Chapter 172

Chapter 172
Sheryl's POV

This morning, he hadn't pulled away when Aiko touched his hand either. Somehow, this irritated me more than it should have.

I watched him methodically extinguish his cigarette, which annoyed me even further.

Just as I was about to turn away and ignore him, he caught my wrist. With one swift movement, he pulled me into his strong embrace.

His familiar, crisp scent enveloped me. Before I could react, he pressed his lips against mine.

"Mmph..."

I tried to speak, but his cool lips sealed mine. His hands cupped my face, his breath hungry.

His familiar scent instantly calmed me. In his kiss, I sensed his apology and desperate need for forgiveness. Suddenly, all my previous irritation melted away.

My hands, which had been clutching his coat, slowly relaxed, then wrapped around his waist.

In the silent room, our powerful heartbeats were audible.

It wasn't until he pushed me down onto the sofa and his cool hand touched my waist that I snapped back to reality.

I grabbed his exploring hand. His deep, dark eyes dimmed, his breathing heavy. "Sheryl..."

His lips pressed against my ear, his voice husky and seductive. "I want you."

His voice carried a bewitching magic. My body felt hot, like it was about to catch fire. His heavy heartbeat pounded in my ear.

My own heart raced wildly, but my remaining rationality made me turn away, tightening my grip on his hand.

My refusal was clear. I wasn't ready—or perhaps, hadn't truly forgiven him yet.

Rhett's eyes darkened, but he didn't force me. "Let me just hold you," he said.

He stopped his advances and buried his head in my shoulder, his breathing fast and powerful. "I promise I won't do anything. I just want to hold you."

I released my grip on his hand, silently accepting his terms.

True to his word, Rhett did nothing more. He propped himself up with one arm on the sofa beside me, his other hand resting on my waist. His tall frame pressed against mine.

I could clearly hear him swallowing. The hand on my waist was burning hot. I could sense him fiercely restraining his desire.

After a few minutes, he pulled away, his deep eyes much clearer.

I quickly stood up from the sofa and straightened my hair. "I was just... physically attracted. I couldn't help myself. Don't read too much into it."

He smiled slightly and began removing his coat.

My eyes widened at his actions. "What are you doing?"

Hadn't he promised not to do anything? Why was he taking off his clothes?

Rhett, halfway through removing his coat, looked at me with amusement. "The heating is too strong. I'm hot."

I was speechless—I hadn't even turned on the heat.

With his coat off, he sat on the sofa in his black shirt and lit a cigarette. He looked dignified yet somehow also restrained and ascetic.

Rhett's POV

Her scent stirred something inside me. I took a drag of my cigarette to suppress it, then looked up at her. "Maybe you should take a shower?"

Having her pacing in front of me was like watching a pure white rabbit testing a starving wolf. I wasn't sure how long my restraint would hold.

She immediately understood the turbulence in my eyes and my increased smoking pace, quickly retreating to the bedroom.

Soon, the sound of running water came from the bathroom.

I leaned back on the sofa, savoring the lingering sweetness from our kiss, and smiled. Then I pulled out my phone, called in a dinner order, and instructed them to deliver it as soon as possible.

In the bathroom, steam enveloped Sheryl's graceful figure as she sat in the bathtub, her mind replaying our kiss.

Twenty minutes later, someone knocked at the door. I rose to answer it.

When I opened the door, Jack and Mark stood there with the prepared dinner.

"Mr. Hayes," they greeted.

I stepped back, gesturing for them to set everything down and leave. Hearing the water still running, they immediately understood.

They quietly arranged plates of food on the dining table, then prepared to leave.

"Mr. Hayes," Mark asked at the door, "the helicopter is waiting at the pad. When will you be returning to Rome?"

As soon as the words left his mouth, Jack elbowed him.

Sure enough, I raised an eyebrow. "When did I say I was going back?"

I continued, "Take the helicopter back. Leave the car."

Jack was about to say something when the sound of the hair dryer stopped.

I had no patience for further discussion and closed the door.

I had just returned to the sofa when the bedroom door opened, releasing a fresh fragrance into the air.

Fresh from her shower, Sheryl wore only a fluffy loungewear set. Her face, without makeup, looked delicate and soft. She resembled a freshly bathed kitten—one glance and you could practically smell her sweetness.

She immediately noticed the exquisitely plated food on the dining table and turned to me with suspicion.

I twirled my phone in my hand, my expression unchanged. "Thought you might be hungry. Called a restaurant to deliver."

She stared in disbelief at the array of dishes, realizing I'd ordered all her favorites.

I walked over and ruffled her fragrant, fluffy hair. "You're not familiar with this area. There are many foods you don't know about. I'll take you around another day."

Hearing this, the doubt in her eyes diminished.

Her loungewear hung loosely around her neck, and from where I stood, the wide collar revealed the gentle fullness of her chest.

Since our arguments began, she hadn't let me touch her.

I hadn't been in the mood to think about such things, so I didn't feel physically frustrated. But now, in the same room, smelling her fragrance, touching her soft hair...

Especially after tasting her soft lips.

At this moment, Sheryl was incredibly tempting, making me itch with desire.

"Sheryl," I called, my voice as rough as if it had been sanded. "You eat first. I'm going to take a shower."