Chapter 172

This was Caden's first visit. Their relationship wasn't public, so they rarely appeared together. The study was almost deserted, so Alicia felt comfortable leading him into the living room.

She took time to freshen up. Caden sat silently, lost in thought.

When she reappeared, her mood was dull, apathetic. She didn't rush to leave, instead joining him and drinking from his water glass.

Noticing her low spirits, Caden asked, "What's wrong? Did you lose a match?"

Alicia shook her head. "It's not about winning or losing. He cheated on me." The confession, unplanned, stemmed from a sense of injustice.

Caden remained calm. "What he did was wrong, but consider it a lesson. You haven't lost anything."

Alicia frowned. "You're not my teacher. Why are you lecturing me?"

"So what should I say?" Caden replied evenly. "Would you prefer comfort?"

Alice was silent. That would feel odd. Caden often offered advice, but this felt different.

She took another sip of water, then recalled an earlier incident. "Did you see him choking me?"

"Yes," Caden replied, his expression unreadable.

Her fear was palpable. "It felt like he had something on me. His grip was so strong. If no one had intervened, he could have seriously hurt me." Though she tried to sound nonchalant, fear lingered in her voice. He didn't even try to help! she thought, frustration simmering.

She felt the intensity of his gaze, the pressure it exerted. Unable to contain her frustration, she glared. "You wished I was dead, didn't you?"

Caden replied, "You're tough. I doubt you'd go down easily."

He'd been slow to intervene, wanting to see if she could escape herself. When it became clear she couldn't, he was about to act, but others arrived first.

Alicia pursed her lips, visibly upset. Hurt and disappointed, she stood to leave. Caden held out his hand, pulling her back.

"A chokehold isn't unbeatable. Let me show you how to escape."

Alicia was not in the mood. "I'll have my coach teach me another time."

"She can't teach you what I can." He pulled her to her feet. "Try to strangle me, and I'll prove it."

She glanced at him, then sighed, putting her arms around his neck.

Caden looked at her. "Is this gentle touch for instruction, or seduction?"

She frowned, tightening her grip slightly. He was tall and sturdy; the size difference was obvious. To effectively choke him, she looked like a sloth clinging to a tree.

Exhausted and in a bad mood, she impulsively wrapped her legs around his waist.

Caden was momentarily speechless. He grabbed her hips. "Is this your attacker-handling technique?"

Alicia bowed her head to his shoulder. "Caden, I don't want to learn. Not now."

He remained silent, neither urging nor criticizing, occasionally caressing her back. His touch was nimble, teasing a tingling sensation.

She squirmed. "You…"

Caden raised an eyebrow, his laugh light. "Does a simple touch make you laugh?"

She defended herself sharply. "Me? Certainly not."

He felt a stirring within him. He leaned in and kissed her.

Alicia surrendered to the kiss. They rarely held back; their attraction was undeniable, their youthful energy often igniting quickly. But she was too exhausted; she fell into it easily.

He meant to tease, but as their kisses deepened, he, too, lost himself. He said huskily, "Let's go home and try the new bed."

Her cheeks flushed. She bit her lip, hiding her face in his neck.

"I thought you wanted to stay here," she whispered.

Caden replied, "I don't always follow impulses."

"But yesterday in the car…" she quickly added.

Caden laughed softly. "Okay, sometimes I just can't resist."

Alice burst out laughing. Her spirits lifted.

Caden gently set her down. "Go to the car and wait. I need to use the bathroom."

"Okay."

In the adjacent men's locker room, the man who had attacked Alicia was removing her clothes when he heard the door open. He turned to find an unfamiliar face.

"Who are you? A new apprentice?" he asked.

Caden stood firm, emanating a formidable aura.