Betrayed By Husband, Stolen By Brother In Law
Chapter 178: Come Close

Chapter 178: Come Close

Adam gave her a look and then raised his hand to gesture her to come closer.

Melanie hesitated, but eventually took a cautious step forward... and the next second, with a sudden shift of movement, she was tossed onto the empty side of the bed. Before she could even blink, Adam was leaning over her, bracing himself with his arms, his lower body partially pinning her down.

Her eyes widened. "What are you doing?" But even as she asked the question, she knew it was foolish. Why? Because she should know that whenever she was anywhere near him, Adam was prone to just pulling her to him. It was like he was a magnet who wanted to stick to her. Next time... next time in any discussion or argument, she would keep a distance of at least ten feet between them.

"Talking," he replied, completely unfazed by her irritated look.

She squinted at him. "And we have to lie down to do that?"

Adam’s grin widened, unapologetic and boyish. "Because I said so. Now be quiet for a second and let me talk."

Melanie blinked again.

"So," he continued, "you ran off earlier because you thought I’d assume you were stalking me? Following me around or something like that?"

Still staring up at him, her face flushed with both embarrassment and tension, Melanie gave him a small, self-conscious nod.

Adam watched her for a beat, then let out a quiet chuckle, shaking his head in disbelief. "Unbelievable," he murmured.

Then his eyes dropped back to her flushed face, and the corner of his mouth lifted with that infuriatingly charming smirk and the lip ring that she was always obsessing over.

"You know," he said slowly, almost like he was tasting the words, "if you were following me... I wouldn’t exactly mind."

Melanie blinked. "What?"

He leaned a little closer, the weight of his body shifting over her and she could feel his leg shifting between hers as he said in a soft voice, "Yeah. I’d actually like it. You, shadowing me through the city like some lovesick spy? Watching me from behind corners in oversized sunglasses? Totally cool."

He didn’t tell her that when he’d spotted her, he’d almost thought she was a figment of his imagination. He’d been thinking of her and then... it was almost as if she had come to rescue him from enduring Saira for too long. And then she’d run away without coming to him and he’d been totally disappointed.

He watched as a totally reluctant smile appeared on her face and she refuted," I don’t wear oversized sunglasses."

"Then you can stalk me without them. Still kind of cool." Adam said with a perfectly serious face.

Melanie rolled her eyes and pushed at his shoulder," You are insane."

Adam grinned. "Possibly. But hear me out—if I ever do start acting shady, feel free to stalk me. I’d enjoy the attention. In fact, I encourage it. Follow me around, dig up my secrets, question my contacts, peek through my windows—just don’t get arrested."

Melanie’s jaw dropped slightly. "Why would I—?"

He held up a finger. "And just so we’re clear—I get to do the same. Equal stalking rights. So don’t be surprised if I show up uninvited anywhere you are."

She blinked at him, clearly not expecting that. "You’re joking."

"Obviously. Kind of. Maybe." He wiggled his eyebrows.

Melanie huffed a laugh. "Okay, move. I need to pack."

Adam stayed exactly where he was. "Nah. I think packing is a distraction from this lovely moment."

"Adam," she warned.

He dropped a kiss on her forehead. "Shh. Non- stalkers need cuddles too. And remind me if I am wrong but you came here for wood... I have some right here in my pants..."

Melanie felt her jaw drop at his antics and pushed at his shoulder only for him to lean forward and quickly catch her lips in a kiss.

She let out a muffled sound against his lips, half-annoyed and half-laughing. "You’re unbelievable," she mumbled when he finally pulled back an inch.

Adam just raised a brow. "You say that like it’s a bad thing."

Then his mouth was on hers again—hungrier this time. His hand cupped her jaw, thumb brushing against her cheek, while his other hand slid under her shirt, palm resting just beneath her ribs, warm and teasing. Melanie gasped into the kiss, her fingers fisting in the fabric of his T-shirt.

When he felt her hips arch instinctively, Adam gave a soft groan. "See? You like it when I’m unbelievable."

Melanie rolled her eyes at that but then her lips were again caught by him so she could only kiss him back before shoving at his shoulder.

"Move. I need to pack."

"Nah," he said, trailing kisses back to her lips before finally pulling away with one last peck. " You’re not leaving till tomorrow night anyway."

Melanie froze. Her eyes narrowed slowly. "Wait. How do you know that?"

Adam blinked. And then his grin turned sly, unapologetic. "Oh, you know. Lucky guess."

She stared. "Adam."

"Fine," he said, completely unbothered. "Same way I found out which hotel you were in. I had Max look into it."

Melanie sighed, " I don’t think I am too comfortable with this..."

"Hey! We just agreed on mutual stalking, so this is nothing."

Melanie narrowed her eyes and in the next instant, her hand grasped the corner of a pillow and she threw moved it towards his face.

He caught it easily and then added, "Anyway... since you’re stuck with me for the rest of the day, how about we actually go out and pretend to be normal people? You know, visit a few tourist spots, hold hands, eat overpriced snacks, etc. It might be fun. I know a place here that...."

"Are you asking me out on a date?"

Adam nodded solemnly and then answered, "It’s either that or I kiss you again and we can finish what we just started... I definitely vote for the second option. Being touristy can wait..."