Chapter 167
Aria’s POV
Aiden raised an eyebrow, a slight smirk playing on his lips. “Are you afraid p>
“What’s there to be scared of?” I retorted, a spark of defiance in my eyes. I figured if we fell, at least we’d fall together.
“Alright p>
The moment Aiden agreed, he clicked his tongue and called out a command. Chaser, his stallion, bolted instantly. The wind shrieked past my ears, and I could feel my heart hammering faster and faster with each passing second.
Chaser accelerated, and a wild thrill shot through me. I glanced back at Aiden, suddenly tempted to throw caution to the wind—but a sliver of sense prevailed.
When Aiden finally pulled on the reins to bring Chaser to a halt, a sharp pang of disappointment hit me that our exhilarating dash was over.
“That was exhilarating!” I exclaimed, still buzzing from the adrenaline.
Aiden looked genuinely surprised. “You enjoyed it p>
I turned to meet his dark, unfathomable eyes, suddenly feeling bold. “I loved it.” I answered with absolute conviction, then immediately backtracked, a sudden flush of shyness creeping up my neck. “I had no idea riding could be so much fun p>
Aiden stared at me for a long moment, his gaze intense and unreadable. Finally, he spoke: “It’s getting late. I’ll bring you back again next time p>
“I’d love that!” I replied, already looking forward to our next adventure together.
The moment Aiden helped me off the horse, my face felt hot and flushed. Because I always have this image in my head of us having sex in the wild.
It was the first time I had ever been in that environment and it was so exciting.
I couldn’t control my blushing. Especially with three pairs of eyes watching us like we were some kind of show.
Thankfully, Ryan, Ethan, and Michael were tactful enough not to comment on Aiden lifting me down from the saddle. After handing the horses back to the staff, Aiden glanced at the three men. “Something else you needed p>
“Since we rarely get together like this,” Ryan said, turning to me instead of Aiden, “Aria, how about joining us for dinner p>
I suddenly found myself put on the spot. It would be rude to refuse, but I also didn’t want to make decisions without considering Aiden. “I don’t mind,” I said, glancing at Aiden to gauge his reaction.
My meaning was clear—the ball was in his court.
Ryan caught our exchange and looked like he was fighting an eye roll. I could almost hear him thinking: “Why are you deferring to him for a simple dinner invitation p>
He turned back to Aiden. “Well? Aria’s on board p>
Aiden gave Ryan a sideways glance and took my hand. “I don’t mind either.” He paused for effect before adding, “Just don’t complain when we make you feel like a third wheel p>
Ryan: p>
Ethan: p>
Michael: p>
Me: p>
As one of the supposed participants in this public display of affection, I felt mortified. My scalp tingled with embarrassment. Was Aiden actively trying to get punched?
While we all stood there speechless, a female voice broke the awkward silence. “Lucas, Ryan, Ethan, Michael p>
Ryan’s face lit up with obvious relief. “What a coincidence, Elena p>
Elena Pierce nodded. You’re all still here p>
“Just discussing where to eat,” Ryan replied, shooting Aiden a look that screamed revenge. “We were about to head out for dinner p>
As I predicted, Elena immediately jumped in. “Would you mind if I join? I came alone today and had plans with a friend for dinner, but they just canceled on me p>
She turned to look directly at Aiden and me. “Actually, I never properly thanked
Lucas for his help last time. Let me treat everyone to dinner tonight, what do you say p>
“Sounds great to me. Free food is my weakness,” Ryan said with a grin.
Ethan and Michael exchanged glances but remained silent.
Aiden’s expression shifted slightly as he looked at Elena. “My appetite isn’t great today. Perhaps another time p>
The atmosphere became noticeably tense.
Elena, however, acted as if she hadn’t noticed. “No problem, next time then. I won’t keep you all.” She turned and walked away.
I watched her retreating figure, lost in thought. Was Elena really just being friendly,
or was there something calculated about her appearance? Why did it feel so deliberate?
While I was distracted, a warm touch on my cheek startled me back to reality. “What —what is it?” I asked, blinking up at Aiden.
“You had something on your face,” he said simply.
I instinctively touched my cheek where his fingers had been. “Here p>
“I got it,” he replied.
