Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Chapter 770

Clara froze, words caught in her throat. She couldn't meet his eyes. After a long pause, she finally managed, “I didn't mean to bring him up in front of you."

It wasn't about showing off how much she loved Z. Honestly, she never even said the word "love" out loud. It felt too serious, too heavy-like it would turn her feelings into someone else's hope or expectation, and that was just too much pressure. She'd rather avoid it entirely.

Most of the time, she didn't mention Z at all. But if she caught even the faintest glimpse of something that reminded her of him, she'd follow it without thinking.

She never needed to spell out how much she cared. The fact that she kept chasing after those shadows said it all.

Clara dropped her gaze and tried to slip past him toward the bed. Tomorrow, she'd have to face the Fergusons with him, and she needed whatever sleep she could get.

Suddenly, his hand shot out, stopping her in her tracks.

She thought he was about to say something, so she glanced up, ready to ask. Instead, he pulled her into his arms-fast, insistent, like he couldn't help himself.

She tensed, expecting him to steal another kiss. But he didn't. He just held her, arms wound tight around her like he was afraid she might disappear.

Clara's first instinct was to push him away, but then she felt how tense he was, every muscle drawn tight. Her hand dropped to her side.

His forehead pressed against her neck, his breathing harsh and uneven, like something inside him had broken open.

For a second, she worried he might actually pass out.

But he didn't. He just stayed there, forehead buried in her neck, then whispered, voice rough, "I regret it."

what he'd done for killing that

spend the rest of

just to

part of him was screaming for her, needing her close. Even hugging her

chest rose and fell sharply, arms so tight around her she could barely breathe. Clara had no

one of his episodes? Did

up and patted his

mouth was on

She wanted push him away, but his

she'd fallen backwards onto the little

down, their noses almost touching. Sweat dripped from his forehead onto

"You..."

if he was

not quite a kiss, as he murmured, "Will you...kiss

He said it, then turned his head away,

light in the room was just

see everything-the

his

the sheen

sweat on his brow.

lips together, then quietly