Chapter: 11
The car came to a halt next to Alicia.
The driver stepped out, holding a large umbrella over her head, his voice polite. "Ms. Bennett, it's hard to find a cab at this hour. May I offer you a ride home?"
Alicia's eyes flicked up, recognizing the man as the Yates family's driver.
She hesitated for a moment before nodding, her voice soft but steady.
“Thank you. Sorry for the inconvenience."
However, as soon as she slipped into the backseat of the car, she locked eyes with its other passenger—Caden.
"We meet again so soon, huh?" His voice, smooth as velvet, carried a hint of mischief.
Alicia's face, pale from the cold, flushed crimson.
The humiliation of letting her nemesis see her in such a sorry state stung deeper than the biting cold rain.
She leaned against the car door, trying to put as much distance between them as possible.
Caden's eyes still lingered on her legs. "You've got great legs," he remarked casually. "Joshua seems to like them. And I'm sure plenty of other men would, too."
He tilted his head, fingers drumming leisurely on the armrest, the rhythm as infuriating as his words. “In fact, I'd bet quite a few would find them. irresistible."
Alicia's throat tightened, an icy shiver running down her spine.
It was pitch black out, and with the pouring rain, common sense dictated it wasn't safe for a woman to be out alone. However, the way Caden said it made it seem like what was merely a statistical possibility became an inevitable conclusion.
What a disgusting jerk!
She hesitated, but her options were limited. With a reluctant sigh, Alicia strapped on her seatbelt, pressing herself against the door as if it could somehow shield her from the man sitting next to her.
Her drenched dress stuck to her like a second layer of skin, the discomfort gnawing at her. She couldn't help but hunch her shoulders, shivering from the cold.
Without a word, Caden tossed his coat over her lap.
The weight of it surprised her, but she wasted no time wrapping it around herself, grateful for the warmth.
The coat carried Caden's unique musk-a blend of cologne and something raw, masculine.
It clung to the fabric, seeping into her senses and dragging her back to that fateful night...
The familiar voice.
The familiar scent.
Alicia's heart sank to the pit of her stomach as realization dawned on her. Could it really be him?
Oh, God.. It couldn't be!
The ridiculousness of the idea made her shiver again, but she couldn't shake her suspicion. She turned her head stiffly to study him, hoping to find some answer in his face.
Caden, oblivious to her turmoil, didn't even glance up from his phone.
"Stop staring. I'm not interested."
Jerk!
Alicia ignored the jab and cleared her throat. "So, Caden, when did you get back?"