Chapter 149

She leaned forward instinctively, her lips glistening softly in the dim light, a subtle sheen that made them even more alluring. To Caden, they were far more tempting than the food before him. His gaze lingered. Alice noticed; his expression hardened, though he tried to mask it. He silently set his half-eaten chicken wing on his plate.

Caden blinked, momentarily speechless. He could do this, show more care, especially since she was still recovering from their earlier intimacy. “I’m not interested in your chicken wing,” he said, his voice low. “I’m interested in your lips.”

Alice was speechless. His insinuation wasn't lost on her. She fought the urge to roll her eyes, silently muttering to herself. Hadn't they kissed enough already? Why was he still so obsessed with her?

With a quick, deliberate movement, he snatched the chicken wing she’d just offered. Caden raised his eyebrows, again surprised by her unapologetic behavior. But instead of teasing her further, he steered the conversation. “I’m taking you to a banquet at the end of this month. Start preparing now.”

Alice was curious. “What’s the reason?”

“To make you feel better.”

His eyes lit up. “And how do you plan to do that? When is the banquet?”

Caden opened his mouth, then reconsidered, withdrawing his words as quickly as they’d come. “I’ll let you know when the time comes. Just so you know, it will be before the end of the month.”

Alice’s lips curved down in disappointment. “That’s still a long way off!”

He shrugged, a mocking glint in his eyes. “If you can’t wait, count the days thinking of me.”

Her heart skipped a beat at his audacity. “You’re a shameless flirt, you know that?” He paused, smiling. “When I go with you, will I be your date?”

“You overthink things.”

“Fine,” she murmured, her shoulders slumping. “I have no desire to make our relationship public.”

A subtle smile played on Caden’s lips as they both returned to their food, finishing in comfortable silence. Alicia looked at Caden’s spotless plate and wiped the corner of her lips. “So, do you like the food here?” Her voice was casual, but she couldn’t help noticing how much he’d eaten. He seemed to have quite the appetite.

Caden’s expression remained indifferent. “Sure.” It wasn’t that he’d fallen in love with the food; it was simply his first time ordering there. Yet, he’d finished it without realizing it.

The moment hung between them, and Alice knew a kiss was inevitable. There was no point in resisting, so she took the initiative, rising onto her tiptoes. As always, when she made the first move, Caden scrutinized her, as if gauging her intentions. When he didn’t act, Alicia closed the gap, gently pressing her lips against his, leaning her body against his.

She was determined to set the pace this time, and to her surprise, her technique had improved. It didn’t take long for her to notice his response; his pulse quickened under her fingers. But soon the tension was too much, and she pushed him back, catching her breath. “Is that enough?”

Caden wasn’t finished. Wrapping his arm firmly around her waist, he pulled her close. His voice was low, a slight purr of barely concealed desire. “The dumbest but most effective way to improve your kissing is to trace letters with your tongue in someone’s mouth.”

Alice had heard of this method but always found it too embarrassing to try. She licked her lips nervously, choosing silence.

Caden smiled at her hesitation, leaning in until his breath brushed her ear. “Want me to show you?” he whispered, amused.

She squirmed slightly under his intense gaze. “What is there to learn?”

She looked up into his dark, intense eyes. “You could apologize properly.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Do you really need an apology? Wasn’t what I said before enough?”

Alicia knew his indirect efforts to make her feel better were a kind of apology, but her pride demanded more, a special concession just for her.

“Yes,” he murmured, his voice softer, almost vulnerable. “I need it.”

Her uncertainty only added to the allure, and Caden’s eyes darkened with something deeper. “Those words,” he said, his voice now edged with warmth, “are best saved for the bedroom.”

Alicia’s cheeks flushed instantly, but before she could react, Caden pulled her into his arms, capturing her lips in a kiss that was anything but gentle. It was intoxicating, making her head spin. She didn't want it to stop. She wanted more. Her mind went blank as her body melted against his, his touch awakening a burning desire within her.

But Caden wasn’t satisfied yet. His fingers slid lower, brushing her waist until he heard the sound he was looking for. Alicia continued to evade him. Without realizing it, her body brushed against his, fueling the tension and desire between them.

He clenched his jaw, holding back as much as he could, but when the need overwhelmed him, he scooped her up without a second thought, carrying her into the living room.

Only then did Alice come to her senses, her eyes wide with horror. “No,” she gasped, her voice breaking. “We’ve already done it today.”

Caden stopped dead in his tracks. He knew he could persuade her, but her rules were set in stone, and he had to abide by them, no matter how tempting it was to break them. Patience, he reminded himself. The best prey is always worth the wait.

With a frustrated sigh, he gave her hip a hard squeeze before setting her down. Her legs gave way. She wanted to slip away, to escape the attraction, but Caden wasn’t ready to let her go. His muscles tensed, and he moved toward her, longing for another kiss. Alicia quickly turned her head away, denying him.

“When you make me feel better,” she began, a playful glint in her eyes, “then you can kiss me.”

His eyes narrowed, a smile playing at the corner of his lips. “Do you really think I can wait that long?”

“If I can do it, then you can too,” she challenged, her voice firm despite the heat between them.

Their bodies pressed together, the air thick with desire. Alicia’s throat was dry, her pulse racing, but she stood her ground. He had it in his hands, and they both knew it. Caden couldn’t resist, not when she played like this. His chest tightened with an unfamiliar sensation.

With a slow exhale, he released her, cooling himself. “Tomorrow will be a new day,” he warned. “Then you won’t have a choice.”

Alice, however, stood firm. “I always have a choice. My lips, my rules. If I don’t want to, I won’t kiss you.”

Caden’s gaze fell on her swollen lips, and a low chuckle escaped him. It was impossible to resist her.

Later that night, Alicia made plans to stay with Monica, and Caden casually offered to take her. But Alice shook her head. “Monica knows your car. If you take me back so late, it will be suspicious.”

Caden paused, a strange feeling washing over him. For a brief moment, he almost felt like an adulterer. Just as Alicia was about to suggest a cab, Caden shrugged. “We’ll take another car. Pick one from the garage.”