Page 55 of Shatter

In the end, I don't really care. They didn't deserve her. I don't either, but she's here, in my bed, naked body pressed against my scarred half like it's the most natural thing in the world. Like we sleep together like this every night. I hadn't realized she'd come to my room naked last night. She'd wrapped herself around me like a koala and most of me was still back in that fire that night decades ago.

She starts to stir and my cock hardens against my thigh. She's rubbing her soft, flower-scented body against mine like a cat. She moans and lazily stretches her arms and legs, before ocean-blue eyes blink open, unfocused at me, before a soft smile graces her lips.

"Morning," I growl, my voice heavy with sleep.

"Morning," she whispers back, a shy blush coating her cheeks. God, she's cute like this. Bare-faced, hair wild, so open and vulnerable before she has to put on her persona of the day.

My arm's asleep from where her head is resting against my shoulder, but I don't care. Finally, she sits up, dragging the sheet with her to cover her chest. I grin wickedly, as if I haven't seen her naked before. Her sudden shyness is charming.

I know for sure no one else has seen this side of her.

I take the opportunity to flex and squeeze the asleep fist before bringing both hands to the back of my head, resting my head there. I know she loves my body and I'm not ashamed to show it off. Naturally, her eyes eat up my chest and arms hungrily. She licks her lips as her blush deepens. I'm tempted to pull her beneath me and have her again, but there's something more important.

"Do you have plans for today?" I ask, wanting to make sure I prioritize her life before my lust.

"Actually..."

I touch her thigh to reassure her.

"I could use your help."

"Anything." Her shy smile widens.

"I got paid last night but I don't have a bank account. Cass said she was fine issuing a paper check for the first one, but she really wants my direct deposit. I know this sounds stupid, but what do I need to open a bank account?"

Satisfaction fills my chest. It's another step at her taking back her freedom.

I think back but it's been decades since I've opened my accounts, so I'm not quite sure.

"One way to find out. Let me make us breakfast first. Do you mind if I get a quick workout in? Most banks don't open until nine." I check my phone on the nightstand. It's only seven thirty in the morning.

"Of course."

We have a quick breakfast of yogurt and granola before I get in a half-assed workout. Not every workout has to be the best, and I'm more than a little distracted by the beautiful woman next door.

I hop in the shower quickly after my workout, but when I shut off the water and step out of the shower, Melody's there, naked, back to me, looking at herself in the fogless mirror.

She's staring at her chest.

"You alright?" I ask, drying off my hair. She's standing eerily still and it's causing the hackles on the back of my neck to rise.

She cups her chest. "My boobs are fake."

It's stated so flatly I have no idea how to interpret the statement.

"And..." I prompt, not willing to make an assumption about her based on her body.

"I don't like them." She pouts and it makes me want to take her lower lip between my teeth. My cock kicks beneath my towel.

"Do you want a breast reduction? Increase?" I've never noticed that her breasts are fake. They feel real. She must have had a good surgeon, but it makes me wonder what she would have looked like naturally.

She shakes her head sadly. "No. I think they're a nice size..."

"Okay..." I'm still treading lightly.

"What if I got them pierced?"

I school my reaction, wanting this moment to be about her, not me.