CHAPTER 114: AT THE SHOWERS

Alexia’s POV

I walked into the hotel lobby, my legs still unsteady, my body still betraying me after everything that happened in the car.

And the worst part? Aiden knew.

That smug bastard knew exactly what he was doing to me, and he was enjoying it.

I clenched my jaw, trying to focus on the grand chandeliers, the polished marble floors—literally anything that would keep me from thinking about how I wasn’t wearing any panties under this dress... because Aiden had ripped them off.

My traitorous body still tingled from his touch, from the way his hands had moved over me, the way his lips had left marks I knew I’d have to cover up later.

And now, as if nothing had happened, he was walking beside me like we weren’t still drenched in the aftermath of whatever this was between us.

I shot him a glare, my arms crossing tightly over my chest. "You think this is funny?"

He barely glanced at me, his mouth twitching in amusement. "I think you overthinking this is funny."

I hated how good he looked—his slightly messy hair from my fingers running through it, his suit still slightly disheveled from our... activities. And I really hated the way he casually slipped his hand into his pocket—where my ripped panties were.

My eyes widened, my stomach flipping as realization hit me. "You better not still have those."

Aiden smirked, pulling his hand out just enough to show a glimpse of lace before shoving it back in. "Too late."

My face flamed. "Give them back."

"No."

I took a step closer, lowering my voice. "Aiden, I swear to—"

He leaned down, his lips just grazing my ear. "You’re not in a position to make demands right now, sweetheart."

Oh. My. God.

Heat flooded through me. My knees wobbled. My resolve cracked.

I hated him.

I really hated him.

...And I hated even more that I wanted him.

Since I agreed to Aiden’s stupid

agreement, I haven’t had a single moment alone—not even once—without him hovering over me. And to make it worse? He never keeps his hands to himself.

Like now.

The moment the hotel receptionist handed him our key, his palm was already on the small of my back, guiding me toward the elevator like I couldn’t walk on my own. But the second we stepped inside, that touch turned into something else.

Something more possessive.

His hand slid lower, fingers brushing over the curve of my ass, his grip tightening ever so slightly. My breath caught in my throat, but I forced myself to stay still. He wants a reaction. I refuse to give him one.

Aiden chuckled under his breath like he knew what I was thinking. "You’re tense."

I glared at the elevator doors. "Maybe because someone won’t stop touching me."

"You didn’t seem to mind a few minutes ago." His voice was low, teasing.

My nails dug into my palm. "That was different."

"Was it?"

I turned to face him, ready to argue, but the look in his eyes made my stomach flip. He was enjoying this. He lived for pushing my buttons, for making me squirm.

And the worst part? It was working.

The elevator doors opened, and I took the opportunity to step away, marching toward our suite without looking back. But of course, Aiden was right behind me, his presence wrapping around me like a second skin.

The moment we stepped inside, he closed the door, locking it with a soft click.

And just like that, I realized something horrifying.

I’m completely alone with him now.

"I’m going to shower first," I said quickly, refusing to look at him as I practically ran toward the bathroom.

I heard Aiden chuckle behind me, the sound dark and amused, but I ignored him. My heart was already racing, and I needed a second—no, I needed a whole damn hour—away from him to clear my head.

The second I shut the bathroom door, I let out a deep breath, pressing my palms against the cool marble counter. Get a grip, Alexia. This was just an agreement. It didn’t mean anything.

Then why does he make you feel like this?

I turned the shower on, letting the sound of rushing water drown out my thoughts. As I peeled my dress off, my skin still tingled from where his hands had been just moments ago—his possessive grip, the way his fingers had traced the hem of my dress in the car like he was teasing me on purpose.

I stepped under the water, letting the heat relax my muscles. But no matter how hard I tried to shake it off, the tension from being around him lingered.

Aiden had been relentless ever since we got here. Every glance, every smirk, every touch—like he was testing just how far he could push me.

And the worst part? I wasn’t sure if I wanted to push back or let him keep going.