It was only then that I noticed Ryan, Ethan, and Michael had already walked ahead, leaving us alone.
“Hey, didn’t Ryan say we were all having dinner together?” I asked, confused by their sudden departure.
“Suddenly, they didn’t feel like it anymore,” Aiden said, taking my hand and guiding me toward the parking lot. “What would you like for dinner p>
I remembered that we’d given the housekeeper the afternoon off, which meant we’d have to fend for ourselves or go out. Then I recalled what Aiden had said earlier and gave him a questioning look, thought your appetite wash good what you feel like eating p>
do
A hint of a smile played at his lips. “My appetite has mysteriously returned. I’m open
to anything p>
“What?” His stomach issues cleared up that quickly? Was he just playing games with me?
After thinking for a moment, I suggested, “Italian p>
“Perfect p>
Being the weekend, we hadn’t made reservations, and the Italian restaurant was fully booked. Aiden decided we should try a small bistro he knew instead.
By the time we finished dinner, it was nearly 7:30 PM. As we were leaving, I spotted
a familiar face-Madison Reynolds, the woman who had been the center of gossip yesterday and this morning.
Madison clearly saw us too. Ever since realizing Elena had betrayed her confidence, Madison seemed convinced that Aiden was behind everything. The moment she saw him, fear flashed across her face.
She took one look at us and practically ran in the opposite direction.
I stood there confused. The last time we’d encountered each other at a store, she’d
gone out of her way to greet me. Now she was fleeing at the mere sight of us?
“What are you looking at?” Aiden asked.
I turned back to him. “I think I just saw Madison p>
“Which Madison p>
He continued walking with me toward the car.
“Liam White’s fiancée,” I explained, feeling awkward as soon as the words left my
mouth.
As soon as I said it, Aiden remarked, “Seems Mrs. Carter still cares quite a bit about
Mr. White p>
Wait, what? No!
“I just attended their engagement party last night,” I defended myself. “That’s all p>
“Hmm, and this morning you were quite interested in the gossip about them too p>
The mention of this morning made my face heat up immediately. Why did he have to bring that up again?
When we reached the car, Aiden opened the door for me. “Thank you,” I said, sliding in.
He closed my door and walked around to the driver’s side.
After an afternoon of horseback riding, I started feeling drowsy shortly after we got
on the road. Not wanting to fall asleep on him, I pulled out my phone to text Lillian
as a distraction: *Help! Need to stay awake p>
Lillian: *What’s up? Weren’t you horseback riding with your husband p>
Something about the way she
phrased it made me feel
self-conscious, though I couldn’t
pinpoint why. I replied: *Yes, just net
finished dinner and heading home. I’m in the car, getting sleepy need conversation to stay awake
Lillian: *Hmm? Why not talk to your husband instead of me p>
Me: *He’s driving p>
Lillian: Fine. Was horseback riding fun? I might try it sometime!* Remembering how I’d spent the entire afternoon in Aiden’s arms, my ears turned
red with embarrassment. I typed back nervously: *It was pretty fun p>
Lillian: *How long did you practice? Was the instructor strict p>
Lillian really knew how to hit the mark. If this conversation continued, I’d definitely
reveal too much: *I met someone at the riding club p>
Lillian: *Details, please p>
Me: *Remember that woman from the rumors about Aiden and me having marriage problems? His supposed “affair p>
Lillian immediately connected the dots: *Elena Pierce p>
I had to admire my friend’s gossip memory: *Yes! Her! While Aiden was teaching me
to ride, she suddenly galloped over on her horse to say hello p>
Me: *How do I put this… I think she was being calculating because she called Aiden
by his childhood name p>
A name I didn’t even know until today!
Lillian: *Actually, I’m more curious about how Aiden was teaching you to ride… *
Me: *That’s not the point p>
Lillian: *I get it! You didn’t know Aiden’s childhood name-most people don’t-but she deliberately came over and called him that in front of you, his wife p>
Lillian: *That’s classic mean girl behavior, just more sophisticated. Be careful, honey! She’s gunning for your man p>
In one afternoon of overthinking, I
too
couldn’t figure out what felt wrong about the situation, but Lillian had nailed it in seconds. I told her about the dimmer invitation incident and she immediately responded with three exclamation points. This woman is clearly trying to stear your husband p>