Chapter 190
Aria’s POV
I glanced up, catching Aiden’s words mid-thought. “So Mrs. Carter cares that much about me p>
“She has ulterior motives,” I shot back, giving him a pointed look. “She’s been trying to steal you from me for weeks now. Anyone with eyes can see what Elena’s doing p>
Aiden’s hand found mine, his grip warm and reassuring. “Don’t worry. No one can take me away from you p>
God, I loved when he talked like that. A few months ago, I would’ve turned away blushing instantly, but I was getting bolder now. My cheeks still burned, but I didn’t
look away.
Instead, I snuggled closer against his side. “No one at all p>
“No one,” he promised, squeezing my hand with surprising solemnity. “Not a single person p>
My heart flooded with sweetness, but I wasn’t about to let him see how much his words affected me. Aiden had a tendency to push boundaries when he knew he had the upper hand.
I allowed myself the smallest smile before straightening my face into something more serious. “I’ll take your word for it… for now p>
After all, who knew how long those promises would last?
Aiden studied my face, not bothering to argue. Something in his eyes told me he knew exactly what I was thinking.
When he’d said we were going home, I expected exactly that. Instead, the car pulled up alongside the riverfront.
Summer evenings brought everyone out-couples strolling hand-in-hand, families with children, friends laughing together in the fading light.
I unbuckled my seatbelt, confused as Aiden came around to open my door. “I thought we were going home p>
“Didn’t you say you were stuffed from dinner?” His eyes dropped meaningfully to my stomach.
“What? I never said that!” I sucked in my stomach instinctively, mortified. “I’m not stuffed at all p>
Aiden extended his hand, eyes twinkling. “Then maybe Mrs. Carter would like some candied fruit? I know how much you love them p>
I hesitated for precisely one second before placing my hand in his. “Do they even sell those here p>
“Let’s find out p>
Hand in hand, we crossed the street toward the waterfront. The place buzzed with activity even after eight, vendors hawking everything imaginable along the path.
Not only did they have candied fruit, they had every kind of sweet treat imaginable! Not that I’d ever admit I’d been craving something sweet. But if my husband wanted to buy it for me… well, it would be rude to refuse, right?
The evening breeze carried the cool scent of water as I bit into the tart, sugar- coated fruit. The explosion of sweet and sour had my taste buds dancing.
I was so absorbed in my treat that I barely noticed where Aiden was leading me. By the time we stopped, I realized we’d wandered to a quieter section of the riverfront, away from most of the crowds.
Aiden guided me to the railing overlooking the water. “Good p>
I’d already devoured half the stick. “Really good. Want some?” I offered, though I already knew the answer.
“No thanks p>
“Figured.” Aiden never enjoyed sweets the way I did, especially anything tart.
I finished the last piece, still savoring the lingering sweetness when I caught him watching me intently.
“All gone,” I announced unnecessarily.
“Was it good?” he asked again.
“Very good,” I replied, wondering why he was repeating himself.
“Let me taste p>
I blinked in confusion. “But I just finished the last p>
His lips caught mine mid-sentence, effectively silencing me. I pushed against his chest in surprise, breaking away just enough to whisper frantically, “Aiden! People are watching p>
“No one’s looking,” he murmured, cradling the back of my head as he pulled me in for another kiss.
My heart hammered against my
ribs. Public displays of affection still made me nervous, but the way his lips moved against mine was
making it difficult to care.
When he finally released me, a mischievous smile played across his face. “Let’s go home p>
I nodded quickly, trying to straighten my hair where his fingers had tangled in it. As I moved, I felt a sharp tug at my scalp.
“Ow!” I winced.
“Don’t move,” Aiden ordered, his voice suddenly serious. “Your hair’s caught on my shirt button p>
“What do we do?” I froze immediately, the pain making me instantly compliant.
He examined the situation with expert eyes. “I’ll try to untangle it, but I’m not sure if I
can p>
“Even my buttons want to cling to you,” he added with a smirk.
“What if you can’t get it out?” I asked nervously.
His grin widened. “Only one solution then. I’ll have to take my shirt off p>
“You can’t be serious!” I sputtered. “We’re in public p>
“What’s your brilliant alternative, Mrs. Carter p>
I fell silent, unable to think of anything better. “Surely you can untangle it,” I insisted
weakly.
“I could have, but someone squirmed and made it worse p>
“I’m sorry!” I stood ramrod straight not daring to move a muscle. The
last thing
I wanted washe
stripping in the middle of
therestaurant.
It wasn’t that his body wasn’t magnificent—it absolutely was—but that magnificence
was for my eyes only.
“Hold still,” he warned, his hand steadying my head.
“I am!” I protested.
A sharp “pop” sounded, and suddenly I felt my hair release. Relief washed over me.
“You got it p>
Aiden’s lips curved into a half-smile. “Not exactly p>
“Then how p>
I looked down and immediately understood. Between his fingers was a shirt button.
Heat rushed to my face. “You… you pulled off your button p>
“Yes.” He held it out for me to see, completely unbothered.
My eyes drifted to his now partially open collar, revealing the smooth hollow of his throat and the beginning of his collarbone
avel?
Your
shirt is ruined,” I said famely
He shrugged. “I’ll buy another p>
“I’ll throw the button away,” he said, turning toward a nearby trash can.
“Wait!” I grabbed his wrist. “You’re throwing it away p>
“Unless Mrs. Carter wants it?” His eyebrow arched in that infuriating, sexy way.
“It misbehaved,” I declared, opening his palm and taking the button. “I’ll deal with it
myself p>
Aiden’s eyes sparkled with amusement, but he said nothing, simply taking my free hand. “Ready to go home p>
I nodded, suddenly aware of how late it was getting. “Yes, you have work tomorrow p>
“Indeed p>
As we walked back to the car, I glanced down at the small button nestled in my palm
before tucking it safely into my purse.
And I intended to keep it.