Marian's POV.
"Nothing, I said nothing," I said, feeling my cheeks starting to heat up.
"Oh come on, can't you just say it one more time? Please?" Aiden said, moving his face towards my ear and whispering in a husky and teasing tone.
I shifted slightly, my mind racing with the possibilities of what might happen next. A part of me wants him to make a move, while the other part is confused or, should I say, scared?
I quickly stood up, clearing my throat. " Hum…I said I wanted to talk to you about something." I said, my head down and eyes roaming the floor, looking for nothing in particular.
Aiden sat upright, his eyes not leaving me. "Are you scared that I might do something to you?" He asked, kneeling on the bed.
I looked up at him, only to find him staring at me with a bit of fear and something I couldn't quite put my finger on. I opened my mouth to say something but nothing came out.
"I won't do anything to you without your consent, Mari."
I took a step back, startled, "Did…did you just call me 'Mari?"
"Yes, am I not allowed to?"
"No, it's…you can. It's just…" I stammered, my cheeks and ears feeling hot.
Aiden chuckled, "Come here, sit, dear." He said, patting the bed beside him.
I hesitated for a second before slowly sat down beside him, turning to look at him.
He moved to face me fully, "Lay down. I won't hurt you, trust me." He said, raising both hands in the air in defense.
I did as he asked, backing him, my body stiff as a stone. I felt the bed move up and the sink back down. A cool hand wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer to a hard chest, warm breaths filled my ear, and something hard poked on my butt. I could feel my body tense up immediately.
"Relax, Mari; like I said, I won't do anything without your consent."
Aiden's hand gently stroked my waist in slow, soothing circles as if trying to ease my tension. His touch was warm, calming even, but my body refused to relax. Every nerve in my body felt on edge, not because I didn't trust him, but because of how his proximity made me feel—vulnerable yet… safe. It's a bit confusing honestly.
"Why are you doing this?" I finally managed to ask, my voice barely above a whisper.
"Doing what?" he asked softly, his breath brushing against my ear.
"This… being so close, calling me 'Mari,' holding me like this," I said, her voice trembling. I bit her lip, silently cursing myself for how shaky I sounded.
Aiden chuckled softly behind me, the sound deep and rich. "Do you want me to stop?"
I hesitated. Did I? My mind screamed yes, but my heart and body told a different story. "I don't know," I admitted, my voice even quieter now.
He tightened his hold around my waist, just enough to pull me even closer. His chin rested lightly on my shoulder as he whispered, "Then I won't stop… unless you ask me to."
My breath hitched, and my heart started racing as his words lingered in the air. For a moment, the silence between us was deafening, broken only by the sound of our breathing.
"Aiden," I finally said, turning my head slightly to look at him, our faces now inches apart. My cheeks burned, and my gaze flickered to his lips before darting away. "Why do you… why are you so comfortable around me?"
Aiden smiled a small, genuine smile that made her heart skip a beat. "Because you're my wife and I love teasing you. You make me comfortable and with you around, I can smile freely."
" It feels like you're speaking in riddles."
" Does it?" He asked, his voice calm and mocking. " Then I guess you just have to figure it out. You said you wanted to talk to me about something. What if it is?"
A gasp escaped my lips, I totally forgot about it. " I did."
" Well?"
" I can't stay ideal like this, not going to work or doing anything at home, so I was thinking about opening a shop and being the manager…" I paused, hoping to hear something from him, but he was silent, so I continued. "I was thinking of opening a farm; my grandmother has farmland which she passed on to me before she died. I want to expand it and maybe also build a shopping mall where small business people can rent and promote their businesses while I sell the latest outfits, shoes, bags, etc., and groceries. What do you think?" I asked, looking up at him, excitement in my voice and face.
Aiden's expression shifted, his teasing smirk replaced by one of genuine interest. He propped himself up on one elbow, his face now hovering above mine, and studied me carefully. His lips quirked into a small smile as he brushed a strand of hair from my face.
"You've been thinking about this for a while, haven't you?" he said, his voice low and thoughtful.
I nodded quickly. "Yes, I have. I just… I don't want to feel useless. I want to do something meaningful, something that keeps me busy and contributes to our life together."
Aiden's smile widened, and I could see pride flickering in his eyes. "Mari, you could never be useless. But if this is what you want, I'll support you. Expanding the farm and building a shopping mall are ambitious ideas. It'll take a lot of work."
"I know," I said, sitting up slightly and facing him. "But I've already started planning. I have some savings, and I can get a loan if I need to. I just need your advice… and maybe your help with the permits and all that stuff."
"I'm a little offended."
"Why?" I asked panic surging through me.
"I'm your husband, I work and make a lot of money. Why would you need to get a loan? My money Is your money and your money is yours."
I stared at him dumbfounded. "Huh?"