239 This Is Just Petty, Alexander!

Alexander's expression hardened instantly.

A low, displeased sound rumbled in his chest.

His intense gaze locked onto Evelyn. "Was that on purpose, Evelyn?" he demanded.

Heat flooded her cheeks at the accidental contact.

She felt a wave of embarrassment.

She averted her eyes, unable to hold his stare.

Her voice was laced with defiance when she spoke. "Alexander, you're the one twisting things!"

Feeling more confident, she met his eyes directly.

She stated firmly, "You're the one who refused to let me go in the first place. That's why this happened—"

She trailed off, searching for the right phrase.

Frustrated, she bit her lower lip.

"Let me go right now!" she finally demanded.

She was completely drenched.

Her swimsuit was plastered to her skin.

By now, Alexander's clothes were equally soaked.

He let out a cold, short laugh. "You were faking distress in the pool. You made me think you were in trouble. We haven't settled that score, and now you want me to free you? Not happening."

Evelyn was stunned. "What are you talking about? I thought we resolved that! You said if I agreed to one request, we'd be even. You still haven't even told me what you want!"

"That's a separate issue," Alexander countered, his tone leaving no room for argument. "You agreed to the request as compensation for intentionally splashing me. The pool deception is a completely different matter."

Evelyn could only stare, shocked by his meticulous pettiness. "This is just petty, Alexander!" she exclaimed.

Completely unfazed, he raised a single eyebrow. "Only just realizing how petty I can be? You started this game. Now your luck has run out. It's a shame. Even if you regret it now, it's far too late. I'm not letting you go."

Evelyn tried to pull her wrist free again.

It was useless.

Despite his physical limitations, his grip was like iron.

Feeling exhausted and cornered, she finally asked, "Fine. If this is a separate issue, what is your retaliation? Are you going to hit me or something?"

"Just kiss me," Alexander replied simply.

His eyes dropped to her lips.

A faint, knowing smile played on his mouth.

Evelyn was taken aback by the straightforward request.

Her mind was instantly flooded with vivid, unspoken memories.

She and Alexander had already been intimate.

Could a simple kiss really be all he wanted now?

Despite the seeming simplicity, a sense of underlying danger lingered.

"Is that really all?" she questioned, her tone heavy with skepticism. "I'm worried you'll just keep escalating your demands. There will be no end to it."

Alexander gave a soft snort. "Fine. Then I suppose I'm not letting you go."

"You!" Evelyn stared at him, bewildered by his sheer audacity.

To make matters worse, she could feel that he was still aroused.

Her entire body tensed.

She froze completely, terrified the situation might spiral further out of control.

Taking a deep, steadying breath, Evelyn slowly raised her hands.

She gently cupped Alexander's face.

Leaning forward, she pressed her lips to his in a soft, tentative kiss.

She hesitated to deepen the contact.