CHAPTER 108: DAY DREAM

Aiden’s POV

I was feeling on top of the world.

No—scratch that. I was feeling like a king. Like I had conquered something untouchable, claimed something mine.

And the worst part?

I couldn’t even bring myself to put on my usual cold, indifferent CEO mask.

Fuck.

What the hell was Alexia doing to me?

I sat at my desk, attempting to focus on the reports Tobias had prepared, but my mind kept straying. Every time I closed my eyes, all I could see was her—the way she had looked beneath me, the way she had moaned my name, the way her body had clung to mine so perfectly, like she had been made for me.

My fingers twitched. I could still feel her, still hear the breathy sounds she made when I teased her, still taste her on my lips.

Fuck.

I ran a hand through my hair, exhaling sharply. This wasn’t supposed to happen. This was just supposed to be sex, no strings attached, no emotions involved. We agreed on that.

But last night—hell, even this morning—felt anything but emotionless.

The way I touched her, the way I held her after, the way I didn’t want to let go...

It was dangerous.

And yet, I didn’t want to stop.

I liked knowing that she was sore because of me. That every time she moved today, she’d remember exactly what we did. That every time that fucking professor looked at her, he’d see the mark on her neck and know she was mine.

A slow smirk curled at my lips.

Yeah, I was feeling damn good.

A knock on my office door snapped me out of my thoughts.

Tobias peeked in, eyebrow raised like he was suspicious of my mood. "Sir, your next meeting starts in ten minutes."

I waved a hand. "Push it back."

Tobias blinked. "Push it back?"

I rarely postponed meetings. Hell, I was usually the one pushing them forward because I hated wasting time.

But today?

Today, all I wanted to do was savor this feeling.

Tobias stared at me like I had grown a second head before he sighed, muttering something under his breath as he left.

I leaned back in my chair, letting my smirk widen.

Yeah.

Something was definitely happening to me.

And it all started and ended with Alexia.

Who would have thought that I would ever think of Alexia... and smile?

Last time I thought about her, I would frown, my jaw would clench, and irritation would bubble in my chest.

But now?

Now, I was sitting here in my office, grinning like a damn fool.

Fuck.

I ran a hand down my face, trying to wipe the smirk off, but it wouldn’t leave. The memory of her was too fresh, too vivid.

The way she walked this morning—slow, sore, with that little unconscious wince every time she moved—was enough to stroke my damn ego. She had tried to hide it, but I noticed. Every step she took was a reminder of me, of what we did, of how many times I had taken her and made her mine.

And that damn hickey on her neck?

I wasn’t even sorry for it. In fact, I wanted to add more. Let that professor see them. Let him know exactly who she belonged to.

I chuckled under my breath, shaking my head. Who the hell am I turning into?

Tobias walked in just then, stopping in his tracks when he saw my expression. His brows furrowed in confusion, and I realized—fuck, I was still smiling.

"What?" I asked, straightening.

He hesitated. "...Nothing. Just... not used to seeing you like this, sir."

I smirked. "Like what?"

He narrowed his eyes, like he was trying to figure something out. "Like you’re actually... happy."

Happy.

The word felt foreign.

I wasn’t happy. I was just... satisfied. Relaxed. Completely at ease.

And the reason for that?

Alexia.

I exhaled sharply, my smirk fading slightly.

Fuck.

I was getting in too deep.

Just as I was about to push Alexia out of my mind—because, hell

, I needed to focus—my phone rang.

Liz.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair before answering. "Yeah?"

"Aiden." Her voice was soft, almost hesitant. "Are you busy?"

I glanced at my workload. Technically, yes. But I could already tell this wasn’t just a casual call.

"What’s up?" I leaned back in my chair.

She exhaled sharply. "You forgot about me, didn’t you?"

I frowned. "What?"

"You forgot about me," she repeated, her voice taking on that slightly wounded tone she always used when she wanted my attention. "Ever since you got married, it’s like I don’t even exist anymore."

I pinched the bridge of my nose. "That’s not true, Liz."

