Lipstick Kisses : A Sexy, Standalone Contemporary Romance

by C. C. Cartwright

  “Yes, full asking.”

  “What, are you crazy?”

  “I want this house. With a little work, I could be very happy here.”

  “All right, done. I’ll call the agent.”

  Being in this house with Chandler—it just felt right.

  I’m dreaming, but I can’t help myself. I know I’m falling for him and his down-home charm.

  Chandler returns, and we walk out to my car and drive back to Lipstick Kisses.

  “Jonathan is a little odd, isn’t he?” Chandler asks.

  “What do you mean?” I know what he means but I ask anyway.

  “I don’t know. It’s the way he watches us, as if with a look of disapproval. If I didn’t know any better, I would think he likes you and sees me as some kind of threat.”

  How intuitive of my cowboy to notice. Do I tell him the truth, or play dumb?

  “Jonathan and I have known each other for a while. He’s just being a little protective, that’s all. What did you think of the house?” I ask, changing the subject.

  “That view was incredible.”

  “I made an offer. With a little work, I could be happy there.”

  At the stoplight, Chandler reaches over and takes my hand, brings it to his lips, and kisses it. He glances over at me before the light turns green.

  “I could be happy there too,” he says.

  I wonder if he’s thinking along the same lines as me. We could be happy there together, have a future together, maybe a few kids.

  Dare I hope, dare I dream, that I’m not just a flash in the pan, his flavor of the month like so many speculate?

  Here today and gone tomorrow.

  Chapter Eight

  Nikki

  We’re enjoying a laid back evening at Chandler’s bungalow tonight. I’ve come to love just hanging out at home here with him. He cooks for me, which makes me feel like a pampered princess, as he likes to call me.

  Then we often curl up together and watch a movie some nights, like we are tonight. He’s a sweetheart and will enjoy a chick flick with me now and then.

  Tonight, we’re watching Magic in the Moonlight, and I’m curled up next to him, admiring his legs stretched out in front of me as our feet rest on the leather ottoman.

  We’re at a good place right now. He’s become a calming force in my life. When I’m here and wrapped up in his arms, there’s no place I’d rather be. All of my stress melts away.

  There’s a soft knock at his door.

  I slowly raise my head off his chest as he moves to get up and answer it. He opens the door, and I see a pair of arms wrap around his neck, startling him.

  “Carrie,” I hear Chandler say in surprise.

  “Chandler,” I hear a breathy, feminine voice squeal in delight.

  A sun-kissed, naturally gorgeous girl steps across the threshold and wraps her arms tightly around Chandler’s neck and giggles. She seems the sweet, wholesome, Montana type.

  “What are you doing here?” he asks the beautiful blonde wrapped around him. He stands there awkwardly, and my heart sinks into my stomach.

  She kisses him full on the lips.

  This isn’t just a friend.

  I’m so out of here, right now. I can’t get out of here fast enough as a sick feeling swirls around in the pit of my stomach.

  “I should get going,” I say, standing and trying to get out of here as soon as humanly possible.

  They both look over at me.

  Chandler stands there with a look of shock. She, on the other hand, is staring daggers at me.

  They make a nice looking couple, I think bitterly.

  I’m so outta here. I’m getting what I expected. You’re such a fool, Nikki.

  Chandler removes her arms from around his neck and she pouts, looking unhappy.

  “Nikki, this is Carrie. Carrie, this is Nikki.”

  Chandler’s vague attempt at introducing us stumbles from his mouth.

  “Hi. Bye,” I say.

  I grab my purse and walk out the door past them.

  “Nikki,” Chandler calls after me.

  He stops me just as I’m opening my car door.

  “I had no idea she was going to show up here.”

  “Who is she?”

  “A girl from home. She must have flown down from Montana, I guess.” He shrugs, running his hands through his hair as he looks back at the porch.

  “Guess you have a choice to make here. Goodnight, Chandler.”

