Chapter 87

Alice knew this couldn't continue indefinitely. Caden's eyes burned with desire, confirming his instincts. After feeding her the last of her soup, clinging desperately to her remaining composure, she attempted to escape, but he swiftly pinned her against the chair. He pressed his chest to hers, kissing her possessively. He cupped her chin, his tongue soon invading her mouth. Alice hesitated.

Intimacy revealed a different Caden. Usually impeccably dressed and refined, with an aloof demeanor but never aggressive, lust transformed him into a voracious predator. He savored every part of her. Feeling his kiss descend, Alice opened her eyes to the blurry ceiling, his strong arms enveloping her. She squirmed, his hand sliding beneath her clothes, exploring her curves with careful eagerness. Alice gasped, clutching his arm. "Caden, you…" Everything dissolved into chaos.

He was infuriating. He shouldn't be doing this. He silenced her with a kiss, his voice rough. "You don't want this?" Alice almost melted under the intensity of his gaze. "You've been planning this from the beginning. So why bother asking me to cook?" He craved her, yet had ridiculed her condom purchase. His earlier superiority now felt ironic.

Caden replied, "I never wanted your body to be part of our arrangement. Asking you to cook is the reward. This is simply natural attraction." Alice was taken aback. She hadn't expected such a statement from the firm, ruthless businessman who disregarded feelings. Their constant competition had masked this. He muttered, "I didn't see it that way at first."

Had it been anyone else, she wouldn't have acquiesced. But it was Caden. Weighing the pros and cons, she admitted a physical attraction. Ultimately, wasn't sex about enjoyment?

Caden kept his promise, his demeanor noticeably restrained. He patiently awaited her consent. In broad daylight, without alcohol or drugs, she felt inhibited. As he skillfully unbuttoned her blouse, she hesitated. Suddenly remembering, she covered herself. "Last time, you said if this happened a third time…"

Caden looked up, his eyes slightly red. "If there's a third time, there will be many more, and it will be on my terms," he said. Her heart pounded. He asked, "Why me? Aren't there many beautiful women interested in you?" He swallowed hard, unable to reveal the truth – that her reaction was solely due to her. She'd exploit that knowledge. "Because we're more compatible," he reasoned.

Alice was speechless. Before she could respond, he pressed her face to his neck. His voice, more authoritative than inviting, demanded, "Alicia, yes or no?" His forceful words were almost irresistible. She pressed her lips together, unable to decide. The undeniable attraction warred with his previous words, casting doubt. This moment would determine their future terms. Was she truly letting him dictate them?

Caden felt her inner conflict. He anticipated this resistance; knowing her, a tug-of-war was inevitable. This challenge intrigued him. The thought of her tears, her pleas… he abruptly stopped, fearing loss of control. He ceased his teasing. But the moment felt right to proceed. He took a shaky breath. "When are you returning to the Yates mansion?"

"Before dinner, I suppose," she replied, her voice lacking warmth.

"Plenty of time, then," he said.

Alice was confused by his implication. Before she could decipher it, he raised a hand, his index and middle fingers on her lips. "Kiss them," he ordered. Alice's mind raced. "My fingers?" she whispered. "That's right."