KISSING MY CRUSH

  THE KISSING GAMES

  C. A. HARMS

  Copyright @ 2023 C.A. Harms All Rights Reserved

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, events, and other elements portrayed herein are either the product of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to real persons or events is coincidental.

  No part of this book may be reproduced, storied in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior permission of the author. If you should do so, legal action may be taken to protect the author and their work

  Editor Kylie Ryan

  Cover Designer: Sarah Paige

  Photographer Lindee Robinson

  THE KISSING GAMES

  Read all five of the books!

  Kissing My Crush - C.A. Harms

  Kissing My Brother’s Bride - Molly McLain

  Kissing the Rival - Kaylee Ryan

  Kissing A Stranger - Lacey Black

  Kissing My Soulmate - Evan Grace

  Thank you Molly McLain for including me in this fun project.

  CONTENTS

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Chapter 43

  Chapter 44

  The Kissing Games

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  CHAPTER

  ONE

  Amara

  “Do you have any idea how difficult it is to be in the same room as him and not react?” Grabbing my shot I lift it to my lips, not waiting for Claire to add her own two cents. I take a deep breath, and calm my breathing so I’m not panting, slowing my racing heart so I don’t start sweating. “It’s like a full-time job. If I do look at him, I immediately envision myself running my fingers through his hair and tugging on the ends. I picture myself pinned to the nearest wall and my body goes into overdrive. Certain places tingle, and others ignite with an uncontrollable need. It’s so wrong, but feels so right, it’s insane and incredibly intriguing. Damn it, I feel like a ping pong ball during the longest rally. I am a mess!”

  I lift another shot and down it quickly, the burn not even phasing me.

  “Hey, that was my shot.” Claire laughs and I hang my head in shame. Now I’ve resorted to being a drunken mess of pent-up frustration which is never a good plan. “But you can have it,” she adds with another laugh, shaking her head at me knowingly. “You need it way more than I do.”

  Ignoring her comment I continue to ramble on in my drunken panic.

  “How am I supposed to keep my head together when I’m going to be at a resort, with drinks flowing, and being less than five feet away from him? There will be an overload of romance, because hello, it is a wedding, and there I’ll be fantasizing once again about Ty. Picturing him in his hot firefighter gear, coat open, chest showing, that sinful look in his eyes. I’ve had that dream, so many times, being taken by him every way imaginable... it’s driving me mad, I tell you, mad!”

  Claire tries not to laugh at me, but I know she wants to. “Have you ever told him how you feel?”

  “Tell Tyler Collins that annoying little Amara has had a crush on him since she figured out what those feelings actually meant. Yeah, no!” I shake my head, already seeing the scenario playing out in my head and hating the outcome.

  “And you being a blubbering idiot whenever you are in the same room as him is a much better plan?”

  I glare at Claire, and she smiles with a little shrug. “Have I told you lately how annoying you are?”

  Claire and I have been best friends since grade school and all through high school. Her father was transferred to the Dallas area during our Junior year. It broke my heart when they left, but we’ve stayed in touch. I hate that I only get to see her a few times a year. She has always been the one person to never sugarcoat anything. She has no problem telling me all the things I don’t want to hear. In a strange way Claire makes me feel braver. She pushes me beyond my limits, and when she is around I tend to climb out of the shell I live in on most days.

  She stares at me; I stare at her, until I realize she has no intention of easing my thoughts. So instead I raise my hand and motion for the bartender to get us another round.

  “You do get that you are no longer the nerdy little twelve-year-old girl following around your cousins?”

  And here we go.

  “You are a swan Amara, a beautiful woman with a successful salon, and so much to offer any man. If Ty doesn’t see you for the gem you are then that’s his problem, not yours. I can guarantee you that there are at least five men in this bar alone that would die for a night with you.”

  “Now you’re being ridiculous.”

  “Are you placing your bets?” Claire challenges me, with an eyebrow cocked.

  “If you even think about trying to pimp me out I will send you back to Dallas with a shaved head.” Ignoring my words she starts to look around the bar. “Claire, I am not joking.”

  The bartender places four more shots on our table and I am quick to grab one and flip it back.

  What on earth made me think it was a good idea to go out with her? She is engaged and happy, so she has no intentions of finding a man for herself. Nope, instead she’s decided I’m the perfect project. Let’s get Amara laid before going back home. Like it’s a business trip she’s taking, and I am the job.

  “He’s not bad,” she points toward a guy standing near the pool tables holding a cue stick in hand.

