Free Tangled Trust (The Lust List: Kaidan Stone #2) by Nova Raines Page A

snippy.
    “Yeah, you’re right. So who was it?”
    “Some girl. Some eighteen-year-old aspiring model.”
    My chest tightens, and I chug my champagne. It tickles my throat, and my cheeks flush. I want to accuse her of being a liar, but what if she’s telling the truth? Maybe she caught him cheating. He was kind of known for that.
    “So when do you head back to get ready for your performance?” I ask.
    Her shoulders relax, like she’s relieved I dropped the topic of my dad. “I have to give out the award for best pop song, and then I’ll head to the dressing room to get changed.”
    Get changed. There’s no way she’d wear that diamond on stage… would she? “I’ve always wanted to go backstage and see what it’s like to get ready for a show.”
    “Oh yeah?”
    She doesn’t take the bait and invite me. I take another swig of champagne. “I would love to come back there with you. Could I?”
    She blinks rapidly. “You’ll miss the show if you do.”
    “Oh, no I won’t. I’ll watch you from backstage.”
    “Sure. Okay. Come back and see what it’s like.” She gives me a false smile, then tugs at Calvin’s sleeve. “Honey, I need to go to the ladies’.”
    “The show starts in five.”
    “I’ll be back.”
    She leaves the table, and I sit in silence, drinking, waiting for things to begin. I sneak a peek at Peyton again, and she’s back to chugging her champagne and hanging off Ender’s arm. He is completely ignoring her, animatedly talking to his drummer’s date.
    Serena gets back just as the lights dim and the music starts. Perfect timing so she doesn’t have to continue talking to me.
    Everyone goes silent, and Kaidan grabs my hand and squeezes. My breath catches at the unexpected touch, and I look at him beneath the dim lights, his brown eyes glinting warmly at me. I give him a little smile. As far as I can tell, he hasn’t spared a single glance at Peyton—doesn’t care who’s here. I’m here with Kaidan Stone tonight. And he wants to be with me and only me.
    He holds my hand, caressing it lightly with his fingers, as we watch the awards show.
    A comedian, Jamal Mason, is hosting the awards, and Kaidan and I both laugh as he opens with a joke about his complete lack of musical ability.
    We speed through the first few awards, and then it’s time for a commercial break, and the lights turn up a little. Ethan leaves to get ready for his performance, and the conversation in the auditorium picks up to a low murmur.
    I turn to Kaidan and jump when I realize he’s leaned close and is inches from my face. He grins at me and looks… happy. Truly. I feel giddy with the same happiness, and I laugh in response.
    “You having fun?” His eyes are bright.
    “Yes. I really am. Thanks for inviting me.”
    His eyes soften, and he lets go of my hand to touch my cheek. “Come here,” he says, his voice low, husky.
    My cheeks flush as I lean closer. I’m vaguely aware of the rest of the people around our table, of the entire auditorium packed full, even Peyton a few tables away. But the way Kaidan’s looking at me right now—nothing matters except me and him. We’re in a bubble, and nothing can pop it.
    He kisses me, gently, pressing his lips to mine, letting them linger. I return his kiss, relishing the taste of him, and a little burst of excitement courses through me. When he pulls away, his face is flushed, too, and I finally remember to breathe again.
    He just kissed me in front of everyone. In front of dozens of cameras. In front of the whole world. In front of Peyton. I grab his hand again.
    “We’ll get some food after this.” He runs his fingers along my palm. “And then there’s the Stone Label afterparty. You up for it?”
    “Of course I’m up for it,” I say, butterflies dancing in my stomach. This night is just getting started, and there is still so much more to come.
    The lights dim, and the show starts again. After a few more awards are given out, the host announces