Page 46 of Malicious Marriage

“Because you slept with him?”

I nod.

“Was it awful?”

“God, no.” I rest against the car beside him and sigh deeply. “It was amazing. I never knew someone could make me feel like that.”

“Perks of an older man,” he teases.

“Maybe. He was so focused on me that it was… You know, it doesn’t even matter because I shouldn’t have done it. I’ve muddied everything. This was supposed to be just business.”

“But?” Bobby prompts.

“I like him. I think Ireallylike him.”

“And that will make it too hard to take his money?”

“I’m lying to him about so many things.”

“You’re right.” Bobby sighs and drinks deeply for a few minutes. “Listen… muddying the waters probably isn’t the best idea if getting close to him is making you rethink things. I can’t tell you what to do here, Clover. I’m your friend and I have your back, but you have to work out what you really want from this.”

“I want to find Hailey and he’ll help me get there.”

“Okay, so that remains the real goal.”

“Was there any doubt?”

“No,” Bobby sighs softly. “But I know you, Clover. You have a soft heart.”

“What are you saying?”

Bobby drains his cup and hands it back to me, then he pushes up from the car. “You fall easily. I’m not saying it’s a bad thing, but if you’re already contemplating feelings for Dean, then you need to be careful and protect your heart. Falling for Dean and risking losing him when he learns the truth means we’re further away from finding Hailey.”

“Do you really think I can’t keep my priorities straight?”

“No, I’m saying that you don’t know how to have fun. Casual sex isn’t you.”

“Maybe it is!” I snap, straightening up as a lance of heat rushes down my spine. “I can remain detached.”

“Can you?” Bobby’s eyes narrow. “Either you fall for him and tell him the truth, risking everything, or you rebuild that barrier and make sure nothing risks our attempts to find Hailey.”

He’s right.

I hate that he’s right because telling Dean the truth is not an option. He’s already in such a tough spot that revealing my true status will not only completely remove him from my life, but it will also further damage his own reputation. I don’t want him to look at me like I’m a liar, like how he looks when he talks about his ex.

I picture how soft he looked this morning when he was looking at me like I was worth something. I want to keep that so badly.

Is that selfish of me?

“Well, since you’re undecided about Dean, what are we going to do about Ryan?”

“Oh, God.” My chest tightens. “What happened with him yesterday?”

“The usual. He threatened to kill me and my husband, burn down the manor, andthensaid if he doesn’t get his money with extra interest, he’s going to tell Dean everything.” Bobby’s mouth presses into a thin line. “So, out of the things wecancontrol, I think we need to deal with him.”

“Right. You’re right.” Heat prickles down my spine and I wiggle my shoulders to try and remove it. “So, what do we do?”

“You know what you have to do. You have to ask Dean for money.”