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.

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

didn't remember any of it, hadn't been

being at a reunion for childhood friends, except she was the outsider who

that she wanted to, really. But it was obvious Tara was bringing up these stories on purpose, just to make her feel left

hurt. But she

would drag Dylan into the stories, usually about something from when

on a landmine? You both got spanked

was only a year younger,

kid, Richard had been a little troublemaker.

worst punishment. fo

compete over

fifty lashes and Richard only

does he get

burst out laughing, and one of the

Richard with his foot. "If you put this kind of energy

the laughter had died down, Dylan had raised

thirty lashes to Richard, just to keep things fair. I don't mind letting

dramatic protest turned into a running joke, and even years later, the story

older folks, and she brought it up now to