<h4>Chapter 49 - Mnie Meets Max</h4>
"May I buy you a drink?"
Mnie looked up into the eyes of the man who had just made the offer and let out a weary sigh. She hadn''t even stepped onto the upper floor yet, and already someone was trying to hit on her. Maybe she should have just turned around and left instead ofing up here.
But though she had been cheated by La, she could not abandon the girl.
Her gaze flickered toward the dance floor where La was still standing in Adam''s way, effectively blocking him. Mnie grinned. At least she was handling him now. But,even as she turned back to talk to the man in front of her, she could feel Adam''s gaze on her. It was only a matter of time that he would be up here. She shook her head and gave the man an apologetic smile," No. I am with someone."
"No, I''m with someone," she said, shaking her head.
The man tilted his head, his smile easy and unbothered. "I saw the beautifuldy you came in with. Didn''t think two women would ever risk wearing matching dresses in public, but you two pull it off effortlessly."
Mnie let out a shortugh despite herself. "Maybe because we''re a couple."
Mnie almost snorted when she saw the way man''s eyes light up with imagination. Gosh! Really? Did men all have this kind of silly fantasy?
The manughed then having caught her expression and stepped out of her way, "That is interesting. Why don''t I wait here with you until your partner returns? No expectations—just conversation. Besides, you look like you could use a seat."
Mnie shrugged and looked around. Well, there was no way she would find any ce to sit so it really was better to... She nodded," Alright. Conversation is fine. Thank you."
The man smiled and graciously gestured for her to follow," I''ll take that as a win. I am Max."
She hesitated for half a second before responding. "Mnie."
"Nice to officially meet you, Mnie. So, would you like a drink?" Max asked as he took a seat opposite her.
Mnie shot him a look and resolutely shook her head. The man was persistent.
He grinned then and asked, "So, tell me—did youe here to actually have fun, or just to keep an eye on your friend?"
Mnie had just turned her head to look down for Adam and La when Max questioned her so she turned back and smiled at him, "What makes you think I didn''te to have fun?"
He chuckled. "Call it a hunch. You looked like you were debating leaving the second I stepped in your way.
She let out a smallugh, shaking her head. "You''re not wrong."
"And now, I am even more grateful that you agreed to sit with me. I promise you that I will not let you get bored..."
Before she could respond, a strong hand wrapped around her wrist.
Her stomach dropped just as she looked up—Adam.
Without a word, he pulled her up from her chair. Before she could protest, he dropped into the seat she had just vacated and, in one smooth motion, tugged her down onto hisp.
"What the hell?" Mnie gasped, stiffening against him. "Let me off, you brute!"
More than anyone, the person who was shocked was Max as he stared at his best friend''s actions. "Mate... what are you doing?"
"I am calling dibs," Adam replied calmly as he stared at the woman who was struggling to get off hisp.
"Adam... thisdy..."
Adam didn''t even spare him a nce. His arm tightened around Mnie''s waist, locking her in ce as he leaned back in the chair. "I''m just holdingmy would-be wife. So why don''t you butt out?"
Max''s mouth fell open as he looked at Mnie, " When you said you are here with someone... you meant him?"
"No. I meant her..." Mnie pointed downwards at La who was currently dancing now, having abandoned her to fate.
Max grimaced. Dam* it! He''d just met a woman who was interesting and she was taken. Before he could protest however, Adam galred at him and Max decided to slink away," It was nice meeting you sister inw. I''ll see youter..."
With that, Max scampered away, leaving Adam and Mnie together.
Mnie watched as the other man scampered away and tried to push Adam away but he simply tightened his hold.
Mnie scowled and braced her hands against Adam''s chest, pushing hard against him. "Let me go," she hissed. This was hisst warning. If he didn''t let her move, she would definitely kick him.
But Adam''s hold only tightened, as he taunted her, his voice close to her ear, "By all means, keep wriggling. I''m enjoying this."
She stilled immediately, ring at him. "You''re disgusting."
He smirked as his fingers spread possessively on her waist,"You have no idea, Melon. By all means, continue trying.. That is, of course, if you''d rather celebrate our wedding night in advance?"
Mnie''s breath caught, and she stiffened so fast she could''ve been carved from stone. Adam chuckled, clearly amused by her reaction.
With deliberate slowness, she leaned away from him, putting as much distance as she could manage without actually being able to escape. "I don''t like the smell of smoke on your breath," she said coolly.
Adam raised an eyebrow before shing her a slow, infuriating grin. "Noted. I''ll remember to chew on a mint when I kiss you."
Mnie growled," Who wants to kiss you! I''d rather kiss... Max!"
Adam''szy amusement vanished in an instant. His grip tightened ever so slightly as he straightened, his voice dipping into a low warning.
"Don''t even think about it, sweet Melon," he murmured, his breath a warm brush against her ear. "Or I''ll have him sent to Ghost Town, and he won''t even know what hit him."
Mnie blinked at the quiet threat, searching his face for any sign of bluffing. And realized he probably wasn''t. But then, she had an idea.
"I am thirsty."
His eyes narrowed in suspicion but Mnie made sure to keep her face expressionless, as he pointed to the bottles on the table, "Then, by all means, help yourself."
She leaned forward, grabbed a sealed bottle of water, opening it as she leaned back and brought the bottle to her lips... which just happened to slip from her hand then... spilling water directly onto the man, soaking him.