Chapter 47
Aria’s POV
I found myself enjoying dinner with Aiden at The Celestial more than I’d anticipated.
The panoramic view of the city lights created a dreamlike atmosphere that matched the delicious food and easy conversation between us.
“Try this,” Aiden suggested, pouring a deep ruby liquid into my glass. “It’s a rare vintage from a small French vineyard. I think you’ll appreciate it p>
I hesitated, knowing my low alcohol tolerance. “I should probably pass. I don’t handle wine well p>
“Just a sip,” Aiden insisted with that commanding tone that somehow made me want to comply. “The flavor profile is exceptional p>
One sip turned into several glasses as the evening progressed.
The wine was indeed exceptional, warming me from within and loosening the tension I hadn’t realized I’d been carrying in my shoulders.
“Your cheeks are flushed,” Aiden observed, his eyes lingering on my face with an intensity that made my pulse quicken.
“I told you I don’t handle alcohol well,” I replied, feeling my head growing lighter. “I need to visit the ladies’ room. I’ll be right back p>
I made my way across the restaurant, grateful the bathroom was empty when I entered. Leaning against the marble counter, I splashed cold water on my face, careful not to ruin my makeup.
“Please don’t let me make a fool of myself tonight,” I whispered to my reflection. When drunk, I had an embarrassing habit of becoming affectionate inappropriately so. The last thing I needed was to throw myself at Aiden Carter in public.
Taking a deep breath, I straightened my dress and headed for the door. Just as I stepped into the hallway, I nearly collided with Madison Reynolds.
Madison’s eyes widened with recognition before narrowing with contempt. “Well, if it isn’t Mrs. Carter,” she said, her voice dripping with disdain.
I attempted to move past her without engaging, but Madison blocked my path.
“You know, Liam is devastated,” Madison continued. “Twelve years together, and you couldn’t even wait two months before jumping into bed with the richest bachelor
in town. At least now everyone knows what you really wanted all along p>
The alcohol in my system removed my usual restraint. “Excuse me p>
“You heard me,” Madison smirked. “Poor Liam thought you were so different from other girls. But look at you now-married to Aiden Carter and his fortune. Was that your plan all along? Trading up to someone wealthier p>
Something snapped inside me. Without thinking, I raised my hand and slapped Madison across the face, the sound echoing in the empty hallway.
Madison gasped, her hand flying to her reddening cheek. “You bitch!” she hissed, raising her own hand to retaliate.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” I warned, surprising myself with my own boldness. “Do you really want to explain to everyone why you assaulted Aiden Carter’s wife p>
Madison froze, her eyes darting around as if suddenly remembering where we were. Her face contorted with fury, but she slowly lowered her hand.
“This isn’t over,” she spat before storming past me into the bathroom.
“I believe it is,” a deep voice said from behind me.
I whirled around to find Aiden leaning against the wall, arms crossed over his chest,
an amused smirk playing on his lips. How long had he been standing there?
“I came to check on you,” he explained, as if reading my thoughts. “Didn’t realize I’d witness my wife defending her honor so… effectively p>
Embarrassment flooded through me. “I shouldn’t have done that. The wine p>
“Made you honest?” he finished, pushing himself off the wall and stepping closer. “I rather enjoyed watching you put her in her place p>
My cheeks burned hotter. I tried to move past him, desperate to escape his knowing gaze, but in my haste, my heel caught on the plush carpet. I lurched forward with a small cry.
In one fluid motion, Aiden caught me, pulling me firmly against his chest. My face collided with his solid torso, my nose immediately filled with his intoxicating scent- sandalwood mingled with hints of the white wine he’d been drinking. My head spun, and not just from the alcohol.
“Like what you see?” His warm breath tickled my forehead as he spoke.
Only then did I realize I was clutching his collar, having pulled it open to reveal a generous expanse of his tanned chest.
I was staring directly at the exposed skin, my fingers splayed against the warm flesh.
“I—I didn’t mean to,” I stammered, hastily releasing him. “Let me fix it for you p>
My fingers fumbled with the button, trembling as I tried to fasten it. The button slipped from my grasp once, twice.
Each time my fingertips brushed against his chest, I felt him tense beneath my touch. The third time, my fingers lingered slightly longer than necessary, tracing an unintentional path across his skin.
The air between us grew thick with tension as my clumsy attempts continued. Something dangerous flickered in Aiden’s eyes—something that made my breath catch in my throat.
Without warning, he seized my wrists, pulling my hands away from his collar. “Enough,” he growled, his voice lower than I’d ever heard it. “Leave it unbuttoned.” The command in his tone sent a shiver down my spine that had nothing to do with fear.
Our eyes locked, and for one breathless moment, I thought he might kiss me right there in the hallway.
Instead, he released one of my wrists to brush a strand of hair from my face, his touch lingering on my burning cheek.
“Let’s go home,” he said, his words carrying a weight that made my heart race. “Now p>