Too Late, Mr. Billionaire: You Can't Afford Me by Thedora Birnir

Chapter 223 Together All

The Time

Eric’s gaze was unwavering, filled with a quiet resolve that left no room for retreat.

He was gambling now–testing the waters, searching for any sign that this woman felt something, for ham

Did Hadley even have a choice? Her clear eyes held his for a moment, unreadable. Then, ever so singly, she nodded. Rising onto her tiptoes, she whispered against his lips, “Okay”

Her mouth brushed against his–a kiss so soft, so fleeting, it barely fingered before pulling away

But that single touch was all it took. Desire coiled instantly in Eric’s chest.

Before she could step back, his arm slid around her waist, pulling her in, pressing her close. His lips found hers again–but this time, there was nothing hesitant about it.

Then, his mouth parted against hers.

“Mmm.”

This wasn’t just a kiss. It was a claim. A bite. A warning

Hadley winced, a sharp sting pulling her out of the moment. Her brows furrowed as she whispered, “Eric, that hurt.”

“Did it?”

Eric’s breath was heavy as he pulled back, his hands still cradling her head. His gaze flickered over her face before settling on her now–swollen lips.

Regret crossed his features.

Lifting a hand, he traced her lips gently, his touch a stark contrast to the roughness of the kiss moments before. “I’m sorry.”

He had lost control.

His forehead pressed against hers, his palms framing her cheeks. His voice, low and husky, carried both tenderness and a dangerous edge–much like his own contradictions.

“You kissed me, Hadley. There’s no escaping now”

Before she could react, his lips captured hers again

“I gave you a choice once, and you chose to stay.” His voice was low, his breath warm against her skin quiet promise, a firm command. “There’s no chance for regrets now!

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< Chapter 223 Together All The Time

Hadley leaned into him, her fingers tightening around his shirt as she shook her head. “I never planned to

regret it.”

Oh.

Just that one sentence–simple, unadorned–meant more to Eric than any confession, more than a thousand

sweet words or empty reassurances.

His heart, which had plummeted with disappointment earlier, soared.

A slow smirk curled his lips as his thumb brushed her cheek. “Alright then, since you seem sincere, I’ll let you off the hook for tonight.”

“Thank you, ah-!”

her off the floor, her toes barely

eyes widened, but his expression remained serious. “Be serious. I’m talking business.”

Hadley bit back a laugh, clinging to his shoulders before mimicking his

enjoying this. “Like I said, I gave you the choice to leave, but you chose to stay.”

seeing no point in denying it. “Yes.”

Hadley, you wouldn’t be.” His voice was lighter now, teasing but certain. “Admit it–being with me wasn’t entirely against

had the perfect opportunity to walk away tonight…

Not enough to make her choose him without hesitation. The fact that someone else–just a housemate–could pull her away so

whatever. A real man didn’t

“Hadley.”

he smirked and pulled her close, lifting her effortlessly into his arms. “I’ll make you fall for me, Hadley

locked onto hers, the usual turbulence in his dark eyes replaced by something rare–conviction. A quiet certainty that cut through all the unspoken doubts between

you trust me?”

a fleeting moment, her heart stammered.

it effortlessly, the corners of her lips curving into a smile. “I suppose I’ll just have to wait

and see.”

nor a no–a challenge in

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crumbled, the lines of their relationship fell back

The next day…

against the soft daylight streaming through

off her waist and slipped out of bed. After a quick shower, she emerged wrapped in a towel, running a brush through her damp hair in

up

right. I have

she could respond, he left the

Where

it there–forgotten in the heat of the moment. A few

it on the dressing table, he nodded

but set her brush down and lifted the lid.

velvet, was a sleek, elegant wristwatch. The design felt strangely familiar. She furrowed her

knowingly. “Looks

answer, he plucked the watch from the box, gently taking her left wrist and fastening

slender, and the strap sits just right. The color complements your

wrist back slightly. “Eric, this

a watch.” Then, as if it were the most natural thing in

dawned on

was why it looked familiar–he had the exact same one. Only his

“I didn’t expect it to be ready so soon, but since they had mine

timepiece. One of only two in the world.

the watch on her wrist. It

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223 Together All

but there was a tinge of unease. “It’s too precious. If I scratch it or

about

it off, Eric caught her hand,

a unique serial number–like DNA. As long as that number exists, it can always be found.” His voice dipped

he brought it close to

It’s like we’re always connected, no matter where we

stilled. Her breath caught, her heart skipping

a beautiful