Every word Ivan uttered sent ripples through Clarice's heart.
No, this was clearly Ivan's charm offensive. She wasn't someone who lost her mind over looks.
"No…" Clarice reached out to push Ivan's shoulder, but her hand accidentally landed on his firm chest. Ivan instinctively adjusted his stance, and the heat of his solid frame pressed against her thigh.
A surge of warmth rushed through Clarice's body, and her face turned crimson, as if it could drip blood.
The sudden ringtone shattered the silence in the room.
"Ignore it," Ivan murmured, lowering his head, his warm breath grazing Clarice's collarbone.
The ringtone stopped momentarily, only to start again, stubbornly persistent.
Clarice snapped out of it, pushed Ivan away firmly, adjusted her disheveled collar, and walked to the ta
