Chapter 181
Aria’s POV
I watched Michael’s eyebrows lift slightly. “Didn’t say much. Just told her some facts p>
Ryan snorted. “Like she’d listen to reason p>
Michael just shrugged, neither confirming nor denying.
While they talked, the door to our private dining room swung open. Aiden and I had barely settled in when Claire and Thomas arrived. Claire looked utterly composed being led in by Thomas, practically glowing like she’d won some secret prize.
Ryan watched them with an expression like he’d just bitten into a lemon. I caught the brief flicker of regret on his face-probably rethinking his decision to invite Thomas, who was now practically radiating couple energy.
I grabbed the menu, trying to focus on the food options while my face still burned from what had happened in the parking lot. Who knew Aiden could be so… impulsive? One minute we were walking to dinner, the next he’d tilted my chin up and kissed me right there between the cars.
Anyone could have walked by! I’d been so nervous about being spotted that my heart nearly exploded.
“Not hungry p>
Aiden’s voice startled me as he leaned closer, his cologne that distinctive woody scent-making my face heat up again. “No, I am. I’ve decided,” I said quickly.
I pointed to a couple of signature dishes on the menu. “These two look good p>
“Alright.” Aiden took the menu from my hands, his eyes lingering on my face. “Still water or juice p>
“Just water, please p>
He tapped the table once, then asked unexpectedly: “The fruit wine here is excellent. Want to try some p>
God, alcohol was the last thing I needed right now! “Water’s fine,” I managed, feeling awkward.
Aiden gave me that look-half-smile, half-smirk-and ordered my water.
Since tomorrow was Sunday and everyone had survived a brutal workweek, Ryan suggested extending the evening with poker after dinner. Aiden shut that down immediately with a flat “No p>
“Why not?” Ryan looked genuinely confused. “It’s Sunday tomorrow. We can stay out late, sleep in—right, Aria?” He turned to me, clearly hoping for backup.
I froze, caught between them. Great. Why drag me into their bro-argument?
Before I could stumble through a response, Aiden answered for me: “She needs to practice piano tonight p>
It was such a reasonable excuse that even Ryan, with his notorious persistence, couldn’t push back.
“My bad, completely forgot,” he conceded, lifting his water glass in mock surrender.
I glanced at Aiden, only to find him already watching me. His lips curved slightly. “Ready to go p>
My eyes widened. “We don’t have to rush p>
He checked his watch. “It’s seven. We should head back p>
Just like that, he made our excuses to the group and guided me out of the private
room. As we walked away, I couldn’t help glancing back.
“Something wrong?” Aiden asked.
I turned back to him. “No, just thinking Ryan’s pretty easy to handle p>
*Easy to fool*, I meant, but didn’t say.
Aiden looked at me sideways, his dark eyes dancing with amusement as his lips curled into a smile.
When we reached the car, he opened the passenger door for me, his hand hovering protectively above my head so I wouldn’t bump it. I slid in and had barely clicked my seatbelt when he asked, “Want to see a movie p>
Wait, what happened to rushing home for piano practice?
“Hmm?” I hesitated.
He made a small humming sound at my silence.
“Sure,” I finally said, clearing my throat. “Aiden, can I ask you something p>
“Go ahead p>
“Do you always mislead your friends like that p>
He started the engine, answering casually, “Not usually p>
“Then why p>
“I didn’t want company tonight p>
I immediately understood, my cheeks warming. So I was the reason. I turned to look
out the window, discreetly touching my hot face.
I’d expected Aiden’s movie
Aiden’s
suggestion meant heading to a
theater like.normal couples,
something I’d never actually done with someone I had feelings for The thought gave me little butterflies of anticipation.
But as we drove further from downtown, might have worried about being kidnapped if I wasn’t, you know, married to the guy. After about twenty minutes, I spotted the massive outdoor screen ahead and. realized what “seeing a movie” actually meant-a drive-in theater.
