Every Kiss

By C.J. Burright

A Music, Love and Other Miseries story

He's smooth, charming, arrogant and believes he can get whatever he wants—including her. Denying him is a challenge she can't resist.

Six months ago, Gia lost the love of her life—and the spark that earned her the nickname Glitter Girl'. When Christmas rolls near, along with her office-decorating duties and the traditional hiding of mistletoe for the underground holiday kissing bets, she puts on her happy face and pretends she isn't slowly suffocating. But when cocky lawyer and resident eye-candy Ian bets that she's the one who will be kissing him beneath the mistletoe, Gia places a bet of her own. No way, no how will she lock lips with Ian.

Ian O'Connor refuses to lose, whether in the courtroom, the bedroom or a bet concerning mistletoe kisses. From the day Gia walked into his law firm, she has haunted his fantasies with her blood-heating stilettos and sunshine smile. Now that she's single again, he'll do anything to eliminate his unhealthy fascination for her—a luxury he can't afford without exposing his troubled past.

But as their battle—and their chemistry—grow in intensity, both Gia and Ian may discover there's an even greater risk than losing a bet when surrendering to a kiss beneath the mistletoe.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Totally Bound Publishing
• Release date: Dec 17, 2019
• ISBN: 9781913186920

C.J. Burright

C.J Burright is a native Oregonian and refuses to leave. A member of Romance Writers of America and the Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal special interest chapter, while she has worked for years in a law office, she chooses to avoid writing legal thrillers (for now) and instead invades the world of paranormal romance, fantasy, and contemporary romance. C.J. also has her 4th Dan Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do and believes a story isn’t complete without at least one fight scene. Her meager spare time is spent working out, refueling with mochas, gardening, gorging on Assassin’s Creed, and rooting on the Seattle Mariners…always with music. She shares life with her husband, daughter, and a devoted cat herd.

Book preview

A Music, Love and Other Miseries Story

EVERY KISS

C.J. BURRIGHT

Every Kiss

ISBN # 978-1-913186-92-0

©Copyright C.J. Burright 2019

Cover Art by Erin Dameron-Hill ©Copyright December 2019

Interior text design by Claire Siemaszkiewicz

Totally Bound Publishing

This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Totally Bound Publishing.

Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Totally Bound Publishing. Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.

The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.

Published in 2019 by Totally Bound Publishing, United Kingdom.

No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the authors’ rights. Purchase only authorised copies.

Totally Bound Publishing is an imprint of Totally Entwined Group Limited.

If you purchased this book without a cover you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It was reported as unsold and destroyed to the publisher and neither the author nor the publisher has received any payment for this stripped book.

Music, Love and Other Miseries: The Prequel

He’s smooth, charming, arrogant and believes he can get whatever he wants—including her. Denying him is a challenge she can’t resist.

Six months ago, Gia lost the love of her life—and the spark that earned her the nickname ‘Glitter Girl’. When Christmas rolls near, along with her office-decorating duties and the traditional hiding of mistletoe for the underground holiday kissing bets, she puts on her happy face and pretends she isn’t slowly suffocating. But when cocky lawyer and resident eye-candy Ian bets that she’s the one who will be kissing him beneath the mistletoe, Gia places a bet of her own. No way, no how will she lock lips with Ian.

Ian O’Connor refuses to lose, whether in the courtroom, the bedroom or a bet concerning mistletoe kisses. From the day Gia walked into his law firm, she has haunted his fantasies with her blood-heating stilettos and sunshine smile. Now that she’s single again, he’ll do anything to eliminate his unhealthy fascination for her—a luxury he can’t afford without exposing his troubled past.

But as their battle—and their chemistry—grow in intensity, both Gia and Ian may discover there’s an even greater risk than losing a bet when surrendering to a kiss beneath the mistletoe.

Dedication

To Brenda, I’m so blessed to have found you in this wild, dark, crazy world.

Trademark Acknowledgements

The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:

Jingle Bell Rock: Joseph Carleton Beal and James Ross Boothe

The Grinch: Dr. Seuss Enterprises, L.P. Geisel-Seuss Enterprises, Inc.

