Chapter 45
Aria’s POV
I stood in front of my closet, fingers hovering between outfits.
Aiden hadn’t given me any details about our dinner plans, but something in his tone made me think this wasn’t just another business function.
After some deliberation, I chose a floor-length dress in a soft, flowing fabric— elegant without being overstated.
I kept my makeup natural with just a hint of color on my lips and spent a good ten minutes braiding my hair into a perfect fishtail.
Satisfied with my reflection, I grabbed my clutch and headed downstairs.
Aiden was waiting in the living room, scrolling through his phone. When he heard my footsteps, he looked up, and the way his eyes widened slightly made my stomach flutter.
“You look beautiful,” he said, his voice dropping to that deep register that always made my knees weak.
“Thank you,” I replied, feeling heat creep up my neck. I tried to hold his gaze, but after a few seconds, I had to look away. The air between us felt charged, crackling with something unspoken.
God, when did I become such a teenager around him?
The drive was mostly silent, but not uncomfortably so. I stole glances at his profile as he navigated through evening traffic-the strong line of his jaw, the slight furrow of concentration between his brows.
It was still surreal to think that just yesterday, I’d traced those features with my fingertips in the darkness of his bedroom.
We pulled up to one of the city’s most exclusive high-rises, and I immediately recognized where we were headed.
The elevator buttons confirmed my suspicion when Aiden pressed for the top floor.
“The Celestial?” I couldn’t hide my surprise. “I’ve heard it takes months to get a reservation here p>
Aiden’s lips curved into that half-smile I was starting to look forward to seeing. “I know people p>
Of course he did. He was Aiden Carter.
The elevator climbed smoothly, and I tried to calm the butterflies in my stomach. Was this a date? An actual, proper date? We’d skipped so many steps in this strange relationship of ours-married before dating, sleeping together before courting.
Everything about us was backward.
When our elevator reached the top floor and the doors slid open, I wasn’t prepared
for who would be standing there as another elevator arrived simultaneously.
Liam.
With a woman I didn’t recognize.
Not Sophia, which was… interesting.
I felt a brief, vindictive satisfaction that Sophia hadn’t managed to “secure her position” as I’d once feared. Amateur move, really.
I quickly averted my eyes, determined not to let this chance encounter ruin our evening.
And Aiden? He didn’t even spare them a glance-his gaze didn’t waver for a single second, as if they simply didn’t exist in his world. Then, he placed his hand gently but firmly on the small of my back, guiding me straight into the restaurant without hesitation.
I could feel Liam’s eyes burning into my back as we walked away.
The Celestial was even more breathtaking than I’d heard. The ceiling was entirely transparent glass, offering a clear view of the night sky above. Stars glittered against the darkness, looking close enough to touch. A pianist played softly in the corner, the melody floating through the space like perfume.
“Mr. Carter, your table is ready,” the host said with a respectful nod, leading us through the sea of tables to a secluded window booth.
I’d been here once before with Liam, but we couldn’t get a window seat then-let alone one this perfect. The view of the city lights spreading out below us was absolutely mesmerizing.
I couldn’t help but marvel at the power of the Carter name. One call, and the impossible became possible.
“What would you like to eat?” Aiden asked, breaking my reverie.
I glanced at him nervously. “Thank you for bringing me here p>
Just as I picked up the menu, I spotted Liam and his companion walking toward us. Now I could clearly see the woman’s face-Madison Reynolds. She’d been orbiting Liam’s social circle for years, everyone knew she had a thing for him.
And everyone also knew how much Liam couldn’t stand her.
Well, well, well. Eating dinner together already?
Of all the restaurants in the city, why did they have to pick this one?
Running into these two felt like bad luck. I mentally rolled my eyes and was just looking away when I felt something warm brush against the corner of my lips.
I flinched slightly, startled to find Aiden’s hand reaching across the table, his thumb gently touching my mouth. My brain short-circuited. “A-Aiden p>
His eyes darkened as they fixed on my lips. He withdrew his hand with deliberate slowness, his thumb grazing my bottom lip in a way that couldn’t possibly be accidental.
“Your lipstick was smudged a little,” he murmured, his voice dropping to that intimate tone that reminded me of how he’d whispered against my skin the night before.
My face burned instantly. “I’m so sorry p>
How embarrassing!
I quickly pulled out my compact mirror from my purse, but after inspecting my lips for
a good minute, I couldn’t see any smudge.
Aiden’s eyes never left my face as I searched. “I fixed it,” he said, the ghost of a smile playing at his lips.
“Oh! Thanks. Next time just tell me—no need to dirty your hands p>
“Who said anything about my hands being dirty?” His voice was low, almost challenging. “Besides, I don’t mind touching you p>
The boldness of his statement made my pulse skip. Was he always this direct, or was last night’s intimacy changing things between us?
“Have you decided what to order?” he asked, smoothly changing the subject while his eyes still held mine with that same intensity.
I stared down at the menu, trying to focus on the words that suddenly seemed to blur together. Everything looked amazing—truffle risotto, seared scallops, duck confit p>
“I’m still deciding,” I said finally, biting my lip. “Everything looks so good, but “But?” Aiden prompted, one eyebrow raised.
I hesitated. “It’s just… I’d hate to order something and not finish it. Seems wasteful p>
Aiden studied me for a moment, then leaned forward. “Order whatever catches your eye. If you can’t finish, I’ll help.” His lips curved into a smile that made my stomach flip. “Unless you’re worried about sharing utensils with me… after everything else we’ve shared p>
I felt heat rush to my face again. “That’s not—I didn’t mean p>
“Relax, Aria,” he said, his expression softening slightly. “Tonight is about enjoying ourselves. No pressure p>
No pressure? With him looking at me like that—like he was remembering exactly how I looked beneath him last night?
The memory flashed vividly in my mind: his hands gripping my hips, his lips trailing
down my neck, the way he’d whispered my name when he p>
I shifted in my seat, crossing my legs instinctively, heat flooding my skin.
Oh god.
Was I really getting this wet just from remembering?
I reached for my glass and took a quick sip of wine, hoping the alcohol would cool
the fire burning under my skin.
Get it together.
I glanced at him from beneath my lashes, praying he hadn’t noticed the flush
creeping up my neck or the way I was squirming in my seat.
Please don’t notice. Please don’t notice p>