Chapter 244
Aria’s POV
Our ride was waiting right outside, with the staff quickly grabbing our luggage and helping us into the car.
The moment we shut the doors, I spotted a swarm of reporters realizing what was happening. They rushed toward our vehicle, cameras flashing wildly through the windows.
“God, they’re intense,” I said, turning to Aiden with a half-smirk.
He laughed softly, reaching for my hand and playing with my pinky finger. “That’s what happens when Mrs. Carter generates this much buzz p>
“I’m hardly a celebrity,” I protested, feeling heat creep up my neck despite myself. “Better than one,” he murmured, his thumb tracing circles on my skin.
His words sent a flutter through my stomach that I couldn’t quite suppress. Even after being together so long, he still had this effect on me.
As our car pulled away smoothly, the reporters fell behind, though I caught a glimpse of one particularly determined photographer sprinting after us in the rearview mirror, camera still rolling.
“Talk about dedication,” I muttered, raising an eyebrow. “Wonder what kind of clicks they think they’ll get from filming little old me p>
Once we hit the highway, I pulled out my phone and texted Lillian to let her know we were safely on our way. The airport wasn’t far—maybe fifteen minutes from where
we were.
Being Monday, the airport wasn’t particularly crowded, and we breezed through security. The flight from Los Angeles to Atlanta would take about four hours. By the time Aiden and I deplaned, it was already 3:30 PM.
Atlanta’s weather greeted us pleasantly—the worst heat of the day had passed, leaving behind that comfortable late afternoon warmth. Lucas had arranged for a driver to meet us, and we slipped into the waiting car as soon as we exited the terminal.
We reached the house around four, finding it empty—Aiden had given Nanny the weekend off. I took a glass of water from him, about to ask if he needed to swing by the office when my phone rang.
Glancing at the caller ID, I turned the screen toward Aiden. “It’s Dad p>
Aiden smiled, gently ruffling my hair. “Go ahead and answer p>
I nodded, perching on a barstool and propping my chin on my hand as I accepted the call. “Hey, Dad p>
“Aria, you’re back from LA?” My father’s voice came through clear and curious.
I instantly knew my secret was out. For twenty-six years, I’d managed to maintain this image of being his perfectly proper daughter. Now, thanks to that viral “AJ” video, that façade had crumbled completely.
“You found out, huh?” I bit my lip, feeling like a teenager caught sneaking out.
Surprisingly, Dad didn’t sound upset at all—just amazed. “I had no idea my daughter was such a badass on a jet ski p>
All these years, and he never discovered my passion for racing. Some detective he turned out to be.
“I’m sorry, Dad. I didn’t mean to keep it from you,” I said, my voice softening. “Sweetheart, what are you apologizing for? I should be the one saying sorry. You’ve been competing all this time and I never even knew p>
His words sent a warm wave of relief washing through me. “I deliberately kept it quiet. I didn’t want you to worry p>
“Oh, Aria! You could have told me about your jet skiing. I wouldn’t have stopped you p>
Of course, I knew he wouldn’t have forbidden it, but I also knew how he worried. Compared to other hobbies, jet skiing did carry certain risks.
“You just focus on resting after your competition. And tell Aiden not to work too hard, okay p>
“Will do, Dad p>
After hanging up, I sipped my water for a moment before setting it down and instinctively looking for Aiden. When I glanced up, my breath caught in my throat.
There he was, coming down the stairs wearing nothing but swim trunks.
My eyes immediately locked onto those perfectly defined abs. It wasn’t like I hadn’t seen them before—God knows I’d traced every ridge with my fingers and lips countless times—but the sight still sent heat pooling low in my belly.
“Going for a swim?” I asked, my voice coming out huskier than intended.
I let my gaze wander deliberately over his chest, down to where his swim trunks hung low on his hips. The memory of what lay beneath made my pulse quicken. His dark eyes met mine, that usually calm gaze now dancing with amusement. “Care to join me, Mrs. Carter p>
I shook my head instinctively. “I’ll pass p>
Aiden’s expression shifted slightly, his eyebrow arching. “You know, I’ve never actually seen you swim p>
He looked genuinely disappointed, and something about that made me reconsider.
I pressed my lips together, making a decision. “Give me five minutes to change p>
His face lit up with a smile that made my heart skip. “Take your time p>
Then he turned toward the garden, and I watched him walk away, admiring the flex of muscles across his back with each step.
I couldn’t shake the feeling I’d just been played. Could I still back out?
After a moment’s hesitation, I headed upstairs and changed into a black one-piece athletic swimsuit with boy-short bottoms that eliminated any worry about exposing too much.
I studied my reflection for a moment, adjusting the straps across my tanned shoulders before heading back downstairs.
The afternoon sun hit just right-warm without being scorching. When I reached the pool area, Aiden was already in the water.
Hearing my approach, he stopped swimming and stood up in the shallow end, water cascading down his chest. My eyes traced the rivulets making their way down his torso, and I felt my temperature rise despite the cool water awaiting me.
I walked to the edge, acutely aware of his gaze following my legs as I approached.
Aiden’s eyes darkened as he watched me, his Adam’s apple bobbing visibly before he turned his attention to my face as I slowly lowered myself into the water.
The pool was about five feet deep, just enough for me to stand with my head comfortably above water. Once submerged, I felt more at ease, resting my hand against the wall as I looked at Aiden. “Why did you stop swimming p>
“Taking a breather,” he replied, his voice low.
“Guess I’ll swim solo then?” I challenged with a slight smile.
Being a jet ski racer meant swimming skills were essential. I
since
was proficient in butterfly, breaststroke, and freestyle-had been a strong swimmer since childhood. And on a hot day dike this, the cool water felt divine against my skin.
I dove under, pushing off with my feet and gliding through the water. The pool was massive-nearly thirty meters long-and I completed two laps before fatigue began setting in. Yesterday’s competition had definitely taken its toll on my
muscles.
I swam to the wall, leaning against it to catch my breath. Only then did I realize
Aiden was no longer in the pool.
I glanced toward the lounge area but saw no sign of him. Where had he disappeared to?
As I wondered, I spotted him walking back from the garden area, carrying two glasses of what looked like fresh juice.
I watched him approach, those swim trunks clinging to his hips in a way that made
my mouth go dry. When he reached the edge, I tilted my head up and accepted the offered glass. “Thanks p>
Aiden set the tray aside and slipped back into the water beside me. “Tired?” he asked.
I nodded, feeling a twinge of guilt. “Probably from all the training last week p>
The mention made me uncomfortable. I’d spent the entire week practicing, while
telling Aiden I was attending an expo with Lillian.
I lowered my head, sucking on the straw and avoiding his eyes.
When I finally heard him move, diving back into the water and swimming away, I
lifted my gaze to watch him, his powerful strokes cutting through the pool with practiced ease.
As I observed him, my mind wandered to what might happen once we were both done swimming. The house was empty, after all, and something about seeing Aiden like this water glistening on his skin, muscles flexing with each movement made me want to forget all about being tired.