Chapter 21
**Aiden’s POV p>
I reclined in my leather chair, the familiar scent of polished wood and aged leather enveloping me as I finally found solitude in my office after an exhausting morning filled with back-to-back meetings. The day had been a whirlwind of acquisitions, negotiations, and board updates, each minute demanding not just my attention but my complete mastery over a barrage of information and expectations.
Now, as I relished a rare and precious moment of quiet before the afternoon’s chaos resumed, I pulled out my phone, a smile creeping across my face.
Aria’s counterattack had struck with surgical precision, and I couldn’t help but feel a rush of pride.
The evidence I had provided her had unleashed a storm within White Industries, sending them spiraling into disarray. Their clumsy, desperate attempts at damage control were only making their situation worse. The public’s opinion had shifted rapidly, decisively, and #TeamAria was trending worldwide.
Another devastating blow to the already tarnished reputation of White Industries. Good. Let the bastard suffer the consequences of his actions.
I allowed myself a moment of satisfaction, the warmth of triumph simmering just beneath the surface.
Yet, despite the sweet taste of victory, fatigue began to creep in, wrapping around me like a heavy blanket.
The morning’s meetings had drained my energy, and the adrenaline that had propelled me through the chaos was now fading. I needed just twenty minutes- enough time to recharge before diving back into the fray.
Sleep claimed me quickly, and with it came a vivid dream.
“You work too hard,” I heard Aria’s voice whispering softly from behind me. In this dreamscape, she was ethereal, her hands gliding over my shoulders, fingers kneading the tense muscles at the base of my neck.
I let out a groan, my head falling back against her as I sank into the comforting warmth of her presence. “Someone has to run this company,” I replied, my voice laced with mock seriousness.
She laughed, a melodic sound that reverberated through her body and into mine, sending shivers down my spine. “Always so serious, Aiden.” Her nimble fingers began to unbutton my shirt, sliding down the front of my chest with a tantalizing grace.
I caught her wrist, a jolt of surprise coursing through me. “What are you doing?” “Taking care of my husband,” she replied, her stunning eyes locking with mine as she sank to her knees between my legs. “You need to relax p>
Her fingers deftly worked my belt open, and I could only watch, transfixed, as she freed my already hardening cock. The sight of her looking up at me from beneath those dark lashes, her perfect lips parting invitingly-
“Fuck,” I groaned as she took me into her mouth, her tongue swirling around the head before she sank down, taking me deep. My hand instinctively fisted in her hair, guiding her movements as she sucked me with an exquisite pressure.
“That’s it,” I growled, mesmerized by the way her head bobbed between my thighs. “Take it all, baby p>
She moaned around me, the vibrations sending shockwaves of pleasure coursing up my spine. I tightened my grip on her hair, holding her in place as I thrust gently into her warm, wet mouth.
“Gonna cum down your pretty throat,” I warned, feeling the heat build at the base of my spine. “You want that? Want to taste me p>
She nodded, her eyes watering slightly as she took me deeper, and that sight alone was enough to
Suddenly, the sharp ring of my phone jolted me awake.
I sat up with a start, disoriented and uncomfortably hard. Damn it. I adjusted myself
in my pants, willing away the erection as I snatched the phone from my desk.
“Carter,” I answered, my voice gruff and thick with lingering desire.
“Sir, your 2 o’clock is here,” my assistant’s voice crackled through the line, pulling me back to reality.
“Give me five minutes,” I managed to reply, hanging up swiftly.
I stood and moved to the private bathroom attached to my office, splashing cold water on my face. In the mirror, my reflection stared back at me with darkened eyes and flushed skin, a clear indication of the dream’s lingering effect.
This was getting ridiculous. I hadn’t experienced a wet dream since my teenage years, and now here I was, fantasizing about Aria as if I were some hormone-driven adolescent.
This wasn’t the first time I had dreamt of her, but the frequency and intensity were increasing. The dreams had begun after that kiss-the impulsive, unexpected kiss that should have meant nothing but had somehow ignited something deep within
me.
Frustrated, I slammed my fist against the shower wall. What the hell was wrong with me?
This was supposed to be a business arrangement, nothing more. A marriage of convenience. She got her revenge on Liam; I got my grandmother’s approval and that piece of land. Simple.
Yet, every time Liam White’s name surfaced in conversation, I felt a sharp stab of possessiveness that I couldn’t shake.
After drying off, I opened my laptop to review some contracts, but my mind kept drifting back to her.
