The proximity between them sent her heart racing, and a blush crept upon her ears.

Was their closeness appropriate?

She stole a glance at Bennett, who seemed engrossed in the tenth page, seemingly oblivious to their closeness.

Unable to face him, Claudia averted her gaze and shut her eyes. She struggled to curb her emotions and regain her composure.

“What's wrong with this page?” Bennett looked up at Claudia after he finished reading.

Feeling embarrassed, she looked at his calm face. She couldn't help feeling that maybe something was wrong with her.

She pointed at the paper and said, "I have come to a conclusion after reading that column."

“And what's that?"

“You hate women.”

Bennett's eyes widened a little. His gaze shifted from her face to her index finger which was on the piece of paper. "I don't hate women."

Humph! How was she supposed to believe that when there were indications?

Biting back the words she had to say, Claudia uttered instead, "But, you act so wary of them. It's as if you don't want any woman to get close to you."

“Oh, if you think so, then you really need to brush up on your skills to interpret human actions correctly.”

Bennett leaned back. The loose bathrobe he had on slightly gave way, revealing a large part of his abdominal muscles

Whoa! Eight-pack abs...

Heat filled Claudia's cheeks. She quickly Looked away. When she had the guts to look up again, she met his intense eyes.

Her cheeks turned red as if someone had just pulled at them.

“Are you being for real? I don't get you."

"None of these apply to you, Claudia. Besides..."

As he spoke, he tightened his bathrobe.

Claudia blushed even more at the sight of this. "What?"

She tried to continue the conversation so she could stop leering.

She was not a Lascivious woman!

With his eyebrows raised, Bennett said lazily, “Are you not a woman? I don't hate you nor am I wary of you. So, your conclusion is wrong."