Table of Contents
Synopsis
What Reviewers Say About Melissa Brayden’s Work
By the Author
Acknowledgments
Dedication
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-one
Chapter Twenty-two
Chapter Twenty-three
Epilogue
About the Author
Books Available From Bold Strokes Books
Synopsis
Sleeping with the enemy has never been so complicated.
Twenty-eight-year-old Brooklyn Campbell is having a bad day. A speeding ticket, a towed car, and a broken heel are all working against her laid-back vibe. To top it all off, her birth mother, whom she's never met, has requested contact. The only bright spot is an impromptu date with a beautiful and mysterious brunette.
Jessica Lennox is what you would call a high-powered executive. She's the head of a multimillion-dollar advertising firm in New York City, and it didn't happen by accident. But when the blonde head turner from the wine bistro turns out to be her number one competitor, her life gets infinitely more complex.
Is New York big enough for both Brooklyn and Jessica? Maybe it's just time they experienced it together...
Kiss the Girl
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What Reviewers Say About Melissa Brayden’s Work
WAITING IN THE WINGS
“This was an engaging book with believable characters and story development. It’s always a pleasure to read a book set in a world like theater/film that gets it right…a thoroughly enjoyable read.”—Lez Books
“This is Brayden’s first novel, but we wouldn’t notice if she hadn’t told us. The book is well put together and more complex than most authors’ second or third books. The characters have chemistry; you want them to get together in the end. The book is light, frothy, and fun to read. And the sex is hot without being too explicit—not an easy trick to pull off.”—Liberty Press
HEART BLOCK
“The story is enchanting, with conflicts and issues to be overcome that will keep the reader turning pages. The relationship between Sarah and Emory is achingly beautiful and skillfully portrayed. This second offering by Melissa Brayden is a perfect package of love—and life to be lived to the fullest. So grab a beverage and snuggle up in a comfy throw to read this classic story of overcoming obstacles and finding enduring love.”—Lamda Literary Review
“Although this book doesn’t beat you over the head with wit, the interactions are almost always humorous, making both characters really quite loveable. Overall a very enjoyable read.”—C-Spot Reviews
HOW SWEET IT IS
“‘Sweet’ is definitely the keyword for this well-written, character-driven lesbian romance novel. It is ultimately a love letter to small town America, and the lesson to remain open to whatever opportunities and happiness come into your life.”—Bob Lind, Echo Magazine
“Oh boy! The events were perfectly plausible, but the collection and the threading of all the stories, main and sub plots, were just fantastic. I completely and wholehearted recommend this book. So touching, so heartwarming and all out beautiful!”—Rainbow Book Reviews
By the Author
Waiting in the Wings
Heart Block
How Sweet It Is
Kiss the Girl
Kiss the Girl
© 2014 By Melissa Brayden. All Rights Reserved.
ISBN 13: 978-1-62639-114-7
This Electronic Book is published by
Bold Strokes Books, Inc.
P.O. Box 249
Valley Falls, New York 12185
First Edition: July 2014
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission.
Credits
Editors: Lynda Sandoval and Shelley Thrasher
Production Design: Susan Ramundo
Cover Design By Sheri ([email protected])
Acknowledgments
I love New York City. I always have. There’s something about it that’s just so alive. The energy in the city is palpable, and there’s a feeling of such possibility. Over the years, it’s become a home away from home, and I had a great time further exploring its nooks and crannies in the research for this story. I couldn’t imagine a better backdrop.
Working on this book didn’t much feel like work, and I think that is a testament to those who were on this journey with me.
Lynda Sandoval, you are a smart and witty person. Editing this book with you was an enjoyable ride. You understood where I was going and worked hard to enhance that vision. I felt supported, cheered on, and learned a lot from working with you. You’re everything a unicorn should be and more.
Shelley Thrasher, I think it’s safe to say that you are a master of sentence structure and make me sound better than I really do.
Radclyffe, Cindy Cresap, Sandy Lowe, Sheri, and all of the Bold Strokes associates, authors, and proofreaders, you make me happy to be a part of this team. Thank you for doing all of the hard stuff so I can stare at walls and dream. I’m very lucky to have you.
Alan, you’ve shared more New York trips with me than I could ever count. Blizzards. Late night theater debates. Wine bars in Hell’s Kitchen. Reading books in the park. Jazz at Birdland. Ticket missions. Writing words at coffee shops. And surely lots more to come.
As for The Triumvirate, what would I ever do without you guys? It’s really nice to have somewhere to turn. What a happy accident we were…
Lastly, thank you to the readers who have been so wonderful to me. I hope this is a long relationship. As long as you’re willing to read, I’ll try to have more stories to tell.
