She did not look or sound intimidating at all, though. Her slightly widened eyes and gentle voice did nothing but heighten Bennett's desire for her.

An invisible hand squeezed his heart as he smiled and answered, “Sure.”

Her arm was starting to get tired from keeping the distance between them, so she took a step back. Sighing, she massaged the sore muscle in her left arm.

Staring at her red Lips, Bennett questioned, “If I can't kiss you here in public, can I do it at home?"

His shamelessness caught Claudia off guard. She glared at him and answered, "No, you can't do it at home either

"I guess I'll just kiss you here, then."

Claudia gaped at Bennett.

When he closed the distance between them again, she quickly turned her head away to avoid his lips and exclaimed, “Alright, alright! You can kiss me once we're home.”

Grinning, Bennett grabbed her hand and pulled her close for a hug.

“Let's go home then.”

Claudia did not respond because she did not know what to say.

Despite what he had just said, Bennett did not move from his spot. He just continued hugging her.

That night, the moon was exceptionally round, and its light reflected beautifully off the water.

Claudia's arms went around his waist when she caught a whiff of his familiar woodsy scent.

They could not kiss there again, but they could hug.

Bennett noticed the action, and with a small smile on his face, he inquired, “What are you doing, Mrs. Dreskin?"

Claudia, a twinge of red painting her cheeks, looked up at him. "Can't you see?" Pouting, she whispered, "I'm hugging you."

After saying that, she pressed her head on his chest as if their closeness was still not enough for her.

A few seconds later, Claudia found herself in another embarrassing situation.

A strand of her hair was caught in the buttons of Bennett's shirt. Bennett lowered his head and started untangling her hair from his buttons, gently holding its end so that he would not hurt her scalp.

It was at this time that two women passed by and glanced at them.

Claudia stiffened. She felt so embarrassed that she just wanted to get out of there.

On the other hand, Bennett's grin widened upon noticing her completely flushed cheeks.

Claudia instinctively turned her head away so that the two women could not see her.