Chapter 164

Aria's POV I couldn't help the heat rising to my cheeks when Aiden's eyes drifted to my earlobe, which I knew was turning red under his gaze. "Next time, you should just look at my abs instead," he suggested, his voice dropping to that dangerously seductive tone. "I'll let you see them for free." My heart stuttered when he continued, "After all, I like you—" I snapped my head up, meeting his dark eyes. My pulse went wild as I recalled his earlier words: "I like you too." Was he actually confessing to me? Just like that, so casually? I was about to blurt out "I like you too" when he finished his sentence: "—like how irresistible you look in bed." His finger traced my collarbone where I knew he'd left marks earlier. The realization hit me like a bucket of cold water. Of course. He only liked having sex with me. Nothing more. "Stop overthinking," he said, his playful expression shifting to something more serious. "Let's have lunch. We have things to do this afternoon." I forced enthusiasm