Chapter 407

“Did you notice anything in particular?” he asked, his voice probing.

Alicia had noticed quite a bit, of course. Caden had placed the file on the table, his computer screen directly in front of him. The screen's reflection clearly showcased his well-defined abs—painfully obvious, dominating nearly two-thirds of the photograph. It was impossible to miss. Caden's actions left her momentarily stunned.

Pursuing her lips and raising an eyebrow, Alicia asked pointedly, “I’m more curious about why you’re shirtless in the office. Is this a perk for your female employees?”

Caden sat up straight, his demeanor composed and unyielding. “It became rather warm, so I decided to take it off,” he explained casually.

Alicia's skeptical expression spoke volumes. Caden smoothly redirected the conversation, leaning forward. “Do you find it appealing?”

Resting her chin on her hand, Alicia replied, “Compared to others, it’s certainly a sight for sore eyes, but having touched it so much, seeing it in a photograph feels rather underwhelming.”

Caden smiled, clearly amused. She’d managed to express both positive and negative sentiments at once. Leaning in, his voice lowered with intrigue. “How many months has it been since you last touched it? Do you miss it?”

Alicia decisively interrupted. “The food’s coming; just shut up.”

Caden’s smile was knowing and self-assured. He dedicated himself to his workouts, maintaining an impressive physique—each muscle perfectly defined, powerful and pleasing to the touch. Alicia often found herself overwhelmed by desire, her body pressing against his until they were consumed by the heat. Caden had remained abstinent for months, and any mention or thought of Alicia effortlessly ignited a fire within him.

He didn’t just want a simple dinner with Alicia. But after waiting this long, he wasn't about to ruin it by rushing things. He remained calm throughout the meal. Alicia was initially on edge, but as Caden finally grabbed his car keys, hinting at his departure, she relaxed.

As they stepped out of the restaurant, Caden took her hand, rubbing her palm gently. “It’s been a while since we last met. Want to walk me to my car?” he asked softly.

Alicia tried to pull away, but he held on a little tighter. She sighed. “Do I even get a say in this?”

Caden leaned in with a grin. “And what about a kiss? You can’t say no to that, right?”

Alicia smirked back. “Funny, I just learned how to castrate someone. Want to give it a try?”

He didn’t doubt her for a second. He knew her kicks could knock anyone flat. He held her hand firmly as they headed to the car. When Alicia realized he was actually about to leave, she felt a wave of relief.