Too Late Mr. White! I'm Married To Your Rival Now novel Chapter 345

Aria's POV

The lake spread before us like a crystal mirror, sunlight dancing across its surface. When Aiden helped me down from the horse, his hands lingered at my waist longer than necessary.

"It's beautiful here," I whispered, taking in the secluded spot surrounded by tall trees and wildflowers.

Instead of answering, Aiden pulled me against him, his lips crashing down on mine with an urgency that left me breathless. I melted into him, my fingers threading through his dark hair as the kiss deepened.

When we finally broke apart, both gasping for air, I saw something vulnerable in his eyes—something I rarely witnessed in the confident, powerful man everyone else saw.

"What's wrong?" I asked, touching his face gently.

Aiden sighed, his arms tightening around me. "I didn't like how Duncan looked at you today."

I couldn't help the small smile that formed on my lips. "Are you jealous, Mr. Carter?"

"Yes." His blunt admission surprised me. "I don't want anyone thinking they have a chance with you."

I pressed my forehead against his chest, breathing in his familiar scent. "You don't need to worry about that. I'm exactly where I want to be."

"Promise?" The word came out rough, almost desperate.

Looking up into his eyes, I nodded. "I promise, Aiden. I'm not going anywhere."

Relief washed over his features as he kissed me again, softer this time, but no less intense. When we settled down by the lakeside, his back against a tree trunk and me nestled between his legs, I felt completely at peace.

"What do you think is going on between Lillian and Ryan?" I asked, watching dragonflies skim across the water's surface.

Aiden's chest rumbled with a low laugh. "You noticed too?"

"It's hard not to. She gets so weird whenever his name comes up."

"Ryan told me some things," Aiden admitted, his fingers tracing lazy patterns on my arm. "But it's not my story to tell."

I twisted around to look at him. "So there is something going on!"

He just smiled mysteriously. "Let's just say they're figuring things out."

"Lillian acts like she can't stand him sometimes, but then I catch her watching him when she thinks no one's looking." I sighed, leaning back against Aiden's chest. "If they do end up together, I'll be happy for them. Everyone deserves to find what we have."

Aiden's arms tightened around me, and when I glanced up, his eyes were burning with intensity. The sun filtering through the trees cast golden highlights across my skin, and the way he looked at me—like I was something precious—made my heart flutter wildly.

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