Lipstick Kisses : A Sexy, Standalone Contemporary Romance

by C. C. Cartwright

“Hey, I still know how to be sexy . . . I think.”

  “Yeah, you do. I’m just teasing you. Help me then. Let’s go shopping in town tomorrow,” Kylie says.

  “Sounds like a plan.”

  We are at the mercy of Justin driving us into town this morning, but he obliges us.

  Carmel by the Sea is the most charming seaside village. Many shops line the main street, Ocean Blvd.

  “I love it up here. It’s so quaint, isn’t it?” I say as we stroll by the many shops.

  Kylie agrees as we roam into a store that displays cute summer dresses and accessories in the front window. As we peruse the racks of clothing, I drape a few dresses over my arm and we head back into the dressing rooms.

  “Here, try these on,” I say, shoving a few dresses at Kylie.

  “What do you think?” Kylie asks, pulling the curtain open so I can see her.

  “I like that on you. It shows off your curves in a casual way. Get it in both colors, the turquoise and the red.”

  “What do you think of this halter dress on me? Is it too much? I can’t wear a bra with it.”

  “No, I like the black on you. It screams sexy and sophisticated.”

  The sales girl talks us into some cute earrings to go with our dresses, and we waltz out with a shopping bag each.

  “Did you buy the whole store?” Justin teases.

  “Let’s have lunch somewhere in town. Let’s go to the Inn at Spanish Bay for lunch,” Kylie suggests.

  “Lead the way. I’m getting hungry.”

  CHAPTER NINE

  Sloane

  On Friday morning, we drive out to the Concourso Italiano at the nearby Laguna Seca Race Course. The Harlows are showing their Ferrari in this show.

  Kylie and I roam around and check out all of the sexy Ferraris lined up, row after row, on the large, grassy field. Some of the Ferraris have equally sexy owners. Kylie and I can’t help noticing them. We make our way back to the Harlows’ car, and they’re chatting with the Ferrari owner parked next to them.

  “This is the hottest Italian guy I’ve seen all day, and that accent is to die for,” I whisper to Kylie.

  “You can say that again,” she replies, and we hold back our giggles.

  “Girls, this is Giovanni Mennuci. He brings one of his Ferraris every year.”

  We exchange hellos and furtive glances with each other. The sex appeal oozing from this guy is hard to resist.

  “He keeps staring at you, Sloane,” Kylie says, nudging me.

  “Stop it, he is not,” I say as he sidles up next to me.

  “Sloane, which is your favorite car here?”

  “That’s a tough one. All the Ferraris are super sexy,” I reply.

  “Would you like to take a ride with me after the show?”

  “I would love to,” I gush.

  I hear Justin clear his throat, trying to get my attention. When I look over at him, he’s wearing a scowl. Don’t tell me he’s jealous.

  “Are you staying with the Harlows?”

  “Yes, in a lovely home with an amazing ocean view. Carmel is such a charming place. Where are you staying?”

  “The Inn at Spanish Bay.”

  “Oh, we had lunch there yesterday.”

  “What do you do, Sloane?”

  “I’m in my last year of college.”

  “Where do you attend University?”

  “Pepperdine; it’s in LA. What do you do?”

  “I live in Milan and help run my family’s apparel business.”

  “Does your family have a lot of exotic cars?”

  “Yes, mostly Ferraris.”

  “Hey, Sloane, come on. Let’s go walk around,” Justin says, rudely interrupting us. Giovanni glares at him, but Justin stands there and takes my hand.

  “Excuse me, Giovanni. I will be back later for that ride,” I say, smiling at him.

  Justin tugs my hand, and we start to walk away.

  “Justin, you were being rude.”

  “That guy is a total player, with his Ferrari and Italian accent. Don’t fall for him.”

  “And you are no different, Mr. Harlow.”

  We continue to walk in silence, and I drop his hand.

  “Why can’t a single girl have some fun? You’re putting a serious damper on my love life, and I’m getting tired of it.”

  Even though the only love life I would like to have going on is with him.

