Chapter 24 Rehearse
Aria’s POV
When I stepped outside, the sight of Aiden leaning against his sleek black limousine nearly stopped my heart. The morning sun hit his face at just the right angle, highlighting his sharp jawline and casting shadows that accentuated every perfect feature. He’d removed his suit jacket, rolling up the sleeves of his crisp white shirt to reveal tanned forearms corded with muscle.
He looked dangerous. Powerful. Utterly delicious.
“Ready?” he asked, pushing himself off the car with casual grace that seemed almost unfair.
I nodded, suddenly feeling tongue-tied. As I approached, he opened the passenger door for me-an old- fashioned gesture that shouldn’t have affected me as much as it did.
The interior of his stretched Lincoln smelled like expensive leather and his cologne-sandalwood with hints of something darker, more primal. As he slid in beside me, the space instantly felt smaller, charged with an energy I couldn’t ignore. 1
“Your father seems to approve of our arrangement,” he said as his driver pulled away from the curb. The powerful engine hummed quietly beneath us.
“He likes you,” I admitted, my eyes drawn to his partially unbuttoned shirt. The open collar revealed a tantalizing glimpse of his tanned, muscular chest. I couldn’t help but swallow hard at the sight.
This man was too tempting for his own good.
Images flashed unbidden through my mind-his powerful hands gripping my waist, pushing me against a wall, those full lips crushing mine in a demanding kiss.
Realizing where my thoughts were heading, I felt heat rush to my face and quickly averted my gaze.
“And do you?” His voice had dropped an octave, those piercing eyes finding mine.
“Do I what?” I asked, though I knew exactly what he was asking.
The corner of his mouth lifted in that half-smile that made my stomach flip. “Like me, Aria.”
The way he said my name-letting each syllable roll off his tongue like he was savoring it-sent heat coursing through me.
“You’re… tolerable,” I answered, aiming for casual but missing by miles when my voice came out breathier than intended.
He chuckled, a deep sound that reverberated in the confined space. “Just tolerable?”
I shifted in my seat, painfully aware of how my dress had ridden up slightly, exposing more of my thighs. His gaze flickered down for a split second before returning to my face, but that brief glance felt like a physical touch.
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“You know you’re attractive, Aiden. I’m sure you don’t need me to inflate your ego.”
“But maybe I want to hear it from you specifically,” he countered, his eyes darkening slightly. “Maybe your opinion matters more than others’.”
My heart hammered against my ribs. This was dangerous territory-exactly what I’d promised myself to avoid just moments ago.
“I think we should focus on how to play our roles well enough to fool your grandmother.” I replied, desperately changing the subject. “I want to make a good impression.”
“Fine,” he said, a wicked gleam entering his eyes. “Then let’s rehearse, shall we?”
My stomach dropped. I’d just stepped right into that one, hadn’t I?
“Rehearse?” I echoed weakly.
“Yes.” His voice took on a husky quality that made my toes curl. “How to act like a real couple in love.”
Before I could protest, he shifted closer, his thigh pressing against mine. The heat of him burned through the thin material of my dress.
“Like this,” he murmured, his hand coming up to cup my face, thumb brushing over my lower lip. “A man in love with his wife would touch her like she’s precious. Irreplaceable.”
My breath caught in my throat as his eyes held mine, dark and intense.
Suddenly, the car lurched forward as the driver slammed on the brakes to avoid a cyclist who had swerved into our lane. I was thrown forward, my hands instinctively flying out to brace myself. They landed squarely on Aiden’s chest.
Firm. Solid. Warm. The muscle beneath my fingers tensed at my touch.
“Satisfied with what you feel, Mrs. Carter?” His voice was low and rough in my ear, his breath hot against my skin.
I jerked back as if burned, mortification flooding through me. “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean—”
“I know you didn’t do it on purpose.” he interrupted, his eyes holding mine with an intensity that stole my
breath.
I shifted back to my seat, smoothing down my dress with trembling hands. The driver apologized profusely through the intercom, but Aiden dismissed his concerns with a wave.
“Are you alright?” he asked, his eyes scanning my face.
“Fine,” I managed, though my heart was still racing-not from the near accident, but from the brief contact with his body.
“Your face says otherwise.” He leaned closer, one hand coming up to brush a strand of hair from my face. The simple touch sent electricity sparking across my skin. “You’re flushed.”
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Chapter 24 Rehearse
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“It’s warm in here,” I lied, feeling the heat intensify under his scrutiny.
His lips curved into a knowing smile. “Is it?”
The car pulled up to a stoplight, and in the momentary stillness, the tension between us seemed to thicken. His eyes dropped to my lips, lingering there long enough to make my pulse skitter.
“Aria,” he said, my name sounding like sin on his tongue
“Yes?” I whispered, unable to look away from him.
“I think we should continue our rehearsal,” he murmured, his face inching closer to mine. “My grandmother will expect us to be… comfortable with each other.”
Before I could respond, his lips were on mine, gentle at first, almost questioning. But when I gasped in surprise, he took advantage, deepening the kiss with a hunger that sent liquid fire through my veins.
His hand slid to the back of my neck, fingers tangling in my hair as he angled my head to give him better access. I couldn’t help the small moan that escaped me as his tongue swept against mine, tasting, claiming.
His other hand found my waist, pulling me closer until I was practically in his lap, my body pressed against the hard planes of his chest.
My body responded instantly, embarrassingly eager. My nipples hardened against the thin fabric of my dress, pressing against his chest. A warmth pooled low in my belly, spreading through me like wildfire.
This was nothing like kissing Liam – those kisses had been sweet, safe, comfortable. This was dangerous, consuming, electric.
For a moment, I felt his attention waver, sensing a flicker of irritation in the way his hands tightened on me. Before I could process what was happening, he captured my bottom lip between his teeth, biting down just hard enough to send a jolt of pleasure-pain straight to my core.
A whimper escaped me, my fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt. He smiled against my mouth, clearly satisfied with my response.
His hand tightened on my waist, pulling me even closer. Through the thin material of my dress, I could feel him hardening against my thigh-the unmistakable evidence of his arousal making my breath catch.
I couldn’t help but notice how substantial he felt against me, far more impressive than I’d imagined in my most private thoughts. My mind raced with forbidden images-what it might feel like to have him pressing into me, filling me completely. The thought alone made me tremble.
His hands grew bolder, one sliding up my back to trace my spine while the other drifted lower, cupping my ass and squeezing gently. I gasped into his mouth, unconsciously rocking against his hardness, seeking more of that delicious friction.
A groan rumbled from deep in his chest, the sound so primal it sent shivers racing across my skin. He pulled back slightly, his breathing ragged, pupils dilated with obvious desire.
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His lips brushed my ear, his voice a husky whisper that made my insides clench with need.
“Would you like to touch me, Aria?” he asked, his hand guiding mine slowly down his chest. “Feel what you do to me?”
P
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