?Chapter 279:


    His response was casual, his arms stretching along the bench. “You take care of it,” he said, disying the nonchnce of someone used to being pampered.


    Alright. For that huge discount and the money he had helped her save, she could put up with a bit more.


    Hadley tightened her jaw, drew in a breath, and reached to unbutton the top two buttons of his shirt.


    Her fingers identally brushed against his Adam’s apple as it moved subtly.


    She paused momentarily. Surely, that was unintentional?


    Eric’s expression tightened, and his voice roughened suspiciously.


    “You’re doing that on purpose, aren’t you?”


    Did she not realize the sensitivity of a man’s throat?


    “Nope. You’re imagining things.” Hadley kept her tone level, opening the disinfectant swab and leaning closer. “Stay still. This might hurt a bit.”


    He grunted softly in acknowledgment.


    When the medicine brushed his skin, Hadley gently blew on the area to soothe the sting.


    Eric felt a strange warmth spreading within him.


    He squinted slightly. How had she picked up such a technique?


    This wasn’t the same Hadley he used to deal with.


    Hadley used to be loud and outspoken, constantly inserting herself into his affairs.


    Now, she was almost silent… yet somehow, every small action of hers was driving him crazy.


    Eric, puzzled by the pleasant scent, wondered what fragrance Hadley was wearing that smelled so wonderful.


    “Hadley,” he said gently, trying to soothe the stirring within himself.


    “What’s the perfume you’re wearing?”


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    Caught off guard, Hadley hesitated for a moment.


    “Perfume?” she echoed, her lips twitching ever so slightly. How could she possibly afford luxury fragrances?


    “It’s just my shampoo, actually,” she exined.


    She then efficiently applied a Band-Aid to Eric’s wound. “There, all set.” She started to clean up, gathering the used medical supplies to dispose of them.


    “Okay,” Eric murmured, his voice tinged with a hint of disappointment. By the time they exited the pharmacy, midnight had fallen.


    Sebastian drove them back towards Mayfield Road. When they arrived, Eric stepped out of the car and apanied Hadley to her apartment entrance.


    “Get some rest,” Eric suggested, pausing at the entrance without stepping inside.


    “Okay.” Hadley nodded, pointing to the box on the floor. “Thanks for this.”


    She still might have ended up getting that doll by waiting in line all night, but the discount was indeed thanks to his favor.


    “Aren’t you going to invite me in? I had some wine earlier and could use some water now,” Eric said, his voice casual but with a hint of expectation.


    Hadley hesitated, conflicted. epting his help already felt like a lot; would it be rude to deny him such a simple request?


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