Tangled: Emerson Falls, Book 1 Read online

  “Oh, fancy,” she teases. “Can I help?”

  “You can pour us some wine,” I nod in her direction, drawing her attention to the bottle and wine opener on the other side of the island.

  “You got it. So, do you cook a lot? Or is this something you only do on occasion?” Olivia moves off of her seat, reaching for the bottle and twisting into the cork.

  “Confession?”

  “Of course,” she gleams, fully intrigued by what I’m about to share with her.

  “One of my guilty pleasures is watching cooking shows. Chopped is a personal favorite, but I really watch them all. One of my favorite things to do is try to recreate a recipe I see or fiddle around in here with what I have and see what I can make,” I shrug while placing the two thick slices of salmon on a baking sheet, drizzling them both with olive oil.

  “Oh my gosh, that’s too cute, Kane,” she laughs, handing me a glass of wine as she makes her way around the island and closer to me.

  “Cute?”

  She nods. “Yeah, way too cute. I’d love to see you in action, prancing around your kitchen, whistling and probably cooking with your shirt off, right?”

  I quirk my eyebrow at her. “Prance? I don’t prance, babe. I fucking own this kitchen. And yes… there are no shirts involved,” I say while leaning into her, the pupils of her eyes dilating the closer I get. I get a whiff of her scent, sweet and floral, and all I want to do is knock that wine glass out of her hands and crash my mouth down to hers.

  I hear her gulp, then quickly draw a sip of wine from her glass, breaking our gaze. I know she can sense the sexual tension, which I plan on releasing soon.

  I smile to myself as I turn back around to season the fish and veggies and pop them in the oven. “So, would you like me to show you the rest of the place while we wait for the food?”

  “Absolutely,” she nods. I reach out for her hand, interlacing our fingers together and walk her down the hallway to point out the bathroom and spare rooms—one operating as an office and the other as my home gym—before we make it to my bedroom.

  “Wow. This is gorgeous, Kane,” she gasps when she enters, taking in the matching high ceilings to the living room complete with sky lights that offer a breathtaking view of the stars when the sky is clear, like it is tonight. The oak four poster bed on the main wall takes up most of the space, accompanied by a matching dresser. Dark grey bedding and navy pillows are the only sources of color besides the light grey on the walls. A glass sliding door offers a perfect view of the backyard, providing just a slight view of the lake off the back of my property.

  “And through there is the master bath,” I point, just as Olivia turns and glides into my bathroom. The claw foot tub rests comfortably in its nook, away from the standing shower and across from the double sinks and full length mirror that spans the wall.

  Olivia turns to me and shakes her head. “This is like a dream home, Kane. It’s fabulous and very, you. I only hope to have a home this nice someday,” she says so casually, I almost don’t let her words hit me.

  But then I see her back in my room, standing in the middle of the floor in front of my bed, and I feel this strong sense of belonging—like she belongs here. It’s like staring at a painting or photograph that captivates your attention and leaves you speechless. All you can do is stare because there are no words to accurately describe the image in front of you.

  It literally takes your breath away.

  Olivia takes my breath away.

  Clearing my throat, I move to speak, just as I hear the oven timer.

  “Food’s ready. Come on,” I throw my head in the direction of the kitchen.

  After I serve us both, we sit at the table and feast. Olivia makes little moans throughout dinner that test my restraint—my dick growing painfully hard with every noise and lick of her lips. Fuck, I can’t wait to taste her again.

  “That was delicious,” she sighs, licking her fork clean and leaving not one grain of rice on her plate.

  “Thank you. I’m glad you approved,” I say, standing to grab both of our plates and depositing them in the sink. I did most of the clean-up beforehand, so the few dishes can wait until tomorrow.

  “Is it movie time?” Olivia asks, reaching to refill her wine glass as she arrives at the island next to me.

  “Uh, sure,” I say, just now remembering that I promised her a movie. Hell, did she not understand that movie is code for other things? Or is that just me, being a guy, thinking with my dick?

