Chapter 5: Public Kiss ?

Stella’s POV

My heart pounded against my ribs as Adam's penetrating gaze swept over me. The shopping mall's marble halls suddenly felt suffocating, every whisper and stare from the gathered crowd pressing in like physical weight.

I froze.  He couldn't possibly have heard me muttering about something in the bed, could he?

"Come here." His voice carried that silken danger.

I hesitated, thinking he was addressing Brian. But then those eyes locked onto mine with laser focus, and I realized with growing horror that he'd heard every word.

"Weren't you so eager to be in my bed?" His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. Those green eyes darkened as they traced over me, making my skin tingle. "Come here, Miss Winston. Don't make me ask a third time."

My cheeks burned as I forced myself to move forward, each step feeling like an eternity under the curious stares of mall patrons. My fingers twisted nervously in the fabric of my dress as I approached his wheelchair. Without warning, his hand shot out to grasp my chin, forcing me to meet those piercing green eyes.

"Tell me, Mrs. Lancaster," his thumb brushed across my lower lip, the gesture somehow both threatening and sensual despite our public setting, "did you enjoy your little reunion with my nephew?"

I forced myself to meet his gaze steadily, though my pulse raced beneath his touch. "Mr. Lancaster, I—"

"Uncle," Brian's voice dripped with false concern; he apparently forgotten his earlier humiliation to Adam. His eyes raked over me with undisguised contempt before settling on his uncle. "You can't seriously be keeping her as your wife?"

Adam's grip on my chin tightened fractionally. "And why is that?"

"Everyone knows she's just trash the Winstons picked up and She's the most boring woman I've ever dated. Like a dead fish in—"

The words died in Brian's throat as Adam finally turned to look at him. Whatever he saw in his uncle's expression made him take an involuntary step back.

Just perfect to show up.  "Brian, darling!" Lucy's voice dripped honey-sweet venom as she emerged from a store in a white designer dress. She wrapped herself around Brian's arm like an expensive accessory. "Stella, aren't you ashamed? Coming to see your ex-fiancé when you're married now?"

"Oh my," she gasped with obviously fake surprise. "Adam, you're even more handsome than the photos! No wonder my dear sister was so...  eager  to marry you."

The accusation hung in the air like poison, drawing more spectators to our little drama. I could feel Adam's fingers tensing on my skin, his breath ghosting across my cheek as he waited for my response. My heart thundered against my ribs as I made a split-second decision.

Forgive me, Mr. Lancaster.

I turned my head and pressed a quick, soft kiss to his cheek. The contact lasted barely a second, but I felt him go absolutely still beneath my lips. His skin was warm, and that intoxicating cologne of his filled my lungs.

"I'm so sorry," I whispered, just loud enough for him to hear, my voice trembling with genuine nervousness. Then louder, to Brian. "Only my husband has the right to judge my performance." I managed a smile that I hoped looked more confident than I felt. "Though you seem to have me confused with Lucy. But then again, you were quite...  preoccupied  with her while we were still engaged."

Lucy's face twisted with rage. "You—"

"Mrs. Lancaster." Adam's voice was deadly quiet, but it carried in the now-silent atrium. "Did I allow you to kiss me?"

My blood ran cold. But before I could stammer out another apology, he continued.

"Brian." The temperature in his voice could have frozen hell. "Care to repeat what you were saying about my wife?"

Lucy's perfectly manicured nails dug into Brian's arm. "He didn't mean—"

"Whether I'm interesting or not," I cut in smoothly, "is for my husband to judge. Right, darling?"

The corner of Adam's mouth twitched. "Indeed." His thumb traced slow, deliberate circles on my neck, each movement sending sparks of electricity down my spine. His other hand settled possessively on my waist, drawing me closer until I could feel the heat radiating from his body.

"Though I must say, Mrs. Lancaster," his voice dropped to that velvet-wrapped-steel tone that made my knees weak, "you're proving more...  entertaining  by the minute. I wonder just how entertaining you can be in private."

Lucy's face twisted with barely concealed rage seeing this. "Brian was just concerned. After all, given Stella's  history —"

"Want another slap?" I asked pleasantly, making Brian flinch.

"You dare—" Lucy started forward, but Adam's voice cut through the air like a whip.

"Brian." Each word fell like ice. "When your elders are disciplining you, you take it. Remember your place."

The gathered crowd's whispers grew louder, and I could practically see Lucy calculating how much damage control she'd need to do.

Lucy's perfectly painted smile wavered for a fraction of a second before she recovered, pressing herself closer to Brian's side. "Uncle Adam," her voice dripped with false sweetness, "I've heard  so  much about you! Though the photos really don't do you justice... especially the ones from Stella's  private items ."

The mall was buzzing with tension. Adam's eyes flicked over Lucy, like he was sizing up a pesky bug. The look he gave me sent my heart racing—not the cold anger I expected, but a knowing disdain.

Interesting. He really doesn't like her.

Adam's lips curved into a fake smile. "Have you?" His voice carried somewhat dangerous meaning. "How... fascinating."

I fought to keep my expression neutral, but inside, my mind raced.

"My dear nephew," I cut in with sweet venom, "you really should keep better control of your... girlfriend. Given how easily she could jump from your uncle's bed to yours."

Brian's face flushed an interesting shade of purple. "You—"

"Mrs. Lancaster." Adam's hand found my waist, the touch sending electricity through my body despite the layers of designer fabric between us. "Shall we?"

Lucy's eyes narrowed at the casual intimacy of his gesture. "But Uncle Adam," Lucy's voice turned sickly sweet, "we barely got to chat! And there's so much I'd love to tell you about your dear wife's... nocturnal activities. The videos are quite... educational."

"Previous activities?" The corner of Adam's mouth twitched. "Like sleeping with engaged men? Oh wait..." His eyes flickered meaningfully between her and Brian. "That would be your area of expertise, wouldn't it?"

The gathered crowd's whispers grew louder. Lucy's face went from perfect porcelain to blotchy red in seconds. "I... that's not..."

"Come, Mrs. Lancaster." Adam's grip on my waist tightened fractionally. "I believe we have more interesting matters to attend to."

As we moved toward the exit, I couldn't resist one parting shot. "By the way,  dear nephew , do remember to teach your girlfriend some basic manners."

The last thing I caught a glimpse of before we turned the corner was Brian's face twisted in helpless anger, and Lucy's perfect mask breaking to show the fury underneath.

Just wait and see, Lucy,my dear sister.