  “He tight rolls his pants,” I wrinkle my nose and watch as her gaze wanders downward. Hers too wrinkles and she quickly looks away.

  “Him?” Claire nods in the direction of a tall man with blond hair right before an angelic woman steps up and he wraps his arms around her lovingly. “Never mind.”

  I roll my eyes and grab for another shot. Regretting I agreed to meet her at the bar, and wishing I was home in my pajamas instead, with a warm cozy blanket and a glass of wine.

  Moving too fast in the chair I grip the table's edge and instantly start counting the number of tequila shots I’ve had in a short time frame.

  “If this isn’t a sign from God then I don’t know what is.” Claire states interrupting my thoughts.

  Refocusing on Claire and seeing she is looking across the bar, I try to follow where her attention is focused. The floating feeling, like my body is swaying from side to side, is making it difficult to focus.

  “Now’s your chance to rub up on him like a kitten.”

  I’m about to laugh at her when I see who she is referring to, and my stomach does a nervous flip.

  So many nights I’ve fallen asleep allowing myself to imagine Ty in bed next to me. I’ve spent half my life watching him date and give other girls and women his attention. I’ve always been the younger girl, the annoying little tagalong cousin. Linc never liked me being around, but Liam, he never made me feel as though I didn’t belong. With Linc and Liam came Tyler, and he has been my object of affection from the very first time I met him. Tyler Collins was the first boy that ever made my little heart race. To me at that age, boys were annoying and gross, but Ty, he made everything feel different.

  Those feelings never changed, they only grew stronger and not once have I ever said a word to anyone but Claire about them.

  The fear of rejection was much too strong. The worry I had of making things awkward overpowered my desires.

  “Are you going to drink those?” I ask as I point to her two new shots the waitress just sat in front of Claire.

  “I think if you drink those you're going to end up flat on your ass.” She dips her chin a bit, and says. “Although, that may get his attention.”

  Ignoring her once more I grab one and down it, and go for the second but she beats me to it. “Seriously Amara?” She shields me with her outstretched arm.

  “What?” I huff in irritation. “Should I go over there and start humping his leg?”

  “I’d maybe start out with a, hey, how ya doing.” Claire is trying not to laugh. “Then a little laugh, maybe press your hand to his stomach or chest in a flirtatious manner. If you go right for the humping I think maybe that will set the precedence for the rest of your relationship.” She shrugs. “He’ll expect the dry humping every time, and well who wants to do that in Church or at a friendly dinner.”

  “I really want to lock yo
u in a trunk right now.”

  She laughs knowing she’s got me right where she wants me. Breaking through my near panic attack with her humor.

  “Can we just dance or something?” I need a minute to focus on anything other than Tyler.

  “Whatever,” Claire says with a shrug, tipping back her shot, before slapping the empty glass onto the table. “If we must.”

  Standing I sway a little and she laughs, reaching out to steady me. “I’m good,” I say assuring her but knowing I’m way more drunk than I initially thought. “Oh I love this song,” I start to move toward the dance floor and spend way too much time focusing on each step. Ignoring the giggling of Claire I make my way to the crowd of people and start to sway my hips. Feeling incredible, I give in to the haze and enjoy the relaxed feeling of my body. Desperately needing my mind to drift away...

  Several songs later and feeling so much more brave than I had thirty minutes ago I turn and start to walk away; hearing Claire holler my name. My sights are set on one man in particular. I continue to remind myself of Claire’s words with each step. I’m no longer a child, I am a swan.

  “Amara,” Claire covers my hand with her own, giving me a little tug and I pause looking back. “You aren’t going to hump his leg are you?”

  “Who knows,” I shrug knowing that if I was sober I wouldn’t be doing anything at all.

  Turning back around with every intention of continuing toward Tyler I am surprised to find him standing right before me. I stumble in surprise, and he reaches out to grip my waist.

  “Whoa,” Tyler offers me a smile.

  I’m flush to his chest and the smell of his aftershave surrounds me. I allow my eyes to flutter shut as I breathe him in. Placing my hand to his chest I try not to whimper when I feel how solid he is beneath my fingertips.

  But he feels so incredible and without being able to stop it, my body reacts to our closeness. Leaning into him, I press my chest to his and look up into his dark hazel eyes.

  “Amara,” the way he says my name, a deep soothing whisper, is incredibly sexy and does things to my body from head to toe. “Are you having a good time?”

  I know it's my drunken haze, but his question feels like so much more than the average inquiry. That mixed with the feel of his hands settled on my hips, feeling of our mingling breaths, it’s all so consuming.

