Page 67 of Runaway Hearts: Seduced by Danger

His eyes narrow, and a muscle in his upper lip jumps, his fingers curling into a fist.

But I’m not scared.

A hot flush creeps up my neck as I remember the bulge in his jeans earlier. And now, standing here in this dingy bathroom, with him staring at me likethis... my heart races uncontrollably.

Eric was wrong. I’m pretty. And wet.

Kai moves closer to me, our bodies almost touching. Sucking in a sharp breath, his eyes come back to mine through the mirror. “I can’t think straight,” he mumbles.

But nothing happens, so I keep cleaning myself, picking clumps of mud and dead leaves from my loose hair.

My cheeks burn hotter as I try to ignore the pulse between my legs. His stare sparked to life.

Kai steps closer, his breath hitching again as he looks at me. “That’s not...” A murmur. “Don’t freak out.” He takes a pile of brown paper, wets it, and wipes dirt off my back.

The heat from his breath grazes my neck as he leans to get to the mud that clings to my skin. And I try not to squirm under his ministrations because I want more. His hand lingers on my bare but now-clean shoulders a moment longer than necessary, allowing me to feel the tension in his muscles.

I like how he fights so hard to control himself, yet he seems so out of control. The raw power lurking beneath the surface is fascinating.

He’s ready to snap, but he doesn’t.

“Thank you,” I whisper, trying not to show my excitement.

He finishes cleaning the mud off my shoulders and back and turns to toss the paper towel into the trash. When he swivels back, his handsclasp on my hips, and he rests his cheek on my temple, breathing slow and deep.

He’s trying to calm down.

I stand still, waiting for his next move. It’s freaking enthralling. The small bathroom feels effervescent as we stand so close, our bodies barely touching.

Kai then lets out a long, shaky breath and slowly pulls away from me. “You’re welcome.” His words are choked, half-angry, half something I don’t recognize.

But for once in my life, I decided to be bold.

I catch his wrists to put his hands back on my hips.

Oh, my fucking god…

Is it possible for my blood to pump so wild that my veins burst out?

His arms cinch around me, pulling me to his hard chest. My eyes shut. He groans softly, the sound resonating through me like a surrendering plea.

Without looking at him, I turn the water off, trying to ignore the hot gushes of need pooling in me.

Assertiveness 1. Anxiety 0.

The rough pads of his fingers trace tantalizing patterns on the curve of my hips, and his thumbs find a way under my dress. His touch ignites a fire that burns hotter than anything I’ve ever felt.

A slow moan escapes from my lips, emboldening him. His hands slide toward my panties, testing the waters for a reaction.

Our wet clothes stick to our skin, creating a barrier between us that only heightens the intensity of the moment.

A single syllable flies from my mouth, breathier than I intended. “Kai.”

“Fuck,” he murmurs, a primal acknowledgment of our shared desire. “Tell me…” He lets his thumbs trace circles closer and closer to my covered pussy. “This is real.” He pauses, hiding his face in my hair as he struggles to find the right words. “The untamed desire I have for you defies logic, but it fucking owns me.” His nose runs up and down the nape of my neck, making me gasp. “And I hope against hope you feel it, too.” A hesitation. “At least a little.”

A sharp inhale raises my chest as his words wash over me like a tidal wave. My insides tremble with anticipation. I lean back into his chest. “I do,” I whisper. Feeling daring now, my hand trails up to grab the back of his neck, pulling him to me.

Assertiveness 2. Anxiety 0.

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