Danger’s First Kiss by Aleatha Romig

On the surface, the world glitters with all things only money can buy. My thoughts should be on the danger lurking beneath the surface. The money and power come from places and dealings the world pretends don’t exist. I’m here at this debutante ball as a representative of the new Sparrow underworld. The clock is ticking as alliances are formed and enemies eliminated.
There isn’t time to be distracted, and yet I catch a glimpse of the stunning woman across the room.
Surely, she’s untouchable to someone like me. Maybe she’s royalty or the daughter of a dignitary. Yet I’m drawn to her in a way I can’t describe. Her beautiful, seductive smile, bright emerald eyes, and luscious red hair beckon me until I find myself by her side.
Her voice sings to me while her laugh shines sunlight into my dark and dangerous world.
And then the clock strikes midnight and she’s gone.
I want more than that first kiss.