Chapter 38

Author's POV Julian's eyes narrowed at the lipstick stain on Aiden's collar. The bright red mark was practically screaming what had happened between the Carters on their way here. He knew Aiden was deliberately flaunting it—a silent declaration of territory. "Quite an entrance you two made tonight," Julian commented, his gaze moving pointedly from Aiden's collar to Aria's slightly smudged lipstick. "Traffic must have been... distracting." Aria's face burned crimson. She couldn't believe Julian would say something like that, making it sound like she and Aiden had actually been doing something intimate. This was just an accident, for heaven's sake. She cleared her throat. "The menu looks wonderful tonight. Shall we order?" Once everyone was seated, the waiter began bringing out course after course of exquisite dishes. Aria was surprised when Aiden reached over, placing a generous portion of salmon on her plate. "Try this," he said, his voice low enough that only she could hear. "It's exc