  Resolving that the night is still young, I shove down my impatience and lead Olivia into my living room as she settles on my couch.

  “Oh, my God, you do not have a shelf dedicated to Ryan Reynolds’ movies in your cabinet!” She gasps, leaning over my shoulder as I hunch down and dig out a movie. I never heard her move from the couch before she popped up behind me.

  “Damn right I do, woman. I told you,” I say, pointing to myself, “Obsessed.”

  Olivia throws her head back in laughter before making her way back to the couch and removes her boots. That sound—her laugh—it’s methodical and hypnotizing. I never want her to stop. I want to do anything in my power to make her laugh as much as possible.

  “Well then, by all means… let Ryan entertain us tonight,” she jests, tucking her legs underneath her as she sinks into the cushion. I stand tall and memorize her in this moment—so comfortable, so carefree, so completely perfect sitting there—on my couch, in my home.

  I can’t speak. I’m too overcome with the rush of feelings pounding on my chest. I toss the movie on the ground and stride over to her, leaning down and caging her in on the sofa as my arms rest on the back, her hazel eyes veering up to mine.

  “What about the movie?” She whispers as I remove her wine glass from her hand and set it on the side table.

  “I can think of things far more entertaining than Ryan Reynolds right now,” I growl, the deep rumble of my voice so full of lust, there’s no hiding it.

  “I’m going to tell him you said that,” she teases, biting her bottom lip and sending a strike of arousal to my dick. Fuck, I wanna bite that lip. I want to nibble on every inch of her skin.

  “He’ll understand. He’s a guy. And if he saw the gorgeous and sexy-as-hell redhead sitting on my couch, he’d tell me to fuck the movie too and go after what I want.”

  Her eyes search mine before glancing down to my mouth and popping back up again.

  “And what is it that you want, Kane?” She plays stupid, but we’re both far too intelligent and turned on to play these games.

  I’ve been drawing on the memory of her beneath me for weeks now, even before I realized I wanted more with her. I remember what she tastes like—her mouth, her skin, her pussy. I know the sounds she makes when she’s about to come.

  But nothing is better than the real thing. The images in my mind can only last me so long before I need my next fix. Before I feel the urge to bury myself so deep inside of her I lose all sense of reality.

  “You, Olivia. I want you.”

  “Then take me, Kane,” she whispers, and that’s all the clarification I need.

  Chapter 31

  Olivia

  Kane leaves me no time to prepare—for the moment I give him permission, his mouth crashes down to mine, leaving me breathless and desperate for more of him.

  My back arches off of the couch as I fight to situate my legs out from underneath me, propping myself up on my knees so I can be more level with his stance. Kane dives his tongue into my mouth, owning me more than he has before, a deep growl vibrating up his throat, making me crave more from him. A rush of memories flood my mind of our first night together—but this time is different. Clara was a fool to make me doubt that this time could be worse.

  There is no denying the explosive chemistry between us.

  My hands eagerly search for any part of Kane that I can grab onto to as he continues to kiss me with such passion that my knees become weak and I feel wetness pool between my legs—as if I have
n’t been wet for this man for weeks.

  Our lips press tightly together as my hands meet behind his neck, pulling him down further to me. I feel his palms grace my hips before yanking me off of the couch and lifting my entire body in his arms. Instinctively, my legs wrap around his waist as he carries me away from the couch, our lips never parting.

  I can hear my own heartbeat in my ears, I can feel Kane’s pulse beneath my fingers—and each thump of blood rushing through our veins drives us higher in our need for one another. I feel Kane’s legs carry us to the back of the house, the warmth from the air in the living room slowly dissipating as we move further away.

  And normally, I would protest. I hate being cold.

  But there is nothing but heat permeating my body right now as Kane deposits me on his bed, hovering over me and finally breaking our lips free from each other.

