Husband With Benefits-Chapter 824: You

Lily hugged her pillow tightly, burying her face in its soft fabric as Cai’s words echoed endlessly in her mind.

"I care about you."

"I want you."

"You’re not ’just you.’"

Each phrase sent a shiver down her spine, making her stomach twist into a knot of nervous excitement. She could still feel the warmth of his hands cupping her face, the intensity in his gaze as he spoke those words to her—words she never expected to hear. They had been so raw, so real, that even now, hours later, her heart wouldn’t stop racing.

She rolled onto her back, staring at the ceiling, her mind replaying the conversation over and over like a movie she couldn’t turn off. Every little detail came rushing back—the way his voice had softened when he reassured her, the gentle pressure of his thumb tracing her cheek, the way his breath had mingled with hers when their foreheads touched.

And then, of course, there was that moment.

Her face flushed hot as she remembered the awkwardness that followed his ’confession’, "Fortify your defenses," he’d said and then....he’d kissed her, taking her lips...

It wasn’t rushed or overwhelming, but slow and deliberate, like he was savoring every second. His lips had met hers with a tenderness that caught her off guard, sending a jolt of electricity through her body. She had frozen for a split second, her heart hammering in her chest, before melting into the kiss. The world seemed to blur around them, her senses narrowing down to just him—the warmth of his mouth, the faint taste of mint on his breath, the way his fingers gently tangled in her hair as if he couldn’t bear to let her go.

Her body had responded instinctively, her hands gripping the front of his shirt as she leaned into him, completely surrendering to the moment. It was as if nothing else existed but the two of them, wrapped in each other’s warmth. And for that brief, breathless stretch of time, she had felt something close to being exhilerated.

But then, as quickly as the kiss had started, it ended. Cai pulled back just enough to look into her eyes, his gaze soft yet intense, like he was searching for something. And whatever he’d found had made him pull back as he placed a small kiss on the corner of her lips," Lets’ go back."

All the way back, as she’d held onto his waist, she’d been going through different scenariaos in her head. What would she do when they returned. What would he do? WOuld they pick up the kiss where they’d left off or would Cai pretend that nothing had happened. And how would she react if he really did try to take her to his bed. Ultimately, she’d been too chicken to find out anything and had raced to her room,mumbling an excuse, even before he’d parked the snow mobile.

Lily sighed, shaking herself out of the memory, her heart still racing despite the hours that had passed. What defenses? She thought wryly. I never had any when it came to Cai Frost.

It was true. No matter how much she had tried to guard herself, to keep him at arm’s length, her resolve had always melted the moment he looked at her with those eyes, the moment he touched her.

The truth was, it took everything in her not to dissolve into a puddle at his feet whenever he was near. And after tonight... well, there was no denying that she was completely, hopelessly falling for him. But as her heart soared with the possibility of what could be, a familiar voice echoed in the back of her mind—her mother’s voice.

Are you really enough? Can you really trust this?

Lily frowned, slamming the door on that thought as quickly as it came. No. Not this time. She had spent far too long doubting herself, questioning whether she deserved to be happy, whether she was worthy of love—real love. And while that nagging voice still whispered in the back of her mind, tonight was different.

It took her a moment that the nagging seriously sounded like her mother and she realized that she’d done it again! She’d gone and let her mother’s voice influence her again! Telling her that she was not enough. That she was never going to be enough. And she’d vowed to not let her do that when she’d left home! Just how had she gone stupid after one meeting? Like an alcoholic slipping back into the drinking habit?

She took a deep breath as suddenly everything seemed to be clear and she came to a decision. She wasn’t going to let those old insecurities hold her back anymore. Whatever this was between her and Cai, she was going to give it a chance—really give it a chance. And if that meant risking her heart, then so be it. She was tired of doubting herself, tired of being the girl who second-guessed everything good in her life.

Standing up, she shok her head and knew what she needed to do. She was going to seduce him. This was a golden chance. Someone like Cai Frost would definitely be experienced and would not be afraid of taking on a virgin... hopefully. And if he was, well then, she would seduce him so that he didn’t need to worry about anything.

As she was about to step out of the room, she caught a look at herself and stopped. She looked a little crazy. Stepping back, she quickly straightened her hair and composed her face, patting her cheeks so that they would not be so red. As she opened the door, she came face to face with Cai who stood there, ready to knock.

He smiled at her," We have good timing. Come on, dinner is ready..."

Even before he said these words, Lily blurted out," Sleep with me."

Cai stared at her in confusion and Lily realized that she’d probably mumbled what she wanted to say, so she took a deep breath and said," Sleep with me!"