Dedication
For The Lady
(the most awesome mom a person could have)
Prologue
It was September in New York and that meant the start of something new. The NYU campus was alive with the hum that only back-to-school week brought with it, and the excitement was palpable. The bookstore was crowded with students, Starbucks had a line out the door, and copious numbers of coeds were playing ultimate Frisbee in Washington Square Park. Academia was in the air and the world felt fresh, exciting.
And Brooklyn Campbell was ready.
With her sophomore year stretched out in front of her like a clean slate, she could be anyone she wanted to be. The possibilities were endless, and she planned to, once and for all, take advantage of them. True, she’d laid low her freshman year, not really venturing outside of her schoolbooks much. As a result, she hadn’t made a ton of friends, but the decision had been purposeful. When you�
�ve been burned as many times as she had in life, you learn to live cautiously, depend on yourself.
But it was time for a change.
She stared up at the nondescript brick building in front of her and blew out a breath. She checked her outfit out of nervous energy, as she couldn’t really do anything about it now. Faded jeans, a white scoop-necked T-shirt, and navy fringe scarf. Casual but trendy. She’d pulled her blond hair into a ponytail that day because somehow she thought that would trick her inner self into thinking she could take on the world.
In good news, the plan seemed to be working.
The interest meeting was set for three o’clock. She was late, but only because she’d taken time to enjoy the walk through campus. Brooklyn tended to operate on her own schedule. It was a problem she was working on.
Upon entering the room, she didn’t find it nearly as daunting as she’d imagined it would be. She looked around at the fifty-or-so minglers and blew out a breath. Actual gay people, congregated in one spot. It was a new concept and what could be an exciting new chapter of her life. As she strolled farther in, a couple of heads turned in her direction from the rows of chairs that were set up. Then a few casual smiles from the refreshment table, with some nervous glances thrown in, reminded her of how she was also feeling, which was, you know, encouraging.
She could totally do this.
Just as she took her seat in the fourth row on the aisle, a striking brunette stood and addressed the assembled students. She looked pressed and polished in a gray tapered blazer, medium-heeled boots, and a rather complicated French braid. Impressive.
“Welcome, everyone. I’m Mallory Spencer, this year’s president of the LGBT Student Interest Group. I hope we have a fantastic year ahead of us. In fact, I know we do.” Brooklyn exchanged a smile with the boy sitting next to her and exhaled slowly.
For the first time in a long time, she was exactly where she was supposed to be.
“It’s our goal to make this group a home for LGBT students and their allies. A place where our members can connect with one another socially and academically, and generate awareness around campus.” She held up a hand. “Don’t worry. We also plan to have a lot of wild parties you could get arrested for.” This generated a few laughs and knowing high fives.
“Later, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up for a committee, and we hope you’ll take us up on that and volunteer your time to make NYU a more diverse campus.”
As Mallory continued, Brooklyn took in the room. The group was fairly evenly made up of male and female students, who looked just as excited to be there as she was. Some sat in groups who shot each other inside glances as if they’d been friends for a long time. She couldn’t help but feel envious of that friendship, their histories. Others sat on their own, taking notes on everything Mallory said. She felt the butterflies in her stomach again, the same ones she’d experienced when she’d set out from her dorm room.
The truth was, she’d been aware of her sexuality since she was in her mid-teens; she’d just never been inclined to act on it. A big coming-out announcement hadn’t been necessary, as she didn’t really have anyone in her life to come out to. Just herself, really, and she’d done that.
After Mallory’s address, the meeting shifted into a more casual atmosphere as the students mingled, drank coffee, and snacked on the requisite cookies and raw vegetables. Brooklyn sipped from her Styrofoam cup, taking note of the fact that coffee, which she’d never really tried, wasn’t half bad. She might have to pick up the habit.
“Hey, I don’t think we’ve met.” Brooklyn turned and accepted the hand that was offered to her. “Samantha Ennis. Sam, actually.” The spunky girl looking back at her smiled brightly. She was several inches shorter than Brooklyn and had deep-auburn hair that she wore in a headband. Her eyes were green and luminous, pretty.
“Nice to meet you. Brooklyn.”
“Cool name.”
“Oh. Thanks. I think it’s a birthplace kind of a thing.”
“You think?”
Brooklyn lifted a shoulder. “Well, I was given up for adoption so I don’t really know for sure.” Okay, that was maybe too much information. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to lay my life history on you in the first sixty seconds.”
“Got it and no worries. Cool names don’t require explanations anyway, as far as I’m concerned. Have you been to one of these things before?” Something about this girl spoke of kindness. She seemed entirely nonthreatening.
“Never. You?”
