Page 55 of Sinful Bargains

“It’s just a coincidence,” I told him.

He chuckled. “Had a feeling you’d say that,” he murmured, pulling me just a fraction closer. “You can’t give in too quickly, can you?”

I didn’t respond, I just smirked. I was hanging onto my self-composure by a single thread. He didn’t need to know that, though.

As Joey’s arms circled me, I relaxed in a way I hadn’t in years. The strength in his hold, the steady way he moved like nothing could touch us.

His chuckle reverberated in my chest, and I glanced up at him, catching the faintest trace of mischief displayed on his face. It was hard to deny how this—us—felt like fate, no matter how much my rational mind wanted to resist.

“You know, you looked too good sitting over here. Like something out of a dream,” Joey murmured into my hair as we swayed to the soft rhythm of the music. His voice was low and rough, making my pulse hammer. “I’d cross a hundred rooms just to get a minute with you.”

His words sent a warmth curling through me, but his next ones nearly stole my breath. “I’ve been thinking about that kiss. Your lips. Will you let me kiss you again?”

“You’re going to make this complicated,” I said softly, more to myself than him.

He brushed a strand of hair from my face with a touch so gentle, it felt intimate. His eyes locked onto mine, as if he had all the time in the world to convince me. “This feels simple to me. It doesn’t feel complicated at all.”

I swallowed hard, his words settling heavy in my chest. I was stronger than this. I had walked through hell and survived. Butas I swayed in Joey’s arms, I felt the ground beneath me shift. Joey made me believe in something I thought I’d lost forever:hope. When he touched me, he knew every wall I had built and how to slip past it.

As his thumb brushed against my cheek and his eyes bore into mine, I knew the truth. I wasn’t losing myself to Joey. I’d already lost myself to him. And as much as I feared it, as much as I wanted to pull away and keep my world neatly contained, there was no denying our fate.

I was falling for him. Falling fast, falling hard—and I wasn’t sure there was a way to stop.

JOEY

The room was alive, brimming with energy as theJailhouse Rockbrass blared. Adriana’s laughter rang clear, the sweetest melody cutting through the place. I still felt the softness of her hand in mine, the lingering warmth from the slow dance we had just shared. Her eyes bright as she brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

She tilted her head at me, mischief sparking in her eyes, and before I could object, she grabbed my hand again, pulling me toward the middle of the floor. “C’mon, Joey,” she said, her voice teasing over the music. “This is one of my favorites!”

She was already moving, her dress swirling as her hips rocked with effortless rhythm. I wasn’t much for dancing—never had been before her—but I'd become a dancer to see that smile on her face. She lit up under those amber lights, her smile brighter than the whole goddamn room. I had daydreamed of gripping her hips as she swayed after watching her do it as she stood at the stove. But now, I didn’t have to imagine. It had come true. She twirled around me, the two of us laughing like we didn’t have a care in the world.

She threw her arms up, spinning with wild abandon, and Igrabbed her by the waist and dipped her low. Her gasp turned into laughter, her hands gripping my arms for balance as her face tilted to meet mine. Her lips parted, breathless, and I forgot about everything. Everyone.

The song ended, and I set her back on her feet. She stumbled a little, still laughing, her hand clutching at my chest as she steadied herself. My body was on fire from her touch.

I didn’t expect her to grab my hand. She started walking off the dance floor, weaving through the crowd like she’d just made a decision she wasn’t about to question. And I sure as hell wasn’t going to question her, either. Whatever was about to happen, she’d made her move, and there wasn’t a damn thing in the world that could drag me away from her now.

“Hey, we’re heading out,” Adriana announced to Lucy and Angela.

Lucy raised an eyebrow. “Wait—you two are leaving together?”

“Yeah. He’s giving me a ride home.” She paused before adding, “I’ll swing by in the morning to pick up Antonio, if that’s okay.”

Angela chimed in, “No problem at all!” Lucy glanced at Adriana with a look that said she’d have questions later, but she let it go for now.

I gave Marco and Paul a quick nod as Adriana slid her arm around mine, her touch sending an electric current straight to my chest. They both smirked. I couldn’t even pretend to care. I pushed the door open and motioned for Adriana to step through first.

“Ladies first,” I said, my voice smooth despite the pounding in my chest. She turned her head, her lips curving into a soft smile before she slipped past me. Once again, her arm found mine as if it belonged there. I opened the passenger door for her, holding out a hand as she eased into the seat.

I rounded to the driver’s side, got in, and started the engine.Her actions inside The Wise Guy—the way she’d danced with me, the way she’d touched my arm, the way she’d decided, without a word, that I washerstonight—they were still messing with me. I wasn’t used to feeling like this, completely thrown off my axis because of a woman. But here I was. I could barely focus or breathe right with her this close. I reached over and grabbed her hand, my fingers closing around hers like it was instinct. Her hand was so small, so warm, wrapped tightly in mine.

I backed out of the parking lot and started down the quiet street toward her house. The city lights produced soft glows through the windows. I could see her soft smile playing across her lips from the corner of my eye. Her perfume lingered in my car like a ghost I didn’t want to let go of.

My grip on her hand tightened, and I stole quick glances at her instead of keeping my eyes on the road. I wasn’t usually this guy. I knew how to play it cool and keep my emotions in check, but with her? All of that was thrown out the window. She was making me lose my goddamn mind. It took every ounce of restraint I had not to pull the car over, reach for her, and do everything I’d imagined since she stepped into my arms tonight. This woman had me wrapped around her finger. And I didn’t care. I also didn’t give a damn who knew anymore.

I pulled into her carport, putting the car in park. It was quiet except for the soft tick of the cooling engine. She walked ahead, her silhouette flashing against the porch light. I hung back on the steps, unsure if I was supposed to follow her in or wait like some fool with my heart already on a platter. She turned around, a smirk tugging at her lips, making my gut clench.

“Well, are you coming inside?” she teased, one eyebrow arching like she knew exactly what I was thinking.

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