Chapter: 162

Something wild and burning stirred between them.

By the time she regained some sense of clarity, the cool air brushed against her bare skin, and she realized just how far they had gone.

Caden moved with ease, Like someone who had done this countless times before.

Alicia was taken aback. "You- when did you-?"

Her voice came out so soft, it was almost a whisper, and she immediately bit her lip to stop herself from saying more.

Just then, her phone rang, breaking the tension that had been building between them.

Alicia reacted slowly, and by the time she realized what was happening, Caden had already picked up the phone and held it out to her.

“It's your man," he said, his laugh low and raspy.

Her cheeks burned with embarrassment. She tried to pull away, but his hand remained firmly on her, holding her in place.

As the call connected, the words Alicia had been about to say died in her throat.

Joshua's voice came through the phone. "Alicia, where did you go?"

Alicia inhaled sharply, trying to calm her breathing.

Just as she started to respond, Caden leaned in mischievously and pressed his lips against hers, silencing her.

His kiss was slow, teasing, but silent enough that Joshua wouldn't hear.

Alicia weakly attempted to push him away, her heart racing.

Joshua, impatient with the lack of response, spoke again. “Alicia?”

With a hint of playful mercy, Caden pulled back just enough for her to breathe, and in her haste, she let out a soft gasp.

The sound startled her, causing her to freeze.

Caden's lips curled into a wicked smile. And as if rewarding her slip, he leaned in and kissed her again, his hold on her unrelenting.

Alicia, furious, bit down on Caden's lip, hard enough to draw blood.

He didn't flinch. In fact, the pain only made the gleam in his eyes grow darker, more intense, like a predator caged but ready to break free.

Her breath hitched as she covered his mouth with her hand and grabbed her phone.

“Joshua,” she rasped, making her voice sound frail. "Can you come pick me up?"

Caden's hands roamed freely now, taking advantage of her distraction.

Alicia stifled a muffled groan.

Joshua's tone was sharp. “What are you doing?"

Alicia quickly added a sob to her voice. "I don't feel well, Joshua."

She made her voice sound as though she had been wronged, but Caden knew better. Every word she spoke was laced with genuine emotion, and he was the cause of it.

In that moment, his obsession with her only deepened. The urge to pull her close, to have her right there, nearly consumed him.

“What's wrong?" Joshua asked.