Chapter 172:
This was Caden’s first visit here. Their relationship was not public, so they seldom appeared together outside. But with the studio almost deserted at this time, Alicia felt comfortable and led him to the lounge.
Alicia took some time to freshen up and change her outfit. Meanwhile, Caden sat quietly, deep in thought.
When Alicia reappeared, her mood seemed subdued and listless. She didn’t rush to leave. Instead, she joined Caden and sipped from the same glass of water he had just used.
Noticing her low spirits, Caden inquired, “What’s the matter? Has losing one match really taken all your energy?”
Alicia shook her head. “It’s not about winning or losing.” She hadn’t planned on sharing, but Caden’s question stirred a sense of injustice in her. “Why did he deceive me?”
Caden remained composed. “What he did was wrong, but consider it a lesson. You haven’t really lost anything.”
Alicia scowled. “You’re not my teacher. Why are you lecturing me?”
“So, what should I say?” Caden responded, his tone even. “Would you prefer I console you?”
Alicia fell quiet. That would indeed be odd.
Offering advice was typical of Caden, but this time, it felt different.
Alicia took another sip of water, then recalled an earlier incident. “Did you notice when he had me in a chokehold?”
“Yes,” Caden replied, his expression unreadable.
Alicia’s fear was still palpable. “It felt like he had something against me. His grip was so tight. If no one had intervened, I might have been seriously hurt.” She tried to sound casual, but the fear still lingered in her voice.
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Caden is such a jerk. He didn’t come to help. How heartless, she thought, frustration simmering inside.
She could feel the intensity of Caden’s stare, which put her under considerable pressure. Unable to contain her frustration, she shot him a fierce look. “You wish I was dead, don’t you?”
Caden responded, “You’re tough to shake off. I doubt you’d go down easily.”
He had delayed intervening because he wanted to see if Alicia could escape the hold by herself. When he realized she couldn’t, he was just about to step in but was beaten to it by others.
Alicia’s lips pursed in annoyance. She was visibly upset by his comments. Feeling hurt and disappointed, she no longer wanted to be near him and stood to leave. Caden reached out and pulled her back.
“A chokehold isn’t unbeatable. Let me show you how to escape it.”
Alicia, however, was not in the mood. “I’ll have my coach teach me some other time.”
“She can’t show you what I can.” Caden stood her up. “Try putting me in a chokehold, and I’ll demonstrate.”
Alicia gave him a sideways glance. Then, with a sigh, she reached up and looped her arms around his neck.
Caden peered down at her. “Is your touch this gentle because you’re seeking instruction, or are you trying to seduce me?”
Alicia scowled. Then, she tightened her hold slightly.
Caden stood at 1.88 meters, almost 1.9 meters with shoes, and was robustly built. Though Alicia wasn’t particularly short, the disparity in their sizes was clear. To effectively choke him, she looked more like a sloth clinging to a tree.
Feeling drained from her training session and in a bad mood, Alicia impulsively jumped up, wrapping her legs around his waist.
Caden was momentarily speechless. He steadied her by the hips and said coldly, “Is this your technique for handling attackers?”
Alicia tilted her head and rested it on his shoulder. “Caden, I don’t want to learn.” Not right now.
Caden stayed quiet, neither urging her nor criticizing her. Instead, he occasionally caressed her lower back. His fingers were nimble, playfully coaxing a tingling sensation around her waist.
She wriggled. “You…”
Caden lifted an eyebrow, his laughter light. “Does a simple touch have you unraveling?”
Alicia defended herself sharply. “Who? Me? Certainly not!”
Caden felt a stir within him too. He leaned in, capturing her lips.
Alicia surrendered to the kiss.
They rarely held back from each other. Their attraction was undeniable, and their youthful energy made them quickly ignite. But Alicia was too exhausted at the moment. She gave in with little resistance.
Caden intended to tease her, but as their kisses deepened, he too lost himself in the moment. He huskily said, “Let’s go home and try out the new bed.”
Alicia’s cheeks flushed pink. She bit her lip and hid her face in his neck.
“I thought you wanted to stay here,” she whispered.
Caden replied, “I’m not driven by impulse every time.”
Alicia quickly added, “But yesterday in the car…”
Caden chuckled softly. “Alright, sometimes I can’t resist.”
Alicia’s laughter bubbled out. Her spirits lifted.
Caden gently set her down. “Head to the car and wait for me. I need to use the restroom.”
“Okay.”
In the adjacent men’s changing room, the man who had previously attacked Alicia was in the process of removing his clothes when he heard the door open. He spun around, confronting an unfamiliar face.
“Who are you? A new trainee?” he asked.
Caden stood his ground, emanating a formidable aura.
