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I pulled back just enough to meet her eyes. They were blazing with something that might have been anger or might have been something else entirely. Did I dare think she actually liked my kiss? I did dare. Because she had kissed me back. “Talk is cheap. I had to make sure it worked.”

“By announcing to the entire room that we’re dating? By kissing me without my consent?”

“Would you have said yes if I’d asked?”

“Absolutely not.”

“Then there’s your answer.” I spun her gently, watching the way the blue dress flared around her legs. “Besides, you kissed me back.”

Her cheeks flushed, which was fascinating. I didn’t think the ice queen was capable of blushing.

“I was caught off guard,” she hissed.

“For about three seconds. After that, you were a very willing participant.”

“I was playing along. For the cameras.”

“Sure you were.”

She stepped on my foot. Deliberately, I was certain.

“If you would have tried to stick that tongue in my mouth, just know I would have bit it.”

“Kinky. I like it.”

“This is a disaster,” she said through gritted teeth, still smiling for anyone who might be watching. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done? Now everyone thinks we’re together. That’s going to be everywhere by morning.”

“That’s the point.”

“The point was to make me look warm and approachable, not to create a fake relationship scandal. Not to mention, you just kissed me like you were trying to get me in bed. Now, I look like a hussy.”

I chuckled. “You sound like my grandma.”

“My dad is going to see those pictures.” She groaned. “I’m humiliated.”

“But you looked hot,” I said. “No more ice queen.”

She rolled her eyes. “Stupid.”

“And what’s warmer than love?” I asked.

“I don’t know, but you’re going to tell me.”

“You’re not just approachable now. You’re desirable. You’re human. You’re a woman who gets swept off her feet at charity galas by devastatingly handsome lawyers.”

“Your ego is astounding.”

“Thank you.” I guided her through another turn. “Smile. Look like you’re enjoying yourself. Look like you’re falling for me.”

“I’d rather eat glass.”

I laughed again. “Tasty.”

I saw her lips twitch. Not quite a smile but close.

The song ended and another began. We kept dancing, mostly because I wasn’t ready to face the questions that would be waiting for us at the table. My family had definitely seen the kiss. Hell, everyone had seen the kiss. I needed a minute to figure out how to explain this.

“For what it’s worth, those women were going to eat you alive. The video they would have posted would have been brutal. At least now they’re posting something that makes you look good.”