Dennis looked at her stubborn face, and his heart softened. He reached out and gently wiped the sweat from her forehead, speaking softly, "If you're tired, just let me know."
Claire looked at him, feeling an inexplicable warmth in her heart.
She nodded and continued walking forward.
Over an hour later, they finally reached the top of the mountain.
The scenery was beautiful, and the old church had a sense of historical weight.
Dennis took out a bottle of water, opened it, and handed it to Claire.
Claire, though puzzled, accepted the water.
They entered the main hall, and Claire respectfully picked up a candle. Dennis, though skeptical, also bowed before the statue of Christ.
Claire closed her eyes, clasped her hands together, and sincerely prayed, "Lord, please bless Dennis and me with peace and success in everything we do."
When she opened her eyes, she found Dennis staring at her with a tender look in his eyes.
Claire avoided his gaze and asked, "Why are you staring at me?" Dennis smiled but said nothing.
Suddenly, it started to rain.
Caught off guard, they had no choice but to take shelter in the church.
The rain poured down harder, showing no signs of stopping.
Claire initially complained about the rain but soon began to appreciate the view.
She reached out her hand to catch the falling raindrops, feeling their coolness.
Night fell quickly, and the rain still didn't let up.
Claire checked the time and suggested, "Let's head down the mountain in the rain."
Dennis agreed.
Hand in hand, they descended the steps. Though soaked to the skin, they both felt the warmth and subtle tension between them.
At the bottom, Claire noticed the staff had left, and the place was deserted.
She looked at Dennis, who was drenched but had a gentle expression, and said apologetically, "I'm sorry for dragging you into this." Dennis smiled at her, "It's okay, I'm here."
The atmosphere was charged with unspoken feelings, and Claire snapped back to reality.
She awkwardly tidied her hair and clothes and followed Dennis into the car. Dennis turned on the heater, and a wave of warmth dispelled the cold and dampness.
They sat in silence, but the air between them was filled with a subtle, intimate tension.
After a while, the car arrived at a hotel. They walked in, and the receptionist informed them there was only one room left. Dennis glanced at Claire.
Claire thought for a moment and nodded.
Dennis smiled faintly and quickly checked them in.
Holding the room key, they entered the room. Claire looked around and found only one bathrobe in the closet.
She smiled wryly and shook her head. The wet clothes clung uncomfortably to her body, so she went into the bathroom, took a shower, and changed into the bathrobe.
Claire stood in front of the mirror, blow-drying her hair, silently hoping Dennis had left the room. But when she stepped out, Dennis was sitting on the couch.
Dennis had taken off his shirt, revealing his well-defined chest. He stood there like a flawless sculpture.
His presence exuded an indescribable charm, making it hard to look away.
The lighting accentuated his features, making his face appear even more striking.
His intense gaze was fixed on Claire, who had just finished her shower.
Claire's cheeks flushed slightly, and she instinctively lowered her head, avoiding Dennis's eyes.
Dennis, with a playful smile, walked into the bathroom, and the sound of running water filled the room again.
After a while, Dennis came out, wrapped in a towel, his hair still dripping, looking both sexy and a bit disheveled.
Ignoring her, Dennis sat back on the couch.
Claire turned her head away, too embarrassed to look at him, but she could feel her heart racing and her cheeks burning.
Just then, there was a knock on the door. Dennis got up to answer it, and it was a bodyguard delivering clean clothes.
As he changed in front of Claire, he asked, "Claire, have you ever had a boyfriend?"
Claire was momentarily stunned, then laughed lightly, "Just once, and we only held hands." Her voice carried a hint of shyness, and her eyes flickered.
Dennis raised an eyebrow, seemingly unsatisfied with her answer.
He slowly approached Claire, his voice deeper, "Really?"
Feeling Dennis's closeness, Claire's heart raced.
She gently pushed him away, pretending to be angry, "What about you? How many girlfriends have you had?"
Dennis chuckled softly and shook his head, "I've never had a girlfriend."
"What?" Claire's eyes widened in surprise, "What about Ivy?"
Dennis's gaze suddenly intensified. He stared into Claire's eyes and said, "She's different from you."
"How so?" Claire asked instinctively.
The next second, Dennis's kiss took her by surprise, her face turning red.
His kiss was passionate and lingering, as if he wanted to pull her entirely into his world.
Just then, the doorbell rang.
Standing at the door, Ivy saw Claire in a bathrobe and Dennis holding her tightly, a flash of jealousy and anger in her eyes.
Dennis's face darkened, "Leave."
He shot Ivy a cold glance and spoke icily.
Ivy, unwilling but helpless, left reluctantly.
On the way back late at night, Claire sat silently in the passenger seat.
Ivy clung to Dennis, and Claire unconsciously clenched her hands, feeling empty inside.
Suddenly, a sharp brake made Ivy fall into Dennis's arms, whining, "Dennis, that scared me."
Claire, not wearing a seatbelt, felt dizzy and touched her forehead, realizing she had a fever.
"Stop the car," Claire said weakly.
The bodyguard pulled over. Claire got out and started vomiting by the roadside.
Dennis quickly got out, seeing Claire's flushed face under the streetlight, his handsome face full of worry, "Claire, what's wrong?" Claire leaned against a tree, shaking her head, "I'm fine, just a bit nauseous." Her voice trembled, weak.
Dennis frowned, feeling her forehead, "Idiot, you have a fever and didn't say anything?"
He was about to pick her up, and Claire tried to protest but found herself lifted off the ground, instinctively wrapping her arms around Dennis's neck.
Dennis's body heat and faint scent filled Claire's senses, making her feel their position was intimate. "Get in the car, we're going to the hospital."
Dennis placed Claire in the back seat and instructed the bodyguard to drive to the hospital.
Ivy, forced to sit in the front, watched Claire with red, jealous eyes.
Late at night, in the emergency room, Claire lay on the bed, holding Dennis's hand in her feverish state.
Ivy watched, her eyes filled with jealousy and resentment.
Dennis looked down at Claire's fever-flushed face, his gaze soft.