Lipstick Kisses : A Sexy, Standalone Contemporary Romance Read online

  “I think it’s time to head inside and find out seat,” she says, placing her glass down on one the trays of a passing waiter.

  She hooks her hand inside the crook of my arm, and we walk into the dazzling ballroom.

  Our table is toward the front, near the stage.

  We dine on scallop potatoes, filet mignon, salmon and French-cut green beans. The food is delicious.

  A rather stout lady, who definitely looks like she means business takes the pulpit and welcomes everyone here tonight.

  She announces the names of the women nominated tonight along with a laundry list of each of their accomplishments. They all are very impressive.

  “And the winner of the years award for Woman of the Year is Nikki Russo of Lipstick Kisses.” The room erupts in applause and Nikki is moved beyond words.

  “Oh. My. God. Chandler, I don’t believe it!” she exclaims, placing her hand on my thigh.

  “It’s well deserved. Congratulations, sweetheart,” I say, giving my girl a tight embrace and a kiss before the crowd of onlookers.

  Nikki makes her way up to the pulpit, and she’s beaming.

  She pulls the microphone down close to her lips. That leaves me envisioning doing naughty things to her later.

  “It’s and honor and a privilege to be nominated and be counted amongst this remarkable group of women who mean business.” The crowd applauds.

  “I dedicate this award to my father. He always treated me like I could do anything. He raised me to believe in myself and to have no barriers to succeed in life just because I was a girl. And I also thank my boyfriend, Chandler. His unwavering support and love mean so much to me. Thank you, ladies!”

  Nikki continues with her acceptance speech and I feel incredibly proud of her. Then when she mentions me by name at the end, I have to blink back my tears of joy. I applaud louder than anyone in the entire ballroom.

  “I felt so proud of you tonight. You’re one amazing lady. You’ve accomplished so much in such a short time. You’re incredibly driven and hard working,” I tell Nikki once we’re back home and tucked in bed for the night.

  “Thank you, Chandler. That means a lot to me coming from you. When you are your own boss, it’s not very often someone praises you or gives you a pat on the back. My winning that award was like being acknowledged, like getting a pat on the back from my peers. From other women who work as hard as I do or maybe harder. It’s and incredible feeling. I can’t describe how elated I felt when they called my name,” she says, beaming with pride.

  “You deserved that award. And my words of praise are from the bottom of my heart. Some days, Nikki Russo, I’m in awe of you. Like tonight. The other ladies didn’t hold a candle to you.”

  “That’s very sweet of you, but to be honest, just being nominated is an honor. I still can’t believe I won. The other women are pretty inspiring as well. We women have to work extra hard to get noticed and to be respected, and most importantly, be taken seriously.

  “Believe me when I say you are taken seriously.”

  “Am I now?” she says teasingly.

  “Oh yeah, woman. I can remember at my first photo shoot with Lipstick Kisses. Everyone who works for you scurries around to please the almighty Nikki Russo,” I tease, tickling her.

  “Chandler, stop!” she giggles uncontrollably.

  I silence her with a hard and passionate kiss. I’m dying to ravage the woman who means business.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Nikki

  We spend almost every night together, and we still can’t get enough of loving each other. I’ve never felt so all-consumed by a man, not even when I was engaged. I think Chandler feels it too. I hope the feeling is mutual.

  I’ve fallen hard for him. Fallen in love with him.

  “Roll over, big boy. I want to ride you.”

  “With pleasure,” he says, his lips curving into a naughty smirk.

  First, I mount him and slide my wet pussy along his rock hard shaft.

  Back and forth, slowly, I glide.

  “Oh yeah, baby,” he moans.

  “You feel so good against my clit.” I sigh, looking down at the pleasure on his face.

  I reach down between my legs and grab his manhood and press the head against my channel and sink down, taking every inch of him inside me.

  “Ahh, so tight,” he growls.

  I swivel and rotate my hips, enjoying the sensation of our warm skin-to-skin contact in the depths of me. We are one at this moment, and it feels glorious.

  “You’re good, babe,” he says.

