Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Chapter 644

Chapter 644

Dylan turned to Clara and noticed she was still a little spaced out. He gently took the empty glass from her hand.

A few minutes earlier, she'd been sitting there alone, zoning out, and had finished her glass of wine without even realizing it.

When her fingers brushed air, Clara blinked, staring at her palm for a few seconds before coming back to herself.

She looked up and met Dylan's eyes. The moment their gazes locked, it was like she'd touched something hot-her heart skipped and she stammered, "I..."

Before she could say anything else, Tara cut in, turning to Jackson. "Jackson, did Carter hit you last night?"

There was a small scratch on Jackson's cheek-something no one else had noticed, but Tara had picked up on it right away.

With the focus shifting to Jackson, Clara faded into the background.

Jackson ran his finger along the rim of his glass and grinned. “Nah, just caught by some broken glass. My grandpa still packs a punch. Even at his age, he managed to smash three glasses."

Everyone chuckled, and suddenly the room felt lighter.

with the others. She'd known this group for years—they'd

on Clara. She didn't remember any of it, hadn't been part

for childhood friends, except she was the outsider who couldn't

it was obvious Tara was bringing up these

would've felt hurt.

then, Tara would drag Dylan into the stories, usually about something from

remember that time you and Richard snuck onto the base and almost stepped on a landmine? You both got spanked in front of everyone when you

in serious trouble. Dylan was the oldest, and Richard was only a year younger, so Dylan

even as a kid, Richard had been a little troublemaker. Especially when he was with

worst punishment. fo

over

Dylan got fifty lashes and Richard only got twenty, Richard had

same mistake! Why does he get thirty more lashes

burst out laughing, and

put this kind of

died down, Dylan had raised his

to keep things fair. I don't mind letting

even years later, the story still made the

heard it from the older folks, and she brought it up