Chapter 168: Chapter 170: Morning Routine
ARIA’S POV
The morning light filtered through the curtains, warming Aria’s face as she slowly woke. She felt Damien’s arm around her waist, holding her possessively even in sleep, and for a moment she just lay there, enjoying the warmth and security of being wrapped in his embrace.
But reality couldn’t be postponed forever. She had things to do today. Important things.
"We need to get up," she murmured, turning in his arms to face him.
Damien’s eyes were already open, watching her with that intensity that never seemed to dim. "Do we?"
"Yes. I need to go to the hospital today. I have to see the director and settle everything before I resume fully at the end of the month."
Something flickered in Damien’s eyes....possessiveness, maybe reluctance at the thought of her being away from him for the day. But he nodded.
"Alright. But first...." He stood from the bed in one fluid motion and scooped her up into his arms before she could protest. "Bath. Together."
"Damien, I can walk...."
"I know you can. But I prefer carrying you."
He carried her to the bathroom, that massive ensuite with the tub that could fit four people, and set her down gently on the marble counter while he started the water.
Aria watched him move around the bathroom with practiced efficiency....testing the water temperature, adding bath oils that smelled like lavender and eucalyptus, adjusting the jets. He was naked, completely unselfconscious about his body, and she found herself admiring the play of muscles across his back, the powerful lines of his shoulders.
"Stop staring and get in," he said without turning around, and she could hear the smile in his voice.
"How did you....."
"I can feel your eyes on me, Aria. Always can."
She slipped off her sleep shirt and joined him in the massive tub, sighing as the hot water enveloped her. Damien settled behind her, pulling her back against his chest, his arms wrapping around her waist.
For several minutes, they just sat like that, enjoying the warmth and the quiet intimacy of the moment.
Then Damien’s hand started to wander.
"Damien," Aria warned. "We don’t have time for....."
"We always have time," he murmured against her ear, his hand sliding between her thighs.
What followed was not a quick, gentle interlude. Damien was methodical, deliberate, taking his time to work her up despite her protests that they needed to hurry.
By the time they emerged from the bathroom forty-five minutes later, Aria’s face was flushed and she looked distinctly irritated despite the satisfied glow in her eyes.
"You’re impossible," she muttered, wrapping a towel around herself.
Damien looked perfectly content, completely unrepentant. "You loved every second of it."
"That’s not the point. Now I’m going to be late...."
"You’re not going to be late. I’m driving you, remember? We’ll get there on time."
He helped her dress, his hands lingering on her skin longer than necessary, his eyes tracking her every movement with possessive hunger. When she tried to button her blouse herself, he took over, his fingers deliberately brushing against her breasts.
"Stop that," she said, swatting his hands away. "I need to actually get dressed, not be seduced again."
"Can’t help it. You’re irresistible when you’re trying to be professional."
Finally dressed....Aria in a simple but elegant pencil skirt and blouse, Damien in one of his perfectly tailored suits....they made their way downstairs.
The kitchen staff had prepared breakfast: fresh fruit, scrambled eggs, toast, coffee. They ate together at the small breakfast table in the informal dining room, Damien’s hand never leaving hers except when absolutely necessary.
"Are you nervous?" he asked, watching her push her eggs around her plate.
"A little. I haven’t seen the Director since I left to become your assistant. I don’t know how he’ll react to me wanting to come back."
"He’ll be thrilled. You’re one of the best young doctors he’s ever had. He’d be an idiot not to welcome you back."
"Still. It’s been months. Things change."
"Not your skill. Not your dedication. Those don’t change just because you took time away." Damien squeezed her hand. "And if he gives you any problems, I’ll make a very generous donation to the hospital that comes with the condition that they rehire you."
"Damien, you can’t...."
"I can and I will. Whatever it takes to make sure you’re happy, Aria. That’s the deal."
She looked at him....at the absolute certainty in his eyes, the unwavering determination....and felt her chest tighten with emotion.
"I love you," she said softly.
"I love you too. Now finish your breakfast so we can go."
