When Love Turns Dangerous (Tara) novel 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.

"I 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.

"I like this look on you," he said.