Page 144 of Salvage Him

"Can I get you something from the bar?" the hostessasked.

"Patron Silver, chilled with two limes,"Isaid.

She nodded and left to retrieve mydrink.

I felt self-conscious sitting in the room all by myself. It saddened me that if Harrison walked in the room, I would feel like the most beautiful woman in the world because that was how hesawme.

With Paul, I felt weak. He would think I was pathetic for needing a man to make me feel good aboutmyself.

It was so fundamental to a Dom/sub relationship. I had the confidence and support to be myself because my Dom gave it to me. If he saw me as perfect, who the fuck was the world to tell medifferent?

It waseverything.

I was going to miss that feeling mostofall.

I bit my lip to keep from crying, but it didn't work, and a tear fell. I lowered my head to wipe it away. When I raised my head, Ifeltit.

I stared into the eyes of myeverything.

"HarrisonCrawford."

His eyes blinked as he pulled his gaze away from me andacknowledgedPaul.

"How the hell are you?” Paul held hishandout.

I could see the anger and disgust in my Dom's eyes. He took Paul's outstretched hand andshookit.

"Paul," Harrison said but never took his eyesoffme.

"Brooke and I are having a romantic dinner before we head back to New York.” Paul sat down to my left. “Why don't you join us for a quickdrink?"

Harrison nodded, pulled out the chair across from me, and slid intheseat.

He leaned in and kissed my cheek. I dropped my eyes to my lap. It wastoomuch.

Harrison’s eyes held the hurt Icaused.

"So, Brooke, why don't you go ahead and tell Harrison in person. It will make you feel better." Paulgrinned.

I glared at him and shookmyhead.

"It's not necessary,"Isaid.

"Oh, yes. I think it is." Paul caressed my cheek and turned to Harrison. "You see Harrison, I understand, given the opportunity you had tofuckmy wife. I get it. She's hot and can be quite good when she's not lazy. And although I may be a fool, I am taking her word for it that it happened during our unfortunate separation. Nevertheless, I'm back in the picture. We are working on our marriage. So why don't you say your goodbyes . . .forgood."

Silent tears streamed down my face and onto my lap. I wiped them with the back of my hand. The finality of Paul's words crushed my heart. I couldn't say goodbye to Harrison, but I knew I had to. I had toprotecthim.

I peeked a glance at him, and his stare took mybreathaway.

"Brooklyn." He said my name in that way that made my insides ache. I held my head up and let his gaze wrap around my heart. "I know what you're doing, and I adore you even more for trying to protect me, but it's not necessary. He doesn't have power over us. He can't hurt me, and he can only hurt you if you continue to allowhimto."

I licked my lips and let Harrison’s words wash over me. They enteredmysoul.

Paul spoke and gestured nexttome.

I couldn't hear him. All I heard was my Dom'svoice.

"While I would love to throw you over my shoulder and carry you out of here, I'm not going to do that. I can't save you, but you can save me by savingyourself."