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She nodded again “I like you too much to muddy your name because of the Clayton fa to hurt you and AJ because of me”

The sick feeling in Gabe’s gut disappeared She wasn’t bla to protect him

“Who would believe a pretty college girl like you would look twice at a guy e?”

Her mouth dropped She tilted her head, bewildered “What a silly thing to say Age has nothing to do anything You’re a fantastic irl with brains would be interested”

She was serious Did that mean she was interested?

Lord, help him

The tightness in his throat loosened With a soft murmur he hoped sounded like comfort, he enveloped Brooke in his arms and pulled her to his chest

She fit perfectly

He didn’t give a whit about gossip and ruh, bothered him royal

Stroking the soft hair he’d longed to touch, he rocked her back and forth as he would AJ His mental alars rattling around in his chest were not paternal Nor brotherly

She was too young He was too old What would people think?

She’d claie didn’t matter, but she’d not walked in his shoes with Tara

When she shuddered once and burrowed closer, he shut the alarm off and savored the moment to enjoy a beautiful woman in his arms Not any woman Brooke Clayton A few seconds and then a few minutes passed and yet he held her, reluctant to break the mood

She liked him too much