Corrupting Sweetness: Sweet and Sassy Duet, #1

By Maureen Shigeno

A love-hate relationship filled with tension, heat, and an HEA.

Everly-
I hate him. We argue nonstop and, yet, I want him more than I've ever wanted another person. There's no denying he makes me furious, but even that turns me on. His harsh words and bitter looks are a contrast to the tender way he possesses my body. I'm his and I'll stand toe-to-toe with him, inside and outside the bedroom.

Landon-
I hate women. They're all the same. They're greedy and will have you wrapped around their little finger as they drive their stiletto heel into your back. Everly is no different. She may be innocent, especially for a college girl, but she's hiding a darkness inside her. I'm sure of it. And I'll prove it. Without falling in love. Maybe…

*18+ due to violence and graphic content. May trigger some. This story can be read as a standalone and has an HEA for the main characters. This is a 30k sweet, steamy and FAST PACED read*

• Language: English
• Publisher: Maureen Shigeno
• Release date: Nov 6, 2020
• ISBN: 9798201001605

Book preview

PROLOGUE

EVERLY

FRESHMAN YEAR

I knew college would be hard, but I didn’t expect it to be this nerve-racking. I’m on pins and needles, and it’s only been a few weeks. Chewing on the tip of my pen, I simultaneously study my physics textbook and scroll through the wanted ads on my phone. Both are open atop the metal table I’m sitting at outside the coffee shop near the university.

I’m here on a scholarship that covers only the basics to survive. The money I saved up working part-time in high school is dangerously low. I can’t really afford to let my grades slip by splitting my time between school and work, but I need funds. I was never great at school. I got by, but not without hours and hours of studying. I barely skated by enough to qualify for a scholarship. Surprised the hell out of me when I actually got it. 

Ecstatic, but surprised.

I never had much support back home, living with a mother that was more boy-crazy than your average teenager and a nonexistent father. We had no money, and I grew up knowing if I was ever going to make something of myself, I’d have to fight for it alone. Now that I’m here, it’s more than I’d prepared for. The workload is a million times harder, and falling behind is easier than counting to three. 

Scratching my head, I frown at the job options. I don’t have a car, so I need to find something that works around full-time schooling and within walking distance of the dorms. I’m coming up empty. Looking back at my textbook—that I’m somehow supposed to understand—has me groaning as my head falls on top of it.

What the hell am I going to do? I whine to myself.

Tears burn my eyes, and I have to lean up before I ruin my textbook with the water stains. I can’t afford another. 

Aww. She’s crying, someone teases as they pass by.

The group starts to giggle and laugh at my expense as I hastily try to wipe my eyes and duck my head.

Don’t worry, little one, a girl calls out. You can always go home to Mommy.

Yeah, a man says. I’m sure she’ll still love a dropout like you.

Seriously, what is she wearing? another hoots with laughter. She looks like the Virgin Mary.

You’d think that by college, people would have grown up a bit, out of their childish ways, but so far, I’ve learned otherwise. Studying my clothing, their laughter echoing in my ears, I realize the blue and purple dress is old-fashioned with its button-up collared top and full skirt, but I had thought it was pretty when I got it from the thrift store. Everything I own is secondhand, as we couldn’t afford it otherwise. Unfortunately for me, I’m surrounded by rich kids here. I let out a sigh as I bite my bottom lip and glance around the café to see who witnessed them bullying me.

My eyes meet his: Landon Kane.

Every college has a popular guy that girls fawn over, and Landon Kane is at the top of that list.

My face heats up with humiliation, but there’s something else stirring inside me as his dark gaze holds mine. He and I are on completely different levels in the school hierarchy, but as I look into his eyes, I feel like he sees me. And as stupid as it sounds, something passes between us. A connection I can’t explain, but can feel.

I close my eyes, fighting to control my emotions, and to my disappointment, I find him gone when I open them. Resting my elbow on the table, I place my cheek on the palm of my hand to hide my face and turn back to my phone. I can hear the group of bullies still laughing behind me—either mocking another poor kid or still getting a kick out of judging me—making it hard to focus.

