Page 30 of Sinful Bargains

Her lips curved into a small smile. “I appreciate it, but you don’t have to go out of your way like this. I know you’re a busy man.”

My gaze locked on hers, and my voice dropped low. “I’m not too busy for you two.”

Her weight shifted again. “Why? What are you getting out of this? I’m not going to sleep with you.”

I stepped closer, the space between us shrinking. “Not everything has to be about getting something. If you think I’m that kind of guy, you’re wrong. I don’t want anything from you.”

Her eyes flicked up to meet mine, confusion and hesitation battling in their depths. “I don’t know what to think.”

I moved in close enough to brush her arm with my fingers. “Then stop overthinking,” I said. “You’re allowed to let someone in. Whatever happened before me is over now.”

She looked up at me, her guard still up, but I could see beneath it. Even if it were just a peek. She wanted to let me in.

“What if something goes wrong?” she whispered.

I smiled, tucking a loose strand of her hair behind her ear. “What if nothing does? You’ll never know unless you give it a chance.”

Her breathing hitched, her hands curling against her sides. “Joey…”

“You’ve been through hell, but you still wake up every day and do everything you can for your son. That’s admirable. You deserve to let someone take care of you now, Adriana.” I leaned closer, my voice dropping lower. “Tell me to back off, and I will. But I don’t think you want that.”

Her breath caught as her gaze softened. “No, I don’t want that.”

That was all I needed. I closed the distance between us, my hands finding her waist as I pulled her closer. Her palms pressed against my chest, but not to push me away. “Then stop fighting against this,” I murmured. “Just let it happen. Whatever happens, happens.”

I dipped my head, ready to claim her lips, but she stepped back, her arms wrapping around herself like armor.

“Joey, I can’t,” she said, shaking her head. Her voice wavered as her eyes darted away. “You're in a relationship. I can’t be the other woman.”

I sighed and nodded, creating distance between us. How could I forget?Renee.

Her gaze flicked toward me briefly, her voice soft. “Goodnight, Joey.”

I studied her for a moment longer before getting into my car. “Goodnight, Adriana,” I said.

As I drove away, I saw her lingering on the porch, her silhouette framed by the flickering carpool light. My grip on the wheel tightened. I’d wait as long as it took. She was meant for me. And I promised myself in that moment I’d dowhateverit took for her to be mine.

Years ago, I’d asked Paul how he knew Florence was the onefor him. A pretty girl from a good family ending up with Paul? Paul was a good guy. My best friend. My brother. But what he did, what we did when the city went to sleep, wasn’t understood by many—only those of us who were wrapped up in the streets. He told me, “When you know, you know.” I thought he was full of shit. I figured Florence must have been the greatest lay of his life.

But standing across from Adriana, I got it. I knew exactly what Paul meant. Because I didn’t know shit about love, but suddenly, I wanted to learn. I wanted to be everything Adriana wanted, to figure out how to break through all the walls we had between us. But I had no damn idea how to make it happen yet.

What the hell was I thinking? This was dangerous. The kind of thing that could ruin everything I’d built, every connection I had. But damn, the way she looked at me, the way she made me feel. Herandthat kid. It was like nothing else mattered.

JOEY

Imet Ben at the diner in town. We sat in the back booth together, the one no one ever bothered us in. I slid him the cash for his next installment and leaned back against the cracked vinyl seat.

“What’s the update?” I asked, not wasting any time.

Ben glanced at the wad of bills, then tucked it into his jacket pocket, smirking as he reached for the menu. “Not even gonna let me order something to drink first?”

“They know not to come over here unless I call them, and I’m not calling them unless you’ve got something to say.” My voice was cold and flat, straight to the point.

He sighed, closing the menu with a snap. “You really know how to kill a mood, Joey.”

“You’re still alive, so start talking.”

Ben’s smirk faded as he gave me a long, annoyed look, but he knew better than to push too far. “Alright,” he said. “It wouldappearAdriana’s husband is being nursed back to health. The hospital staff I interviewed say he had a long road ahead, but he’d make a complete recovery.”

---