?<strong>Chapter 357:</strong>


    Belinda stared at him, utterly speechless. Her anger surged, fueled by his shameless smirk. “You jerk! Is this your idea of teaching someone to swim? I’m done! I’m getting out of here—and I will tell Harold about this!” she snapped, her teeth clenched in fury.


    “Calm down!” Lucas barked.


    Belinda swung her arm, aiming another p at Lucas’ shoulder. “Who do you think you are? Let me leave! I want out, you arrogant jerk!”


    Lucas’ expression darkened, his eyes narrowing dangerously. “Belinda, keep this up, and I might just let you fall into the water. Want to test me?”


    Belinda’s eyes widened in disbelief, a flicker of defiance shing across her face. “You wouldn’t dare!”


    “Try me.” Lucas’ voice dropped an octave, his low chuckle carrying a note of warning as he pretended to loosen his grip on Belinda.


    Belinda froze, panic seizing her. Then, without thinking, she lifted her legs and wrapped them tightly around Lucas’ waist. The sudden move brought their bodies closer, the proximity electric.


    Lucas’ pupils constricted. He was caught off guard by her action. His voice turned tense, barely above a growl. “Belinda, let go,” he said.


    “No!” Belinda shot back defiantly, clinging to him tightly as though to challenge him.


    “Let go,” Lucas said again, his tone sharp yet husky.


    When Belinda tightened her grip instead, Lucas’ jaw ticked.


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    He reached down, trying to pry her legs from around his waist. But Belinda only held on tighter, wrapping herself around him like an octopus.


    “You’re not shaking me off that easily!” she dered with determination.


    Her defiance was short-lived. A momentter, her brow furrowed as she felt something firm pressing against her thigh.


    “Lucas…” she began hesitantly, her voice uncertain. “Something’s poking me…”


    Then, the realization hit her suddenly, and she quickly stopped talking. Her face turned crimson in an instant. That… that was…


    Belinda’s wide eyes darted to Lucas’ face, which was now a mix of strainedposure and mild exasperation. The atmosphere around them grew awkward.


    Lucas cleared his throat, his voice low and gruff. “Get down. Now.”


    He then averted his gaze, looking anywhere but at Belinda.


    Belinda’s expression stiffened as she quickly unwrapped her legs from his waist and let go of Lucas. But the moment she let go, her body started to sink again.


    A sh of panic crossed her face, but before she could say a word, Lucas’ hand shot out, grabbing her waist and pulling her back to him.


    Their bodies pressed together once more, the water rippling softly around them.


    Belinda’s hands instinctively rested on Lucas’ shoulders as their eyes met.


    Neither of them spoke at that moment, the silence between them charged with something unspoken.


    Lucas’ gaze darkened, his emotions swirling like a brewing storm. He couldn’t look away from Belinda’s flushed face, her slightly parted lips drawing him in.


    His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed hard. His resolve faltered, and before he knew it, he was leaning in to kiss Belinda. Warm breath brushed against Belinda’s face as Lucas closed the gap between them. Belinda’s heart raced wildly, her breaths quick and shallow. Unable to resist, she let her eyes flutter closed.


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