When She Walks Away (Teresa) novel Chapter 76

Chapter 76

Troy was practically pressed up against Teresa, his warm breath fanning her face as he spoke. Teresa instinctively ducked her head, trying to hide herself.

A little nervous, Teresa asked, “No need for that between us, right?”

Before Teresa married Charles, Troy used to tease her about marrying him. But after she tied the knot with Charles, he never brought it up again. However, only now, he was at it again.

Seeing Teresa try to hide her face, Troy gave a subtle smile. He grabbed her hand and pressed it to his chest, putting on a wounded look. “But when you ignore me, it feels like my heart’s been clawed up by a cat.

“Go ahead, and feel it. Can you tell my heart’s still got those scars?”

Troy held her hand against his chest, purposely making her fingers knead his muscles.

He wasn’t really trying to show Teresa how heartbroken he was; he just wanted her to notice how strong he was.

When Teresa’s fingers brushed against his muscles, her first instinct was to pull away, but Troy just tightened his grip, refusing to let go.

Seeing she couldn’t break free, Teresa looked him straight in the eye, her voice edged with challenge. “Oh, really? Bet you’ve lost count of how many times you’ve used that line on other women, huh?”

Troy’s brow furrowed a little, but he quickly grinned and said, “Baby, I have to be honest with you. I’ve probably used this line on more than twenty girls.”

Teresa tried to pull her hand back, but Troy just held on tighter, his grip like a vise.

At that moment, Teresa spotted Theodore stepping out of the Sullivan Mansion, scanning the area, clearly waiting for her.

Getting a little desperate, Teresa pleaded, “Troy, Theodore’s waiting for me at the door. If he doesn’t see me, he’ll freak out.”

Troy pressed her hand back to his chest, locking eyes with her. “And what about me? If I don’t see you, I might just die.”

Teresa wasn’t falling for it, especially coming from Troy, which sounded like just another cheesy line.

‘Die? As if. A big-shot like Troy would probably want to live a hundred years, not drop dead over something like this, Teresa thought.

Seeing Teresa wasn’t taking him seriously, Troy suddenly grinned and said, “Teresa, maybe I should go say hi to Theodore

now?”

Teresa got even more flustered and snapped at Troy, “What the hell are you trying to do?”

Troy reached up and gently twirled a loose strand of Teresa’s hair around his finger, giving her a soft smile. “Did I ever tell you I wanted to marry you?”

Teresa let her eyes flutter shut for a moment, then shot back, “So, how many women have you used that line on?”

Troy paused, pretending to think hard, then said, “At least fifty, I’d guess.”

Teresa shot him a look. “So what? You really think anyone would buy that?”

Troy met her gaze, dead serious. “But with you, I actually mean it.”

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Teresa pushed him away, her tone cutting. “Doesn’t matter how serious you sound-I’m never falling for your crap.

They were standing so close that their breaths practically tangled together with every word. Teresa couldn’t help but feel

uncomfortable.

Troy didn’t get mad. He just let her hand stay pressed to his chest, barely even trying as he easily matched her every push.

No matter how much force Teresa used, the space between them didn’t shift at all.

When Teresa’s strength finally gave out, Troy caught her wrist, his thumb softly stroking the delicate skin there in slow, teasing circles.

Suddenly, Troy was startled, glancing down to see Teresa’s wrist completely bare. He frowned at her, asking, “Where’s the

bracelet?”

Teresa blinked, realization dawning. “Oh, right. Just wait for me in the car. I’ll go grab it and bring it back to you.”

Troy’s frown deepened. “Bring it back to me? Why? Not your style?”

Teresa shook her head. “No, it’s just-”

But before she could finish, Troy cut her off, “Looks like that bracelet isn’t fancy enough for you. There’s an auction tomorrow. I’ll just snag you something even fancier.”

Teresa got flustered. “Troy, don’t—”

Before she could get the words out, Troy’s face hardened. “If you won’t wear the bracelet, then you’ll just keep getting pricier jewelry delivered every day-until you finally put it on.”

Seeing him act like that, Teresa deliberately tried to rile him up. “It’s not my money, so why should I care? No matter how expensive it is, I won’t wear it.”

Troy just chuckled, “Good, as long as you don’t feel bad about it. I make money just so you can spend it. If you won’t, then what’s the point of my working so hard? Every penny I earn is for you, and I’d gladly spend it all.”

With that, Troy reached out and softly touched her cheek.

Teresa was startled and, in her panic, smacked Troy’s hand hard.

Troy winced and pulled his hand back, but instead of blowing on it to ease the pain, he deliberately ran his tongue over the spot, making it look almost provocative.

Still licking his hand, Troy glanced up at Teresa with a cheeky grin. “Baby, next time, go a little easier on me, alright?

“I know I’m tough, and I don’t mind you putting me in my place, but honestly, I’d rather you hit me when we’re in bed together. Now that would be a real thrill.”

His laughter was bold and shameless, that playboy glint in his eyes completely unfiltered.

Teresa shot him a furious glare and snapped, “You shameless flirt.”

She was so mad that she couldn’t even think of anything better to call him; besides, no insult she came up with would ever get under Troy’s skin anyway.

And as for what she said just now-Troy just looked totally unfazed, like he wore the title with pride.

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vouchers

Teresa shot Troy a fierce glare, but to him, she looked more adorable than threatening-like a kitten trying to act tough. He just chuckled and couldn’t resist teasing her, “Baby, you’re way too cute.”

As soon as he said it, Troy leaned in, clearly aiming for her lips, but at the last moment, he mischievously shifted and pressed a kiss to her neck instead.

Teresa was cornered by Troy, with no way to escape.

As his lips came closer, Teresa wanted to dodge, but there was nowhere to go. When he finally kissed her neck, her whole body went rigid.

A jolt of heat shot through her, and the spot where his lips touched felt like it was on fire.

Finally, Troy rested his chin in the hollow of her shoulder, leaning into her but careful not to let his weight crush her. At that moment, their bodies were pressed together.

Teresa leaned against Troy, catching the scent of his cologne-warm and inviting, not at all overwhelming, just the right touch of sophistication.

After a long moment, Teresa finally spoke up, “You could’ve kissed me, so why did you stop?”

In that situation, Teresa had nowhere to run; if Troy had wanted, he could’ve easily held her in place with just a little effort.

Troy gave a sly, knowing smile. “Because you were resisting me.”

Teresa blinked, suddenly at a loss for words.

She didn’t really know Troy that well and had always pegged him as a reckless flirt who never took anything seriously. But his words actually left her a little dazed.

After a while, Troy finally stepped back, giving her some space. “Go on, and head back. Tomorrow night, I’ll have someone bring you something new.”

Teresa was about to protest, but Troy cut her off again, “If you don’t wear what I give you, I’ll just keep sending you more and more until you do.”

After a long moment of eye contact, Teresa just stayed silent.

As Teresa got out of the car, she couldn’t shake off a nagging sense of unease.

Troy looked dead serious; he wasn’t bluffing at all.

‘If he keeps sending her gifts, it will only pile on the pressure for me, Teresa wondered.