---- Chapter 112 Lance said nothing. His eyes stayed on her, making Tara's heart race. Then, calmly, he stated. "You can't escape from me." Tara looked away in a panic. Trying to salvage the situation , she said, "I'm not trying to escape. I just want to talk." If she'd known he would track her down, she would've done a better job of hiding and traveled even farther. Lance's gaze was unreadable. That calm of his was more dangerous than anger. "Fine.

I'll listen." Tara thought she'd bought herself time. Maybe she could get him to give up. At her apartment door, she pulled out her keys. Lance stood at the threshold, tall and composed. "My place is a bit small," she said hesitantly. Hope you don't mind, Mr. Swain." His eyes dropped briefly to her outfit-a loose blouse meant to downplay her figure and a high -waisted skirt that didn't quite succeed in doing the same. He stepped inside and casually locked the door.

"There's nothing wrong with it." ---- Tara kept her distance, poured him a glass of warm. water, then sat across from him. They were silent, but the tension crackled between them. "Mr. Swain," she began carefully, "you and I aren't a good match." "You have no feelings for me?" he asked. Instantly, the question unleashed a torrent of memories in her thoughts. "No," she said quickly. "None." That reply should have secured her freedom.

She knew his pride, as a man of his standing, would outweigh any fleeting interest in her. Yet, Lance's expression remained perfectly calm, completely devoid of anger or frustration. He spoke crudely in a low, steady voice, his lips barely parting, and the sheer audacity sent Tara's heart pounding with embarrassment . Flushed bright red, she instinctively rose to silence him. "Don't... Don't say that!" But Lance didn't stop. Flustered , Tara rushed over and slapped her hands over his mouth.

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"Lance! Stop talking nonsense!" ---- As their eyes locked, something concealed in his gaze intensified her panic. She finally realized she'd walked right into his trap. He'd lured her over! She pulled her hands away, but it was too late. He already had her in his arms. "M-Mr. Swain..." He looked into her eyes and asked softly, "Did you really feel nothing when I kissed you?" Tara immediately shook her head. "That's not it. 1 only said that because I didn't want to be with you. I...

I did feel something." The blouse she wore, loose as it was, still hugged her in all the wrong places now that she was pressed against him. "You used me and lied to me after," Lance stated, his tone unhurried . "Tara, how do you suggest I settle this with you?" "T didn't mean to," she said quickly. "I just couldn't afford the penalty for breaking the contract." Moreover, as the male lead, he possessed plot armor.

She wouldn't get hurt, and he'd remain unaffected even if he was the one to deviate from the story's intended path. But Lance chuckled darkly. "I read your contract. It expires in three months. So you'd been planning this." ---- His tone was calm, but the threat was unmistakable. Tara tried to pull away. "Mr. Swain, I shouldn't have lied. But I had my reasons." Lance kissed her-slowly, deliberately -from her chin to her lips. "Go on. What reasons?" She met his eyes -dark, exposed , intense.

The moment caught her off guard. He kissed her again, firmer this time. "] like this look on you," he said.