Free Surprise Seduction by Jana Mercy Page B

turned hesitant eyes to Mel.   He’d been so good to her a few minutes ago when she’d been sick in Chase’s bathroom.   She hated to just ditch him.
    “Up to you, babe.”   He shrugged.   “We can always go to my place and finish what we started if that’s what you really want.   It’s your call.”
    “She is not going anywhere with you.”   A deaf, blind man couldn’t miss the threat in Chase’s words and squared shoulders.
    Mel cleared his throat behind her, but her gaze never left Chase’s.   She’d never seen him appear so wild.   His green eyes glittered in a way he’d never looked at her.   Green fire tempting her with its hot flames.
    “You’re not leaving with Mel.”   His tone threatened that to disagree with him would bring on Armageddon.
    “Chase, I need to explain...”
    His eyes closed as if he struggled to keep his temper under control.   “He’s not the kind of lover you want.”
    To this comment, Mel chuckled.   “I suppose you are?”
    Chase gave a slow shake of his head.   “Not me.”
    Oh, God.   He planned to tell Mel she preferred women.   Alcohol, frustration, embarrassment and other mixed emotions overwhelmed her.   Her chin fell, along with her confidence.
    Everything was ruined.   Her magical Cinderella transformation that was supposed to have swept him off his feet.   He didn’t look impressed.   “Look, we’ll leave your office.   No harm done,” she spoke softly, her voice breaking.   She averted her gaze.
    “Adrienne.”
    “I’m leaving with Mel.”   She might need him to help her get home with the way her stomach was starting to cramp again.
    “The hell you are.”
    Mel coughed.   “Adrienne?”
    She gave a helpless look to him, and shrugged in defeat.
    “You two work this out.   I’m going back to the party.   Catch me later, Adrienne.   We’ll talk,” Mel said before pulling her to him.   He kissed her forehead.
      After Mel disappeared out the door, Adrienne turned to Chase.
    “What do you think you’re doing with him in my office?”
    His accusatory words caused her to bristle.   Alcohol and frustration loosened her inhibitions.
    “What did it look like I was doing?”   Unaccustomed sarcasm rolled from her lips as naturally as if it’d been there all along.   “Of all people, I’d think you’d know.”
    His gaze lowered to her lips.
    “Oh, I know what you were doing all right.   The question is, do you ?”   Now that Mel had left the room, Chase’s voice lowered, losing its angry edge.
    Her nerves crumbled.
    No, she didn’t know, but she’d been trying to figure out what she needed to do, what she wanted for her future.   She couldn’t tell Chase that, though.   Not now.
    “You’ve ruined my life.”   A gush of tears followed her irrational accusation.   She covered her face with her hands and sobbed.
     
    Chase couldn’t believe the words coming out of Adrienne’s mouth.   He’d stepped into an episode of The Twilight Zone.
    This couldn’t be happening.
    He’d left his own hot, willing date who he didn’t want, to come to the rescue of his assistant who set his body on fire.   Only, she accused him of ruining her life for rescuing her from Mel, even though she preferred a different sex partner from the one she’d been with.
    It had to be the booze.
    He didn’t know how much she’d drunk, but it must have been gallons--or at least enough to drown a mouse.
    The alcohol might explain Adrienne’s unusual behavior, but what about his?   He hadn’t drunk a drop of anything stronger than water.
    He hadn’t liked the possessive feelings engulfing him when he’d watched her with Mel downstairs at the party, and he sure hadn’t cared for the man’s arms around Adrienne in his office.   He’d wanted to smash Mel’s face against his fist a few times.   Hard.
    That surprised him, too.   He rarely resorted to violence, couldn’t even recall the last time he’d experienced the emotion.
    Of