Sleep didn’t come easily.
I lay on the massive bed, staring at the ceiling, replaying the night over and over again.
The gala.
Victoria’s challenge.
And most of all…
The kiss.
I turned to my side with a frustrated sigh.
“This is ridiculous,” I muttered.
It was just part of the act.
Just a performance.
That’s what Adrian said.
That’s what the contract meant.
So why did it feel like more?
I closed my eyes, trying to ignore the thought.
But it didn’t work.
Because the truth was simple.
The kiss didn’t feel fake.
The next morning came too quickly.
I dragged myself out of bed and got ready slowly, still feeling tired.
As I walked downstairs, the smell of fresh coffee filled the air.
Adrian was already in the dining area.
Of course he was.
He sat at the
