Jocelyn couldn't even fathom harboring such thoughts.
The man she coveted was already hers, and none outside could hold a candle to him.
Clutching Melvin's waist, she swayed gently, "The wildflowers ain't got nothing on the roses in my own garden."
Melvin snorted with a mix of pride, "You've been hanging out with Yasmine too much."
"That's your sister," Jocelyn was speechless.
"So what then? She's a free woman now, post-divorce. All she does is loaf around, thinking up ways to burn through cash. If you keep in her company, you might get led astray."
Jocelyn tilted her head back to look at him, pinching his chin, "Aren't you afraid of offending her with that talk?"
"Anyone looking to corrupt you can expect no quarter from me." Melvin leaned down and planted a firm kiss on her lips, his gaze carrying a stern warning, "You fell for me hard back in the day, and now you've got me. Better not start taking me for granted just because I'm in the bag. Even if you get bored, you play on."
Jocelyn couldn't help but want to laugh, her lips pursed to contain it. She nodded earnestly, "Sure, I'll play 'til I can't play no more."
Melvin's expression softened with her promise.
Still, Jocelyn harbored some concern about Yasmine and Zachary, "Kicking them out like that, do you think they'll go their separate ways? If that happens, aren't we just meddling in vain?"
"No chance. One can't let go, and the other's got a thick skin. Plus, they've got a son together. They're tied for life." Melvin understood Yasmine and Zachary all too well.
For years, they acted like archenemies whenever they crossed paths.
Mostly it was Yasmine treating Zachary like the villain.
Two people who truly fall out of love wouldn't even bother to be enemies.
...
Being kicked out by her own brother, Yasmine wanted nothing more than to give Melvin a piece of her mind.
A lesson learned: always discipline brothers while they're young. Now, she had stood no chance.
Zachary, hands in his coat pockets, followed Yasmine silently. His demeanor mirrored that of a loyal hound cast out alongside its owner.
Who would've thought a man who commanded thousands would look so forlorn, almost as if he belonged to the streets?
Fortunately, Yasmine had driven there. She reached her car, yanking the door open. Zachary was quick on the uptake, opened the passenger side and hopped in.
"What the hell are you doing?" Yasmine snapped at him, "Get out!"
"I don’t have a car here. Drop me off?" Zachary looked at her with puppy eyes, "Thanks a bunch."
Yasmine slammed her door shut and floored the accelerator, zooming off.
Zachary let her speed along, confident in her driving skills. He knew she wouldn't risk her life just to spite him.
Yasmine pulled over, "Get out and hail a cab."
"Nope." Zachary's tone was matter-of-fact, brimming with certainty.
Yasmine was fuming, "What do you even want?"
"To be with you." Zachary turned to her, his statement earnest.
In that instant, Yasmine's fiery retort got stuck in her throat.
Zachary took a deep breath, speaking calmly, "I flew back overnight when I heard about the old man's passing. I've paid my respects, and I wanted to see you."
Yasmine kept her gaze forward, "You've seen me. Now go."
"The old man didn't want you marrying me at first, but then Preston came, and he softened up. I promised I'd look after you for life."
"Heh, no need, thanks." Yasmine avoided his gaze.
Zachary's eyes never left her, "I keep my promises."
"You've done a bang-up job already. Having more money than I can spend is all the care I need. You've done your part. Now go back where you came from. Let's not make this harder."
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: The Unwilling CEO's Love Game
Very abrupt ending...