Ditched the Cheater, Pregnant by Mr. Righ novel Chapter 148

Chapter 148 Too Close

Quinn spoke with such certainty that Julian almost believed her.

She reached out her hand again. “Can I have it back now?”

Julian didn’t move. The sketchbook stayed in his hand.

“What else is in here?” he asked casually. “Mind if I look?”

“No.”

The refusal came out instantly, almost like a reflex.

Julian’s eyes flickered with amusement.

Finished

Quinn immediately reached forward another inch. “It’s not really something I can show people. Please give it back.”

The page currently open showed Julian in a sharply tailored suit.

But the page before that was the real problem.

That sketch showed Julian shirtless, the lines of his torso carefully shaded, every muscle defined far more carefully than Quinn would ever admit out loud.

There was no way she could let him see that.

Her hand remained stretched toward him. “It’s not appropriate. Please.”

Julian still didn’t hand it over.

“Not appropriate?” he repeated lightly. “What if the previous page happens to be me too?”

“It’s not,” Quinn said quickly.

She lowered her eyes, refusing to look at him. “Mr. Sterling, please don’t make this difficult.”

Under normal circumstances Julian would have let it go.

But the moment he realized she had drawn him, his mood had lifted so much that he couldn’t resist teasing her a little.

“I’m not trying to make things difficult,” he said calmly. “But if someone draws a portrait of me that detailed, I think I deserve at least a quick look.”

“I already said it isn’t you,” Quinn insisted. “Please give it back.”

Julian tilted his head slightly. “And if it is?” He drew the sketchbook a little closer to himself.

“How about a bet?”

12:09 pm

ppp.

Chapter 148 Too Close

* Finished

“No!”

This time Quinn really panicked. She stepped forward and reached for the notebook.

Julian simply lifted his arm higher.

The movement was effortless. Her hand missed completely.

Quinn rose onto her toes and tried again. Still too high.

Julian was much taller, and with his arm raised there was no chance she could reach it easily.

She stretched again, then even gave a small hop. Still nothing.

“Julian!”

The name slipped out before she could stop it. Julian paused for half a second. This wasn’t the first time she had called him by name.

But it was the first time she had done it while fully clear–headed. Meanwhile Quinn was focused entirely on the sketchbook.

She leaned closer, reaching for his wrist, trying to grab the notebook any way she could.

She didn’t realize how close she had moved. Normally she kept a careful distance from him.

But right now the only thing in her mind was the drawing hidden on that previous page.

He cannot see that. Absolutely not.

By the time she noticed, she was almost pressed against him. Julian stood much taller than she did, his arm still raised above his head.

Even standing on her toes didn’t help.

She bounced upward twice more, trying to reach it. No luck.

Julian’s throat tightened.

At this distance every small movement she made brushed against him. If this continued much longer, things were going to get very awkward for him.

He cleared his throat and gently tapped her shoulder with his free hand.

“Quinn,” he said quietly. “Stand still for a second.”

His voice sounded right beside her ear.

Quinn froze.

Wait.

Why is his voice so close?

12:09 pm Ppp.

Chapter 148 Too Close

Finished

Her eyes widened as she finally realized how near they were standing.

Way too close.

Her body reacted instantly. She stepped back quickly. Her balance slipped and she almost fell.

Julian reached out at once and caught her arm, pulling her slightly forward to steady her.

But the sudden motion threw off her balance again.

Before she could react, Quinn stumbled forward and crashed straight into him. Julian released her arm and instinctively wrapped a hand around her waist to keep her upright.

Quinn tried to grab onto something. Too late. Her nose bumped hard against his chest.

“Mm…”

The sharp sting made her eyes water instantly. “Did that hurt?” Julian asked immediately. “Are you okay?”

Everything had happened so quickly that Quinn barely understood what had just happened.

Her eyes were still watery.

All she could register was that she was standing against Julian, surrounded by his warmth and the faint scent of his cologne.

His voice was right next to her ear. Even his breathing felt close.

Ignoring the sting in her nose, Quinn pushed against his chest.

Julian reacted quickly, “Careful.”

Afraid she might lose her balance again, he steadied her lightly.

Once she was standing firmly, he stepped away. A full step to the side.

Creating distance between them. Even then, Quinn instinctively moved back another step.

Only then did the whole situation replay in her mind.

Just moments ago she had been jumping in front of Julian trying to grab the sketchbook. Then she had nearly fallen.

He had caught her. His arm had wrapped around her waist. Even through their clothes, the spot where he had touched her still felt warm.

And when she stumbled forward, she had ended up pressed right against him. The more she tried to stay away from him, the more these accidents seemed to happen.

Quinn didn’t even notice that her hands were trembling slightly.

Julian noticed immediately. He hesitated, then took a small step forward.

12:09 pm

ppp.

Chapter 148 Top Close

“Quinn…”

“Don’t come closer!”

The fear in her voice made him stop immediately.

“Alright,” Julian said calmly. “I won’t move. You’re okay.”

He let out a quiet breath.

Then he returned to the desk and set the sketchbook down.

“I won’t look through it,” he said. “You can put it away.”

After that, he moved to stand near the doorway, leaving a wide space between them.

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