Chapter 825: In you

Cai stared at her, brows furrowing in confusion. Lily realized she'd probably mumbled her words, her nerves garbling the clarity she'd hoped for. She took a steadying breath and, before she could overthink, said with quiet resolve, "Sleep with me."

His face betrayed nothing for a long, silent moment, leaving her to wonder if she'd made a terrible mistake. She watched as his expression shifted, the faintest flicker of surprise giving way to something deeper, more controlled. Though a part of him—an undeniable, instinctual part—was ready to respond in full, Cai was caught off-guard by the suddenness of her proposal. He cared about her too much to rush things, and despite every impulse that urged him to close the distance between them, he wanted to be sure she was truly ready.