"Let me kiss you, then," she whispered.

As his lips gently met hers, Claudia's eyes fluttered shut, her hold on him growing firmer.

Perhaps it was the beer's doing. But Claudia felt a rush, daringly sliding her hand from his waist to his back.

Beneath the smooth fabric of his pajamas, she felt the warmth emanating from Bennett.

She felt that he was unnaturally hot.

It almost felt like he was burning.

Caught in the moment, Claudia began to shift. Sensing her movements,

Bennett suddenly pulled away, murmuring, "Cece."

“Something wrong?" Claudia asked, looking at him, slightly bewildered.

Her lips, recently kissed, shimmered under the light, resembling cherries freshly kissed by morning dew, tempting him further.

Even more distracting were her glistening eyes, gazing at him in an innocent, pleading way, a sight more alluring than any deliberate attempt to entice.

Bennett was aware she wasn't entirely lucid, advising, "Sweetheart, you should rest."

His restraint was evident, his neck veins standing out like entwined roots.

As her gaze landed on his throat, Claudia felt an involuntary gulp.

Hesitatingly, she asked, "Bennett, do you... want it?"

Only after the words left her mouth did their implications dawn on

Claudia.

A flush spread across her face. And though she wished to pull away, she felt drawn to him. After a moment's hesitation, she nestled back into Bennett's embrace, murmuring, "Can I help you?"

Bennett held her hand firmly, his voice rough.

"Claudia, I don't have the restraint you might assume I possess."

He wished she'd refrain from tempting him further.

Claudia tilted her head, noticing his eyes were a bit red.

"Your eyes look so red."

As she voiced her observation, she reached out, attempting to caress his eyes.