The morning sun cast a warm glow on her through the windshield, illuminating her to the tiniest pore.

Her ears blushed a vivid red against the pallor of her neck.

Observing Claudia's hand, Bennett's eyebrows arched. He brushed his lips with his fingers, a complex expression clouding his usually stoic indifferent eyes.

Had Claudia peeked, she would've seen an unmasked longing in his brooding gaze.

What a coward! He thought.

Clearing his throat, Bennett tore his gaze away and slowly inched the car forward.

A dozen minutes later, they broke free from the traffic jam, and Bennett navigated the vehicle smoothly towards the hospital.

As they pulled up at the hospital entrance, Claudia blinked open her eyes, a wave of relief washing over her.

Had they still been stuck in the traffic, her neck would've been unbearably stiff!

She would've reconsidered her sleeping position had she known the situation earlier!

Just as she was about to fully open her eyes, she was ambushed by that woody fragrance again. His finger was radiating warmth, setting her cheeks aflame.

A gentle squeeze at her earlobe by Bennett sent a ripple of shivers through her.

With a start, Claudia forced her eyes open, asking, "Have we reached the hospital?"

With a meaningful gaze, Bennett replied, "Were you sleeping?"

An unease crept over Claudia, a suspicion that Bennett might know of her feigned sleep.

Her eyes darted to his Adam's apple as she stuttered, "I... I did take @ small nap."

With that, she hastily unbuckled her seatbelt.

Bennett paused momentarily before stepping out of the car. He went around to her side and retrieved the wheelchair from the trunk.

Claudia was already out of the car by then. As he pushed the wheelchair towards her, she thanked him quickly.

Bennett's gaze was brief. “The pleasure's all mine."

A stunned silence followed.

For some reason, Claudia sensed a sarcasm in Bennett's words, as if he was taunting her.