Chapter 499
It wouldn’t surprise him. Even he felt unsettled when he caught sight of his own scars in the mirror. It wasn’t hard to imagine how terrifying they might be for someone as delicate as Hadley.
Still, he decided he wouldn’t force it. When she was ready—if she was ever ready—she would ask. And when she did, he would tell her. For now, he let it go.
Following her out of the shower room, Eric pulled her into his arms once more while they soaked in the bath. For a man who had spent years practicing restraint, indulging even once made it nearly impossible to stop.
By the time they emerged from the bathroom, fresh and clean, guilt began to creep in. Eric’s fingers found their way to her waist, his touch gentle.
“I’m sorry,” Eric murmured, his voice laced with remorse. “Does your back still hurt? Let me massage it…”
Hadley clicked her tongue, exasperated. This man…
Before his hand could reach her, she grabbed his arm—then sank her teeth into it.
Eric tensed but didn’t pull away, letting her bite down as hard as she pleased. Instead, a low chuckle rumbled from his chest. “Go on, take your revenge… if it helps.”
Hadley shot him a withering glare, her cheeks still tinged with color, her eyes dark and fiery. Grinding her teeth, she warned, “Try touching me again, and you’ll regret it.”
With that, she released his arm with a sharp exhale and turned her back to him. Eric let out a helpless laugh, shaking his head. What was with her and biting? He glanced down at the fresh mark she’d left—deep, reddening, just shy of breaking the skin. Sharp teeth, indeed.
But what he didn’t realize in that moment was that he was already in too deep. Hopelessly, irrevocably in love with her.
The next day, neither of them stirred until noon. Unsurprising, really—considering they hadn’t fallen asleep until just before dawn.
By the time Eric finally dragged Hadley downstairs, the housekeeper had already come and gone, leaving a beautifully arranged lunch on the table.
Halfway through their meal, Eric suddenly remembered something.
“Oh, right.” He set down his fork and glanced at her. “Someone from Four Hours will be dropping by later to deliver some clothes. Try them on and see if they fit. If they don’t, or if you don’t like them, just ask them to bring something new.”
Hadley looked up mid-bite. She sputtered, caught completely off guard, and even choked.
Eric sighed, reaching for a glass of water and passing it to her. “Slow down,” he said, amused. “Here, have some water.”
Hadley took several gulps before regaining her composure. She set the glass down and frowned. “Wait—why are you having clothes delivered?”
Eric blinked as if the question were absurd. “Isn’t it obvious?”
Seeing her confused expression, he elaborated. “Your wardrobe’s too plain. Since you’ll be staying here, I figured I’d have new clothes sent over regularly. That way, you don’t have to worry about it.”
Hold on…
Her grip on the fork tightened slightly. “Why would I be living here?”
She found his logic almost amusing.
Eric’s expression faltered. He frowned. “What do you mean? After everything, you don’t plan to stay?”
Hadley let out a short laugh, shaking her head. “After everything? Men and women share intimate moments all the time, Eric. That doesn’t mean they have to live together.”
Setting her fork down, she met his gaze evenly. “I never planned on moving in with you.”