"So, where is your dear assistant?"
Melanie cast him a side-eye as she drove toward her appointment, fingers tightening around the steering wheel. Was this man's sole purpose in life to irritate her? Why did he stress the word 'dear?' Whatever his reason, Adam Collins sure had a way with causing her irritation. All he had to do was open his mouth.
She let out a slow sigh, then shot him a look. "My 'dear' assistant has gone back to investigate the person who sold the information to your 'dear' mother. And why do you have a problem with Ben anyway?"
Adam grinned, the expression both amused and infuriating, as he lazily swiped at something on his phone. "I don't have a problem with him," he said, the mock innocence in his voice making her suspicious. "But someone else is about to."
Melanie arched an eyebrow, her gaze flickering toward him before returning to the road. He turned his phone screen toward her, and the moment her eyes landed on the image displayed, her stomach twisted.
Her grip on the steering wheel tightened. This picture...was from last night when Ben had escorted her back to her room and then tried to support her. But the angle from which it was clicked made it look as if they were hugging closely.
Her head snapped toward Adam and she sent him a sharp glare, "Did you have someone take my picture again?"
At the accusation underlying her tone, Adam's easygoing smirk vanished, and his glare was just as sharp as hers. "Do you have short-term memory loss, Melon? I told you—less than an hour ago—that I wouldn't give you a reason to be mad at me. And now look at the name on that chat. I didn't send the image. I received it."
He didn't stop there. His voice took on a mocking edge as he read the accompanying message aloud.
"Last weekend it was you. This weekend it's someone else. She sure knows how to live it up and not feel lonely at night by spending it in the arms of some man..."
Melanie's jaw clenched, and a wave of anger surged through her. Of course, the words belonged to Spencer. Who else would be this petty, this insufferable? But to imply something like this—!
Her teeth ground together as she spat out, "I lost my balance and stumbled! I did not spend the night with some man!"
Adam, thoroughly enjoying her fury, cocked his head to the side, his grin returning. "You really do have a memory problem, huh?"
She shot him another sharp glance, her irritation evident, but he wasn't finished.
"Hey, Melon! I know my face is impressive, but come on, keep your eyes on the road. Let's not get into an accident because you're too busy glaring at me. And while you're at it, let me remind you—" he leaned back, smirking, "—you did spend the night with a man."
And then, before she could blow up, he pointed his finger at himself.
"Me."
Melanie's mouth snapped shut. For a second, she just stared at him, her brain stuttering over his words. And then she realized it was the truth! They had spent the night at the waterfall.
"Oh, for the love of—!" she huffed, her face heating in frustration. "That doesn't count!"
Adam let out a deep, satisfied chuckle, clearly reveling in her reaction. "Oh, it absolutely does. You did spend the night with a man. Me. Unless you've already forgotten. Then I can remind you. Though it would be quite difficult to take you there, we can do a repeat of what we did there..."
Adam gave her a slow, knowing look, his smirk widening as she blushed. And then, the audacity of the man! He blew her a kiss!
Melanie's eyes narrowed into dangerous slits. Oh, he thought he was so funny, didn't he?
Without a word, she pressed her foot down on the accelerator. The car lurched forward, the sudden burst of speed making Adam's smirk falter for a fraction of a second.
"Mel—"
Before he could finish, she jerked the wheel sharply to the side, sending the car skidding off the road onto a narrow dirt path.
Thud.
Adam was thrown sideways, his shoulder slamming into the door, his head banging against the window with an audible thump. A very satisfying sound, if Melanie had to say so herself.
"Ow!" He groaned, shooting her a murderous glare as he rubbed the side of his head and looked at her pleased face! "You violent woman! Have you lost your damn mind?"
Melanie, gripping the steering wheel with both hands, turned to look at him and gave him a sweet smile, "Oh, I don't know, Adam. Maybe I do have short-term memory loss. I forgot to drive for a few moments. Or maybe your handsome face distracted me."
He stared at her speechlessly and Melanie could not help but be pleased! Finally! Finally, she'd one upped the man and made him unable ot retort. She was almost ready to pat her back over this accomplishment.
"That was attempted murder." Adam spoke up, finally.
She scoffed. "If I wanted to murder you, you wouldn't be talking right now."
Adam muttered something under his breath, and shook his head while she restarted the car, pleased beyond measure.
But then, after a long moment, he let out a dramatic sigh. "You know what, Melon? I think I've figured it out."
She raised a brow. "Figured what out?"
His lips curled into a slow, lazy smirk, as he mirrored her sweet look, making her stomach tighten as he said, "You're obsessed with me."
Melanie's hands tightened on the steering wheel and she sent him an incredulous look. "I'm two seconds away from actually killing you and you come to this conclusion? I can't figure out what is in your head!"
Adam grinned. "See? Obsessed. You even want to know what is going on in my head. But you are thinking of the wrong body part. Think lower..."
Melanie glared at him over his double entendre but then, he laughed out loud and said," I meant my heart, Melon! Figure out what is going on there... You dirty minded woman."