Chapter 145

Claire was caught completely off guard. The sudden jolt sent her lurching sideways, her body tilting uncontrollably as her hands instinctively scrambled for something to steady herself. Julian’s arm shot out, his palm pressing firmly against the small of her back, guiding her not just into a fall—but straight into his chest, face-to-face. The hand she had meant to brace against the chairback was instead steered by his grip, landing squarely on his thigh. Her chest pressed flush against his. In her flustered panic, her other hand had somehow fisted into the fabric at his waist. Above her, his breath enveloped her like morning mist rolling over a mountainside. Her own breath hitched, suspended. The softness crushed against his chest burned as if set aflame. Inside, her mind screamed like she’d been tossed into a furnace, yet outwardly, she remained frozen—statuesque, as if struck by a paralyzing spell. Her face stiffened further, fingers twitching in a slow, hesitant retreat. Julian peer