Faux Vows, True Desires novel Chapter 438

“Cecilia, you've eaten me up, and now you've got to make an honest man out of me. When are we heading down the aisle? Or should I take the lead and sweep you off your feet?”

Owen sat up, wrapping his arms around Cecilia's waist, pulling her close under the covers with him.

He knew very well that Cecilia was naked under the blanket. If he didn't hold on to it, he was sure he'd burn up from the heat.

Cecilia didn’t feel unwell, except for a splitting headache – a clear souvenir from last night's boozy escapade.

She had never been a heavy drinker, but she had seen enough movies to know the score.

Plus, she had Lucinda, her novelist bestie, who churned out chapters so tame they barely brushed past a kiss. Though, Lucinda's drafts did get a bit steamy – drafts only a best friend would see.

Her lack of discomfort meant that last night hadn't gone beyond a certain point.

As her wits returned, Cecilia quickly unwound Owen's arm from her waist and clutched the sheets to her as she leapt out of bed.

“Mr. Malicious, you're trying to trap me!”

Owen chuckled mischievously, “You're quick on the uptake. I thought maybe we'd have to get a marriage license before you'd figure it out.”

That was as good as an admission that he hadn’t taken advantage of her last night.

A gentleman, indeed.

“But, Cecilia, you did give me quite the runaround last night. Surely, that calls for some sort of compensation, right?”

Owen had that roguish twinkle in his eye.

Cecilia’s face flushed even more, and she stammered, “How did I give you a runaround?”

“You were all over me, tearing at my shirt, buttons flying everywhere. You even complimented my body.”

This brought Owen no small amount of pleasure.

At least she appreciated what she had seen.

Cecilia was speechless.

Could lightning strike her unconscious now?

Or perhaps open up a hole in the floor for her to escape through?

This was mortifying.

Owen rolled out of bed, padding barefoot to the closet, and soon returned with a white shirt – the very one he had worn the night before.

“Cecilia, exhibit A. I'm not falsely accusing you. Those buttons didn't pop off by themselves,” he said as he presented the evidence of her handiwork.

Cecilia saw that indeed all the buttons were gone. It was just a few buttons; she could sew them back on.

Don’t think modern girls can’t handle a needle and thread; she was more than capable of fixing a few buttons.

“And, you managed to cover me in, well, let's just say I've smelt better.”