Page 41 of Runaway Hearts: Seduced by Danger

“Trust issues?” I roll my eyes and sigh.

“Feels off not looking at you.”

I sting his caramel skin with precision. Out of the corner of my eye, I catch a glimpse of his smirk. He’s so arrogant. Kai is gnashing his teeth while grinning.

Yeah, he likes pain.

And I feel like a teenage girl swooning over a mischievous bad boy.

The situation is staggeringly calm. In action movies, the girl falls into the arms of the big brute at this precise moment. His breathing is regular, and I concentrate. One hand is on his side to guide the skin, and the other one works the needle. I forget about the intensity in his eyes, where his hands are, my sole focus on the task I must perform.

Sting the skin, pull the thread, simple interrupted knot. Repeat.

Kai gawks at me, eyes piercing through my skin and igniting a blazing desire in the foundation of my body.

“There,” I declare once I’m done. “No bath for at least two weeks. Dry it gently after the shower. Then, I’ll reapply the bandage.”

“Shower?” Kai whispers.

“Don’t you crave a hot shower? After all that insane running?”

“I’d love a steamy shower,” he says, giving me a weird stare.

There’s no way he’s thinking what I’m thinking because... because my brain is filled with soap and bubbles on tanned skin. I fight the squeal threatening to escape me.

“Need me to get you a towel?” I ask to put an end to my dirty thoughts.

“Yeah.”

From upstairs, Nina screams, “We’re eating in fifteen minutes!”

I walk into the bathroom to turn the shower on. The room fills with steam from the hot water, and Kai stands in the center. His movements are slow and deliberate as he unbuttons his jeans before sliding them down his legs, revealing a pair of black boxers.

My eyes flutter, and my breath slows. He has a scar on his left kneecap, raised and uneven. Running water whispers in the air, blending with distant laughter and chatter from upstairs, but my racing thoughts mute all sounds.

Can I join you?

I should leave. Get out now before things go any farther. But I can’t move, rooted to the spot, as if under some spell. Kai turns and gives me a view of the most perfectly shaped ass I’ve ever seen.

And, because of my job, I’ve seen many.

My mouth waters at the thought of sinking my teeth into his smooth, toned muscles.

Oh, Seito, I am but a mere mortal…

His underwear hugs the curves of his ass, highlighting the sexy grooves on either side. A call to indulge in the forbidden.

How much time does he spend working out to be this shredded? I just cycle to work when it’s sunny. I’m plump all over.

The steam from the shower hits my skin, causing goosebumps to rise. My hands shake as I reach out and give Kai a towel, his fingers brushing against mine. An electric shock zings through my body.

“You’re staring,” he teases. The left corner of his mouth curls into a smirk, eyes twinkling with mischief.

“I’ll get you clean clothes.” I spring around, blushing like a teenager, and load the washing machine with the clothes he wore and those I bought at the thrift store. But he’ll need more underwear. More sexy, tight, fully filled boxer briefs…

Red creeps up my cheeks as I mentally scold myself for such thoughts.

Focus, Marianne!

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