SWNOVELS Chapter 264
Jocelyn couldn't even fathom harboring such thoughts.
The man she coveted was already hers, and none outside could hold a candle to him.
Clutching Melvin's waist, she swayed gently, "The wildflowers ain't got nothing on the roses in my own garden."
Melvin snorted with a mix of pride, "You've been hanging out with Yasmine too much."
"That's your sister," Jocelyn was speechless.
"So what then? She's a free woman now, post-divorce. All she does is loaf around, thinking up ways to burn through cash. If you keep in her company, you might get led astray."
Jocelyn tilted her head back to look at him, pinching his chin, "Aren't you afraid of offending her with that talk?"
"Anyone looking to corrupt you can expect no quarter from me." Melvin leaned down and planted a firm kiss on her lips, his gaze carrying a stern warning, "You fell for me hard back in the day, and now you've got me. Better not start taking me for granted just because I'm in the bag. Even if you get bored, you play on."
Jocelyn couldn't help but want to laugh, her lips pursed to contain it. She nodded earnestly, "Sure, I'll play 'til I can't play no more."
Melvin's expression softened with her promise.
Still, Jocelyn harbored some concern about Yasmine and Zachary, "Kicking them out like that, do you think they'll go their separate ways? If that happens, aren't we just meddling in vain?"
"No chance. One can't let go, and the other's got a thick skin. Plus, they've got a son together. They're tied for life." Melvin understood Yasmine and Zachary all too well.
For years, they acted like archenemies whenever they crossed paths.
Mostly it was Yasmine treating Zachary like the villain.
Two people who truly fall out of love wouldn't even bother to be enemies.
Being kicked out by her own brother, Yasmine wanted nothing more than to give Melvin a piece of her mind.
A lesson learned: always discipline brothers while they're young. Now, she had stood no chance.
Zachary, hands in his coat pockets, followed Yasmine silently. His demeanor mirrored that of a loyal hound cast out alongside its owner.
Who would've thought a man who commanded thousands would look so forlorn, almost as if he belonged to the streets?
Fortunately, Yasmine had driven there. She reached her car, yanking the door open. Zachary was quick on the uptake, opened the passenger side and hopped in. "What the hell are you doing?" Yasmine snapped at him, "Get out!"
"I don't have a car here. Drop me off?" Zachary looked at her with puppy eyes, "Thanks a bunch."
Yasmine slammed her door shut and floored the accelerator, zooming off.
Zachary let her speed along, confident in her driving skills. He knew she wouldn't risk her life just to spite him.
Yasmine pulled over, "Get out and hail a cab."
"Nope." Zachary's tone was matter-of-fact, brimming with certainty.
Yasmine was fuming, "What do you even want?"
"To be with you." Zachary turned to her, his statement earnest.
In that instant, Yasmine's fiery retort got stuck in her throat.
Zachary took a deep breath, speaking calmly, "I flew back overnight when I heard about the old man's passing. I've paid my respects, and I wanted to see you."
Yasmine kept her gaze forward, "You've seen me. Now go."
"The old man didn't want you marrying me at first, but then Preston came, and he softened up. I promised I'd look after you for life."
"Heh, no need, thanks." Yasmine avoided his gaze.
Zachary's eyes never left her, "I keep my promises."
"You've done a bang-up job already. Having more money than I can spend is all the care I need. You've done your part. Now go back where you came from. Let's not make this harder." Zachary mentioned his business abroad was wrapping up, "I'll be back for good soon."
Yasmine's heart stirred. All she ever wanted was a simple, ordinary life back in her birthplace.
Plainly put, she didn't want to see him come home battered and bloody anymore. Yasmine said nothing.
His words were just that-words. She wouldn't believe it until she saw action.
"Don't you believe me?" Zachary leaned in, questioning, "Or do you truly not love me anymore?"
Yasmine glanced at him, "What's the point of this?"
"I need to know."
"Do you love me?"
"Yes."
Zachary's answer was swift, devoid of hesitation.
He loved her, always had.
Yasmine chuckled softly, not responding, nor did kick him out again. She hit the gas once more.
She drove at a more measured pace this time, pulling up outside a subterranean bar.
Zachary frowned as Yasmine stepped out.
"What are you up to?" He got out too.
Yasmine pointed at the sign, "Can't you read?"
Zachary was well aware of the place, but a bar in broad daylight? What was she thinking?
Yasmine headed downstairs. The bar was far from quiet even during the day.
She made her way to the bar, and the bartender greeted her with a smile, "Yasmine, back again?"
"Yep." She tapped the countertop, "The usual.'
"Coming right up." The bartender glanced at the imposing man who'd followed her in, taking a seat beside her.
Zachary watched her intently, curious as to what tricks she'd pull.
"Bloody Mary," the bartender set the drink before Yasmine, then wiped his hands before addressing Zachary, "What will it be, sir?" Zachary spared him a glance, knowing the drill. You don't come to a bar for tap water. He ordered a vodka.
Yasmine left him to his own devices, acting as if he were a stranger.
Shedding her coat, she revealed a sleek, black knit dress underneath. Her figure was statuesque, exuding the allure and sensuality of a mature woman. She stood out in the crowd, naturally drawing eyes in her direction.
Yasmine's gaze zeroed in on a heartthrob across the bar, her eyes just grazing over him, but that was enough. That man got the message immediately.
He grabbed his drink and approached Yasmine, clinking his glass against hers, "I've seen you around a few times, and each time, you take my breath away."
Yasmine's lips curled into a
seductive smile, her laugh sultry as
she traced circles on his chest her intentions clear as day, "So... are you going to ask me out?"
"May I?" There was a fire in his eyes, burning bright and fierce.
Her eyes were like hooks, capturing his heart her lips parted in a tease, eyes a veil of allure, "Of course."
With permission granted, he boldly reached for Yasmine's waist, but as soon as he touched her, a "snap" sound filled the air.
By the time he registered the pain, his arm was already dislocated.
Zachary grabbed Yasmine's hand and dragged her outside. She struggled, "Let go of me!"
"Zachary, you're hurting me!" The more Yasmine squirmed, the tighter Zachary's grip became.
Once they were out of the bar,
Zachary pinned her against the car
door, his hands planted on the roof, trapping her in his embrace, his eyes rimmed red with a dangerous glint, "Yasmine, you've really ticked me off!"