Chapter 227
Aria’s POV
After our steamy session on the balcony, Aiden carried me to the bathroom, my legs still trembling and useless from multiple orgasms.
The warm water cascaded over our bodies as he gently washed away the evidence of our passion, his strong hands massaging soap across my sensitive skin.
“Round two?” he whispered against my ear, his hardness pressing into my back before I could even catch my breath.
“Already?” I gasped, but my body betrayed me, responding instantly to his touch as he turned me to face him.
Before I could say another word, he lifted me against the shower wall, the cool tiles contrasting with my heated skin. I wrapped my legs around his waist as he thrust into me, the water amplifying every sensation. My head fell back against the tile as he pounded relentlessly, hitting that perfect spot inside me with each stroke.
“Fuck, Aria,” he growled, his voice rough with desire. “You feel so goddamn tight p>
I couldn’t form coherent words, just desperate moans escaping my lips as the pressure built inside me. “Don’t stop,” I begged, digging my nails into his shoulders. “Right there, oh God, Aiden p>
When the orgasm hit me, it was even more intense than before. My entire body convulsed, waves of pleasure crashing through me as I squirted against him, my release mixing with the shower spray. I screamed his name, not caring who might hear.
“That’s it, baby,” he encouraged, not slowing his pace. “Come for me again p>
And I did, again and again until I was literally sobbing with pleasure, my body completely at his mercy.
“Please, Aiden… I can’t take anymore,” I finally whimpered, my voice hoarse and my body oversensitized.
Only then did he allow himself to finish, groaning my name as he came deep inside me. We stood there under the spray, clinging to each other as our breathing slowly returned to normal. Eventually, he carried my limp body to bed, where I passed out almost instantly in his arms.
I woke early the next morning and slipped out of bed before Aiden could catch me. If he’d grabbed me, I knew exactly where we’d end up—with him buried inside me again, making me scream his name for another hour. As tempting as that sounded, I had things to do today. I couldn’t spend all day in bed, no matter how persuasive his hands and mouth could be.
The following week flew by in a blur of activity. Aiden was swamped with work, and I was even busier with my own projects. We barely had time to exchange a few words each night before falling asleep, exhausted. Thankfully, this hectic schedule would end soon.
September 16th fell on a Saturday. I used the excuse of a weekend trip with Lillian to catch an early train to Lincoln City. The competition was tomorrow, and I still hadn’t told Aiden the truth.
“How are you going to explain this to your husband when your mask comes off tomorrow?” Lillian asked as I finished texting Aiden.
I grimaced, my face flushing. “What, should I just tell him now p>
Lillian snatched my phone away. “Forget it. Coming clean now won’t undo your deception! Just wait until tomorrow. If he gets angry, tell him you wanted to surprise him p>
“Besides, who knows if he’ll even show up to the event p>
I gave Lillian a thumbs-up, impressed by her quick thinking. “Damn, that’s brilliant! Why didn’t I think of that p>
Lillian arched her eyebrows smugly. “Just average genius, third best in the world. You should read more romance novels like I keep telling you! That’s where I learn all these relationship hacks p>
I’d been practicing so intensely lately that fatigue had become my constant companion. While chatting with Lillian, my eyelids grew heavier until I drifted off mid- conversation.
Lillian had apparently been talking for quite a while before she noticed I’d fallen asleep. She didn’t wake me until we reached our destination.
As soon as we stepped off the train, I spotted Madison waving frantically.
“Aria! Over here p>
Lillian and I walked over and climbed into Madison’s car to head to the hotel arranged by the event organizers. I needed to confirm my registration that afternoon and familiarize myself with the venue.
The day passed in a whirlwind of activity. By the time I retrieved my phone, it was already past six in the evening.
Lillian handed me my phone with a grimace. “You’re in trouble. Your husband called six times p>
My heart skipped a beat when I saw the “6 missed calls” notification. “Shit p>
I’d been so groggy getting off the train that I’d completely forgotten to let Aiden know I’d arrived safely!
I immediately called him back. He answered almost instantly. “Finally awake p>
His question caught me off guard. I glanced at Lillian instinctively.
Meeting her smug smile, I suddenly understood and responded guiltily, “Yeah, just woke up. I think I got a bit of motion sickness on the train. I crashed at the hotel and completely forgot to text you. I’m so sorry, Aiden p>
I apologized sincerely, knowing I’d messed up, my voice unconsciously taking on a slightly pouty tone.
