Too Late Mr. White! I'm Married To Your Rival Now novel Chapter 87

Aria's POV

The gala was scheduled for eight, but by four in the afternoon, I was already being whisked away to the club for preparations.

From the moment I arrived at five, I was engulfed in a whirlwind of beauty treatments before moving on to hair and makeup. Never in my life had I experienced anything like this. Even for my wedding with Liam, I'd simply had a team come to the house.

This exclusive club had everything imaginable, and for me—apparently their VIP guest—they'd closed to all other clients for the afternoon.

I was surrounded by people rushing around, all I needed to do was lift a hand or foot when instructed. If I hadn't been so shy, they would've even dressed me themselves.

The gown they selected was deceptively simple: a V-neck with delicate pleating that managed to be sensual without revealing too much, and small puff sleeves that added a touch of cool elegance.

The white dress hugged my waist and hips perfectly, showcasing every curve of my body.

Looking at myself in the mirror, I barely recognized the woman staring back. My usual style was fresh and princess-like—I rarely tried something so boldly elegant.

The makeup artists and assistants showered me with compliments: "Mrs. Carter, you look absolutely stunning! This dress would make most women look either washed out or bulky, but on you, it's perfection—showing off your figure while looking utterly sophisticated!"

Just then, the stylist approached with a jewelry box. "Mrs. Carter, this necklace was specially selected by Mr. Carter for you tonight."

She opened the box to reveal a diamond necklace that resembled twisting vines, sparkling so brilliantly under the lights that it momentarily dazzled me.

Wearing gloves, the stylist carefully lifted the piece. "Mr. Carter truly adores you, Mrs. Carter! This necklace lives up to its name—Beyond Compare."

Beyond Compare?

Was this the 637-carat necklace worth $55 million?

Hearing this, I immediately lowered my hand that had been reaching toward it.

No way was I going to touch something that expensive!

Before I could process it further, the necklace was already fastened around my neck.

The previously bare neckline now featured this stunning diamond piece, with its flawless cognac-colored center diamond resting against my chest, catching every ray of light.

I gazed at my reflection, my eyes fixating on the enormous cognac diamond. I wanted to ask them to put it away, but I didn't want to seem unsophisticated.

It was just too expensive.

A $55 million necklace casually hanging around my neck—if anything happened to it, I'd never be able to repay the cost.

What kind of gala required such extravagant jewelry?

"It looks perfect on you, Mrs. Carter," the stylist gushed, clasping her hands together in genuine admiration.

I managed a smile. "Thank you."

Of course it looked good. With $55 million dangling from my neck, how could it not?

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Aiden's POV

The moment I walked in, I saw Aria standing before the mirror, and my breath caught. I rarely saw her dressed like this. The form-fitting white gown accentuated her slender waist perfectly, while the diamond pendant drew my eye to the subtle curves beneath it.

My gaze darkened as I approached her. "You look beautiful."

My other hand came up to her neck, my thumb tracing the diamond necklace, then dipping lower to follow the plunging neckline. Her breath hitched as my finger brushed against the swell of her breast.

"Do you like your gift?" I asked, my eyes locked on hers.

"It's... it's too much," she stammered, but I could see the desire darkening her eyes.

"Nothing's too much for my wife," I replied, emphasizing the word 'wife' as my lips descended to the sensitive spot below her ear. I pressed a hot, open-mouthed kiss there, feeling her shiver against me.

"God, Aiden," she moaned softly, her hands clutching at my shoulders.

I trailed kisses down her neck, nipping gently at her collarbone. "I want to taste every inch of you," I growled against her skin. "Starting here..." My lips moved lower, hovering just above the neckline of her dress.

Her fingers threaded through my hair, neither pushing me away nor pulling me closer—just holding on as if she needed an anchor.

"And ending..." My hand slid down to cup her ass fully, squeezing possessively as I pulled her hips against mine, letting her feel exactly what she was doing to me. "...somewhere much more intimate."

Then our lips finally met in a hungry kiss, her mouth opening eagerly under mine. I swept my tongue inside, tasting her, claiming her. She moaned into my mouth, her body melting against mine as if we were made to fit together.

When we finally broke apart, both breathing heavily, she looked up at me with glazed eyes and swollen lips.

"Aiden, If we don't leave now, we'll be late," she whispered, though I could tell by the way her body pressed against mine that being late was the last thing on her mind.

I reluctantly loosened my grip, allowing her to step back, though I kept my hand at the small of her back. "We wouldn't want that," I said, my voice still rough with desire.

The flush on her cheeks and the rapid rise and fall of her chest told me everything I needed to know.

This evening was just beginning.