“If I relinquish you, you may revert to your elusive ways."

Instead of complying, he secured her waist and effortlessly lifted her, positioning them face to face.

The unmistakable scent of polished wood permeated the air. Claudia's visage blushed like a simmering shrimp, yet she persisted in her explanation, "Pray tell, when did I adopt such an elusive demeanor?”

Bennett regarded her with an enigmatic smile but offered no verbal response.

Claudia, unable to withstand his penetrating gaze, cried out, “Very well, very well, I will move to the master bedroom forthwith! I shall vacate the guest chamber immediately!"

Receiving his desired affirmation, Bennett finally released her hand and remarked, “You need not relocate your entire belongings. Simply transfer your daily necessities first."

In their expansive villa, only the two of them resided.

"Then release me and I shall prepare my essentials!"

In truth, she possessed little to pack. Bennett had specified that only her daily necessities were to be relocated.

What were her daily necessities?

Were they not primarily skincare regimens and cosmetics?

As for clothing, she had observed that the master bedroom housed a wardrobe significantly more expansive than her own

The act of packing was but a pretext; her true aim was to extricate herself from his embrace and regain her composure.

However, the man remained unyielding. He lowered his head, gently touching foreheads with her. His eyes flickered, and his luxuriant lashes fluttered like a fan as he teased, “Shall you not grant me a kiss first, Mrs. Dreskin?"

Ah!

This man had surely crossed a Line! She seethed inwardly.

An hour had passed and, as Claudia gazed at her garments swaying gracefully in the opulent confines of the master bedroom's cloakroom, a complex and ineffable emotion washed over her.

Wasn't it too soon?

In a moment of distraction, Bennett had taken it upon himself to arrange her attire. Approaching her, he leaned in unexpectedly, his lips softly grazing hers.

As Claudia felt the unexpected sting, her reflexes compelled her to mask her mouth with her hand, her eyes fixated on him with a mixture of astonishment and curiosity.

“Why on earth did you just bite me?" she inquired.

Was Bennett a puppy?

What could have prompted this sudden inclination to bite her?

His reply came forthrightly, "I had no alternative, Mrs. Dreskin. I attempted to reach you repeatedly but your silence forced my hand.“