Shameless Kisses (3:AM Kisses Book 18) Read online

  Go figure. She likes the accolades but doesn’t want the real deal. I will never understand women. And that’s exactly why I choose not to try. After the nightmare that took place all those years ago, followed by a tragedy that made that nightmare look like a welcome relief, I’ve been flying solo as far as my heart is concerned.

  My phone rings, and I look down. Sure enough, it’s my Aunt Ashley. I pick up and quickly fill her in on the fact I’m heading out to see her. And judging from all the howling and screaming on the other end of the line, my aunt is more than enthused by the idea. She congratulates me on a game well played and tries her best to map out the entire weekend in a ten second span before she gasps.

  “Oh no! I totally forgot I’m working this weekend. I usually never do, but I had a few potential clients that are in school, so I thought I’d see them all the same day. But don’t worry. I’m still getting together with you.”

  “Not a problem. I haven’t been up in so long I’m sure I’ll love exploring the city.”

  “Good. You have no idea how happy you’ve made me.” She pauses a moment. “Do you know what else would make me happy? It’s time to face this, Eli.”

  “Geez.” I squeeze my eyes shut a moment because she doesn’t have to say another word for me to know what’s she’s talking about. “I know. Look, it’s not happening.”

  “It has to happen, Eli, and it will.” Her tone is loving but firm. “It’s inevitable.”

  We end our phone call, and I take a seat at the bar, order a burger, and just stare at my meal.

  Not all things have to happen. Not all things are inevitable.

  I glance back and catch a glimpse of Harley as she shakes her stuff on the dance floor, laughing it up with her friends, and my stomach pinches tight once again.

  For some reason, Harley and I are happening on a purely platonic, yet less than friendly level. Here I thought all women loved me, and yet I’ve managed to leash myself for an entire weekend to the one that can’t seem to stand me.

  A dull laugh pumps from me.

  I really did think every woman loved me. I guess meeting the one that proved me wrong was in fact inevitable.

  A strange thought bounces through my mind like one of those annoying rubber balls that you can never seem to catch.

  Harley and I are inevitable.

  I try to shake the thought out of my head.

  Although, I’d rather think of Harley in any capacity than anything my aunt would rather I think about.

  And I do.

  HEX IN THE CITY

  HARLEY

  Whitney Briggs University is a glorious campus laden with evergreens and enough maples and oak trees that turn spectacular shades of pumpkin and gold this time of year just to remind us that it’s fall. The buildings on campus look as if they could easily double as old world churches, and there’s an official quad where the cheerleaders break out in spontaneous song and dance in a show of school spirit.

  Usually I’m smitten by my new campus, by the people who surround me daily, but as I head into my late start class—as in the course begins today, three weeks into the fall semester, I find myself decidedly less pleased with the school and the people—one person in particular.

  I make a beeline his way before Professor Thomas has a chance to teach us a single thing about business economics.

  “What are you doing here?” I hiss. “Are you stalking me? Did Harper put you up to these shenanigans?”

  Eli tips his head back and takes a breath, a maneuver my dad has been known to pull off a time or two when dealing with me. His hair is thick and glossy in this harsh light, and his eyes actually look as if they’re glowing. Eli has an otherworldly appeal about him, and I suppose that supernatural feat is what keeps all the girls running to his junkyard.

  “I’m the TA. I’m a grad student. This is a part of the gig. Just go find a seat and pretend that I’m not here. In fact, pretend that I won’t be grading your papers. The last thing I need is you being unduly kind to me just because you’re trying to score an A.”

  “Ha!” I don’t waste a single moment before laughing right in his face. “I’m not trying to score anything with you. And I don’t have to be unduly kind to you to get an A because, contrary to your opinion of me, I have the capability of scoring that letter grade all on my own. I’m an A student. I don’t expect anything less of myself.”

  I take off to find a seat next to Teagan and Colby, my partners in dormitory crime. We’re all stuck doing time at Prescott Hall for our foreseeable duration at Briggs. Serena was my go-to girl for all things trouble, up until she fell head over heels in love with Shep Collins—Teagan’s hot older brother who just so happens to be a legal eagle.

