Betrayed By Husband, Stolen By Brother In Law-Chapter 40: A Jolt

"Good morning, my dear Melon."

Melanie grimaced at the all-too-familiar voice and the sound of hurried footsteps closing in behind her as she slowed her pace to a jog. Damn it. She had barely managed to rid herself of him last night, and yet, like an unshakable curse, here he was again, early in the morning.

Was it too late to pretend she hadn't heard him? Maybe she could suddenly develop selective hearing. Or better yet, she could act as if she were training for a marathon, pick up speed right now, and disappear around the corner? Yes, that was a solid plan—except she had hesitated a second too long.

Before she could make her escape, he was already beside her, falling into step easily.

"Is my fiancée ignoring me?" he asked with a pout! Which grown man could pout like that and not look ridiculous? Adam Collins!

"Yes," Melanie deadpanned. "So please, be offended and leave."

Adam chuckled, completely unfazed by her blatant dismissal. If anything, he looked amused, as if her annoyance pleased him greatly.

"Ah, but that would defeat the purpose of my morning mission," he said smoothly as he matched her pace with ease.

She shot him another glance, already regretting her moment of hesitation. Any hope she had of outrunning him had vanished the second he caught up with her so effortlessly. The man clearly worked out—something she knew all too well. She had personally felt those muscles ripple under her last night...

Melanie clenched her jaw and shook her head sharply. Nope. Now was not the time for X-rated thoughts. She needed to keep her wits about her when dealing with this foxy man.

With an exasperated sigh, she muttered, "And what mission is that? To be the bane of my existence?"

He gasped in mock outrage, pressing a hand to his chest as if she had struck him. "Melon, you wound me."

"Don't call me that," she snapped instinctively, only to curse herself inwardly when she saw the smug grin spreading across his face. Damn it. She had played right into his hands.

"And don't act like you're some tragic hero," she continued, refusing to let him enjoy his victory for too long. "If I could actually wound you, why do you keep coming back?"

"Because, my dear fiancée," he murmured, flashing a slow, insufferable grin, "I happen to be quite fond of you. And watching you try to escape me is the highlight of my day."

Melanie came to an abrupt stop, spinning around to glare at him. "I swear, if you don't leave me alone, I'll—"

"You'll what?" he interrupted, tilting his head, eyes alight with amusement. "Hit me? Run away? Marry me sooner out of spite?"

She groaned, throwing her hands up in frustration. This man was going to turn her into a violent woman!

"And yet, here I am," he agreed cheerfully, completely unfazed. "Now, where are we going?"

"We," she emphasized, jabbing a finger at his chest, "are not going anywhere. I am going to enjoy a peaceful morning workout. You are going to disappear."

"Sounds unlikely," he mused, clearly entertained. "But fine, I'll make you a deal. Give me ten minutes, and if you're still dead set on escaping me, I'll let you go."

Melanie narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "No tricks?"

He placed a hand over his heart, looking the very picture of innocence. "No tricks."

She exhaled sharply, rolling her eyes. "Fine. But if you—"

Before she could finish, he suddenly grabbed her wrist and pulled her off the path, dragging her into the thick bush beside them.

"Hey!" she protested, scowling as she stumbled forward. "Why do you insist on manhandling—"

But before she could get another word out, he had maneuvered her onto a bench, her foot propped up on his thigh as he knelt before her.

Melanie blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift. His usual mischief was gone, replaced by something else. Something much more dangerous. His smirk had faded into a barely-there smile that challenged her...

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He looked up at her then, "Wasn't it just last week that we were right here?" he murmured. "So little time has passed... and yet so much has changed."

Her breath hitched slightly. Yes. It had only been a week.

A week since she had twisted her ankle and he had brought her here to sit. A week since her entire world had been turned upside down. She had been terrified back then—worried that Spencer would see them together and get the wrong idea.

The thought of Spencer made her stomach twist. Right. She would have to go back inside soon and face him all over again. Be reminded of her own foolishness.

Her mood darkened, and he must have noticed, because his grip on her ankle tightened—just slightly. And then he began his attack...

She frowned when she noticed him place a small box on the bench beside her. She stiffened. It was a jewellery box. While she was still glaring at it, horrified, his fingers settled on her thigh. She frowned," What are you..."

But he simply met her eyes and shushed her," Shh..." She blinked and then watched as he turned his head, watching his hand trace the side of her thighs, " You've got beautiful legs, Melon. And when you were this skirt for working out... you have no idea how crazy it makes me."

Melanie's breath hitched as she stared at his fingers, slightly callused and darker against her skin. It... fascinated her. She should shove him away. Slap his hand. Say something biting and sharp. But she didn't.

And then he picked up the velvet box from beside her and pulled out a thin gold chain, a single diamond dangling at the centre. He got her a necklace?

But before she could ask him about it, he slipped the chain around her thight. Her eyes widened as he fastened it so that it was settled around her thigh, and the stone dangling on the outside... It was a thight chain? She'd only ever heard of such jewellery...

His fingers lingered for a second longer than necessary, tracing the chain's placement before he leaned in. His lips brushed her thigh—soft, warm, and utterly sinful.

She jolted as if burned.

The spell shattered.

Melanie yanked her leg back so fast that the movement was almost clumsy. She shot to her feet, her pulse roaring in her ears, and took a staggering step away from him.

His gaze lifted lazily to hers, challenging and burning.

Her lips parted, but no words came. There was nothing to say. No way to undo what just happened.

So she did the only thing she could. She turned and jogged away, feeling the stone move against her as she called out," Your ten minutes are up!"