Batman: DC Comics General Partnership

Lord of the Rings: J.R.R. Tolkien

Porsche: Dr ING HCF Porsche AG Corporation

Winter Wonderland: Felix Bernard and Richard B. Smith

Cinderella: Disney Enterprises Inc.

Macbeth: William Shakespeare

Chapter One

It was raining glitter inside Gia’s office. Red and green glimmered on the file she’d been staring blankly at for the last ten minutes, lost down the misery rabbit hole.

She leaned back in her chair and tilted her chin up, lifting her gaze to the source of the glitter cloud—Karen, her co-worker, keeper of all office gossip and her closest friend at Hamilton & Associates, the best law firm in Graywood, offering small-town representation, big-city quality and monumental prices.

I figured something sparkly would get your attention, Glitter Girl. Karen grinned down at her and sprinkled the last of the glitter from her palm onto Gia’s head. Since no one else volunteered this year, I need help with the Christmas decorations. The words held a teasing accusation, but the scratchy tinsel garland Karen draped around Gia’s neck felt like a threat.

Since landing her job at Hamilton & Associates two years earlier, when Valentine’s Day had passed without any change in the posh—and yawn-worthy—décor, Gia had appointed herself the interior festivities coordinator and celebrated every season and major holiday with colorful decorations. When she’d skipped Halloween this year, no one had protested. Apparently, her grieving period was no longer being tolerated and Christmas wasn’t going to pass by without her.

Even though she wished it would.

Gia pasted on a smile and hoped it looked real. Only if I get to hang the mistletoe in strategic places.

I was counting on it. Karen wrapped a shimmering green garland around her slender throat and twirled the end like a bristling boa. I can’t wait to watch Lisette trap O’Connor by the copy machine and watch how he slithers his way out of a real kiss.

For a second, her smile felt less plastic. The entire office took bets every year on how many times Lisette—the secretary who was nearly as old as the firm itself—would trap Ian O’Connor beneath the mistletoe. Since Ian had a one-night-only rule that he applied to women and never broke, it was fun to witness Lisette take up the challenge and beat him…at least as far as kisses went. Gia did her part by planting mistletoe in unexpected, unobtrusive locations and discreetly leaving Lisette a map.

Maybe watching someone else find a little romance would erase the shadow still clinging to her heart. Gia stood and straightened her black pencil skirt. Her pink cashmere sweater softened the darkness and, as much as she was sick of wearing black, it felt dishonest to give it up completely. She caught the bags of greenery and red ribbons Karen tossed at her. Operation Mistletoe is underway, Gia declared.

I hope you have some creative ideas this year. Karen’s green eyes glittered as she grabbed an armful of tinsel. As soon as decorations are up, O’Connor will be searching for the mistletoe and how to avoid it.

Or how to manipulate it.

I’m totally okay with him manipulating mistletoe with me. Karen wiggled her auburn eyebrows. I might even give Lisette some competition this season.

Gia shrugged. Ian was physically attractive—no one could deny that—but the only man she’d wanted in the last three years had been Joey.

Joey had been her everything.

Her breath caught and she squeezed the plastic bag of ribbons until the threat of tears faded. She cleared her throat. Is that an inside tip that I should bet on you instead of Lisette?

Lisette has old age and treachery on her side. My lust and determination have nothing on her. Karen pursed her ruby-rouged lips and narrowed her eyes, going into accountant mode. Absently, she pulled the ever-present pencil from behind her ear. But I’ll give you two to one odds that Lisette corners Ian at least five times and he slides out of a kiss on three of them.

How could you possibly keep track of that? Gia pulled a velvet ribbon from the bag. Do you have hidden cameras? Spies? An army of spiders who watch and spin their secrets to you at night?

Karen sniffed. I never reveal my sources. You know that.

Gia tied the ribbon around one sprig of mistletoe, grabbed the plastic container of red and green thumbtacks Karen had set on her desk and headed