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.

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

words slammed into Hadley. Her heart pounded, a

realized she had been leaning into his chest. A startled jolt ran through her, and she pulled away as if burned. She stumbled back,

expression darkened at the loss of contact. His voice dipped, rough with

should I listen

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

as she

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

that, she turned on her

“Hadley!”

with frustration, thick

back. She was unnerved by Eric’s unpredictable behavior and

was

sleep eluded

thoughts. No matter how hard she tried

the next day, Hadley slipped

had intended to let Nyla know she was leaving, but under the circumstances, facing her felt like climbing a mountain. The longer Hadley stayed in the mansion, the more fear crept into

apologize

Alley, Hadley finally breathed a

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evening, Hadley arrived

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

“Nyla.”

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

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

“What? But…”

with you

Hadley was simply sticking

me

replied with

the call, Lennon strolled

a bouquet of

grin. “These are from Mr. Flynn.”

joy at the gesture.

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

Hadley received

but knew

she had no choice but to

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

“That’s not necessary…”

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

he

her phone, Hadley anxiously bit her

couldn’t wrap her head around his

ways of the world well

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

thought of Eric actually liking