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“But those reasons only include me as an outsider looking

in. It was your word for yourself. It was about you doing

things to my dad. It wasn’t us. One person, not two. In your

office, it wasn’t me being tricked or manipulated. The whole

stupid agreement or promise that you gave to my dad should

be void if I understand and come willingly.”

“That’s not how it works.”

Haley could still taste Claire on her lips. She could hear her

short, controlled breaths and feel the heat of her body pressed

against hers. “I’m sorry, did you have the whole thing planned

out ahead of time then and contracted down?”

“No.”

“That’s a shame because I want it to happen again and I’m a

consenting adult.” Haley took a chance. She reached over and

set her hand on Claire’s knee.

She jerked, but because she was using cruise control, the car

didn’t surge ahead or lurch as her foot came off the gas. It felt

dangerous to touch her. Brazen. Haley wasn’t a brazen person,

and she knew nothing about danger other than what she’d been

initiated into in Claire’s office. She looked at Claire when she

didn’t pluck her hand off.

“What are you looking at?” Claire snapped.

Haley realized she was staring, but she didn’t tear her eyes

away and she refused to be embarrassed. “You.” Because

you’re so beautiful. “The water. I like the water too. It’s lovely,

and it smells good, but I love the sound of it most of all. I like

to open my window at night and listen to the breeze and the

waves. I love how the water is always new. It’s never the

same. The same body of water is right outside the house, but

it’s different every single day. Every hour. Every moment. It’s