"It is true! We used to hang out all the time. You used to call me, check on me. Now? Now, I barely see you. You don’t even ask how I’m doing."

I exhaled. "I visited you at the hospital—"

"That was days ago."

I stayed silent, because, yeah, she was right.

She sighed, softer this time. "Aiden... I miss us. I miss how things used to be. You used to be there for me, always. Before your wife came into the picture."

At that, something irritated me.

Alexia wasn’t the problem.

But Liz was acting like she was.

I didn’t like that.

"Liz," I said carefully, "I didn’t forget about you. And I’m still here."

"Then prove it."

I frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Spend time with me. Like before. Just us."

I hesitated. Not because I didn’t want to, but because the idea of stepping back into the past felt... off.

Before, Liz had been my escape. But now?

Now, I wasn’t so sure what she was anymore.

I had already spent the last few weeks wrapped up in Alexia—her scent, her body, her presence. And now Liz was asking me to act like nothing had changed.

But everything had changed.

"I’ll... see what I can do," I said finally.

She was silent for a moment, then sighed. "Okay. Just don’t forget me, okay?"

I didn’t respond to that. Because, fuck, I didn’t know what to say.

I stared at my phone long after the call ended, tapping my fingers against my desk.

Liz was important to me. She always had been.

But...

I ran a hand down my face, frustrated.

She wanted me to be the same person I was before I got married. Before Alexia.

The problem was—I wasn’t sure I was that person anymore.

I glanced at the clock. It was almost time to pick up Alexia. The thought should have been neutral, something routine. But instead, I felt... anticipation.

Fuck.

I shook my head, leaning back in my chair.

Liz had a point—I had been different lately. But it wasn’t intentional. It wasn’t like I decided to change overnight. It just... happened.

And now she wanted me to prove to her that I was still the same.

But could I?

Or maybe the real question was—did I even want to?

I grabbed my keys and stood up, trying to shake off the thoughts.

I needed to get my head on straight.

By the time I pulled up at Alexia’s school, I spotted her instantly. She was standing with Lucy, laughing about something, but when her gaze flickered to me, she hesitated.

I smirked. Good. At least she still gets flustered.

But then I saw him.

Professor Sinclair.

The asshole was standing at a distance, watching her.

And he wasn’t just watching—he was looking.

I clenched my jaw, gripping the steering wheel a little too tightly.

Liz was worried I had changed?

She had no fucking idea.

Because the Aiden she knew wouldn’t have given a shit about another man looking at his wife.

But this Aiden?

I stepped out of the car.

This Aiden wasn’t going to fucking let it slide.

I walked up to Alexia, keeping my expression unreadable. She glanced at me, then at Lucy, then—ever so briefly—at Professor Sinclair.

Interesting.

I didn’t say a word as I reached for the car door, pulling it open for her. She hesitated for half a second before getting in, her movements stiff, as if she was aware of the eyes watching us.

Good.

I turned my gaze toward the professor. He was still watching. His face was neutral, but his eyes—his eyes fucking irritated me.

Slowly, I tilted my head, making sure he knew I saw him watching.

Then I turned to Lucy. "Need a ride?"

She smirked, shaking her head. "Nope, I’m good."

I nodded once, then got in the car, shutting the door behind me.

As I started the engine, I could feel Alexia fidgeting beside me. I could also feel Sinclair’s gaze still burning into us as I pulled away.

Yeah.

He got the message.

The silence in the car was thick, but not uncomfortable. I could tell Alexia was aware of the tension—maybe not the full extent of it, but enough to make her shift in her seat. I smirked at that.

"You walk funny," I commented, keeping my eyes on the road.

She stiffened immediately. "Shut up."

I chuckled, gripping the steering wheel tighter. "The professor definitely noticed."

I felt her glare without even looking at her. "And whose fault is that?"

"Oh, I take full responsibility," I said smoothly, reaching over to rest my hand on her thigh. She slapped it away, but I caught the way her breath hitched.

"Focus on driving."

"I am focused."

She huffed, turning to look out the window, probably trying to ignore the heat creeping up her neck. I smirked, my eyes flickering to her reflection in the glass.