Chapter 490:

It wasn't until she felt him between her legs that Alicia snapped back to reality. "What are you doing?" she cried. It was late, and her dress had slipped from her shoulders, thanks to Caden's ministrations.

"What are you thinking about?" he grumbled. "I'm right here, and you're not even paying attention to me." Alicia shook her head, feeling her worries were a bit silly. "Caden, did Dorian ever do you a favor in the past?"

"Are you really in the mood to discuss elders in this state?" he teased.

Alicia pinched her cheek. "I'm serious!"

Caden nuzzled the crook of her neck, inhaling deeply. "Please don't ask anything else. Just scream my name later, and we're good."

Alicia's face flushed. "I won't scream."

Caden chuckled, pulling back slightly to look at her with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "You talk tough now, but we both know you'll end up screaming and begging in no time." He swooped in for a kiss. "I have my favorites among your phrases, you know. Want to guess what they are?"

Alicia paused, thinking. He had made her say many things in bed, and she could hardly remember which ones he liked best. "Caden," he suddenly said, mimicking her tone, "I think I'm going to die."

Alicia let out a yell of embarrassment, covering his mouth with both hands.

Much later, as she dozed off, Caden left the room to take a call. He'd left the bedroom door slightly ajar, and through her half-sleep, Alicia noticed he had turned on the light in the study. She saw him sit behind his desk, a grave expression on his face. Alicia instantly sobered. Slipping on one of his shirts, she dragged her weary body to join him.

"What's wrong?"

Caden pulled her onto his lap. "Just some trouble with the business."

"Anything I can help with?" Alicia asked, smoothing the crease between his brows.

"It's just a minor issue," Caden replied. "Nothing to worry about."

Before long, Alicia was dozing off again. Caden pulled her tighter against his chest, not letting go even as he dove into work. Alicia took a short nap, and when she woke, she was met with Caden's troubled face.

"Still not done?" she asked, her concern growing.

Caden glanced down at her. "Go back to bed."

Seeing him like this, Alicia found herself wondering about his early days, before his success. If he still worked this hard now, how had he managed in his early twenties, before he made a name for himself? A thought occurred to her.

"Caden, you don't smoke, gamble, or drink heavily. What do you do when you're stressed?"

Caden gently stroked her thigh. "I've never touched a cigarette in my life, but right now, I could really use a couple," he said, his voice rough with exhaustion.

"I'll go buy some for you," Alicia offered.