Twenty minutes later, they were in the back of Damien’s car, Marcus at the wheel. Damien had pulled Aria close the moment they settled into the leather seats, his arm around her shoulders, his other hand laced with hers.
He kissed her head, breathing in the scent of her shampoo. "I am going to miss having you at the office."
Aria smiled and looked up at him. "I will miss you too, Damien. But I am still staying till the end of the month, so you are still stuck with me till then."
She smiled and stuck her tongue out at him playfully.
Damien couldn’t resist. That playful expression, that glimpse of the woman beneath the doctor, beneath the serious exterior....it undid him completely.
He pulled her close and kissed her till she was breathless. When he finally released her, she was gasping, her head falling to rest on his chest as she tried to catch her breath.
She hit him lightly on the chest. "All you know how to do is bully me. Wait for me to report you to Grandfather."
Damien smiled, the mention of his grandfather reminding him. "Come to think of it, Grandfather said I should bring you over for dinner this weekend. So we’ll be going there this weekend."
Aria looked up at him, her brow furrowing. "Have you forgotten that we have dinner at my mother’s place this weekend?"
Damien paused. He had forgotten. In his mind, Sunday dinner with his grandfather had already been scheduled, already confirmed.
"Then I’ll tell Grandfather that we won’t be able to make it this weekend and to make it next week instead."
Aria looked uncertain. "Will that be okay? I can tell my mother that you are busy. I can tell her....."
Damien caught her hands in his, cutting off her worried rambling. "It’s okay, Aria. I’ll talk to Grandfather. He’ll understand. Your mother has been waiting to have dinner with us. We shouldn’t postpone that."
"Are you sure?"
"I’m sure. Grandfather will be fine with next weekend. Your mother’s dinner is this weekend. That’s final."
Aria’s smile was bright and grateful. "Okay."
She rested her head back on his chest, and they rode in comfortable silence for the remainder of the drive.
Damien held her close, his mind already working through the situation. He’d call his grandfather later, explain the situation. His grandfather would understand....might even be pleased that Damien was making an effort with Aria’s family.
The car pulled up to St. Augustine Medical Center thirty minutes later. Marcus got out and opened the door for Aria.
She turned to Damien, kissed him on the lips....soft and sweet and full of promise. "See you at home tonight."
The way she said home....like it was theirs, like it was where she belonged, like she wasn’t planning on leaving ever again....made something shift in Damien’s chest. A warmth that spread through him, settling somewhere deep.
He smiled and kissed her back. "See you at home. Or do you want me to pick you up?"
"No, I’ll be having dinner with my marcus today after my meeting. So I’ll go home immediately after dinner."
Damien’s expression flickered. The thought of her having dinner with someone else, even her friend, made possessiveness flare hot in his chest. He wanted to say no. Wanted to demand she come straight back after her meeting. Wanted to keep her close, always within reach.
But he forced himself to stay silent.
The plan was to make her unable to leave him, yes. To bind her so completely that separation became impossible. But he wouldn’t limit her freedom of movement. Wouldn’t control every aspect of her life. That would only push her away, make her resentful.
No, the addiction had to be subtle. Had to feel like her choice even when he was orchestrating every aspect of it.
So he pulled her close, hugged her tightly, breathing in her scent one more time. "Have a good dinner with marcus. But come home to me after. Promise?"
"I promise."
Aria got down from the car and walked toward the hospital entrance, turning once to wave at him before disappearing through the automatic doors.
Damien watched her go, his eyes tracking her until she was completely out of sight.
The feeling of her in his arms lingered. The smell of her shampoo still permeated the car....jasmine and vanilla and something uniquely Aria.
He closed his eyes, let himself feel the warmth of her presence even in her absence.
Then he opened them.
And the air around him changed immediately. The warmth evaporated, replaced by ice. His eyes became cold, hard, calculating. As if the loving and caring man of a few moments ago had never existed.
He didn’t look up from his phone, but his voice was sharp. "Marcus. What is the situation with the Ashfords? Is Victoria still in the country?"
