Page 55 of Tangled

“Well, we do a special of buy five, get one free, if you can’t decide.”

“That’s perfect. Olivia, you pick. I’ll eat whatever.”

Olivia grins and then turns back to the store owner, choosing six different flavors for us to take home. She puts as much thought into choosing cupcake flavors as she must into solving a math problem.

After I pay, which Olivia argues about but I don’t give in to—I grab her hand and our box and make our way back to my truck. Once we settle inside and I fire up the engine to start the heater, she snatches the box from me and opens it, taking one of the forks and cutting off a piece of the red velvet.

“I have to try this one,” she chuckles, licking her lips before placing the bite in her mouth. Her eyes close and she moans again—making my dick hard for the thousandth time tonight—before her lids pop open and she widens her gaze at me.

“Oh, my God, that’s good!” She shouts, cutting off another bite before offering it to me. I stick my tongue out, noticing Olivia’s focus drop to my mouth and the pupils of her eyes darken. The cake and frosting melt on my tongue, and I’d have to agree with the reviews—that’s one of the best cupcakes I’ve ever had.

“Really good, and I’m not a sweets person.”

“Well, as a sugar connoisseur, I will tell you that this here,” she points down to the box, “Is one of the best cupcakes on the face of the planet!” Her words make me throw my head back in laughter as she joins me. I’ll give her this—the woman sure is passionate about things she likes.

I pull out of the parking lot and head for home, making small talk with Oliva along the way. We talk about work and students we have in common. Even though it’s the weekend, it’s difficult to turn your brain off from the job. Teaching is one of those jobs that comes home with you mentally. There’s always a kid you’re worried about, a kid you know you need to talk to one-on-one, or a long to-do list of things you need to prepare for. It’s one of the best and worst parts about the job—how much you end up caring about the kids.

When we arrive back at Olivia’s apartment, I grab the cupcakes and her leftovers before I walk her to her door. She invites me inside, grabbing the boxes and placing them in the fridge before meeting me back at the front door, removing her coat along the way.

“Thank you for everything tonight, Kane. This was one of the best dates I’ve ever been on. I’m pretty sure I won’t need to eat for a couple of days, but I seriously had the best time.”

“Me too, Olivia. Are you free next weekend?” I ask, moving closer to her to thread a piece of her hair behind her ear. She leans into my touch, closing her eyes for a moment before peering back up at me, her hazel orbs sucking me in even further. This woman is beautiful, inside and out. It makes me crazy to think that she could have just been a notch on my belt. But here she is, right in front of me—making me want things I didn’t think I’d ever want again.

“Yes, I’m free. What did you have in mind?”

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll surprise you,” I say while reaching for her waist and wrapping her in my arms.

“Okay.” Her eyes bounce back and forth between mine before she swallows hard and I know what she’s waiting for. And hell, if I won’t give it to her. I’ve been waiting all week and all night to kiss this woman again. I’ve been on my best behavior, but now the time is up.

Leaning down slowly, I reach for her neck, feeling the rapid fire of her pulse beneath my thumb as I stroke her soft skin. Her eyes are locked on mine, dropping to my lips for one quick second before flying back up. I waste no more time pressing my lips to hers, relishing in the feel of her mouth on mine again, and fuck if it isn’t as good as the last time.

Olivia threads her hands behind my neck, her finger nails trickling through my hair at the back of my head, pulling me down closer to her as I memorize the way she feels in my arms. My thumb strokes her jaw as my other hand comes up and cradles her face just as I lick her lips, asking for her to open up to me.

And boy, does she comply. Olivia’s lips open and her tongue searches for mine, as if we’ve been looking for one another for years and we finally found the other half of our souls. With smooth strokes, my tongue tangles with hers, immersing myself in the feeling of us connected again.

Olivia moans and fuck if that doesn’t make my dick twitch and spur me on, tightening my grasp on her face while she meets me with every nip and caress that I offer her. Our lips remember how to move together. Our bodies recall what it feels like to touch.

I kiss her like it’s the last time I’ll be able to. I kiss her like the woman deserves to be kissed, full of passion and care. I kiss her like she’s the last woman I’ll ever kiss for the first time.

When we part, struggling to catch our breaths, her eyes fly open and meet mine. I struggle to form words, knowing that this physical connection we share is strong. I knew that the first night. But now, after getting to know this woman for more than just her body—that physical combustion is sizzling, and stronger than ever.

“Good night, Olivia,” I finally muster, leaving one last kiss on her forehead before turning for the door.

“Good night, Kane,” she replies as I open the door and walk outside, the smile on her lips tells me everything.

“See you Monday,” I declare, closing her door and making my way to my truck. Once I’m seated and ready to drive, I lean my head back on the headrest, and close my eyes as I chuckle, recalling the entire evening.

“Man, I’m fucked.”

Chapter 25

Kane

“Alright, guys. It’s time to make our way to the gym for the pep rally. Remember to behave yourselves,” I eye my students as they roll their eyes and stand, making their way for the door.

“You act like we don’t know how to sit and keep our hands to ourselves,” Tristan says as he walks past me.

“Hey, I wouldn’t put it past any teenager to make a rash decision in the heat of the moment. I know you guys are generally well-behaved, but there are always the few bad seeds who like to start crap. It’s just a friendly reminder, kid.”

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