The pricey medication worked its magic. After two days of applying it, Alicia’s pain had completely subsided.

Still, Caden wasn’t rushing things. He joked that it felt like being in a candy shop but not allowed to touch a single piece, though he understood his own strength. One wrong move could cause real harm, and because of that, he held back. A few more days wouldn’t hurt.

That night, they sat close together in the small room, half-watching a movie projected on the wall, but neither was truly focused on it. Outside, the rain fell heavily, accompanied by flashes of lightning.

Alicia noticed how uneasy Caden seemed with the storm outside. Calmly, she pulled the curtains shut to block out the flashing light.

Caden was speaking on the phone, responding every so often with a simple, “OK.” Alicia leaned in closer and lowered the volume of the movie.

“Did the money arrive?” Caden asked. “Alright, thank you.” He ended the conversation.

Alicia inquired, “What kind of money is important enough to grab your attention, Mr. Ward? Are we talking tens of billions?”

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Caden pulled her into his arms, a faint smile playing on his lips. “It’s not that much. Just a little over 15 million dollars.”

Alicia sensed his deep concern over the money, and her curiosity grew. “Is the company in trouble?”

Caden replied, “It’s not my money. It belongs to you.”

Alicia was momentarily shocked. “Mine?”

If it truly belonged to her, that amount would be a fortune.

“Is it from the product I worked on last time?” Her eyes brightened. “Did I receive a bonus?”

Caden replied, “If it were a bonus, it would be much larger than that.”

“Then what kind of money are we talking about?” Alicia asked, her curiosity piqued.

Caden raised an eyebrow. “Do you really think I’ll just hand over the answer like that?”

Without hesitation, Alicia leaned in and pressed her lips against his.

Caden craved more than a brief kiss. He grasped the back of her head and deepened the kiss, losing himself in the moment.

After what felt like an eternity, he finally pulled away, his voice low, “That’s the first payment deposited into your company’s account since your gallery opened.”

Alicia was taken aback. “But I had an accident and didn’t go through the formalities. How is this possible?”

“I took care of everything for you,” Caden replied, his gaze sincere. “This money is yours, earned through your hard work. It may not be a huge amount, but more projects are on the way. Just be patient.”

Alicia smiled, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. She hadn’t come this far on her own. Her stubbornness about saving face and past betrayals had made her wary of trusting men. But Caden understood her, and that understanding had guided his approach to supporting her toward financial independence.

As they watched the movie, the thunder outside rumbled louder.

Caden, feeling uneasy, seemed reluctant to engage in anything given the storm.

Alicia reached out to soothe him. Without words, she took his hand, gently rubbing it before wrapping her arms around him. She spoke of cheerful topics, trying to distract him and draw his attention away from the storm.

Caden understood her intentions. “It’s just thunder. It’s not a big deal,” he assured her.

Alicia met his gaze. “I know what you’re afraid of.”

The thunderstorm struck the day his mother passed away. That memory had haunted him ever since, leaving a lasting impact on his life.

Caden kept his expression neutral. “Concentrate on the movie. It’s nearly finished, and you haven’t watched a single moment.”

Alicia bit her lip and settled onto his lap, her body relaxed against him.

Caden glanced up at her lazily, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

“Does your back still hurt?” Caden asked, his tone soft.

Alicia’s cheeks flushed, her gaze drifting away. “I don’t like rainy days either. After my parents’ accident, it rained constantly.”

“What’s wrong? Can you only speak when you’re sitting on my lap?” he teased, though he hadn’t intended to push her. Her charm was hard to resist.

She knew he was dealing with his own inner turmoil.

Alicia remained silent, but leaned in and pressed her lips against his.

Caden couldn’t resist and kissed her back, the heat between them growing.

With newfound courage, Alicia whispered, “Caden, I want it.”

Caden looked into her clear, earnest eyes, feeling a tightness in his chest. “Why are you suddenly feeling up to this?”

Alicia knew he could sense the shift in her. She then asked, “Is that something you want too?”

Caden paused for a moment before answering deliberately, “Not really. Ms. Bennett, show me what you’ve got.”

Alicia was taken aback, her mind racing. She lowered her gaze, shifting her hips slightly as she looked down.

“You’re going to burst out of your pants,” she teased, a playful smile tugging at her lips. “Don’t you want this, Mr. Ward?”

“No,” he replied calmly.

Alicia forced a smile, quickly sliding off his lap and making her way to the door.

Caden furrowed his brow, confused. “Where are you going?”

Alicia wasn’t upset. She was simply looking for the innkeeper.

Caden stood by the door, watching her as she entered the innkeeper’s room. He noticed she stayed inside for over ten minutes before finally emerging, wrapped tightly in her coat.

Caden’s curiosity piqued. “Did you get any advice?”

Alicia slouched a little as she made her way back inside.

Once the door clicked shut, she slipped off her coat, revealing the dress she wore underneath.

His gaze darkened with intensity as he watched her.

Alicia’s smooth complexion made her look stunning in anything she wore. Even a simple, playful outfit exuded charm. She tried to act confidently, but a slight blush crept across her cheeks.

“She sells these, so I chose one that fits me…” She said, pulling out a headband adorned with cat ears and placing it atop her head.

“What do you think?” she asked, nervously tugging at the hem of her dress. “Do you like it?”

Caden remained silent, his expression tense as he locked the door. His chest rose and fell with heavy breaths, signaling his growing tension.

Alicia braced herself, knowing her teasing had pushed him too far.

Uncertain in her ability to use seductive words, she wrapped her arms around his neck and whispered, “Do you like it?”

Caden’s voice was low, a hint of frustration in it. “You’re driving me crazy, you little minx.”

Alicia pressed her face against his neck, feeling the warmth of his skin beneath her lips.

Outside, the storm raged on—rain, snow, and thunder blending together, adding to the charged atmosphere.

Inside, the room seemed to grow hotter with every passing moment. Alicia spoke softly, between shallow breaths, “From now on, when there’s thunder and rain, I want to be the only one on your mind.”

Caden paused, finally understanding why she had been so daring tonight.