Samantha reached across her and snagged an Oreo, which she promptly began to disassemble like a pro. “I started attending last year. Everyone’s pretty great, but I told myself that I’d get involved this year. I’ve volunteered to work with Mallory on the film series we’re launching next month. We’re thinking of setting up one screening each month.”
“Really? That’d be awesome. I’m kind of a film buff so I’ll be sure to check that out.”
Samantha slid her a sideways glance as an idea flashed across her face. “I don’t know if you’ve signed up for a committee yet, but we’re looking for some extra help.”
Plans with people. Yikes. Her first instinct was to come up with an excuse, tell Samantha she didn’t have a lot of extra time in her schedule, because really she didn’t. Plus, it was the safe way out. But she was supposed to be pushing past that tendency. New-leaf time, she reminded herself. Turn some leaves, already. “Um, sure. What can I do?”
“We’re meeting at Barry’s tomorrow night at eight to start planning. It’s a little coffee shop on Mercer between Third and Fourth. Can you make it?”
Brooklyn took a deep breath. An opportunity to try out her aspiring coffee habit? How could she say no? “I’ll be there.”
*
Barry’s Coffee House was one of those ultra-hipster spots that made Brooklyn feel like she was infinitely smarter just for being there. It had a brick interior with lots of red leather couches and overstuffed brown chairs arranged in loose little seating conglomerates. Students with laptops and journals sipped lattes as quiet jazz music slipped in through the speakers.
She’d located Samantha and Mallory easily enough, and after snagging a cappuccino, which she was a little unsure about, she settled in across from them.
“Hi.” Mallory smiled as Brooklyn sat down. “Mallory Spencer.”
“I know. I enjoyed your speech yesterday. You’re really great in front of a group. Brooklyn.”
“That’s nice of you to say and it’s nice to meet you.” She opened the leather-bound folder that said she meant business and pulled out an agenda. An actual agenda. “So, let’s get you caught up. Sam and I have some ideas in the works for the film series, but we could definitely use help finessing them.”
“And here comes more of that said help.” Samantha inclined her head in the direction of the door as a stunning girl with jet-black hair and a messenger bag walked in. She stopped at the coffee bar and kissed the cheek of the smiling barista, who whispered something in her ear. Looked cozy.
As the striking girl strolled over, Brooklyn took in her exotic look. Perhaps she was of Hawaiian descent? Either way she had the most gorgeous hair and soft brown eyes Brooklyn had ever seen. She obviously didn’t have to put much effort into her appearance because she’d look great in whatever she wore, however she did her hair. Right on cue, the girl tossed her hair out of her eyes and it fell in perfect haphazard layers. Damn, it was an impressive move. She eased into the chair next to Brooklyn and smiled, a dimple present on her left cheek.
Samantha tossed her a glance. “Brooklyn Campbell meet Hunter Blair. Hunter’s in my psychology class and offered to help with the film series. Oh, and she’s a consummate flirt. Don’t let it offend you.”
“I’ve seen you somewhere before,” Hunter said, studying her.
“I think I would remember.” Brooklyn definitely would have.
“The library. Second floor. You’re there for hours most nights.”
Brooklyn turned
to her playfully. “Then you must be too.”
She smiled. “I like it there. The quiet. The people-watching.”
Mallory rolled her eyes. “Hunter’s into smart girls.”
“Hunter’s into all girls,” Samantha said.
Brooklyn laughed and Hunter nodded in total, unapologetic agreement. This girl definitely had charisma.
“We should get started.” Mallory passed around a handout. “This is a list of twenty possible films. We should select nine. The idea is to start with a crowd-pleaser, nothing too heavy. Then we can segue into meatier, artsy stuff down the road once we’ve developed a following on campus.”
Samantha glanced up from the list. “That new movie, Flutter, might be available to screen. It’s light, comedic, and not too controversial. Plus, the villainess is hot.”
Hunter leaned forward. “If you say she’s hot, I second the motion.”
Brooklyn had a thought. “What if we did a talkback afterward? Movies are great, but people can see movies whenever they want. We’re in New York City, so chances of securing someone from the creative team shouldn’t be crazy hard. A writer, director, or even an actress.”
“Huh,” Mallory said, already scribbling notes. “I like this.”
“You think we can really make that happen?” Samantha asked, hopeful.
Brooklyn studied her. “There’s a good shot. I don’t mind making some calls to find out. Just have to figure out who handles the PR for these studios. They could point us in the right direction.”
“So are we thinking posters for advertising?” Hunter pulled out a laptop from her bag and flipped it open. The cover was adorned with all sorts of stickers—traffic signs, peace symbols, and random shapes and colors. It was a work of art all on its own.
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