  Justin pulls me behind one of the exhibition tents, away from the prying eyes of Kylie and the rest of the family. He takes my face in his hands and kisses me. My lips part for his searching tongue.

  “Sloane, don’t you dare ride with him. I mean it,” he commands, pulling away from the kiss.

  “Justin, you don’t own me. You haven’t staked any kind of claim on me, so I suggest you back off,” I say heatedly.

  I’m starting to get angry at his demands on me. Who does he think he is? Certainly not my boyfriend—he’s made it clear he would never want to be. He just wants something physical with me. I start to walk off, and he lets me.

  Once I find Kylie, we decide to grab some lunch. Justin and Scott come and join us at our table. I refuse to look at Justin. What the hell am I going to do with him?

  When he isn’t looking in my direction, I steal glances at him in his dress shirt with its sleeves rolled up, and I admire his toned and tan forearms. He looks devastatingly handsome in his aviator sunglasses, very cool and male model-like. He has some razor stubble going on, and his wavy, dark brown hair is always styled to perfection.

  “Sloane, did you hear me?” I finally hear Kylie talking to me.

  “No, I’m sorry. What did you say?”

  “Are you going for a ride with dreamy Giovanni?” she asks loudly enough so her brother overhears, and I know he’s looking at me through those mirrored glasses of his. Even though I can’t see his eyes clearly, I can sense them.

  “Yes, probably. If he asks me again.”

  “Oh, believe me, he will.”

  “Whatever,” I reply, shrugging my shoulders.

  “Bella, there you are. Are you ready for that ride?” Giovanni comes up to me at the table and asks. Kylie nudges me with her elbow.

  “Yes, I would love to.”

  “I’ll give you a ride back to where you’re staying.”

  “Sounds divine. See you back at the house,” I say, turning toward Kylie.

  “This is a beautiful car, Giovanni,” I gush once we get into his sporty yet luxurious Ferrari.

  “Thank you, Bella. Not as beautiful as you,” he replies in his seductive Italian accent.

  “I bet you say that to all the girls,” I tease, remembering what Justin said earlier about Giovanni being a player.

  We roar out onto the highway, and I can feel the rev of the engine. It’s a complete turn on. I feel sexy in this car, especially with an Italian Stallion sitting next to me, giving me his undivided attention. This is just what I needed to feel desired again. Take that, Justin Harlow.

  I catch Giovanni eyeing my legs in my short dress. I have the sudden urge to kiss him. I want to let loose and be wild.

  “Let’s drive along the coast,” he says.

  “Sounds perfect. I have really fallen in love with Carmel. It’s so pretty here. I love being by the ocean.”

  “I know. I feel the same way about this special place. My family has been coming for the past eight years.”

  “How old are you?” I ask.

  “Twenty-five. How about you, Sloane?”

  “Twenty-one.”

  “Come out with me tonight?”

  “I can’t leave my friend, Kylie.”

  “Bring her along, and I will bring my cousin, Luca. You met him back at the car show.”

  “Let me text Kylie.”

  Sloane: Can we go to dinner tonight with Giovanni and his cousin, Luca?

  Kylie: Yes, absolutely!

  “Kylie said yes,” I say.

  Once we get back to the house, Giovanni drops me off and promise
s to return in a couple of hours.

  “Until tonight,” I say, and Giovanni leans over and gives me a peck on the cheek.

  When I walk into the house, I immediately see Justin standing in the entry. He must have been waiting for me to return.

  “Tell me you’re not seeing him again.”

  “Yes, Kylie and I are going to dinner with him and his cousin.”

  “You are so naïve, Sloane, to be taken in by that Italian playboy.”

  “What do you care?”

  “Unfortunately, I do care.”

  “Whatever, Justin. Where’s Kylie?”

  “Up in your room. The last time I saw her, clothes were strewn all over your room. Don’t stay out too late,” Justin cautions.

  “Who are you, my warden?”

  “Just be careful with that guy,” he warns.

  “I’m a big girl and can take care of myself. Thanks for the warning though.”

  Justin looks none too happy.

