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.

waters yet as immovable as stone, Eric declared, “You and Denver do not belong together. Tomorrow, you will tell Grandma that you are not

heart pounded, a wild

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, rough with

I listen to you?”

hardly process the fact that Eric, who had always acted like he

slightly as she shook her head.

Denver is just fine! My life is none of

her heel

“Hadley!”

voice rumbled with

She was unnerved by

What was driving

night, sleep eluded

his kiss flooded her thoughts. No matter how

the next day, Hadley slipped out of the Flynn

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

to apologize to

breathed a sigh of relief. She coul

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arrived at

her makeup, she stopped to pick up her phone and dial

“Nyla.”

other end, Nyla inquired, “Where did you go?

explained, “I left early today and wanted to call you. I’ve been staying with the Flynn family for a few days, so I

“What? But…”

I’d only stay with you for a

Hadley was simply sticking

sigh. “Alright, but promise me you’ll

with

as Hadley ended the call, Lennon strolled into the room.

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

grin. “These are from Mr. Flynn.”

no joy at the gesture.

uneasy feeling settled

up, Hadley received a

answer but knew she couldn’t dodge him

but

firm. “I’m on my

“That’s not necessary…”

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

he hung

her phone, Hadley anxiously

her head around his sudden change

ways of the world

that Eric was behaving in a way that clearly hinted at a man’s interest in a

Eric actually liking her? That