“Darling, if you persist in looking at me this way, it won't end as lightly as a simple kiss."

His deep, affectionate tone dripped with restrained desire.

Claudia's heart quivered and the breath she had struggled to steady quickened and faltered once more.

What did Bennett intend?

Why had he suddenly kissed her?

Pondering these questions, she inquired, “Why did you kiss me?" Claudia reached up and gently removed his hand from her eyes, staring at him with an earnest confusion.

Bennett felt his patience teetering on the brink. He swallowed hard, his alluring Adam's apple rising and falling with the effort. Observing this, Claudia felt her heart racing ever faster.

“Why did you deceive me?”

Rather than addressing her query, he posed the same unanswered question from before.

The two locked eyes, engaged in an unspoken duel.

After a while, Claudia's resolve crumbled. She acknowledged that she was not a skilled pursuer, better suited to the role of prey.

“Fine. I fabricated untruths, driven by my unfortunate preferences. You, on the other hand, bestowed a kiss upon me due to your questionable taste."

With a bowed head, she uttered these words, struggling to contain the bitterness simmering within her.

However, tonight, it was palpable that Bennett had no intention of allowing her to navigate through this quagmire unscathed.

He gently lifted her chin and inquired, “You were envious of her, weren't you?"

Caught in the spotlight, Claudia resembled a deceiver whose falsehood had been laid bare. She was discomposed, disoriented and a touch vexed by her own mortification.

“No. Please don't utter such nonsense," she mustered a smile, attempting to salvage a semblance of her dignity.

Yet, her efforts were futile.

Claudia perceived herself as defeated and even felt somewhat aggrieved in this moment.

Tears welled up in her eyes, poised to spill at any moment.

Observing her nearing tears, Bennett sighed and embraced his fate.

“Is it so arduous to confess that you harbor affection for me?"

Upon concluding his words, tears traced the cheeks of the woman before him.

“I apologize for causing you any inconvenience,” Claudia said, lowering her head and wiping her tears, her embarrassment palpable.