A Kiss is Just a Kiss Read online

  A Kiss

  IS JUST A KISS

  by Crystal Perkins

  Copyright © 2016 by Crystal Perkins

  Main photo by Joseph P. Souza

  www.josephpsouza.com

  Model: Thomas Stover

  Cover Design by Helen Williams

  www.allbookedout.com

  Ebook Formatting by Jesse Gordon

  adarnedgoodbook.com

  All trademarks are owned by their respective companies and are denoted by the use of proper capitalization of the company and/or brand. All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book. This contemporary erotic romance is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners. This ebook is licensed for your personal use only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with, especially if you enjoy sexy, emotional, romance novels with alpha males. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return it and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author’s work.

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  About A Kiss is Just a Kiss

  Other Books by Crystal Perkins

  Praise for Books by Crystal Perkins

  Stop…No More Hoover Time

  Sealing the Deal

  Fool Me Once and Kiss Me Twice

  Kian the Ignition

  Friendship is the Flavor of…?

  Kiss the Boys…and Run

  Topanga Me This

  Kiss, Tell, and Try Not to Cry

  Ryn the Day

  It’s Always Better to Give

  Kaprice of My Heart

  In It to Win…Something

  Kissing Cousins… or Were They Sisters?

  Adeline and Some Wine

  A Lick, a Suck, but Not a…Kiss

  Penelope for Your Thoughts

  Not a Chance

  London is Calling …and Calling

  Around the World before Hitting the Ground

  Scarlett Has Bloomed

  A House is Not Always a Home

  Estyn is Best in Show

  It’s Dark at the End of the Tunnel

  Bumbling Through to the End

  The Past Isn’t Just the Past Anymore

  When the Fall Isn’t Scary at All

  One Kiss Just Isn’t Enough

  Everything Changes, but Stays the Same

  Every After, Happily

  Acknowledgements

  About the Author

  About

  A KISS IS JUST A KISS

  A kiss isn't just a kiss when it's done right...

  Kye Davies has always believed that kisses are just a means to getting in a girl's pants (or better yet, her skirt). When his grandfather gives him a chance to get out of working in the family business, he agrees to the deal, even though it means embarking on a "kiss quest."

  His mission is simple...

  He has to kiss ten girls from his past, and any number of new girls, to see if he can feel anything for once. Whether he finds the "One" or doesn't, as long as he genuinely tries, he can go back to building the tiny houses he loves.

  Nothing is ever as simple as it seems...

  Weeks of kissing girls--and boys--leads to him being attacked, shot at, and challenged to a light saber battle by a three-year-old. It also makes him realize that the "One" may have been there will him all along, and he just didn't know it.

  10 kisses. 10 blasts from the past. 1 second-chance at love.

  OTHER BOOKS BY CRYSTAL PERKINS

  The Griffin Brothers series

  Gaming For Love (The Griffin Brothers #1)

  Building Our Love (The Griffin Brothers #2)

  Creating A Love (The Griffin Brothers #3)

  Learning To Love (The Griffin Brothers #4)

  Designing The Love (The Griffin Brothers #5)

  Working On Love (The Griffin Brothers #6)

  Keeping Their Love (The Griffin Brothers #7)

  Corrigan & Co. series

  Fielding Her SECRET (Corrigan & Co., #1)

  Devouring the SECRET (Corrigan & Co., #2)

  Rocking a SECRET (Corrigan & Co., #3)

  Lessons in SECRET (Corrigan & Co., #4)

  Uncovering His SECRET (Corrigan & Co., #5)

  Training the SECRET (Corrigan & Co., #6)

  Inheriting a SECRET (Corrigan & Co., #7)

  Tending Their SECRET (Corrigan & Co., #8)

  Playing in SECRET (Corrigan & Co., #9)

  Loving My SECRET (Corrigan & Co., #10)

  Society Weddings (a Corrigan & Co. novella)

  Society Girls

  Society Girls: Sierra (Society Girls, #1)

  Society Girls: Neveah (Society Girls, #2)

  Society Girls: Matisse (Society Girls, #3)

  Other books

  Never Fear-Phobias Horror Anthology

  (Chronophobia short story)

  Never Fear-Christmas Terrors Anthology

  (Silent Fright short story)

  PRAISE FOR BOOKS BY CRYSTAL PERKINS

  “People should be free to love whoever their heart leads them, too. And this author did a great job of presenting a passionate love between 2 people who are seen as different from each other as dictated by society, but this difference wasn't a part of the love they share. Ms. Perkins did an admirable job of dealing with the issue (and other issues) as a non issue, if that makes sense.” —DianeM, Amazon Reviewer, Creating A Love

  “I love this series!!!!!! Crystal has the amazing ability to bring her characters to life. I laugh with them, I hurt with them, I smile with them, and I cry with them.” —Jessica, Amazon reviewer, The Griffin Brothers series

  “I love how Crystal makes the characters feel like real people.” —Tami, Amazon Reviewer, Learning To Love

