Chapter 34
Alice closed her eyes, tears streaming down her face. "Forks," she whispered, "Am I really that stupid?"
"Yes, extremely stupid," Caden replied flatly.
Alice struggled to speak. "You must think I'm jealous of Lilliana, don't you?" She knew he probably assumed she coveted Lilliana's expensive diamond ring, but that wasn't it at all. What truly devastated her was the memory of Joshua's hands—damaged beyond recognition after he'd spent three days digging through the wreckage of the plane crash that killed his parents, risking a second explosion to recover their remains. She had never realized how convincingly one could pretend until Joshua's betrayal. After crying, the weight on her heart lightened slightly.
But now, her thoughts were cloudier than ever. She leaned against Caden's shoulder, her head resting on his neck. He assumed she was about to cry again, remaining still until he noticed her steady breathing. Was she asleep? Annoyed, he muttered, "Alice?" He called her name several times before she stirred, awakening as if from a deep sleep. His voice grew colder. "Let me go. I have to go." He'd done more than enough to help her; being used as a pillow was going too far.
Caden pulled away, but Alice responded by wrapping her arms around his neck. She opened her eyes, frowning at him. He stared at her face, noting its almost perfect features. His vision blurred; it felt like a dream.
"Why are you crying?" he asked softly.
"Have you lost your mind?" Caden retorted, his tone sharp. After all, she was the one crying.
Alice paused, gently stroking his face, wiping away his tears and then his nose. Caden remained still, letting her continue. He shook his head slightly, his expression unreadable. Alice stopped, studying his face closely—his eyebrows, nose, lips. He didn't understand what compelled her, but he followed his impulses.
When their lips met, Alice closed her eyes, surrendering to her feelings. She shivered as he parted her lips and deepened the kiss. Caden watched her intently, his head tilted. "Do you realize what you're doing?" Alice didn't answer, continuing to kiss him. Caden responded, taking control, the kiss growing wilder, almost aggressive. Alice's breath hitched; her mind a blur of confusion. The heat between them intensified, overwhelming her. They remained locked in the kiss until the lights suddenly flickered on. The power was back.
Caden pulled back, his hand still on the back of her head. As he expected, Alice's eyes were unfocused, her gaze lost, lips slightly parted. Her labored breathing made her look fragile, vulnerable.
He laughed and asked, "Alicia, do you know who I am?"
Alice didn't answer, simply clinging to his neck, leaning closer. "I want this," she whispered, closing her eyes and biting her lip. "Please give it to me."
"Well, well, well…" Caden muttered to himself. If he weren't becoming aroused, he might have thought he was drunk too.
Alice, realizing she wasn't moving, muttered, "I can pay you for this." The thought that he was a gigolo flashed through her mind again. The warmth of his body lulled her towards sleep. "If you make me cum, I can give you even more."
Caden hesitated. Taking advantage of a drunk woman wasn't something he wanted to do, but Alicia continued to move on top of him, seemingly without thinking. His frustration grew as her hands wandered, pushing him further. He grabbed her waist, pinning her to the couch.
"Are you sure this is what you want? Do you really want to make love to me?"
The next morning, a loud ringing woke Alice. She opened her eyes and answered the phone. Monica's voice was worried. "Alicia, are you okay?" Monica, a busy biological researcher, had missed Alice's competition, but seeing the news of Joshua's proposal, she'd called, angry and concerned.
Alice mumbled, "I'm fine," her drunkenness fading under the weight of a throbbing headache. Monica noticed the change in her voice. "Have you been crying? What does he see in Lilliana? It's like he's under a spell. Is Joshua crazy?" Alice laughed softly.
"No, they make a good couple. I really wish them the best." Monica remained unconvinced. "Then why do you sound so tense?"
Alice paused, her thoughts returning to the previous night. Her memory was hazy; she vaguely recalled Caden driving her home before she fell asleep. She’d dreamt of a remarkably attractive man. Feeling embarrassed, she quickly changed the subject. "Mr. Hopkins chose my song and gave me a generous reward. How about I treat you to dinner?" Though still worried, Monica agreed.
After the call, Alice went to the bathroom. She felt a slight pain in her legs, but ignored it until she saw her reflection—several hickeys on her neck. Alice froze, lowering her shirt collar. Her cheeks flushed. The marks on her neck were just the beginning; her chest was also covered in faint bite marks. Panic gripped her; last night hadn't been a dream. But who had it been? Could it have been Caden?
Her legs buckled; she fell to the ground, holding her head in disbelief. She’d assumed it was a fantasy, a kiss with a stranger in a dream. She couldn't believe how bold and daring she'd been. A deep sense of shame washed over her, bringing her to the verge of tears. Desperate for clarity, she ran to the living room and turned on the smart camera recording. The video played, clearly showing Caden kissing her while she undressed, even arching her back to make it easier for him. It was wild, out of control. Alicia lowered her eyes, processing what she saw.