Once I’m done with edits for book 3 in my dragon series, I’m going to finish up a romantic comedy for the Entangled Crush line. Blackmail Boyfriend was my first foray into romantic comedy. I need a title for this new story which also has the word boyfriend in it. Bonus points if it has alliteration of B B. After you read the excerpt leave a suggestion in the comments for a new title. Two commenters will win an ebook of their choice: Going Down In Flames, Bridges Burned, or Blackmail Boyfriend. Put on your thinking caps and help me name that boyfriend.
Chapter 1
Zoe
I sat on a bench in the quad waiting for my brother, who was late again. I shifted around trying to find a way to sit where my legs didn’t come into contact with the lava hot granite. Whoever decided skirts were an essential part of the Wilton high school uniform, should be throat-punched.
Where was Jack? I checked the Big Ben type clock in the middle of the quad. As a junior transferring to the school, I had to attend Orientation. My brother, who was a senior didn’t even have to come today. Do you think he let me drive the car myself? No. He claimed he came to meet up with friends. I think he hated turning the car keys over to me. Too bad, I’d gotten my license last week and my grandma’s old Honda Accord was now community property.
Someone sat to my right. When I looked to see who it was, someone sat to my left. I glanced back and forth between two hot guys wearing Wilton school jackets. One had dark hair, blue eyes and a killer grin. The other had blonde hair, brown eyes, and a serious expression. Given a choice, I would go with bachelor number one.
“Hello.” I glanced back and forth between them. “Can I help you?”
The blonde looked at a list he held in his right hand. “You’re Claire Barnes.”
“No, I’m-”
“You’re Deanna Case.” The dark haired boy said.
I shook my head.
“Lauren Tate?” The blonde asked.
“No.” What type of strange guessing game was this?
The dark haired boy frowned at his paper. “You can’t be Helga Svengack.”
“You made that name up.” I grabbed his list. No, it was real. Poor girl. I scanned the page listing the names of juniors transferring to Wilton academy from private high schools. My name wasn’t on the list. Probably because I’d come from public school.
“What do you think you’re doing, Zoe?” My brother, Jack stomped up to the bench, wearing his I-want-to-punch-someone face.
The dark haired boy gave me a look of disgust. “Please tell me you’re not dating this loser.”
“First off. Ewww. He’s my brother. Second. He may be a jerk, but he’s not a loser.”
The blonde flipped his piece of paper over. “You’re Zoe Cain?”
I nodded. “And you are?”
“An asshole.” My brother muttered.
The blonde stood up. “Say that again, where I can hear you.”
And my social life was about to go down the drain before it even started. Jumping up, I stood between them. “Can we dial back the testosterone please?”
Turning away from my brother, I held my hand out to the blonde. “Zoe Cain, and you are?”
He glared at my brother for a moment before shaking my hand. “Aiden Eastman.”
“And you?” I pointed at the dark haired boy who seemed amused by the whole situation.
He sauntered forward, took my hand in his and brought it to his mouth for a kiss, just like you see in those old movies. Totally corny. And I knew he did it to annoy my brother, but it still made my skin tingle. “Grant Evertide.”
I gave him a nod of approval. “Well done. Very smooth.”
He struck a pose and adjusted his green and blue striped tie. “Thank you. I try.”
“Damn it, Grant. Stay away from my sister.”
I pivoted around to glare at my brother. “He’s joking around. What’s your problem?”
Jack shoved his finger in my face. “You are not allowed to talk to him.”
Had my brother learned nothing over the last sixteen years? Apparently not, and for that he would pay. I turned back to the source of my brother’s irritation. “Grant, do you have a girlfriend who would mind if you kissed me to piss off my brother?”
In answer, he leaned down and pressed his mouth against mine. Bam. Instant heat.
I heard yelling, but I didn’t care. Grant’s lips were soft and warm, and he tasted like spearmint gum. It seemed natural to slide my hands up his chest to rest at his shoulders. His arms went around my waist. We fit together perfectly. When the kiss ended, I felt pinned in place by the curious look in his ice blue eyes.
“Hot tamales?” he asked.
And the spell was broken. I chuckled and backed up a step. “Close. Red hots.”
When I saw my brother’s face red with rage, I laughed harder. He stomped off.
“That worked even better than I expected.” I grinned at Grant and then ran to catch up with my brother, because I wouldn’t put it past him to ditch me in the parking lot.