However, when she broached the topic with Bennett last time, he pulled her into his arms and asked her, "Then why don't you tell me who else I should spend my money on? I've earned so much, and if I don't spend it on you, then who?"

She was rendered speechless by his question, and then her face turned red by the kiss that followed.

Later, she ceased asking this question. Because she couldn't contend with the point Bennett made.

He made money much faster than she could spend it.

He was more than willing to spend the money on her. At the worst, she would wear new clothes every day.

Her heart was filled with joy when she thought about it.

In the evening, upon Bennett's return, Claudia eagerly ran to him and held him in his arms, her eyes shining in excitement. "The new clothes came in today."

After changing his shoes, Bennett wrapped his arms around her waist and led her inside with a warm smile. "Do you Like them?"

Claudia glanced up at him for a moment, planting a quick kiss on his chin. "Yes."

Bennett raised his eyebrows and suddenly paused. He gazed at her with a glimmer of a fond smile in his dark eyes and teased, "Is that all you'll do to show me you like them, Claudia?"

Claudia blushed under Bennett's gaze. She pressed her lips together and looked at his lower lip. Shyly, she raised her head and kissed it. "Is that enough?"

"Not at all."

Bennett put his arms around her waist, caressing it as he pressed her against the stair railing beside her. He lowered his head and kissed her deeply.

Claudia wrapped her hands around his waist as he passionately savored the taste of her lips. He stroked her lower lip with his tongue, then took it between his teeth and bit it softly.

Her body shivered as she let out a moan and breathed his name.

His breath was intoxicating to her. With every hot breath he took, her heartbeat quickened.

Claudia's legs began to feel like jelly. She had to hang onto him to avoid falling.

In between their passion, Claudia faintly heard footsteps.

She stiffened, pushed Bennett away and exclaimed, “Marcia!”

Bennett wrapped his arms around her again. "She won't come this way."

Marcia had noticed the arrival of Bennett. She was done with cooking dinner and wanted to inform Claudia and Bennett that it would be served in ten minutes.

She was about to climb the stairs when she saw both of them leaning on the stair railing, sharing a passionate kiss. Embarrassed but feeling quite happy for both of them, she quietly turned around so as not to break up the intimate moment.

Bennett glanced at the retreating figure of Marcia, then turned to face a sobbing Claudia. "She has gone back to the kitchen."

Claudia shook her head, then looked up at him. “But she saw us!"