  Without thinking it through I lift my hand and trace over his jaw with my fingertips. He leans into my touch, his eyes closing for only a few seconds and when they reopen he holds my stare.

  “I’ve been dreaming about doing that for years.” I confess, all my fear suddenly disappearing.

  I’ve never in my life wanted another person more. I’ve never had such intense dreams about the same person over and over... craving to live those dreams out in detail. My body loses all control when it comes to Tyler, and I know if I was sober none of this would be happening. So I figure, what the hell, why not just go with it.

  CHAPTER

  TWO

  Tyler

  “I’ve been dreaming about you.” I can tell that Amara is drunk and I know I should stop her, but this is the first time she’s ever allowed me to be this close to her without shying away. I’ve known her for years and she’s always so hard to read. Hiding behind her nervous comments at the most random times. She’s always pretended to be one of the guys when she was around until recently, lately she’s grown quiet whenever I walk into the room. When I do attempt to talk to her she looks anywhere but at me, and I’m at a loss of what to do or say to get us out of this awkwardness we’ve found ourselves in. So this, is a nice change.

  “So many dreams...” her words barely a whisper. Long gone is the controlled and withdrawn version of this beautiful woman.

  “What kinda dreams?” I’m an ass, but seeing her like this, with her guard down is addictive. I know I won’t have many chances to break through her barrier other than the one that’s presented itself.

  Amara is always so tense, this version of her, it's the exact opposite.

  “Kissing you,” she leans in, and I can’t help but smile from her confession. Before I have the chance to say anything she rises up and brings her lips closer to mine, and I’m surprised. So I wait, and wonder if she’ll actually make the move. Just when I am about to say something she moves in, and I feel her. Her lips are so soft, and the kiss is delicate, and gone before I have the chance to truly enjoy it.

  But she does it once more and this time I pull her body tighter against mine, taking the opportunity to drag my tongue along the seam of her lips and she accepts willingly. Every part of my body tingles with need and then she’s gone again.

  “I’ve thought about that a lot.” She attempts to offer me another when suddenly Amara is pulled back and I try to grab hold to keep her close. It was hardly a kiss, and wrong or not I wanted more.

  “Okay, lover girl,” a blonde behind Amara says with a laugh. “I think confession time is over, it’s time I get you home.”

  “Have you seen his hair?” Amara asks, looking over her shoulder at me and pointing. Her eyes are so unfocused. “Could you imagine grabbing hold of that dark hair while his face is buried—,”

  Her mouth is quickly covered, and her friend is laughing.

  Me, I’m standing here staring at Amara as if I’m seeing a completely different person. This is not the same sweet girl I’ve known for years. I’ve always wondered what’s been hiding behind her timidness.

  “I’m taking her home now,” the blonde assures me while attempting to drag Amara away. A huge part of me wants to protest and say, no I will, but instead I nod. I remain where I am watching as she leads her toward the door.

  When they get there Amara looks back and offers me a wave, triggering me to step forward. My body is reacting, but my mind is still reeling from the last five minutes.

  What the hell is happening here?

  This is Amara?

  Quiet, sweet, innocent Amara.

  I walk across the bar and glance out the door, to find her being tucked into a small red car, and I grip the handle and wait. I can no longer see her when the door is shut and the blonde walks around to the driver’s side. My heart is racing, her words playing on repeat in my head.

  Were they true? Does she think about me?

  I roll over and grab for my phone that’s sitting on the small nightstand next to my bed. Squinting I see Liam’s name lighting up the screen. For fuck’s sake, we live in the same damn house. Why is he calling me instead of knocking on the door?

  Sliding my thumb over the screen I press the phone to my ear.

  “Don’t tell me you’re still in bed.”

  “Okay, then I won’t,” I yawn and hear him groan in irritation.

  “Ty?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Are you still sleeping?”

  “You said not to tell you I’m in bed.” I can almost imagine him scowling. I smile at the thought, because Liam is on edge and has been for days. I’ll never be the one to say it out loud, but he’s more into this entire wedding than the groom himself. Which also happens to be his older brother and I love the West brothers, I do, but Lincoln is so obsessed with work I still find it hard to believe he found time to gain a fiancée. Audrey in my opinion is entirely too sweet to be second best in any man's life, and the way Liam has doted over her I can’t help but wonder if she didn’t end up with the wrong brother.

  But like I said, its none of my business.

  “Amara is waiting on me to pick her up,” Liam finally grinds out in an irritated tone.