Page 76 of Tangled

I exhale loudly. “I know, guys. He’s been so amazing. I feel like I’m dreaming. He can’t be this perfect, right? I mean, he finally opened up to me about his past, which helped me understand him so much more. And I can’t get enough of him. He’s thoughtful and caring. He’s funny and makes me feel so safe. And the sex… my God. I’ve never had sex like this before,” I confess as I close my eyes and replay the dozens of sexual positions and locations we’ve already explored.

“Girl, stop bragging!” Clara teases.

“It’s obvious watching you two together that you’re both completely entranced by each other. But what, Liv?” Perry asks, sensing there was a but coming.

“But… I don’t know. I just feel like I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop. Everything is going so well. I leave a less than stellar relationship to come home and suddenly, I fall for a man and start a new relationship right away that seems too good to be true.”

Perry’s eyes search mine for clarification.

“The man hasn’t had a serious relationship in years. He’s only been in love with one woman. And yet, he’s the perfect man with me. I feel like I’m waiting for something to happen to freak him out, or something to happen as I watch it all fall apart again.”

Amy reaches out for my hand. “Man, Trevor really fucked things up for you, didn’t he?”

“What?”

Clara chimes in. “Just because Trevor was an ass that cheated on you and couldn’t appreciate what he had, doesn’t mean that Kane is going to do that too. Liv, anyone would be blind if they didn’t see the way that man looks at you. I know it’s early, but he’s in love with you, hun.”

I turn to find him again just as he winks at me from across the room, sending a swarm of butterflies a flight in my stomach.

“You think so?” I whisper, refraining from voicing the reciprocal thought for the first time out loud.I think I’m in love with him too.

“Oh, Liv, it’s so obvious. I just love seeing you this happy…” Perry chokes out as her eyes water.

“And it’s not that I think he’s going to cheat on me. I don’t get that feeling from him at all. I don’t know… there’s just some feeling in my gut that tells me there’s a curtain pulled over my eyes and I’m afraid I’m blind to some warning sign. I ignored my gut with Trevor. Maybe I’m just being paranoid. He really is just so incredible, I’m afraid it’s all a lie.”

Clara smiles a shit-eating grin and Amy bites her bottom lip just as Kane comes up behind me.

“How’s it going ladies? You need another round?”

Perry looks over at Clara and Amy, the three of them nodding silently towards one another before turning back to Kane and me.

“Actually, we’d better be going. The husbands are probably passed out on the couch already and the kids may or may not be running amuck in our homes.”

“Yeah. And I don’t have a husband or kids, but these two were my ride, so I have to leave too,” Clara declares with a jut of her chin.

“Well, it was great to meet you all officially. Liv speaks very highly of you. It’s clear that you’re very important to her. She’s lucky to have friends like you,” Kane says while pulling each woman in for a hug.

“Oh, Kane. If you don’t marry her or put a baby in her soon, I’ll have to kick your ass,” Clara says as she smacks his cheeks playfully, his eyes going wide before he cracks an uncomfortable smile.

“Oh, God, Clara,” I sigh, pushing her away. “Go now beforeIkickyourass,” I spit out as she throws her head back in laughter and I say goodbye to Amy and Perry. “I’ll see you girls soon. I promise.”

“Yeah, okay,” Perry winks at me before the three of them make their way out of the bar.

I turn back to Kane who’s face has softened after Clara’s declaration.

“I’m so sorry, Kane. Clara is out of control. I’m sorry if what she said scared you. Please don’t freak out. I know we’re far from that step….”

Kane cuts me off as he presses his lips to mine. The shock of his move hits me first, but only lasts a second as I melt into him. His kiss soothes my fears and gives me hope that this is the man I’m meant to kiss for the rest of my life.

When Kane releases his grip on me, staring down into my eyes, I sit there and wait for him to speak.

“Come on, babe. Let’s get back to your place. I have some more orgasms to deliver,” he wiggles his eyebrows at me, which sends a bolt of arousal between my legs and the corners of my mouth to tip up in anticipation.

“Yeah, I need a few after tonight,” I tease as I follow Kane to his truck and he follows me back to my place.

Once we’re inside, Kane pins me up against the door and makes good on his promise. Two orgasms later, I lie beside him in bed, curled up in his arms, basking in the satisfaction I feel while my world feels like it’s finally coming together.

Chapter 33

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