Page 96 of Runaway Hearts: Seduced by Danger

My response is immediate, my lips parting as I welcome his intensity. The world outside our stolen sanctuary fades away in the dim morning light. He breaks away for air, his eyes searching mine in a silent question, and I answer by pulling him in for another kiss.

Please, Seito, let me be courageous enough to ask him to stay with me.

“Come on. We must hit the road if we want to reach our destination at some point. The drive isn’t going to happen by magic,” I say.

He snaps his fingers and closes his eyes. “Did it work?”

“Yes.”

His eyes fly open, and he looks at me before bursting into laughter. It’s the deep, carefree chuckle I only heard once.

I love that sound.

We gather our things, and while Kai takes a shower, I pick his jeans up to fold them into his bag. I grab his jacket and pull it to my nose to inhale Kai’s scent.

A buzz from my phone announces a text message, and I put the jacket down to reach for my phone on the desk.

And the world ices over.

Eric Sullivan —

Hey, Princess, I hope you…

I close my eyes, centering myself before a sad smile paints the picture of memories I once cherished on my face. Like a war scar. The water running in the bathroom drums in my ears. It sounds like a giant fall. A cascade of free water splashing down on a past I don’t want to belong in anymore.

I don’t know why, and it doesn’t make sense, but I know in my guts Kai is my future. Eric belongs to the past.

It’s like I can finally uncurl each finger wrapped around my throat until I can breathe again. And my smile warms.

Since I got out of the hospital three months ago, I haven’t opened or answered his texts, thanks to Victor and his “breakup sponsorship.” Now is the time for something bigger.

I release myself of the guilt that once threatened to suffocate me and breathe with intention before pressing on the transfer icon. Arietta will receive months of manipulative, cruel texts from Eric to me. Maybe some dick pics as well. She’ll know what to do. She always does.

I type away a message that repairs a bit of my broken heart.

Ari, I’m deleting Eric for good.Do not call me yet.Please hold on to these until I’m ready to deal with it. I’m so sorry for not telling you. I wasn’t strong enough to share that part of my darkness until now. Your friendship kept me alive. I love you. P.S. I wore the dress. Winky emoji face.

- Care Bear.

I press “send,” and tears roll down my cheeks in silence. The fatigue and stress of always being on high alert make me crash to my knees, shaking like a newborn gazelle trying to find a way to stand on wobbly legs.

The reply makes my heart twitch

Ari —

Not calling you... But Care Bear, damn! WTF?

But my best friend’s text doesn’t stop there.

Another message comes through:

Ari —

Are you shitting me? He sent you this stuff? I’m livid. He’s (ramen bowl emoji). Imma make a bonfire with his (ballerina emoji) for us to dance around. I love you to pieces, but I can’t stand knowing this creep hurt you. Heart emoji.

Oh, god.

Me —

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