I could do this. It wasn’t a big deal. I had watched tons of couples kissing on screen. I could just pretend I was an actress and this was just a movie—an act. I mean, it sort of was an act. It was an order. Something I had to tackle and be done with.

Bracing myself, I leaned toward him. My heart was beating faster and faster. I closed my eyes and my lips made contact with his warm skin. When I opened my eyes again, they were instantly locked with his.

“Sorry,” I muttered quietly, ducking my head to avoid his eyes. “We’re still playing the game and Kris ordered me to kiss you. I should’ve asked you first. I’m sorry.” Maybe the floor would open up and swallow me whole.

“Game over.” Kris giggled and then dropped her head on top of Domenico’s, her eyes closed and mouth slightly open.

“Okay. Time for a bathroom break now.” I tried to get up to make my escape, but my body refused to cooperate.

Vlad reached his hand out and gently tilted my head up, looking at me with such tenderness. He leaned forward and spoke with a playfulness in that deep voice of his. “Don’t you think a kiss should be more like this?”

His eyes closed as his lips descended to mine. It was my first kiss and my body reacted before I even knew what it was doing. I couldn’t stop myself from wrapping my arms around him. My heart pounded and the world around us dropped away. It felt good. Then it got better as my lips moved on their own and the kiss deepened. His lips were warm, like chocolate lava cake. Vlad seemed to know that he had made his point because after only a few seconds, he pulled away.

We stared at each other for what felt like a long time and I became afraid that he might see things that I didn’t want anyone to see. He looked at me as if he could see through my walls and peek into my soul.

I faked a cough and grabbed my glass, emptying the remaining water, hoping that would cool my cheeks and distract me from the handsome man sitting beside me. The handsome man I had just kissed! Putting the glass down, I checked my watch. “It’s almost two, we should get home. I think we better call the driver. There’s no way they are going to be able to walk back to their suites.”

Vlad bobbed his head and moved beside Kris, who had fallen asleep with her head still on Domenico’s. I was relieved she had not seen what had just happened because I wasn’t sure I was ready to talk about it—or be teased for it.