“There’s something I want to show him,” she said. “He’ll join you later. Come on,” Ceci said, turning around. “Put your arm around me if you want this to look good,” she whispered as they walked away. “And what the hell are you doing here?”
“You don’t remember inviting me?”
“I did?”
“Last night.”
“Why did you come up and put your arm around me like that?”
“Because Tilney had his arm around you and I’m the one who’s—”
“Fake dating me?”
“Uh … yeah.”
“What happened to your lip?”
“You don’t remember that either? We were at a bar. You pushed me away so you could knee a man who was about to hit me, and I flew into the edge of the bar. Thank you.”
She frowned. “For what?”
“For coming to my rescue. Defending my honor.”
She chuckled. “You’re welcome.”
What possessed him to do what he was about to, he couldn’t say. Maybe it was the sight of Aunt Delilah grinning back at him as they left the drawing room. But once they’d ventured down the hallway and were about to enter another room, he allowed his hand to drift down and squeeze her ass.
She whirled around. “What was that?”
“He froze and thought, I shouldn’t have done that.”
“I don’t know.” He faltered. “You wanted to make it look good. And couples, I mean people who are together, they do that kind of thing … sometimes, don’t they? I guess I figured after that kiss …”
Crossing her arms, she glared at him. “We’re in an empty room. There’s no one here to see.”
She’s right.
Shit.
“You’re right. I’m sorry.”
She didn’t move. And said nothing.
“I really am sorry. What can I do?” he stammered. “Do you want to squeeze my ass?”
Without missing a beat she responded, her tone nonchalant, “Yes.”
He hadn’t expected that.
“Really?”
“Yes. Really. I want to squeeze your ass. It’s only fair.”
She peered at him when he hesitated. “Are you afraid yours won’t stand up to mine?”
He laughed. “I think it’s fair to say my ass is pretty fine.”Stop there. But … I don’t want to stop there. “Maybe not so fine as yours.”
She turned her head.
