The Coldest Man in the Room Melted Only for Me novel Chapter 274

"Have you eaten?" The man's deep, cool voice drifted over the line.

"Not yet," Riley answered honestly.

"Is the research going smoothly?"

"The hospital director gave them a heads up, so yes, very smoothly." Just as Riley finished her sentence, her phone was suddenly snatched out of her hand. She hadn't even noticed Pierce getting out of the car to follow her. She frowned deeply. "Why did you take my phone?"

Pierce glanced at the caller ID, a look of realization flashing in his eyes. He lifted the phone to his ear. "Sebastian, it's Pierce. Riley and I are in the middle of something right now..."

Seeing him snatch her phone and speak without her permission—especially right after he basically forced her into his car—ignited a fierce wave of anger in Riley.

She immediately lunged to grab her phone back. "Give it back!"

Pierce dodged her hand and said into the phone, "We'll catch up later." He hung up immediately and handed the phone back to her.

Fury blazed in Riley's eyes. "Pierce, you are absolutely insufferable!"

Assuming she was just lashing out to push his buttons, Pierce adopted a soothing tone. "Riley, it's really hot out here. Can we just go back to the car to talk?"

Refusing to give him the time of day, Riley spotted a cab approaching and moved toward the street to flag it down.

Pierce grabbed her wrist and pulled her back toward his car.

"Let me go!" Riley tried to wrench her arm free, but his grip was ironclad. After being dragged several steps, she lifted his arm and bit down hard on his hand.

Hissing in pain, Pierce let go. Seeing how stubborn she was, he decided to force the issue. "Do you have feelings for Sebastian?"

"Are you out of your mind?" Riley stared at him in utter disbelief. How could he even say something like that? Did he hit his head?

"Does he know you like him?"

"...None of your business."

"How about I call him right now and tell him how you feel?"

Riley's heart jumped into her throat.

Pierce pulled out his phone, pretending to dial Sebastian's number.

Panic drained the color from Riley's face. She frantically reached out and grabbed his hand to stop him. "Pierce, do you not understand plain English? My life is none of your business."

Pierce looked at her with an 'I knew it' expression. "You don't like him at all. You're just trying to make me mad, aren't you?"