Chapter 92
Aria’s POV
As soon as Claire vanished from view, two men appeared from the crowd, moving fast-one of them missing a shoe.
They stopped abruptly, staring between Claire’s retreating figure and me standing there soaked to the bone.
They were the Linden brothers—the hosts. They looked completely bewildered, like they sprinted all the way here expecting World War III only to find everything suspiciously calm.
The older Linden brother-Louis Linden recovered quickly.
With the practiced ease of someone used to handling rich people’s drama, he gestured to his younger brother to escort the remaining onlookers back to the ballroom. Then he turned to me with a polite smile.
“Mrs. Carter, let me show you to a room where you can change out of those wet clothes p>
Before I could respond, I felt Aiden’s arm slip around my shoulders, securing the towel more firmly around me. Then without warning, he bent down and scooped me up into his arms.
“This way, Mr. and Mrs. Carter,” Louis said, leading us through a side entrance.
I was still too stunned by Claire’s bizarre behavior to process being carried like this.
My arms instinctively wrapped around Aiden’s neck, and it took me several seconds to realize what was happening.
“I’m getting you all wet I murmured, suddenly conscious of my dripping dress against his expensive suit.
Aiden glanced down at me, his dark eyes unreadable. “You’ll take a shower and change first. That’s more important p>
“That’s not what I meant.” But I stopped protesting. My dress was clinging to every curve in a way that would make walking through a hotel lobby mortifying. Better to be carried like a damsel in distress than parade around looking like I entered a wet t-shirt contest.
We were quickly escorted to a presidential suite. The hotel staff swiped a keycard, opening the door for us. “Mr. Carter, Mrs. Carter, a replacement dress will be delivered shortly p>
Aiden carried me straight to the bathroom, not stopping until he set me down on the marble countertop. The staff member discreetly closed the suite door behind us, leaving us alone.
I shrugged off Aiden’s suit jacket that’s now half-soaked from my dress. “It’s ruined p>
I said apologetically, holding it out to him.
“Don’t worry about it,” he replied, turning to the shower and adjusting the water temperature.
I sat there on the counter, watching him test the water with his hand. My eyes drifted
to his waist-God, it was so trim, yet so powerful. The way his shirt clung to his back… so hot.
I remembered what it felt like to wrap my arms around that waist, to press myself against him, my fingers splayed over his skin—hard muscle, warm and solid beneath my touch p>
Heat rose to my cheeks when I realized where my thoughts were heading. In a bathroom. With both of us wet. Jesus.
“Ready,” Aiden announced, turning back toward me.
His eyes darkened instantly as they took in my appearance.
I looked up and our eyes locked. My heartbeat accelerated so quickly I was sure he could hear it echoing off the tile walls.
I dropped my gaze, only to find myself staring at his throat, watching his Adam’s apple bob as he swallowed hard.
It was suddenly way too hot in there.
I curled my toes against the cool marble, desperately trying to control the heat
pooling in my stomach. Bathrooms were dangerous places when you’re with someone you’re attracted to-they practically screamed sex.
And yes, sex with Aiden was incredible—mind-blowing, even—but that didn’t mean I wanted to be doing it every second we’re alone. I swear.
“Aiden,” I managed to say, my voice embarrassingly breathy, “could you step out now p>
“Of course p>
His voice sounded deeper than usual as he helped me down from the counter. His hands lingered at my waist for just a moment longer than necessary before he stepped aside, allowing me to pass.
As he exited, I finally exhaled. That was intense.
I was about to peel off my ruined dress when I realized I was still clutching
something in my hand-the diamond necklace. Oh shit!
I rushed to the door and pulled it open. “Wait! The necklace got wet. Shouldn’t we have someone look at it p>
Aiden turned around, his eyes immediately dropping to my bare feet against the plush carpet. The suite’s air conditioning hit my wet skin, making me shiver instantly.
He took the necklace from my outstretched hand. “Go shower before you catch cold p>
I was already covered in goosebumps, trembling slightly in the chilled air. I glanced
at the necklace, worried. “Is it going to be okay? It’s worth millions p>
He didn’t seem concerned at all, which finally allowed me to relax. Thank God. I couldn’t afford to replace that thing in ten lifetimes.
I retreated back into the bathroom and locked the door behind me. Actually, I
double-checked to make sure it was locked. Not that I didn’t trust Aiden, but… well, better safe than sorry.
The hot water felt amazing against
my skin. I stood under the spray, letting it wash away the chlorine from the pool water, trying not to think about the man sitting just beyond that door. The man whose eyes had darkened with
unmistakable desire when he saw me in that wet dress.
After scrubbing every inch of my body with the hotel’s luxurious soap, I reluctantly turned off the water. I wrapped one of the fluffy towe around my body and used another to twist up my wet hair.
Just as I was wondering what I was supposed to wear, there was a knock at the
door.
“The dress has arrived,” Aiden’s deep voice informed me.
I cracked the door open just enough to reach out and take the package he was holding. “Thanks p>
I set the box on the counter and opened it to find a beautiful replacement gown. But
as I rummaged through the box, I realized there was a major problem-there was
no underwear.
I stared at my soaked bra and
panties lying in a wet heap on the floor. The thought of putting them back on made me cringe. They were wet, chlorine-soaked, and frankly, gross. But going completely commando in a borrowed dress? That was equally mortifying.
After deliberating for what felt like forever, I reluctantly opened the bathroom door
again. My face felt like it was on fire as I called out, “Aiden p>
“The dress doesn’t fit?” he asked, turning toward me, his eyes immediately dropping
to where the towel covered my chest.
I gripped the door handle tightly, unsure how to phrase this without dying of embarrassment.
He must have seen something in my expression because he approached with concern. “Are you hurt p>
I bit my lip and finally managed to ask, “Is it just the dress? Nothing else p>
Aiden looked confused. “You don’t want to wear the dress p>
“No, that’s not it,” I said, my voice getting smaller by the second. “I just can’t wear
only a dress, can I p>
His eyebrows lifted slightly as comprehension dawned. Oh god, this was mortifying.