  I continue gyrating, grinding my pussy down on his huge shaft. I look down at him with hooded eyes. I reach up and squeeze my own breasts, then bend down so he can tantalize my nipples with his expert tongue.

  I lift off and turn around, going reverse cowgirl on my cowboy.

  I put on a show for him as I undulate down on him in a delicious rhythm. I know he’s watching where our bodies are joined.

  “God, you feel amazing. You ride me good, woman,” Chandler drawls.

  A wicked little smile spreads across my face. I turn up my sexy for him to prove that I’m good between the sheets, because I’m sure he’s had many other women since he’s been playing in LA.

  “You like that, cowboy?”

  “Damn right,” he replies.

  He gives my ass a playful slap.

  “Hey,” I say in mock protest.

  “Get on your back,” Chandler commands.

  I rise off his cock and roll on my back and spread wide for him as he mounts me.

  I love how he looks down at me when I’ve got him in between my legs and my arms wrapped around his incredibly chiseled body.

  “You’re beautiful,” he murmurs.

  And I almost believe him that he thinks I’m beautiful, that he really does mean it.

  He makes me feel beautiful, on the inside and out, as if I’m enough woman for him—for now, at least.

  He thrusts into me. I pant, moan and meow.

  God, he’s good, too, the way he moves his cock in and out of me like a champion racehorse.

  I open my eyes and gaze up at him. He’s looking down at me beneath him.

  “I love you,” he murmurs with so much feeling behind his words, I can feel them in my heart, in my whole being.

  “I love you, too,” I whisper.

  I love this man, I do. More than I’ve ever loved any other man.

  It scares me.

  My heart’s in trouble.

  I’ve given it to him, and I hope he doesn’t break it.

  After another passionate night in his arms, I drag myself into work this morning. I need to go over this week’s schedule with Kelsey so I call her into my office.

  “Chandler has been asking me to come up to Montana with him for months now. It’s really hard for me to take time off from Lipstick Kisses. You know what a workaholic I am,” I say to Kelsey.

  “Go! Live a little, would you? You need a break. Get out in the fresh Montana air. I hear it’s beautiful up there. I’ve seen the most incredible pictures of Big Sky. Blue sky for miles.”

  “Yeah, I finally gave in. We’re going up in a few weeks. You can hold the fort down for me, right?”

  “Of course. I’m glad to hear you are taking a much needed vacation.”

  Kelsey’s right. I haven’t had a vacation or taken a break from work in over two years. I’m actually looking forward to getting away and out of the city for a week. Traveling with Chandler and meeting his family will be a true test of our relationship. Being together twenty-four seven will tell us if we can make it for the long haul.

  “You ready? Damn, girl, are you taking all of this?” Chandler asks, motioning to all my bags sitting by the door.

  “Yes, do you have a problem with that?”

  “Look, it’s casual up in Montana.”

  “Hey, I’m a girl. I need all of my stuff, so get over it. I don’t know how to travel light.”

  Chandler loads my many p
ieces of luggage into his truck, and we drive off to the airport.

  “This isn’t the way to LAX,” I say from the passenger seat.

  “We’re flying private, out of the Van Nuys airport,” he informs me.

  “I didn’t even know Van Nuys had an airport. Aren’t we fancy?” I reply, eyeing him.

  “My family lives far from any big airport, so it’s faster and easier to take a little plane up to the small airport near their house.”

  “Interesting. Modeling must be paying you well,” I remark with a grin.

  “I do all right, Princess,” he drawls.

  We arrive at the tiny airport, and a small jet awaits us.

  “Private—it’s the only way to fly. Wouldn’t you say, Princess?” Chandler teases. Once we settle into our seats, he takes my hand in his and kisses it.

  “Wow, I love this! No security, we just walk onto the plane and we’re the only ones on the flight. I am so loving this,” I say with a big smile. I take in the tiny cabin, which looks like it would hold six or seven passengers.

  “I’m glad I can make it so we travel in style. It’s fun being able to do something special for you, something indulgent that you’ve never done before. I’m actually surprised you haven’t flown privately before,” he remarks.

