Page 97 of Tangled

“Good. Because you are the only woman I want for the rest of my life, Olivia. I love you so damn much, and it took me understanding what I was really mad about to realize that.”

“Oh, God… I love you too, Kane,” I sigh before pressing my lips to his and kissing him for the first time in days. The feel of his mouth on mine again is like coming home, because Kane is my home now. He’s the man I want next to me through everything life has to throw at us—the good, the bad, the messy.

I lose myself in him—the feel of his lips pressing lightly on mine, the sound of his murmurs when he changes the angle and pushes his tongue in my mouth, the urgency in the way his hands hold me, fighting to keep me close yet also make me feel safe. It’s amazing, breathtaking—the only way I ever want to feel when I’m kissed by this man for the rest of my life.

When we part, Kane rests his forehead on mine as our breathing returns to normal. “I wanted to be strong for you before we spoke. I needed to be strong for you, Liv.”

“You are strong, Kane,” I tease him by squeezing his biceps, desperately trying to return things back to normal with us. I love that we can be playful after shattering each other’s bodies in pleasure and love.

He shakes his head, pulling away so we can see each other’s eyes again. “Muscles are only one part of it, baby. A man’s strength comes from his ability and desire to be there for a woman—to put her above him, to keep her from falling when she needs to jump. I needed to make sure I could put you above everything else, Olivia. I had to make sure that what I was feeling—the palpable rage and hurt—wasn’t directed at you. I was never mad at you, Olivia, please trust me on that. And it only took one smack of reality from my therapist for me to realize it.”

“Your therapist?” I ask, shocked that he never told me this before. I know Kane’s made hints of working through his anger and anxiety, but he never mentioned seeing a professional. And though some may find that alarming, my heart beats stronger for him. It takes bravery and acceptance to ask for help, to seek out the knowledge of someone else to guide us through the challenges in our lives. Knowing that Kane had that courage—it solidifies even more that this is the man for me. This is the man I want by my side.

“Yeah. I started seeing her right after the whole T.J. and Natasha thing. I had a lot of anger, resentment, and anxiety I was dealing with, so my parents suggested I talk to someone. It was the best decision I’ve ever made. I’ve learned to move past things, deal with my triggers, and open myself up again. If we had met before, there’s no way I would have been ready to be this man for you. But I’m ready now, baby. This is it,” he pulls on my neck so our faces are only inches away from each other again. “You and me, baby.”

I close my eyes and sigh, breathing deeply before remembering the detail of our lives I’ve yet to tell him, the tiny, life-altering change that is quickly developing inside of me. “Well, not just you and me…”

His eyes snap up to mine and we part while he searches my face for clarity, questioning me with those whiskey-colored eyes I hope our child inherits from him.

“What do you mean?”

“I’m pregnant, Kane,” I whisper as tears form again in my eyes and start to fall over.

The shock on his face is quickly replaced with elation as his lips break out into the most glorious smile he’s ever given me, better than the one he first pulled me in with.

“Really? How?” He asks, his voice thick with emotion.

“I took antibiotics when I was sick a few weeks ago, and they counteract the pill. And with the way we’ve been having sex, your guess is as good as mine,” I joke, but secretly fear that anger will replace his happiness. “I’m sorry, Kane. I promise, I didn’t mean for this to happen…”

“Holy crap, babe. This… this is incredible! Why are you apologizing?” he says, which makes the worry disintegrate quickly.

“Really? You’re not mad?”

“No, babe. Not at all. I mean, it’s fast, but I know I wanted kids with you anyway. I want everything with you, Liv,” he declares before pressing a kiss to my cheek, lingering there for a few seconds while I memorize his words.

“I was going to tell you Saturday when you came over. That’s part of the reason why I wanted to see you,” I confess as the realization hits him.

“But T.J. was here,” he states as more of a fact than a continuation of my story. I nod. “So you knew this entire time and I wasn’t picking up the phone?” he says angrily. “Christ, I’m such an ass. Please forgive me.”

“It’s okay. I understand why you were upset, Kane. I do, really. But I was also so terrified you weren’t going to talk to me for weeks or possibly ever again, and I didn’t get the chance to tell you. But I’m so glad you’re here now,” I whisper, still soaking in the fact that my secret is finally free and Kane is back in my world. The fear has been lifted from my chest, my heart is beating with purpose again, and the life we’ve created can finally be celebrated.

“I’m so sorry, Liv. But I am here now, and I promise, I’m not going anywhere.”

I move to straddle him as his hands find my hips and I sink down in his lap, heating up my body instantly when I feel him grow hard beneath me.

“I missed you so much, Kane,” I moan before kissing him and tracing the lines of his body through his sweater. “I love you, you beautiful, resilient man.”

Kane breaks us apart, tosses his sweater and shirt off effortlessly, leaving him bare chested in front of me, while I catch myself drooling at the sight of him. I will never tire of this man and his sculpted body—and it’s mine forever now.

“I missed you too, Liv. I love you so fucking much,” he growls before crushing our mouths together again, showing me with his body how much I mean to him. But it’s not just how he loves me with his body that makes me swoon—it’s how he’s opened his heart and soul to me, when he never thought he would again.

I lose myself in the twists and turns of our tongues, the moans coming from our throats, and the intense fire burning in between my legs. I relish in the feel of his skin under my fingers, his lips all over mine, and the love I know he feels for me.

Kane pushes my sweater off of my shoulders and down my arms, followed by my shirt up over my head, and then reaches around to unhook my bra—all with a slow and precise touch while his eyes memorize every inch of my skin.

“God, you’re beautiful, baby,” the deep rasp of his voice ignites goosebumps on my skin as he places kisses along my collarbone and down my shoulders as my head falls to the side. His lips find my nipple next, surprising me with the feel of his tongue as he swirls it around and pulls the sensitive nub into his mouth, handling the flesh with his hand simultaneously. And boy, the sensitivity is there already—a pleasant side effect of the pregnancy.

I start to pant, drawing quick breaths while Kane continues to lick and suck on my breasts, making wetness pool between my legs at an unprecedented rate.

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