First Kiss

The dance had ended, but the heat of Adrian's touch still burned on Valeria's skin. His hand had lingered just a moment too long on her waist, his fingers pressing possessively, as if testing his own restraint. Yet beneath all that control, she had felt it—the tension, the hunger.

Now, as they stood in the dim glow of the ballroom, neither moved. The music had shifted, but neither of them cared.

Adrian was watching her. Studying. Calculating.

His thumb brushed slow, deliberate circles against her waist, a touch so subtle, yet devastating.

Then, as if catching himself, he pulled back slightly. A challenge. A test.

Valeria smirked. Fine. Let's play.

Without a word, she turned, the deep crimson gown swaying behind her like liquid fire as she strode toward the quieter, dimly lit hallway. She didn't need to look back.

She already knew he would follow.

And he did.

His footsteps were slow, unhurried, but weighted with purpose.

Valeria continued walking, her pulse quickening—not from uncertainty, but from the sheer anticipation of what was coming.

She reached a shadowed corner, a space hidden from prying eyes. A perfect trap.

Then, she stopped.

She didn't turn immediately, allowing the silence to stretch, to let him feel the tension coil between them like a tripwire.

When she finally turned, Adrian was already there—closer than she expected.

His gaze locked onto her with an intensity that made her breath hitch. His expression was unreadable, but his lips were pressed into a firm line.

Controlled. Always controlled.

But not for long.

Valeria tilted her head, letting the moment thicken before murmuring, "You enjoyed that, didn't you?"

Adrian's jaw tensed slightly. "What exactly?" His voice was smooth, but there was an edge to it—like he was daring her to say it aloud.

Valeria smiled, stepping into his space. Close enough that her perfume wrapped around him, that their breaths mingled.

"Having your hands on me…" she whispered, her voice like silk. Then, softer, more deliberate—"…and knowing I didn't stop you."

Adrian's blue eyes darkened. Something snapped.

His hand lifted, curling around her throat, thumb resting just above her pulse. Not to restrain, not to dominate—but to claim.

Valeria's breath hitched, but she didn't pull away. She lifted her chin instead, letting him feel the steady, unfazed beat beneath his fingertips.

That was all it took.

Adrian's control shattered.

His lips crashed against hers.

The kiss was raw, demanding, consuming.

Valeria gasped against his mouth, and he took advantage, his tongue sweeping in, tasting her, devouring her.

His free hand slid lower, fingers skimming over her back, tracing the bare skin exposed by her dress. His touch burned, possessive, a silent promise of things to come.

Then, lower.

His palm flattened against the small of her back before sliding down, gripping the curve of her ass.

Valeria moaned into his mouth, arching into him, her nails digging into the fabric of his jacket.

Adrian swallowed the sound, deepening the kiss until she was breathless, undone, needy.

She could feel him.

Hard. Unyielding. Pressed against her in a way that left no doubt about exactly what she was doing to him.

The knowledge sent a delicious thrill down her spine.

Adrian pulled her impossibly closer, his fingers tightening against her body.

Then—his phone rang.

The shrill sound shattered the moment.

Adrian exhaled sharply, his forehead resting against hers for a brief second, as if grounding himself. As if hating that he had to stop.

Valeria's lips were swollen, her breathing uneven. She wanted more.

He did too.

His grip on her tightened for just a second longer before he pulled back, jaw tight, eyes still dark with unspoken hunger.

Reluctantly, he reached into his pocket, checking the screen.

His gaze flicked to hers, frustration evident, before he finally answered.

"Yeah." His voice was clipped, controlled. But his body? His body was still wound tight with need.

Valeria smirked, stepping back, her fingers grazing his chest one last time before she whispered, "We're not finished, Adrian."

His eyes burned into hers.

"No, we're not."

Then, just like that, he was gone, walking away with tense, deliberate strides.

Valeria exhaled, pressing her back against the cool wall, her pulse still racing.

Damn him.

She wanted more.

And next time?

She wasn't letting him leave.