Page 161 of Runaway Hearts: Seduced by Danger

We walk silently, the cracking of branches filling the crisp morning air. Kai gives me a heartbreaking glance. I’m having a hard time accepting the love I have for him. It will come with time, and I hope he’s patient.

Everything goes smoothly until we reach a patrol camp. Kai tenses and looks around. Inevitably, we would encounter one. Crossing the border was too easy. We approach the camp, and Kai crouches. I follow his lead and squat beside him. We both study patrol jeeps, but we decide against trying to steal one. It’s too risky with no cover of darkness.

Kai nods toward a closer car, suggesting we try this one instead. I shake my head, showing it’s not a good idea. He raises an eyebrow and sighs. We need a new plan.

I spot quads in the distance, and an effervescent smile spreads across my face. It’s ridiculous, but I can’t help the action movie soundtrack playing in my head.

We make our way over to the quads, moving cautiously. I’m suddenly starving, a common stress response for me, and a noise in my stomach resonates louder than it ever should.

I give Kai a sorry look, and he smirks.

I stumble into a thicket of pine thorns. A man emerges from the camp and begins smoking a cigarette. Had we not crouched down, hewould have noticed us. After the man returns inside, Kai shakes his head, asking me to wait for a safe opportunity to proceed.

Kai gets up and walks to the vehicle. I shake my head and point farther.

He understands, and we crawl toward our future vehicle.

Stealing something? Me? Why am I smiling then? It must be the electric buzz in the air.

Kai shifts the gear lever into neutral and gets behind the vehicle, motioning for me to climb on. He must be joking. I’ll push with him.

Despite the physical strain, I burst into silent laughter.

I’m stealing something! I’m a criminal.

With a grunt of effort, we managed to push the quad far enough to start the engine without alerting the patrol camp. The gentle roar of its motor fills the air as we take off, my body pressed against Kai’s in a tight embrace. I can’t help but inhale his scent, a heady mixture of sweat and adrenaline that’s uniquely him. As we speed along, my muscles relax, and a warm blush invades my face.

In the distance, we come across a quiet village, its streets still empty in the early morning hours. But our quad breaks the silence, and Kai stops abruptly, eyes scanning the distance.

“We can’t do the entire trip on a quad,” he frowns.

I nod in agreement as I spot an old car for sale in a deserted parking lot. “What time is it?”

Kai glances at me with a mischievous smile. “Are you hungry?”

His words are like a magnet, drawing me toward him. Some men use their words to convey their desires, but Kai has always had a way of communicating with his eyes. And right now, they’re sending me a clear message: “I want to feed you, gorgeous one until you can’t eat anymore.” It’s a tempting thought that leaves my mind in disarray.

“Yes,” I say finally, giving in to his suggestion.

“We should wait until the next town to eat at a restaurant,” he suggests as he makes his way over to unlock the car doors.

But I’m not interested in waiting or fancy restaurants. “No way. We’re going to eat in the car. I don’t want a Terminator-style episode because we’re too busy lingering,” I declare firmly.

We linger; we die.

“We have ten hours of driving before we reach Eugene. We can’t just drive nonstop,” Kai argues.

“Why not?” I challenge.

“Because we won’t be able to handle a problem if one arises. I’ve been up since two-forty. I need to sleep,” he explains with a yawn. “Tazo…” He sighs and runs a tired hand on his face.

“Would you have preferred if I drove?” I retort, annoyed.

His breath comes out in a low, heavy whisper. “Can we talk about it in the car?” he asks, his voice pleading. Without waiting for an answer, he opens the driver’s door and gestures for me to take the wheel.

I nod and slide into the car, my heart racing with anticipation and anxiety. Kai settles himself against the hard passenger seat and lets out another deep sigh.

As I start the car, the tension between us dissipates, replaced by an exhaustion that sets in like a heavy fog. The vibrations from the old exhaust pipe rock Kai to sleep, his body sinking deeper into the seat. His eyes close of their own accord.

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