Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Clara went quiet. Ever since the first day she'd woken up and seen Dylan, there was this nagging feeling deep inside-like they belonged to completely different worlds.

It wasn't something she could put into words. It was just a gut instinct. Maybe it was her body's way of keeping her safe.

No matter how many times she reminded herself how polite and well-mannered Dylan was, that warning bell in her head never went silent. If anything, it told her Dylan was more dangerous than anyone else she'd ever met.

She lowered her eyes, deciding there was no point in sugarcoating it anymore.

"Maybe lots of women would love to be your wife, but I'm not one of them. I really don't like you. Even if I had another fifty years, I don't think I'd change my mind. My instincts just keep telling me... you're not the person I'm looking for."

As soon as she finished, the air in the room seemed to snap tight-like some wild animal had been let loose. Cold sweat prickled down her spine.

She glanced up at Dylan, half-expecting him to explode, but he looked as calm as ever. Whatever hint of danger she thought she'd seen was just... gone, like it had never happened.

She swallowed and sat up straighter, only then realizing her back was soaked with sweat.

The whole place was quiet-the staff had already slipped away, leaving just the two of them.

Out of nowhere, Dylan stood up, took a few shaky steps, and then collapsed right in front of her.

Clara shot to her feet, heart pounding with panic. There was no one else around. What if people thought she'd somehow caused this?

She rushed over and tried to lift him, calling out, "Somebody help! Dylan's passed out!"

Upstairs, Aiden watched the scene unfold, let out a long sigh, and popped his earbuds in. He didn't feel like getting involved. He was tired, too—let them figure it

out.

Clara kept calling for help, but no one answered. Frustration bubbled up inside her.

What was the point of all these people in the house if none of them showed up when it mattered? Even Aiden-wasn't he supposed to stay by Dylan's side? And Dylan was seriously hurt!

With no other choice, she braced herself and struggled to drag Dylan toward the stairs, taking it one step at a time.

He was heavy, his whole weight slumped against her, making her face burn with the effort.

She didn't know where the strength came from, but somehow she got him to the bedroom door. She gave it a hard kick and the doorknob fell off, clattering to the floor. For a second, she stared at it, stunned.

But she didn't have time to care. She hauled Dylan onto the bed, her heart beating out of her chest. Whatever he'd done, he couldn't just die because of her.

She dropped to her knees by the bed, grabbed his hand, and started rubbing it, blowing on it to warm him up.

When you're panicking, you get clumsy, doing everything and nothing at once.

She pressed on the spot between his thumb and forefinger, her face growing paler by the second.

"Dylan, wake up, please. I didn't mean any of that. I was just talking nonsense."

He didn't move. Lying there with his eyes closed, he looked almost too delicate to touch.

Suddenly, she remembered the doctor said he needed his bandages changed. She scrambled for the medicine, tore open his bandages, and saw blood starting to seep through.

Working quickly, she cleaned the wound, put on fresh ointment, and wrapped him up again.noveldrama

But to do it right, she had to lean in close, practically hugging him as she measured out the bandage around his broad shoulders and slim waist.

The awkwardness crept up on her again. She'd just started wrapping the bandage when footsteps sounded outside the door.

She turned and locked eyes with Jackson, who stood in the doorway.

Nicholas was right beside him, lips pressed tight.

They'd heard Dylan had been

punished by the family, so they'd come to check on him. Now, seeing Clara holding Dylan and bloody bandages all over the floor, both their faces turned grim.

Nicholas strode in first, his glare downright icy.

"Clara, what's wrong with you? Dylan's hurt, and you're seriously trying to take advantage of him right now?!"