Page 60 of Runaway Hearts: Seduced by Danger

I can finally let loose and have fun. Forget my worries and immerse myself in the festive atmosphere.

We stroll through the twinkling lights of the fair, carefree. The summer wind makes the skirt of my dress flutter around me. Kai is silent until he comes to a halt in front of a shooting booth with yellow metallic ducks that pass by on a conveyor belt. The sound of shots fired rings out, adding to the lively atmosphere of the fair.

“I said I’d get you a teddy bear, right?” Kai says.

I often get lost in my thoughts, but Kai brings me back to the present. We’re at a colorful booth with carnival music blaring nearby.

The ducks move quickly, making it challenging, but he makes it look easy. He handles the air gun and hits his target withease, leaving me in awe yet not surprised by his skills. The yellow metal ducks make a loud clatter as they fall.

“You’re talented,” I say.

“I’ve had lots of practice.”

“You’ve often murdered metal ducks?”

His face twists and his eyelids flutter. I think he’s trying not to laugh. “No.”

“So, your practice is only subjective,” I say with a finger raised.

His eyebrow arches and I embrace the moment. At the fair with a criminal who appears happy to hand me a fluffy blue bear. He has a glow of sweetness in his eyes. I gasp as my heart sits in my throat and my legs weaken.

I’d give the moon in guarantee to know what he’s thinking right now.

“Do you want to try?” he asks, holding out the gleaming silver gun—the short sleeve of his black shirt wrinkles with the movement.

My heart beats faster as I gaze at the sleek metal weapon in his hand. “You’ll show me how to handle a gun?”

“Why not? I bet you’re good.” Kai flashes a confident smile at me and tosses money at the gentleman behind the counter. With skilled hands, he loads the gun with ammunition, the sharp clicks echoing through the air.

“Good?” I repeat, my chest swelling with a small spark of pride at his words.

He puts the gun in my hands and stands behind me, his frame caging me yet not touching me. His warm hands gently guide mine into position on the grip, his unshaven cheek brushing mine. My heart races at the coarse feel on my skin.

His intense gaze fixes on the targets ahead, deadly serious. I steal a few seconds to admire him before he lowers my hands. “Take a deep breath, and when you reach the end of the exhale, squeeze the trigger.” The faintest hint of a smirk plays on his lips as he looks back at me. And time stops.

We lock gazes until the gentleman’s throat clearing interrupts us. “Are you ready to shoot, honey?”

Kai’s gaze shifts to the man, shooting him a fierce glare. “Who do you think you’re calling ‘honey,’ huh?”

The man steps back, his hands raised in front of him. “Just a saying, man. Sorry.”

I narrow my eyes at Kai. “You scared him.”

He sneers in response before whispering, “Come on. Play along, or I might have to shoot him for real.”

I shake my head and play, trying to push down the warm appreciation growing in my stomach at Kai’s protective behavior.

At each target down, I jump with disproportionate joy. Bang! I look like a big fool.

“Go on.”

“Yes, Commander Kiken.” I do so in a serious tone.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

He holds back from laughing, and his cheek muscles twitch. “See?” Kai says with pride. “You’re good.”

I laugh like a degenerate, my head thrown back. Loud. Terrible. I put my gun back on the counter, thanking her for her loyal service, and the nice man, troubled by my performance, hands me a pink bear cub.

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