  “Nikki,” he says pleadingly. He doesn’t move to kiss me, which isn’t a good sign.

  I get in my car and put it in reverse, leaving him to his reunion with Carrie.

  Tears well up in my eyes on my drive home. My fists pound my steering wheel while I silently curse myself.

  Nikki, why did you listen to Kelsey and let yourself live a little? Why did you go and fall for Chandler’s endless charms? You’re just one of many girls who want a piece of that gorgeous man.

  How many times did you tell yourself he was too good looking, too good to be true?

  As soon as I walk into my condo, I feel so down that I almost cry. I was really starting to have feelings for Chandler—real feelings. I know that now, judging by how sick I feel. Sick knowing there is, in fact, someone else. Someone who looks like that girl, who had her arms around him so intimately.

  Nikki, why the hell are you acting so surprised? You predicted as much from the very beginning. But like a fool, you let something happen with Chandler. You let him into your life and into your body. What a mistake that was. So now I need to lick my wounds and move on. Forget about him.

  He was a good time.

  I thoroughly enjoyed him.

  End of story.

  Chapter Nine

  Chandler

  “What are you doing here?” I ask Carrie once I get back in the house.

  “I miss you. Aren’t you happy to see me?” she asks her eyes pleading. But I won’t fall for her again. She made her choice.

  “Look, I need to go after Nikki,” I say, searching for my keys.

  “But I came all this way for you.”

  “Does it look like I care?”

  “Chandler, what we had together was so good. Come on, baby,” she pouts, wrapping her arms around my neck and pressing her hot body up against mine.

  I recoil, but the head in my jeans perks up.

  He’s remembering what Carrie felt like.

  “What happened, Carrie? Did Duke cast you aside already?” I throw it in her face.

  She looks wounded, and I can tell I’m right.

  “I was a fool to let Duke have me and lose you. He never really wanted me. He just wanted me because I was yours.”

  I laugh out bitterly. “No shit. I guess you learned the hard way . . . literally.”

  “Chandler, please, can we try again?”

  “You betrayed me, Carrie. The trust and the love I had for you is broken, gone. It left the day you chose to sleep with my best friend.”

  Her eyes start to water, and I know I need to get out of here and away from her.

  “Look, Carrie, we are so over.”

  She pulls out all the stops, with her puppy dog eyes and sensual lips turned into a pout.

  “I need to get to Nikki.” I brush past her and head for the door.

  “Who is she, anyway? This month’s flavor?”

  “Carrie, she means more to me than you ever did.”

  “What about me?”

  “Make yourself at home. Sleep on the sofa, if you like. But I’m going to Nikki’s place, and hopefully, I won’t be coming home tonight.”

  I drive as fast as I can to Nikki’s condo. I’ll try to find her there first.

  I take the elevator to her floor and knock on her front door. “Nikki, please let me in.”

  She opens the door. She looks like she’s been crying and I break inside knowing that I’m the reason for her tears.

  “I love you,” I say, stepping over the threshold and closing the door b
ehind me.

  “Do you love her too?” she asks crossing her arms over her chest.

  “No, we’re over,” I reply, trying to take her in my arms as she stiffens at my touch.

  “Thought you said you didn’t leave anybody behind. Is she the reason you ended up in LA?” The hurt in her expression kills me, I know that feeling.

  I don’t have an answer for her.

  “Tell me,” she presses.

  “Maybe, I don’t know. All I’m certain about at this moment is that I’m in love with you. Do you feel it?” I ask.

  “I don’t know,” Nikki replies. She won’t look at me.

  “Nikki, look at me.”

  Our eyes meet. I see pain in her eyes. She stares at me, not telling me verbally how she really feels.

  My lips slant onto hers. She hesitates before surrendering to my kiss.

  Nikki pulls away, breaking the kiss. Her hand pressing my chest away from her.

  “I can’t do this,” she says in a whisper.

