Runaway Hearts: Seduced by Danger

15. The Morning After

Chapter 15

The Morning After

T he next morning, I woke up drained and alone. There’s a massive blue teddy bear where Kai should be.

I frown. “What are you looking at, Bonsa?? Never seen a woman wake up before?” I squeeze the toy and sigh.

My brain threatens to shrink under the lack of peaceful sleep, but I refuse to take my pills after the nightmare they caused last time. Rubbing my groggy eyes, I stare at the ceiling, wondering what’s coming. There are still thirteen hours to our road trip. Then, it’ll be beach and tequila.

So much can happen in those hours, and a part of me knows that my life will never be the same when I leave this house. A small smile tugs at my lips as I wonder if Kai would stay with me in Nay. I’d have to ask. Parting ways doesn’t thrill me. At all.

Moments of the fair replay in my mind, the fun and the lightness, the pond and the kiss.

I need time to understand my emotions. But one thing is clear now: the ball is in my court, and I’m terrified of making the wrong choice.

I need a hug.

The sweet melody of the espresso machine pulls me out of bed. I make a quick trip to the bathroom to freshen up, but my reflection stops me. My arms are sprinkled with fine scratches, and a bruise adorns my left shoulder from falling into the pond.

I face the mirror, trying to find things I like about myself. I used to love my eyes. The rich brown color and curled thick lashes create a stunning effect. But it’s ruined by the everlasting pain showing through. My stare traces the contour of my breasts, my waist, my thick thighs.

Kai’s voices rings in my head. “You’re much more beautiful now.”

I wish I could see it. At least my breasts aren’t saggy.

When I return to my bedroom, Kai is sitting on the bed, two mugs of steaming coffee on the night table.

I wrap my right arm over myself to grab the left one, but his gaze snaps right to my braless breasts, and his eyelids droop.

“Good morning, cutie pie.”

And my soul is brought back to life by the uncertain rumbling of his tone. I stop, frozen. He seems smaller somehow, diminished. The cocky swagger is gone, replaced by a vulnerability I’ve never seen before, and it makes my heart clench.

“Morning.”

Time stands still, and waves crash on the shore in a Beethoven symphony. I want to run to him, to smooth the worry lines from his forehead, but the memory of last night roots me in place.

Kai works a swallow. “Last night was unexpected…” A low murmur that travels farther than any shout could. “And incredible.”

Some women rave about suits and ties, but jeans and T-shirts are the perfect balance of power and comfort, and damn, Kai makes it sing.

I step closer until I can see the stubble on his chin and the golden flecks in his green eyes. It’s a declaration and a challenge all at once.

Do something, Kai!

Suddenly, there’s a noise—a distant reminder we’re not alone in this place. Utensils clatter, jolting us back to reality.

“Here,” Kai says, pushing a cup my way.

I study it with one eye as an intoxicating smell hits me. Chocolate. I breathe faster, and my pulse struggles to maintain a steady rhythm.

He scoots closer to me, still sitting, and I bring the drink to my nose, taking a deep breath. A subtle moan slips from my lips.

It’s Kai’s turn to breathe faster. A slow, hungry smile spreads across his face.

I take a long sip, letting the sweetness ground me. “Oh, god…” I groan.

“Mochaccino, Costa Rican medium roast, dark chocolate, and cinnamon,” he whispers as he gets up.

Kai!

“Thank you.” I take another sip.

His eyes are restless, flicking to my lips and chest and then quickly back up to meet my gaze. The urgency of his demeanor is strangely compelling.

I put the coffee down.

“You’re welcome.” He swallows hard and steps closer, his gaze locked on mine.

My heart hammers against my ribs, and I try to maintain eye contact while pushing down a wave of desire that threatens to overwhelm me.

The corner of Kai’s lips lifts in the sexiest way possible.

My breath catches in my throat, but I don’t back away. Instead, I reach out and place my hands on his chest, feeling the warmth and strength beneath his half-damp shirt. His hands find mine on his chest and intertwine our fingers before guiding it toward his neck. My fingers trace the line of his jawbone, then up to his ear, and finally to the back of his head, where I thread my fingers in his hair. He shudders softly under my touch, and a low purr breaks out of his throat.

Since when do I have power over this man?

My every cell screams at me that the answer lies in giving in. To take the power he’s giving me. So, my fingers trail down to grip his T-shirt, and I pull him to me.

His chest sinks as my fist holds him close, a dry and urgent rhythm that matches the pulse of his ragged breath as it brushes my chin.

“Stop torturing me.” His hands leave my face to land on my waist. “Please.” His guttural plea curls into my ear, spiking through my nerves to ignite a reassuring glow in my heart.

Kai waits.

A satisfied smile tugs at my lips. My mouth waters.

I close my eyes, and our lips meet in a tentative kiss. So gentle, it could be imagined until his pillowy lips press a little more onto mine. His taste intoxicates my senses and banishes any lingering doubts.

I kiss him harder, my nails scratching to his scalp, and I nibble at his upper lip. His tongue swoops in my mouth to join mine. My body reacts to his impatient groan, my nipples hardening, a slick heat growing in my lower abdomen.

Kai tastes like coffee and pure sin, and I lap it up like a starving woman. His arms secure around me, the hard planes of his body crushing the soft curves of mine—a delectable friction.

“You’re intoxicating.” He groans into my mouth, urging me on with each hot, wet stroke of his tongue against mine.

My thighs clench on his as desire builds within me, my pulse going crazy. I gasp; my toes curl, and my head falls back.

