Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
“Yes,” he replied.
“I made a small business deal with Mr. Hopkins. He’s in a good mood, so he won’t hold Gerry’s filming incident against him for now.”
It was a good thing that the online buzz around the incident had died down. No one would dare stir up more trouble.
Alicia didn’t bother asking what the deal was about, but she was willing to bet that Caden wouldn’t profit much from it, if at all.
“How much are you going to lose?” she asked in a conspiratorial whisper.
Caden made a mental calculation.
“Almost ten million.”
Alicia’s eyes widened, but then she recalled the enormity of Caden’s overall wealth, and she could only swallow her shock.
“Well… Spare change to you, I suppose…”
Caden chuckled. Indeed, he wasn’t fazed by the amount in the slightest.
Alicia tugged at his pinky finger.
“Did Gerry save your life or something? Is that why you’re so good to him?”
Caden smirked.
“Heartless, am I helping him?”
Alicia was momentarily stunned. Caden glanced at the garden and changed the subject.
“What were you doing out there?”
Alicia burst out laughing again.
“Watching Cade embarrass himself.” She lowered her voice before adding, “That poor greenhorn caught the scent of a female dog. He kept sniffing the area until he almost passed out.”
Caden was rendered speechless by this unwelcome information.
Alicia leaned closer and went in for the kill.
“He’s exactly like how you get sometimes.”
Caden gritted his teeth and gave her a stern look.
As they passed the kitchen, he pulled Alicia into an alcove in the corner. He wrapped his arms around her waist and nipped at her lips.
“Since you’ve basically compared me to a dog in heat, does that mean you’re giving me a pass to relieve myself as often as I need to?”
Caden’s presence was intoxicatingly close, stirring something deep within Alicia. She felt her body heat up rapidly, a tingling sensation spreading throughout her. Glancing around nervously, she whispered, “This is the Hopkins family’s house. Mind your words!”
Ever shameless, Caden didn’t seem to care. He pressed a kiss to her cheek, his hands roving mischievously over her body.
“Well,” he chuckled in her ear, “You seem more sensitive in someone else’s house. I can feel it even through the fabric.”
Alicia’s cheeks flared crimson, and she writhed, attempting to shove him away.
Feel what? He was just spouting nonsense!
“Back off,” she stammered, flustered. “Be careful. Someone might come by; it would be mortifying if they saw us.”
Lost in the moment, Caden prodded her further. “Don’t keep your legs so tight. Let me feel it.”
Alicia’s heart thundered uncontrollably. She couldn’t withstand his flirtation under the glaring sunlight. With all her might, she pushed him away.
Caden had only meant to playfully tease her, to watch her squirm with longing. Yet, he found himself ensnared in his own web, engulfed by desire. His lips traced the delicate contours of her features, tender and indulgent. His fingers, relentless as the tide, pulled her deeper into his snare until she was trapped.
Alicia’s body tensed, her mind a storm of conflicting thoughts, fully aware this was inappropriate, yet her body refused to comply, leaving her weak and powerless.
She bit her lip, stifling any sound that threatened to escape. Their absurd behavior came to an abrupt halt when they heard soft footsteps approaching. Caden sighed, reluctantly withdrawing his hand and smoothing her dress back into place. The footsteps drew nearer.
Gerry entered, muttering to himself with his face buried in his hands. With her legs trembling like leaves in the wind, Alicia straightened up and turned her back, pretending to busy herself with the plants.
“Hey, what are you two doing here?” Gerry’s voice was muffled. “Why are you in the kitchen?”
Caden lied with practiced ease, “We were hungry and came to look for something to munch on.”
He looked at Alicia, whose face had flushed an even deeper shade. What a rogue!
Oblivious to what had happened, Gerry grumbled, “All the food is in the living room. What are you searching for in the kitchen? Do you want to eat raw meat?”
Caden chuckled, a playful glint in his eye.
“Yes, meat.”
Worried that Caden might blurt out something inappropriate, Alicia quickly redirected the conversation.
“Mr. Hopkins, what happened to you?”
As Gerry opened the fridge, the light illuminated his swollen face. He looked genuinely aggrieved.
Alicia looked closely and asked, “Oh my, did your brother hit you that hard?”
Displeased with her curiosity, Caden pulled her into his arms.
“Do you need glasses? Why get that close?”
Alicia muttered, “I just wanted to see if he lost any teeth.”
Gerry retrieved an ice pack from the fridge.
“They didn’t really hit me. I just ran too fast and fell.”
“That’s why my face is swollen.”
He moved his jaw, frustration etched across his features.
“I might actually lose a tooth. How am I supposed to charm the ladies now?”
Caden smirked. “You don’t have anyone to kiss. What are you worried about?”
Gerry was at a loss for words.
Suddenly, Cade howled, likely tired of playing and missing its owners. Alicia dashed out to find it.
Caden reclined lazily, a picture of nonchalance.
Gerry raised an eyebrow.
“What are you still doing here? Aren’t you going out with your sweetheart?”
Caden replied, “I’m not presentable enough to go out just yet.”
Gerry’s gaze dropped to Caden’s pants. He couldn’t help but curse under his breath.
“Why do you always act like a lovesick puppy, always ready to pounce at a moment’s notice?”
Caden shrugged, unruffled.
“It’s only natural to feel a fire in your heart when you’re in love.”
“I would never be like you.”
“Find someone who makes you feel alive first before you say that.”
Gerry settled into a seat, his gaze steady.
“Did you need something from me?”
A flicker of surprise crossed Caden’s face at Gerry’s sharp perception.
“Yeah. I need your help.”
As Caden laid out his plan, Gerry sat in silent shock. He had always known Caden was a man of his word, but hearing it directly from him felt almost surreal.
“Are you really certain about this?”
Caden answered, “Getting lost in the details is how we make things complicated.”
To him, love was a feeling only his heart could truly grasp. It wasn’t something to be weighed or measured. He wanted to marry Alicia, driven by the desire to see it through.
Gerry placed the ice pack aside and gingerly touched his cold cheek. As Caden’s closest friend, Gerry was determined to lend a hand.
“Alright, leave it to me. I’ll make sure it’s done just right.”
He then tilted his head and asked, “So, any idea when you plan to hold the engagement party?”
Caden shrugged, a smirk tugging at his lips.
“Well, she hasn’t exactly said yes yet, so there’s no rush.”
Gerry’s lips curled into a smirk.
“She’s head over heels for you. How could she turn you down? Are you just rubbing it in my face?”