Chapter 170

Sebastian seemed to sense her gaze and tilted his head slightly, bringing their faces so close that their breaths mingled. His eyes lingered on Julia's slightly pale lips, and his throat bobbed, as if swallowing. A faint sound escaped him. Julia's breath hitched, her gaze darting away nervously. Misreading her reaction as reluctance, Sebastian paused just before his lips could brush hers. Fighting the urge to kiss her, he reached over instead to fasten her seatbelt. In those fleeting seconds, the air between them grew thick with tension, and Julia turned her face slightly away. Not wanting to push too far, he pulled back and sat upright. After a moment of silence, he seemed to steady himself before pressing down on the accelerator. She stole a glance at him. Sebastian seemed to be lingering in the moment. It reminded her of the early days, when they both liked each other but neither dared to confess. Those fleeting, breathless moments had left her cheeks flushed and her heart