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 that you are not interested in him.

Her heart pounded, a wild rhythm drumming against her

into his chest. A startled jolt ran through her, and she pulled away as if burned. She stumbled back, putting as much distance as she could between them.

contact. His voice dipped, rough with displeasure. “Hadley.”

I listen to you?”

acted

quivered slightly as she shook her

Denver is just fine! My

on her

“Hadley!”

Eric’s voice rumbled with frustration, thick with

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

was

sleep eluded

Eric’s face and the memory of his kiss flooded her thoughts. No matter how hard she tried to push it away, the image

dawn broke the next day, Hadley slipped out of

facing her felt like climbing a mountain. The longer Hadley stayed in the mansion, the more fear crept into her heart.

apologize to Nyla

Twelfth Alley, Hadley finally breathed a sigh of relief. She

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evening, Hadley arrived

she stopped to

“Nyla.”

end, Nyla inquired, “Where did you go? I didn’t see

call you. I’ve been staying with the Flynn family for a few days, so I won’t be coming over

“What? But…”

we agreed I’d only stay with you

sticking to their original

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

with a light laugh.

ended the call, Lennon strolled into the

two delivery people, one balancing takeout, the other holding a bouquet of

flashing a playful grin. “These

no joy

and an uneasy feeling settled in her chest, leaving her heart

up, Hadley received

but knew she couldn’t

but to pick up.

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

“That’s not necessary…”

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

he

anxiously

head around his sudden change in demeanor.

of the

that Eric was behaving in a way that

Eric actually liking her? That seemed far–fetched.