Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 76452 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 382(@200wpm)___ 306(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76452 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 382(@200wpm)___ 306(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
Charlotte
I’m not just kissing the rival… I’m falling for him.
Spencer Pennington has always been a shameless flirt, but when it came to being the best in our MBA program, all bets were off, and the competition was on.
Fast-forward a few years, and all it takes is a bar at a failed wedding and my silly kiss-rating system to lock lips with the enemy. Cocky as ever, Spencer claims he’s a ten and kisses me to prove it. I kiss him back to scratch an old itch, not expecting to like it.
Which is a huge problem, because Mr. Tall, Dark, and Tattooed from grad school is my new boss. And I want to kiss him again and again. Even if I only gave him a four.
Spencer
Charlotte Krause could be the perfect girl, if she didn’t hate me so much. I’m unsure if it was just me or guys in general, but she had this stuck-up, all-work-no-play vibe about her in college.
Imagine my surprise when I find her at the resort bar rating kisses like it’s her job. This carefree woman is nothing like the focused girl who turned me down at freshman orientation. And every time after that.
When I promise her I’m a ten, I see that competitive spark light in her ocean-blue eyes. There she is. She might have kissed me to prove me wrong, but I know I’m right about one thing.
She feels the spark too. There’s just one problem. It turns out her actual job is working for me.
*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************
PROLOGUE CHARLOTTE
Charlotte
Clemson University, Freshman Year
Walking into the large auditorium, I scan the room. There are students milling around everywhere and the sounds of their voices echo throughout the room. My knees are shaking and my palms are wet from sweat. I don’t know that I’ve ever been this nervous. I don’t know a single person at this university and I have more problems in my life than a math test, but I’m here, and I’m determined to see this through.
I have to see this through.
Leaving home and saying goodbye to my little sister was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. I’ve questioned my decision more times than I can count, but at the end of the day, I know this is what’s best. She’s in good hands with Aunt Miranda. She might not be the most loving of parental figures, but she’s what we have, and I’ll check in with Audrey daily. She’ll barely know I’m not there.
Finding a seat in the back, I plop down, setting my backpack with all my essentials at my feet. I’ve never been to one of the college freshman orientations. I don’t know if I need something while here, and I don’t want to be that girl—the shy one with no friends to sit with and who doesn’t have what she needs.
But I’m here nonetheless.
As I glance at my wrist, pain pierces my chest when I see my dad’s watch. He wasn’t wearing it the night of the accident. It’s the first thing I noticed when I went into my parents’ room. I asked Audrey if she wanted it, but she said no. It’s far too large for my tiny wrist, but I can’t seem to go a day without wearing it. Aunt Miranda tells me it will get easier—that time heals all wounds—but I’m pretty sure she’s mistaken. I don’t know that any amount of time will fill the hole of the loss of my parents.
Reaching into my backpack for my phone to text my sister, I hear a deep “Hey” next to me. Turning, I see a guy with dark brown hair, the most amazing brown eyes I’ve ever seen, and a smile that I’m sure has the ladies lining up for his attention.
“Hi.” I tuck my hair behind my ear and quickly type out a message to my little sister.
Me: What are you up to?
Audrey: I’m in business ethics class.
Me: Why are you replying if you’re in class?
Audrey: Why are you texting me when you know I’m in class?
She has a point.
“I’m Spencer,” the hot guy says. I look over, and he offers me a grin and his hand. I take it.
“Charlotte.” I used to hate my full name, only my parents used it, but now that they’re gone, I long to hear them say it just one more time.
“Nice to meet you, Charlotte.”
“You too,” I say, going back to my phone.
Me: Call me when you get out of school, and we’ll catch up.
Audrey: You’ve been gone for three days, Charlie. There isn’t much to catch up on.
Me: I miss you.
I can practically see her rolling her eyes at me.
Audrey: I miss you too. I’ll call you later. Aren’t you supposed to be in orientation?
I send her a quick picture of the auditorium.
Audrey: You’ve got this, big sister.
Me: We’ve got this.
A man steps up to the podium, raises his hand, and the room starts to quiet down.
Me: Starting. Gotta go.
I slide my phone back into the front pocket of my bag and keep my eyes on the man front and center.
“Boyfriend?” Spencer asks from his seat next to me.
I turn my head just slightly to look at him. “What?”
He nods to where I just shoved my phone back in my bag. “Texting your boyfriend?”
“No.”
“Husband?”
This time I turn and give him my full attention. “Do I look like I’m married?” My voice comes out a little harsher than I intended. That’s been my normal stance since we lost our parents three short months ago. I don’t mean to come off short, but I’m just so damn angry, I don’t know how to deal with it. I hate that I had to leave my sister with our aunt, and I hate the unknown.
“I don’t know. A beautiful girl like you”—Spencer shrugs—“it wouldn’t surprise me if someone decided to put a ring on it.”
I raise my left hand and wiggle my fingers. “Nope.” Before he can respond, the president of the university begins his welcome speech. The room falls silent as we all hang on to his every word. An hour later, we’re finally dismissed, and I’m still riddled with anxiety about the unknown.
“Hey, Charlotte, want to grab a coffee?” Spencer asks. He shoves his hands into his pockets and rocks back on his feet. I notice a tattoo that peeks out from beneath his Clemson T-shirt.