Tara Eglington - Kissing Games

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For Greg,

my real-life Potential Prince,

who restored my faith and

thus brought Aurora back to life.

I hope youll have all of my kisses, always.

my US team:

Firstly, a special thanks overall to the St. Martins team, for introducing Aurora to the USA! It has been such a special experience to see How to Keep a Boy from Kissing You released in the United States, with its gorgeous hardback cover, and to have new readers contacting me on social media to express their enthusiasm for the book. I feel very lucky to have the chance to publish this follow-up, Kissing Games, with you in 2018.

Alicia Clancythank you for your help and guidance in readying the novel for publication in the States. Its been fantastic to have firsthand advice on a new and wider market, and I really appreciate you looking over this novel many times, with an expert eye, and suggesting certain edits and changes.

A huge thank-you also goes out to my production editor, Jessica Katz, for all her hard work on Kissing Games .

My marketing and publicity teamKaren Masnica, Brittani Hiles, and DJ DeSmyteryou guys are fantastic at what you do! Im so appreciative of all the time and effort you put into spreading the word about the Aurora Skye series there in the USA.

Kerri ResnickBIG thanks for creating such a gorgeous, engaging, and fun cover for Kissing Games I love it!

A special thanks goes out to Kat Brzozowskiwho originally signed How to Keep a Boy from Kissing You and the sequelI am so grateful to have had the opportunity to not only work with you, but to have had the chance to see the Aurora Skye series released in the States. Thank you for all the enthusiasm and assistance during your time with St. Martins. I really hope youll find your way to Sydney, Australia, in the near future so we can meet in person.

my australian team:

Elizabeth ODonnell and the HarperCollins Australia legal and contract teamsthank you so much for the dedication and hard work that was put in from your side, in order for me to secure my contract with St. Martins. It has meant the world to me to be able to have my books released in the American market, and to have the adventures of Aurora Skye and Co. embraced by new and enthusiastic readers.

Big thanks to the beautiful Lisa Berryman for guiding Auroras second journey from start to finish here in Australiait was absolutely wonderful to deliver the novel to such an enthusiastic recipient. Thank you for handling all aspects of the publishing process with such care and concern for not only Aurora and her story but also for myself as a writer.

My gratitude as always goes to my editorial team who worked so closely with me on the original manuscript, readying it for publication. Kate Burnittyou are a wonder of organization, calmness, and all-around awesome! I am in absolute awe of your attention to detail and conscientious command of the overall editorial project. Thank you so much.

Nicola OSheathank you for not passing out when handed a 160,000-word manuscript, and for expertly suggesting cuts and edits to whip the thing into slimmer shape! You are a fundamental part of ensuring Auroras voice stays true to her readers and I thank you for that.

Emma Dowdenthanks for picking up on all of the finer details so that Auroras world makes sense!

My familyI couldnt have gotten through the writing of this manuscript without you. Dad, thank you for taking the dozens of phone calls from one stressed-out-bordering-on-insane authorits beyond reassuring to have a fellow creative cheering me on. My sister, Sarada, my brother, Rama, and my brother-in-law, Angus, thank you for being on the other end of the line whenever I needed you. Its been so wonderful to witness your support and enthusiasm for my books and to share in the joy of publication with you.

GregI gave you the dedication, baby! You were my rock through everything. I am blessed, blessed, blessed to experience the level of love, affection, and support that you give me. You are evidence that Potential Princes really do exist.

My wonderful fanson Facebook, on Instagram, Goodreads, in bookstoresyour enthusiasm for my books and support for me as an author is EVERYTHING. I cant tell you how much it means to me to receive your messagesthey keep me motivated when Im struggling with a difficult edit, or exhausted from too many hours at a computer. I really hope you love Kissing Games Ive had so much fun writing about Aurora, Hayden, and Co. for the second time!

I love to hear from readers, so please feel free to say hello via:

Facebook: facebook.com/taraeglington

Instagram: instagram.com/taraeglington

Twitter: twitter.com/taraeglington

For a girl who shares her name with a princess (Aurora from Sleeping Beauty ), my present circumstances were fathoms away from a fairy tale. My kissing skills had left both parties maimedone case worthy of the emergency room.

Our first kiss as a couple, and my first-ever kiss, had been a melding of everything Id heard kisses could be, all the glorious clichs in actionweak knees, my heart a field of fluttering butterflies, life in Technicolor. Worth the wait.

With a start like that, Id expected the second kiss to be as good. Or at least not to end in calamity.

Four hours ago Id had no idea Id be spending half of my Thursday night in the local hospitals emergency department, watching the on-call physician stitching Hayden Pariss formerly perfect lower lip.

four hours earlier

I stood at my bathroom mirror, staring at my lips. Id just applied red lipstick, taking a good five minutes to make sure that the edges were perfect. Now I was having second thoughts.

Normally I wasnt one to spend lengthy amounts of time pouting at my own reflection, but in the fifteen minutes before Hayden was due to arrive I was fixated on my own mouth.

It had started with the intention of making sure I had fresh breath. Three brushings and a lengthy flossing session later, Id pinched the superstrong dental clinicissued mouthwash used by my dad (otherwise known as the NADNew Age dad), on the basis that it would work better than my Listerine. Figuring that if I used any more mouthwash Id give myself acid reflux, Id finally stashed a mini breath spray in the pocket of my skirt so I could do a last quick spritz after Hayden and I had finished dinner. Literally sharing breath with someone was nerve-racking.

I was now in a conundrum over lipstick. Id automatically reached for the red, as numerous studies have proved that red lips are considered the most sensual, due to the way that lipstick mimics the way our lips flush when attracted to another person. But just as Id finished applying the lipstick, I started worrying that it wasnt the best choice. It would inevitably kiss off, wouldnt it? What if I pulled away from the (hopefully) amazing kiss and Hayden was left smeared with red lipstick? Gloss wasnt an option, eitherId overheard way too many guys complaining about how they hated goopy lips.

I blotted the lipstick, hoping to achieve a nice, subtle stain, like Id been sitting in a field eating raspberries or something. Revlon had had that famous Cherries in the Snow ad campaign in 1953, so bring on Raspberries in a Field. I was obviously getting jittery if I was planning 1950s-esque cosmetic campaigns.