Chapter 82

Aria's POV "My dear wife, you can be as ungracious as you like." His words sent a delicious shiver down my spine. There was something profoundly possessive in the way Aiden said "my wife" - not controlling, but protective. Like I belonged somewhere safe. With him. I'd never imagined someone's voice alone could make my body respond this way. The heat rising to my cheeks had nothing to do with embarrassment and everything to do with desire. "Then let's go," I replied, trying to sound casual despite the quickening of my pulse. "No need," Aiden said, his eyes never leaving mine as he took a sip of his wine. "I already had Lucas decline." I blinked. "..." He could have simply told me that from the beginning instead of asking my opinion. Clearly, he'd already made the decision for both of us. The realization should have irritated me, but somehow, I found it endearing. "That face you're making right now..." Aiden's lips curved into a smile. "Like you can't decide whether to be annoyed or impr