Too Late Mr. White! I'm Married To Your Rival Now novel Chapter 195

Aria's POV

My desire vanished completely as my period arrived with a vengeance.

After getting myself together, I slipped into my pajamas and crawled under the covers, curling into a protective ball against the cramping.

"I feel awful," I murmured, glancing up at Aiden who stood by the bed looking concerned. "Would you hold me while I sleep?"

The second those words left my mouth, I noticed the clear bulge in his pants. Guilt twisted inside me. Here I was asking for comfort while he was still worked up from earlier. He hadn't even gotten to finish.

"Never mind," I sighed, waving my hand dismissively. "You should probably sleep in the guest room tonight."

After all, menstruation is a small thing.

I can handle it on my own.

Aiden nodded once and walked out. My chest tightened watching him leave, even though I'd basically kicked him out.

The bedroom suddenly felt too large and empty without his presence. I buried my face in the pillow, trying to ignore both the physical pain and the hollow feeling spreading through me.

I tried to tell myself not to worry too much, it was just a small thing.

But before I could sink too deeply into my misery, the door creaked open again. Aiden strode back in, a glass of water in one hand and pain medication in the other.

"You look miserable," he said, his voice low and gentle as he sat beside me. The mattress dipped under his weight. "Take these. And I'm sleeping right here with you."

Relief flooded through me, washing away the abandonment I'd felt moments before. "Thanks," I whispered, taking the pills from his palm. Our fingers brushed, and despite everything, that familiar electricity sparked between us.

Aiden stroked my hair, his fingers massaging my scalp in slow, soothing motions. "This is what I'm supposed to do," he said simply.

After swallowing the medication, I settled back into bed, and Aiden slid in behind me. His body radiated heat as he wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me against his chest. The steady rhythm of his breathing gradually eased my discomfort, but I couldn't ignore his erection pressing against my lower back.

"I think the pills are starting to work," I mumbled, shifting slightly to look at him over my shoulder. "I could help you out with... you know. That." I nodded downward meaningfully.

He cares about my little things, and I want to take care of him.

His lips pressed against my forehead, soft and warm. "No, baby. My job right now is taking care of you. I can handle this."

His words melted something inside me. The cramps still twisted my insides, but emotionally, I felt weightless.

That night passed relatively peacefully with the medication doing its job. Morning was a different story. I woke to find Aiden already dressed in a charcoal suit, checking his watch while standing at the foot of the bed.

"How are you feeling?" he asked, frowning when he saw me wince as I tried to sit up.

"Like someone's twisting my insides with a hot poker," I admitted, collapsing back against the pillows. "But don't worry about me. I know you have that executive meeting today."

"I can reschedule," he offered immediately, already reaching for his phone.

I shook my head firmly despite wanting nothing more than to have him stay. "No way. The Henderson account is too important. I'll be fine."

He hesitated, clearly torn, but finally nodded. "I'll try to wrap things up early. Call me if you need anything—and I mean anything."

After he left, I dragged myself to the kitchen but could barely stomach two bites of toast. My phone buzzed with a text from Lillian asking about meeting Aiden's uncle last night. I texted back a bland response about how nice they were.

Lillian's reply came instantly: What's wrong? You sound off.

Period from hell, I texted back, then watched three dots appear as she typed.

Oh honey! Poor thing! Stop texting and get back to bed RIGHT NOW!

She was right. After downing more painkillers, I abandoned any notion of practicing piano and retreated to our bedroom. I curled into a fetal position, hugging Aiden's pillow because it smelled like him, and drifted into an uneasy sleep.

I'm not sure how long I was out when a familiar voice pulled me from my dreams. Bright light streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, making me squint as my eyes adjusted. When they finally focused, I found Aiden sitting on the edge of the bed, watching me with concern etched across his face.

"Did I sleep the entire day away?" I blinked in confusion, my voice raspy from sleep.

Aiden reached out, gently pulling me into his arms. "No, baby. I finished my meetings early and came straight home."

"You didn't have to do that," I protested weakly, even as I melted against his chest. "It's just my period.It's just a little thing."

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