Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Chapter 761

Clara couldn't wrap her head around it.

She hugged him, arms around his waist. She only meant to hold him for a second, but just as she started to let go, he caught her and pulled her in closer.

For a moment, on that chilly night, it felt like they were just two people trying to keep each other warm.

Her chest felt tight, like something heavy pressing in, and no amount of comfort seemed to help.

She didn't know how long they stood like that. Eventually, she eased her grip and stepped back. "Let's go back. Try to get some sleep tonight, okay?"

He nodded and followed her to the car.

Charles, as clueless as ever, made a beeline for the front seat. When he saw Dylan lingering beside him, refusing to move to the back, Charles scowled.

"What's your problem? The front seat's for me-her brother. You can squeeze in the back with the dog."

He barely finished before Clara called out, "Charles."

Charles took a dramatic breath, then surrendered. "Fine, I'll go squeeze in the back with the dog. Dylan, you better appreciate it-I'm only doing this for my sister."

Dylan just slid into the passenger seat, saying nothing.

Clara leaned over to buckle his seatbelt. She worried he was too out of it to do it himself. Anyone would be, after getting news like that.

few loose strands of her hair fall forward, and the way

frozen for a few seconds, then slowly reached up and tucked her

then quickly finished with the buckle and

they got to Palm Bay, Clara walked ahead. But then she remembered his injured leg and doubled back, coming to

sure your

he heard the news from

"I'm fine," he said.

toward him. "If you

this time. Here-let me

but

he took her hand

lips pressed together,

to the bedroom, hand in hand. When he went

to

her old clothes hanging there, and even

"You never washed

faint marks

closet door shut. He quickly yanked open

there, rubbing

have to ask