Falling into Her Trap: Don't Cross the Line, Mr. President-Chapter 88: Don’t Be Afraid, I’m Here

Heavy rain poured down, thunder rumbled, and Claire Shaw tightly grasped Ethan Blackwood’s tie, burying her head in his chest.

At this moment, her emotions were extremely agitated, and she couldn’t stop trembling.

Her mind was in chaos; she didn’t even know what she was doing or what she should say.

All she could think of was that night of flashing lightning and thunder, the shadows of trees swaying in the small woods, casting silhouettes on her from the streetlights like clawing monsters, opening invisible mouths wanting to devour her.

Cecilia Lewis’s sinister and wanton smile, and that large hand dragging her by the ankle.

She screamed until her voice was hoarse, but unfortunately, on such a thunderstorm night, there were no passersby.

Her body fell into the mud and water, splashing it all over her face.

"Don’t be afraid, I’m here." The man’s deep and gentle voice, carrying some kind of soothing power, calmed her restless and tense emotions.

He ran all the way, even faster than the bodyguards by two minutes, seeing the girl in his arms drenched all over.

Her hair stuck tightly to her little face, her forehead visibly red and slightly swollen, and her big eyes flickered uncertainly, looking terrified.

Ethan Blackwood, with a heartache, carried her into the car.

The chill of the car’s air hit, making the already soaked Claire Shaw shiver.

She had just shrunk back a little, sneezed, and suddenly, there was an extra coat on her.

The cool scent of the man tightly enveloped her, making Claire Shaw feel very secure.

In the dim light of the car, Claire Shaw looked up and saw the man’s tense jawline; his features were originally indifferent, and his lowered eyelids gave a strong sense of oppression.

His brows slightly furrowed, and his pupils were as cold as ice, instilling fear.

He seemed to have noticed Claire Shaw’s gaze, he lowered his eyes to look at her, "Is there anywhere you’re feeling uncomfortable?"

The cold and fierce eyes tinted with worry softened the coldness around him; his faint voice fell into Claire Shaw’s ears, making her ears tingle.

Claire Shaw shook her head, "No, I was just thinking why I always run into you when I’m feeling down."

The man extended his well-defined hand, gently curling a strand of her black hair behind her ear; his low and deep voice resonated: "In times of danger, you think of me, Ms. Shaw, and that makes me happy."

Throughout the ride, Claire Shaw remained silent.

Ethan Blackwood carried her home and placed her on the sofa. When he returned with a dry towel and a first-aid kit. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Claire Shaw, draped in his coat, was curled up in a corner of the sofa, hugging her knees, her dress long soaked through.

Usually a cleanliness freak, she would immediately wash away the sticky feeling after being with him, no matter how tired.

But now, she kept her head lowered, like a wounded rabbit licking her wounds alone, which made Ethan Blackwood even more heartbroken.

He walked over lightly, reaching out to pat her back.

Claire Shaw shuddered as if startled, instinctively blurting out those two words, "Don’t!"

Like a cornered beast with no escape, she let out a defiant roar from her throat.

Ethan Blackwood had never seen Claire Shaw like this.

Her beautiful eyes seemed to have lost focus, and as Ethan pressed closer, Claire Shaw retreated.

But she was already trapped in the corner of the sofa with nowhere to go.

She reached out, slapping Ethan away in a panic, "Don’t touch me!"

Ethan recalled what he heard over the phone; a few years ago, Cecilia Lewis almost assaulted Claire Shaw, and tonight the same thing happening brought back those unpleasant memories for her.

Ethan gently comforted, "Ms. Shaw, it’s me."

He slowly approached Claire Shaw, her pupils gradually focusing, reflecting his image.

"Ethan Blackwood..." she cautiously confirmed his name.

"It’s me." Ethan enveloped her, and Claire Shaw, like finding a lifeline, tightly wrapped her hands around his firm waist, burying her head in his chest.

Scalding tears seeped through the gaps, almost scorching his heart.

She choked, "You heard everything, I almost got... by him in the past."

This was a secret weighing on her heart, known only to the three of them who were there that night.

Afterward, even though she agreed with Owen, she seemed to have an aversion towards the opposite sex, especially Owen, who witnessed her embarrassment that night, failing even to touch her fingertips.

Coupled with parental reasons, Claire Shaw thought she would live in fear of men for the rest of her life.

But from the first sight of Ethan Blackwood, she felt the attraction; she took a chance, and it turned out successful that night.

She finally stepped out of that mental hurdle, only to have Cecilia Lewis’s reappearance strike her down again.

Dragging her back into the abyss from which she had painstakingly climbed out.

Ethan Blackwood gently rested a hand on the back of her head, softly patting her back, "It’s okay, it’s okay."

Claire Shaw, with tear-filled eyes, met his mesmerizing eyes, "Don’t you think I’m dirty?"

"How could my little girl be dirty?" Ethan’s voice was soft, lazy, with a husky, intoxicating graininess, like after a drink.

His rough thumb gently caressed her cheek, "Want me to prove to you how pure you are?"

He had carefully observed Claire Shaw’s body for wounds in the car; thankfully, there was just a small scratch on her foot and a bruise on her forehead.

Compared to insignificant physical injuries, he was more concerned about Claire Shaw’s psychological pain.

He still had records of Claire Shaw’s previous treatment; in her teens, she had been diagnosed with severe depression.

Over the years, though still cold and withdrawn, she was much better than before.

If such a condition were to recur, it would be extremely dangerous for Claire Shaw.

Ethan Blackwood knelt down, lowering himself, shedding his natural oppressiveness.

Claire Shaw just sat there, staring at him, momentarily forgetting to react.

His breath lingered on her lips like a small brush softly sweeping over.

The man gently removed the wet dress clinging to her body, his warm palms lightly squeezing her slender, pale shoulders, silently comforting her.

"Ms. Shaw, in my heart, you’re the purest girl in the world."

The warmth from his palms dispelled the bone-chilling cold from her body.

Simultaneously, his lips descended.

As their lips met, Claire Shaw suddenly felt like the emptiness in her heart was being filled.

The man gently caressed her tender lips, whispering repeatedly, "Not dirty..."

His kiss landed on her slender neck, visible marks accusing her unfortunate encounter earlier.

Ethan Blackwood’s pupils deeply darkened, a hint of undisguised murderous intent flashing through them.

He tenderly caressed, where he passed, a current surged, making Claire Shaw arch her body, her fingers uneasily tangled into the man’s thick hair, she bit her lip, softly moaning, "Ethan, Ethan..."