Read Online Lipstick Kisses : A Sexy, Standalone Contemporary Romance by C.C. Cartwright - Free Book Online

reply, trying to keep it cool.
    “I need to buy a gift for my Dad. He’s turning the big five-zero.”
    “That’s a big milestone. My Dad turned fifty a few years ago. Come here and sit on my lap.”
    Nikki straddles me.
    “I was wondering when you would take me home to meet your folks.”
    “Really? I didn’t want to scare you off by taking you home too soon in our relationship.”
    “Why would you think that?”
    “I don’t know. Seems like a serious move.”
    “Nikki, I’m seriously in love with you,” I say.
    “I know. That’s what you say.”
    “Why won’t you believe me?”
    “I don’t know.”
    “Do you love me?”
    “You know I do.”
    “Then tell me.”
    “I love you.”
    Nikki rarely volunteers it freely. I always have to coax it out of her.
    “Why do I always have to ask for it?”
    “I’m sorry, Chandler. I’ve just got all this baggage, all these hang-ups from failed relationships. My broken engagement did a number on me.”
    “I know, Princess. I would never hurt you.”
    Every past relationship each of us has had forms and shapes who we are now. I know that. I try and understand that.
    “I’m looking forward to meeting your family and seeing where little Nikki Russo grew up.”
    She groans.
    “I was a scrappy and feisty little girl. I had to be with two mean older brothers who relentlessly picked on me. They’re the reason I work so hard to be a success in life—so I can show them up.”
    “That’s terrible that they would pick on you. An older brother is supposed to watch out for his little sister. I did.”
     

*****
     
    The agency wants me to fly to New York for a photo shoot with Anne V, the voluptuous model from Russia. I’ve seen her face and incredible body plastered in every magazine. She was featured in the sports illustrated swimsuit edition, need I say more?
    For my career, I can’t say no. But I hate the idea of being away from Nikki. I need her next to me to fall asleep now. It’s crazy.
    Maybe she’ll come with me, although it’s doubtful. She’s such a damn workaholic. She wouldn’t want to leave her business.
    I’ve been trying to get her to come to Montana with me, but she always has an excuse.
     
    *****
     
    During the shoot, they pose Anne up close and personal. Her long limbs are draped all over me. She smells of warm vanilla and her skin is creamy soft. As her body rubs up against me, I can’t control what goes on in my jeans.
    Damn, I’m sporting a stiff one, and I hear her giggle.
    “What?” I ask. God, I hope she doesn’t notice.
    “You’re blushing,” she teases.
    “And that’s funny?”
    “I can feel you, by the way,” she says with her seductive Russian accent.
    I can’t control my body’s involuntary reaction to her sinful curves.
    “Let’s have dinner after this. We’re in the same hotel, right?”
    I swallow hard. This isn’t a good idea, and I know it. But it would be rude to flat-out turn her down. After all, a dinner won’t hurt.
    We finish up from a long tiring day of four wardrobe changes and one location change before we call it day. She still wants to have dinner together so we decide to meet up in the lobby of our hotel after we go to our respective rooms to shower and change for the evening.
    The paparazzi catch us as we walk into the well-known hot spot where who’s who dine.
    “They lie in wait at this place. They catch me and my girlfriend all the time when we’re out in LA.” The damn paparazzi seem to know exactly where they can catch you at and inopportune moment.
    “Who’s your girlfriend?” Anne asks.
    “Nikki Russo. She owns Lipstick Kisses.”
    “Oh, now that I think about it, I have seen you photographed with her. That young girl OWNS Lipstick Kisses, the cosmetic company?” Anne asks.
    “Yes, that’s her. My Lipstick Kisses Princess.”
    “Wow, you hooked a billionairess. Are you in love, or is it just lust for the dollar signs?” she asks with a gleam in her eye.
    She’s making me