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.

a voice as calm as still waters yet as immovable as stone, Eric declared, “You and Denver do not belong together. Tomorrow, you

heart pounded, a wild rhythm drumming against

then that Hadley realized she had been leaning into his chest. A startled jolt ran through her, and she pulled away as if

loss of contact. His voice dipped,

listen to

fact that Eric, who had always acted like he despised her,

slightly as she shook her head.

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

she turned on her heel and dashed

“Hadley!”

rumbled with frustration, thick with

eyes shut, refusing to look back. She was unnerved by Eric’s

What was

sleep eluded

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

slipped out

her felt like climbing a mountain. The longer Hadley stayed in

to apologize to Nyla

Hadley finally breathed a sigh of relief. She coul

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Hadley arrived at

costume and prepping for her makeup, she stopped to pick up her phone and dial Nyla.

“Nyla.”

you go? I didn’t see you the entire

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

“What? But…”

with

sticking to their original plan.

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

with a light laugh.

Hadley ended the call, Lennon strolled into the room.

the other holding a bouquet of flowers. The dressing area was nearly overflowing with items.

Lennon said, flashing a playful grin.

felt no joy at the

ran through her, and an uneasy feeling settled in her chest,

up, Hadley

to answer but knew she couldn’t dodge him forever.

had no choice but

time do you finish tonight?” Eric’s tone was firm. “I’m on my way. Wait

“That’s not necessary…”

her protest, he cut her off. “I’m not

he hung up.

anxiously bit

head around his sudden change in demeanor.

ways of the world well enough.

way that clearly hinted at a

actually liking her? That seemed far–fetched.