Too Late, Mr. Billionaire: You Can't Afford Me by Thedora Birnir

Chapter 74 A Kiss Is Of Help

The instant the spray hit Hadley’s tongue, an unbearable bitterness seized her senses, nearly knocking the breath out of her. The taste was so vile it felt like poison itself.

Hadley clenched her jaw, trying to endure the assault on her taste buds.

Eric, as if anticipating her every move, reacted in a blink. Just as she turned her head, he swiftly pressed a firm hand over her mouth, blocking any chance of escape.

His eyes, sharp as a blade, locked onto her with an unyielding glare.

“It helps with the burn, Hadley. You are not spitting it out,” Eric commanded, his voice brooking no argument. Hadley froze, confusion flickering across her face like a candle in the wind.

The sheer awfulness of the taste sent a shudder through her, and she instinctively tried to pry his hand away, unable to withstand the lingering bitterness.

Eric’s voice turned cool, almost teasing, yet lined with steel. “Disobeying me again, are you?”

Then, without warning, he stood and pulled his hand away.

Hadley barely had a second to react before Eric grasped her cheeks, leaned down, and captured her lips in his

Own

She could only stare, stunned, as realization struck like a thunderclap.

Hadley was taken aback for a second, unsure of what to say.

Was he-

Was he kissing her again?

As if bewitched by the moment, Eric seemed to savor the contact, his senses sharpening at every tiny detail. When Hadley’s long lashes brushed against his skin, the soft, fleeting touch sent a tremor through him, like the whisper of a breeze stirring embers into flames.

His breath, warm and steady, curled against her lips as he murmured, “Still bitter?”

Hadley’s lips parted, her thoughts scattering like dry leaves in the wind. She stammered, “N–no… it… it is not bitter anymore.”

“Is that so?”

A low chuckle rumbled from Eric’s throat. “One kiss, and it is gone, just like that?”

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“What?” Hadley blinked, utterly baffled, wondering if she had misheard him.

“Silly girl,” Eric muttered, voice tinged with an odd fondness.

Then, as if something primal overtook him, he seized her by the waist and pulled her flush against him.

Hadley stood frozen, lips slightly parted, the ghost of the bitter medicine still clinging to her breath.

“Hadley.”

The way he spoke her name was slow, deliberate, each syllable curling over his tongue with an unsettling certainty.

as stone, Eric declared, “You and Denver do not belong together. Tomorrow, you will tell Grandma

Her heart pounded, a wild rhythm drumming against her

only then that Hadley realized she had been leaning into his chest. A startled jolt ran through her, and she pulled away as if burned. She stumbled back, putting as much distance

contact. His voice dipped,

listen

had always acted like he despised her, was now kissing

quivered slightly as she shook her

is just fine! My life is none of your business!”

her heel and dashed

“Hadley!”

voice rumbled with frustration, thick

refusing to look back. She was unnerved by Eric’s unpredictable behavior and couldn’t make sense

was driving him?

sleep

memory of his kiss flooded her thoughts. No matter how hard she tried to push it away, the image lingered

slipped out

but under the circumstances, facing her felt like climbing a

apologize

on West Twelfth Alley, Hadley finally breathed a sigh of relief. She coul bed and drifted into a much–needed sleep.

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Hadley arrived at Galant.

costume and prepping for her makeup, she stopped

“Nyla.”

you go?

wanted to call you. I’ve been staying with the Flynn family for a

“What? But…”

agreed I’d only stay with you

was simply sticking to their original

resigned sigh. “Alright, but promise me you’ll visit us often. We’ll always

with a light laugh.

ended the call,

delivery people, one balancing takeout, the other holding a bouquet of flowers. The dressing area was

flashing a playful grin. “These are

Hadley felt no joy

an uneasy feeling settled in her chest, leaving her heart racing with dread.

up, Hadley received a

hesitated to answer but knew she couldn’t

but to

Eric’s tone was firm. “I’m on my way. Wait for

“That’s not necessary…”

off. “I’m not asking for your opinion, Hadley. I’m

that, he hung

phone, Hadley anxiously bit

her head around his sudden change in

the ways of

recognized that Eric was behaving in a way that clearly

of Eric actually liking her?