Chapter: 356
By the window, Caden sat in quiet contemplation, a half-finished glass of wine in his hand.
Alicia found her eyes drawn to him, studying the tousled strands of hair that had fallen across his forehead.
His shirt, now slightly wrinkled, had several buttons undone, revealing the hard planes of his chest.
Faint red scratches and bite marks marred his skin, evidence of their earlier passion.
The deeper the marks, the deeper Caden had thrust himself inside her.
She leaned against the wall, biting her lip as memories from just hours ago flooded her mind.
The same uncomfortable wave of embarrassment washed over her.
How could she still be so inexperienced, so hopelessly sensitive to his touch? No matter how many times it happened, she never seemed to toughen up.
Seeming to sense her presence, Caden turned his head toward her, his dark eyes meeting hers with that same unreadable intensity.
"You're awake," he murmured, his voice low.
Alicia swallowed her discomfort, trying to play off the awkwardness by pretending it never happened.
"So... where's the thing you were going to give me?" she demanded stiffly.
"The USB drive?" Caden replied casually. "It's damaged. I'll get it to you the day after tomorrow."
He sent a quick message on his phone before rising from his seat.
His sudden movement made her pulse quicken involuntarily, a flash of fear flickering through her as he approached. "D-don't tell me you're not planning to hand it over," she stammered, more out of nervousness than defiance.
“With your attitude, do you think I'd lie to you?" Caden, ever composed, filled his glass with warm water and handed it to her.
"Accidents happen. How about this? If you don't have it by the day after tomorrow, feel free to burn my company to the ground."
She scowled, speechless.
She wasn't some kind of ruthless monster capable of such destruction.
Reluctantly, she accepted the glass, since she was indeed thirsty.
She took a long drink, nearly draining the glass in one go.
“How'd you know I was thirsty?" she asked, her voice softer now.
Caden smirked slightly, leaning closer as his words slid smoothly from his lips, "Don't you remember how wet you were earlier?"
Heat rushed to her cheeks, her face flushing crimson.
She clamped her mouth shut, too embarrassed to make a sound.
As the warm water settled in her stomach, it triggered a low rumble, which made her realize just how hungry she was.
Caden barely batted an eyelash. "The food will be here soon," he announced flatly.
Alicia set down her glass with a sharp clink. "You can eat alone. Just looking at you killed my appetite.”
He smirked, his expression sly. "Really? That's a shame. I was just about to tell you something about Joshua's company."
At this, her cool demeanor instantly cracked, and she couldn't help but ask, “Why, what happened?"