My Golden Retriever Lover

In the dim light, a strikingly handsome face slowly inched closer to a woman and didn't stop until their breaths mingled. The man urgently lifted the woman's enchanting face, his dark eyes reflecting her disheveled allure. Clara Hall forcefully turned her head away, having no guts to meet his intense stare. But he persisted and dragged her to the mirror, trapping her slender waist and pressing her tightly against his heated body. His voice, husky and seductive, murmured in her ear, "Clara, take a look at yourself. See what you've become." Clara trembled violently, tears brimming at the corners of her eyes. She pleaded desperately, "Jack... please... let me go." "Clara, do you really not want me?" A flash of pain flickered in Jack Baker's eyes, quickly replaced by an obsessive fierceness. "Running away follows with punishment." His scorching kisses rained down, and he gently nibbled at her earlobe. His intense breath washed over her, making Clara shudder uncontrollably, her defenses collapsing. Her lustrous eyes were now filled with desire. His large hand gripped the back of her head so that he could deepen the kiss. Jack brushed aside her hair cascading over her chest. "Clara, turn around. Let's do it in front of the mirror." ***** In Gledale City, at the Baker family, Clara sat in the corner of the living room, fiddling with her phone. Right after the SATs, some of her close friends were planning a graduation trip and had texted her for her opinion. Clara looked up thoughtfully, her gaze accidentally landing on Jack, who was seated not far away. Jack Baker was tall and strikingly handsome. Dressed in black, he exuded an alluring aura, sitting among a group of adults with his head bowed, his emotions unreadable. The Bakers were still arguing, their voices loud, using harsh words. Clara tilted her head, pondering where her destination would be. Suddenly inspired, she typed on her phone hastily. Clara: I vote for the ocean. Clara believed the ocean was peaceful. Resided in Gledale City, an inland area, she had never seen the real ocean before. Her friends agreed to her suggestion of a beach trip, and they planned to leave in a week. Thinking of the blue expanse of the sea, Clara felt a calm wash over her. Before she noticed, the arguments had stopped, and the living room was now enveloped in an unusual silence. A gentle female voice broke the air. "Jack, who would you like to live with?" Jack didn't respond, still looking down, fiddling with his slender fingers. The room fell silent again, but it didn't last. Someone spoke harshly, "For the record, we're already stretched thin with kids and have no room for Jack." The statement caused a ripple of agreement, the others echoing, "Same here." Watching the scene unfold, Clara couldn't help but recall the year her parents had passed away, leaving her in a similar room full of adults, all reluctant to take her in. It was her aunt, Ava Hall, who finally took her home. Perhaps it was this shared experience that stirred a sense of empathy within her. Clara looked at Jack with a twinge of pity. Sensing her gaze, Jack looked up at her. The moment their eyes met, Clara was taken aback. Jack's eyes were red-rimmed, his lashes damp, and a misty sheen clouded his vision. He looked like a stray puppy, abandoned and alone. Clara's heart skipped a beat. She lowered her head immediately, warning herself not to dwell on that look. "Ava, why don't you take Jack in?" someone suddenly suggested. "Yes, Ava, you took care of Clara before. We'd feel most at ease if Jack stayed with you now. Jack's father would feel the same in heaven," others chimed in. "You!" Ava huffed in frustration. Ava's husband had just passed away. With her son in his second year of high school and a one-month-old daughter to care for, she was already at her limit. The underlying reluctance was that Jack's father's company had gone bankrupt, and his siblings feared the specter of inherited debt. The atmosphere turned tense. Clara glanced at Ava, who had aged significantly due to her recent grief. When her husband was alive, Ava had been so gentle and beautiful, always cheerful and kind. Everyone in the room had their own agenda, all trying to pass the burden to someone else. Jack remained with his head bowed, his fingers red from his nervous twisting. Clara, fixated on Jack's deep, haunting eyes, felt mesmerized. She uttered, "If none of you will take him, I will." Jack's head snapped up, his eyes filled with surprise, joy, and a hint of hope. Ava looked at Clara in shock, cautioning, "Clara, don't make trouble." "I'm not making trouble, Aunt Ava," Clara replied seriously. She turned to Jack. "I've just come of age, though inexperienced at caring for others. But I have money and a house. I can ensure your basic needs." She paused, then asked solemnly, "Would you like to come home with me?" Jack clutched the edge of his shirt tightly, his knuckles turning pale. His eyes glistened as he said, "Yes, I would." Everyone was stunned. No one had expected Jack to choose to go with a barely adult girl. ***** As they left the Baker family, Clara found herself in a daze, looking at Jack's striking appearance and presence. She pinched her cheek. "Ouch." Behind her, Jack was amused by her action. Clara blushed and snapped, "What are you laughing at?" Jack shook his head, still smiling, and said softly, "Clara, you are so cute." Clara froze momentarily at his words, a tingle running through her pinky finger. His smile was so sweet. Clara cleared her throat, trying to stay calm. "You go pack your things first. I'll pick you up later." "Okay, I'll wait for you," Jack replied with a well-behaved smile before heading back home. Clara watched him leave, feeling a bit dazed. Jack seemed genuinely happy. ***** Clara went upstairs to talk with Ava for a while. Ava held her hand, full of guilt. "It's all my fault. You're barely an adult yourself." "Aunt Ava, please don't say that. I made the decision to take Jack in," Clara reassured her, holding Ava's hand in return. "He's just a kid. He won't be much trouble. Don't worry." After saying goodbye to Ava, Clara went to pick up Jack. When she arrived at the Baker mansion, Jack was already waiting outside with his things. At the sight of her, he immediately approached the car, smiling sweetly through the window. "Clara, you're here." It was drizzling, but he stood there in the rain. Concerned that he might catch a cold, Clara urged him to get in the car. Once he was inside, she asked, "Why didn't you bring an umbrella?" His hair was wet, forming small strands stuck to his forehead, with raindrops clinging to the ends, ready to fall. He looked at her with his endearing eyes. "I was in a hurry to pack and forgot to take it." Clara chuckled. "What was the rush?" "I was afraid you'd change your mind and not want me anymore," Jack said, lowering his head. His voice carried a slight sob, and his eyes were filled with sadness. Clara felt a pang in her heart. She hurried to grab a few tissues to dry his hair and face, assuring him, "Since I promised you, I won't go back on my word." Jack suddenly looked up and grabbed Clara's hand with one of his own, his eyes brimming with undisguised joy. "You're so good to me, Clara!" His palm was hot, making Clara's face burn with discomfort. She tried to pull her hand back, but Jack held on tightly. Feeling flustered, Clara was about to ask him to let go when he spoke again, "Clara, no matter what I do in the future, you won't abandon me, right?" His gaze was serious and determined, yet cautious. Clara sensed something was off but didn't dwell on it. Simply wishing he could release her hand, she replied, "Right." The soft and tender touch of Clara's hand brought Jack a surge of excitement, but he managed to suppress it. Though reluctant, he quickly let go. He couldn't afford to let her notice anything amiss. He knew he should take it slow.