Chapter 182

Aria's POV Aiden parked the car in our garage, the engine falling silent as he turned the key. Before I could even reach for my door handle, he was there, opening it for me. His strong arms slid under my thighs and around my back, lifting me effortlessly against his chest. "I've been wanting to do this all night," he murmured, his voice a low rumble against my ear that sent shivers down my spine. My eyelashes fluttered as I gazed up at him, feeling weightless in his arms as he carried me through the house and straight upstairs to our master bedroom. My heart hammered wildly in my chest—God, he looked devastatingly handsome tonight, the shadows playing across his sharp features, highlighting the intensity in his eyes. "Something wrong?" Aiden asked, noticing my stare, a hint of amusement in his voice. "My throat's parched," I replied, suddenly needing space to collect myself. My body was already responding to his proximity, and I needed a moment to breathe. "I'm going to grab some water