Chapter 243
Aria’s POV
Our car waited right outside the door. The staff took our luggage and escorted us to the vehicle. As soon as Aiden and I slipped inside and closed the doors, reporters descended on us, cameras flashing through the windows.
“That’s intense,” I said, turning toward Aiden with raised eyebrows.
He chuckled softly, taking my hand and playing with my pinky finger. “Mrs. Carter draws quite the crowd these days p>
“I’m not even a celebrity,” I protested, feeling my cheeks warm.
“Better than one,” he replied with a smirk.
His comment only made me more self-conscious. I watched through the rear-view mirror as our driver pulled away, leaving the persistent photographers behind. One particularly determined guy kept running after us, camera still recording.
Now that’s dedication! I couldn’t help but wonder why a nobody like me generated so much interest.
Once we hit the highway, I pulled out my phone and texted Lillian to let her know we’d made it safely. The trip to the train station took only fifteen minutes.
Being Monday afternoon, the station wasn’t crowded. We breezed through security and boarded our train. The seventy-minute ride from Livingston to Anderson passed quickly, and by the time we disembarked, it was already 3:30 PM.
Anderson greeted us with perfect weather-the intense midday heat had given way to a pleasant coolness. Lucas had arranged for a driver to pick us up, and we headed straight to the car waiting outside the station.
By the time we reached the house, it was late afternoon. Eleanor, our housekeeper, had been given two days off, leaving the place empty and quiet.
I accepted a glass of water from Aiden and was about to ask if he needed to stop by the office when my phone rang. Glancing at the caller ID, I turned the screen toward Aiden.
“It’s my dad,” I said.
Aiden smiled, gently ruffling my hair. “Go ahead and answer p>
I perched on a bar stool, propping my chin in my hand as I accepted the call. “Hi, Dad p>
“Aria, you’re back from Livingston?” My father’s voice came through clearly.
From his tone, I knew immediately that my secret was out. After twenty-six years of playing the perfect, proper daughter in front of Benjamin Jones, my “JJ” persona had finally been exposed.
“You know already, huh?” I bit my lip, feeling a wave of embarrassment.
To my surprise, Dad didn’t sound upset at all. Instead, he sounded amazed. “I had no idea my little girl was so talented p>
All these years, he hadn’t known about my love for jet skiing. Some father I’d made him be.
“I’m sorry, Dad. I didn’t mean to keep it from you,” I said quickly.
“Sweetheart, what are you apologizing for? I’m the one who should be sorry. You’ve been jet skiing for years, and I never even noticed p>
His words sent a warm feeling through my chest. “I deliberately kept it from you p>
“Oh, honey. If you’d told me you enjoyed jet skiing, I wouldn’t have stopped you p>
I knew he wouldn’t have, but I also didn’t want him worrying. Compared to other hobbies, jet skiing definitely carried some risks.
“Anyway, you must be tired after the competition. Get some rest, and tell Aiden not to work too hard p>
“I will, Dad p>
After hanging up, I sat quietly sipping my water for a few moments. When I looked up, searching for Aiden, I spotted him coming down the stairs wearing nothing but swim trunks.
My eyes immediately locked onto his perfectly defined abs. It wasn’t the first time I’d seen him shirtless, but my face still flushed hot.
“Going swimming?” I asked, frantically looking anywhere but at his body, finally settling on the stair railing behind him. After composing myself, I managed to meet his eyes again.
His dark gaze held mine, usually calm but now dancing with amusement. “Care to join me, Mrs. Carter p>
I shook my head automatically. “No thanks p>
Aiden’s eyebrows drew together slightly. “I’ve never seen you swim before p>
He looked genuinely disappointed, which made me reconsider.
“I’ll go change,” I said, pressing my lips together.
His expression brightened instantly. “Great p>
As he turned and walked toward the garden, I couldn’t shake the feeling I’d just been played. Could I still back out?
After hesitating briefly, I went upstairs and changed into a black one-piece athletic swimsuit with a skirt bottom that prevented any wardrobe malfunctions.
I studied my reflection for a moment before heading downstairs. The late afternoon sun hit just right-warm without being scorching.
When I reached the pool, Aiden was already in the water. Hearing my footsteps, he stopped swimming and stood up, using his height advantage to keep his head above water.
In the sunlight, my tanned legs seemed to glow. I caught Aiden looking, then quickly averting his gaze as his Adam’s apple bobbed noticeably slipped into the five-foot-deep pool, which was just deep enough for me to keep my
head above water.
Once submerged, my self-consciousness faded. Gripping the edge of the pool, I
looked at Aiden. “Why did you stop swimming p>
“Taking a break,” he replied.
“Should I swim on my own then p>
Jet skiing requires excellent
swimming skills, and I was proficient in breaststroke, butterfly, and
freestyle. I’d always been
comfortable in water, and swimming ona hot day felt incredible.
I dove underwater and swam a few laps. The pool was huge-at least thirty yards long. After two rounds, I started feeling tired, yesterday competition had really taken a toll on my body.
I swam to the wall and rested against it, only then noticing that Aiden was no longer
in the pool. I glanced toward the lounge area but didn’t see him there either.
Where did he go?
Just as I wondered, Aiden appeared from the garden direction, carrying two glasses
of juice. I watched him approach, tilting my head up as he reached me.
“Thanks,” I said, taking the offered drink.
He set the tray down and slipped back into the water. “Tired p>
I nodded. “Probably from all the training last week p>
The mention of training made me feel guilty. I’d told Aiden I was attending an expo
with Lillian when I was actually practicing every day.
I lowered my head sheepishly, sipping through the straw and avoiding eye contact.
Aiden noticed my reddening ears. His eyes flickered with something unreadable before he submerged himself and swam away.
Only when I heard the splash did I dare look up, watching as he glided through the
water.