Chapter 326

Aria’s POV

After dinner, we retreated to the bedroom. Aiden stepped into the bathroom first. Listening to the sound of running water, I pictured his bare body and swallowed hard at the edge of the bed.

I could barely think straight when Aiden emerged from the bathroom, his hair still damp, the dark silk pajamas clinging to every perfect line of his body. My gaze locked onto his throat, following the slow bob of his Adam’s apple as he swallowed. God, even that simple motion sent a sharp, hot jolt straight through me.

I forced my gaze away, sitting up straighter as heat burned my cheeks. “That was quick,” I said, striving for casualness.

“Mm-hmm,” he hummed, his eyes drifting down to my neckline.

I’d showered earlier and worn nothing beneath this oversized sleep shirt. The way his dark, intense stare lingered made me suddenly hyper-aware of how exposed I was-how easily one glance could reveal everything.

“Tired?” he asked, his voice deeper, rougher than usual.

I shook my head. “It’s only nine p>

I didn’t realize what I’d just invited, I innocently asked, “Are you heading out? It’s Sunday tomorrow. Going out tonight might be fun p>

Instead of answering, Aiden moved toward me with that unhurried confidence of his, wrapping his arms around me. “Not going out p>

He smelled incredible.

I wrapped my arms around his neck, looking up into those dark eyes. “Oh. Are you tired then p>

He shook his head before lifting me effortlessly and positioning me on his lap as he sat on the bed. My breath caught immediately. In this position, there was no mistaking his hardness pressing against me through the thin fabric of his pajamas.

My face flushed hot. I tried shifting positions, but his grip was firm, and every movement just created more friction between us.

“Still uncomfortable?” he murmured against my ear, his breath sending shivers down my spine.

Confused, I looked at him. “I’m not uncomfortable p>

His unwavering stare held mine for two seconds before I finally understood what he

meant. My brain short-circuited, and I couldn’t form words.

“Aiden, I’m thirsty,” I managed, pushing weakly against his chest in a pathetic attempt to escape.

When I looked up again, the raw desire in his eyes made my stomach flip. I couldn’t pretend I didn’t understand anymore.

“Dinner’s over, Aria,” he said, his hand sliding slowly along my waist.

Memories of what happened there flooded back. My breathing quickened, my face burning so hot the blush spread down my neck and chest.

When his lips finally claimed mine, my heart pounded frantically against my ribs. Unlike the other night, I was completely sober now.

Aiden started with gentle kisses, soft and tentative, but they quickly grew deeper, more demanding. Somehow I felt more intoxicated now than I had from Claire’s fruit tart.

In a dreamlike state, I felt my shirt being pushed up and over my head. I stared up at him through half-lidded eyes, suddenly unafraid of my nakedness.

“Still tired?” he asked, voice rough with desire.

My mind was already replaying vivid scenes from the previous night: our clothes scattered across the floor, my white panties thrown carelessly on top of his dark pajamas. The steamy bathroom mirror reflecting us as he held my waist under the shower spray.

And his voice, God, his voice commanding me through it all:

“Hold onto me, Aria p>

“Lift your leg, Aria p>

“Kiss me, Aria p>

Tonight felt different, though. Instead of the shy hesitation I’d felt before, something new was awakening in me. I wanted to touch him, to take control for once.

“No,” I answered finally, pushing him back against the headboard.

Surprise flickered across his face as I straddled him properly, my naked body pressing against the silk of his pajamas. I leaned forward, brushing my lips against his ear.

“My turn,” I whispered, shocking myself with my boldness.

His hands immediately gripped my hips, but I caught his wrists, pushing them back against the pillows. “Not yet p>

Aiden’s eyes darkened further, a mix of surprise and intense arousal. “Aria p>

“Shh,” I silenced him with a kiss, running my hands down his chest, feeling the hard muscle beneath the thin fabric. I’d never been this forward before nevertaken charge but something about our earlier encounter in the music room had unleashed something in me.

I worked the buttons of his pajama top, pushing it open to expose his chest. I traced

my fingers over the defined muscles, then followed the same path with my lips. His breathing grew heavier, and I could feel his control slipping.

“Where did this come from?” he asked, voice strained as I moved lower.

I looked up at him through my lashes. “Maybe I’ve been paying attention p>

His pajama bottoms were easy to remove, and then there was nothing between us: I explored his body with newfound confidence, delighting in every sharp intake of breath, every whispered curse when I found a particularly sensitive spot.

When his control finally snapped, he flipped us over in one smooth motion, pinning

me beneath him. “You’re playing with fire,” he growled against my throat.

“Maybe I want to get burned,” I challenged, wrapping my legs around his waist.

Our bodies moved together with an urgency I’d never experienced before. I wasn’t

shy about vocalizing my pleasure now, didn’t hide my reactions or muffle my sounds. His name fell from my lips like a prayer, over and over.

“Look at me,” he demanded as we moved together.

I forced my heavy eyes open, maintaining eye contact as waves of pleasure washed

over me. The intensity of his gaze, the connection between us in that moment,

pushed me over the edge in a way I’d never experienced before.

When he followed shortly after, collapsing beside me on the bed, I felt completely transformed. There was no awkwardness, no self-consciousness just a warm satisfaction and the comforting weight of his arm draped across my waist.

As our breathing returned to normal, I turned to face him, tracing my finger along his jawline. “I should talk to Lillian more often,” I murmured with a small smile.

His eyebrow raised in question.

“She’s the one who told me to come home early today,” I explained. “Maybe she knew exactly what I needed p>

Aiden pulled me closer, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “Remind me to thank her p>

I laughed softly, nestling against his chest, listening to his heartbeat slow.