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

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 behind 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