  “Never thought about it. I really don’t travel all that much. I hate to be away from my company.”

  “You need to get away more often to clear your head and live a little,” he says, placing his arm around me now that we’ve settled into our seats.

  “That’s what Kelsey said too.”

  “We’re both right, you know. We only have your best interests at heart. I have my own house on the Winslow Ranch, so we won’t be staying with my parents.”

  “I like the sound of that better,” I reply. I’m relieved to hear that. If we stayed with his folks, I’d have to be ‘on’ twenty-four seven.

  The flight isn’t long before we start descending into the Bozeman airport. Once we land, we’re off the plane in minutes with our luggage in hand. We walk inside the tiny airport and out to the street, where a truck is waiting for us.

  “Pete, this is my girlfriend, Nikki. Nikki, this is Pete. He does many odd jobs on the ranch for us,” Chandler says.

  Pete tips his cowboy hat in my direction before saying, “It’s nice to meet you, Nikki.”

  “The pleasure is mine.”

  We bump along in Pete’s truck for a good half-hour until we drive through a fenced gate that says Winslow Ranch across the weather-beaten wood sign. We drive through the gate and proceed to Chandler’s house.

  Majestic mountains on the horizon, with the biggest and bluest sky as the mountain's backdrop. It steals my breath away.

  “You live in the most beautiful part of the country.”

  “Welcome to the Winslow Ranch,” Chandler drawls, pulling me in close for a tight embrace and a peck on the lips. Pete is coming in and out, bringing our luggage in.

  “Why, thank you. You have a big house here. Show me around.”

  “Come on,” he says, taking me by the hand. Chandler takes me from room to room of this sprawling ranch home, tastefully decorated with overstuffed chairs, leather sofas, and dark woods. The kitchen is gigantic.

  “I absolutely love your home up here. This is a whole lotta house for a bachelor.”

  Chandler just shrugs.

  “Dinner’s at my folks’ tonight. Let’s shower and get ready to head over to their house.”

  We enjoy a luxurious and sexy shower together, lathering up each other’s body. Once we make it out of the shower and dry off, I start to blow dry and style my hair.

  Since we’re in the country and I’m meeting his parents for the first time, I tone down the makeup. Chandler tells me he likes me best with little to no makeup. He claims I’m naturally pretty and don’t need all that junk. “Well, peddling this ‘junk’ is what has made me so successful,” I told him.

  “How do I look?” I ask, walking into the kitchen where he’s nursing a cold beer.

  “Naturally beautiful. Stunning, in fact,” he grins and nods in approval.

  “Glad you approve. Hope your parents like me,” I reply.

  “No need to worry about that. I know my parents and little sis will love you as much as I do,” he says confidently, trying to ease my nervousness.

  We drive over to his parents’ house, which is at the other corner of the Winslow Ranch.

  “Your parents are hardly next door. Is all of this your family’s land?” I ask, enjoying the breathtaking scenery for as far as the eye can see. Kelsey and Chandler were right, it’s nice to get out of the city and breath in the fresh country air.

  “Yep, it sure is.”

  We come upon his parents’ house and it looks like a huge log cabin from the outside.

  Chandler’s sister, Cassie, comes bounding out the front door as soon as we pull up.

  “Chandler!” she cries, wrapping him in a hug as soon as he steps out of the car.

  “Hey, little sis, how you doing?” He laughs as she almost bowls him over.

  “I’m so happy you’re home,” she chirps with a broad grin.

  “Cassie, this is my girlfriend, Nikki. Nikki, this is my darling little sister,” Chandlers says with brotherly affection.

  “Hi, Cassie, it’s nice to meet you. And yes, she is darling,” I reply.

  We walk in the house and once you step into the foyer, the ceilings are two stories high. Immediately, you are hit with the most amazing view from their expansive floor-to-ceiling windows. The home’s décor is similar to Chandler’s.

  Two big white Labrador retrievers greet us. “And this is Brandy and Captain,” Chandler says, affectionately petting each animal.

