Chapter 302
Aria’s POV
“You’re insane!” Owen spat, his face twisting with disbelief.
Has Aiden actually married a complete lunatic? Owen had planned to launch into another tirade, but my calm agreement seemed to have short-circuited his brain completely.
After a tense moment of silence, he clenched his jaw. “If I were you,” he finally ground out, “I’d milk this situation while you still have some value to him. Take the money and run! Not foolishly believe all that love crap he’s feeding you p>
I’d mentally prepared myself for insults and accusations, but instead, Owen Carter was… giving me exit strategy advice? Was this some twisted form of looking out for me?
“Just watch yourself!” With that final warning, he whipped his horse and galloped away, dust swirling in his wake.
I stared after his retreating figure, blinking in confusion. The Carter family was something else – each member with their own complex agenda and mindset. Impressive, really. Quite the education in family politics.
While I was still processing this bizarre encounter, the rhythmic sound of approaching hooves pulled me from my thoughts. Aiden guided Thunder alongside Snow, his expression curious.
“Your cousin just ambushed me,” I volunteered before he could ask.
A small, knowing smile played at Aiden’s lips. “What pearls of wisdom did he share p>
Recalling Owen’s words, I felt heat rise to my cheeks. “He advised me to squeeze
you for money while I still have ‘value’ and then make my escape p>
“Does he always hate you this much?” I couldn’t help asking.
Aiden’s response was a simple, unbothered “Yes p>
“Did he say anything else?” he probed, studying my face.
I shook my head. “Not really p>
Then, unable to contain myself, I added awkwardly: “Well, he did mention you’d divorce me within two years p>
I raised my eyes to meet his, trying to sound casual but failing miserably. “Will you divorce me in two years p>
Aiden regarded me steadily, one eyebrow lifting. “What do you think p>
And just like that, the question boomeranged right back to me.
I felt a flush of embarrassment. I’d already felt self-conscious asking in the first place, and now with him turning the question around, my courage evaporated. I gently squeezed Snow’s sides, urging her a few steps forward.
“Should we head back?” I asked, desperate to change the subject.
Aiden glanced at his watch. “Did you want to continue riding p>
I shook my head, suddenly aware of another sensation. “I’m actually getting hungry p>
“Dinner, then? Somewhere in town p>
I considered briefly before nodding in agreement.
We made our way to the private changing rooms to switch back into our regular clothes. As I began unbuttoning my riding jacket, I caught Aiden’s intense gaze following my movements.
“What?” I asked, pausing with my fingers on the third button.
“Nothing,” he replied, but his darkening eyes told a different story. “Just… you look incredibly sexy in riding gear p>
The compliment sent a delicious shiver down my spine. Before I could respond, he crossed the small space between us, his hands replacing mine on my buttons.
“I’ve been watching you all
afternoon,” he murmured, his breath
hot against my ear as he slowly
worked open my jacket. The
you moved with that horse,
confident, in control… it was difficult
to keep my mind on teaching p>
His fingers brushed deliberately against my collarbone as he pushed the jacket off
my shoulders. I sucked in a sharp breath, my hunger for food rapidly transforming into hunger of another kind.
“Aiden,” I whispered, “someone could walk in p>
He reached behind me, and I heard the distinctive click of a lock. “Private room,” he reminded me, his voice dropping to that gravelly octave that never failed to make my knees weak. “Very private p>
His mouth captured mine in a hungry kiss that sent heat racing through my veins. My hands moved to his chest, initially to create space but quickly changing mission, exploring the hard planes beneath his shirt.
When he finally broke the kiss, I was breathless. “What about dinner?” I managed to ask.
“Later,” he promised, guiding me backward until my legs hit a cushioned bench. “Right now, I’m hungry for something else entirely p>
With swift, practiced movements, he removed my riding pants, leaving me in just my thin underwear. The cool air against my heated skin made me gasp.
“Beautiful,” he murmured, his eyes traveling slowly up my body. “So beautiful p>
I reached for him, pulling him closer by his belt loops. “Your turn,” I insisted, my fingers making quick work of his buttons.
The small changing room felt electric with our shared desire. Every touch, every kiss grew more urgent until we were both naked, skin against skin, the day’s excitement channeling into pure passion.
He lifted me easily, my legs wrapping around his waist as he pressed me against the tiled wall. The contrast between the cold surface at my back and his burning skin against my front sent shockwaves of pleasure through me.
“Right here?” I gasped, even as my body arched toward him.
His answer was to enter me in one powerful thrust that had me biting my lip to stifle a cry. The riding session had already left my muscles pleasantly sore and now this new exertion had me trembling with sensations that bordered on
overwhelming.
“Aiden,” I moaned, clinging to his shoulders as he established a rhythm that had me seeing stars.
Just when I thought I couldn’t take anymore, he carried me still connected-into the adjoining shower stall, turning on the water with his free hand. Warm droplets cascaded over us as he continued his relentless pace.
The steam rising around us, the water slicking our bodies, his whispered encouragements in my ear-it all combined into a perfect storm that sent me crashing over the edge, his name a breathless chant on my lips.
He followed moments later, his forehead pressed against mine, our ragged breathing mingling in the small, steam-filled space.
As the aftershocks subsided and our breathing steadied, he gently set me down, keeping his arms around me until he was sure my wobbly legs would support me.
“Well,” I managed finally, pushing wet hair from my face, “that was certainly one way to work up an even bigger appetite p>
His laugh echoed off the shower walls as he reached for the soap. “Let’s get cleaned up, then. I know just the place for dinner p>
We washed away the evidence of both our afternoon ride and our impromptu
shower activities, dressed in our regular clothes, and headed out, my stomach now audibly demanding attention.
As Aiden guided me toward his car
with his hand possessively at the small of my back, I couldn’t help thinking that Owen Carter’s warnings seemed especially absurd now. This didn’t feel like a marriage that had an expiration date.