Chapter 87
Aria’s POV
The gala was scheduled for eight, but by four in the afternoon, I was already being whisked away to the club for preparations.
From the moment I arrived at five, I was engulfed in a whirlwind of beauty treatments before moving on to hair and makeup. Never in my life had I experienced anything like this. Even for my wedding with Liam, I’d simply had a team come to the house.
This exclusive club had everything imaginable, and for me—apparently their VIP guest-they’d closed to all other clients for the afternoon.
I was surrounded by people rushing around, all I needed to do was lift a hand or foot when instructed. If I hadn’t been so shy, they would’ve even dressed me themselves.
The gown they selected was deceptively simple: a V-neck with delicate pleating that managed to be sensual without revealing too much, and small puff sleeves that added a touch of cool elegance.
The white dress hugged my waist and hips perfectly, showcasing every curve of my body.
Looking at myself in the mirror, I barely recognized the woman staring back. My usual style was fresh and princess-like-I rarely tried something so boldly elegant.
The makeup artists and assistants showered me with compliments: “Mrs. Carter, you look absolutely stunning! This dress would make most women look either washed out or bulky, but on you, it’s perfection—showing off your figure while looking utterly sophisticated p>
Just then, the stylist approached with a jewelry box. “Mrs. Carter, this necklace was specially selected by Mr. Carter for you tonight p>
She opened the box to reveal a diamond necklace that resembled twisting vines, sparkling so brilliantly under the lights that it momentarily dazzled me.
Wearing gloves, the stylist carefully lifted the piece. “Mr. Carter truly adores you, Mrs. Carter! This necklace lives up to its name-Beyond Compare p>
Beyond Compare?
Was this the 637-carat necklace worth $55 million?
Hearing this, I immediately lowered my hand that had been reaching toward it.
No way was I going to touch something that expensive!
Before I could process it further, the necklace was already fastened around my neck.
The previously bare neckline now featured this stunning diamond piece, with its flawless cognac-colored center diamond resting against my chest, catching every ray of light.
I gazed at my reflection, my eyes fixating on the enormous cognac diamond. I wanted to ask them to put it away, but I didn’t want to seem unsophisticated.
It was just too expensive.
A $55 million necklace casually hanging around my neck-if anything happened to
it, I’d never be able to repay the cost.
What kind of gala required such extravagant jewelry?
“It looks perfect on you, Mrs. Carter,” the stylist gushed, clasping her hands together in genuine admiration.
I managed a smile. “Thank you p>
Of course it looked good. With $55 million dangling from my neck, how could it not?
Aiden’s POV
The moment I walked in, I saw Aria standing before the mirror, and my breath caught. I rarely saw her dressed like this. The form-fitting white gown accentuated her slender waist perfectly, while the diamond pendant drew my eye to the subtle curves beneath it.
My gaze darkened as I approached her. “You look beautiful p>
She jumped slightly at my arrival, clearly startled. When she turned, her eyes met mine, and I noticed her hand instinctively rise to touch her flushed ears. “Oh, you’re here,” she whispered.
Tonight, I’d deliberately chosen a tailored white suit-because I knew she would be wearing white. With my sharp features and typically cold demeanor, the crisp fabric only heightened the contrast making me look even more composed more untouchable.
But I caught Aria glancing at our reflection, noticing how we looked standing side by
side in matching white. She probably thought it was a coincidence.
It wasn’t.
I had planned this deliberately-matching her, standing beside her, making it
impossible for anyone to ignore that we belonged together.
Every detail, from the color to the cut, was chosen to send a quiet, undeniable message: we were a pair.
“Ready?” I asked.
My arrival had prompted everyone else to discreetly exit, leaving just the two of us. Aria nodded. “Yes p>
She took a step toward me, wobbling slightly. After nearly three months without wearing heels, the five-centimeter stilettos were clearly challenging for her.
I felt her body sway slightly as she
stepped toward me. Without hesitation, my arm snaked around her waist, my palm pressing firmly against the small of her back, Her skin felt warm even through the fabric of her dress.
“Careful,” I murmured, my lips nearly brushing her ear. The scent of her perfume— something light and floral-filled my senses.
She gasped softly as our bodies pressed together, her breasts pushing against my chest. Her eyes widened, those full lips parting in surprise.
“Thank you,” she whispered, but made no move to pull away.
I let my hand slide lower, resting just above the curve of her ass. “This dress I
said, my voice dropping an octave, “was clearly made for you p>
Her cheeks flushed a delicious pink. “Aiden p>
My other hand came up to her neck, my thumb tracing the diamond necklace, then dipping lower to follow the plunging neckline. Her breath hitched as my finger brushed against the swell of her breast.
“Do you like your gift?” I asked, my eyes locked on hers.
“It’s… it’s too much,” she stammered, but I could see the desire darkening her eyes.
“Nothing’s too much for my wife,” I replied, emphasizing the word ‘wife’ as my lips descended to the sensitive spot below her ear. I pressed a hot, open-mouthed kiss there, feeling her shiver against me.
“God, Aiden,” she moaned softly, her hands clutching at my shoulders.
I trailed kisses down her neck, nipping gently at her collarbone. “I want to taste every inch of you,” I growled against her skin. “Starting here My lips moved lower, hovering just above the neckline of her dress.
Her fingers threaded through my hair, neither pushing me away nor pulling me closer—just holding on as if she needed an anchor.
“And ending My hand slid down to cup her ass fully, squeezing possessively as I pulled her hips against mine, letting her feel exactly what she was doing to me. somewhere much more intimate p>
Then our lips finally met in a hungry
kiss, her mouth opening eagerly
under mine. I swept my tongue
inside, tasting her claiming her she
moaned into my mouth, her body
melting against mine as if we were
made to fit together.
When we finally broke apart, both breathing heavily, she looked up at me with
glazed eyes and swollen lips.
“Aiden, If we don’t leave now, we’ll be late,” she whispered, though I could tell by the way her body pressed against mine that being late was the last thing on her mind.
I reluctantly loosened my grip, allowing her to step back, though I kept my hand at
the small of her back. “We wouldn’t want that,” I said, my voice still rough with desire.
The flush on her cheeks and the rapid rise and fall of her chest told me everything I needed to know.
This evening was just beginning.