My head jerks up as someone places a cupcake on the table next to my book. I blink through my tears and suck in a sharp breath when I see the man staring down at me. Landon’s dark eyes bore into mine as if he can see into my soul, causing me to shudder. The sun beams behind him, bathing him in light, making his dark clothing and mysterious nature even more intriguing than normal.

I’m unable to form words, and he speaks first in a deep drawl that caresses my body like raindrops falling onto a flower.

I think you need this more than I do.

My lips curve into a smile as I take in the white cupcake with buttercream frosting.

Blinking back more tears, I whisper, Thank you.

Try wearing jeans and t-shirts. Makes you less noticeable, and trust me, sweetness, you want to be invisible. You’re not made for this world. He peers over at my phone. And they’re hiring inside.

He strolls away with his hands in his pockets. Tilting my head, I watch him go. I think I’ve just discovered one good thing about coming here.

Smiling to myself, I pick up the cupcake and lick off a bit of icing. The sugary goodness coats my tongue, reviving my determination to get through the next four years of school.

CHAPTER 1

EVERLY

JUNIOR YEAR

I’ve made it to the second semester of my junior year in college. At first, I didn’t think I’d make it here, but as I got used to the challenges of my new life—dressing in more modern clothes of jeans and t-shirts, keeping up with my classwork, and working at the coffee shop—it became easier to deal with.

I regard Tristan Kane from across his kitchen table. When I first saw him two and a half years ago, I assumed he’d be a self-absorbed, stuck-up jock who had more brawn than brains. Meeting his dark and mysterious twin brother, Landon, had me easing on those notions for a little while. 

Until Landon did a one-eighty and turned into the biggest douche there ever was. After that initial meeting where he kindly gave me his cupcake outside the café, he was never nice to me again. He was callous and rude any time I tried to speak to him, hurling insults at me or muttering how much of a pain I was before shouldering past me.

I kept my distance from both of them after that. It felt like a punishment when I was partnered with Tristan for a class project a week ago. Like I’d done something to anger the college spirits or some shit. I was sure working with him would be a waste of time, but he surprised me. He’s nothing like Landon. Whereas Landon is cruel and unforgiving, Tristan is funny and kind. 

Tristan and I are working on our psychology paper. We have to write about the differences in the way a person looks and is perceived versus who they are on the inside and how people are stereotyped.

I write down my assumption of what music he listens to before looking up at him and asking, Music preference?

Tristan smirks, his dark eyes taunting me. Alternative.

Really? I’m way off, then, I giggle.

What did you put? Please don’t tell me you put something stupid like country. 

I like country! 

We burst out laughing.

Tristan says, I didn’t peg you for a country girl. I figured pop or something along those lines.

I shrug. I like both.

My eyes shift to the kitchen doorway as Landon walks in. My laughter fades and I duck my head as his eyes penetrate mine. The sense that he can see into my soul is still there, and I hate it as much as I hate him. He’s nothing like Tristan, except in looks. They both have dark hair, scruff on their faces, and fit bodies, but their personalities are opposite. While Tristan is extremely laid-back and fun to be around, Landon is quiet and has a mysterious aura surrounding his cold demeanor. I used to love that about him. Loved the way his black clothing helped fan that get-away-from-me vibe he had going. It just took me some time to realize he radiates it in the hopes of keeping everyone at arm’s length.

Unfortunately for him, it does nothing to stop the girls from throwing themselves at him. They still flock to him as much as they flock to his brother. He just doesn’t respond to it.

Landon walks past us without a word. Every time Tristan and I study at their house, Landon either glares at me or makes ridiculous comments under his breath.

Today is my third visit, and it’s still the same asshole routine. 

The minute I feel his eyes leave me, I glance over my shoulder at him. He opens the fridge and peers inside, bent at the waist; I can see the lean structure of his lower body. My heart rate rises. I don’t know why. I never get like this when it comes to Tristan and they look just alike but the twin I hate beyond words, intrigues me. Still!

Hey, Landon, Tristan calls out. What kind of music do you think Everly listens to?

I whirl around to stare at my books as my face heats. I can feel when Landon’s eyes fall on me. It’s like a radar, heating my skin wherever he looks. The fridge door closes, and I tense, waiting for his answer. He takes his sweet time. Nervous beads of