Chapter 300
Aria’s POV
I stepped out of the hospital room, a question already forming on my lips, turning to Aiden with curiosity etched across my face. “What prompted your sudden visit p>
Aiden looked at me, a subtle, charming smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. “If I didn’t show up, I’d be failing as a proper son-in-law, wouldn’t I p>
I felt a warm flush creep up my cheeks. “Dad knows how incredibly busy you are p>
“Never too busy for this,” he corrected softly, taking my hand in his. His fingers were warm, familiar, a comforting anchor against mine. “Besides, it’s Saturday. I’m supposed to be off work anyway p>
I glanced up at him, suddenly remembering the lingering issue. “Did you manage to find out anything about who’s been calling my dad? I checked his call history earlier, when I had his phone, but everything had been wiped clean p>
Aiden’s expression grew serious, his gaze dropping to meet mine. “Not yet. Whoever it is, they’re clever-using virtual numbers every time they call p>
Virtual numbers. Practically untraceable. Great, I thought, a familiar knot of anxiety tightening in my stomach.
“So what happens if they keep calling him?” I bit my lip, my voice betraying my growing unease. “Are we just supposed to sit around and wait for something bad to happen p>
“Don’t worry too much, Aria,” Aiden said, his voice calm, radiating a quiet
reassurance that always settled my nerves. “If they keep calling your father, it means they want something from him. And if they want something, they won’t hurt him—at least not yet. We’ll figure this out p>
I nodded slowly, trying to absorb his steady confidence. “So we’re just waiting for them to make a mistake p>
Aiden squeezed my hand gently, his touch a physical reminder of his unwavering support. “Yes. And don’t worry. I’ll handle it p>
I trusted Aiden, implicitly. My biggest fear was my father suffering another stress- induced episode. But once the test results came back and they could schedule the stent placement next week, the immediate risks would diminish significantly.
I decided to let it go for now as we approached the parking lot entrance. “Did you drive yourself p>
I’d driven my own car, and if he had his, we’d need to drive separately back home. “No, my driver dropped me off,” he replied.
“Oh, good.” A small sense of relief.
Once we found my car in the lot, I handed Aiden the keys without hesitation.
“Shall we eat at home?” he asked, his dark eyes crinkling at the corners.
I looked up, meeting his smiling gaze, and felt a familiar warmth rising to my cheeks again. “No, I found a charming restaurant for lunch p>
“Perfect p>
Aiden started the car, the engine purring to life, and drove us out of the parking lot. As we left the hospital grounds, he glanced over at me, his tone deceptively casual. “What time did you finally wake up this morning, Mrs. Carter p>
I answered without thinking, still floating on a cloud of contentment. “Around eight- thirty p>
“Sleep well?” he asked, his voice dropping slightly, a suggestive huskiness now present.
The moment the words left his mouth, I realized exactly what he was really asking. My ears instantly burned a furious red, vivid memories of last night flooding back— his hands on my skin, his lips against mine, the way we’d moved together in perfect, intoxicating rhythm.
“I slept… very well,” I managed to say, my voice barely above a whisper, thick with unspoken recollections. “Though someone made sure I was thoroughly exhausted first p>
His eyes darkened, a slow, sensual smile spreading across his face. “That ‘someone’ was just taking care of his wife’s needs p>
“Is that what you call it?” I found myself smirking despite my burning embarrassment. “Taking care of needs p>
“Would you prefer I be more specific?” he challenged, his voice
dropping to that delicious, love
that made my stomach tighten in a wholly pleasant way. “About exactly how took care of those needs, Mrs. Carter p>
“Aiden!” I gasped, playfully smacking his arm, though my heart was doing a frantic little dance. “You’re terrible p>
“Only with you,” he replied, his gaze briefly leaving the road to meet mine, intense enough to make my breath catch.
After enjoying our meal, Aiden took a sip of water and set down his glass. His finger tapped lightly on the table, a thoughtful gesture, as he looked at me. “Any plans for this afternoon p>
“Hmm?” I blinked, pulling myself back from the delicious afterglow of our
conversation, then shook my head. “Nothing planned p>
“How about horseback riding p>
My face lit up immediately. “I’d love that p>
The weather was perfect for riding-sunny but not too hot, with a gentle, refreshing breeze in the air.
After lunch, I spent some time practicing piano in the music room, a habit I’d recently rekindled, before we headed to the stables around two o’clock.
Aiden was an excellent teacher. Last time we went riding, I’d managed to
pick up the basics, but today, as
watched others confidently quadr
their own majestic horses, I found myself craving more independence, a greater thrill. sŵnovels
Feeling my attention wander, Aiden pulled our horse to a stop under a shaded area, a serene oasis.
“Want to ride on your own?” His deep voice, warm and rumbling, came from just above me, his breath tickling my ear and sending a delicious warmth spreading across my face.
I turned, tilting my head back to look up at him, my eyes sparkling with excitement. “Can I p>
“You can, but we’ll need to switch horses,” he replied, his gaze sweeping over the powerful animal beneath us. “This one’s a bit too spirited for a beginner riding solo p>
I had enough self-awareness to know my limitations, especially with an animal like Thunder. “Oh, I wouldn’t dare ride Thunder on my own! He’s way too powerful p>
As if understanding my compliment, Thunder swished his tail proudly, a magnificent display of equine majesty.
“I’ll help you pick out a suitable horse,” Aiden offered, a playful glint in his eyes. “I’d like that very much p>
Aiden’s lips curved into a teasing smile. “Well then, Mrs. Carter, you’d better hold on tight p>
Before I could respond, he squeezed his legs against Thunder’s sides and flicked
the reins. The horse, who had been lazily ambling just moments before, suddenly burst into a powerful gallop.
I clutched desperately at Aiden’s hand on the reins, my heart racing wildly against my ribs. The rush of wind against my face, the powerful musoles of the horse beneath us, a symphony of strength and speed-it wasn’t fear I felt, but pure
unadulterated exhilaration.
This feeling-like riding a jet ski across open water, wind whipping through my hair —was absolutely thrilling! I didn’t feel scared at all. I felt gloriously, vibrantly alive.