Page 53 of Runaway Hearts: Seduced by Danger

“That’s true devotion,” I say as I lick my spoon. “Ooh, and kidnapping?”

A scoff of disbelief resounds next to me. “It’s possible.”

Questions swirl like a hurricane of sinister curiosity in my brain, each more twisted than the last.

What does the phoenix mean?

Do you really like me?

What’s your body count?

Shut up, Marianne!

The room falls silent again as we watch my old life.

“I can’t believe I used to be so thin. It saddens me every time I watch these old movies,” I say, gobbling up a bite of ice cream. “Good god, that’s good.”

“You’re much more beautiful now.” His words hang in the thick air. I’ve never been on the receiving end of such kind words. As I savor every second, I suspend the moment in time, letting it coat my tongue with a zesty tanginess.

Before I can utter a thank-you, he pulls me toward him and guides me to sit between his legs on the floor.

Startled, I yelp, “What are you doing?”

His request catches me off guard. “Remove your T-shirt.”

My mind races as I hesitate. But before fully comprehend what is happening, I blurt out, “No.”

Oh, my god! I said no. Yay, me.

“You have a tank top underneath. I won’t grope you. I just want to help loosen the knot that is keeping you tense right here.” He presses against a tight muscle next to my shoulder blade, showing no hesitation or shyness in doingso.

A whistling sound between my lips confirms he’s right. My heart skips a beat when Kai holds my shoulder with one hand. His thumb moves in small circles, pressing into the knot of muscles in a bunch.

I blow a quick breath, remembering how well he reacted earlier about his thumb on my throat.

He doesn’t want to hurt me.

I take my T-shirt off, exposing myself and searching for any signs of danger as I sit there, vulnerable.

“If you—” I start.

“Do you believe all men are bastards?” he cuts me off.

I groan. “I’m eagerly awaiting evidence to disprove the theory.”

“What about your uncle?”

I blow out a sad sniff. “He’s an outlier, a statistical anomaly. Doesn’t count.” My eyes fixate on the silent television, the flickering images of my past life casting shadows across the room.

Each time he moves his thumb, the moan in my throat escapes a little, and I try to stifle it until I can no longer hold it in. I let out a tight whistle of pain, my body no longer able to take the intensity of the sensation.

But he continues. “Are you okay?”

“Yes.”

I make no freaking sense.

Kai reminds me, “Just let me know if it becomes too much for you.”

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