  But now that Serena is smitten for good, and she’s busy with her cousin, Sunday, who just had a baby with her new husband, Seth Baker—both are about my age, so the entire marriage and cute little daughter scenario weirds me out a bit—I’m down one bestie. I truly do consider Sunday and Seth’s love story a cautionary tale. Which is why I regret doing half the stuff I did with Tyler Swanson last summer. I’m extremely lucky I didn’t end up with a bundle of unwanted joy. I don’t want anything from Tyler, least of all not a permanent reminder of my greatest mistake.

  Teagan bumps me with her elbow. “Why the scowl?”

  “Because I just talked to Eli.” I toss a manufactured smile his way, and he scowls himself before looking down at the paperwork in front of him.

  “What?” Colby crows. Her blonde curls are wild and unruly due to the wind, but she’s perfection nonetheless. “Don’t tell me there’s trouble in paradise already.”

  “Please,” I grunt. “We’re not in paradise.” No matter how much I’ve tried to tell these two that Eli and I are not really going on a date this weekend, they don’t believe me. So what if the sorority girls think that? I need my core girls to be apprised of the truth. “He’s just annoying, that’s all.” I do, however, refuse to tell them that I was really frowning at the memory of Tyler and his cheating ways. In fact, I don’t ever want to bring him up again. If he dropped off the planet, I wouldn’t be all that sorry. It would be a relief.

  As if on cue, Tyler’s tall gangly self struts into the room. He nods over at me as if we were old friends before falling into the first available seat to our left.

  “Oh dear God,” I groan. “This day can’t get any worse.”

  Teagan groans, “Don’t look now, but I think your new boy toy is about to unbox a new plaything himself.”

  I glance over to Eli’s desk, only to find a stack of boobs and bleached blonde hair seated over it. Her bare legs are crossed and swinging wildly in his direction, and she seems to be laughing it up at whatever is streaming from his lips.

  “See?” I say a little too enthusiastically. “He’s proving my point. We’re just friends.”

  “No way,” Colby whispers just as the professor walks in. “I saw the way that boy was looking at you at the Black Bear the other night. And the fact he volunteered to go with you says something.”

  “It says he’s a freeloader,” I’m quick to point out.

  Teagan giggles at the thought. “It’s not technically true if you invited him. Besides, I think Colby is onto something. Not only was he drooling over you—as required by North Carolina law, but his body language—I don’t know. It seemed to be speaking something when I was watching the two of you.”

  “Would that be before or after he lectured me on how we would not be screwing? And speaking of which, he has a screw loose if he thinks I’m drinking the Gates’ Kool-Aid. I have my sights set on better things than having a quickie with WB’s favorite skirt chaser.”

  Colby rolls her eyes. “Like what?”

  “Like this.” I pull out my phone and get into the Hollow Brook Honeys app. “I’m talking to someone right now, and he sounds amazing. I think he’s an attorney or in law school in the least. He was a little shaky on the details.”

  Teagan pulls the phone over. “His pic
ture is blurry.”

  “His camera isn’t working that well,” I’m quick to defend my new suitor.

  Colby chuckles. “Spoken like a married forty-year-old looking to get dirty with a coed. What’s his name?”

  “The Shark.” I shrug it off. “Trust me, nobody uses their real name. I’ve even got an alias.”

  Teagan leans over. “Biker Girl? At least you’re not that far off base and that picture is the real deal. But I’d be careful if I were you. I seriously doubt your forty-year-old married boyfriend is a lawyer. More like the man that cleans up once court has convened.”

  I can’t help but shake my head at my besties. “Oh, ye of little faith. Just remember this conversation in about four years when the Shark and I are getting ready to tie the knot. We texted all night. I suspect this will be a love story for the ages.”

  Colby shakes her head. “More like for his parole officer. I’d watch my back if I were you.”