It wasn’t merely physical attraction-though God knew that was abundant. It was something deeper. A fierce desire to shield her from every hurt, to stand between her and anyone who dared to inflict pain upon her.
I caught my reflection in the darkened window and barely recognized the man staring back at me. I looked… softer somehow. Less controlled.
This wasn’t supposed to happen. I wasn’t meant to develop feelings for her. That was never part of our agreement.
With a sharp exhale, I dragged my focus back to work, forcing myself to concentrate on the task at hand.
**Aria’s POV p>
The notification on my phone chimed just as I was preparing for bed, the soft glow illuminating the darkened room. Lily’s name flashed across my screen, and I felt a rush of urgency.
“Aria! That bitch is at it again!” Lily’s voice blared through the phone, so loud that I instinctively pulled it away from my ear. “Sophia just posted some fake-ass apology trying to make you look like a liar p>
I froze, my heart racing. “What are you talking about p>
“Check social media right now! She’s playing the victim card-AGAIN p>
I quickly opened the app, and there it was: Sophia’s perfectly crafted “heartfelt apology” sitting at the top of my feed, like a venomous snake ready to strike. My blood pressure skyrocketed as I read through her words.
“I sincerely apologize for any misunderstandings my immature behavior may have caused. There was never anything inappropriate between Liam and me. I’m truly sorry for crashing your family dinner – I only wanted to help reconcile your relationship.
The kneeling was entirely my choice, not something Aria demanded! I’ll be seeking legal action against those who recorded and shared these videos without permission.
As for the accusations about late-night threatening calls – I categorically deny making any threatening phone calls to Aria. I would never stoop to such behavior, especially during such a difficult time in my life p>
I stared at my screen, utterly speechless. The audacity of this woman! Even now, cornered with the entire internet against her, she was still trying to manipulate the narrative to her advantage.
“Are you seeing this?” Lily demanded, her voice rising in disbelief. “She’s literally gaslighting the entire internet p>
“I see it,” I replied, scrolling through the comments that were beginning to question
my version of events.
“Maybe Aria exaggerated p>
“Two sides to every story p>
“We shouldn’t rush to judge without all the facts p>
My fingers tightened around my phone, a surge of frustration coursing through me. After everything she had put me through-after all the evidence I had shared- some people were still falling for her act.
I couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh. Now I understood why Sophia dared to respond; she was desperately trying to shift attention away from her actions. She was gambling that I didn’t have proof of her calls.
But surprise, bitch! I did.
That night when she called, I had been surprisingly clear-headed. The moment I saw her name flash across my screen, I hit record. That conversation had been sitting in my phone ever since, just waiting for this moment to strike.
“You know what? I’ve had enough of this,” I said, my voice surprisingly steady despite the anger boiling inside me. “I wasn’t going to release this, but she’s left me no choice p>
“Release what? Aria, what do you have p>
“The phone call, Lily. I recorded it p>
There was a beat of silence before Lily squealed with excitement. “YOU
RECORDED IT? Oh my God, upload it now! END HER p>
“Give me ten minutes p>
Without hesitation, I uploaded the audio file and posted it publicly, my heart racing
with anticipation.
“Say what you want to say this time,” my voice sounded tired but resolute in the recording.
“Aria, how did you know it was me?” Sophia’s syrupy sweet voice replied, dripping with false innocence. “I just wanted to remind you that tomorrow is your three-year anniversary with Liam p>
“Aren’t you planning to get your marriage license with him tomorrow p>
My response was sharp and cutting: “Do you think I’m some kind of recycling center, Sophia? You think Liam’s the only man in the world? If you’re so fond of collecting trash, keep him. I’ve already thrown him away p>
I added a simple caption: “Receipts. #LetTheAudioSpeak p>
Then I reached for my phone, switched it to silent, and set it face-down on my nightstand, the weight of anticipation settling over me.
Just as I pulled the covers over myself, the screen lit up—Aiden’s name flashing
across it.
I hesitated for half a second, then picked up the call.
“Don’t forget about tomorrow,” he said quietly, his voice low and steady. “My grandmother’s expecting you p>
“I won’t,” I murmured, my voice soft with exhaustion.
There was a pause between us. Not awkward-just a comfortable silence.
“Goodnight, Aria p>
“Goodnight p>
I ended the call and lay back against the pillows, finally allowing my eyes to flutter closed, the weight of the day’s events washing over me.