Alarmed, Eva glanced at him briefly, noting the barely suppressed fury on his face. She wondered why he was so angry with her! What had she done? Would he insult her in front of everyone?
“I’m busy. Anyway, I have nothing to talk about.” Her answer infuriated him more, and he just sat broodingly, watching her like a hawk.
“Let’s start with Christian,” announced Skylar, while Christian rolled his eyes at her.
“You have to sit beside me to get anything out of me,” he shrugged determinedly. Skylar and Alyssa exchanged places, and the game started. Christian opted for a dare and they dared him to climb up the stairs to the top floor and down in two minutes. They cheered him on as he completed the task in 100 seconds, impressing them all.
Next, it was Eva’s turn, and she chose the truth. “Have you ever written a love letter in your life? If yes, to whom? If no, whom would you want to write one to?” asked Skylar with a knowing smile on her face. Eva paled at her question and looked at Alyssa for help. With the receiver of her first and only love letter sitting opposite to her and watching her like a hawk, how could she answer that question? Alexander gazed at her, waiting eagerly for her response. Would she admit the truth in front of everyone?
“I can’t answer that. I’m ready for my punishment,” she said, losing all her enthusiasm.
“Okay, kiss any guy present here,” said Nicholas, just to rile up an already annoyed Alexander. One look at his face was enough to know that he wasn’t liking what was going on. Eva glared at Nicholas when Alexander got up to interfere. He was afraid that Eva would kiss Nicholas, of all the people on earth.
“I don’t think she wants to play any longer,” he said, pushing his chair away. Eva went towards Ashton while they all just stared at what she was up to now.
“Bro, bend down please,” she said, and Ashton obliged. Eva planted a kiss on his cheek and he smiled at her. It was a sweet gesture and Alexander stood in a daze, too stunned to react. Eva went back to her place and settled down, and the game continued. Next, it was Alyssa’s turn, and she, too, chose the truth.
“Who’s your first love? You can only take names of guys who aren’t your father, brother, family members, or friends,” said Hayley.
“Zac Efron always!” she announced, making Nicholas’s jaws drop as he seethed with jealousy.
“I’m far better,” he muttered when Alexander’s head jerked towards him and he glared at him.
“What did you say?” he growled.
“You heard me, Alexander!” taunted Nicholas, looking him straight in the eyes, challenging him to react. He wasn’t the puny little boy anymore and could give Alexander a taste of his own medicine if he tried to harm him. Alexander looked stunned to see this rebellious side of his nature and seemed dumbstruck for the first time in his life.
“Stay away from Alyssa, I’m warning you,” hissed Alexander, going closer to threaten him. Nicholas was no less and stood up too and glared at him angrily. Alyssa clutched at her heart with horror at seeing her brother again start the same thing as always. Why couldn’t he mind his own business and stop meddling in her affairs? Couldn’t he realize she didn’t need his protection?
“What if I don’t? You can’t do a thing this time, Alexander. Go get a life!” said Nicholas, making Alexander seethe with fury. Alyssa’s eyes widened with panic and she rushed towards her brother, trying to pull him backward. She hadn’t expected Nicholas to confront him fearlessly when the other guys always felt intimidated by Alexander’s presence. A silent communication took place between all the others seated on the rug. The game was over and they all stood up to stop a fight from breaking out. Christian caught Nicholas and pulled him away while Ashton pulled Alexander away. Lucas noticed them and was about to come over to give them a lecture when suddenly the doorbell rang.
It was Roman Drexler at their doorstep, and they instantly went forward to guard Sienna. Even Alexander and Ashton forgot their enmity and stood by them to protect Sienna. After a lot of drama, Roman apologized, asked for forgiveness, and finally left. Relieved, they had a relaxing dinner. Nicholas sat beside Eva before Alexander could, and he seethed all the more.
