CHAPTER 119: LOVING

Aiden’s POV

We left the party without looking back. The sounds of clinking glasses and the hum of idle conversation slowly faded as we stepped into the cool evening air. Alexia’s fingers were intertwined with mine as we walked through the quiet city streets. The bright lights of the skyline shimmered above us, casting a glow on the cobblestone sidewalks.

For once, it felt like we were just two people, not husband and wife, not anything anyone expected us to be. We were just Aiden and Alexia. And it felt good. Damn good.

Her fingers, delicate but firm, curled into mine, and I didn’t let go. Her hand fit perfectly with mine, like two pieces of a puzzle that had finally clicked into place. She wasn’t talking much, and neither was I. It was nice. The kind of quiet that didn’t need words but was filled with everything that mattered.

We strolled through the city, past bustling cafes and quiet little bookshops, the kind of places that smelled like warm coffee and worn pages. The wind was soft, the kind that kissed your skin rather than biting through it, and the city’s sounds were muted here, a soft hum that only made the night feel more intimate.

We came across a quiet park, tucked away from the main streets, lit only by the soft glow of street lamps. The bench beneath the tree was empty, just waiting for us, and without saying a word, I guided Alexia to sit down beside me.

She hesitated, glancing around as though unsure of what to do next, but I could see the subtle curve of her lips, the way her breath was a little deeper than usual. She wanted this. Just as much as I did.

"I know you didn’t expect any of this," I said quietly, leaning back against the bench, keeping my hand still in hers. "But I wanted tonight to be different, Alexia."

She turned to face me then, her eyes wide with curiosity. The way the lamplight reflected off her face made her look ethereal, like she belonged to the night itself. It was then I realized I couldn’t wait any longer.

"Different?" she asked, her voice soft but steady.

I shifted slightly, the weight of my words pressing on my chest. "I don’t know when it happened, but it did. Somewhere between all the fighting, the misunderstandings... between all of it, I found myself falling for you."

Her face froze for a second, her lips parted in surprise. She didn’t say anything at first, and I didn’t know what I expected. I couldn’t help but feel vulnerable, my chest tightening as I waited for some kind of reaction. But she just stared at me.

I laughed softly, a nervous sound that I didn’t usually make. "I know it sounds insane," I continued, rubbing the back of my neck. "We’ve both been through a lot... but it’s true. I’ve fallen for you, Alexia. And I can’t hide it anymore."

There it was. Out in the open. And for a moment, I felt a little light-headed, like the weight of the world had been lifted off my shoulders. I didn’t expect her to say it back. Hell, I wasn’t even sure she was ready to hear it. But I had to say it. I couldn’t keep pretending like I didn’t feel it. She had become more than the woman I married for convenience. She was my wife, my partner.

Her gaze dropped to our hands, her fingers gently running over the back of my hand as though testing if she could believe it, if it was real. There was silence between us, the kind that spoke volumes. I could see her processing it all, the weight of my words hanging between us.

"You don’t have to say anything tonight," I added quickly, my voice dropping to a gentle tone. "Take your time. I know you’ve got your own things to work through. But I just wanted you to know, I’m not expecting anything. I’m here, no matter what. And if you can’t feel the same way, I’ll understand."

Alexia raised her head, meeting my gaze with an expression I couldn’t read. Her lips parted, but no words came out. Instead, she smiled, a small, hesitant smile, but it was enough to give me hope. It wasn’t rejection, and that meant everything.

She slowly leaned forward, placing a gentle kiss on my cheek before pulling back slightly, her eyes still searching mine. "I didn’t expect this," she whispered, her voice tinged with something that sounded like wonder. "But I think... I think I might need some time to figure this out, Aiden. I never thought I’d be here. Not like this."

I nodded. "I get it. I don’t want to rush you."

There was a long pause as we sat side by side, the city lights flickering in the distance, the night wrapping around us in a soft embrace. It was peaceful.

After a moment, Alexia turned to me with a mischievous glint in her eye. "Do you know how to have fun, Aiden?" she asked, her voice light now, teasing.

I chuckled. "I’d like to think so."

"Well, then," she said, standing up from the bench and offering me her hand. "Let’s go find out."

I raised an eyebrow, not quite sure where she was leading, but I didn’t care. We both knew this wasn’t just about the words we’d exchanged. It was about something we both wanted—something unspoken but understood. I took her hand, and we set off again, walking the streets like lovers, like two people who had figured something out, even if we didn’t know exactly where it would take us.

We found a small, cozy restaurant down a side street, the kind of place that felt intimate and warm, with only a few patrons enjoying their evening. The atmosphere was romantic, soft jazz playing in the background as we sat at a candle-lit table near the window. Our conversation was light, filled with laughter and easy smiles. The tension had melted away into something more comfortable, like we were simply two people out on a date, not bound by obligations or anything else.