וי
The atmosphere was amazing though. Spacious, with snack stands operating before showtime. Looking around, I noticed we weren’t alone in seeking this romantic setting-couples occupied cars all around us.
Aiden handed me his phone. “Choose whatever you want to eat p>
This was my first drive-in experience, and I felt childishly excited. “Could we get popcorn p>
“Get whatever you like. Phone’s all yours p>
I hesitated. “I don’t know your payment code p>
Without missing a beat, he recited a string of numbers.
Something about those digits sounded familiar. If I wasn’t mistaken, that was… my birthday?
I shot him a questioning look. “What was that p>
“Payment code p>
My heart picked up speed. “It sounds familiar p>
“That bad at remembering things?” he teased, his eyes holding mine captive. “Can’t
even recognize your own birthday p>
It really was my birthday! My heart did a ridiculous little dance in my chest as I
stared at him, wondering what other surprises this man had in store for me.
I felt my hand trembling slightly as I held my phone, a rush of heat spreading across
my ears. Too embarrassed to continue our conversation, I lifted my phone, pointing at the drink options.
“I want a Coke,” I said. It had been ages since I’d had one. After a pause, I added, “What about you p>
“Anything is fine,” Aiden replied.
Despite his casual response, I remembered that two-month-old dossier on his preferences that Lucas had given me. Aiden didn’t like carbonated drinks. I ended up ordering him a bottle of mineral water instead.
Shortly after placing our order, a staff member arrived with our fragrant popcorn. The rich corn aroma was irresistible-I started eating before the movie even began.
After a few bites, I noticed Aiden watching me. Feeling self-conscious about eating alone, I extended the popcorn toward him. “Want some p>
“Yes,” he answered, eyes still fixed on me, making no move to help himself.
I blinked, suddenly understanding what he wanted. Flustered, I picked out the largest piece and held it to his lips.
Aiden opened his mouth, taking the popcorn between his lips. As he closed them, he gently pressed against my fingertip.
The sensation sent tingles through my body. I quickly withdrew my hand, pretending nothing had happened as I resumed eating.
The evening breeze drifted through the half-open car window as the screen before
us dimmed. The movie was about to start.
“What movie is this?” I suddenly realized I had no idea what we were watching.
“Thriller,” Aiden said, studying my face. “Are you scared p>
I shook my head, eyes bright with excitement. “Not at all. I love thrillers p>
The light in his dark eyes instantly dimmed. Even the typically calculating Aiden
seemed to feel a moment of defeat.
But his frustration was only beginning. As the movie progressed from opening to climax, his sense of defeat reached its peak. I could hear the soft moans of getting cars whitel remained completely absorbed in the film. Aiden raised his hand to cover his eyes, clearly exasperated.
intimate in near Couples
His plan had backfired.
When the 128-minute movie finally ended, I was still caught up in the experience.
“The atmosphere at this drive-in is amazing,” I said, looking at my now-empty popcorn container with a smack of my lips. “That was fantastic! Aiden, we have to come back p>
Hearing this, he laughed, though it sounded somewhat strained. “You enjoyed it that much p>
I nodded enthusiastically. “The darkness, the ambient sounds that aren’t quite silence—it just creates such a perfect vibe p>
As I spoke, my peripheral vision caught a couple passionately kissing in a nearby
car.
gaze.
I froze, instinctively looking toward Aiden, only to meet his knowing, half-smiling
“I think I’ve been very patient,” he said, his voice dropping to a husky whisper. “Have you forgotten what we’ve done so many times before p>
Aiden leaned in, his lips brushing against mine. “I can’t control myself around you.
You always draw me in p>
As he spoke, he guided my hand down to the hardness between his legs. My breath caught as my fingertips traced the rigid outline through his pants.
“Feel what you do to me,” he murmured against my ear, his warm breath sending
shivers down my spine.
His lips found mine in the darkness, and any thought of the movie vanished from my
mind completely.