He gently took her hands and guided them into the water.

"I, um, really need to use the restroom!"

Bennett eased his hold, with no genuine mischief in mind.

Claudia went underwater, swiftly swam to the pool's edge, and climbed out. She practically dashed away after that.

The drenched shirt adhering to her had slipped her mind ages ago!

Leaning against the side of the pool, Bennett watched her run away, chuckling softly.

With a towel draped around her, Claudia made her way directly upstairs. Once inside her room, she darted into the washroom, securing the door behind her.

Oh God.

She vowed never to delve into another book gifted by Aurora!

How could someone as innocent as her conjure such fantasies if it weren't for the book?

She would never think about those things, let alone fantasize about him getting wet or tearing his shirt...

While engrossed in it, Claudia found nothing amiss. Yet now, the book seemed overly revealing!

She tossed her head a bit, shaking off the thoughts. Then she got into the shower.

Warm droplets poured over her. As they did, her tension eased, allowing her to focus on the shower.

Emerging from her shower, she realized she'd left her clothes behind!

She felt herself getting frustrated once again.

She wrapped herself in her bathrobe and hesitated by the bathroom door, listening. With no audible cues from outside, she assumed a swift dash to the dressing room would be fine.

Bennett hadn't made his way up, had he?

After all, he was still clad in his drenched suit. He wouldn't just walk upstairs in that state.

He'd likely freshen up in the pool's adjacent shower area before heading up.

Thinking about this, Claudia felt that going out in merely a bathrobe wasn't as embarrassing as her initial thought.

She gently nudged the bathroom door open, scanning the room. Feeling a wave of relief at Bennett's absence, she swiftly moved to the wardrobe.

Bennett had mentioned taking her out tonight, but he hadn't said where.

After thinking for a while, Claudia decided to wear a dress.