Too Late Mr. White! I'm Married To Your Rival Now novel Chapter 37

Aria' POV

I had butterflies in my stomach just thinking about tonight's dinner.It was the first time I appeared in public beside Aiden as Mrs. Carter. A business dinner, of all things—a setting where every glance was measured, and every word calculated.

So, of course, I had to look the part.

I stood in front of my closet longer than I'd like to admit, staring at rows of dresses that suddenly all felt too casual or too stiff. I needed something that said: elegant, composed, untouchable.

My fingers finally landed on a limited-edition Dior dress I'd been saving for the right moment - a navy blue piece with the signature Oblique print, featuring a high neckline and pleated waist that hugged my curves before flaring out slightly.

After slipping it on, I studied my reflection critically. The dress was perfect - sophisticated enough for business yet undeniably eye-catching. I applied my makeup with extra care, finishing with a bold red lip that made my whole face come alive.

"Not bad, Aria," I whispered to myself, turning to catch my profile in the mirror.

"You look beautiful," came a deep voice from behind me.

I jumped, spinning around to find Aiden leaning against my bedroom doorframe. How long had he been standing there? His dark gaze traveled slowly from my face down to my heels and back up again, the intensity in his eyes making my skin tingle.

"You could have knocked," I said, trying to sound annoyed but failing miserably.

"I did." His lips curved into that maddening half-smile. "Twice. You were too busy admiring yourself."

I felt heat creep up my neck. "I was making sure everything looked appropriate for tonight."

"It does," he said simply, pushing off the doorframe and walking toward me. "More than appropriate."

He stopped just inches away, close enough that I could smell his cologne - something woody and expensive that made my head swim slightly. In his perfectly tailored black suit, he looked devastatingly handsome, and for a moment I forgot how to breathe.

"Are you ready?" he asked, voice lower than before.

"Yes," I managed, grabbing my clutch from the dresser to give my hands something to do.

In the elevator down to the garage, we stood closer than necessary, neither speaking. The air between us felt charged, electric. When his hand brushed against mine, I nearly jumped at the contact.

His driver held the door open for us as we approached the sleek black Bentley waiting in the private garage. Aiden guided me in with a hand on the small of my back, the heat of his palm burning through the thin fabric of my dress.

"So," I began as the car pulled away, desperate to break the silence, "why did you choose Julian as Carter Group's ambassador?"

"Mrs. Carter seems very concerned about Julian," Aiden replied. His tone was casual, but I detected something else underneath - something possessive.

"No, I'm just asking. We're only working together professionally," I quickly explained. "He's a brilliant musician."

"Is that all?" Aiden's eyes met mine, challenging.

Before I could answer, the car suddenly lurched forward as our driver slammed on the brakes to avoid a taxi that had cut us off. The momentum sent me flying straight into Aiden's chest, my hands instinctively grabbing his shoulders for support.

"Are you alright?" he asked, his arms having immediately wrapped around me protectively.

I nodded, embarrassed, then pulled back only to realize with horror that I'd left a perfect red lip print on his crisp white collar.

"Oh my God, I'm so sorry!" I gasped, mortified. "Your shirt—I ruined it!"

Aiden glanced down at the bright red mark, then back at me with an expression I couldn't quite read.

"It's just a shirt, Aria."

"I'll buy you a new one," I insisted, reaching up to try to fix it. "Maybe if I—"

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