Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
She leaned in and licked the juice from the corner of his lips.
Caden ceased his teasing and turned up the volume of the meeting.
Alicia was taken aback when she heard someone speak.
“When did the meeting start?”
Caden glanced at her and replied, “It started when I brought you in.”
Alicia instinctively covered her mouth.
“Did they hear everything we said earlier?” she asked him, staring into his eyes.
Caden chuckled, concealing the fact that he had muted the microphone. “Yes.”
Feeling mortified, Alicia tried to escape.
However, Caden wouldn’t let her go. He positioned her between the desk and his chest.
“Just keep feeding me. There’s still fruit on the plate.”
Unable to resist, Alicia playfully punched him and whispered, “Let go!”
Caden replied, “If you don’t feed me, I’ll have you right here.”
Alicia was left speechless.
She couldn’t believe he would make such a bold statement in front of his employees.
Even so, she knew he was capable of pulling off such outrageous antics.
Reluctantly, she complied.
As Caden ate, he turned the microphone back on in front of her.
Alicia was once again at a loss for words.
With a determined expression, she jabbed a large piece of fruit into his mouth.
Caden grunted, momentarily pausing to avoid choking.
Hearing the noise, someone asked with concern, “Mr. Ward, are you alright?”
Caden finished chewing the fruit and gave a firm nod. “Yes. Continue.”
Alicia remained a silent observer throughout the rest of the meeting.
Caden operated with mechanical precision. His thoughts flowed seamlessly into his speech. He identified every problem with ease and immediately proposed solutions. Someone with such sharp intellect and skill naturally drew attention.
Caden embodied this quality more than most.
Alicia found herself drawn to him without even noticing. Caden was familiar with the way people looked at him.
However, holding Alicia close in the heated atmosphere tested his resolve, and despite his usual self-discipline, he began to falter.
He tilted his head and spoke close to her ear. “Go easy on me, Ms. Bennett. I’m getting hard.”
Alicia froze for a moment, then lowered her eyes without thinking.
Her cheeks blushed as she glanced up again.
Caden understood the effect she had on him. He wrapped up the meeting early to stop himself from losing control.
Alicia finally relaxed, taking a deep breath. “I didn’t realize you were so sensitive. All I did was look at you.”
Desire sparked in Caden’s eyes. “Think about it. How long has it been since we last slept together?”
Alicia thought for a moment.
She started counting on her fingers.
The last time, he broke the rules, so their last encounter counted as three.
He had been too busy yesterday and didn’t come home, so including today, it had only been five days.
“It’s only been five days,” she replied.
Caden’s smirk widened. “Five days might not sound like much, but once you’ve experienced it, everything changes. Try going five days without something your body craves.”
Alicia raised an eyebrow, genuinely curious. “You’re that desperate? Before we got together, were you indulging every night?”
Caden’s jaw tightened slightly.
His impulse to have her right then almost got the better of him, but he remembered his commitments later that day. He pushed his frustration aside.
“It’s the weekend. I’ve ordered a gown for you. It’ll arrive soon, and you’ll wear it to the banquet.”
Alicia gave him a slight nod.
“Was it expensive?”
Caden met her gaze directly.
“I’m not like Joshua. When it comes to you, I don’t hold back. Money isn’t an issue.”
The mention of Joshua stung, and Alicia’s smile faded.
“I don’t want you to be him. But I still want you to have what he has.”
Caden didn’t catch on right away and scoffed.
“What does he have that I don’t? A clueless mother, a psychotic father, and an impulsive fianc?e?”
Alicia looked him in the eye.
“His father doesn’t hit him without a reason,” she said calmly.
Caden froze for a moment.
Alicia’s calm expression made him reconsider his response, but he kept his composure.
Alicia felt a tightness in her chest.
“I’m not pitying you. I just don’t understand why you let Jerald treat you like this.”
Caden had every reason to fight back. Why was he putting up with it?
“I have my reasons. Jerald’s still useful to me, and his insults don’t affect me,” Caden said calmly.
“They don’t affect you at all?” Alicia asked.
Caden didn’t respond, simply looking at her with a hardened gaze.
Seeing as he seemed to be on edge, Alicia remarked, “Never mind. Forget I said anything.”
Caden’s grip tightened as he spoke in a cold tone.
“Knowing I share his blood makes me sick.”
Alicia felt a sharp pain in her chest.
She couldn’t understand the depth of Caden’s plans or the secrets he held.
She didn’t know what horrors he had faced growing up. It must’ve been filled with suffering and loss.
His father had never cared for him, and his mother passed away when he was still vulnerable.
How could it not leave a mark on him?
How could he not long for affection?
In a quiet voice, she said, “When I fell into the pool at the…”
Alicia felt her heart stop for a split second.
She wanted to move, to pull away, but her body refused to listen, frozen in place as though some invisible force held her captive.
Caden’s face was mere inches from hers, his breath warm against her skin, and his chiseled features so perfect they felt almost unreal. The mischievous gleam in his deep eyes washed over her like an unstoppable tide, leaving her breathless.
Her breathing turned shallow, each inhale slow and deliberate as her chest rose and fell against his. She wasn’t sure whose heartbeat she heard pounding in her ears-his or hers.
Alicia parted her lips, her voice barely a whisper. “Is there anyone who doesn’t like you?”
The words seemed to catch Caden off guard.
Only then did he notice her ears, which were flushed bright red. With a teasing arch of his brow, he asked, “So, you admit it?”
Trying to suppress the flurry of emotions swirling inside her, she shot back with a defiant smirk, “Hard not to, considering your… impressive skills in bed.”
For a brief second, Caden looked as though he didn’t know what to say.
His lips curved into a bemused smile. “Is that all you like about me?”