Page 45 of Tangled

“Yes, next time. There will be a next time for us, Olivia. Now that I finally got you to talk to me, I’ll be damned if I let my momentum slow down,” I wink at her.

Her cheeks flush with bashfulness as she looks down at her hands, fidgeting with the sleeves of her coat. “Okay, I’m ready for my last question,” she says peering up at me, her long lashes framing her eyes and the soft glow of the light around us bringing out the subtle green hues that get lost in the browns.

“Okay. This is a good one. What’s your biggest fear?”

She ponders her response for a moment, then provides me an answer I wasn’t expecting.

“Snakes. But crickets are definitely a close second.”

I throw my head back in laughter, my entire body shaking as I process her words.

“Snakes and crickets? Really?” I fire back through my chuckles. “I already knew about the crickets, but snakes? Not death? Or public speaking? According to the internet, those are the top two fears of most people…”

“Nope. Snakes are disgusting! They have no limbs! And yes, crickets terrify me, but you already knew that. Public speaking doesn’t bother me too much, seeing as how I stand up and talk in front of people virtually every day. And I don’t fear death. I guess I more fear the idea of dying before I’ve felt like I’ve lived and loved wholeheartedly.”

Her candidness hits me hard as I realize I agree. When I was overseas, it terrified me to think that I could die before marrying she-who-will-not-be-named, or getting to have children and raise a family. After hearing Oliva phrase it like that, I realize she’s right. It’s not death that I fear—It’snotliving a life well-lived, void of someone who you want to share all the good and bad with. It’s taking for granted the people who are there for you, day in and day out. It’s the fear of being alone, just as I voiced to Dr. Martinez the other day.

“When you put it that way, I guess I’d say I would have to agree with you. Although, I suppose you could say my biggest fear then is ending up alone.” It’s the first time I’ve ever uttered the words out loud to someone besides my therapist. “There was a time a few years ago when I thought being alone was what I wanted. Then I realized that you don’t have to let everyone in, but you can’t go through life shutting everyone out either.”

“Exactly,” she agrees before smiling up at me, the bright white of her grin turns my insides to putty. “For what it’s worth, Kane… thank you for finally letting me in a little. I don’t think I’ve had this much fun getting to know someone in… well, I don’t know how long.”

“I feel the same, Olivia,” I reply as I watch her shiver on the swing beside me. “But I think I’d better get you near the fire or back inside soon before you turn into a popsicle.” Gathering myself to stand, I turn around to assist her, reaching for her hand again, pulling her in closer to me than I intended, but fuck if the feel of her pressed up against me doesn’t feel right. It did that night we spent together too, but this is different—more intimate if that’s possible. Before it was all about the physical connection. But now I know more about the woman standing in front of me, which makes our proximity even more influential.

When I look into her eyes now, I see a woman with a heart who cares deeply about her students, who values kindness in others above what they can offer her, and who ultimately wants a life filled with love and people that make her feel fulfilled. Those are things I never knew about her before we slept together. And hell if it doesn’t make me want to learn more.

“Come on,” I lead her back around the house along the back porch, passing by the patio table again where a few of our colleagues are seated, drinking and playing cards. A small staircase descends off of the wooden platform, leading to a fire pit in the middle of the only open clearing in the yard, as trees surround every other surface of the property.

Giant logs are situated around the fire, contained by a circular structure of rocks. The heat of the flames instantly warms me, but so does the thought of spending more time with Olivia. I motion for her to sit on one of the tree trunks, her hands reaching out in front of her to absorb the heat from the fire.

“Oh, yes, that feels good,” she moans as the heat from the flames highlight her face and begin to defrost her features. Being the man that I am, her words instantly spark the memory of her saying something along those lines while I was buried inside of her.

Shit. The last thing I need right now is a raging hard-on.

“Are you thirsty?” I offer before taking my seat.

“A glass of wine would be great, actually,” she smiles up at me, and the more often I see this content side of her, the more I want to be the one to bring it out.

“Sure. Red or white?”

“White is perfect. Thanks,” she states as I nod and turn in the direction of the house, entering back through the garage and into the kitchen where Drew is leaning over the counter, his face stuffed full of chips and dip.

“Hey, man. Where have you been? I didn’t even know you were here,” he mumbles around a mouthful of food. I swear, I don’t know how he eats the way he does and stays in shape.

“Oh… I was actually with Olivia,” I discretely answer while reaching for a bottle of white wine from the counter and pouring a glass.

“No shit. How’d it go?”

I smirk up at him while pouring the crisp liquid, the sweet smell of grapes hitting my nose. “Really well, actually.”

“Fuck yeah, Kane. Good for you, man!”

“Jesus, Drew. Pipe down. I don’t need everyone knowing I’m pursuing a woman for the first time since I was a teenager,” I grit through my teeth.

“Fuck man, I’m sorry. The beer is hitting me hard. I haven’t been this drunk in a long time,” he hiccups while shoving more chips in his mouth.

I shake my head at him. “Just remember you’ll pay for it tomorrow.”

“So, did you make a move?” He asks as crumbs fly out of his mouth. The man really needs to wear one of those bibs that catches the food that trickles out.

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