The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 524

"Lottie, are you and Anthony…"

Even through the phone, Charlotte could practically see Kenneth clenching his jaw, eyes burning with jealousy. She let a teasing smile curl at the corner of her lips. "Yeah? What about it?"

"Never mind," Kenneth muttered, his tone thick with irritation. "Grandpa misses you. He wants you home for dinner this weekend."

There were so many things he wanted to say, but as her brother, he knew better than to grill her. He'd save his questions—and complaints—for Anthony later.

"Sure," Charlotte said, her voice light. She didn't ask anything else before hanging up.

She wandered to her closet, hesitated for a moment, then picked out a pair of deep blue cotton pajamas. Pajamas in hand, she walked to the bathroom and stopped by the door.

"Here," she called.

The bathroom door creaked open just a little. A strong, damp arm reached out, beads of water glistening on his skin. Anthony's voice drifted out, low and rough. "Lottie, if you leave it all the way over there, do you want me to come out and get it myself?"

Charlotte rolled her eyes and shuffled closer. She caught his shadowy reflection in the glass, cheeks warming at the sight.

Anthony grabbed the pajamas through the crack in the door. He caught the way Charlotte's face was flushed and his lips curved with a knowing smile.

A couple minutes later, Anthony walked into the living room, wearing the pajamas and towel-drying his hair. Charlotte was sitting on the floor by the low table, clutching a pillow, her face still tinged pink.

"What’s on your mind, Lottie?" Anthony asked as he dropped down beside her. He was still warm and a little damp from his shower, and he leaned in close, his voice a soft rumble right next to her ear. "Your face is all red."

Charlotte glanced at him, coughed to hide her fluster, and took a sip of water, trying to play it cool. "It's just warm in here."

"Oh, really?" Anthony laughed quietly. He set his big, warm hand on the back of her chair and leaned in a little more. "I thought maybe you were thinking about something you shouldn't."

Charlotte choked on her water.

…

Half an hour later, Anthony was stretched out on the sofa with Charlotte curled up in his arms. She played with the buttons on his shirt, half listening as he talked to Kenneth on the phone.

"Come on, do you really think I'm that kind of guy?" Anthony said, his voice low and amused as he absentmindedly ran his fingers through Charlotte’s hair.

He paused, then added with a laugh, "What if Lottie was the one who made the first move?"

"You're not a kid, have some shame," Kenneth snapped, his voice full of disbelief. "Like I don't know Lottie? There’s no way she’d ever do that."

From the start, everyone knew it was Anthony who was always seducing Lottie with that stupidly handsome face.

Charlotte happened to overhear Kenneth’s voice through the phone. She paused, then looked up at Anthony, catching sight of a faint red mark just below his collarbone.