she shoves my hand away.

"It's nothing."

My eyebrows frown and I grab her shoulder, turning her to face me.

"Tell me what happened," I say, her lips pressed together.

"Stop it. I don't have to tell you anything," she states, my hand grabbing hers.

"Lauren, I want to know why you have another scar on your body. It kills me seeing you in pain," I tell her, her eyes falling onto the sink.