Chapter 275
Aria’s POV
“I frowned, wrinkling my nose as Lillian hugged me goodbye. “Of course my bestie can call me babe p>
The evening had been perfect-fresh lobster and two bottles of rich cabernet that left a warm tingle on my tongue. By the time we said our goodbyes, the clock had ticked past ten. Ryan had knocked back a few too many glasses to drive, so he’d called for a car service. Lillian had planned to grab an Uber, but Ryan insisted she ride with his driver instead-something about a woman shouldn’t travel alone this late.
Me? I’d only had one beer, but the alcohol hit me harder than expected. The pleasant buzz I’d felt earlier had transformed into a delicious warmth spreading through my limbs.
After buckling my seatbelt, I turned toward Aiden in the driver’s seat, my forehead crinkling with the effort of focusing on his face. “Aiden, I think I’m drunk p>
His lips quirked upward, eyes crinkling at the corners. “People who are actually drunk never admit they’re drunk p>
He’d stayed sober since he was driving, responsible as always.
“No, no,” I insisted, wagging my finger with exaggerated precision. “I’m not drunk yet, but I can feel myself getting there p>
Something about him pulled at me the way his strong hands gripped the steering wheel, how his cologne filled the small space between us. I wanted to climb into his lap, to feel his mouth on mine, to run my fingers through his hair.
The thought sent a rush of heat between my legs. I swallowed hard, forcing myself to look away before I did something embarrassing. “Let’s go home p>
Aiden twisted the cap off a water bottle and passed it to me. “Drink some water p>
“Mm-hmm,” I mumbled, taking the bottle and sipping slowly.
He fastened his seatbelt and started the engine, the car purring to life beneath us. I took another sip of water, carefully screwing the cap back on to avoid spilling, then cradled the bottle while watching him drive. My eyes traced the strong line of his jaw, the way his forearms flexed as he turned the wheel.
I didn’t realize I was staring until I noticed how his breathing had quickened under my gaze.
Traffic flowed smoothly this time of night, and within twenty minutes, we pulled into our driveway. I set the water bottle down and watched Aiden unbuckle his seatbelt before fumbling with my own.
I pushed my door open but didn’t step out, waiting expectantly for him to come around.
When Aiden circled to my side of the car, he found me grinning up at him, my pulse quickening at the way his eyes darkened when they met mine.
“Mrs. Carter not getting out?” he asked, his voice dropping to that low register that always made my skin prickle with anticipation.
I stretched my arms toward him like a child. “I want you to carry me p>
The usually composed expression on his face melted into something tender and hungry all at once.
He leaned down, scooping me effortlessly into his arms—one hand under my thighs, the other supporting my back. I wrapped my arms around his neck, my face inches from his. “Aiden p>
“Hmm?” He pushed the car door shut with his hip, holding me as if I weighed nothing.
“Have you ever carried anyone else like this?” I whispered against his ear, breathing in his scent.
“Never,” he answered without hesitation.
Satisfaction bloomed in my chest, and I smiled, resting my head on his shoulder as he carried me toward our front door. The housekeeper had already gone home, leaving only the entryway light on while the rest of the house remained dark.
As Aiden reached for the light switch, I grabbed his wrist. “Make a wish first.” “What?” Confusion crept into his voice.
“Make a wish before turning on the lights,” I insisted, my alcohol-fueled mind finding this perfectly logical.
Aiden raised an eyebrow but humored me, closing his eyes for a moment. “Done p>
In the soft amber glow from outside, I studied his features—the sharp angles softened by shadows. I’d planned to tease him, but something in his expression made me shy. “What did you wish for p>
“Can I tell you?” he asked.
“Of course you can. It’s not a birthday wish-those are the only ones you have to keep secret.” I nodded solemnly, as though sharing profound wisdom.
His dark eyes held mine as he spoke carefully. “I wished for my wife to always be as happy as she is right now p>
Something squeezed in my chest. I leaned forward and pressed my lips against his, then nestled against his shoulder, my mouth brushing his ear. “I love you so much, Aiden p>
How did I get so lucky? He knew I was being ridiculous, yet he played along without making me feel childish.
He turned his head to look at me, desire darkening his eyes to midnight.
With a soft click, the living room lights flooded on. I straightened in his arms, grinning triumphantly. “Look! The lights came on—wish granted p>
Aiden laughed softly. “And what did my wife wish for p>
He turned off the entryway light and carried me upstairs.
My cheeks, already flushed from alcohol, burned hotter. Truth was, I hadn’t made any wish at all—I’d been too busy admiring how adorably serious he looked making his own wish.