The food was delicious, but neither of us were hungry for much. What we wanted was the closeness, the touch of each other’s hand across the table, the quiet moments where our eyes met, and no words were needed.

As the night wore on, we made our way back to the street, and I called a taxi to take us back to the hotel. The soft glow of the city streetlights filled the car, and in the quiet, there were small, stolen kisses, tender touches that spoke volumes more than words ever could.

There was no rush. No pressure. Just the easy, intimate connection we were finally starting to share. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I was exactly where I was supposed to be.

The elevator doors slide open, and I’m still holding her hand, our fingers entwined like we’re not about to step into a luxury suite but into a quiet world of our own. Alexia glances up at me, a small smile tugging at her lips, her eyes sparkling with that playful warmth I’ve come to adore.

I turn toward her, catching her gaze, and the words that have been on the edge of my tongue for hours finally find their way out.

"This time," I whisper, my voice low and sincere, "I don’t just want sex. I want to make love to you, Alexia. Not just... not just a quick release. I want it to mean something."

The words hang in the air between us, charged with everything we’ve been to each other so far—our first touch, our first kiss, all the moments that led us here. She squeezes my hand, her expression softening. No words are needed; the look in her eyes says everything.

The elevator dings softly as we reach the top floor, the presidential suite awaiting us with its promise of both luxury and intimacy. But it’s not the gold-trimmed walls or the grand chandelier that draws me in. It’s her, every moment with her, every beat of our hearts in sync.

Stepping out of the elevator, I guide her into the suite, where the lighting is warm and inviting, the space exuding a sense of romance.

We reach the door to the presidential suite, and I open it, leading her inside. The room is magnificent—luxurious, but right now, it’s not the extravagant decor that draws me in. It’s her. Always her. I can’t get enough of the way she looks at me, the way she makes everything feel more real.

I reach for the sound system, pressing a button, and soft romantic music begins to play. The melody fills the room like a promise, wrapping us in its tender embrace.

I turn to Alexia, holding out my hand. "Care for a dance?"

She raises an eyebrow, that playful spark lighting up her eyes again. "You want to dance now?"

I nod, a smile tugging at my lips. "We don’t need a reason."

She laughs, her voice light, but there’s a tenderness to it. We begin to sway, slow and gentle, moving like the song is guiding us, our bodies a perfect match in rhythm. At first, it’s playful, lighthearted—twirling her, making her laugh, letting the music carry us.

But then, the tempo shifts, and so does the mood. The slow beat pulls us in, and suddenly, everything around us fades. We’re close—too close—but I don’t want to pull away. Her breath brushes against my ear as we move, and I can feel the heat between us building.

Our steps slow even further, until all that’s left is the soft thump of our hearts in time with the music. I feel her hand on my chest, the way her body fits perfectly against mine. The world outside this room feels like a distant echo.

I lean in, pressing my lips softly to hers. My hand slides gently to her face, cupping it as I caress her, savoring this moment before anything more happens. The kiss is tender, slow, full of everything we’ve both held back, everything we’ve wanted.

The music swells as I pull back slightly, my hand slipping to her waist. "You’re everything I’ve ever wanted," I murmur. She looks at me, eyes full of trust, of desire.

I don’t want to rush this. I want to make it count.

The room around us fades. It’s just the two of us now. I pull her in closer, my lips brushing against hers. A soft kiss, slow and lingering, as I caress her cheek, memorizing the feel of her under my fingers.

"You’re so beautiful," I murmur against her lips, my hand sliding down to her waist.

She looks up at me, her eyes filled with trust and something deeper, something that matches the beat of my heart. She doesn’t say anything, but she doesn’t need to. The silence between us is loud enough.

Taking her hand, I guide her toward the bedroom, my lips trailing down her neck. She leans into me, breathless, and as we reach the bed, I pause. My hands gently slide down her arms, unzipping her dress slowly, the fabric slipping from her body like it was never meant to stay there.

The sight of her in nothing but black lace sends a shiver down my spine, and I trace the edge of the lace with my fingertips. "You’re so beautiful," I whisper, my voice rough.

I lean in again, kissing her softly, my hands tender but eager as I lift her carefully onto the bed. I kneel beside her, slipping off her heels with a slow precision, before I start undressing, my movements deliberate, for her.

Then I begin to undress, taking off my shirt, my pants, until all that’s left is my briefs.

I let the moment settle, the tension between us rising with every breath. I stand before her now, completely exposed, but it’s not just the physical. It’s the connection, the feeling of being this close, this vulnerable with her.

I crawl back onto the bed beside her, my lips trailing softly over her skin, before I pull her close again. The music still plays softly in the background, but it feels like the world outside has disappeared. It’s just me and her.

I kiss her deeply, my hand slipping around her waist, feeling the warmth of her body, the softness of her skin. The air is thick with desire, but I want this to be different. I want it to be real.