Claire Bennett Is Rejecting Him

She said softly, "I wasn't being bullied."

Actually, they couldn't bully her anyway. It was just that when the few of them were tearing into each other just now, they had accidentally dragged her into it.

Claire Bennett raised a hand and touched her chin. A dull ache came from it; it seemed she was injured.

When Julian Sterling saw the faint mark on her chin, his lips pressed into a tight line and his eyes darkened.

It wasn't until a little while later that Claire Bennett realized they had returned to Parkview Heights. Instantly, she felt a little uncomfortable.

But Julian Sterling's car had already come to a steady stop. After turning off the engine, he got out, then walked around and opened the door on Claire Bennett's side. "Get out."

Sigh! This was the only way now.

Thinking that, Claire Bennett could only get out of the car and follow Julian Sterling back into Parkview Heights.

After the door opened, the familiar scene rushed over her.

This place still looked exactly as it had when Claire Bennett and Julian Sterling left; it didn't seem changed in the slightest.

Even the spot where she had left her water cup before hadn't been moved, and Claire Bennett couldn't help wondering whether, after she left, Julian Sterling had never come back to stay here.

But if he wasn't staying here, then where could he be staying?

Just as Claire Bennett was spacing out, Julian Sterling had already found the first-aid kit. He beckoned to her and said, "Come here."

Claire Bennett could only walk over and sit down on the couch.

Next, Julian Sterling began treating her wound. Even though it was only a tiny scratch, he was incomparably serious about it.

Claire Bennett sat obediently in front of him, letting him handle her however he wanted. After disinfecting it, he put a Band-Aid on her.

Watching Julian Sterling stand up and put the medicine kit away, Claire Bennett looked like she wanted to say something but hesitated. "Um... Julian Sterling..."

"Go to sleep."

Claire Bennett stared at him in slight surprise. Sleep? Sleep here?

Very obviously, the answer was yes.

A moment later, Claire Bennett lay in bed uneasily. This was the first time they had slept together again after being apart for so long, and she couldn't help recalling what had happened before at Kinley Estate.

She clutched the blanket nervously and glanced toward the bathroom. Julian Sterling was taking a shower.

Forget it!

She should hurry and fall asleep before he came out!

With that thought, Claire Bennett pulled the blanket higher, covering herself up tightly from head to toe, then shut her eyes firmly.

The bathroom door opened, and Julian Sterling came out still carrying the dampness of the shower. He was wearing loose black silk sleepwear, looking fresh and clean, and his gaze fell on Claire Bennett in the bed.

She had her back to this side and looked as though she was already asleep, but her stiff, tense back made it obvious she wasn't. Julian Sterling could tell that Claire Bennett was rejecting him.

Why?

Could it be that she was dissatisfied with his performance last time?

Julian Sterling's sharp brows quickly drew together, and he felt a little depressed. At the same time, he reflected on whether he had only cared about himself then and hadn't considered Claire Bennett's feelings, which was why she was reacting like this.

He took a deep breath, then lay down beside Claire Bennett.

But Claire Bennett's enticing scent kept drifting over from time to time, leaving his mouth dry and his body burning, impossible to calm. Once a man had gotten a taste of sex, it was very hard to go back to abstinence.

Julian Sterling took a deep breath, then got up again and went back to the bathroom to take a cold shower.