Chapter 86

Alice reached her breaking point. “Just stop it, will you?”

Caden stretched out his leg, hooked it around the chair leg, and pulled her closer. Alice jumped, instinctively shielding the soup. Not a drop spilled. But when she looked up, Caden's face loomed before hers. That moment seemed more terrifying to him than the possibility of spilled soup. He maintained a neutral expression, awaiting his next move.

Alice felt paralyzed. She couldn't comprehend it. At a distance, she often felt enraged enough to strangle him. Yet, as they drew closer, she found herself captivated by his charm, overcome by a wave of dizziness. His body reacted involuntarily, particularly his face. Her cheeks flushed; a radiating heat betrayed her nervousness to Caden. It was mortifying.

She tried to push her chair back, but Caden extended his arm, pinning her against her chair like a bird in a cage. Completely immobilized, she realized she was trapped. He leaned in, his warm breath brushing her ear. “Are you thinking about running away? Are you scared?” His voice was chilling, yet the warmth of his body was undeniable. The contrast between his intimate posture and stern tone was striking. Alice didn't know where to look.

“Why are you so angry all of a sudden?” Caden paused. After a moment, he replied calmly, “Because you were too slow. I got impatient.”

Alice stole a glance at him. "You should be thankful I haven't hit you yet. Given our relationship, feeding you mouth to mouth seems like a punishment to me," he said, chuckling. “What relationship?”

Alice didn't know how to respond. Neither of them could stand the other, yet their sexual chemistry was undeniable. Joshua stood as a giant obstacle, complicating their tangled history. They weren't friends, nor could they casually engage in a friends-with-benefits arrangement without awkwardness. The situation was too complex.

Caden, seeing no point in arguing, leaned back slightly and ordered, “Feed me.”

Alice, realizing escape was impossible, gathered her resolve. She took a sip of the pear soup and, as he leaned closer, her lips trembled as the soup slid down her throat.

He finally gave up. “I can’t do this.” Caden showed no concern. “Why are you so nervous? You weren’t this shy when you were on top of me before.”

Alice's eyes widened. "That's completely different! I was drunk."

“You're not drunk now. Your self-control should be intact. That means you shouldn’t feel nervous.” She remained silent.

“Is it because of a lack of confidence?” He leaned closer. “Are you worried that you’ll lose control and repeat your previous actions?”

"Don't get ahead of yourself!" she argued.

Caden scoffed. “So what's holding you back?”

After a brief internal struggle, Alice asked, “If I feed you, will you give me what I want?”

"Yes," he replied simply.

Alice took a deep breath. "Close your eyes," he ordered. His gaze lingered on her lips. Even this close, he saw no imperfection. He felt undeniable attraction.

"Shouldn't you be closing your eyes? Then you can pretend I'm Joshua."

Alice felt a surge of frustration. “Do you want the soup or not?”

Caden closed his eyes. Alice calmed, took a sip of soup, and leaned closer. Feeding him was far more difficult than kissing him. Fortunately, Caden was accommodating. When their lips met, he opened his mouth, making it easier.

She fed him too much soup on her first attempt, revealing her inexperience. Soup spilled. Caden used his tongue to scoop it up. Alicia instinctively put it in her mouth; their tongues brushed. The pear soup's sweetness was delicious. She expected the heat in her mouth to be unpleasant, but it was surprisingly intoxicating. She swallowed. When their tongues parted, Alice instinctively licked the juice from her lips and wiped some from his chin.

Caden's body tensed. Alice froze. “I didn't mean to…” she stammered. “I just didn't want to waste it.”

Caden looked at her intently. He felt his desire overwhelming him. "You haven't quite perfected the game of playing hard to get, but you've definitely become more adept at the art of seduction."

Alice's cheeks burned. “No, I…” She wasn't trying to seduce him.

Caden gritted his teeth, fighting his desire. “Keep going.”