Chapter 177

The rainstorm finally stopped somewhere around the middle of the night. ＊＊＊ 1:50 a.m. Claire Richards came to, barely conscious, every muscle sore like she’d been run over. She didn’t move a finger, just lay there, eyes half-open. The tired satisfaction on her face was obvious. Her body felt gross—a sticky mess, like she’d been rolled in glue. The slightest movement made the sheets cling uncomfortably to her skin. A shower. She really needed one. She wriggled around awkwardly like a caterpillar. “Don’t move.” A warm hand pressed a little tighter over her chest, and a kiss landed right under her ear. “Where do you think you’re going? You're home.” Claire’s cheeks flushed. Escape? Yeah, not what she meant. “...I just want to take a shower.” Julian Archer opened his eyes, watching her. “I’ll help.” “...No! Nope, I’m good!” she blurted, panicking. If he helped again, she might actually pass out. Her hormones were already shot for the next year, maybe two. But Julian rolled over, started ge