Lipstick Kisses : A Sexy, Standalone Contemporary Romance Read Free

again—mental note to self.
    “So, where do you live?” I ask. Now I sound like I want to go back to his place. Ugh . . .
    “In Venice Beach. How about you?” he asks, raising his eyebrows.
    “I have a townhome not far from here, but I’m in the process of looking for a new place closer to the ocean,” I reply.
    “I love living near the beach. They don’t have beaches in Montana,” he says.
    “My agent has me looking at homes in Malibu and the Pacific Palisades, but I’m leaning toward Malibu,” I say.
    “There’s nothing like living near the beach,” he says.
    As we finish dinner, I find that I enjoy Chandler’s company. He’s not just some airheaded model who’s all looks. Underneath his heart-stopping good looks lies a real person, a sincere person, a man who actually asks me questions about myself, not some egotistical guy who does all of the talking, mainly about himself.
     

Chapter Two
Chandler
    Today, I have a modeling gig with Lipstick Kisses. I’m a little late, as usual. Once I arrive, in walks Nikki Russo, owner of this booming cosmetic company, and at first, I’m taken aback.
    I expected her to be an older and more mature woman. After all, this is a big, thriving business.
    But the girl standing self-assuredly in front of me couldn’t be a day over twenty-five.
    Immediately, it fascinates and intrigues me that she’s so young and owns this company.
    After the initial shock, I find myself captivated by her understated style and beauty. She wears classic, stylish attire, not overly made-up like you would expect from a makeup heiress, but just enough to enhance her delicate features. She’s nothing like I would have expected, and I mean that in the best way possible.
    Why do I find myself wanting to get to know her better, as in much better?
    But she would never give a guy like me the time of day in any other situation. If I wasn’t pimping myself out as a model, our paths would never have crossed, but now that they have, I’m going for it.
    What do I have to lose?
    My guess is that Nikki probably only dates A-list, wealthy guys, the movers and the shakers in LA. With her beauty and her money, she probably has her pick of suitors.
    But she’s never met someone like me.
    I have it all packed in my low-slung jeans.
    I’m going to charm the panties off her.
    She doesn’t know what she’s been missing.
    Just you watch. Watch me work my charms on Miss Nikki Russo.

Chapter Three
Nikki
    Chandler invites me over for dinner at his place. He says he’s going to cook for me, and immediately, I’m impressed.
    I find my way to Venice Beach and park in the driveway of his modest bungalow. I can’t say when I was last here in this neck of the woods.
    I walk up to the front door, and it has a half-door. I can hear Can’t You See by the Marshall Tucker Band wafting through his bungalow.
    “Hello,” I call out.
    “Hey, Nikki, come on in. The door’s unlocked,” I hear Chandler call out from somewhere inside, but I don’t see him.
    I walk in, and he comes out from the kitchen, wiping his hands on a towel.
    “Hey there, gorgeous,” he says, walking up to me and giving me a warm, tight embrace followed by a firm kiss on the lips. I stiffen.
    “Relax, Nikki. Would you like some wine?” he offers.
    “Yes, that would be nice. I like your place,” I say, taking in the extensively remodeled 1920’s bungalow he calls home. Natural light filters in through the windows and the hardwood floors throughout make his home a warm and inviting.
    “Welcome to my humble abode. Would you like the Grand Tour?” he asks with a grin.
    We roam from room to room until he shows me his bedroom, the danger zone. Or the place where all the magic happens, right?
    I want this guy, and I know he wants me. Why else would he be inviting me over for dinner?
    “This is my room,” he says as we walk in.
    His eyes linger on mine, and I have to look away.
    “Nice,” I say, looking around his room. His bed is made and