เข้าสู่ระบบAria's POV
Our ride was waiting right outside, with the staff quickly grabbing our luggage and helping us into the car.The moment we shut the doors, I spotted a swarm of reporters realizing what was happening. They rushed toward our vehicle, cameras flashing wildly through the windows."God, they're intense," I said, turning to Aiden with a half-smirk.He laughed softly, reaching for my hand and playing with my pinky finger. "That's what happens when Mrs. Carter generates this much buzz.""I'm hardly a celebrity," I protested, feeling heat creep up my neck despite myself."Better than one," he murmured, his thumb tracing circles on my skin.His words sent a flutter through my stomach that I couldn't quite suppress. Even after being together so long, he still had this effect on me.As our car pulled away smoothly, the reporters fell behind, though I caught a glimpse of one particularly determined photographer sprinting after us in the rearviewAria's POVAs we left the restaurant, Lillian couldn't hold back anymore."Were they messing with us?" she fumed, her face flushed with anger. "They sounded so reasonable on the phone, but then face-to-face they basically accused us of extortion!""Do I look like I need their pathetic money?" I snapped, my hand clenching around my purse strap. "Extortion? Really? Is my middle-of-the-night emergency room visit only worth a thousand dollars to them?"The medical expenses had exceeded a thousand because Lillian had called an ambulance and I'd been rushed to the emergency room.Meanwhile, Aiden had taken me to the hospital separately for additional tests, though I hadn't stayed in the ER, which came to about seven or eight hundred dollars. Add our meal cost of several hundred, and the restaurant's total compensation offer didn't even reach twenty-five hundred dollars.That was their idea of taking responsibility.While I wasn't as visibly angry as Lill
Aria's POVI woke up at eleven, feeling like every ounce of energy had been drained from my body. Hunger gnawed at my stomach with an intensity I'd never experienced before. My legs wobbled as I climbed out of bed, barely supporting me as I staggered to the bathroom.After a hasty face wash—skipping my usual skincare routine entirely—I practically ran downstairs in search of food, my stomach growling loudly enough that I worried Nanny might hear it from across the house.When Nanny placed a steaming bowl of noodles in chicken broth before me, I dove in without hesitation. The rich, savory aroma filled my nostrils as I slurped down the noodles, barely coming up for air. My body craved the sustenance like a desert thirsting for rain."God, this is amazing," I mumbled between bites, feeling life slowly returning to my limbs with each spoonful. The warmth spread through my chest, chasing away the lingering weakness.Once I'd emptied the bowl, Nanny a
Aria's POVI was awakened by a sharp pain twisting in my gut. Just as I tried to sit up, Aiden stirred beside me.The dim night light cast soft shadows across the bedroom. Aiden immediately flicked on the main light, and I winced as brightness flooded the room. His eyes widened when he saw my face."What's wrong?" Concern etched his features as he scanned my appearance.My stomach churned violently. "Bathroom. Now," I managed to gasp, clutching my abdomen as I hurried off the bed.I barely made it to the toilet in time. My stomach had been slightly upset since the afternoon, but I hadn't thought much of it. Now I was paying the price with interest.After the first wave passed, I staggered to the sink, only for another surge of nausea to hit me. I retched violently, my knuckles turning white as I gripped the counter.Aiden pushed the bathroom door open and was instantly at my side, his warm hand steadying my back. "You're throwing up?"I glance
Aiden's POVShe shivered in my arms, her fingers digging gently into my shoulders. "Then have me," she answered, her voice a sultry invitation that made my blood run hot.I didn't need to be told twice. In one fluid motion, I shifted her in my arms, laying her back against the couch cushions. Her hair fanned out beneath her, those eyes looking up at me with desire that matched my own.My mouth found hers again, but this kiss was different—hungrier, more demanding. My tongue slipped past her lips, tasting her, claiming her. She moaned softly, the sound vibrating against my mouth as her hands slid beneath my shirt."You're overdressed," she murmured between kisses, tugging at my button-down with surprising impatience.I chuckled, sitting back on my heels to work my way through the buttons. "Someone's eager.""Someone's been thinking about this all day," she countered, her eyes never leaving my hands as I revealed more skin.The shirt dropped to
Aria's POVWe pulled into the driveway at five o'clock. I watched as Aiden opened the back door of the car, and suddenly remembered the shopping bags I'd left there.I instinctively reached for them, but Aiden caught my movement and raised an eyebrow. "Afraid I'll damage something?"My cheeks warmed slightly. "No, not at all."He flashed me that disarming smile. "What did you buy?"I pointed to one of the bags in his hand. "A little gift for you, actually."Feeling suddenly self-conscious, I added, "Just something small."After all, I couldn't exactly afford anything extravagant for a man who had everything.Aiden's eyebrow arched as he lifted one of the bags. "This one?"He was holding two similarly sized bags - one containing a necklace I'd bought for myself (nothing expensive, just something pretty that caught my eye), and the other holding his gift.I shook my head. "The other one.""Let's open it inside." His warm fingers entwined with mine, tugging me gently toward the house."O
Aria's POVI woke up feeling deliciously relaxed, still basking in the afterglow of last night's passionate lovemaking.Aiden had pulled me into his arms after we'd finished, his strong body curving protectively around mine."Goodnight, Mrs. Carter," he'd murmured, his warm breath tickling my ear."Goodnight," I'd whispered back, drifting off into one of the most peaceful sleeps I'd had in ages.When morning came, I realized Aiden was already up. My body tensed at the thought of facing him—not because I was embarrassed about last night, but because I knew one look from those intense eyes of his might lead to another round that would keep us in bed all day. I quickly hopped out of bed and scurried to the bathroom to brush my teeth and wash my face.Coming out of the bathroom, I nearly collided with Aiden, who'd just finished his morning swim. Droplets of water still clung to his bronzed shoulders as he loosened the tie on his bathrobe. The fabric parted, revealing that perfect V-cut of







