The CEO's Rejected Wife And Secret Heir novel Chapter 145

Chapter 145: Chapter 145: Taking It Slow

Aria’s POV – One Week Later

"Absolutely not." I crossed my arms, watching Damien hold up yet another ridiculously expensive necklace. "We’re supposed to be dating like normal people, not like a billionaire trying to buy his way into my pants."

"But you’d look stunning in diamonds." He set the necklace back in the velvet box with exaggerated disappointment. "And technically, I’ve already been in your."

"Damien." I pressed my hand over his mouth, glancing toward where Noah was building with blocks across the living room. "Little ears."

He grinned against my palm, then kissed it before I pulled away. "Fine. No diamonds. But Aria, you have to let me spoil you a little. I have years of making up to do."

"That’s exactly why we’re doing this." I moved to the couch, patting the seat beside me. "We skipped all the normal relationship steps the first time, we went from contract to marriage to disaster without ever actually dating and this time" I took his hand as he sat. "This time I want to do it right. Get to know each other without the weight of obligation or contracts or survival hanging over us."

"You want me to court you." His eyes lit up with something that looked suspiciously like delight. "Properly court you."

"Yes." I felt my cheeks heat. "Is that ridiculous? We’re already engaged. We have a four-year-old son, we have had sex multiple times"

"Making love," he corrected softly. "We’ve made love multiple times."

My heart did a little flip. "Making love, then. But Damien, we’ve never gone on a real date. Never had that awkward first kiss on a doorstep. Never had those early relationship moments where you’re nervous and excited and discovering each other."

"You’re right." He brought my hand to his lips. "And Aria, I love this idea. I love that you want to build something with a foundation instead of starting from the wreckage."

"Mama! Daddy!" Noah bounded over, clutching a LEGO creation. "Look what I made! It’s you two getting married with dinosaurs as the guests!"

I examined the chaotic structure that looked more like a colorful explosion than a wedding scene. "It’s beautiful, baby."

"Why are dinosaurs the guests?" Damien asked, genuinely curious.

"Because they’re cool and they can scare away bad guys if any come to the wedding." Noah stated this like it was obvious. "Plus, Mr. Peterson says all weddings need something special and dinosaurs are the most special."

"Can’t argue with that logic." Damien ruffled Noah’s hair. "Hey buddy, how would you feel if Mama and I went on some dates before the wedding? You know, like Emma’s parents do?"

Noah scrunched up his nose, thinking. "Like going to restaurants and movies and stuff?"

"Exactly like that."

"Will you hold hands and be gross?" He made a face.

"Probably," I admitted. "Is that okay?"

"I guess." Noah shrugged with four-year-old nonchalance. "But can I come sometimes? Emma goes on family dates with her parents."

"Some dates will be just Mama and me," Damien explained gently. "But we’ll also have lots of family dates with you. Deal?"

"Deal!" Noah stuck out his hand for a shake, which Damien took seriously, making our son giggle. "Can we have pizza on family dates?"

"Pizza, ice cream, dinosaur museums—anything you want." Damien pulled Noah onto his lap. "Because buddy, you’re part of this too. Our family. Always."

I watched them together, my heart so full it ached. This. This was what I’d dreamed of years ago when I’d first felt Noah move inside me. A father who was present, engaged, loving. A family that chose each other.

"So." Damien looked at me over Noah’s head. "Aria Monroe, will you go on a date with me this Friday night?"

"Hmm." I pretended to consider it. "I don’t know. I’m pretty busy."

"Mama!" Noah giggled. "Say yes!"

"What do you think, Noah?" I asked. "Should I go on a date with your daddy?"

"Yes! Then you can tell me if he’s a good kisser like the princes in movies!" He dissolved into giggles at his own joke.

"Where did you learn that?" I demanded, laughing.

"Emma says her daddy is a good kisser and her mama always smiles after." Noah shrugged. "So if Daddy’s a good kisser, you’ll smile lots and be happy."

"I already smile lots around your daddy," I said softly.

"Because those things happened out of order!" I turned to face her. "We did everything backwards. And now I’m trying to do it right and I don’t know how to do it right because I’ve never actually dated anyone seriously before. Damien was an arranged marriage and Lucas was."

"A rebound who never actually got past first base," Olivia finished. "Okay, fair point. So let’s approach this logically. Where’s he taking you?"

"He won’t tell me. Just said to dress comfortably but nice." I groaned. "What does that even mean?"

"It means jeans and a pretty top." Olivia hopped off the bed and started rifling through my closet. "Something that says ’I’m effortlessly beautiful’ even though we both know you’ll spend an hour getting ready."

"I hate how well you know me."

"That’s what best friends are for." She pulled out dark jeans and a soft blue cashmere sweater. "This. With those heeled boots, simple jewelry, hair down and wavy. Perfection."

I took the outfit, holding it up. "You don’t think it’s too casual?"

"Aria." Olivia gripped my shoulders. "Breathe. This is Damien. The man who looks at you like you hung the moon. You could show up in a garbage bag and he’d think you were stunning. Now go shower, I’ll do your hair, and we’ll get you out of here before you have a complete meltdown."

Forty-five minutes later, I was dressed and considerably calmer. Olivia had worked her magic with my hair, leaving it in soft waves that framed my face. The makeup was natural—just enough to enhance without looking overdone.

"You look beautiful, Mama!" Noah announced from the doorway, where Damien was holding him. "Doesn’t she look beautiful, Daddy?"

But Damien wasn’t answering. He was just staring at me, something soft and vulnerable in his expression. "You’re stunning," he finally said, his voice rough. "Absolutely stunning."

"You clean up pretty nice yourself." And he did—dark jeans, sweater that matched his eyes, leather jacket slung over one arm. Casual but put together. Perfect.

"Okay, little man." Olivia scooped Noah up. "Your parents are going on a date, which means you and I are having a boys’ night. We’re making pancakes for dinner because rules don’t apply when parents are gone."

"Yes!" Noah pumped his fist. "Can we have chocolate chips?"

"So many chocolate chips." Olivia carried him toward the kitchen. "Have fun, you two. And Damien? Treat her right or I’ll destroy you."

"Noted," he called after her, grinning.