  “Do what, love me?” I ask expectantly. We can’t be over.

  “You’re too good-looking for me. I can’t take how all the women drool over you. Then your ex wants you back.”

  “Damn it, Nikki, you’re the one I want. And for your information, I see the men drooling over you, too, little lady. Now, if you don’t love me back, that’s one thing. But I won’t let anyone come between us if you do. So I’m going to ask you only one more time. Do you feel the same way I do, or am I just wasting my breath?”

  “So if I tell you I don’t love you, you’ll leave?” she asks.

  My heart sinks.

  Is she going to give up what we have together, just like that?

  Damn Carrie, for showing up and ruining everything in my life again. Hasn’t she messed with my heart enough? Now she’s trying to ruin what I have—or had—going with Nikki.

  Please tell me this is a bad dream that isn’t really happening.

  Nikki’s eyes cast up to the ceiling, like she’s struggling with what she’s going to say next. I won’t let her say it.

  I take her in my arms, and my lips crash down on hers. I’m taking her to bed right now.

  I’m going to make love to her and make her admit she loves me.

  Chapter Ten

  Nikki

  After I get a drink from the fridge, I start to walk to my bedroom when there’s a persistent knock at my door. It startles me. Who the hell could it be at this hour? I walk to the door, and I hear Chandler’s voice.

  “Nikki, it’s me. Please let me in.”

  “No, you go ahead and entertain Carrie tonight. It’s all right. Goodnight.” Just like that, I step aside. I surrender. Let her have him.

  “Nikki, please let me in,” he says loudly, and I’m afraid he’ll wake the neighbors.

  “Really, Chandler, it’s all right. I expected as much all along. So you go ahead,” I say to his face once I open my door.

  He steps across the threshold, and I step back as he closes the door behind him.

  “Nikki, I love you. You’re the one I want to be with,” Chandler declares, his eyes piercing mine as his hands grip my arms.

  I tug them out of his grasp and turn away from him, walking toward the living room.

  “I don’t know what to believe, Chandler.”

  He’s at my heels and turns me to face him. He presses against me, taking my lips in a kiss.

  “No, Chandler.”

  “Yes,” he says, kissing me again and pressing his arousal against me.

  God, how I still want this man.

  “I’m in love with you,” he murmurs into my ear, then trails soft kisses in my most erogenous zone.

  This man is too damn sexy for his own good—for my own good.

  “What am I going to do with you, Chandler?”

  He takes my hand in his. “Take me to your bed.”

  We make love tonight, tender yet passionate love.

  I can’t resist another night with him in my bed.

  Afterward, when we’re coming back down to earth, after we’ve loved each other’s bodies, the doubts creep back into my head.

  “Who is she to you?” I ask into the darkness of my bedroom.

  All I can hear is our two hearts beating together.

  He doesn’t answer me for the longest time, as if he’s choosing his words wisely. But I wait expectantly for his reply.

  “Carrie and I used to date back in Montana.”

  “Is she the reason you left?”

  “Partly, but not completely. She and my best friend betrayed me,” he says. His voice is steady, but I can hear his pain.

  “Oh, I’m sorry,” I say gently.

  “Yeah, well, it was better that I knew what she was capable of.”

  I let it lie. I don’t ask any more questions.

  I know him well enough now to know he would never take her back after something like that. I’ve never been cheated on that I know of, but I can only imagine how hard something like that would be.

  Why any girl would be stupid enough to cheat when they have someone as wonderful as Chandler is beyond me. First, look at the guy, and to top it all off, he’s a sweetheart too, with good, wholesome values.

  “So you’re not taking her back?”

  “Nope, never in a million years. Besides, I have something so much better than I imagined I would with you.”

  “I can’t imagine why any girl would ever cheat on you. You’re damn near perfect, mister.”

