The Unwilling CEO's Love Game
Chapter 42

"The steak's just meh; I can't finish it." Jocelyn pushed the steak towards Melvin again, "You've burned a ton of calories today. You better load up." Melvin gave her a loaded glance as she flipped her hair and touched her neck, revealing a very noticeable love bite on her fair skin.

To Melvin, this little ploy was neither here nor there. She was probably just a tad jealous of his interactions with Willow.

"Is this your way of beefing me up?" Melvin played along, glancing at the plate she pushed over. The steak had barely been touched. Jocelyn flashed him a smile, "Yeah. It's gonna be a long night, and I'm worried you won't last if you don't eat up."

She felt a bit sheepish saying that kind of thing in front of others.

But seeing Willow's face turn sour was a pretty nice bonus.

Willow was all bark and no bite when it came to facing her.

Melvin lifted an eyebrow, taking in Jocelyn's slightly staged demeanor. He cut up her steak and finished it off.

Their little exchange had Willow on pins and needles.

"So? Are you gonna invite them?" Willow switched the topic abruptly.

"Sure," Melvin said.

With a smile, Willow whipped out her phone, "I'll drop a message in the group chat."

Melvin didn't respond.

[Hey, you guys free tonight? I'm meeting up with Melvin for drinks. You in?] Willow sent a voice message.

She didn't mention Jocelyn.

Sipping her water, Jocelyn kept a watchful eye on Melvin from the corner of her eye as he polished off both steaks.

"They've sent a location in the group," Willow reminded Melvin.

Jocelyn caught the subtext in Willow's words. They had a small group chat, just the four of them.

Melvin checked his phone and then called the waiter over to pay the bill.

"You've had a drink, so ride with me," Willow said. "My assistant's driving."

Melvin glanced at Jocelyn, who was also looking at him.

"Let's book a ride."

"Huh?"

"You said no driving after drinking, right? I've had a drink, and so have you. We're not gonna push the car home, are we?" Melvin said, joking deadpan. Jocelyn saw Willow's expression darken, quite pleased with Melvin's performance, and she reached out, "Hand me your phone."

Melvin stared at her but eventually pulled out his phone and handed it to her.

Jocelyn needed Melvin's face to unlock the phone, so she held it up to him, unlocked it, and booked a ride. Then she slipped the phone straight into his pocket.

It was a gesture full of intimacy and suggestive undertones.

They weren't holding hands or hugging, but the air between them was thick with flirtation.

To onlookers, it might seem Willow and Melvin were the ones most engaged, but only she knew she was the odd one out.

When they got to the parking garage, the ride was two minutes out.

Willow pointed to her car, "I'll head off first then."

"Alright."

Once Willow drove off, Jocelyn turned to Melvin with a smirk.

Melvin quirked an eyebrow, "Feeling smug?"

"Just a tad," Jocelyn replied, pinching her fingers together, "She did that on purpose."

Melvin huffed, "Don't make it too awkward for her."

"Are you worried about hurting her feelings?"

"We've still got to get along," Melvin said, spotting the ride approaching. He pulled open the back door, "In the adult world, it's not all about lovey-dovey stuff. More often, it's about interests and connections." Jocelyn agreed with that.

Human nature is complex and hypocritical. You have to pretend to get along even when you don't like someone.

"As long as she doesn't put me on the spot, I won't," Jocelyn buckled up and looked at him, "I don't expect you to side with me, but I hope you won't side with her either."

Melvin leaned back in his seat, silent.

The car started moving, and Melvin's phone buzzed several times.

He checked it to replace photos from Zephyr. It was a photo of a table full of drinks and Yannick who was looking aloof on the couch.

In the group chat, Melvin wrote that Jocelyn was joining and to behave.

Zephyr replied with a "shocked" emoji.

Melvin ignored him and locked his phone.

As they arrived at the club, Melvin walked ahead with Jocelyn following.

Suddenly, someone approached, and Jocelyn recognized the person without meaning to.

The person also saw her and greeted her with surprise, "Jocelyn."

"Harrison, what a coincidence?" Jocelyn was equally surprised.

"I'm here for a friend's birthday," Harrison smiled back, then sensed a very palpable gaze and turned to see Melvin looking at him icily.

Harrison thought of the person who had replied to his messages before. It must be this man.

"Is this..." Harrison asked Jocelyn straightforwardly.

Jocelyn hesitated, not sure how to introduce him.

She wanted to say boyfriend, but wasn't sure if Melvin would like that.

So she said, "A friend."

Hearing that, Melvin shot Jocelyn a look.

"We've got people waiting, so let's catch up another time," Jocelyn said.

"Sure. I'm here for a couple more days. Let's grab a meal."

"Sounds good."

Harrison nodded at Melvin and walked past them.

Once Harrison was out of earshot, Melvin's expression hadn't softened.

As they reached the private room door, Melvin suddenly pushed Jocelyn against the wall, hands braced on either side of her, staring down at her, "Friend?" "Yeah, met him back in the city. He's a university professor," Jocelyn replied earnestly.

Melvin didn't seem appeased by her candid response, "Am I your friend?"

Jocelyn blinked innocently, "Then what are we?"

Melvin swallowed, inexplicably irked by her introduction of him as a 'friend' to that man. Before, she couldn't wait to tell the whole world he was her boyfriend.

But today, in front of that man, she said he was just her friend.

Was she signaling to that man that she was still single?

The thought alone got Melvin all worked up. He brushed her hair aside, fingers tracing those hidden hickeys as he murmured low and husky, "So a few hours ago, were you busy having sex with just a friend?" Jocelyn caught sight of his eager, ticked-off face and couldn't help but feel a thrill of delight.

It seemed that he couldn't handle the heat either.

She pursed her lips, turning her head to hide a smirk, but the joy bubbling up inside her was undeniable.

Clearing her throat, she teased, "I mean, I'm not your girlfriend, am I? So how should I introduce you?"

"Jocelyn!" Melvin knew she was messing with him, but it still grated on his nerves.

"Calling my name won't do you any good. So, are you my boyfriend?" Jocelyn looked at him, her eyes alluring, twinkling with mischief.

Melvin's Adam's apple bobbed as he glared at her cocky demeanor, realizing he was totally in her grip.

They were at a standoff when suddenly the door next to them swung open.

"Holy smokes! You two are on fire! Why don't you just head home and get it on?" Zephyr stepped out, took one look, and jumped back, then popped his head back around the corner to tease.

Melvin shot Zephyr a look, and Jocelyn raised an eyebrow slightly, knowing all too well that she'd never get that declaration from Melvin.

Melvin dropped his hand and shot Jocelyn a glare before heading back into the room.

"Jocelyn, what's this little game you're playing?" Zephyr dragged his feet behind her, his face the picture of nosiness.

Jocelyn chuckled awkwardly, "Secret."