He clasped her wrist, guiding her to the side before shutting the car door.

“Let's go."

Still dazed, Claudia replied, "Sure."

She trailed after him, disregarding that her right leg was not fully healed. The moment she shifted her weight onto it, a twinge of pain shot through her.

She winced at the sudden pain.

Hearing her gasp, Bennett halted, casting a backward glance at her. "I thought you said it wasn't hurting?"

"I didn't..."

Claudia couldn't complete her sentence as she was swept off her feet. She found herself gradually adapting to being carried by Bennett.

She offered no resistance, allowing him to carry her into the villa. Bennett's physical prowess was undeniable.

Claudia never considered herself overweight. Though she was tall, weighing 10@ pounds at a height of 5.5 feet, she was on the thinner side.

Nonetheless, Bennett always Lifted her with an ease and stability that left her awestruck.

She had to admit that this man was incredibly strong. With this in mind, her gaze was drawn to the man's arms almost instinctively.

His biceps, hidden beneath the fabric of his shirt, pressed against her skin as he held her securely. The distinct shape of his muscular arm was visible through the sleeve.

While he appeared quite Lean when fully dressed, Claudia concluded from the strength of his arms that he definitely had abs.

She swallowed hard, feeling an unexpected warmth flood her face. Once he set her down on the sofa, Bennett shot her a look. Claudia, feeling somewhat guilty, muttered, "Thank you."

Bennett seemed oblivious to her inner turmoil. "What can I get you to drink?"

“Water.”

A thirst had taken hold of her.

Worried that she hadn't been clear enough, she added, "Warm water, please."

Bennett crossed over to the kitchen island and fetched her a glass of warm water.

It was then that Claudia noticed... this was a different villa-not that one she visited before with only one bedroom.

A sense of relief washed over her as she realized this.

She assumed there would at least be a guest room this time around.

Returning with the water, Bennett took a seat next to her. He noticed her drinking and examining her surroundings, deducing what she was thinking, and offered a smile.