  Class starts up, and as much as I try to focus, all I can think about is spending this weekend in New York. Everything is going to change for me once I meet Ashley Grayson, I just know it. Everything is going to be perfect.

  Eli catches my eye and shakes his head at me as if reading my thoughts, and I resist the urge to gift him the finger.

  Let’s just hope Eli doesn’t manage to somehow screw this whole thing up.

  But something tells me he will.

  THE DAYS WEAR ON. WB had a bye week last night, so I hit the pillow as soon as I packed for my trip. Eli drives us out to the private airport about twenty minutes from campus, and we hop on board my father’s private jet.

  “Lap of luxury.” Eli stretches his arms out before lacing his fingers together and resting his head over them. “You’ve got a great life, you know that?”

  “I’m vaguely aware,” I tease. “It appears you do, too. So who’s the blonde that’s been melting over your desk in class all week? An oldie but goodie in your lineup of bed ’em and leave ’em hotties? Or is she the real deal?”

  My stomach detonates in a vat of acid when I say that last part. I doubt Eli will ever have a real deal in his life. He’s too defiled, too outright stubborn, too acclimated to his STD riddled ways to change now. Come to think of it, he and Tyler really do have a lot in common.

  Eli squints as if he were in pain. “Erika Slater. Chemistry major, junior.”

  “Wow, you’ve got her bio memorized. It must be true love.”

  “It’s true lust—on her behalf.” He pinches his eyes closed a moment. “I’m just trying to get through the semester without having this turn into a full-blown stalker situation.”

  A guttural laugh expels from me as we take off. “I’m assuming you’ve had your fair share of stalkers?”

  “Like you haven’t.”

  “I haven’t,” I’m quick to admit. “Although, I do seem to gravitate toward losers.”

  He makes a face, and that perceptual stubble on his cheeks looks soft enough to touch. “Knox mentioned something. Who was the idiot that broke your heart again?”

  “Tyler Swanson,” I hiss. “Honestly, he’s like a parasite and a poltergeist combined. Every time I so much as think about him he pops up.”

  “Ah, well, we’re on the b-ball team together, and he is in class with you. I’ll try to remember how he crushed you when I’m grading his papers.”

  “That’s very kind of you. And as a thank you, I’ll bring the biggest gift to your wedding once Erika finally saddles you down with the love child she traps you with.”

  “Ha!” Eli belts out a laugh before those glowing eyes settle back over mine. “That will be the day. I’m not getting married, Kitten. I’m the guy your mother warned you about.” His upper lips twitches. “Not you in particular. You’re a no-fly zone.”

  “Ooh!” I can’t help but lean in. “Does that mean you have to resist the urge to take me, lest my big sister hunts you down and busts your kneecaps?”

  “No. It means you remind me of my own little sister, so you’re safe from my womanizing ways.”

  “Well, in that case, I’m sorry for your sister. If you speak to her half as condescendingly as you do me, I really do feel sorry for the poor thing.”

  “Don’t.” His affect changes on a dime. “She’s dead. Sarah died along with my parents in a car wreck a few years back.”

  “Oh my God.” Everything I’ve thought about Eli is turned on its ear. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

  “It’s fine. I’ve dealt with it. I’ve still got my aunt. And, as she likes to remind me, I’ve got a purpose on this spinning blue rock. And don’t you dare think of treating me any differently than you would have before you knew. I hate when people feel sorry for me.” He leans in and taps my knee with his hand. “Promise?” he asks gently as he holds my gaze.

  “I promise.” The words are hardly audible as if maybe I didn’t.

  “Good.” He leans back and examines me once again. “So, speaking of class, why are you always looking down at your phone instead of listening to the professor? Not only is it a blatant sign of disrespect, but I hate to break it to you, Kitten. It’s not the road to an easy A.”

  “It’s actually all your fault.” I whip out my phone and pull up my Honey Hollow Hot Honeys app. “I’m in a hot and heavy relationship with a shark.” I open up my message thread with the shark in question and hand it to Eli to inspect. “Read ’em and weep, sweetie. Someone actually thinks I’m worth the time to engage with.”

