My Cold-Hearted Husband Wants Me Back
Chapter 38: Popcorn

Chapter 38: Popcorn

Lunara staggered back the moment Eryx pulled away, her breath uneven. Her fingers curled into fists at her sides as she struggled to process what had just happened.

"You—" Her voice came out hoarse, her mind still reeling. "What the hell was that?"

Eryx didn’t look the least bit guilty. If anything, there was a hint of amusement in his gaze, as if he was waiting for her reaction.

"Something to make you stop talking," he said simply.

Lunara’s eyes widened in disbelief before a wave of fury crashed over her. "Are you serious?!"

"Dead serious."

She let out an exasperated scoff, pressing a hand to her forehead. "Unbelievable. Absolutely unbelievable."

Eryx tilted his head, watching her closely. "Are you angry because I kissed you, or because you didn’t stop me?"

Lunara’s breath caught in her throat. "You—" She pointed a sharp finger at him, her face burning. "Don’t flatter yourself, Mr. Grantham."

He smirked, as if he had already won whatever unspoken battle they were fighting. "Good to know. And you—" He mocked the way she said ’you’ and snatched the contract from her hand, "You are not going to sign this."

Her eyes widened, "Why?! That’s mine, what right do you have to refuse what is supposed to be mine!"

Eryx’s smirk didn’t waver as he held the contract just out of her reach. "Because I’m not letting you."

Lunara’s frustration boiled over. "What is wrong with you?! You, a Two-Year-Late Husband, suddenly start acting like a real husband, and now you think you can control my choices?"

Eryx narrowed his eyes at the nickname but didn’t address it. Instead, he held the contract higher, his grip firm. "I’m not letting you sign this, Lunara."

She took a sharp step forward, her eyes blazing. "Who are you to decide that? This is my dream!"

Eryx froze. "Your what?"

"My dream! I’ve tried everything for this opportunity, and you—" She huffed in frustration, trying to snatch the contract back. "Why do you even care if I become a model?!"

Eryx blinked, his grip on the papers loosening. "Model?"

Lunara glared at him, still fuming. "Yes! What did you think this was?"

He didn’t answer right away, his brows furrowing as he glanced down at the contract. His expression shifted before he flipped the contract over.

"I thought—" He cut himself off, exhaling sharply.

"What?" She crossed her arm unsatisfied.

Eryx ran a hand down his face, muttering a curse under his breath.

Lunara folded her arms. "You are really spiteful, you know."

His jaw tightened. "I thought my mother was making you sign divorce papers."

Silence.

Lunara stared at him, completely thrown. "Divorce?"

Eryx didn’t look at her as he shoved the contract back into her hands. "Forget it."

But Lunara wasn’t about to let that go. "Wait a minute, even though your mother is asking me to divorce you, what does that have to do with you?"

Eryx flinched slightly, his lips pressing into a firm line. He turned away, shoving his hands into his pockets. "Of course it matters to me," he said flatly. "Ah whatever, forget I said anything."

Lunara let out a sharp breath, throwing her hands up. "You know what? This is exactly why I don’t understand you! One second, you’re gone like a ghost, and the next, you’re acting like you have a say in my life!" She shook the contract in front of him. "And now this? You assumed it was a divorce paper and what? Got all worked up over it? For what reason?"

Eryx’s jaw twitched, but he said nothing.

"You could’ve just asked," she continued, pacing in frustration. "But no, you had to snatch it from me like some possessive—ugh! You don’t even want to be a husband, but you also don’t want to let me go. What kind of logic is that?"

Eryx pressed his lips together, watching her as she ranted, her words spilling out in a rush of pent-up emotions.

"And you’re just standing there, looking at me like that!" she huffed. "Like I’m the one not making sense when you’re the one who—"

He moved.

Before she could even finish her sentence, his hand slid to the back of her neck, and in one swift motion, his lips crashed onto hers.

Lunara froze, her breath stolen as every thought in her head disappeared. Her eyes widened, her body tense against the sudden warmth of his lips.

But Eryx didn’t pull away.

Instead, his grip on the back of her neck tightened just slightly, his other hand settling against her waist, keeping her close. His lips moved slowly, deliberately, as if daring her to push him away. But she didn’t.

Her fingers curled around the contract still clutched in her hand, but she barely remembered it anymore. The heat of him, the sheer insistence of the kiss, left her lightheaded.

It wasn’t just a kiss, it was like a silent battle. A test. A challenge.

Eryx deepened it, his lips pressing harder, his breath mingling with hers. His palm against her waist slid to the small of her back, pulling her flush against him. The warmth of his body sent a chill down her spine.

Lunara’s lashes fluttered, her mind screaming at her to do something but all she could do was feel. Her pulse pounded in her ears, drowning out the logical part of her brain that knew she should stop this. That this was Eryx. That this kiss wasn’t supposed to happen.

Yet, she didn’t stop him until he himself pulled away.

Eryx lingered for a moment, his forehead almost brushing hers, his breath still warm against her lips. His hands didn’t move right away, as if reluctant to let her go. His dark, unreadable eyes searched hers.

Lunara’s chest rose and fell rapidly, her mind still struggling to process what had just happened.

"Have you ever made popcorn?" he murmured, his voice low.

Still breathless, Lunara blinked at him in confusion before shaking her head.

A slow, knowing smile curved his lips. "When you make popcorn, it keeps popping... pop, pop, pop. And do you know how to make it stop?" He leaned in just enough to make her heart race again. "You cover it."

His smile deepened as he brushed a knuckle against her cheek. "So, if you ever start rambling again with that much cuteness..." His voice dropped to a whisper. "I won’t hesitate to do it again.