Chapter: 17
His fingers moved gracefully, revealing a ring that gleamed under the soft office light.
Alicia's expression shifted sharply as she lunged to grab the ring.
But Caden seemed to have anticipated this, smoothly lifting his arm out of reach.
Alicia, caught completely off-guard, stumbled forward, crashing into his chest.
The sudden impact left her momentarily breathless, his familiar scent filling her nostrils.
Caden's voice, smooth and teasing, rumbled low. "So desperate to hold me, huh?"
Heat crept up Alicia's neck, her ears burning in embarrassment. She instinctively tried to pull away, but Caden's arm dropped, keeping her locked in place. "What's this? Don't want the ring anymore?" His voice was almost mocking, the underlying trap clear.
Alicia's mind raced. It was obviously a trap.
Without the ring, Joshua would be a constant thorn in her side. But leaving it with Caden? This shrewd man's schemes would be infinitely worse.
Caught between a rock and a hard place, she took a moment to carefully weigh her options. Then, determined, she fixed her gaze on Caden and asked icily, “What do I need to do to get the ring?"
Caden's eyes glimmered with amusement, his gaze lingering on her flushed ears. A wicked smile curled his lips. "Take a seat first."
He patted his thigh suggestively, making her stomach churn.
Alicia glared at him, disgust written all over her face. “Ew, don't be gross."
"Ah, but it seems you're not serious about negotiating, dear sister- in-law," Caden drawled, clearly reveling in her discomfort.
Grinding her teeth, Alicia reluctantly inched closer.
Just before she sat down, she asked in a strained voice, “If I sit, will you hand over the ring?"
"Sit first."
But Alicia, refusing to be at his mercy, shook her head firmly. “Not until you promise me."
Caden twirled the ring between his fingers, raising it toward the open window.
Her resolve crumbled in the blink of an eye and she heavily plopped herself down on his lap.
The warmth of his body seeped through the thin fabric of her skirt, an unwelcome sensation spreading across her skin.
Her pulse quickened, the intimacy of the moment unbearable. Every second on his lap felt like torture. "Caden, stop playing games and just give it to me!"
Caden's grin faltered ever so slightly, realizing her patience had worn thin.
His voice softened, though the wicked gleam never left his eyes.
“Please me. Make me feel something, and the ring is yours."
Alicia's thoughts swirled in a storm of frustration as she spat, "I'm your sister-in-law!"
“Exactly.”
Her face darkened with fury, the heat rising to her cheeks.
Caden's lips curled into a smirk, but his eyes were as dangerous as a venomous snake's.
He always knew how to hit the nerve that would send her reeling.