  His lips twist as he scrolls down through the messages. “Geez. I think we’re back to the subject of stalkers. What’s with the picture?” He shakes his head. “Never mind. Just stumbled upon his excuse. Broken camera? Harley, stay away from this nutcase. Do not, and I mean it, do not set up a meet and greet with this guy without your friends being present. I don’t care if it is required to take place at the Black Bear.”

  It’s true. Per the rules of the otherwise unruly app, all meet-ups must take place at the Black Bear Saloon. It’s something Serena worked out with the owners and everyone thought was a brilliant idea at the time. And, considering the hookup hungry partaker of the app almost always grabs a bite while they’re there, it was truly a brilliant financial move.

  I take my phone back and glare at the football Adonis whom I’ve inadvertently strapped myself to this weekend.

  “Don’t you worry about my love life. Keep your attention on Erika, or whomever you think it should be on. I’ll be fine.”

  Eli doesn’t say a word. He just stares me down as we head to New York.

  For once in my life, everything is falling into place. My love life is going along just swimmingly, and my career is about to rocket off into outer space.

  Or at least a girl can dream.

  Eli sheds a crooked grin my way, and my stomach bisects with heat.

  Down, girl. The last thing in the world I need is Eli Gates throwing a monkey wrench into my best-laid plans.

  ELI

  N ot that I plan on throwing a monkey wrench into Harley’s best-laid plans, but I don’t care too much for Shark Boy and those sweet sexual nothings he’s been texting her at lightning speed. Who the hell pens a girl a novel, telling her that he appreciates everything about her without having met her in person?

  Last summer when Serena came to me asking for help with the app, it all sounded like a good idea, but, in truth, after looking at that string of messages from what appears to amount as a stalker on Harley’s behalf, I’m starting to think we didn’t put in place nearly enough measures to ensure the security of the end users.

  How would I feel if Sarah was the one having a conversation with some random dude who’s hiding behind a blurry lens and fake name? I’d be damn concerned, that’s for sure.

  I look across at Harley as we prepare to land. I’m not sure why I keep likening her to a little sister. I certainly don’t feel brotherly toward her. But I do feel an innate need to watch over her. She shares a zest for life and an intense impulsivity that makes me a
little afraid for her at the same time.

  Her lips twist in a knot. Harley has perfectly pouty lips, my favorite lips to kiss. I should know, I’ve sampled every shape and size.

  “Why are you staring at me?” she snips.

  “Because you’re in my line of vision and the captain gave a direct order to stay put in our seats.” I flick my seat belt at her, and she scoffs.

  The landing goes smoothly, and we take a taxi into Midtown with Harley pointing out every nook and cranny as if I were a tourist. The fact is, I haven’t been here in so long I’m starting to feel like one.

  “So, where are you staying?” Her excitement over her impending plans to rocket her career into gear seems to have quelled her a bit, and I’m liking this relatively calm, sane version of her.

  “I don’t know. Maybe I’ll change my mind and crash with my aunt, but then I won’t get to see you until we leave on Sunday.” Not entirely true.

  “Sounds like heaven to me. Good luck with your aunt. Hey? Maybe she’ll teach you needlepoint and you’ll make a pillow that reads there’s no place like home.” She bites down on her lip as a giggle escapes her.

  “And what are you going to be doing after your interview? You do realize if you go clubbing and disappear, your sister will hang me by my feet.”

  “Oh, she’ll find more creative, far more painful ways to hang you. But don’t worry. I was just going to walk around the city, head to Broadway, maybe take a stroll through Central Park, grab a meal from my favorite street vendor.”

  My stomach wrenches at the thought of her doing those things alone.

  “Sounds good.” I’m okay with the lie so long as she answers the questions to my inquisition without realizing it. “Did you tell your friends you’re in town?”

  “Nope. I don’t have any friends in New York. Everyone’s off to college somewhere, and I don’t know anyone at Columbia. My dad is usually here, but he’s in Hong Kong on business, so it’ll just be me all by my lonesome.”