Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

"Mr. Sterling, should I bring you something to eat? You haven't had anything all afternoon."

"Yeah."

Dylan carefully put the ring away and gave a quiet instruction. "Go check on her."

Aiden nodded and headed to Clara's room. He couldn't help but feel like he was stuck mediating between two stubborn kids. If anyone else knew, they'd never believe it—those two could actually get so petty, they'd both skip meals just to spite each other. Especially Dylan.

Aiden knocked lightly on the door. Before he could knock a third time, Clara flung it open, looking like she was still mad, her face all chilly and distant.

"Aiden, finally! Can I start working at Ferguson Corporation for you tomorrow? I know enough about the company, and honestly I can't take another day here. You have no idea how impossible Dylan is. Living with him is like tiptoeing through a minefield-step on the wrong thing and he just shuts down. Seriously, how can anyone be like that?"

She'd clearly been holding this in all night, desperate for someone to talk to. She couldn't vent to the other staff-if she ever said a bad word about Dylan, they'd just look horrified, like, “Ma'am, how could you say that about the boss?"

Only Aiden never seemed bothered. No need to make things harder for everyone else.

Aiden almost laughed. The boss really could be impossible sometimes.

"Would you like something to eat, ma'am?"

Clara's stomach growled. She followed Aiden downstairs, still ranting.

"Aiden, how have you put up with him for so long? Seriously, only you could handle him. Don't you think he's completely unreasonable sometimes? The way he sulks, you'd think the whole world owed him millions. It's honestly exhausting just being around him."

Then she realized something was off. The air felt weird.

She looked back-and there was Dylan, standing in the hallway, staring right at her.

No wonder she'd felt uneasy-Dylan's silent glare could cut glass.

She gave an awkward, embarrassed smile, totally caught talking behind his back. Dylan stared at her for a few long seconds before finally saying, "I'm hungry." Clara's nerves settled. She'd thought he was going to lose his temper again, but instead, he actually wanted to eat.

Men really were impossible to figure out.

Aed a quick bite downstairs,

to Deed Aiden to bring a t But in the time it tet

turne

around, Aiden had disappeared.

She glanced around and saw him

nearby, phone pressed to his earet

probably dealing with work. Clara waited, but after ten minutes he was still on the call.

With no other choice, she picked up the tray herself and headed upstairs. Honestly, why did Aiden always get busy at the worst times?

As soon as she left, Aiden lowered his phone. The screen was dark he hadn't been talking to anyone. This house would probably fall apart without him.

Clara carried the tray to Dylan's room, knocked, and walked in. Dylan sat by the window, lost in thought.

She set the tray down, handed him a spoon. "Here."

He glanced up at her, took the spoon, and started eating quietly. Every bite

seemed to pull at his injury; sweat beaded on his forehead.

She watched for a second, then sat across from him. Gently, she took the spoon, scooped up some soup, and held it to his lips.

"Here."

Just a minute ago, she'd been ranting non-stop to Aiden. Now, with Dylan, every word felt heavy and slow.

Dylan opened his mouth and let her feed him, his eyes never leaving her face.noveldrama

Clara suddenly felt super self-conscious. She scooped up another spoonful, her voice softer. "What? Not good?"

He coughed. "Come closer."

She leaned in, a little confused. "What is it?"

Before she could finish, he turned and kissed her right on the lips. “Tastes perfect."

Clara's face went bright red. She dropped the spoon right back in the bowl.