Waterfall Kisses (The Kisses 9)

“Charlotte,” I whispered, my voice cracking and coming out with a squeak. I blushed harder. “My name's Charlotte.”

“It's nice to meet you, Charlotte.” He smiled wider and somehow got even more gorgeous. “I've always liked that name.”

I giggled, suddenly nervous. Here was a handsome, college guy telling me he liked my name. I wanted him to like me so much it was hard to think of anything else. I was pretty sure Chloe would never believe me. “Thanks.”

“I'll see you around, Charlotte,” Leo said with a smile, heading toward the door. He paused, turning to look back at me. “Don't tell your brother I used his pillow. At least not until tomorrow.”

He winked and I nearly melted into a puddle.

Handsome and funny.

I watched as he sauntered confidently down the hall.

College was awesome.

Chapter Four

I stood in front of the mirror, holding my dress up to see how the ensemble would come together. My dark hair was curled and pulled back in a half-up style that was soft and feminine. I loved my makeup- not too much, but enough that my brown eyes looked big and my lashes could start a small windstorm. I felt pretty, and with my hair and makeup done, I just needed to get dressed, but I wanted a sneak peek of the final product.

“Not too shabby, Char,” I said quietly. “Not too shabby.”

Even on the hanger, the dress was beautiful. It was an off-the shoulder gown of royal blue and cut to hug the top half of my body before ending in a subtle mermaid tail at the bottom. The color was my favorite part, as well as the secret pocket where I could keep my phone without having to carry a purse all evening.

Ava's dress was perfect for her and this one was perfect for me.

I stared at the woman looking back at me for a moment. Sure, she had the same dark hair and dark eyes, short stature and same curves, but she didn't look like me. I'd done a thousand fancy galas, yet every time I looked in the mirror, I still saw the

scrawny, terrified little girl with a runny nose.

Who would have thought that little girl would grow up to work with billionaires? I thought. Let alone own enough company stock to be set for life herself. It was a long way from the past she had left behind.

I was stronger now.

I smiled at the mirror, imagining tonight. The blue glinted in the light and shimmered, bringing out the highlights in my hair. I would look stunning in this dress. Maybe even stunning enough for Leo to finally notice and give me a chance.

Leo would take me in his arms, guiding me around the dance floor as if we were the only two people there.

“Why, Charlotte, you are the most beautiful woman I've ever seen,” Leo would say, his eyes darkening with desire. “I can't keep my feelings for you hidden any longer. I must have you.”

“Finally, Leo,” I would whisper, breathless and happy.

He'd tuck his hand behind my neck, dipping me as the song ends and then leaning down, bringing his lips closer to mine until they finally...

A knock on the door shook me from my daydream.

“Can I come in?” Bastian's voice came through the door. Leave it to my older brother to ruin my fantasies about boys.

“Come on in,” I called out, hanging the dress back up on a hook on the wall.

The door pushed open and my brother stepped into the room. He was already wearing his tux for the evening and looking handsome. I smiled. We weren't actually brother and sister, but as far as I was concerned we were.

Bastian and I were both foster children. When I came into the system, Bastian was the one who took care of me. My foster family had done their best to make us both feel welcome and loved, but it was Bastian who was my real family. We may not have shared genetic material, but I couldn't think of Bastian as anything but related to me.

“Can you fix my tie? I can't get the damned thing to do what it's supposed to do,” Bastian growled, holding out the tie in frustration.

I chuckled. I knew he could tie his own tie, but it was now a ritual. Whenever Bastian had a formal event, he would have me tie his tie. I wrapped the silk tie around the back of his neck and went about knotting it.

“Do you have a jacket or something you can wear with that?” Bastian asked, his voice low and dangerous.