Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

He didn't bother saying anything-just grabbed a shirt and headed for the bathroom.

Clara, always a little clueless about these things, stayed put on the bed, waiting patiently.

When Dylan came out, he went straight to the closet, searching for a pair of pants. Clara didn't even try to look away. He hesitated, then ducked back into the bathroom to finish getting dressed.

Finally, when they were both ready, Dylan opened the door to leave.

"Where are you going? Are you coming home for dinner tonight?" Clara called after him.

He paused in the doorway, holding back for a few seconds before finally answering, "No. I won't be back tonight."

He had meetings lined up with a few business partners, and after that, he'd probably head to the old Ferguson family estate.

"You're going back to your family? What if your dad tries something again? What if, by the time you come back, whatever little bit of feeling you have for me is just... gone? I just don't trust him at all, and you don't even remember anything right now, you—"

Her worries kept tumbling out. After all, Dylan's father could easily manipulate him in his current state. What if Dylan came back even colder than before? They never really belonged in each other's worlds. If he shut her out completely, she might never see him again. After what happened, his father would probably do everything he could to get rid of her.

Dylan's hand tightened on the doorknob. He hesitated, then turned and slipped a signet ring onto her thumb.

"Keep this safe."

her lips together and looked

kissed her-soft and fleeting. The warmth of him, the familiar scent, made her heart ache. But he pulled

take this and find me

against the wall, wrapped her arms around his neck,

other for what felt like forever, until Dylan suddenly broke away, his voice rough. "I

"What if Walter

eyelashes trembled as he looked away, gaze landing on the

never see me again," Clara said with a teasing smile. "And if you forget me completely, even if begged for your help, you probably wouldn't care. When you're cold to someone,

on, then opened

outside. "From now on, you stay

as Clara called him—had been hanging

lip. "Just him? Isn't that a little risky? Walter's not exactly

Dylan could tell he

couldn't shake the feeling that Clara kept asking for more so much that

with you. And everyone in Palm