Chapter 38


    Urs got the hint and buzzed off first.


    “Sorry, didn’t realize you’d be back so early, so…” Jocelyn felt she had to clear the air, given that she


    cared about keeping their thing under wraps.


    Melvin asked her, “What do you fancy eating? I’ll have someone bring it over.”


    Jocelyn went with, “Whatever.”


    While Melvin peeled off his jacket and dialed for food, he looked pretty sharp in a white shirt, giving off


    more gentleness.


    “When do you head back?” Jocelyn waited until he put the phone down to pop the question.


    Melvin took a seat on the couch and patted his thigh, signaling her to hop on.


    They’ve already been through the sex, so there is no need to be shy.


    Jocelyn straddled hisp, reaching for his Adam’s apple, and noticed the love bite there turning a


    shade darker.


    “When do you wanna head back? Melvin wrapped an arm around her waist, the other sprawled on the


    back of the sofa. With his chin tilting up, he looked both enticing and tempting.


    Jocelyn had already slipped her hands under his shirt, “I was nning to y around for five days.”


    Melvin frowned. He was only in town for business, which would be finished in a quick three days.


    “If you’ve got stuff to do, go ahead,” Jocelyn didn’t hold back like some girls, asking him to stick around.


    She knew well that betterpany here didn’t hold a candle to being home.


    But right now, she wasn’t in the mood to head back.


    Melvin enjoyed her hands wandering under his shirt, sweeping over the marks he’d left on her withzy


    eyes, “What’s the fun in going out with these kiss marks?”


    “That’s my business, Jocelyn shot back, ying the rebel.


    Melvin fished out her restless hand, “You sure you won’te with me?”


    “Nope,” Jocelyn was firm in her rejection.


    “Where am I gonna stay then?”


    “You’re not homeless, Jocelyn pointed out, “No need to crash at mine anymore.”


    Melvin squinted, “What’s that supposed to mean?”


    “Ain’t it exhausting toe and go?” Jocelynid it out straight.


    Melvin leaned back against the sofa, “You never kicked me out before, what’s wrong with you now?”


    “I’ve grown up, Jocelyn shed him a teasing, insincere smile.


    Melvin eyed her, sensing she’d changed a lot this time. In bed, she was as fiery as ever, totally in sync


    with him. But her attitude was cooler and more indifferent. She seemed to just want a sexual


    rtionship with him.


    “Not living together?”


    “Yep.


    Melvin pursed his lips, finding no trace of longing or hesitation on her face, and suddenly felt uneasy.


    She was right there in his arms, yet she seemed miles away.


    ‘What are you staring at me for?” Jocelyn held her face, “I have something on my face?”


    Têxt ? N?velDrama.Org.


    “I don’t want to leave, Melvin admitted, unsure what changes were in store after he left. But he could


    feel she didnt depend on him like before.


    Jocelynughed, “I’m that irresistible and even make you ditch work?”


    “Yeah,” Melvin held her close, with his gaze falling on her lips where a bruise bloomed like a weathered


    petal, adding an exotic charm to Jocelyn.


    He leaned in, kissing her gently there. With affection and passion in his eyes, Melvin barely parted his


    lips, murmuring with utmost sincerity, “I want you.”


    Jocelyn was seduced by that look.


    Her heart fluttered under his gaze. A few more nces seemed to get her pregnant.


    Their intimacy was stirring, tugging at her heartstrings.


    She swallowed hard, with her eyes darting away, “I’m hungry.”


    Right on cue, the waiter knocked, delivering food.


    Jocelyn breathed a sigh of relief. Truth be told, she was a bit overwhelmed. Melvin was relentless with


    permanent energy. The moment she’d barely recovered her strength, he wanted to have sex again.


    If this continued without a stop, she feared he might just drain her.


    A spread of seafood cooked in all sorts of waysy before her. After polishing off a few scallops with


    garlic vermicelli and sipping some rich m soup, she felt pretty full.


    Melvin picked out the lobster meat for her, “Eat some more.”


    “I’m kinda full.”


    “Need to keep your strength up.”


    Jocelyn inhaled sharply at Melvin’s earnest look.


    Just as she took the te, his phone rang.


    She instinctively thought it was Willow, but his expression said otherwise.


    After answering, Melvin darkened his face, “I’ll be right there.”


    “What’s up?” Jocelyn noted his troubled look.


    “Willow was harassed and got into a fight, and now she’s at the station,” Melvin grabbed his coat,


    “Gotta check it out.”


    Jocelyn nodded and didn’t offer toe along to see her enemy.


    Melvin paused at the door, turning back to tell her, “Eat up.”


    Jocelyn had no reply


    Staring at the feast, Jocelyn lost her appetite but still ate the lobster he’d picked for her.


    After calling the waiter to clear up, she sat alone on the balcony,forted by the sea breeze.


    She thought of calling Melvin a few times but held back.


    Letting go was a way of being kind to herself.


    Coming to terms with it. Jocelyn should seize the day, instead of fussing over an identity.


    A watched pot never boils.


    By bedtime, Melvin hadn’t returned.


    She didn’t toss and tum like before. When her phone tired her out, she just slept.


    The next morning, Urs sent Jocelyn a Facebook message which was a Twitter post.


    National sweetheart beat up a sleazy guyte at night, and her mystery boyfriend apanied her to


    the station.


    crutinized the content. The photo was blurry, but it was clear the woman was Willow, the man Melvin


    Seeing them together hurt her a bit.


    Jocelyn knew this was how it would y out. Maybe they would be more intimate in a car or behind


    closed doors. Her jealousy was soaring.


    [What’s the deal?] Urs’s voice message came through.


    Jocelyn took a deep breath and replied simply. [They’re friends.]


    Urs didn’t pry further.


    Checking out the kiss marks on her neck, Jocelyn found they’d faded a bit. A touch of concealer should


    do the trick for her to sneak out the door.


    She slipped into some white wide-leg pants,yered a camisole under her top, and threw on a sun-


    protective shirt. Cascading her hair down over her chest made a difference in hiding the marks.


    She hit up Urs to head out.


    Urs scoped out her getup and nodded, “Not bad. Nobody can tell those marks.”


    “Come on! Where do you want to go?” Jocelyn was itching to clear her head to ditch the trouble.


    Urs got the hint and knew what was up.


    “Far or near, Jocelyn?


    “Farther. Heck, I’m cool with noting back tonight.”


    “Sounds like a n.”


    They hailed a cab right off the curb and zoomed away from the resort.


    Once they hit the town, Jocelyn was all about snapping photos with her phone, taking Urs some


    killer shots too.


    Over food, they swapped their photo haul and picked a few gems to tweet out.


    Jocelyn dropped a pin on her location.


    But the moment her tweet went live, Melvin’s call buzzed in.