Lipstick Kisses : A Sexy, Standalone Contemporary Romance by C.C. Cartwright Page A

mention of the girl’s name, Mrs. Winslow’s face drops into a look of total disapproval.
    “Don’t let that girl bother you, honey,” Mrs. Winslow says to her daughter. “What’s in the bags?” she turns and asks me.
    I show her all of the goodies I found in town, the dress, jewelry, some cowboy boots, and my hat.
    “Now you’ll look like you belong in Montana!” his darling mom shrills.
    “I do love it here. You live in such a beautiful part of the country. Have you ever come down to visit Chandler in Los Angeles?” I ask.
    “Once in the beginning, when he first told us he was settling there for awhile. I didn’t care for the big city much, but he seems to enjoy living in LA. He loves the beach, which is something we don’t have in these parts.”
    While I’m enjoying some ice-cold lemonade in the kitchen with Kate and Cassie, in walks my rugged cowboy looking sexy as ever.
    “Hey little lady, what’s in all these here bags?” I hear Chandler ask, closing the distance between us and giving me a peck on the lips.
    “Cowgirl stuff,” I reply, happy to see him.
    “You’ll make one darlin’ cowgirl, sweetheart,” he drawls.
    Chandler and I leave to relax at his home before dinner.
    “How was lunch and shopping with my sister?” he asks.
    “Good, I had a wonderful time getting to know your sweetheart of a sister. She’s every bit as darling as you said she was. We did run into Carrie,” I tell him cautiously.
    “You shittin’ me?” he says.
    “Nope, wish I was.”
    “Did Cassie scratch her eyes out?” he chuckles, trying to lighten the mood.
    “Almost. If looks could kill, then Carrie would be dead. Your sister is very protective of you.”
    “The feeling is mutual.”
    Chandler gets quiet on me.
    “What happened to my amiable and laid back cowboy?” I ask as I circle my arms around his neck and look up at him, my lips begging for a kiss.
    “Sorry, my mind was wandering.”
    I’m sure he must have been thinking about Carrie. I shouldn’t have mentioned it. It probably brought up old wounds.
    “Let’s drive into town a little early before meeting my family for dinner. I want to stop in at the General Store and stock up on a few provisions,” he says like a real cowboy.
    “Sounds good to me. Do we have time for a little afternoon delight?” I ask, this should cheer him up.
    “You bet, Princess,” he replies. And with that he takes my hand and leads me to his bedroom.
    Later, after I’ve been fully satisfied by my cowboy, we drive into town and park in front of the General Store. I guess every little town in these parts has a General Store.
    We walk in, and it’s like stepping back in time—weathered wood floors, beamed ceilings, and glass cases filled with goods.
    “Hi, Charles, it’s good to see you, old man,” Chandler says, smiling at the older gentleman behind the counter.
    “Chandler, my boy. I haven’t seen you in months. Heard you moved to the big city,” Charles replies in a hoarse voice.
    “Yes, moved to Los Angeles, California.”
    “Wow, that’s as big city as you can get. Who do we have here?” Charles asks as his eyes sweep across my features.
    “Charles, this is my girlfriend, Nikki Russo. Nikki, this is Charles. He’s a legend in these parts,” Chandler introduces us amiably.
    “Pleasure to meet you, Charles.”
    “Hey, little lady, you’ve hooked yourself a big fish there,” The man behind the counter drawls.
    “Oh, really?” I ask, Charles has peaked my curiosity.
    “Yes, don’t you know, the Winslow family owns this entire town and then some?” Charles lets out with a whistle.
    “What are you filling her pretty little head with, Charles? Don’t listen to him, Nikki,” Chandler scoffs.
    “Aww, Chandler here is just being modest. I’ve known him since he was a little puss in boots, causing a ruckus around here any chance he could. Ain’t that right, Chandler?” The older man teases with a twinkle in his eye.
    “Whatever you say,