  “We’re home,” Chandler calls out, and there’s practically an echo, this house is so big and grand.

  “Come on, Mom and Dad are out back,” Cassie says.

  “Sweetheart, you’re home!” Mrs. Winslow squeals, standing up to welcome her son home.

  “Mom, Dad, this is my girl, Nikki. Nikki, this is my mom, Kate, and my dad, Neil.”

  “Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Winslow. It’s so nice to finally meet you,” I say warmly, extending my hand.

  “Oh, honey, give me a hug,” Mrs. Winslow says, wrapping her arms around me. “So glad you could come visit us in Big Sky. Welcome to our home, and please, call me Kate.”

  “How long are you staying, big brother?” Cassie asks. You can see that she adores Chandler. It’s sweet to see a brother and sister who are obviously very close—vastly different from the relationship I have with my older brothers.

  “What are you kids going to do while you’re here?” Kate asks.

  “Spend time with you, and I thought I might drive Nikki into Yellowstone for the day. Show my city girl some awe-inspiring nature.” Chandler laughs.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chandler

  I’m so happy to have finally gotten Nikki up to the Ranch. I really wanted to show her where I grew up and share this beautiful country with her—get her out of the city, show her what it means to relax and be back to nature. I’ve missed home since moving to LA. I’m a country boy at heart.

  She seems to love it here. We’ve had a nice dinner with my parents, and they seem to be warming to Nikki, and Nikki is feeling more comfortable to be herself.

  “She’s delightful, Chandler,” my mom tells me when she’s got me alone in the kitchen after dinner.

  “Nikki’s pretty special, isn’t she? I’m crazy about her, Mom.”

  “So I see. I’m glad to see you happy, Son. The way you bolted out of here a few months ago and moved to the big city, you had me worried.”

  “I’m in a good place now, Mom. Modeling has its perks. That’s how I met Nikki. She’s so different from any girl I’ve dated. She’s smart, hard-working, and has a great set of values, similar to my own. I’ve got myself a special girl. I’m happy, the happiest I’ve been in a long time.”

  “I can’
t tell you how happy I am to hear that. At the end of the day, all a mother wants is to see her children happy,” my dear Mother says. I love her to pieces. I’ve missed her.

  We walk back into the dining room, and Cassie has Nikki in stitches.

  “What’s so funny?” I ask.

  “Oh, I was just telling Nikki embarrassing stories about you.”

  “Don’t believe a word she says,” I say, coming up behind my sister and mussing up her hair.

  “Oh, I believe every word of it,” Nikki teases, still laughing at my expense.

  We return from dinner at my parents’ and I start a roaring fire in the living room. I’ve got my bearskin rug laid down in front of the hearth. So cliché, I know, but I love it and can’t wait to make love to Nikki in front of the fire.

  “How about some hot cocoa?” I ask with a grin.

  “I would love that. It’ll take me back to my childhood,” Nikki says, pleased at my offer. She watches me put a kettle on to warm the milk.

  “Let’s go relax in front of the fire in the living room,” I say, carrying two mugs of piping hot cocoa into the living room. Nikki follows me. We settle next to each other on the sofa.

  “You tired?” I ask, wrapping my arm around her as we gaze at the flaming fire, which casts a romantic glow across our faces.

  “Yeah, it’s been a long day.” She sighs, resting her head on my shoulder.

  After we sit here companionably and finish our cocoa, I reach over and take Nikki’s mug.

  “Let’s move down to the rug,” I say. I’m in the mood for enjoying Nikki’s body.

  I move to kiss her, and our lips lock in a passionate kiss. I’m eager to get her naked as I push her blouse over her head and tug at her leggings.

  “You looked so pretty tonight. I’ve wanted you all night. And you looked so at ease with my family so quickly.”

  “They’re very warm. Your Mom, Dad and Cassie made me feel welcome and right at home. They’re different from LA big city families.”

  “I’m happy to share my life in Montana with you,” I whisper, placing an open-mouthed kiss along the nape of her neck.

  “I’m glad you convinced me to come home with you,” she replies softly.