With that, he reached up, fingers brushing the top button of his shirt, his dark eyes glinting with resolve.

Claudia had taken extra care with her appearance that day, and Bennett was struggling to maintain his composure.

He was fighting the urge to see her naked, resisting the pull that was on the brink of consuming him. With the car slowly starting, Claudia let out a sigh of relief.

This was her first official encounter with Bennett's parents. Despite the fact that they didn't marry for love, his family remained in the dark. The more she dwelled on the dinner, the more her nerves frayed.

The vehicle was steeped in silence. The lingering scent of wood reminded her that Bennett was present.