The food was brought in and the prayers were over when Alexander elbowed Nicholas on purpose. “Take your lazy ass out of here.” Nicholas served himself and flashed him a lazy grin, knowing that he was dying to sit with Eva.
“Why should I? Do you think she likes you at all?” Alexander wanted to punch his face and would have if Lucas’s mom and granny hadn’t been around.
“I’ll get even with you for this.” Nicholas gave him a look full of challenge.
“So will I.” His mom and granny rolled their eyes at the two of them.
“Can we eat in peace?” his mom scolded Nicholas and finally they stopped their bickering. After dinner, they all retired to their rooms, but Alexander grabbed Eva’s hand and pulled her to the terrace with him.
“Why the fu*k are you avoiding me, Eva?” he growled in frustration.
“I don’t have any wish to listen to your insults, Alexander. Your message was quite clear the last time we talked. Don’t worry, I won’t be a bad influence on Alyssa anymore. I’ll go away forever from your lives.” She tried to wrench her hand free of his hold and go to her room to nurse her aching heart all by herself. Alexander’s presence reminded her of his hurtful words and strengthened her determination to leave them and go away.
However, instead of releasing her, Alexander pulled her into his arms, flush against his chest.
“Where will you go? I’ll bring you back every time.” His eyes feasted upon her radiant face as she struggled against his embrace.
“Why? To insult me again?” she said, placing her hands over his chest to struggle more.
“Stop struggling, Eva. I was angry that you came here, despite my warning. I don’t trust the Donnelly brothers, especially Nicholas.”
Eva scoffed and glared at him angrily. He had no right to dictate to her when they weren’t related to each other in any way. “But they are much better than you.” She pushed at his chest angrily.
“Really? So do they kiss better than I do?” he growled, grabbing her head while his eyes darkened, alerting her to the impending storm ahead. Eva’s eyes widened as he leaned threateningly closer, his hot breath fanning her face while his eyes held her gaze. Her breath hitched, realizing what he was about to do.
“Stop right there, Alexander. It’s none of your business who I kiss. Go, kiss your fiancee,” she struggled to get free, but it seemed to anger him more.
“I will kiss you and you can’t do a thing about it. If I see you anywhere near Nicholas, I’m going to kill him with my bare hands.” Eva froze at his line of thought. Was he seriously thinking Nicholas was after her?
“Get lost, you crazy bully. Don’t you dare kiss me!” she seethed.
“I will kiss you. Stop me if you can. I’ll brand you as mine and you won’t be able to enjoy anyone else’s kiss,” he whispered hoarsely, crashing his lips to hers angrily. It was a jealous kiss filled with a raw hunger that instantly blew her mind away. He slanted his mouth hard over hers and she was powerless to resist him as he plunged his tongue deep inside. As he plundered her sweetness, devouring every corner of her mouth, branding her, Eva forgot to resist him. She moaned and caught hold of his shirt to support herself, completely at his mercy, unable to control the surge of emotions rising deep within her.
He dominated the kiss throughout and finally, Eva responded, kissing him back, lost and drunk in his passionate kiss. A deep groan of satisfaction escaped his throat, and he pulled her closer, grinding his aroused body into hers. Both knew that this was betrayal, and it was wrong, but it felt so right that they drowned deeper into each other. His hand caught her hips and molded them to his hard erection, desperate to let her know how crazy he was for her.
A gasp escaped her mouth as realization dawned on her. How could she kiss him despite the way he insulted her? She wrenched her mouth free, pushing wildly at his chest.
“No, stop Alexander,” she mumbled against his mouth. “You have no right to kiss me. Why don’t you go to your fiancee?” she cried, tears of humiliation blinding her.
Alexander stilled, coming to his senses, but didn’t release his hold on her. “I will kiss you whenever I want to.”
“You really are crazy!” she said, pushing at his chest. He suddenly released her, and she staggered backward.
“You drive me crazy, Eva. Only you.” Eva ran down the stairs, his words echoing in her mind.