  “Fuck, Olivia,” he growls, his nose trailing a path up the column of my neck until he reaches my ear, pulling lightly on my lobe between his teeth, igniting a flurry of tingles all over my skin.

  “Kane…” I mewl, my hands caressing his shoulders and arms covered in a tight black shirt.

  “I want to take my time with you tonight, baby. Last time we were rushed. We were so desperate for each other that I didn’t take a moment to memorize every inch of your body.” His words stroke a fire of arousal in my core—the heat so intense I feel like I’m about to explode.

  “Yes… please touch me, Kane. Touch all of me,” I surrender—ready and willing to hand my body over to this man.

  Kane stands and reaches for my foot, removing my socks before his hands cascade up the buttery fabric of my leggings to the apex of my thighs, while his eyes never leave mine. He holds me in place with his intense stare, as if I would even consider moving from this spot. Who knew that a man taking off my socks could be so sexy?

  He runs his thumb along my slit through my clothes, the friction just enough to relieve the throbbing in my clit for a moment until he moves his hand away, and I yearn for his touch again, moaning when his hands leave the area I need them in.

  “Patience, baby,” he smirks, reaching for the top of my leggings on my hips, tucking his thumbs in the waistband, and slowly pulling the stretchy cloth down my smooth legs.

  Thank God I shaved. Let’s be real, ladies. When the weather turns cold, we’re not as diligent with leg shaving, am I right?

  Kane leaves a trail of kisses up my calf to the top of my thighs, his face so close to where I need him to be—yet, he continues to tease me by brushing his fingers against the skin just above my thong and along the juncture where my leg meets my pelvis.

  “Kane, please…”

  “Mmmm, I can smell you, baby. Tell me how wet I make you…”

  His nose presses against the silky fabric of my underwear this time as he drags it through my slit, inhaling my arousal deeply.

  “I’m so wet, Kane. I need you…”

  “I need you too, Olivia,” he whispers—and somehow, by the tone of his voice, I don’t think he just means right now.

  Hooking his thumbs in the band of my thong, he drags the fabric down my legs so I’m left completely bare from the waist down.

  “God, this pussy is amazing. I haven’t stopped picturing you since that first night, exposed to me like this. I’ve been dying to taste you again,” his voice rumbles between my legs as he pulls me to the edge of the bed and drops to his knees before I faintly feel the tip of his tongue glide through my wetness. The sensation sends me arching off of the bed, gasping for air, and moaning into the room.

  “Oh, God,” I sigh as Kane applies more pressure, circling my clit with his tongue, diving his mouth deep between my legs, tasting every inch of me and lapping up every drop of my arousal.

  I climb, high and fast, the pressure and tightening in my stomach coming on strong with every move Kane makes with his mouth. I get lost in each twist and turn of his tongue as he alternates between short and long strokes and then occasionally sucks my clit between his lips.

  It’s amazing, electrifying, and yet not enough. I need more. I want more.

  And just as the thought crosses my mind, I feel him stretch my opening as he pushes two fingers inside of me. I welcome the intrusion, reveling in the feel of him pulsing his fingers in and out of me, the sound of my wetness echoes in the room as he continues to work my clit with his tongue.

  “Yes, right there,” I declare as I feel Kane hook his fingers inside, rubbing that spot that sets me off. And after a few more strokes, the white hot heat of my orgasm slams into me, building like the crescendo of a song as I reach the peak, immersing myself in the feeling of losing control as my body rides out the waves.

  But I’m not losing. And I’m certainly not fighting him. I handing myself over to him, trusting him to please my body—and slowly allowing him into my heart at the same time.

  Kane rises from the floor, bringing his fingers to his mouth where he sucks them clean.

  “Fucking perfect,” he mumbles before reaching for his shirt, pulling the black fabric up and over his head, revealing that chiseled chest to me that should come with a warning label.

  Warning: prolonged exposure to mountains of muscle covered in tattoos will result in wet panties and heavy panting. Possible side effects: not being able to control yourself and dropping to your knees at the first sight of them.

