Page 30 of Runaway Hearts: Seduced by Danger

Blood seeps through the bandage on his side, the red contrasting against his caramel skin. I remove it, wincing at the sight of the ripped flesh.

My focus becomes a laser beam, homed in on the wound as my fingers dance over his skin, cleaning and stitching it back together with careful precision. The skin puckers slightly as I pull the thread taut, creating a web of narrow stitches.

Kai lets out soft sighs and grunts as he watches me work.

My tongue darts out, wetting my lips in concentration. I don’t like the heat coming from the bruised flesh around the cut. Once I have successfully sealed the wound, I apply a generous amount of antibiotic cream, hoping it will prevent infections.

When I finish putting on a clean bandage, his hand envelops mine, bringing warmth and security. I crave his touch but push it away. My heart and soul need time to heal before I let anyone in.

Kai stands up, a hand supporting his side, and he wobbles to the bathroom. “I gotta clean up.”

“No shower tonight.” I stand to get my spare toothbrush. “Don’t lock the door,” I say while handing it to him. “Just in case you faint.”

He scoffs, glaring at me, but I experience nothing.

“You’re free to leave whenever you want. I paid for the room,” I tell him, but walk back to my bed.

A deep grunt comes from the bathroom. “I’m not leaving you.”

I hope you’re sincere.

When he returns to bed, I let my mind go blank. I’m not here in a motel with an ultra-dangerous Kwunaru. I’m in my head. Far away from everything that hurt.

I slip under the rough sheets of the other bed and close my eyes, wishing I had the courage to slip in with him instead. Maybe then, I wouldn’t feel so lonely.

“Marianne,” Kai murmurs. “Sleep tight.”

And I hate the spark of hope that blooms in my chest.

Chapter 6

Wake Up!

Islowly open my eyes. Bright sunlight filters through the curtains and illuminates the room. Snuggling with a pillow, I glance at the small radio on the white melamine table between the beds.

9:17 a.m.

Yesterday’s aftermath should leave me groggy and disoriented, but I feel clear-headed.

The bed next to mine is neatly made. Kai stands by the window, the hard glow of summer daylight playing on his face while he gazes at the river.

And he looks hella good.

Kai is a lean, mean, glorious machine that oozes power and confidence. Despite the slight fear that lingers in the back of my mind, I’m inexplicably drawn to him.

It excites and terrifies me to think about his potential for violence, knowing he has the strength to hurt me if he wants to. But I trust him not to, which doesn’t make sense. As Eric told me, nothing about my thoughts makes sense these days.

“Stay quiet, princess. You wouldn’t want anybody finding out how insane you are.”

I loathe how Eric’s memory lingers like a stubborn stain that refuses to fade.

I try to push him out of my mind, but it’s futile. His grip over me is oppressive, and I doubt I’ll ever be free of it.

The breakup broke my heart, but it was an event three days after, when I went to pick my things up that ended my will to live. I made the mistake of going alone.

“Your redemption is gonna be a long fucking path.”

I was hurting so bad. Three full days at Arietta’s place, I begged Eric to take me back. I wanted the pain to stop. I would’ve done anything for that pain to just vanish.

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