Chapter 167

Alice stared at him. “What if I told you that’s exactly what I want? What would you do?”

Caden’s stern expression softened. He joked, “If you’re not in a hurry, we can wait until we get home. But if you are, I can get you a room at a nearby hotel.”

Alice was speechless. Unable to contain herself, she silently cursed him. He only thinks about sex!

Caden, purposely misinterpreting her reaction, smirked. “You can’t wait, can you? Should I ask Hank to pull over?” He added with a suggestive tone, “I’ve never experienced that in a car.”

Alicia’s cheeks flushed, and she leaned over to cover her mouth. She was aware of his uninhibited nature in private, but his brazen boldness in front of Hank was shocking. He might be indifferent to his own reputation, but she certainly cared about his.

Taking advantage of the moment, Caden pulled her closer. She tried to break free.

“Don’t move,” he said, holding her effortlessly. She closed her eyes. “Let me rest for a while.”

He rested his chin on her head and exhaled slowly. “I’m a little sleepy.” His voice was deep and husky, betraying his exhaustion.

Alicia’s resolve melted, and she stopped struggling. She shifted to become a more comfortable support for him.

Caden laughed.

Confused, she buried her face in his chest, her eyelashes fluttering against his neck. “Why are you laughing?”

The sensation of his eyelashes tickling hers warmed her heart. She hugged him tighter. “I laugh at your nonsense. I’m just tired, not helpless. What did you expect? Did you want me to lie completely on top of you? Considering your size, are you sure you can handle it?”

Alice hesitated. “I just…” she began, then stopped. All she wanted was for him to be more comfortable. She hadn’t considered whether she could physically hold him. Feeling too shy to say so, she quickly changed the subject. “Go to sleep.”

With traffic at a standstill, it would be at least another hour before they reached home. Caden pulled her onto his lap, snuggled his face into her neck, and breathed deeply, savoring her scent. For a moment, he felt completely enchanted.

Despite his exhaustion, he was usually alert and rarely slept deeply. But now, it was as if he had taken a sedative. He fell asleep almost immediately, his breathing becoming steady and regular. Alice listened to his breathing and, without thinking, began to gently stroke his hair.

She didn’t know why she felt compelled to touch him. But when she realized what she was doing, she became nervous and quickly withdrew her hand. She consciously avoided touching him further or even looking at him, instead looking out the window.

Hank noticed that Caden had fallen asleep. It was the first time he had seen Caden so relaxed, asleep in the car with a woman cradled in his arms. He felt a mixture of relief and concern.

“Mr. Ward has been away on business for three days straight,” Hank said quietly. “He’s only managed to get two or three hours of sleep each day, and even then, he was easily disturbed by any noise.”

Alice was stunned. In a low voice, she asked, “Was he really that worried?”

“The foundation here is not as solid as it is abroad,” Hank continued, “and it’s not just the workload. There are other problems weighing him down as well.”

He left it vague, and Alice realized it was best not to inquire further.

They finally reached the apartment’s garage. Hank quietly got out of the car without disturbing Caden. As sleep eluded her, Alice opened her laptop to address a persistent product issue. After analyzing several practical cases, she formulated a new strategy. Once the task was completed, she sent it.

The buzzing of his phone woke Caden. Wide-eyed, he stared silently at the woman in his arms.

Feeling responsible, Alice asked quietly, “Did I wake you?” Her voice was soft.

Caden always found that tone interesting. He turned his attention back to the laptop screen. All the department heads had responded affirmatively: “Of course, Mr. Ward.”

She gave him a sharp look and smiled. “Not even Hank would dare touch my things without permission. You are very bold.”

Alice quickly clarified, “I didn’t look any further, I promise. I just wanted to help out a little. You recovered my mother’s painting for me, and this is the only way I can think of to repay you…”

Caden’s eyes sparkled playfully. “So how should I credit this plan when I present it tomorrow?”

Alice blinked, surprised.

Caden gently grabbed the back of her neck, bringing his face closer to hers. “Should I present this as my partner’s work, or my girlfriend’s?”

Alice’s eyelashes fluttered. "You're not fully awake yet, are you?" Girlfriend? What girlfriend?

His heart thundered. I was very nervous.

Sensing her urge to escape, Caden’s playfulness intensified. I have enjoyed the moment. “What part?” he joked.

He slid his hand down, opening her coat and firmly grasping her slender waist. I have leaned closer to her. "Me, hear here?"

Alice’s face immediately flushed. She shuddered slightly. Her body reacted instinctively to his presence.

Terrified by the desire in his eyes, Alice suggested, “If you’re not going back to sleep, let’s go upstairs. Y—”

Her words were cut off by Caden’s kiss. His intense kiss overwhelmed her senses. Quickly, he found himself completely vulnerable. Yet, despite the rush of emotions, Alice remained aware of her surroundings. She gently pushed him away, warning him, “Someone might see us.”

“There are no vacant spots near us. No one will come here,” Caden reassured her. “Just eleven, okay?”