Chapter 133
Aria’s POV
“Almost ready, Mrs. Carter! Just five more minutes p>
“No rush, I was just asking,” I said, silently thanking her for the perfect excuse to escape my uncomfortable situation.
After sorting through my feelings about Aiden, I’d been desperately trying to control them. At the very least, I needed to stop staring at him like some lovesick teenager! But crushes aren’t exactly something you can switch off at will.
I’d been struggling for days with pathetic results. Ever since realizing my feelings for Aiden, I couldn’t act normal around him anymore. Several times, I’d made flimsy excuses just to flee the room when I couldn’t handle being near him.
While I was suffering through this “sweet torment” of attraction, amazing news arrived: Aiden was going on a business trip! And not just for a day or two-he’d be gone for seven whole days! Finally, I could breathe again.
The night before his departure, I decided to stop avoiding him like I had been all week.
When Aiden returned from a phone call and saw me sitting on the couch, his dark eyes flickered with interest. “Mrs. Carter isn’t busy tonight p>
I nervously looked away. “Work-life balance. My fingers are staging a rebellion after practicing so hard lately p>
He gave me that knowing half-smile. “Is that so? I thought you might be avoiding
me p>
My heart skipped a beat. “Why would I do that? What reason could I possibly have to avoid you p>
Aiden just stared at me without saying anything.
I cracked after about two seconds of that penetrating gaze. Biting my lip, I changed
the subject: “So, you’re leaving tomorrow… have you packed everything yet p>
He raised an eyebrow. “Not yet. Would Mrs. Carter care to help me pack p>
“Of course I can,” I blurted out.
I immediately regretted my words. Just five days ago, I’d made all these promises to myself about maintaining boundaries and keeping my distance. Was packing his suitcase something a fake wife should be doing?
But I’d already committed, so when Aiden said, “Then I’ll trouble Mrs. Carter to help me pack,” I could only swallow hard and agree.
Aiden stood up. “Let’s go. We should turn in early tonight p>
I reluctantly followed him upstairs to the master bedroom. While I’d been in his room
before, this was my first time entering his walk-in closet.
Before even stepping inside, I caught that familiar cedar scent that always surrounded him.
Aiden leaned against the doorframe, not entering. “I need three suits, two casual outfits, and two sets of pajamas p>
I glanced back at him. “Got it p>
Walking to the glass cabinets, I boldly surveyed Aiden’s wardrobe. His clothes were mostly black and white-dozens of custom-tailored suits hung neatly in the main cabinet, casual wear in the side cabinet, and so many ties it looked like a department store display. My eyes couldn’t take it all in.
There was even a special cabinet for cufflinks and tie clips—the intricate cufflinks obviously worth a small fortune.
I never realized men could have this many clothes.
With so many options, I felt overwhelmed. I needed to match the suits with ties but
worried about my fashion sense, holding different ties against each suit to check the combinations.
I was so focused on my task that I didn’t notice Aiden walking in behind me.
第241章 第242章谁说的?
I sensed something off with the tie I was holding against Aiden’s suit and put it back,
selecting another one. Standing before the suit again, I realized this wasn’t giving
me the full effect. I needed to see how it would actually look together.
As I stepped back to get a better view, my back collided with something solid and warm. Aiden’s chest.
“Oh!” I spun around, nearly losing my balance. “Sorry! Didn’t realize you were standing there p>
I glanced down at his foot where I’d stepped on him. “Did I hurt you p>
“Not at all,” Aiden replied, his dark eyes studying me with that intensity that always made my insides flutter. His hands lingered on my shoulders a moment longer than necessary before dropping away. “Having trouble choosing p>
“My fashion sense might not be up to your standards,” I admitted.
“Who told you that p>
I blinked, confused. “What p>
“Who said your taste isn’t good p>
I rubbed my nose where it had bumped against him. “Just my own assessment p>
His eyes softened slightly. “I think your taste is excellent p>
My heart leapt at the compliment, and I could feel my eyes lighting up. “Really p>
“Absolutely,” he murmured, his gaze never leaving mine. “You think I’m good- looking, don’t you p>
Heat rushed to my face as memories of our night together flashed through my mind
– his hands exploring my body, his mouth on my skin. “I… well, yes p>
The corner of his mouth quirked up. “Found what you’re looking for p>
“Almost. Just need one more tie.” I was stalling, really. His ties were practically interchangeable, but I was savoring these moments of closeness, drawing out my task to keep him near me.
“Hmm.” He stood watching me, making my skin prickle with awareness.
I quickly selected a tie, too flustered now to keep pretending. I pulled out his suitcase from under the closet shelf and began folding his clothes carefully, trying to ignore how my fingers tingled whenever I touched something that had been against his skin.
“All done!” I announced, zipping up the suitcase and turning toward him with a proud smile.
Aiden’s gaze darkened as he looked down at me, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed. I could see his fingers flex at his sides, like he was restraining himself. “We’re forgetting something,” he said, his voice rougher than before.
“What’s that?” I asked innocently.
“Underwear p>
My face instantly heated to approximately the temperature of the sun. “Right! You should… you should grab those yourself p>
“Of course,” he said with that subtle smile. He stepped closer to me—too close— reaching around to open the drawer behind me.
His chest pressed against mine as he leaned in, and my breath caught. The familjar scent of his cologne wrapped around me, bringing back vivid memories of that night when he’d moved above me, insideme My nipples hardened instant against my bra, and I felt that telltale pulse between my legs.
Instead of quickly grabbing what he needed, Aiden lingered, his face inches from mine. One hand moved to my waist, then slid around to the small of my back, pulling me against him could feel every hard plante of his body, including the growing hardness pressing against my stomach.
“Aria,” he whispered, his breath warm against my ear.
My body screamed yes every cell remembering his touch, craving it. My thighs clenched involuntarily as heat pooled low in my belly.
But my mind flashed warning signals. I couldn’t let myself get carried away again, not when I was still sorting through these feelings. Not when I didn’t know if he felt anything beyond physical attraction.
“I—I should go,” I stammered, placing my palms against his chest. “It’s getting late p>
For a moment, I thought he might not let me go. His eyes were dark with desire, his grip on me firm. Then slowly, reluctantly, he released me and took a step back. “Thank you for your help,” he said formally, though his voice was still husky.
“No problem,” I replied, my own voice embarrassingly breathless. “Get some rest before your trip p>
I fled to my room, shutting the door behind me and leaning against it, my heart hammering wildly. I pressed my hands to my burning cheeks, feeling the wetness between my thighs God, I had it bad Justhis proximity was enough to turn me into a quivering mess.
Just as my pulse began to slow, there was a knock at the door that made me jump.
Taking a deep breath, I opened it to find Aiden standing there.
“Did you need something else?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.