Claudia felt as though she might be devoured by him. She let out a soft whimper but there was no room for retreat in this passionate exchange. Bennett lowered both of them onto the bed.

Overwhelmed by the intensity of the kiss, Claudia only regained her senses as she was laid on the bed and inquired, “Wait! Can we perhaps postpone the rest?”

Time raced by, leaving Claudia struggling to catch up with her own emotions.

Bennett, his lips still tinged with their shared ardor, gently nibbled on her lower lip and inquired, "What do you mean by ‘the rest'?"

Gazing into his eyes, Claudia blinked, her voice timid as she replied, “Well, it's just..."

Expressing her thoughts felt awkward and her face and neck flamed with a rosy hue.

Bennett shifted their positions, cradling her above him, and directed his gaze toward the ceiling. In a soft tone, he posed the question, "Mrs. Dreskin, when would you like us to proceed?"

Are they really engaging in a conversation about the timing of their intimate encounter?

Claudia, feeling as if her entire being was aflame, yearned to escape the uncomfortable situation. However, Bennett's firm hold kept her in place, nestled against him.

“Don't move," his commanding voice resonated, and in her hesitance, Claudia inadvertently brushed against something she shouldn't have. She hadn't intended to, but would he believe her?

No longer daring to shift, Claudia Lay still atop his chest.

The symphony of Bennett's heartbeat, accompanied by her own quickened breath, filled her ears.

Gradually, she found her serenity and grasped the reality of the situation.

Claudia felt light-headed and euphoric, as though she were treading on a cloud suspended in mid-air.

It all seemed so surreal.

Could Bennett have deceived her?

Was he truly a man of ill intent?

What are you pondering, Claudia? If he were truly a scoundrel, why would he choose to deceive you? She thought this to herself.

Her thoughts wandered into various speculations and conjectures for a while, interrupted by an untimely sound emanating from her stomach.

The rumbling of her hungry belly shattered the romantic ambiance, and Claudia's embarrassment was so acute that her toes involuntarily curled.

Bennett sat up, still holding her in his embrace and inquired, “Are you hungry?"

Claudia blushed and nodded.

During her dinner with Aurora earlier, she had been preoccupied with thoughts of him and Kayla sharing a meal together.

Those thoughts had Left her too vexed to enjoy any food.