Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

She curled her fingers and took a steadying breath before gently brushing his cheek with her hand.

"I... I'm sorry. I got too worked up. Dylan, you really need to rest for a while. I know enough about the company to cover things. However many meetings are left, I'll take them for you. For the next month, just stay here in Palm Bay and take it easy, okay?"

He stayed silent, lashes lowered, the warmth from her touch spreading from his cheek all the way to his heart.

She's mad because I'm not taking care of myself? She's... worried about me? Is she really this flustered over me?

He slowly reached out, pressing his palm over her hand, still resting against his face.

Clara stiffened, wanting to pull away, but seeing him so quiet and almost anxious, she hesitated.

"Didn't you say you liked me? Then you have to listen, right? I'll handle the company, you just rest. Otherwise..."noveldrama

She trailed off, searching for a threat that didn't sound completely ridiculous. And then, almost without thinking, she blurted, "Otherwise, I'll divorce you."

That got his attention. He looked up and caught her hand, their fingers lacing together. "No divorce. I'll do whatever you say."

Clara finally exhaled, but only realized their hands were entwined when it was too late to pull away.

Feeling awkward, she glanced over at Aiden, who was standing nearby. People always do this when they're flustered-look for someone else to talk to.

“Aiden, get me a list of all current Ferguson Corporation projects, and an update on the overseas branches. I know the upper management at headquarters, but I haven't worked with the overseas teams, so send me their info too. And let the chef downstairs know that Dylan needs proper nutritious meals for the next few weeks."

Aiden's whole face lit up-relief and excitement all at once. God knows how many years he'd been trying to talk sense into Dylan with zero results.

But one word from Mrs. Ferguson and suddenly the boss was a model patient. Guess everyone has someone who keeps them in check.

"Absolutely, I'll get right on it!"

Watching Aiden's reaction, Clara could tell just how much Dylan's stubbornness had worn everyone down.

Once Aiden left, the room felt suddenly quiet-just the two of them.

Their hands were still locked together. Clara tried to pull away, but Dylan only held on tighter.

He didn't say a word.

He was never the talkative type.

Love is longing.

Dylan was that kind of man-calm and distant on the outside, but with a storm raging underneath.

Clara felt her heart skip. How had

she ever thought he was nothing like

Z?

were more alike than she

realized.

Z wore every feeling on his

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sleeve-jealousy, obsession, even his tantrums were obvious. But when he was really angry, he went completely quiet.

Dylan had all those feelings too-he just kept the chaos hidden deep down.

She couldn't even remember what happened before, or why Dylan liked her so much.

But she'd never been the kind of person who could trample on someone's feelings.

Even if she didn't love him back, she couldn't be cruel.

Every bit of someone's feelings is honest and precious.

She took another breath, crouched down t

sneaook him in the eye. "If y f to work again, I'll act et

get mad."

He stared at her, voice rough. "I don't care about work that much."

She frowned. The staff here always said he was a workaholic, that he did nothing but work.

"I just... need something to distract me."

So he wouldn't think about her.

,

Clara didn't dare meet his eyes. He sounded calm, but the intensity in his gaze was impossible to ignore.

She looked down at their linked hands and, finally, gently pulled away. "Go to sleep. Now."

"I can't sleep without you."

She froze, staring at him in disbelief.

Was he... actually pouting?