Chapter 171
Aria’s POV
The atmosphere in the car became strange and tense after Aiden’s words.
I noticed the subtle smile at the corner of his lips, knowing I had fallen into his trap. During the twenty-minute drive home, I pretended to sleep while he pretended not to see through my little act.
I could feel his gaze occasionally sweeping over from the driver’s seat, wrapping around me like tentacles. The temperature inside the car seemed higher than usual – perhaps just my imagination, but enough to make my heart race.
When the car finally pulled into the garage, Aiden didn’t immediately wake me. I heard him unbuckle his seatbelt, followed by the rustling of fabric. Through my slightly opened eyes, I saw him leisurely remove his jacket and unbutton the top two buttons of his shirt, his Adam’s apple sliding in the dim light.
Damn, he was doing this on purpose.
Soon, he came to the passenger door and unbuckled my seatbelt. I felt his strong arms slip under my knees and back, easily lifting me up. My face pressed close to his chest, catching that familiar woody scent mixed with his unique masculine aura.
I had planned to pretend to wake up when going upstairs, but stubbornness made me persist with this charade. When he carried me past my bedroom door without stopping, my heart lurched. He carried me straight toward his master bedroom.
This wasn’t in my plan.
When he placed me on his large bed, I could almost hear my drumming heartbeat. Aiden then left the room, and I quickly opened my eyes, looking around – dark sheets, familiar woody fragrance, undoubtedly Aiden’s bedroom.
I frantically tried to sneak back to my own room, but just as I got off the bed, I saw Aiden returning with something in his hands. His gaze froze me in place, then he slowly turned the door lock – the “click” was particularly clear in the quiet room.
“I… I think I fell asleep,” I tried to act nonchalant.
“Really?” He raised an eyebrow, approaching me step by step.
Only then did I notice he was holding his jacket. Lost in thought, he had already reached me. I instinctively backed away, but soon my calves hit the bed edge and I sat down. Aiden pulled over a chair to sit in front of me, then right before my eyes, rolled up that expensive jacket and threw it in the trash.
“You… why did you throw it away?” I asked in surprise.
“It’s dirty,” he said calmly.
“Where is it dirty? It looks clean p>
“The collar p>
His tone made me realize he meant the lipstick mark Elena had left. The air suddenly became tense.
“Mrs. Carter, explain tonight’s events.” His voice was unhurried but made my heart tremble.
“Ex… explain what?” I asked knowingly.
Aiden leaned down, hands braced on either side of my body, eyes looking directly at me: “Explain your fake stomach ache p>
My mind went blank with nowhere to escape. “Just… just wanted to fool you p>
“Just wanted to fool me? Nothing else p>
“Right, just sudden mischief.” I answered stubbornly, knowing how pale and weak this excuse was.
“Really? Then can I be mischievous too?” He smiled, the chair suddenly sliding forward, closing our distance to just a fist apart.
His breath surrounded me completely, I wanted to retreat but had nowhere to go. Just as I panicked, he gripped the back of my head with one hand, protected my back with the other, and kissed my lips without hesitation.
This kiss wasn’t gentle, it was predatory, as if wanting to devour me. My mind went blank, only feeling his tongue pry open my lips and teeth, exploring my mouth, sweeping over every sensitive spot.
When he finally released me, my eyes were already moist, breathing unsteady.
“Keep looking at me like that, and it won’t just be such simple mischief, baby.” His low voice sounded by my ear, palm covering my eyes.
I pulled away his hand, looking directly into his eyes: “Why did you kiss me?” I wanted to hear him say it himself.
He didn’t answer, instead asking: “Why did you lie to me p>
We stared at each other like two stubborn children, neither willing to admit defeat first. But I soon gave₫n: “We’re even – Llied to you, you kissed me, mischief for mischief.” I lowered my head, trying to hide the bitterness in my heart.
“You were jealous, weren’t you?” He lifted my chin, forcing me to face him.
Being directly exposed made me both embarrassed and annoyed: “No, don’t talk nonsense p>
I forced out a smile: “Sorry for causing you trouble p>
“Do you think I’m troubled p>
I was stunned: “Huh p>
“I’m not troubled.” His dark eyes contained laughter, looking at me tenderly.
“What does not troubled mean?” I blinked, another tear sliding down.
He reached out to wipe away my tears, pulling me onto his lap: “Want to know what
it means p>
I nodded: “Yes p>
“Alright then.” He kissed me again, this kiss much gentler, as if tasting some precious delicacy. His breath surrounded me, making me dizzy.
When our lips parted, he suddenly stood up and walked toward the nightstand. I was still immersed in that kiss until I saw him pull out handcuffs and a small black box.
“Aiden?” I called his name uncertainly.
“Since you won’t answer honestly, I’ll have to use other methods to make you talk.” His tone carried dangerous charm.
I felt both nervous and excited. This wasn’t our first time making love, but he had never used these things before. “I don’t need to answer anything,” I said stubbornly, “that was just a joke, I wasn’t jealous p>
“Really?” He walked back to me, easily pushing me down on the bed with one hand. “Tonight I want to hear the truth, otherwise He leaned close to my ear, “otherwise you’ll beg me to let you climax p>
His words hit my body like electric current, I felt heat rush straight to my lower abdomen. But I still wouldn’t admit defeat: “You’re too confident, Mr. Carter p>
“Let’s see then.” His hand slid toward my hem, easily pushing it to my waist.
I didn’t resist, on the contrary, I
ston
twisted to meet his touch. We had made love several times before, I was already used his body bu
het
tonight felt different the air was
filled with a dangerous and exciting atmosphere.
He undid my dress and threw it aside, then my undergarments. Soon, I lay completely naked before
him. In contrast he still wore hist
shirt and suit pants just with a few buttons undone, revealing solid chest muscles.
“Put out your hands.” He commanded.
I hesitated but complied. Cold metal cuffs locked around my wrists, then he secured
the other end to the headboard.
“Now, tell me,” his fingers traced my collarbone, “why did you lie to me tonight p>
“I told you, it was just a joke.” I bit my lip, even when restrained, unwilling to surrender easily.
“Wrong answer.” He said, taking a small vibrator from the black box, turning it on – the low humming was particularly obvious in the quiet bedroom.
When the cool vibrator touched my nipple, I involuntarily arched my body. The tingling sensation instantly spread throughout my body, making me gasp in surprise.