The Aftermath of a Kiss
Celeste sat frozen, her heart still hammering against her ribs. The heat of Adrian's lips lingered on hers, a burning reminder of what had just happened.
What. The. Hell.
Across from her, Alexander let out an amused chuckle. "Well, that was something."
Celeste barely heard him. Her pulse roared in her ears as she watched Adrian walk away, exuding smugness with every step.
He kissed her.
In front of everyone.
Like he had every right.
Like he still owned her.
She exhaled sharply, forcing herself to pull it together. This was not the time or place to lose control.
Alexander leaned back in his chair, his gaze assessing. "I take it that was unexpected?"
Celeste turned to him, regaining her composure. "Adrian does a lot of unexpected things."
"Clearly." Alexander smirked, swirling the drink in his hand. "Tell me, was that a husband marking his territory? Or a man who just realized what he let slip away?"
Celeste held his gaze. "Does it matter?"
Alexander studied her for a moment, then grinned. "Not to me. But it should to you."
Before she could respond, one of her father's business associates approached, pulling her into another conversation. But even as she forced herself to focus, the weight of Adrian's actions refused to leave her mind.
She needed air.
Excusing herself, she stepped onto the venue's balcony, inhaling the crisp night breeze. The cool air did little to ease the fire raging inside her.
How dare he?
How dare Adrian kiss her like that? How dare he make it seem like he still had a claim on her?
The worst part?
Her body had betrayed her.
The way her heart had skipped, the way her breath had hitched—it was frustrating.
She leaned against the railing, closing her eyes. Get it together, Celeste.
"You're running away."
Her eyes snapped open at the deep, familiar voice.
Adrian.
He stood at the entrance of the balcony, his hands in his pockets, watching her with unreadable eyes.
Celeste scoffed, turning away. "Don't be so full of yourself, Sinclair. I just needed air."
Adrian walked closer. "And yet, here you are. Looking rattled."
Celeste gritted her teeth, whirling around to face him. "Rattled?" She let out a sharp laugh. "Oh, I'm beyond rattled, Adrian. You kissed me. In front of everyone."
Adrian tilted his head, feigning innocence. "You looked like you needed saving."
"Saving?" Celeste narrowed her eyes. "You weren't saving me. You were staking a claim."
Adrian stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. "And if I was?"
Celeste inhaled sharply.
She hated how easily he got under her skin. How he could say something so casually and still make her entire world tilt.
"You don't get to do that," she said, voice low and dangerous. "You don't get to kiss me like you still have the right."
Adrian's gaze darkened. "Then tell me you didn't want it."
Celeste clenched her fists. "That's not the point—"
"Say it," Adrian cut her off, his voice rough. "Tell me you felt nothing. Tell me it didn't make your heart race."
Celeste opened her mouth, but no words came out.
Because she couldn't.
Adrian saw it. And he smirked.
That maddening, arrogant smirk.
Celeste exhaled sharply and turned away. "This conversation is over."
She moved to walk past him, but before she could, Adrian's hand caught her wrist.
She froze.
His grip was gentle, but firm. His warmth seeped into her skin, igniting something she wasn't ready to name.
"Celeste," Adrian murmured, his voice softer now.
And just like that, the fight drained out of her.
Because despite everything—despite the walls she had built, the distance she had created—this was still Adrian.
The man he loved since childhood. The man who now held her at arm's length while refusing to let her go completely.
Celeste slowly turned to face him, her heart a tangled mess of emotions.
"Tell me what you want," Adrian said, searching her face. "Tell me to let go, and I will."
Celeste swallowed hard.
She should say it.
She should.
But the words wouldn't come.
Because deep down, she wasn't sure she wanted him to let go.
And that scared her more than anything.
The air between them was thick with tension, the weight of unspoken words pressing down on her chest. Adrian's grip on her wrist was firm yet gentle, his gaze searching hers as if daring her to admit what they both felt.
Then—
"Oh, my god! Am I interrupting something steamy?"
Both Celeste and Adrian turned sharply toward the voice.
Ethan.
Holding a plate piled high with hors d'oeuvres.
Celeste blinked. What the hell?
Ethan stared at them, wide-eyed, then wiggled his brows. "Wow. This is awkward. Should I give you two a moment? Or should I start recording for posterity?" He pulled out his phone, grinning. "Sinclair making a move? Historic."
Celeste let out a breath, stepping back. The break in tension was exactly what she needed to come to her senses.
Adrian's fingers twitched as if considering whether to hold on or let go.
She made the decision for him.
"You should let go, Adrian."
His eyes flickered, but he released her wrist.
Celeste lifted her chin. "And you should move on."
Adrian said nothing, but his jaw clenched, his expression unreadable.
Without another word, Celeste turned on her heel and walked away, her heart pounding with every step.
Ethan watched her go, then turned to Adrian, popping a shrimp into his mouth. "Damn, man. That was rough."
Adrian exhaled sharply, raking a hand through his hair.
Ethan whistled. "So, what's the game plan now? You finally kissed her, and she still walked away. What's next? A dramatic declaration of love? A telenovela-style rain scene?"
Adrian didn't answer.
He was still watching Celeste disappear into the crowd, his mind already working.
Because this wasn't over.
Not by a long shot.