I didn’t know how long I had been in the shower, but the water was just too good to stop. My sore muscles relaxed under the heat, and with my eyes closed, I let myself enjoy the rare moment of peace.

That’s why I didn’t hear the door open.

But I felt it.

The shift in the air. The movement behind me. The presence of someone else.

My eyes snapped open just in time to see a very naked Aiden stepping into the shower with me.

I screamed.

He winced slightly but didn’t look the least bit guilty. "What the fuck are you doing?!" I shrieked, immediately covering myself with my hands.

Aiden chuckled, completely unfazed. His broad shoulders and toned chest glistened under the water, and his eyes—God, his eyes—were raking over every inch of my body like he owned it.

"You were taking too long in the shower," he said smoothly, stepping closer. "So, I thought I should join you."

My face burned hotter than the water. "Join me?!"

He just shrugged nonchalantly. "Why are you hiding when I’ve seen everything?" His smirk deepened. "Tasted even."

I wanted the floor to swallow me whole.

My hands tightened over my body as I glared at him, but that cocky grin of his only widened.

"You’re cute when you’re flustered," he mused, tilting his head. "And when you try to hide from me."

He took another step forward.

My pulse jumped.

Don’t tell me he still wants to...

Good Lord, didn’t he ever get tired?! We had already done it twice—once on the jet, then again in the car. Did he really still want to—

My back hit the cool tiles as he caged me in with his arms, pressing his body close. The steam curled around us, but nothing was hotter than him.

And from the look in his eyes, I knew I wasn’t getting out of this shower anytime soon.

"I—" My voice got caught in my throat as Aiden took another step closer, the heat of the water making everything feel even more suffocating.

His smirk deepened as he reached for my wrist, gently prying my arms away from my chest. As if I could really stop him.

"You’re cute" he murmured, his fingers tracing lazy patterns down my arm. "And trying to hide from me? After everything we’ve done?" His voice was pure amusement, but there was something darker beneath it. Something hungry.

I swallowed hard, my heart hammering against my ribs. "Aiden, we already—"

"Twice?" he finished for me, tilting his head as if he was genuinely confused. "You say that like it should be enough." His fingers trailed lower, down my side, his touch light but electric. "But it’s not."

I pressed my back against the cool tile, but he followed, closing the distance, his body warm and slick from the water. His eyes darkened as he caged me in with his arms, his lips hovering just inches from mine.

"You take too long in the shower," he murmured, his breath fanning against my skin. "And I get bored easily."

I opened my mouth to retort, but all that came out was a soft gasp when his hand slid down to my hip, gripping me possessively.

Damn it.

I should have known by now—Aiden never got tired.

Alexia’s POV

He kissed me senseless, his lips moving against mine with a hunger that stole every coherent thought from my mind. His hands gripped my thighs tighter, keeping me caged against the cold tiles, the contrast between the heat of his body and the chill of the wall sending a shiver through me.

Then he bit my lower lip.

A sharp, teasing nip, just enough to make me gasp, just enough to make my body arch against him.

Damn him.

I felt his smirk against my mouth before he deepened the kiss, his tongue sweeping inside, taking, tasting—owning. My fingers tangled in his wet hair, nails digging into his scalp as I kissed him back just as fiercely, letting him know he wasn’t the only one who could play this game.

The steam surrounded us, making everything feel hazy, feverish.

His hands slid from my thighs, moving up my sides with deliberate slowness, as if memorizing every inch of me. When his fingers grazed over my breasts, I moaned into his mouth, pressing closer, needing more.

"Aiden..." My voice was breathless, almost pleading.

He groaned, his lips leaving my mouth to trail wet, open-mouthed kisses down my jaw, to my neck, to the spot just below my ear that made me shiver. "You make the sweetest sounds when you say my name like that."

His words made my stomach tighten, heat pooling between my legs.

This was dangerous.

This was so dangerous.

But when his hands gripped my hips and rolled me against him, feeling just how hard he was, I stopped caring about what was dangerous.

I just wanted him.