Something feral growls inside of me as Kai runs his tongue up and down my neck.

Mine.

It’s so hot and wet and hungry.

And it’s mine.

Just as my mind is drowning in lust, a whimper rips out of me.

“Oh, god, yes, right there.” My hips buck against his hardening dick, seeking release.

Kai moans against my skin. His grip tightens on my ass, and he guides our fall onto the bed.

A flaming arrow of desire shoots up my spine. I’m so hot, my skin might melt. He grinds his erection between my legs, and I shiver in delight.

“Kai, yes,” I yelp.

“Fuck… that sound!”

I open my eyes and find him staring down at me with raw, unadulterated lust, his pupils blown large in the low light filtering through the curtains.

Our mouths crashed together again, wild, uninhibited. Our tongues entwine as our bodies writhe together. I cling to his strong shoulders.

A sudden grunt flies out of Kai’s throat when I palm his hard-on through his jeans. “Yes, feel me.”

“Kai…” My tone is lower than I’ve ever heard it, dragging each letter across my tongue to savor the taste of his name.

Every breath, every beat of my heart weaves a deeper spell around us, a tapestry of desire so thick it could strangle.

But a sharp knock on the door startles us both.

With a shriek, I spring away from Kai.

He gives me a half amused, half frustrated smirk before Corey clears his throat and says through the door, “I need to leave for work in thirty minutes and want to have breakfast with you, Marianne.”

I freeze, my face flaming. My uncle’s interruption douses me like an arctic shower.

“I’m hungry. Are you hungry, Kai? Do you want to eat breakfast before we leave?” I blurt.

Oh, god, I made out with Kai.

His deep growl taps and resonates on each one of my ribs before trickling down into my underwear.

How can a sound be so sexy?

“We can stop at the bakery before hitting the road,” I suggest. “They make wonderful chocolate croissants.”

“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?”

Kai stands in the doorway, his perfect new hairstyle damp from the humid heat outside. His T-shirt clings to his lean frame, and his eyes are soft as he looks at me.

“Yes.”

It’s time to go, but I can’t bring myself to do it. I study my family, a strange heaviness in my stomach. I chat with them while Kai puts the suitcases in the car.

Corey says goodbye. Then he kisses my cheek. It fills me with sorrow.

I hug Nina while Kai and Corey exchange weird stares.

“Take good care of her,” my uncle says seriously.

Kai gives him a one-sided smirk, but his shoulders straighten, and he confidently grabs Corey’s hand. “I will,” he says, voice gentle yet firm.

Without knowing why, I stopped breathing. Their handshake lasted. My uncle’s mouth stretches into a blinding smile. Whatever exchange occurred between the two men reached a peaceful resolution.

Kai releases his grip on Corey’s hand to grab Nina’s.

“Oh, don’t be ridiculous!” she says, wrapping her arms around Kai’s shoulders to give him a peck on the cheek.

I stand frozen for a moment, cheeks flushing at the sight of my family embracing Kai.

Clearing my throat, I take a step back. “Let’s hit the road.”

“Sure. We’ve got a long drive ahead of us,” Kai says as he wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me to him.

I nod, swallowing hard as I take one last peek at my family. Their faces are etched with happy smiles and loving eyes.

I force a smile and slide into the driver’s seat. Kai shuts the door and walks around to the passenger side. As we pull out of the driveway, I twist in my seat for one final glimpse of the house. A pickup that might’ve been red in an ancient life is parked in front of my teenage home, probably from the sewage pipe crew. Corey and Nina stand arm-in-arm on the porch, fading as I put distance between us. They did everything they could for me, and I’ll forever be thankful.

Kai senses my unease and places his hand on my thigh. “You okay?”

I nod silently, watching the fading image of my home.

Part of me feels light as a feather, floating on air, but the other part feels heavy, weighed down by guilt and sadness. I take a deep breath, drawing in the scent of Kai’s skin mixed with freshly washed hair.

We drive off.

We stop at the bakery to pick up chocolate croissants. Kai rushes to pay before I take out my wallet. It’s pleasant.

“I meant it, you know,” he mumbles, glancing at me from the corner of his eye. His voice is gruff as if he’s trying to swallow something hard.

“Meant what?”

“I’ll take care of you,” he grumbles. “Keep you safe…” He takes in a cavernous inhale. “If you’ll allow me.” And exhales even more deeply.

I glance over at Kai, his jaw tight as he stares out the window. His words warm my heart. But we’re not viable in the long term. Kai needs someone who can navigate the dangerous waters he’s constantly threading. Not an anxious nurse with a raging need to help people.

He sees that, right?

I rip open the croissant, its flaky layers giving way to reveal the rich, dark chocolate hidden within. A sweet distraction.

The croissant melts in my mouth, and the bittersweet chocolate is a fleeting comfort. Kai means well, but the gnawing guilt still claws at me.

What will happen when he realizes I can never give him what he truly needs?

I grip the steering wheel tighter, knuckles whitening. “Kai, I...”

His hand covers mine, halting my words. “It’s okay. We don’t need to talk about it now.”

I exhale in relief. The last thing I want is to have this conversation while I’m caged in a car. I break off a piece of the pastry and pop it into my mouth.

Maybe I need to be bad.

Selfish.

And take what I desire for once.

We drive in comfortable silence, the passing scenery and Kai’s presence washing away my anxieties. The farther we get from my old life, the lighter I feel.

And that’s a revelation.