Page 87 of Runaway Hearts: Seduced by Danger

I drift off into a cloudy state between dreams and reality.

A subtle, lingering scent of minty cologne dances into my nostrils, stirring up memories of the past. The aroma is elusive. Details have faded, and what remains is only a trace of presence—both comforting and haunting.

Kai’s thumb brushes against the back of my hand, affirming his calm presence.

Why does it smell like home?

My eyelids continue their relentless descent. At this moment, with him by my side, everything feels safe and right.

“It’s all right. Everything’s fine,” he whispers so softly, I believe him.

I squint at him, trying to gauge his sincerity through the cloud of my tiredness. The trust I’ve been so hesitant to extend seems to be reaching out on its own, like an uncultivated vine twisting its way toward the sun.

With Kai, good and evil intertwine, creating a unique dimension with its own nuances. He’s not just one thing or the other; a mixture of that makes him irresistible.

Despite my brain’s commands, my eyelids remain stubbornly glued shut. A soft touch tickles my chin, and I chuckle. Kai covered me with a blanket while I slept in the car. My eyes struggle to open fully.

“Cutie, are you awake?” a rough voice asks.

“No, I’m still dreaming.”

Kai takes my hand and gives it a light kiss, making me squirm with laughter. “You’re fucking adorable.”

“What do you want to eat?” I mumble, still disoriented from sleep.

Kai’s intense gaze meets mine, causing a flutter in my stomach.

“I want to please you,” he replies. “What would make you happy?”

My heart sprints at the thought of kissing him, his tongue tracing my lips, down my neck, over my chest, and lower.

“A world tour on a boat,” I suggest with a grin.

“I’d like that, but I’d have to learn to navigate.”

“I can drive a small boat just fine,” I scoff. “I took lessons last year.”

“Duly noted. But what do you want to eat?”

“I’m craving Sichuan shrimp and fried bananas with sesame and honey. I’m starving,” I whine.

“I love that food,” he admits with a genuine smile, and I shoot one right back.

Then we can share.

As we arrive at the hotel, I work a swallow, my eyes widening in surprise.

“I wanted us to sleep in a decent bed,” Kai explained before I could question him further about our sleeping arrangements.

“Did you only book one room?”

“Of course.”

“Only one bed?”

“Yes,” Kai says with a glimmer of lust in his eyes.

I flash a satisfied smile as we entered the lobby to check in.

---