Chapter 127
Aria’s POV
“Now,” he commanded, staring into my eyes with fierce concentration. “Come for me now p>
My body obeyed instantly, clenching around him as waves of pleasure crashed over me. I screamed his name, not caring if the entire building heard me.
Aiden followed seconds later, his rhythm faltering as he released inside me with a hoarse groan.
I woke up close to eleven the next morning, my body feeling heavy and thoroughly spent. Rubbing my face with one hand, my stomach growled loudly, reminding me I hadn’t eaten since yesterday. Every muscle protested as I tried to get out of bed, memories of the previous night flooding back.
It had been absolutely wild.
After we left the gala, first in the car, then later when we got home. Following our hospital visit, I’d given him oral in the car… The most intense part had been in his penthouse office. We’d gone from the floor-to-ceiling windows to his desk. At one point, I’d climaxed while sitting on his keyboard p>
Oh god… his office desk probably still carried traces of yesterday’s activities. It was so incredibly erotic.
Eventually, I’d run out of stamina, but he’d still been insatiable. No matter how I’d begged him not to stop, how my nails had raked across his back leaving marks, he wouldn’t quit.
After that, my memory grew hazy. We must have made it home, though I couldn’t recall the journey. Aiden had carried me back.
“His stamina is absolutely incredible,” I muttered, struggling to get out of bed and planning to take a shower.
The bathroom mirror revealed several love bites on my neck and collarbone-visible evidence of Aiden’s possessiveness. I traced one with my fingertip, remembering the exquisite moment when his teeth had claimed that spot.
After a long, hot shower that soothed my pleasantly aching body, I made my way downstairs. Our housekeeper, Mrs. Reynolds, had lunch ready.
“Good morning-or should I say good afternoon, Mrs. Carter,” she said with a knowing smile. “Mr. Carter called to say he won’t be home for lunch. He’s in meetings all day p>
I nodded, secretly relieved. I needed to do something other than just indulge in sex.
After lunch, I decided to practice piano in the music room.
Author’s POV
In the executive office at Carter Tower, Lucas Grant immediately noticed Aiden’s unusually good mood. What struck him as particularly odd was that Aiden kept smiling at his keyboard-just an ordinary computer keyboard.
“Sir, the report you requested,” Lucas said, placing the folder on the polished desk.
Aiden looked up, his pen pausing mid-signature. “Who was responsible p>
“It appears to have been accidental,” Lucas replied, opening the folder. “The wine Mrs. Carter consumed was spiked with an aphrodisiac, but she wasn’t the intended target. She picked up the wrong glass p>
The investigation revealed that William Reynolds and his associates had arranged the doctored drinks for their own female companions. They’d planned to continue their evening at a hotel and wanted to ensure their dates were appropriately… responsive. The server, afraid of causing trouble, hadn’t stopped Aria when she took a glass from the tray.
“The dosage was relatively mild,” Lucas continued. “Effects would wear off naturally within a few hours p>
Aiden nodded, his expression unreadable as he scanned the report. He’d never truly believed anyone would be bold enough to target his wife in his presence, but his protective instincts demanded certainty.
“Destroy this information,” he instructed, sliding the folder back across the desk. “Completely p>
Lucas nodded and picked up the folder. As he turned to leave, he caught a brief, satisfied curve at the corner of Aiden’s mouth—a rare display of genuine contentment that made everything clear.
As he fed the report into the shredder, Lucas reflected that Mrs. Carter seemed to be the only person capable of softening the ice-cold Aiden Carter.
Aria’s POV
I spent the entire afternoon in the piano room, practicing diligently. By the time I finished the last piece, my fingers were aching and completely exhausted.
I glanced at my phone, dreading the thought of checking it. But with so many unread messages piling up, I had no choice. I set the phone on the table and opened the messaging app while massaging my sor fingers.
Summer had texted: “How’s your leg recovering? Ready for the performance? The overseas venue, Senas, wants you for their opening ceremony p>
Lillian asked: “How did it go? Did Miss Bennett find you today p>
Speaking of which, Claire happened to be next in the message queue.
Claire: “Aria, are you angry with me? I’m so sorry, but could you at least tell me what
I did to make you hate me?” [Sad kitty.JPG]
Claire had sent this message at 3 AM. I hadn’t planned to respond, but seeing that pitiful emoji… damn my soft heart!
After careful consideration, I sent a gentle reply: “I’m not angry, and I don’t hate you.
I’m just embarrassed… I’m straight, so I don’t deserve your feelings p>
Claire must have been clutching her phone waiting for my response, because she replied almost instantly “Wahhh! Aria, you finally replied That doesnt matter at al like you even if you’re straight! Straight girls are adorable too p>
Did she not understand what I meant, or did she have some special preference?
Just as I was about to make myself clearer, I heard sounds from the entryway.
I instinctively looked up to see Aiden
walking in, wearing an impeccable suit. He bent to change his shoes, then loosened his tie as he walked, to the bitchen island. He poured himself a glass of water and began unbuttoning the top two buttons of his shirt while drinking.
I couldn’t help but watch his Adam’s apple move with each swallow, feeling my face
heat up uncontrollably.
Embarrassed, I quickly looked away, vigorously massaging my right hand fingers. “You’re home p>
“Mm,” he replied casually, his eyes falling on my hands. “Do they hurt p>
“Practiced too long,” I admitted.
This wasn’t anything new. I’d had tenosynovitis in my wrists for years-it came and went, never fully healing.
Aiden set down his glass and looked at me. “Are you still feeling uncomfortable p>
I froze momentarily, remembering last night’s intense lovemaking. My face burned crimson. “I’m fine now. I’m sorry, Mr. Carter… I overstepped again p>
He gazed at me steadily. “Your sudden politeness makes me almost think everything last night was fake p>
I didn’t know how to respond,
managing only an awkward laugh.
The effects of yesterday’s medication had really been too. strong. I honestly didn’t understand myself either. I clearly enjoyed our intimate contact, but seeing him in everyday life always made me nervous.
Aiden didn’t seem inclined to let me off easily. He deliberately moved closer, whispering in my ear: “This morning, in front of my office’s floor-to-ceiling windows,
on the keyboard… there are still traces of your wetness p>
Oh my god p>
My heart raced frantically, my cheeks burning intensely.
To hide my emotions, I looked down at my phone. Claire had sent a string of new
messages.
I frantically clarified to Claire: “No, I mean I like men. If you like me, I can’t return those feelings! It’s better to end this quickly so you can move on p>
While I didn’t understand why Claire liked me so much, I knew how painful it was to love someone you could see but never have.
I had endured that pain for over ten years. Now that I was free from it, I didn’t want Claire to taste the same bitterness.
Claire replied almost immediately: Aria, I think you misunderstood! My feelings for you are admiration, respect, and gratitude—not romantic love. I’m straight too.” [Embarrassed.JPG]
Claire: “Hahaha, Aria, you’re so cute p>
Reading Claire’s replies, I felt my brain short-circuit.
What an embarrassing misunderstanding!
I covered my face with both hands in shame!
So mortifying! How would I face Miss Bennett in the future?
But my gesture seemed to worry Aiden, as he stepped closer. “What’s wrong? Are
you feeling unwell p>
I slightly parted my fingers to peek at him through the gaps. “I just did something extremely stupid p>
He studied me, amusement flickering in his dark eyes. “Tell me p>
“Not at all p>
“Then why are you smiling p>
“Fine, I’ll stop smiling p>
Maybe I should move to another planet!