Chapter 174
Myra gazed into Tony’s eyes, her gaze as serene and enchanting as the moon on a crisp autumn night. There was no trace of impatience in her expression, and for some inexplicable reason, Tony found his anger gradually fading as he met her calm eyes. He couldn’t understand why, but in that moment, he trusted her words without hesitation. Unable to maintain eye contact, he quickly looked away.
Seeing his shift in behavior, Myra felt a sting in her chest, a pang of something painful and familiar. Without thinking, she pulled him into her arms again, her voice barely a whisper. “Honestly, I don’t want to leave you either. All I want is for you to keep me, Tony… I’m in love with you. It hurts when you think I still have feelings for Sean.”
Tony stiffened in her embrace, his body momentarily frozen. Myra felt a sudden heat rise in her chest, but before she could speak again, she leaned in and softly kissed the corner of his mouth. “Tilly told me that men need to be coaxed too. So here I am, coaxing you. Aren’t you going to forgive me?”
Her words lingered in the air as Tony’s expression remained cold and unreadable. Still, she pressed on, her voice gentle. “If I had known how to coax someone before, it was because of Sean… But you? You’re different. I know you care for me, and that’s why I can’t stand it when you doubt me.”
Her gaze dimmed slightly at his silence. Slowly, she began to pull away, but before she could fully retreat, Tony’s strong arms pulled her back onto his lap, his hold firm around her waist. His grip on her shoulder was possessive, almost crushing, but she didn’t resist.
“Myra,” he growled, his voice tinged with frustration. “Sometimes, I wish I had never met you.”
The words were like a punch to her gut, but she stayed still, her eyes filled with confusion and sadness. What was he trying to say? Was he regretting their relationship?
Tony’s thoughts raced back to the first time they had crossed paths. If he hadn’t met her, his life might have followed a more conventional path, one where love didn’t complicate things. He might have simply married a woman suited to his career, living a life devoid of passion. But then he met Myra… And now, his feelings for her were tangled up with so much pain.
“You’re a sweet-talking liar!” he spat, his eyes flashing with anger. Without another word, he yanked her face towards his and kissed her fiercely, his lips pressing hard against hers. His teeth grazed her bottom lip as he bit down, pulling a startled moan from her. Myra responded by wrapping her arms around his neck, surrendering to the kiss.
Tony’s grip tightened on her waist, pulling her even closer. Their bodies pressed together as the kiss deepened, each second stretching out as if time itself had slowed. Myra lost track of everything—how long they kissed, where they were, or even who they were. All that mattered was the intensity of the moment.
Finally, Tony pulled away, leaving Myra gasping for air, her cheeks flushed with the intensity of their kiss. Her vision blurred as she took deep, shaky breaths, burying her face into his chest. His solid frame provided the comfort she needed as she snuggled closer to him.
“Have you forgiven me?” she whispered softly, her voice tinged with vulnerability.
Tony’s response was delayed, his eyes dark with some hidden emotion. He held her tighter, his voice rough when he spoke. “Next time, stay away from that bastard. Don’t talk to him, and don’t let him get anywhere near you.”
Myra nodded without hesitation. “Okay. I won’t let him bother me again.” She spoke softly, but firmly, her promise to him clear. “And I won’t think about him, I swear. If he shows up in my dreams, I’ll kick him out.”
Tony’s expression softened, though his face remained stern. Finally, his shoulders seemed to relax, and Myra sighed in relief, knowing that the storm in his heart had passed, at least for the moment. She thought to herself, Men really do need to be coaxed. Even the strongest ones have their moments of weakness.
The tension in the air began to dissipate as they settled into a quiet calm. Myra no longer had any desire to eat. She absentmindedly played with the buttons on Tony’s shirt, her fingers tracing the fabric. As she looked at the ring on her finger, her heart softened even more.
“Tony,” she murmured, “You’re so much better than Sean. In every way. Why are you still worried that I might choose him over you?”
Tony lowered his gaze at her words, his face unreadable but his eyes dark with something deeper. There was an intensity in his stare, one that made Myra’s heart race faster than she expected. She couldn’t look away, and yet, as her heart beat wildly, she couldn’t shake the feeling that his eyes were pulling her in.
Before she could turn her head, his hand shot up, cupping her face and drawing her attention back to him. “Myra,” he murmured her name in a low, hoarse voice, making her shiver.
She stayed silent, biting her lip to keep from saying anything more, but his gaze was so intense, so filled with unspoken emotions, that she couldn’t tear her eyes away. And before she knew it, Tony kissed her again—slowly this time, almost as if he were savoring every moment.
Myra kissed him back, feeling her pulse race in her chest. It wasn’t just an apology or reassurance this time. It was everything. And for that moment, they both forgot the world outside, wrapped up only in the heat of their connection.