The Unwilling CEO's Love Game novel Chapter 21

In the bathroom, the sound of the water became all sultry and muffled.

That bright red dress was completely drenched on the floor, tangled with the black shirt in the water. They seemed to be wrapped up in each other, extra clingy...

Jocelyn was lying in bed, feeling like she'd just had a full-body massage, sort of sore but totally excited.

She rolled over, and there was her guy, puffing away at his cigarette, looking pretty damn content.

You know how they say couples fight like cats and dogs but make up just as quickly? Well, that was pretty much them to a T. Melvin knew she was crazy about him, so all he had to do was show her a little warmth, and she'd totally forget about wanting to dump him.

He glanced over at her, stretched out his arm, and like clockwork, she snuggled up on it, casually draping her hand across his chest, legs all tangled up with his under the covers, basically clinging to him.

She'd always cuddle up to him before falling asleep, but wouldn't last long before she'd roll over to her side.

Melvin didn't seem to mind her weight one bit and just let her be.

"I'm planning to head back home tomorrow," Jocelyn said, tracing circles on his chest.

Melvin took a deep drag of his cigarette, turned around, and stubbed it out in the ashtray, "Drive yourself by my car."

So, he wasn't going to give her a ride.

Jocelyn didn't have any delusions about him offering one anyway. "It won’t be necessary. I'll just hail a ride."

"Wouldn't it be handier to drive yourself?" Melvin glanced at her, "What's the point of having a license if you don't drive?"

"I'm not the best driver."

"You've got insurance. As long as you don't hit anyone, you're good."

Sometimes his bossiness was just too much, making her instantly want to shut up.

She turned to face the other way, and Melvin got up to the bathroom. It was a while before he came back and spooned her from behind, getting all up in her neck and getting handsy.

Jocelyn pretty much surrendered to his energy, shrugging her shoulders lightly. "I wanna sleep."

"How long you gonna be at your folks'?" he breathed into her ear.

Jocelyn bit back, "Just overnight."

Melvin's hand rested on her lower belly. "For what?"

"To see Quinta." Jocelyn could feel him getting fired up, and if she didn't put out that fire, there was no way she was getting any sleep.

She tried to turn around, but he pinned her down.

"You..." Jocelyn knew what he was up to.

Melvin's words sounded like he was having a serious chat, but the actions under the covers were getting more and more intense.

"Isn't it a bit thoughtless, crashing at someone's place who's just tied the knot? Huh?" Melvin kissed her shoulder, voice husky.

Jocelyn was biting her lip, afraid her voice would betray her blush if she spoke, but he was pushing her to talk.

She tried to control her voice, "I... I..."

In the end, she lost the battle.

She couldn't get a full sentence out until he bit her shoulder with a low growl, and she finally took a breath.

Even with the AC on in the heat of summer, underneath the covers, it was sweat city.

Their breathing was all tangled up, and Jocelyn was genuinely out of steam.

His energy was endless, seriously impressive.

"Come back tomorrow night," Melvin's lips against her shoulder, voice low and sexy, his domineering tone not up for debate.

"Here's hoping," Quinta didn't dwell on her stuff and turned the tables on her. "Aren't you gonna find someone? Your mother seems pretty anxious. She even asked my mom if she knew any suitable guys. She's really worried about you."

Jocelyn just got a headache thinking about it, "Does marriage guarantee happiness?"

Quinta quipped, "Hard to say. Some are great till they get married, and then flip a switch. Others seem unreliable but mature once married. It's all in how you work it."

Jocelyn pursed her lips, at a loss for words.

"Got someone in mind for marriage?" Quinta was sharp.

Jocelyn and Quinta had always been close. They used to share everything.

But now, with their little secrets, sharing wasn't as easy.

Melvin was her little secret.

"Yeah," Jocelyn looked down, not wanting to hide it. An extra confidant might offer some advice.

Quinta looked shocked. "When did this happen? How come I had no clue?"

Jocelyn spilled the beans about her and Melvin.

Quinta was pretty chill about it. "If we're talking about this dude being irresponsible, he wouldn't have stuck around chatting with you for so long. But if we say he's responsible, he wouldn't have let you feel so down in the dumps."

That's exactly what Jocelyn was thinking.

"It's like the old 'grass is always greener' situation. Folks inside the fence want out, and those outside want in. Either way, you're left with regrets or what-ifs. Your boyfriend is likely one of those who's been hurt before, and part of it is probably because he's just not into the whole marriage thing. If it's the former, you could slowly help him heal. If it's the latter, better to cut ties sooner rather than later." Quinta felt a twinge of sympathy, "Love's like that; not every romance is meant to end up with happy outcomes."

Jocelyn knew all too well that love wasn't a transaction – you can't just hand over cash and expect to get something tangible in return.

Empathy's the name of the game, but some folks just have hearts of stone.