  “Yeah, I know. That’s the reason I trust you. Trust giving my heart to you. I see how hard you work and how loyal you are to those who work with and for you. You seem all glitzed up, but you know what’s important. What matters is the people you surround yourself with. You’re actually a very grounded person.”

  “Why, thank you, but I don’t always feel grounded.”

  “Compared to ninety-nine percent of the women out there, believe me when I say you are, and that’s what I love about you.”

  “I suppose I’m more grounded than all those models you run with.”

  “They don’t hold a candle to you, sweetheart,” he says, laying a kiss on me.

  “Oh yeah, I’m sure,” I say, rolling my eyes and laughing.

  “No, really. I’m serious. I love that I can actually talk to you about so many things—have real conversations with you.

  Chapter Eleven

  Chandler

  I play Can’t You See by the Marshall Tucker band over and over for a reason. Carrie’s the reason. Gonna buy a ticket, for as far as I can. And I ain’t never coming back. Her betrayal was a knife in my heart. I had to get as far as I could from Montana. That’s how I ended up in LA.

  Never thought I would or could trust a woman ever again. I dated a string of ditzy model-types, having a so-called good time.

  Until I met Nikki Russo, then all bets were off.

  She was so different from any other woman I’ve had the pleasure of being with.

  She intrigued me from the moment we first met. From the first seven minutes in her company, I knew. I knew I had to get to know her better, get to know her up close and personal.

  For some reason, I felt I could trust her from day one. I do trust her with my heart.

  Carrie showing up tonight brought back all the pain she caused and made me realize I need Nikki in my life. The look on Nikki’s face . . . I know how she felt. I had to rush to her and reassure her that no one was going to come between us. She’s it for me, and Carrie is out of my life, out of my heart for good, and never coming back.

  Chapter Twelve

  Nikki

  I decide to head home and have dinner with my parents tonight.

  “Hi, Sweetie,” my mom greets me with a tight embrace.

  “Hi, Mom.”

  “It’s good to see you. It’s been a while since you’ve been home for dinner.”

  “I know. I’ve been crazy busy at the company.”

  “I hate to see you working so hard all of the
time. All work and no play isn’t good for anybody,” she scolds.

  It’s always the same old line with her.

  “I know, Mom.”

  “You look too thin, dear. Here, I baked some cookies for you.”

  My mom makes the best cornflake cookies—my favorite.

  There’s nothing like them to make me feel like I’m home.

  “So how’s the love life?”

  Ever since I broke off my engagement months ago, she always asks this same question when she sees me. It used to really bug me, but today I get to share something. Do I dare?

  “Actually, I’ve started seeing someone.”

  My mom perks up like you wouldn’t believe.

  “Oh?” she says in surprise. Her eyes literally light up.

  “Yes, his name is Chandler Winslow.”

  “And how did you meet Chandler?” she asks.

  “Well, he came in to model for the ad for our latest lipstick campaign.”

  “So he’s a male model. He models for a living?” she asks, and I can hear the disappointment in her voice.

  “Yes, he recently moved here from Montana and just kind of fell into modeling when he was discovered surfing on the beach.”

  “How long have you two been dating?”

  “A couple of months.”

  She says nothing more as she starts cooking dinner. She obviously doesn’t like his chosen profession. I admit, I’m not crazy about it either, but for different reasons.

  We all sit down for dinner, my mom, my dad, and Rocco, one of my older brothers.

  Rocco still lives at home at the age of thirty-one. He doesn’t work. I don’t know what he does all day.

  “Hey, sweet pea, why don’t you give your brother, Rocco, a job down at your fancy makeup company?”

  Here they go again. Do they think I’m running a charity? The last person I want working at my place is my brother, Rocco. He’s super lazy and has an attitude problem.

  “I don’t think that would be a good idea.”

  “Why not?” my dad asks.

  “Rocco is not going to want to take orders from me. I can’t be his boss. It would never work.”

  I glance over at my mom, and she gives Rocco a look of sympathy. She still babies him like you wouldn’t believe.