Like a man who had already won a game before the other player even realized he was losing, Adam picked up another dumpling, took a bite for himself and asked," So, you must be the assistant. The one who helped Melanie to have my mother thrown out?"
Melanie glamced up. His mother? That was the first time she had ever heard him refer to Madam Collins that way. Usually, it was a cold, detached 'the woman' or a sharp 'her'—never something as personal as my mother.
It wasn't lost on her, and she opened her mouth, ready to ask about it, but before she could utter a single word, a half-eaten dumpling was unceremoniously stuffed into her mouth. She made a muffled noise of protest, glaring up at Adam, who merely smirked and turned his attention back to Ben.
"I am," Ben finally answered stiffly and Adam nodded, "Good. Then I'll assume my wife is in good hands while she works herself to death."
Melanie let out an indignant sound, finally managing to chew and swallow the dumpling Adam had practically forced into her mouth. She shot him a look. "I do not work myself to death."
Adam arched a single brow, unimpressed. "You're still at the office past hours." He glanced at the clock pointedly before adding, "On a weekend."
Melanie blinked, "Oh."
Ben, who had just complained about her being too hardworking, took a small step forward to defend her, "She was just finishing up."
Adam glanced at the reports in front of her, then at Melanie. "Are you?"
Melanie hesitated. "Almost."
"Mm," Adam mused, as if he didn't quite believe her.
Then, without waiting for her response, he leaned down again, this time brushing a light kiss against her temple, as he whispered, "Finish up quickly. I'll be waiting in the parking."
With that, Adam nodded at Ben and walked out, whistling a tune that further moved to irritate Ben.
It was almost thirty minutes later, when Melanie finally closed the file and started gathering her things that Ben spoke up again," Boss. The dumplings..."
Melanie paused, blinking. She followed his gaze to the half-eaten, now-cold box of dumplings sitting untouched. Other than the one and half piece that Adam had fed her, she'd not eaten any thing else.
She sighed, rubbing the back of her neck. "I'll take this with me." She then tilted her head slightly, noting the second unopened box near him. "You haven't eaten yours either, so have a great dinner too."
She gave him a small, as she picked up the box. "Thank you for the food, Ben. I'll see you on Monday."
Ben didn't say anything right away. His fingers curled slightly against the desk before he finally gave a slow nod. "See you on Monday, boss." However, as he watched her leave, he could not help the bitter taste in his mouth. He'd thought they could have had a date...
***
The elevator doors slid open, and Melanie stepped into the basement parking. As she did, she looked around, looking around for Adam but not spotting him anywhere in the nearly empty place.
She barely had time to react before she was suddenly pulled forward, her back meeting the cool surface of a sleek black car. A gasp left her lips, the half-formed scream catching in her throat as Adam caged her in, both hands braced against the vehicle on either side of her.
Her heart pounded from the sudden movement, breath coming faster as she snapped at him, glaring, "What the hell, Adam? What is it with you always manhandling me?"
But Adam didn't answer. His head dipped lower, his breath warm against her skin as he trailed his nose along the curve of her ear. "Shouldn't I be the one asking you that? Not even three weeks to our wedding, and you are already avoiding me and sharing cozy dinners with another man, hmm? Tell me, wife, are you preparing a green hat for me?"
Melanie's jaw dropped. She jabbed a finger at Adam before poking his shoulder with it, eyes flashing. "A green hat? Are you acting like a crazy real husband now, Adam Collins? I was working and sharing a meal with my assistant—nothing more!"
Adam didn't look the least bit convinced. He leaned in closer instead as a smirk played at his lips. "Ahh. An assistant who seems to like you. And from what I saw, you don't seem to mind his attention."
Melanie scoffed and pressed her palms against Adam's chest, trying to push him away. He didn't budge. It was like trying to move a mountain. Realizing the futility, she rolled her eyes and shot him an exasperated glare.
"That is exactly why I ate the dumpling from your hand! Why else would I let you feed me? Do I look like I've lost my sanity?" She huffed, crossing her arms trying to put some distance between them. "I only did it to make sure Ben wouldn't get any foolish ideas."
Adam smirked, clearly entertained. "Hmm? So eating from my hands is insanity?" His voice dropped further as he stated, "Then I suppose I'll have to do my best to drive you completely mad."
Melanie took a deep breath, reminding herself that she was now immune to Adam's charms and closeness, though her rapidly beating heart said otherwise as Adam continued, " But I am impressed that my Melon is not so ignorant. So, why are you sparing his feelings, hmm? You were so direct with me..."
Melanie closed her eyes for a moment, before opening them and looking at Adam wearily," I am really, really tired. You and I both know your supposed 'feelings' for me aren't real. But Ben Harris is a capable assistant, and I'd like to keep him around. So yes, I'm being gentle with him. Now would you please move so that we can go home?"
Adam looked at her silently for a moment then before he rubbed his nose against her cheek," I am capable too, Melon. Try me..." With that, he pressed against her suggestively for a moment before moving away, letting Melanie finally breathe...