Chapter 170

Claire struggled to pull her hand free, but Julian Archer held it tighter, guiding it along his waist. She could feel the heat of his abs under the thin shirt, and her gaze refused to go any lower. "Tha-that girl... you really don't know her?" she stammered, desperate to shift the topic. Julian gave a low "Mm" in reply, his voice lazy and rich. He rested his head against her shoulder, and with a smooth flick of his fingers, undid the clasp at her back. His lips skimmed her skin—feather-light, like sunlight breaking through a frozen mountaintop... Claire’s breathing became uneven. Shallow one second, deep the next. "Let’s just… talk for a bit, c-can we not..." Not like this... Just as she felt like she’d become dessert after a full-course meal, Julian’s phone rang. It snapped her back instantly. Blushing like crazy, Claire pushed him away and stumbled towards the bedroom, slamming the door shut with a loud *click* as she locked it from inside. Julian glanced at the door, visibly annoyed