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.

Denver do not belong together. Tomorrow, you will tell Grandma that you are

slammed into Hadley. Her heart pounded, a wild rhythm drumming against

chest. A startled jolt ran through her, and she pulled away as if burned. She stumbled back,

contact.

listen to you?”

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

slightly as she shook her

fine! My life is none

her heel and

“Hadley!”

Eric’s voice rumbled with frustration, thick with anger.

look back. She was unnerved by Eric’s unpredictable

was

sleep eluded Hadley.

thoughts. No matter how

the next day, Hadley slipped out

felt like

apologize to

little place on West Twelfth Alley, Hadley finally breathed a sigh of relief. She

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Hadley arrived at Galant.

prepping for her makeup, she stopped to pick up her phone and

“Nyla.”

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

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

“What? But…”

with you for

Hadley was simply sticking to their original

a resigned sigh. “Alright, but promise me

replied with a light laugh.

the call, Lennon strolled into the

takeout, the other holding a bouquet of flowers.

Lennon said, flashing a playful grin. “These are from

joy at the gesture.

through her, and an uneasy feeling settled in

up, Hadley received a call

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

had no choice but to pick up. “Hello?”

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

“That’s not necessary…”

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

that, he hung up.

anxiously

her head around his

knew the ways of the world well enough.

a way that clearly hinted at a man’s interest in

thought of Eric actually liking her?