standing there wasn’t how a person looks at someone they
don’t want.”
Claire’s jaw nearly unhinged. Her everything nearly
unhinged. “I-I wasn’t looking at you any way except for the
way that someone looks at another person who tries to drown
themselves in sub-thermal waters. I promised your father that
you would be safe here. I was worried and I was checking to
make sure you were in one piece. That’s all.”
“Yeah. Right.” Haley playfully splashed water in Claire’s
direction, even though she was twenty feet away.
Claire ground her teeth. “If you’re going to wear a bathing
suit like that, people are going to stare. Men and women alike.
You know what you look like. Don’t pretend you don’t.”
“Oh, I know. People have told me often enough. Mostly
guys, which is annoying enough. I like this bathing suit and I
wasn’t planning on having an audience. I won’t apologize for
wearing it. I shouldn’t have to.”
“I’m not asking you to apologize,” Claire fumed. “Wear
what you want. I’m just explaining to you why I was looking.
Women look at other women.”
“Yes, but you were looking. And wanting.”
The childish urge to kick sand up all over the beach struck
Claire, but she remained perfectly still. The air was fire in her
lungs again. “That’s not why you’re here. You know why
you’re here. Whatever you think you saw, I wasn’t lying about
what I wanted, and that’s insurance against your father’s
treachery. You are safe here, in all aspects. I’m not out to ruin
you.”
“Who said anything about ruining?”
Claire’s face flushed hot. She was red from her hairline