Page 162 of Runaway Hearts: Seduced by Danger

“Marianne?” he mumbles, his voice barely audible over the engine’s hum.

“Yes?” I reply softly, careful not to disturb his slumber.

“I can’t handle you being angry with me for too long.”

“Just give me some time,” I assure as I reach over to stroke his hair. “Sleep. I’ll take care of things.”

“Okay,” he murmurs before drifting back to sleep.

We are stuck together in this car, our fates intertwined. Part of me wonders if we would even be alive now if we had given in to our desires last night. It’s a strange thought that hangs out in my mind.

“Kai?” I call out softly after a minute.

He grumbles in response, his hand unconsciously finding its way to rest on my thigh.

My heart melts at the sight of him sleeping peacefully. Despite all our conflicts and misunderstandings, he looks so fragile and innocent at this moment.

The hours tick by slowly as we navigate morning traffic and road construction. My stomach growls with hunger, but we make little progress. I turn on the radio to find something to suit my mood. Lizzo’s music fills the car, bringing a small smile.

We’re moving at a snail’s pace of twenty miles per hour, but I don’t mind. It gives me time to steal glances at Kai as he sleeps.

His eyelashes flutter, and his face is relaxed.

Suddenly, his focus shifts to me, and his features soften even more. He draws a tender smile on his sleepy face, and my heart swells affectionately. This is the most beautiful compliment I have ever received.

“I wondered if I was dreaming,” he says.

The world around me shifts. Kai sits beside me, his face unreadable, and he gazes at me with a furrowed brow.

Heat creeps up my neck and into my cheeks. “Maybe you are.”

“No,” he says, staring at me. “I know this is real.”

Kai scrutinizes me and tension builds between us. It’s a new sensation, one that makes my heart race and my breath quicken.

But before things can escalate further, I break the intense atmosphere with a simple statement. “I’m hungry.”

“Me too.” He raises his seat and takes in the view of endless rows of cars, all stuck in traffic. The sound of construction work drones in the background. “Fuck… We’re not moving.”

I wince. My stomach drops at the realization we are completely stuck.

Is this a reproach?

“Kai, I can’t fly over cars.”

“This isn’t criticism.”

“We should take the bus. We’d have the reserved lane,” I say, glaring at the bus that passes us.

“I hate taking the bus.” His growling tone makes me wince again.

“We must find a solution because at this pace...” I urge, helpless as we continue to sit in bumper-to-bumper traffic.It will take us over a month to reach our destination.“If we could get to Everett...”

Kai’s worried tone snaps me back to reality. “Cutie!”

I peek in my rearview mirror. Two guys walk between the cars, looking into each of them. I know they’re here for us. Kai recognized them. The way they move terrifies me; it’s how hunting dogs roam when they sniff a bloody trace. At least it’s not…

Shit. The twins.

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