Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run novel Chapter 457

He always had that way about him—so in control, it made people want to tear their hair out. No wonder he wasn't the most popular guy around.

While things were heating up back there, Clara had already made her way a good thousand meters along the path. The higher she climbed, the stronger the scent of cherry blossoms filled the air. As the snow fell heavier that night, she kicked herself for not bringing an umbrella. After another five hundred meters, she finally came across a flat patch of land.

The cherry blossoms here were even more stunning than the ones she'd spotted near the ruins. She hurried over, planning to snag a few branches and head out, intending to swap them for an old painting first thing in the morning.

Just as she reached for a branch, the sound of footsteps crunching through the snow caught her attention. The streetlights seemed to dim, and when she saw that familiar face, she was taken aback.

"Z?"

He approached, snapping off a few branches taller than she was and laid them down in front of her. Clara blinked through the snowflakes clinging to her lashes, trying to clear her vision.

"What are you doing here?"

"I followed you. You walked right past my place but didn't stop by. Who's the lucky one getting these flowers?"

Great. Just what she needed. A chill ran down her spine. His jealousy was flaring up, and she knew she'd have to work hard to smooth things over. Why did he have to show up now?

"I'm picking them for myself. You like them too, right? Let's pick some together."

She tried to play it cool, quickly taking the branches he offered, then pointed to a higher spot. "Mind giving me a hand with those?"

Z brushed a hand over her head, a playful grin on his face. "Liar."

Still, he reached up and snapped off a bunch more. "Is this enough?"

Clara, worried about ticking off the owner of the estate, nodded quickly. "Yeah, yeah. More than enough. Let's head back."

With a bundle of branches in her arms, she started back down the path, reaching out for his hand. But after just a few steps, he slipped.