<h4>Chapter 650: I Surrender</h4>


    <strong>Evaline:</strong>


    I tried very hard to ignore the way Oscar was staring at me... tried, and failed.


    His gaze followed me as I walked toward the steps leading into the pool, and I could practically feel the weight of it on my skin - slow, unapologetic, and appreciative.


    My cheeks warmed slightly, but I pretended not to notice. Instead, I focused on the water.


    I untied the robe around my waist and let it slide off my shoulders, letting the soft fabric pool quietly on the stone floor behind me.


    For a split second, the air felt very still.


    Then I stepped down the first stair.


    The warm water wrapped around my feet immediately, and a small sigh escaped my lips.


    By the time I descended another step, the water had climbed past my knees. Then my waist. Then higher.


    I continued down until it reached my chest, letting the warmthpletely surround me.


    It felt wonderful against the winter chill that had followed me from outside.


    I slowly moved farther into the pool, turning slightly so the water stayed chest-deep. Which also meant I was mostly hidden.


    Not that it stopped Oscar from staring.


    I could still feel his eyes on me.


    When I finally nced toward him, he was already walking toward the edge of the pool. And there was something mischievous in his expression.


    I narrowed my eyes slightly.


    "What are you-"


    Before I could finish the question... he jumped.


    Hard.


    The ssh exploded across the water. A wave rushed straight toward me, soaking my face and hair.


    "Oscar!" I cried out in shock as water dripped down my cheeks.


    A momentter his head emerged right in front of me, way too close. I instinctively stepped back only to lose my bnce slightly in the water.


    Before I could drift away, his arm wrapped around my waist and pulled me straight back against his chest.


    My back hit him with a soft ssh.


    I looked up at him with narrowed eyes.


    His grin was wide, andpletely unapologetic.


    "You did that on purpose!" I used.


    "Maybe."


    "You soaked me!"


    "You are in a pool."


    "That’s not the point!"


    I raised my hand to smack his arm, but he leaned forward and stole a kiss instead.


    The sudden contact stole the rest of my protest.


    His lips were warm and teasing, lingering just long enough to make my heart skip before he pulled back.


    "Better?" he asked.


    I huffed.


    "Not even a little."


    He chuckled softly.


    I crossed my arms.


    "Fine. Let’s race."


    Oscar blinked before asking, "A swimming race?"


    "Yes."


    He stared at me like I had just suggested something incredibly boring.


    "That’s the n?"


    "Yes."


    He shook his head immediately.


    "That’s a terrible idea."


    I frowned. "Why?"


    "Because it’s boring." Then a slow, yful grin spread across his face. "We should y a game instead."


    That immediately made me suspicious. I arched my brows and asked, "What kind of game?"


    He swam over to the edge of the pool where the drinks sat waiting. He then picked up the wine bottle and poured himself a ss. Next he grabbed another bottle and poured something into a second ss.


    I didn’t even notice the extra bottle earlier until he lifted it out of the bucket.


    "Here," he said, handing me the ss.


    I looked down.


    "Grape juice?"


    "Non-alcoholic."


    "Thoughtful."


    "Always."


    He took a sip of his wine while moving closer again. And soon I found myself gently backed against the pool wall.


    He wasn’t crowding me. But he was definitely caging me there. His arms rested on either side of the pool’s edge.


    "So," I said cautiously, "what game?"


    Oscar tilted his head slightly as he exined, "We take turns using pick-up lines."


    I blinked.


    "Pick-up lines?"


    "Yes."


    "You are serious?"


    "Very."


    I stared at him. Thenughed. "That’s ridiculous."


    "That means you are nervous."


    "I’m not nervous."


    He smirked and stated, "Good." He leaned slightly closer before adding, "Because I’m starting."


    I braced myself as he cleared his throat dramatically.


    "Do you have a bandage?"


    I blinked.


    "What?"


    "A bandage," he repeated innocently.


    "No?"


    He sighed.


    "That’s unfortunate."


    "Why?"


    "Because I just scraped my knee falling for you."


    I stared at him.


    He waited. Then lifted an eyebrow when I still stayed silent. "Well?"


    "That was terrible."


    "Rude."


    I took a sip of my juice to hide my smile. "My turn," I said.


    He gestured grandly.


    "Go ahead."


    I thought for a moment. Then pointed at him. "You must be tired."


    He tilted his head and asked, "Why?"


    "Because you have been running through my mind all day."


    He froze for a moment, and then slowly clutched his chest. "Wow. That was actually good."


    I felt better now that I hadn’t failed miserably at my very first attempt.


    Oscar leaned closer again. "My turn," he said, staring directly into my eyes. "I think something’s wrong with my vision."


    "Oh really?"


    "Yes."


    "Why?"


    "Because I can’t take my eyes off you."


    My cheeks warmed, but I quickly moved on to my turn. "Are you a keyboard?"


    His brows furrowed slightly.


    "Because you are my type."


    He blinked, thenughed.


    "Okay that one was cute."


    "Cute?" I asked, "Not smooth?"


    "No. It was cute." He confirmed before taking another sip of wine. Then he looked at me with a dangerously charming smile.


    "Can I borrow a kiss?"


    My stomach fluttered slightly.


    "I promise I’ll give it back."


    I immediately sshed water at him. "This one doesn’t count!"


    "Why?"


    "Because you already stole a kiss!"


    "Exactly."


    He leaned forward again as he shamelessly said, "I’m just being honest."


    I shook my head. "You are impossible."


    He just shruggedzily. "I can’t help it." His gaze softened slightly as he added, "You are fun to mess with."


    That made me groan.


    "Oh no."


    "What?" He asked.


    "You are enjoying this way too much."


    "Absolutely." He admitted with a chuckle.


    I rubbed my temples as the realization hit me. "This was a mistake."


    That made himugh and he immediately pointed out - "And you are losing."


    "I am not losing."


    "You just admitted defeat."


    "I did not!"


    He leaned closer again, his eyes gleaming.


    "Give up yet?"


    I stared at him for a long moment. Then dropped my head back against the pool wall with a defeated sigh.


    "I surrender."


    Oscar grinned like he had just won the greatest victory of his life.


    "Smart decision."


    I pointed a finger at him usingly.


    "You are way too good at this."


    His smile turned dangerously charming again.


    "Careful."


    "Why?"


    "If I keep going..."


    His voice dropped slightly.


    "You might fall for me all over again."


    I groaned.


    "See? This is exactly why I quit."