The Unwilling CEO's Love Game novel Chapter 117

"Seriously, how did you get here so fast? There's no way you could have caught the earliest flight," Jocelyn mused with a blend of curiosity and disbelief.

Sitting beside her, Harrison took her hand gently in his own, examining it with care. "I drove here," he stated simply.

"Drove?" Jocelyn's voice pitched with shock. That didn't make sense either. They were over a thousand miles away. Even if he had left the moment they hung up last night, that would barely be thirteen hours.

"Yep. A buddy of mine had some business out this way, so we hit the road together." Harrison's tone was casual, but his concern was palpable as he unwrapped the bandage from her hand. "What matters is that I'm here now with you."

As she met his worried gaze, a wave of guilt washed over Jocelyn. "I'm really okay," she insisted.

"No matter how okay you say you are, I'm not," Harrison said softly, his fingers lightly pressing hers. "If we were together, I'd make damn sure you never got hurt."

Jocelyn's lips pursed, and she looked down, unsure of what to say.

"What do you feel like eating?" Harrison changed the subject. "You can't cook with that hand."

"Surprise me."

He rose to his feet. "Let's see what we've got in the fridge."

"You can cook?"

"The basics at least." Harrison strode into the kitchen and opened the fridge. "Looks like we've got options. Give me a sec, I'll make something simple."

"Okay."

Jocelyn watched him roll up his sleeves and move around the kitchen with surprising ease. He seemed so cultured and refined, yet here he was, cooking. He was quite the catch.

Her thoughts drifted to Melvin.

In over three years together, Melvin had never cooked a meal for her.

What was she holding onto?

Harrison put together a simple yet comforting meal: baked chicken, sautéed green beans, a crisp Caesar salad, and even managed to toast up some garlic bread. It wasn't elaborate, but it was made with care.

Food ready, he set the table, and Jocelyn got up to help.

"Don't you move a muscle," Harrison said with a smile, and once again scooped her up, placing her gently on the dining chair.

She felt a twinge of embarrassment being carried back and forth, still adjusting to his presence in her life.

Harrison dished up a plate for her and ladled some homemade chicken noodle soup into a bowl. "Wish I had time to make something fancier, but we can save that for next time."

The food warmed Jocelyn from the inside out. "You really are something else."

"Is that all it takes to impress you?" A smile finally graced Harrison's lips. "Wait till you get to know me better. You'll see I'm full of surprises. Now, eat up."

As she tasted each dish, she offered genuine praise, appreciating his efforts.

Midway through the meal, Harrison's phone rang. He took the call right there, without stepping away.

"How much? I'll wire it over... Yeah, the fine is mine to pay. Alright, catch you later. Dinner’s on me when I'm back. Bye."

Hanging up, Jocelyn's curiosity couldn't be contained. "What fine?"

"It's nothing."

"You were speeding, weren't you?" It was the only way he could have made it in time, she figured. And he hadn't stopped to rest, either.

Busted, Harrison nodded in admission.

Jocelyn's brow furrowed with concern.

Quickly, he tried to deflect, "Eat up. You can scold or lecture me all you want after you're full."

She couldn't really argue. He'd come all this way to see her, cooked for her, and it had already happened. She didn't want to spoil the mood.

"Don't you have more work this afternoon?"

"I pushed it to tonight. I wanted to make sure you had a good meal first," he said.

"Don't let me get in the way of your work."

"You're not in the way. You are the work."

With her heartbeat raced, Jocelyn avoided his intense gaze.

If Melvin's eyes were tender and loving, then Harrison's were clear and sincere.