THE MAFIA’S ORPHAN WIFE

FIRST KISS

I didn’t sleep after what he said.

Neither did he. I could hear him pacing outside my door all night.

The next day felt different. Tense.

We had to go to another event. A charity gala.

More pretending.

"Same rules?" I asked in the car.

"Same rules," he said. But his voice was rough.

At the gala, everyone asked the same questions.

"How did you meet?"

"Are you in love?"

We lied. Perfectly.

Until we were on the balcony. Alone.

The city lights were below us.

"It’s hot in there," I said, fanning myself.

Adrian leaned on the railing. "Lanny. About last night..."

"Don’t," I cut him off. "Don’t take it back."

He turned to me. "I wasn’t going to."

We stared at each other.

My heart was in my throat. This was a bad idea. This was the wrong decision.

Then he cupped my face with both hands.

"Lanny," he whispered.

And he kissed me.

It wasn’t soft. It wasn’t gentle.

It was desperate. Like he’d been holding back for weeks.

My hands grabbed his tux. I kissed him back.

For 10 seconds, the world didn’t exist. No James. No Sarah. No mafia.

Just us.

He pulled back first, breathing hard. "s**t. I’m sorry. That shouldn’t have—"

"Don’t apologize," I whispered. "Please."

He closed his eyes. "You’re going to ruin me, girl."

"Maybe you’re ruining me too," I said.

A guard cleared his throat behind us. "Mr. Moretti. They’re asking for you."

Adrian looked at me one last time. His eyes were dark.

"Come on," he said, taking my hand. "Let’s go lie some more."