?Chapter 1440:


    A dazed look zed Hadley’s eyes, the corners tinged with red.


    Eric’s lips curled into a smile. He took her hand and guided it to his waist, and then his abs. “Feel this… Isn’t this what you desire?” He didn’t require a verbal confirmation.


    Her eyes gave away how she truly felt.


    He might have doubted himself in many ways, but his appearance was a source of pride.


    “If you like it, it’s yours to enjoy. Just rx,” he whispered before kissing her again.


    “Wait…” Hadley managed to utter.


    His grip tightened, his embrace bing more possessive and intimate. Hadley closed her eyes, her arms instinctively wrapping around his neck, holding on tightly.


    “Ouch!” Eric’s brow furrowed, a muffled groan escaping his lips as his body stiffened.


    The tender moment shattered.


    Hadley’s eyes flew open, jolting back to reality. She quickly released him. “Did I hurt you?”


    She’d momentarily forgotten about his stiff neck, the reason she had just rubbed pain-relief cream on him.


    “I’m fine,” Eric said with a wide, charming grin, taking her hand again. “Shall we continue?”


    Scarlet flooded Hadley’s cheeks. She snatched her hand away. “Get away from me!”<fn0e4d> ?? ??? ???? ?? ???? ???? ???????s, ????s? ??s?? FindN0vel</fn0e4d>


    She squirmed out of his embrace. “I need to wash up and go to work!” She broke free and bolted toward the bathroom.


    Eric frowned, rubbing his stiff neck. So close! His “honey trap” nearly sprung. Still, a sly smile yed on his lips. He smiled inwardly. This tactic seems promising. Definitely worth repeating.


    Lατ??τ ?нαρτ?rs ιn g??l??ov?l??.??om


    Hadley finished washing up and went downstairs ahead of him.


    By the time breakfast was served, Eric had also joined her downstairs. “You’re up early too?” Hadley nced at the time. “I need to get to work. You could have slept longer.”


    “I’m well-rested,” Eric said with a smile, reaching for her hand. “I always sleep better with you nearby.”


    Really?


    Hadley’s gaze flickered to his neck. With a neck that stiff, could his sleep have truly been restful?


    Just then, the insistent ring of Eric’s phone cut through the morning air. He released her hand but remained close, answering the call directly in front of her. “Yeah, it’s me… Okay, understood. I’ll be in touch.”


    Ending the call, Eric nced at his watch and murmured, “Still quite early… Maybe I’ll callter.”


    He ced his phone on the table.


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