“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