She glanced at his eyes for just a second before looking away.

Bennett reached out and gently tidied her disheveled hair. "I'm going to be late, Claudia."

“Aren't you headed to the office now?"

She wasn't trying to delay him from going to work.

He stayed quiet, simply gazing down at her, his smile soft and teasing.

It looked like he wouldn't leave until she revealed what she'd almost said the night before.

Claudia squirmed with embarrassment. How had she not noticed Bennett's cheeky side until now?

The two of them silently confronted each other for a while, and finally, Claudia gave in. "Okay. It's just that we've been married for only six months, and we've barely known each other longer than that. It's too soon for us to think about kids."

"Is that the truth?" Bennett looked at her with a smile as if he couldn't believe her.

"Yes, it is." She gently urged him toward the door. "What I said is true. You should head to work now."

She didn't want the employees at Segarine Group to start speculating about why their president was late for work today.

Bennett sensed he might push Claudia too far if he kept asking.

Deciding not to overstep, he eased up and made a simple request.

“I'd like it if you could pick me up after work."

While speaking, he raised his hand and affectionately tousled her hair. Then, he picked up the coat that had been set aside, turned around, and left the room.

Claudia watched Bennett leave, then touched the hair he had smoothed, a bit puzzled.

Did Bennett just make a request like tossing a coin into a fountain?

She wasn't a wishing well!

Lost in thought, her stomach's rumble snapped her back to reality.

She glanced down at her tummy, gave herself a mental shake, and stood up.

She was hungry. It was time for her to have breakfast.

When she entered the dining room, Marcia came with breakfast.

Remembering the evening plans, Claudia informed her, “Marcia, take the night off from cooking. We'll be dining out."

"Very well, Mrs. Dreskin."