He regarded her with a knowing smile but remained silent. Extending the glass toward her, he gently urged, "Take a sip.”

Complying, Claudia sat up, accepted the glass, and inadvertently brushed his fingers with her own. The soft contact sent a delightful shiver up her spine.

After drinking more than half the glass, she placed it aside, nestled back under the covers and drew the quilt over herself.

Bennett's smile softened as he lowered the thin coverlet from her head.

Her hands gripped the edges of the quilt, revealing only her beautiful eyes. She Looked at him and said, “I'm going to sleep."