Too Late Mr. White! I'm Married To Your Rival Now novel Chapter 68

Aria's POV

"Aiden..." I touched the delicate piano key pendant hanging at my neck, feeling strangely vulnerable under his intense gaze. "But why...?"

Instead of answering my question, he moved closer, his eyes never leaving mine.

"Would you play something for me?" he asked, his voice low and intimate in the quiet room.

The abrupt change of subject threw me off balance, but I nodded. "Of course. What would you like to hear?"

"Traumerei," Aiden said. "Schumann's Dreaming."

My fingers hesitated above the keys. Traumerei - one of the most romantic pieces in classical piano repertoire, written by Robert Schumann for his beloved Clara. It was essentially a musical love letter.

When I didn't respond immediately, Aiden slipped the small velvet box into his pocket. "You don't want to play it?"

"It's not that..."

I studied his face, searching for some hint of his intentions. His expression remained characteristically impassive, giving nothing away.

Perhaps I was overthinking this. Traumerei was gentle and soothing, flowing with serene beauty. Though dedicated to Schumann's lover, its romance wasn't overly demonstrative - more like a peaceful reminiscence of cherished moments. Most people simply found it calming and beautiful, without reading deeper meaning into it.

Yes, I was definitely overthinking this.

Pushing aside my scattered thoughts, I placed my hands on the piano keys and began to play Traumerei for Aiden.

The melody filled the room with its dreamy, tender notes. I lost myself in the piece, letting my fingers dance across the keys with practiced ease. The music spoke of gentle affection, of quiet moments treasured, of love expressed not through grand gestures but through steady presence.

As the final note faded into silence, I looked up instinctively at Aiden.

He was watching me intently, rolling something between his fingers - the mango candy he'd picked up earlier. "This piece," he said quietly, "was composed by Schumann for his beloved Clara."

I stiffened, feeling heat rise to my cheeks. "You knew that?"

"Yes." His voice was steady, matter-of-fact.

My brows furrowed in confusion. "If you already knew what it meant, why ask me to play it?" I searched his face. "Are you... are you making fun of me?"

Aiden stepped closer, his tall frame casting a shadow over the piano and me. "Haven't you felt anything, Aria?"

"What do you mean?" I stared up at him, genuinely confused.

He reached out, his fingers brushing against my cheek with unexpected tenderness. "I'm trying to tell you something." His voice dropped lower. "I'm telling you that I love you."

The words hit me with the force of a physical blow. I froze, certain I had misheard him.

"You... what?"

"I love you." His voice was firmer now, more certain. "This wasn't supposed to happen. But somewhere between our arrangement and now, everything changed."

I couldn't breathe. Couldn't think. "But our agreement—"

"Fuck the agreement." The rare profanity from his usually controlled mouth shocked me. "I don't want a business transaction anymore. I want you. All of you."

Before I could process his words, his mouth was on mine, hungry and demanding. His hands cupped my face as though I were something precious, something he couldn't bear to lose.

I melted into him, my body responding before my mind could catch up. My fingers clutched at his shirt, pulling him closer as years of buried feelings surged to the surface.

"Aiden," I gasped when we broke apart for air.

His eyes were dark with desire as he lifted me from the piano bench. In one smooth motion, he sat and pulled me onto his lap, my legs straddling his.

"Tell me to stop," he murmured against my neck, his breath hot on my skin. "Tell me this isn't what you want."

But I couldn't say that. Not when every cell in my body was screaming for his touch.

"Don't stop," I whispered instead, threading my fingers through his hair. "Please, don't stop."

His hands slid under my shirt, tracing paths of fire across my skin. I arched into his touch, a soft moan escaping my lips.

"You're so beautiful," he breathed, his voice rough with need. "Every day I've watched you, wanted you... tried to tell myself this was just an arrangement."

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