She had an unsettling feeling that danger was near.

"Bennett," she called out to him, her voice quivering.

Her voice had an alluring quality, more inviting than cautionary.

Suddenly, the protective hand he had on her became a firm grip.

Without another word, Bennett pulled her into his arms.

"Baby, are we really not taking things further tonight?"

Claudia was confused, unsure of how the situation had escalated so abruptly.

It was only when she looked down at herself that she realized her naked body was completely exposed!

Claudia's mind went blank, rendering her unable to think.

Bennett began to kiss her passionately, starting with her lips, then moving down to her neck and further down to her chest.

The clothes Claudia had been holding dropped to the floor. Her loose bathrobe only obstructed Bennett's view, not his actions.

He laid her down on the bed so suddenly that she even bounced a little.

This action, strangely, reminded her of a plot of the book where the hero and heroine argued, and the hero then carried the heroine to the bed to do intimate things with her.

She felt like she was losing her mind. How could she be thinking about that now?

A warm tingling sensation emanated from her chest, spreading heat throughout her entire body.

Their reverie was broken by a sudden knock at the door, leaving both of them startled.

From the other side of the door, Marcia's voice announced, "Mr. and Mrs. Dreskin, dinner is ready."

The call from Marcia snapped Claudia back to her senses. Bennett, who had been leaning over her, had also calmed down. He helped her back into her bathrobe and then lay down next to her, both of them silent.

Claudia was filled with a sense of embarrassment. She couldn't possibly proceed with what they were doing because it was already time for dinner.

Her eyes met Bennett's, and she noticed the lingering desire in his dark gaze. After a moment of hesitation, she leaned closer and whispered, “What if we stay in tonight instead of going out?"

Bennett looked at her and gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder.

"Get dressed. We should have dinner first."

Nodding, Claudia climbed out of bed. She took the underpants from Bennett's outstretched hand and, with a flushed face, made her way to the bathroom to change into her dress.

By the time she came out of the bathroom, Bennett appeared to have regained his composure.