Page 244 of Ruthless Court

“So I created a better option.”

“You made yourself impossible to avoid.”

“That isn’t coercion.”

“It’s exhausting.”

More laughter.

Kane’s mouth threatens a smile.

He turns toward the class again.

“She said no repeatedly. I argued. She maintained control over every final decision.”

I fold my arms.

“You followed me to a private gym.”

“I stayed when you told me to be useful.”

“You invited yourself into my practice.”

“And you put me to work.”

“You kissed me afterward.”

The room erupts.

My mouth closes.

Too late.

Kane goes still.

Professor Aldridge presses two fingers against his temple.

“Ms. Goodwin.”

Heat climbs from my chest to my face.

A girl near the front fans herself with her notebook.

Someone behind me whispers, “I knew it.”

Kane recovers first.

He moves close enough that I can see the darker ring around his brown eyes.

“And you kissed me back.”

The air vanishes.

I grip the edge of the lectern.

“That has no relevance to the argument.”

“It proves you retained agency.”