  “Kylie, what a mess you’ve made,” I say as I walk into our messy room.

  “I can’t decide what to wear tonight.”

  “I’m wearing this black halter dress we bought yesterday. What do you think?

  “Va-va-voom. Are you going to wear a bra?”

  “No, I can’t because of the halter style.”

  “Giovanni will be all over you.”

  “Maybe that’s what I want. I’m in the mood to let loose tonight,” I say with a devilish grin.

  “Sloane, I’ve never seen you like this before.”

  “I’m tired of being the good girl. It’s time I lost it and gave up on the idea of saving myself for love that may never come.”

  “So you would do it with Giovanni?” Kylie asks in surprise.

  “He sure gets me going. Don’t you think he’s sexy?”

  “Most definitely. I wonder if his cousin is just as much of an Italian Stallion?” We both start laughing.

  “What’s so funny?” nosy Justin asks, leaning in the doorway with his arms crossed.

  “Girl talk, Justin. Get out of here. We’re changing.”

  “Close the door next time,” he gripes as he eyes me from head to toe.

  We go downstairs once Kylie and I are ready to go.

  “You’re not wearing that, are you?” Justin asks, staring at my chest.

  “Yes, I am. What’s wrong with it?”

  “First of all, I can tell you’re not wearing a bra—that’s what’s wrong.”

  “Leave me alone, Justin,” I say.

  “I can’t,” Justin says with no elaboration.

  I hear the roar of Giovanni’s Ferrari pull up to the house.

  “Bye, Mom. Bye, Dad,” Kylie calls out to her parents.

  “Goodbye, girls. Have a good time,” Mrs. Harlow says, coming to the door.

  “Good evening, Mrs. Harlow,” Giovanni says, standing at the front door. Justin hangs back in the foyer with that scowl on his face and his arms crossed.

  CHAPTER TEN

  Justin

  I don’t like the way this Italian guy is looking at Sloane. He’s trying to impress her, and I don’t like it one bit. She’s receptive to his advances and agreed to go for a ride with him. It burns me up inside when I hear she is actually going out with him tonight. I’ve never felt this jealous or possessive about a girl before in my life. It feels strange and uncontrollable, and I try to be in control at all times.

  How can I stop her from going out with him?

  I find myself stalking them on their date. I’m pathetic, but I can’t stop myself. She dresses so provocatively in that dress that clings to her every curve. I can see her breasts sway as she walks, and it’s driving me crazy. I can only imagine how Giovanni will react to her.

  Scott and I walk into the Gooding Automobile Auction and unexpectedly find them there. He has his arm around the back of her chair. I want to walk up to them, but I show some self-restraint, as hard as it is.

  Then I spot them get up and start to leave, and Sloane won’t even meet my gaze. Luckily, Kylie tells me where they’re going. I decide to follow them to the Inn at Spanish Bay, as if there’s something I can do to stop him from making his move on her. The guy has international player written all over him. From the slick Italian good looks and the flashy car to that Italian accent, I can see why a guy like him would seduce Sloane. It makes me sick to my stomach.

  Why can’t I just let her do her thing? Why am I so concerned about what she does or doesn’t do with other men? I need to get a grip on this jealous monster I’ve become. Let her go, man. Walk out of here. She’s a big girl.

  I walk into the bar and find them sitting cozily together in a booth at the back, and I crash her party. She looks none too happy about it, but I don’t care.

  Once Scott and I take a seat with them, Giovanni and Sloane get up to leave the bar and go outside to the patio. The guy is going to make his move, and she’s going to let him. Panic washes over me. What can I possibly do to stop this?

  I find my feet walking and following them outside. Then, I stop and think better of it. I need to get out of here before I make a fool of myself by doing something stupid.

  “Let’s go, Scott,” I say, walking back into the bar.

  We leave and drive back to the house. She’d better not go to his room. I’m tormenting myself by imagining them together. I’m imagining the worst, and it’s eating me alive.

  It’s not like we’re together, so why does it bother me?

  I fight my feelings for her every day.

