“Could it be that you're perpetually distracted when you're conversing with me, Mrs. Dreskin?"

Claudia was left wordless.

Upon reflection, it seemed he was right!

Her cheeks flushed in acknowledgment of her own mental meandering.

She reached for her juice but remembered his prior comment and withdrew her hand.

“I'll swim another length," she declared.

No sooner had she pushed off than Bennett seized her arm. Utilizing the buoyancy of the water, he drew her effortlessly toward him.

They were suddenly close, inescapably so. Even through the water, Claudia could sense that his body temperature was notably higher than hers.

“If you're tired, don't push yourself," he advised, his grip relaxing. He looked down at her, choosing his words carefully.

"Mrs. Dreskin, perhaps you'd like to explore alternate forms of exercise?

Piqued, Claudia asked, “Such as?" The smile deepening in his dark eyes, Bennett moved his arm to encircle her waist beneath the water.

“Some studies suggest that a half-hour of French-kissing can burn as many calories as walking for two miles

At his words, Claudia felt her cheeks turn an even deeper shade of crimson.

Bennett's lips touched Claudia's before she could even react, Their noses brushed against each other as his lips securely sealed hers and his tongue expertly invaded her mouth.

If it were not for his arms around her waist, she would have probably sunk into the water already.

The intensity of their kiss drained her of all strength in an instant, and she instinctively sought support in the water but found none.

Claudia directed her flailing arms to wrap around his neck.

Then, his hold on her waist tightened, and soon, the two of them were clinging to each other like a lifeline.

They were both breathing heavily, and their gasps echoed loudly on the otherwise peaceful pool.

Claudia felt a pulse of heat travel from her feet all the way up to her head as the previously cool water warmed.

The kiss lasted for a long time, Bennett gave her lower lip a quick nip before pulling away.

Claudia felt lightheaded and fragile. She leaned on his shoulder, shivering and panting.

“How does that feel?"

She heard the sound of Bennett's hoarse voice at the same time that she felt his warm breath fanning her ear. Claudia felt like a croissant that had just been taken out of the oven, crisp and warm. She felt like even the lightest touch would break her.