Page 131 of Runaway Hearts: Seduced by Danger

Another kiss.

“You still want me?” he murmurs on my lips.

The pain of the emotions I’ve felt this week hits me at once, and I let out a moan. “Yes,” I reply before pushing my tongue into his mouth.

I cling to him like a buoy, my fingers folding on his jaw to ravish his mouth as he groans. I can’t believe what’s happening. Kai is kissing me like a madman, and his breathing is getting unstable. My head spins with excitement.

“Did you miss me?” he whispers in between breaths, eyes closed.

The familiar scent of cedar and citrus, with the heat radiating from his body, brings a fizzy warmth to my stomach.

“No, not at all,” I reply, storming his mouth again.

“I don’t want to know how you’re going to greet me when you do.”

His hands grip me tightly, and the kiss becomes intense, hungry, and impatient.

“That could be dangerous,” I say, biting his upper lip.

Kai’s lips leave mine to trail hot kisses along my jaw and neck. His breath warms my skin, making me shiver despite the heat building between us.

“You don’t know how much I needed you to come back,” I murmur.

I can hardly breathe, overwhelmed by conflicting emotions. Relief, joy, and an underlying fear blend in a chaotic dance within me.

“Goddamn, Marianne,” he rasps into my ear. “I’ll always come back to us.”

Aw…

My nose is crushed against his chest, my hands on his strong back.

The anaconda-Kai hug.

I sigh with happiness before I even realize what I’m doing. I rest my head in the crook of his neck and close my eyes, lost in his warmth, scent, and strength.

As I relax in his arms, every muscle in his body releases its tension. I had almost forgotten about the “Kai effect,” how being with him could make me forget all my worries and fears for just a moment.

“Last night, you scared the living shit out of me. How are you feeling?”

I want you.“I’m good.”I was so scared you were Eric.

“Good?” Kai grabs my shoulders and pushes me just enough to scan my expression.

“Yeah,” I mumble, trying to mask the flood of emotions surfacing. He tilts his head, eyes narrowing as if decoding a cryptic message in my gaze.

I’m ashamed of how scared I was.

Kai’s thumb strokes my shoulder, creating a soothing rhythm. “You’re lying,” he says, his voice a blend of concern and frustration.

My defenses crumble. “I thought you were dead or… not real.” It’s a whisper, barely audible, but the weight in my words hangs heavy between us.

He extends his arms in a cross. “I’m alive andhere.”

I take two steps back to assess his state. Not only do the dark circles under his eyes scream “on the run,” but worry is hidden in his right cheek twitch and how his fingers close on my arms. The dirt smudges on his T-shirt and dusty hair tell me about at least one night spent outside in the street.

Nurse mode activated.

“Oh, god.” I cradle his face. “On a scale of one to five, how tired are you right now?”

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