  I push myself off of the bed, locking eyes with him as he watches me discard my sweater, leaving me in nothing but my bra. I push the straps down off of my shoulders and release the clasp so I’m completely naked, but his eyes never wander. They stay locked with mine until I drop to my knees and reach for the belt on Kane’s pants.

  “Olivia,” his raspy voice calls to me, sounding like he’s struggling to keep his cool.

  “My turn to taste you, Kane,” I smile while looking up at him again. And the way he’s looking down on me makes me feel cherished, even though we’re both insanely aroused right now. The bulge in Kane’s jeans strains against the fabric, so I work quickly to release him and grant him some relief.

  Pushing his jeans and boxer briefs down his legs, Kane helps me remove his pants completely so his naked body stands before me, like a Greek sculpture. The man has the body of a God. His muscles have muscles. I could spend all night licking every crevice of his physique and I still would want to do it again.

  I reach for his length, hard and pulsing in front of me, wrapping my hands around him as I pump him in my palm.

  “Fuck, Liv…”

  His hands reach for my face, pushing my hair that fell from my ponytail out of the way so he can see me.

  And when he looks at me again, he smiles—an innocent, pure, and soft lift of his lips that hits me hard in my chest.

  I surrender myself to that feeling and then bring him to my mouth, dying to show him how much I want him, how much I need him, how much I care for him too. His reverent grin disappears as his eyes close and he moans in ecstasy.

  “Fuck.”

  I flutter my tongue along the underside of his head and then swirl it around, taking him deep in my throat, feeling him grow harder with each movement. Kane’s hands find my head, guiding me up and down his length in a suggestive way, but never making me feel like I’m not in control.

  I hear his breathing quicken, his inhales becoming short and sharp as I continue to pull him in and out of my mouth, using my hand to pleasure him simultaneously and cup his balls just as he pulls away.

  “If you keep doing that, I’m never going to get to fuck you, Liv,” Kane says as he helps me up and pulls my lips to his, kissing me intently before backing us up to the bed.

  Kane motions for me to scoot back as he climbs on the bed, following me until my head hits the pillows. He moves one of his hands to my chest, pressing lightly between my breasts before dragging his fingers down my sternum and further to my belly button, swirling the tips of his fingers around the soft skin of my stomach and then back up to my breasts, circling my nipples.


  “You’re beautiful, baby. I could stare at you all night,” he whispers while lowering his forehead to mine as he continues to caress my flesh.

  “Please, Kane… you’re driving me crazy,” I whine, the pressure between my legs building again so intensely, I feel like I could come just from the soft touches he’s giving my body right now.

  Kane leans down to plant a soft kiss on my lips before reaching for his nightstand and fetching a condom. I watch him tear the foil with his teeth, sitting back on his legs to sheath himself. Once he’s protected, he hovers over me again and locks his eyes with mine, the stars above us shining through the skylight in his bedroom.

  Above me is this man, surrounded by darkness—yet all I see is the light he’s brought back into my life.

  He lines himself up to my entrance. “Look at me, Olivia. Don’t look away… I want to see you when I take you this time.”

  I nod, my eyes never leaving his as he plunges into me, taking a few solid strokes before he bottoms out. Our breaths catch simultaneously when he reaches the furthest point inside, and I feel myself sigh in contentment—the feeling of being connected physically to Kane again almost too much to process.

  “Fuck, baby. You feel incredible…” Kane says as he starts to move, setting a pace that is both intense yet luxurious.

  My hands travel all over his shoulders and back as he moves inside of me, our bodies rocking together, feeding off of one another and pleasuring each other instinctually. His lips press to mine again, swirling our tongues together while he continues to fuck me.

  Kane reaches down and hooks his arm under one of my knees, pulling the leg up and over his shoulder, sending him even deeper into my wet heat.

  “Oh…” I moan, closing my eyes and relishing in the feeling of Kane’s cock as he moves, hitting the furthest point inside over and over again.