Chapter 200
Aria’s POV
I couldn’t help but laugh at his jealousy. “Aiden Carter, you get jealous way too easily p>
“As long as you know it,” he replied in that deep voice that always made my stomach flutter.
Before I could respond, he tilted my chin up and captured my lips with his. The sudden kiss stole my breath away. My fingers instinctively clutched at his shirt as he gently nibbled my lower lip, treating it like a delicate morsel he couldn’t get enough of.
My breathing grew heavier with each passing second. The afternoon air felt electric, crackling with tension between us. When he slipped his hand under the hem of my shirt, the cool rush of air against my skin momentarily cleared my head.
I pushed against his chest lightly, resisting. Aiden’s hand continued caressing my waist, his palm burning hot against my skin. That heat spread through my entire body, reaching my heart, frightening me with its intensity.
“Aiden—” I pushed harder this time, my voice pleading.
He studied my face for a moment before relenting to my unspoken request. Wrapping his arms around me, he leaned back into the couch with a frustrated sigh.
“Will my wife ever tell me when we can finally move forward?” he asked, his voice rough with restrained desire.
I looked up at him, my eyes slightly watery. “Is that all you want from me? Just the physical part? And then what goodbye p>
Aiden couldn’t handle my vulnerable expression. He covered my eyes with his hand. “Don’t look at me like that,” he murmured, his voice low and husky like gravel beneath tires.
The sound made my heart ache with a peculiar yearning. I swallowed hard and pulled his hand away, my face burning as I met his gaze. “If I’m counting correctly, we’ve only known each other for about three months p>
It had happened so fast. I never imagined I could fall for someone in just three months. But with Aiden being who he was, it somehow made perfect sense.
I rested against his chest, fighting through my embarrassment to continue. “I want us to be together longer p>
I didn’t want this to be just physical attraction that would fizzle out once the passion cooled, leaving us to go our separate ways. That wasn’t what I wanted at all.
I didn’t want some fast-food version of love. I wanted something solid, something that would last.
Aiden sighed, both exasperated and tender. “I understand,” he said, stroking my hair before pressing a kiss to my forehead. “We’ll take it slow p>
“Okay,” I mumbled, too embarrassed to look at him, choosing instead to bury my face against his chest.
The house was quiet around us. Noon sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, bathing us in its golden glow. Aiden’s face was backlit, his dark eyes focused solely on me, as if I were the only source of light he needed.
After cuddling against him for a while, I suddenly remembered something Elena had mentioned. “Do you like watching jet ski competitions?” I asked.
Aiden raised an eyebrow. “Not particularly p>
I shifted slightly. “There’s a competition in Lake City next month. Would you want to go p>
He studied me for a moment before clicking his tongue. “What exactly did Elena tell you p>
I froze, surprised at how quickly he’d seen through me. “Just that you enjoyed watching jet ski competitions p>
“What else?” he asked, fingers finding my earlobe and playing with it as if he’d discovered a new favorite toy.
My ears burned under his touch. I gently pushed his hand away. “That’s hot,” I protested.
He chuckled and released me. “Did Elena also mention I supposedly have a past love who was a jet ski racer p>
I stared at him in shock. “How did you know p>
As soon as the words left my mouth, I realized I’d completely given myself away. My face flushed hot as I asked with barely contained curiosity, “Is it true p>
Aiden looked down at me, his lips curved into that teasing half-smile that always made my stomach flutter. “Mrs. Carter, do you actually believe those romance novels p>
“That’s not really up to me to decide, is it?” I felt my cheeks warm under his intense gaze. Like seriously, did he think I could just decide what was real or fake in relationships based on my opinion?
“You’ve been reading too many novels,” he murmured, his thumb tracing lazy circles on my hip where his hand had settled.
“I hardly read any!” I protested, feeling unfairly accused. Between my piano practice and hitting the gym, where would I even find time to binge romance novels like Lillian suggested?
Aiden dropped the subject, his voice deepening as he said, “Let’s take a nap. We’ll head out at five p>
“Where to?” I stifled another yawn, my body already craving the comfort of our bed. “Dinner.” His one-word answer vibrated against my skin where his chest pressed against mine.
“Right.” I suddenly remembered he’d given Nanny the day off.
As I attempted to slide off his lap, Aiden’s strong arms wrapped around my thighs, lifting me effortlessly from the couch. My legs instinctively locked around his waist as I looped my arms around his neck.
“I can walk upstairs myself,” I mumbled drowsily, blinking up at him through heavy eyelids.
His dark eyes gleamed. “Don’t you enjoy when I carry you, Mrs. Carter p>
I hesitated, not daring to deny it. “I guess so p>
God, but not like this! This position-my legs wrapped around his waist, my center pressed intimately against his abs—felt way too suggestive. My face burned hotter with each step he took up the stairs.
It wasn’t that I had a dirty mind, but this position left little to the imagination. Thankfully, the journey to our bedroom wasn’t long.
Aiden gently set me down on the chaise at the foot of our bed. I steadied myself against the armrest, slipping my feet into my slippers before padding to the walk-in closet for something more comfortable to sleep in.
Midday sunlight flooded our master bedroom, casting everything in a warm golden glow. I emerged in my Silk pajamas to fine Aider pointing
the remote at the windows, the motorized curtains sliding closed at his command.
I pulled back the thin summer comforter and slipped between the cool sheets,
watching him. “Aren’t you coming to bed p>
Aiden turned, his dark eyes now filled with unmistakable hunger as they raked over
my body. “Is that an invitation, Mrs. Carter p>
My breath caught in my throat. “Yes,” I whispered, “it is p>
He moved toward the bed with that predatory grace that never failed to make my heart race. The mattress
dipped under his weight as he. crawled over me, his muscular frame caging me in. I reached up to
trace the sharp line of his jaw, feeling the slight stubble beneath my fingertips.
“You should know better than to invite me to bed if you actually want to nap,” he murmured, lowering his head to brush his lips against the sensitive spot beneath my
ear.
I shivered, my body instantly responding. “Who said anything about napping p>
His chuckle was dark and promised delicious things as his hands slid under my silk
top, fingers splaying across my ribs. “These need to go,” he said, tugging at the
hem.
I raised my arms, allowing him to
pull the top over my head. The cool air kissed my bare breasts for only a moment before Aiden’s warm palm covered que, his thumb brushing over my nipple until it hardened into a tight peak.