I couldn’t lie to him. I never could. After a long pause, I mumbled, “I’m not telling you p>
Aiden’s lips twitched into a smile, but he didn’t press further.
He carried me into our master bedroom and set me down gently on the couch. The moment his familiar woodsy scent moved away, my hand shot out instinctively, grabbing his sleeve.
Aiden glanced down at his captured arm. “Want me to hold you again p>
I released him, embarrassed by my neediness. “Is my face still red p>
“Like a summer sunset,” he murmured, his eyes darkening as they traveled over my body.
The look he gave me sent liquid heat pooling between my thighs. Maybe it was the alcohol, but I suddenly couldn’t remember why I should pretend to be anything but desperate for him. I crooked my finger, beckoning him closer.
“I think I need some help undressing,” I purred, reaching for the top button of my blouse.
Aiden’s breath hitched. “You’re drunk p>
“Not that drunk,” I countered, successfully unfastening one button, then another. “Just drunk enough to tell you exactly what I want p>
I stood up, swaying slightly as I stepped toward him. When my fingers fumbled with the third button, Aiden’s hands covered mine.
“Let me,” he whispered, his voice rough.
His fingers worked methodically down my blouse, each newly exposed inch of skin making me shiver. When he pushed the fabric from my shoulders, I let it fall to the floor, standing before him in my lacy black bra.
“God, Aria,” he groaned, his hands finding my waist. “You drive me crazy p>
I pressed myself against him, feeling his hardness through his pants. “Then do something about it p>
His mouth crashed down on mine, hot and demanding. I moaned into the kiss, my hands fumbling with his belt as he walked me backward toward the bathroom.
“Shower,” he mumbled against my lips. “You’ll thank me in the morning p>
The large marble shower was my favorite part of our bathroom renovation multiple showerheads bench seating, and enough room for activities that had nothing to do with getting clean. Aiden turned on the water while I stripped off my remaining clothes, leaving them in a heap on the floor.
When I stepped into the shower, the hot water cascaded over my skin, heightening every sensation. Aiden joined me moments later, gloriously naked, water droplets
clinging to his broad shoulders and defined chest.
“Come here,” I demanded, reaching for him.
His hands found my waist, lifting me effortlessly wrapped my legs around him, gasping as he pressed me against the cool tile wall. The contrast between the cold surface at my back and his hot skin against my front sent electricity racing through me.
“Fuck, you’re beautiful,” he growled, his mouth descending to my neck, leaving a
trail of bites and kisses.
“Please,” I whimpered, grinding against him. “Don’t make me wait p>
One of his hands slipped between us, fingers finding me slick and ready. “So wet for me already,” he murmured, circling my clit with maddening precision.
“Always,” I gasped, my head falling back against the tile as he slid two fingers inside me. “Oh god, right there p>
He worked me expertly, knowing exactly how to curl his fingers to hit that spot that made my vision blur. When I was right on the edge, he withdrew his hand, making me whine in protest.
“Patience,” he whispered, positioning himself at my entrance. With one powerful thrust, he filled me completely.
I cried out, digging my nails into his shoulders. The fullness was overwhelming every nerve ending lighting up as he began to move within me.
“Aiden,” I moaned, meeting each thrust with a roll of my hips. “Harder p>
He complied, his pace increasing, hands gripping my thighs so tightly I knew they’d
leave marks. Each thrust pushed me higher, the coil of pleasure within me winding tighter.
“That’s it,” he encouraged, voice strained with effort. “Take what you need p>
Water pounded around us as our bodies moved together in perfect rhythm. When he shifted slightly, changing the angle, I practically screamed as he hit exactly the right spot.
“There!” I gasped, tightening my legs around him. “Don’t stop, don’t stop, don’t p>
The orgasm crashed through me like a tidal wave, my inner walls clenching around him as I shuddered in his arms. Aiden followed moments later, burying his face in my neck as he came with a guttural groan.
For several moments, we stayed locked together, breathing heavily as the warm water washed over us. Eventually, Aiden lowered my trembling legs to the floor, keeping one arm around me for support.
“Still think you’re drunk?” he asked, a smirk playing at his lips.
I laughed, leaning against him. “Maybe just on you p>
He reached for the shampoo, pouring some into his palm before working it gently
through my hair. His fingers massaged my scalp, drawing a contented sigh from my
lips.
“I love when you wash my hair,” I murmured, eyes closing as he tilted my head back
to rinse the suds away.
“I love taking care of you,” he replied simply.
By the time we finished showering, my buzz had faded to a pleasant warmth. Aiden wrapped me in a fluffy towel, drying me off before
carrying me to our bed. He pulled back the covers and fucked me in,
then climbed in beside me pulling me against his chest.