Her Collateral Bride: A Lesbian Age Gap Romance

saying you’re breaking your promise or going against the

terms of that agreement. I know you would never seduce

someone to hurt them. Not someone you hated, and you don’t

hate Haley. I know you think she’s too innocent and naïve, and

she is. I’ve been watching her here and there, and the way she

looks at you…I’m pretty sure she thinks she’s in love with

you. That kind of emotion can turn into a mess that I can’t

protect you from, and it’s my job to keep you safe.”

Even though Claire expected it, she was still a little

surprised. And more touched than she wanted to admit. This

wasn’t just Jenny doing her job, as she’d stated. She was

looking out for her like a friend, and she had so few of those.

“Thank you for your advice,” Claire said evenly. “I let things

get out of hand.”

Jenny was clearly surprised by the admission. Her brows

shot up before they returned to normal. “You have to stop.

Make her understand. She can’t walk around looking like that,

with her feelings written all over her face.”

“I know.”

“Go to the club or something. I’ll come with you. I’ll make

sure it’s safe for you.”

The club. Claire hadn’t been there in months. She was so

consumed with her plot against Robert coming to fruition and

she’d been busy with work. The world didn’t stop for her

personal vendetta. She had a whole business to run, a family

name to protect. She had her mom to worry about, her sister’s

wild streak. The thought of going now to a place that had

given her so much relief, so much healing, so much fulfillment

when she thought she’d be empty on the inside forever, made

her feel slightly sick. A lump formed in her throat that she