  I want Sloane. I admit it. She should be mine, but I can’t do that to her. I know how I am, and I’m not a long-term relationship guy. Not looking for one, not that this Italian guy is either. He just has a weekend fling in his mind, and she seems willing. At least, that’s the signal she’s sending. She needs to be careful.

  Kylie and Sloane come home after midnight.

  I hear them stumble in, giggling.

  The next morning, I try and avoid her. I can’t even look at her. I’m pissed at her and at myself for being so possessive and letting her make me jealous and angry.

  She finds me sitting out on the deck.

  “Hey,” she says, sitting next to me on the deck chair.

  “Hey. Are you hung over this morning?” I ask.

  “No, I didn’t have that much to drink last night. I wanted to keep my wits about me.”

  “How did you like the auction?”

  “Very fun and exciting. I can’t believe how much those cars sold for. It’s insane how much money some of these people have to just blow on a car!”

  “How far did you let the Italian take it with you?” I need to know.

  “It’s none of your business,” Sloane clips out.

  “You know he’s just using you for a weekend fling, right?”

  She looks down as if she is thinking about it and doesn’t say a word, which tells me she knows.

  “Isn’t that what all guys do?” she asks, challenging me.

  “What can I say?” She’s right on that one. I’m no better. “Are you seeing him again tonight?” I ask.

  “I haven’t decided.”

  “Come out with me tonight.”

  She tilts her head to the side and gives me a look. “Justin, don’t do this again. First, you did it when Connor wanted to take me out, and you’re doing it again. Give it up, okay? I’m getting tired of it.”

  “I can’t help myself. I don’t want anyone taking advantage of your innocence.”

  “Yeah, anyone besides you?”

  “Yes, precisely,” I say, giving her my drop dead wicked grin.

  I hope she’s considering going out with me tonight.

  “Will you come out with me tonight?” I ask again.

  “Are Kylie and Scott coming too?”

  “Yes, it will look funny if we go out alone,” I reply.

  Sloane looks out at the ocean and takes a deep breath.

  “The air up here is so fresh. I love Carmel. It’s mag
ical,” she says, not answering my question.

  Is she purposely prolonging my agony? She won’t agree to go out with me yet. I try and keep my cool and don’t press her for an answer. I’m just enjoying her company.

  “Let’s take a walk down to the water,” I say, standing and offering her my hand. She looks up at me and hesitates for a moment before she takes it.

  I don’t know what’s happening between us. We walk in silence along the trail down to the water. The beaches up here have beautiful white sand for miles. We slip our sandals off and walk onto the sand toward the water.

  “I have fallen in love with Carmel. It’s so beautiful up here along the coast. The people are so friendly and laid back, too,” Sloane says.

  I look over at her and watch as the wind blows through her long, sexy brown hair the color of caramel. She doesn’t have an ounce of makeup on and she still looks naturally pretty.

  I want to steal another kiss from her. Why do I feel like a thief when I take a kiss from her? She makes me feel things I’ve never felt before. I usually take whatever I want from women, and they give it to me willingly.

  With Sloane, I find myself second-guessing my every move with her. I think too much before I act, which is so unlike me.

  “We’ve been coming up for Car Week for the past four years. I love it up here too,” I say.

  “I love seeing all of the cool cars. Ferraris are the sexiest cars—in my humble opinion, that is,” Sloane says.

  “You didn’t sleep with him, did you?” I blurt out.

  “What do you think?”

  “I hope not.”

  “I don’t want to talk about my personal life with you.”

  I want to protect her innocence. Don’t ask me why.

  “Justin, what are we doing?”

  “I have no idea,” I reply, looking out at the blue ocean.

  “You can’t run my love life, Justin,” she tells me.

  “I know, I know,” I reply, looking down at my feet in the sand.

  I turn and look at her, and she stares right back at me. Her eyes search mine.

  “I know I still want you, even though I wrestle with it every single day and night. When I see you with someone else, it drives me insane with jealousy.”

  She raises her hand and strokes my cheek. “I wish you wouldn’t fight it. Why can’t you let something happen between us?”