Page 78 of Runaway Hearts: Seduced by Danger

“I’ll load the car while you enjoy your coffee,” Kai says with his sun eyes fixed on my mouth.

“Thank you.”

He goes to the door and turns back, adjusting the obvious bulge in his jeans, and then points at me. “Wanna cover up?”

Oh, yeah. I’m braless, in a flimsy T-shirt and PJ shorts.

Suddenly self-conscious, I wrap my thick pink robe around my body and focus on my bright turquoise toenails.

Kai opens the door and stares smugly at Corey before disappearing into the bathroom.

My stomach sinks like a stone into a pool of mortification, my heart hammering against my ribs with the force of a thousand embarrassed butterflies.

A part of me wants to grab Kai and slam the door shut to dissolve into his arms, to forget everything and get lost in his passion. But the wary expression on my uncle’s face brings me back to reality.

Another time, another place.

I’m going to be sick.

My skin prickles with embarrassment under Corey’s disapproving gaze.

“Is something wrong?” I ask.

Corey’s eyes widen in shock. He hasn’t seen this defiant side of his well-behaved niece before.

I want a hole to hide in. In another country.

Assertiveness is a leaking pipe. Once it bursts open, it flows everywhere, even when you don’t want it.

“No,” he says. “It’s just… I’m not used to seeing you this… light and happy.”

Oh.I pout. “I like him.”

He rubs the back of his neck sheepishly. “Yeah, I can see that.” He gives me a small smile before walking up the stairs. “Are we having breakfast?”

“Yes.” I glance over my shoulder to ensure the bathroom door is closed.

This moment is awkward enough. I’ve never been caught making out with a guy before, and it’s mortifying.

Corey heard my moans.

I retreat into my bedroom and shut the door behind me to get dressed. A black tank top and khaki linen shorts. I sip the mochaccino, savoring the rich sweetness coating my tongue. Kai made it just the way I like it. He pays such careful attention to my small details, and it makes my heart ache knowing how deeply he cares despite his flaws.

I drag myself upstairs, greeting Nina, before sitting at the table with my beloved drink.

“Hi, Nina.”

“Hey, chickadee,” she says as she looks at my brooding uncle. “How was the coffee?” she whispers with her hands cupped around her mouth to be discreet, but her eyebrow wiggles are nothing short of screaming.

I want to disappear. Immediately.

But instead of feeling embarrassed, a fire ignited inside me, and I decided to have a little fun for once. “Delicious.” I wink at her. “But we were interrupted.” Then, I flick my gaze to my uncle, who turns bright red.

Nina elbows him in the ribs. “Call us when you reach Langdon, please.”

I sigh, clutching the warm mug between my hands. “I will.”

“Ready to go?”

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