The Day I Quit Him (Autumn and Mars) novel Chapter 142

**Chapter 142**

Within the confined space of the car, Autumn felt as though she were caught in a tempest of emotions, each wave crashing over her with relentless force. The words she desperately wanted to share were lodged in her throat, stubborn and unyielding, like a pebble stubbornly stuck in a streambed.

Her cheeks burned a vivid shade of red, the unmistakable mark of her embarrassment, and avoiding Owen’s playful gaze became an almost impossible task. His eyes sparkled with mischief, and the charged silence between them stretched taut, creating an almost palpable tension that seemed to hang in the air. Just when the weight of the moment felt unbearable, Owen’s soft chuckle broke through, reverberating above her head like a welcome relief.

“So, how are you going to make it up to me?” he asked, his tone light and teasing.

Autumn’s head whipped up in surprise, her wide eyes locking onto Owen’s, which danced with amusement.

“What did you say?” she managed to stammer, her voice barely above a whisper, tinged with confusion.

With a slow, deliberate drawl, Owen repeated, “I said, since I suffered such a humiliation for your sake, how do you plan on compensating me?”

As his words sank in, a rush of heat flooded her cheeks once more, igniting a flurry of thoughts in her mind.

After a moment of hesitation, she clumsily reached for a sanitizing wipe, her fingers trembling slightly. “Should I… wipe it off for you?” she suggested, her voice tentative, almost shy.

But as if caught in a spell, her hand hovered in mid-air, frozen by uncertainty.

Having spent considerable time with Owen, Autumn had developed an instinctive understanding of him. She could almost predict his reactions, and deep down, she knew he would likely find that kind of compensation utterly unappealing.

However, his unexpected question had thrown her off balance, leaving her momentarily devoid of a better idea.

Perhaps it would be best to let him decide, she thought, uncertainty flickering in her mind like a candle flame dancing in the wind.

So she simply stared at him, her wide eyes silently pleading for guidance.

“Nope.”

As anticipated, Owen’s refusal was straightforward, devoid of any embellishment.

It was precisely the response she had expected, so she wasn’t taken aback.

“Then what do you want?” she asked, striving to keep her voice steady, attempting to mask the rising tide of anxiety within her.

Owen tapped his own lips, an enigmatic smile playing across his face.

Autumn’s heart raced, her pupils dilating with a mix of intrigue and apprehension.

“You want me to…”

Owen nodded slightly, his expression inscrutable, yet his silence spoke volumes.

Autumn bit her lip, a wave of heat flooding her face as a blush crept in.

Noticing her conflicted expression, Owen raised an eyebrow, a teasing glint illuminating his eyes. “You don’t want to?”

When Autumn remained silent, he added, “You know, I only did that for you.”

For someone like Owen, an indirect kiss with Mars was probably akin to facing the gallows.

He had genuinely made a considerable sacrifice to help her this time.

“I get it,” Autumn finally said, a newfound determination igniting within her.

Taking a deep breath to steady her nerves, she leaned in closer, her hands wrapping around Owen’s arm as if seeking reassurance.

Owen watched her, a flicker of surprise dancing in his eyes as she pressed closer, the air thick with anticipation.

Before he could utter a word, she closed the distance between them, her soft lips brushing against his.

The sensation was electrifying; her lips carried a unique softness and a delicate fragrance that enveloped him like a warm embrace. For a fleeting moment, Owen froze, but then instinctively cupped the back of her head, turning the tables and taking control of the kiss.

Autumn felt herself enveloped by his powerful presence, the air around her thickening as her senses heightened.

Though Owen appeared fierce, his touch was surprisingly gentle, sending shivers coursing down her spine.

She squeezed her eyes shut, feeling the fingertips of the hand resting on his shoulder tremble slightly.

“Breathe,” he whispered, his voice low and soothing, pulling her back from the edge of overwhelming emotion.

After what felt like an eternity, his voice brushed against her ear, and she opened her eyes, meeting his warm gaze. It was only then that the reality of what they had just shared sank in.

“Ahem…”

Autumn choked, a series of sharp coughs escaping her lips.

Owen looked a bit helpless, instinctively reaching out to gently pat her back, concern etched on his features.

“Did I scare you that badly?”

Autumn wanted to respond, to assure him that it wasn’t fear but rather the shock of the moment that had caused her to choke. Yet, every time she opened her mouth, another cough erupted. She could only close her eyes, trying to suppress the tickle in her throat.

Owen handed her a glass of water, and she gulped down half of it, the uncomfortable sensation finally subsiding.

“Sorry…” she murmured, her gaze dropping in embarrassment. “I just… choked…”

She feared that Owen might misinterpret her reaction as revulsion, leaving her at a loss for words.

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