The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 562

Something was definitely up with Charlotte tonight.

She tilted her head, lips curving into a lazy smile. “You don’t like my gift?”

“Gift?” Anthony blinked, taking a second to catch up. Then it hit him. Was she saying she was the gift?

A rush of heat and confusion tore through him. For a moment he couldn’t even tell if he should be happy or… something else.

“I like it. And I want you,” he said, pressing a kiss to her chin and fighting to keep his voice steady. “Just… not right now. Let’s wait a little, okay?”

He couldn’t bring himself to go any further. Not yet.

Charlotte’s eyes narrowed. She went quiet. “So, you don’t want me after all.”

She latched onto that thought, pushed his shoulders aside and slipped away from him. She tightened her robe, gave him a chilly little smile. “Fine. You can sleep by yourself.”

She turned to leave without a second thought.

Anthony’s eyes turned stormy as he quickly caught her wrist, his voice a little shaky. “Where are you going?”

“Next door,” Charlotte replied, gaze cool and detached. “Starting tonight, we sleep in separate rooms.”

“What?”

“When you’re finally ready, I’ll come back.”

His face fell. Was she saying he wasn’t up for it now?

She knew what he meant, he was sure of it.

“That’s not what I meant. Don’t push me,” Anthony said, his jaw clenched tight.

“Why are you acting so weird tonight?” He braced his arms on either side of her, staring down like he was trying to read her mind, voice rough. “You’re not yourself.”

He felt completely thrown off.

Charlotte pressed her lips together, then broke into a wicked grin. “Anthony, are you done talking? Are you going to do something or not?”

His whole body went tense.

“If you can’t handle it, just let me go.” She arched an eyebrow, tapping his chest, her grin daring him. “I’m getting sleepy.”

It was a direct hit to his pride. No one could take that lying down.

“You want an answer? Just wait. You’ll get it.”

He gripped her wrist tighter. The sight of her smirk set off a whole new fire inside him. His breath came fast, heavy with everything he was feeling.