Page 72 of Runaway Hearts: Seduced by Danger

Or maybe I do.

I fumble with the keys, nerves making my fingers clumsy. Finally, the door swings open, and we step into the fully lit interior.

Shit.

When we stride inside, my uncle greets us with a smile. “Evening, you two lovebirds,” he teases with a wink. “How was the fair?”

“Interesting,” Kai replies. “But we’re not that good with crowds.”

I blush, and Kai clears his throat with a chuckle. But then Nina sees us, dirty and wet. Maybe she sees the untamed gleam in Kai’s stare, too.

“Oh, chickadee! What happened?” she asks, hurrying over with genuine concern etched on her face.

“I fell into the murky swamp, and Kai came to my rescue.”

“Are you cold? Would you like to warm up in the hot tub or take a shower?” Her motherly instincts kick in as she fusses over me, trying to make me comfortable again. “How about you wash the mud off in the shower and meet me in the hot tub for a girl’s drink? I have a bottle of tequila with our name on it. We could let the guys, you know…” She wiggles her hand like she’s trying to swat flies off.

“Sweets, she might just want to spend time with her boy—” myuncle tries.

“Tsk, tsk, Corey! He gets to see her all the time.” She rolls her eyes. “They’re on vacay together,” she mutters to Corey.

Oh… She missed me.

Guilt travels up my stomach and settles under my tongue, waiting for me to say what I’ve always said… of course. “Huh… no, thank you. I’m tired and just want a hot shower and go to bed.”

A weighty hush envelops us, a restrictive presence that steals the air from our lungs. My uncle’s jaw drops, his mouth agape in shock.

“Oh… I see,” says Nina so slowly I distinguish every letter.

My blood ices and my ribs stop expanding to breathe.

What did I just say?

Nina’s eyes narrow, suspicion mingling with genuine concern she’s always worn like a second skin. Her gaze flicks to Kai, then back to me.

Nina missed me, but prioritizing myself must start somewhere.

Kai’s hand hovers by my lower back. “It’s been a long day.” His tone seems neutral, but the underlying finality is unmistakable. “We’ll catch up in the morning.”

Kai’s support solidifies my resolve to go to sleep.

My uncle watches us both, curiosity inching into his expression, but he nods. “All right then. Get some rest, kids.”

My aunt’s lips slump. She looks at Corey like she wants him to add something, but my uncle shakes his head with a soft smile and a warm gaze.

“Goodnight, Nina,” I say.

Kai and I move in silence, the creak of stairs amplifying the charged atmosphere behind us. My pulse drums in my ears.

“Goodnight, chickadee,” she replies.

My heart pounds against my ribcage as I recall how we went from playful banter at the fair to this charged silence.

Once inside my room, I shut the door behind us, locking out the world—or so it seems. Kai’s eyes meet mine, and for a moment, all that exists is the depth of his gaze—dark, stormy, full of secrets.

He moves closer, his fingers brushing against my cheek softly. “Are you all right?”

I nod, though my mind swirls with uncertainty. “I mean... maybe one drink…”

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