  “This is a lovely romance story that has a sexy sizzle to it but it's funny as well as it is somewhat edgy. I like that the hero has money but it's not the focal point in this story. I love that the heroine has problems but they are not so insurmountable that they take over the story. This is good old-fashioned romance done with a modern day twist. Well Done.” —Kindle Customer, Amazon Reviewer, Gaming For Love

  “I found this book on Amazon yesterday and loved the cover. I read the synopsis and knew I had to get it. So I purchased it and started to read it right away. Oh my, I could not put the book down. I got so wrapped up in the story I was afraid to put my Kindle down or I would miss a part.” —Amazon Customer, Gaming For Love

  “I thought this was a fantastic start to a series, and kind of first book of a series that makes you want to rush out and buy each additional book in the series. The premise of a strong group of women working together to help other women in need was pretty awesome. I loved how C0rrigan & Co was a secret covert company along the same lines as the underground railroad but it saved women from sticky situations or abusive relationships.” —Aubrey, Romancing the Book blog, Fielding Her SECRET

  “I had so many different emotions while reading. I was rooting people, wanting kick p
eople, wanting to rip some peoples clothes off, laughing while reading, gasping out loud. Seriously, I read this like a crazy person. So much happened that I was not mentally prepared for. There were so many shockers while reading this I could not even think about putting the book down.” —Sabrina, Amazon Reviewer, Devouring the SECRET

  “Love this book the suspense and sex is EPIC.” —Teresa Jensen, Amazon Reviewer, Rocking a SECRET

  “Perkins breathes life into their characters and has the reader feeling their agony, pain, and even their love for one-another. I enjoy reading her books and learning more and more about each of the people that make up this secretive group.” —Dayreader Reviews, Corrigan & Co. series

  “In the end I am somehow proud of you Crystal Perkins. How you portrayed Ellie and her and Aiden love. I know I have no right to be, and it's really not my place to say but I am proud I read it and I recommend it to all women so they can see how strong We can be.” —Marta Bukoswka, Goodreads Reviewer, Tending Their SECRET

  “The story flowed well and kept my attention throughout. There was one part I was totally not expecting to happen. I love when that happens.” —Lisa Dess, Girls With Books blog, Training Her SECRET

  “Wow this story! There are some stories and characters that leave you speechless, breathless and at times slightly broken, and Loving my SECRET Matt & Reina's story is definitely one of them!” —Vicki Plant, Goodreads Reviewer, Loving My SECRET

  “I laughed I cried and there many times that I wanted to throw my device.” —Mallory, Goodreads Reviewer, Loving My SECRET

  “Perkins gives the reader a quick peak into the Weddings of the amazing ladies in the society. What a fun roller coaster ride it was.” —Taz Lozada, Goodreads Reviewer, Society Weddings

  “Totally loved this book as I did with all of crystals book previous to this with their well written gripping story lines brilliant characters a must read really can't wait for the next in series.” —Sassylady33, Amazon Reviewer, Society Girls: Sierra

  For Samantha Myers,

  who gave me the name Kye!

  Stop

  …NO MORE HOOVER TIME

  I have no idea how I got roped into attending this damn cocktail party. Well, that’s not exactly true. My cock is what got me here. More specifically, my date’s mouth wrapped around said cock. If only I’d liked it as much when our mouths were joined, but I didn’t. She tried to hoover my mouth like she did my dick, and I actually lost feeling in my lips for a few minutes. I wanted to run, and hide—like maybe even on a different continent—but she did get on her knees for me. I may be an asshole at times, but I’m always a gentleman asshole, and yes, that is a thing. So here I am.

  “Where’s your date?” my best friend, Easton, asks me.

  “With any luck, she left.”

  “She didn’t leave,” my other best friend, Beatrice, tells me. “I just saw her with the mayor.”

  “He’s single now, right?”

  “Yep,” East says with a smile. “That bad, huh?”

  “When she was on her knees, it was great.”

  “Of course it was,” Bea says, rolling her eyes. “You are such a boy.”

  “I am. Totally. So don’t try and use that as an insult.”

  “I’ve seen your dick, Kye. It’s not that impressive.”

  “Stop! He’ll hear. Wound me all you want with your bitter spinster words, but leave him alone.”

  “Bitter spinster? I’m 24.”

  “Going on 100,” East reminds her. “You won’t even have a random hook-up.”

  “Why would I want that?” she asks.

  “Why wouldn’t you?” I counter. “You’re young, rich, and not too bad looking when you put some effort into it. You could score some fun pretty easily.”

  “Oh look, there’s the waiter with the champagne. I need some of that after this conversation with you two morons. Actually, I probably need the whole bottle. Then I can pass out and pretend I dreamed this all up.”

  “If you get drunk, I’ll hold your hair again,” I tell her.

  “I won’t,” East says. “Not after last time. I love you, Bea, but no.”

  “Maybe I’ll do what you both want, and find myself another guy to hold my hair.”

  “Make sure you get some action before you start blowing chunks. That’s a definite mood killer.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind,” she says, drily, before walking away.