Lillian listened nearby, rolling her eyes at my sweetness.
Just then, Madison finished talking with the event staff and walked over. Lillian quickly intercepted her, linking arms with her newfound ally. “Don’t go over there— she’s talking to her husband. Extremely unfriendly to us single people p>
Though Lillian wasn’t far from me, I heard every word clearly. Whatever sweet nothings I’d been about to say to Aiden died on my lips.
Aiden, confused by my sudden silence, prompted, “Aria p>
I snapped back to attention, touching my cheek self-consciously and changing the
subject. “We’re about to get dinner. What about you p>
“About to eat as well. Go ahead p>
“Okay p>
Before hanging up, Aiden asked, “Are you sure you don’t want me to pick you up at
the train station tomorrow p>
His question only increased my guilt. “No need p>
Tomorrow we might end up traveling back together anyway. Unless, of course, he didn’t come to Lincoln City at all.
“Alright. Stay safe. Enjoy your dinner p>
“Mm-hmm p>
After hanging up, I gave Lillian and Madison an embarrassed look. “I’m starving. Can we go eat now, ladies p>
Madison nodded enthusiastically.
“Absolutely! We can eat at the hotel
restaurant! Since you’re competing
tomorrow, Aria, let’s keep it light tonight After the competition ends, in the morning, take you both somewhere amazing p>
Lillian snorted. “After the competition, your precious Aria might not be available for
your fantastic food tour p>
Madison looked confused. “Huh? Why not p>
“Because she’ll be with her husband, obviously! Weren’t you listening p>
I blushed easily and couldn’t stand Lillian’s teasing anymore. I rushed over and playfully tackled her. “That’s enough, Lil! One more word and I’ll throw you into the ocean to feed the sharks p>
“Oh, I’m terrified!” she mocked. “If I hadn’t been clever enough to cover for all those missed calls, I’d love to see how you’d have explained yourself p>
I grimaced. “You’re the best, you’re absolutely the best! I’m starving—would the world’s most amazing Lillian Moore please allow us to go eat dinner now?” Lillian made a grand sweeping gesture. “Let’s go! Only because you’re pretty, I’ll forgive you for force-feeding me your relationship bliss before dinner p>
I really needed to find Lillian a boyfriend.
Concerned about revealing my identity prematurely, we ordered room service instead of dining in the restaurant. With the competition starting at ten tomorrow morning, I planned on an early night.
After dinner, I showered and prepared for bed. The moment my head hit the pillow, my phone chimed with a text: “Ms. Jones, have you arrived in Lincoln City p>
I stared at my phone in disbelief. Elena Hayes was becoming unbearably smug!
I tossed my phone to Lillian. “Lil, look at this p>
Lillian, absorbed in her novel, barely looked up. “What? Did you and Aiden have a
fight p>
I winced. “No, it’s Elena. She sent another message p>
“Let me see p>
Just as Lillian picked up my phone,
another text from Elena came through. Lillian read it aloud: “At tomorrow’s award ceremony, my friend has promised to help me.
remove is mask. Then we finally discover who Lucas has been pining after all these years p>
After reading it, Lillian burst out laughing. “This Elena woman is seriously deranged!
‘We’ll finally discover’? Who’s ‘we’? Can I respond to this p>
I nodded. “Go ahead p>
But then I grabbed her hand before
she could type. “Actually, forget it. Don’t engage was wondering how to best reveal my identity tomorrow anyway. Since Elena’s done the planning for me, I’ll just play along with her scheme p>
I finished with a mischievous gleam in my eyes.
Lillian caught on immediately, her eyes brightening. “You’re right, Aria! Ha! I can’t
wait to see Elena’s face when she discovers it’s you behind the mask p>
I shrugged. “I just hope she doesn’t have a complete meltdown. I’d rather not be
associated with her in front of all those media people p>
“Pfft—hahaha! Aria, you’ve really come into your own p>
I disagreed with that assessment. “Haven’t I always been this awesome p>
“Yes, yes, yes! Ms. Awesome, it’s bedtime for you p>
I checked the time. “You’re right. Goodnight p>
Lillian nodded. “Goodnight p>
She’d get some rest too, to be fully alert for tomorrow’s spectacle!