After Betrayal - I Married a Handsome Tycoon-Chapter 126: Lingering Tenderness

Moira Sloan’s forthright admission actually stripped the taboo topic of much of its amorous undertones.

Flora Rhodes clicked her tongue on the other end of the video call. "Tsk, tsk," she whispered, "Aren’t you afraid of making Boss Quinn angry by saying that?"

Moira said, "You think he doesn’t know?"

Hearing Moira’s words, Flora Rhodes leaned back, propped up her phone, and clasped her fists together in a gesture of admiration. "Moira, from this day forward, you’re my one and only queen."

Moira scoffed.

Flora said, "You’re so shamelessly open about it."

A few minutes later, Moira hung up with Flora Rhodes, just as Connor Quinn was coming out of the bathroom.

Moira turned, resting one hand on the back of the sofa and her chin on her arm. She blinked coquettishly. "Heard all that?"

Connor Quinn stopped and looked over at her, his eyes dark and deep. "I did."

A smile played on Moira’s red lips. "Are you angry?"

Connor Quinn said, "No."

The smile on Moira’s lips deepened, and she beckoned to Connor Quinn with her finger.

When he drew near, she hooked a finger around his neck to pull him down, then wrapped both arms around him to plant a rewarding kiss on the corner of his mouth. "Connor Quinn, do you know what I like most about you?"

Connor Quinn answered, "That I’m obedient."

Moira said, "That you know what’s good for you."

Lately, Moira hadn’t been feeling well.

It was because of her period. While the days after the first weren’t as painful, a nagging discomfort lingered.

After dinner, Moira went to her bedroom to rest early.

She played a game before bed and had an incredible lucky streak.

Meanwhile, Connor Quinn stood by the window, on the phone with Miles Murray.

Miles wasn’t teasing this time; his tone was quite serious. "When are you coming back?"

Connor Quinn asked, "Are we sure Finn Fuller is the problem?"

Miles retorted, "Since when is an investigation by Charles Shelby wrong?"

Charles Shelby was the man who had delivered the car to Connor Quinn last time.

Though only in his early twenties, he was incredibly capable. He owned his own private detective agency and a garage that specialized in modifying and repairing luxury cars.

After Miles spoke, Connor Quinn fell briefly silent.

Miles knew what he was thinking. "Can’t bear to leave Moira Sloan?"

Connor Quinn’s silence was a tacit admission.

Miles said, "If you ask me, you should just reveal your identity to her. After twelve years of pining for her and silently attending to her every need, I refuse to believe she has a heart of stone and won’t be moved in the slightest."

Connor Quinn said coolly, "Are you suggesting I guilt-trip her?"

Miles scoffed. "What’s wrong with a little guilt-tripping? The ends justify the means. Why get so hung up on the process?"

Connor Quinn retorted, "Didn’t your teachers ever tell you it’s the journey that matters, not the destination?"

Miles was speechless for a moment. He couldn’t recall any of his teachers’ childhood lessons, but his mind did drift to something far less innocent. He laughed, breaking the tense atmosphere. "Damn."

Connor Quinn replied, "Hard pass."

Miles protested, "Me, ugly? I’m the renowned pretty boy of Atheria."

Connor Quinn shot back, "Has the population of Atheria really dwindled that much?"

After trading a few more jabs, Miles got back to business. "I still think you should come back soon. With you in Everwood, it’s hard to investigate a lot of things over here. Charles and I can help, but the circles you run in are treacherous waters. Outsiders like us can’t get a foothold."

Connor Quinn’s voice was heavy. "Yeah."

「The next day.」

Moira Sloan woke up early, her energy fully restored.

Her period was over. She took a shower, feeling refreshed and invigorated.

As she emerged from the bathroom wrapped in steam, her eyes met Connor Quinn’s as he carried breakfast out from the kitchen. Their gazes locked, and sparks flew as if lightning had struck dry tinder.

Four days wasn’t really that long.

But for two people who had just committed to a relationship with real feelings involved, it had created a certain... indescribable tension.

Everything felt like a natural progression.

Moira didn’t shy away as Connor Quinn strode toward her.

He lowered his head, and she leaned her supple body back against the wall, tilting her head up to welcome his kiss.

They became entangled right there at the bathroom door. Connor Quinn spun her around, pressing her against the wall, his arm hooking her waist to pull her back against him as his large hand slid down from her stomach...

[REDACTED]

Sensing Moira’s reaction, Connor Quinn knew just what she wanted. He lowered his head to press a lingering, tender kiss on her shoulder, his voice a gentle, passionate murmur. "This is the only advantage I have with you. I can’t help it. I have to leverage my best assets for maximum effect. If I don’t bring something new to the table every time... what will I do if you get bored and leave me...?"