  “We should really help her out more. She needs to have some fun,” East tells me.

  “She’s fine,” I say, waving my hand. “Back to me. That chick tried to suck my mouth into her vacuum sealed lips.”

  “They are kind of big. She has to be getting injections,” he says thoughtfully. “I bet she really did give good head.”

  “Focus, man. She’ll be back any minute. I need an out.”

  “She’s not coming back.”

  “How do you know that?”

  “She just left with the mayor.”

  “Oh shit. I hope she doesn’t kill him. He’s a good guy.”

  “At least you dodged the bullet.”

  “Vacuum. I dodged the human vacuum. Pay attention, man.”

  “You are so ridiculous sometimes.”

  “Ridiculously charming.”

  “Yeah. Something like that.”

  “Oh look, I don’t think I’ve met that chick yet,” I say nodding towards a new arrival.

  “Your date has barely left the room, and you’re already looking for the next one? Why am I not surprised?”

  “I’m not looking for a date—I just want to get laid. Don’t act like you’re not looking, either.”

  “In this room? I’ll be lucky to find someone drunk enough to kiss me.”

  “There’s gotta be some guys willing to come out of the closet for more than a kiss.”

  “Not likely, but a few kisses from some of the men here wouldn’t be bad.”

  “Dude, come on. A kiss is a fail unless it’s going to get you more.”

  “So you keep telling me. I disagree, and you’re not going to change my mind. I love a good kiss.”

  “To each his own. You kiss the boys, and I’ll fuck the girls. That leaves us all happy.”

  “Hey, I fuck, too.”

  “Yeah, but you kiss more—and let’s face it, the opposite is so very much better.”

  “Whore.”

  “Damn straight. Now if you’ll excuse me, I just made eye contact, and she licked her lips. Time to play.”

  “Don’t forget the condom.”

  “Don’t forget the lip balm.”

  “Bastard.”

  I flip him off behind my back as I smile for the pretty girl. As I get closer, I see the predatory gleam in her eyes, telling me she knows who I am. Oh well, it’s not the first time I’ve slept with a woman who only wanted me for bragging rights. I get a notch, and she gets to brag—it’s a win-win situation for both of us.

  Sealing

  THE DEAL

  “How was your date last night?” my Gramps asks when I visit him the next day.

  “She sucked. Both literally, and figuratively.”

  “How did she kiss?”

  “Why do you always ask that after I have a date? A kiss is just a kiss.”

  “No. A kiss isn’t just a kiss when it’s done right.”

  “You’ve been telling me that since I was young enough to pop a woody, but I still think you’re wrong. Kisses are just something to pass the time until you get a girl’s pants off.”

  “In my day, most girls wore skirts. Made things easier.”

  “There you go. I wholly approve of skirts.”

  “Look around you, Son. Your Gram filled this house with pictures, figurines, and anything she could find that depicted or represented kisses. It was the first kiss we shared that told us both that we were the ‘One’ for each other, and we cherished each other’s kisses until the end. Little pecks, long sexy drags of our lips…”

  “Um, yeah, I get it. Thanks f
or the unwelcome visual, by the way. I know you and Gram thought kissing was important, but I just don’t get it.”

  “I know you don’t, and so did she. When she was getting ready to leave this Earth, she asked me to help you, and I promised her I would.”

  I swallow hard, because I loved my Gram probably more than anyone else, and it still hurts to think about never seeing her again. “You’re supposed to help me with kissing?”

  “Not kissing, Kye. A single kiss. The one kiss that will change everything for you.”

  “Are you going to provide the fireworks to make it extra special?” I ask with a laugh.

  “Your smart mouth already gets you in enough trouble, so shut it for a few minutes while I talk to you about something serious.”

  “I loved Gram, and I love you, but kisses are not serious. They’re not—anything.”

  “Your grandmother’s research proves that’s not true. She knew the importance of the right kiss, and she also knew you needed help finding it.”

  He’s talking about her kissing research. My Gram was so obsessed with kisses that she went around the world, interviewing everyone who would talk to her about their best kiss and what kissing meant to them. She tried to ask me the questions, but I had no answers for her. That’s honestly my only regret in life; I couldn’t give her answers, but I wasn’t going to lie. She wouldn’t have been happy with that.

  “I think you’re going to have to spell things out for me, Gramps. You know I’m not the brightest crayon in the box.”

  “Nonsense! You only scraped by in your business classes because you weren’t interested in them.”

  Um, he’s not supposed to know that. No one’s supposed to know that. I mean, East and Bea know, but no one else does. I hate ledgers and numbers and all that shit. It’s my destiny, so I took the classes and made myself pass them, but I’d rather be stabbed in the eye than run the family business. Unfortunately for me, and all the people who’ll be forced to work with me, I have to run the company. Legacy and all that crap make it necessary since Gramps insists on passing over my Dad.

  I’d be bitter, and maybe I sound bitter, but I’d do anything for Gramps. Including finishing my Master’s Degree, and pretending I don’t hate the idea of being stuck behind a desk for the rest of my life.