Chapter 642

Chapter 642:

He got up and followed her.

Inside the kitchen, Hadley loaded the dishwasher and reached for the detergent.

“Stop.” Eric’s voice was a soft exhale as he grasped her wrist, his expression troubled. “Do you realize what you’re doing?”

“Hmm?” Caught off guard, Hadley responded, “Just washing up.”

“Hadley…” His eyes locked onto hers intensely. “You know what I’m really asking.”

He inhaled sharply before questioning once more, “Do you truly understand your actions?”

Lightly nibbling on her lip, Hadley gave a slight nod.

Narrowing his gaze, Eric drew her close into his arms, his other hand gently lifting her chin.

“Kiss me. If you truly understand, do it now.”

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 him.

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

Her mouth brushed against his—a kiss so soft, so fleeting, that it barely lingered 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.”

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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—a quiet promise, a firm command.

“There’s no chance for regrets now!”

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

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.”

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