Runaway Hearts: Seduced by Danger

18. True Desires

Chapter 18

True Desires

W hen I emerge from the bathroom, Kai is lounging on the bed with a spread of food, shirtless. My breath catches in my throat as my eyes trace over his contours. He meets my gaze, and I kneel beside him to examine the scar on his right side. But what electrifies me is the sensation of my hands against his warm flesh. Kai raises his arm and rests it casually on the headboard.

Hang on tight.

“It’s healing better than I expected,” I admit, trying to keep my voice steady.

“Good.”

I glance sideways at the dishes he ordered and see that four separate trays and chopsticks are laid out neatly beside them.

The movie starts playing on the television when I press the controller.

“Ooh, Machete. He’s hot,” I comment, trying to focus on something other than my dirty thoughts.

“See? Fascination for villains,” Kai teases, raising an eyebrow suggestively.

My heart skips a beat, and I smile at his playful tone. “He’s technically the hero here.”

Kai pouts at the actor on the screen. “Meh.”

The room has dimmed into the soft glow of evening as we tackle our meal. The Sichuan shrimps set my mouth ablaze with their fiery spice, and I reach for the fried bananas to soothe the burn. We share glances that linger too long to be casual. The flavors of each dish enlivened my tastebuds.

Our movie has become background noise, the real drama unfolding in the charged space between us. The atmosphere thickens with every breath, every accidental touch shooting warm shivers through my flesh.

With the food nearly gone, there’s nothing left to distract us from the tension that’s been building all evening.

All day.

All week.

The room shrinks, the walls closing in as our eyes lock, neither of us willing to break the connection first. It’s as if we’re teetering on the edge of something monumental.

The movie serves as a backdrop, its violence mirroring the chaos that brought us together.

“Do you think I’d make a good villain?” I ask, knowing I’d be the worst villain of all time.

But Kai’s eyes light up, a wicked grin spreading across his face. “I think you’d be stellar, yes.”

I chuckle, feeling a blush creep up my neck. “You’re just saying that.”

His fingers skim down my arm. “No, I mean it. You’d be the kind of villain no one sees coming.”

“Until I stumble over my evil monologue.”

I tilt my head back, eyes half-closed as I savor how he touches me. The movie’s action scene plays on, but my mind is elsewhere—fixated on the present moment.

“You’ve got this untapped darkness in you, Marianne. Strong, creative, beautiful. I see it.”

His words ignite something deep within. The idea of him seeing sides of me I’ve never acknowledged thrills me.

“Really?”

Kai’s touch becomes more purposeful, tracing lines across my skin as if writing a story only he can read.

He nods slowly, eyes locked onto mine.

Our gazes don’t break as we finish our last bites, reluctant to give up on each other’s sight.

“I have to admit,” he murmurs between mouthfuls, “this road trip is far more interesting than I first imagined.” My heart thunders against my ribcage as he whispers: “Tell me my mind isn’t making this up.” His voice is low and smooth, like stones rolling on a riverbed.

“It’s not.” I suck in a breath, and it takes all my courage to speak again. “Do you really want this?”

He nods with half-lidded eyes, his hand finding its way to my thigh. I gasped at the touch, and we let our guards down.

“You know I do,” he whispers, his hot breath against my neck.

As he pushes me onto my back, his lips travel to mine once again. Our tongues dance, intertwine; it’s as if we’ve been waiting for this moment forever. Our bodies move in sync, undulating like waves crashing onto sand.

I sigh into his mouth as the wet heat of his tongue meets mine.

It’s sweet and spicy.

Our fingers entwine in a desperate grip. Our harsh breaths mingle with the movie’s background score, which fades into oblivion under our heavy petting. His hand finds its way up my top and cups my breast. His thumb rolls over my nipple, sending blissful shockwaves through my body.

Kai moans against my lips before pulling away to rest his head on my chest. “This is better than anything I could’ve dreamed of,” he murmurs, unsure what to do next but wanting more.

I trace his jawline with shaking fingers, his stubble scratching against my palm.

But my insecurities demand to be soothed. “Why me?”

Kai hesitates for a moment, his head buried in my chest as if I were his shelter from a raging storm. “Because I need you,” he says with an unsteady voice. “Being near you is the only time I feel any semblance of peace, and the rage shuts up.” He presses a trail of soft kisses down my neck, stopping at the rapid pulse point on my throat. “When I’m with you, the rotten parts of my soul can finally heal, and I’m a person again. Not just a deadly pawn in a war for power.”

My breath catches in my throat as I process his words. It all feels too much. But I can’t deny I feel the same way. He’s raw and vulnerable—his walls crumbling down just as mine do when we’re together.

“You’re not all bad.”

“You’re the only person in my life who’s ever tagged me as redeemable,” he whispers against my skin. “You see something in me that I didn’t even know existed. The potential to be someone else, to be who I want to be, and I need that.”

“I want that, too.” The words tumble out before I can stop them, honest and frightening in their intensity.

Shit.

His eyes search mine, looking for some kind of deceit. But there’s none to be found. I’ve never been so honest with anyone, not even myself.

“Marianne.”

My palms are sweaty, and my heart hammers, but I steel myself and look into his eyes. “Kai,” I say. “I’m not naive. I know what I’m getting into. Please don’t be the one who tries to protect me or decides it’s too dangerous for me. That choice is mine to make. And I’m not backing down.”

His expression changes; something akin to awe flashes in his eyes as he studies me.

An unexpected laugh bubbles within me, bursting forth before I can stop it. “You look surprised.”

His lips curl into a half-smile that’s both disarming and tantalizing. “I am…” he says. “You’re the first person to ever surprise me in a good way.”

“Because I want you?”

His eyes close, and his shoulders relax. “Because you want me for me. Not money, not power, just the man.”

Well, he’s quite the man.

I watch, heart pounding, as the mysterious criminal bares his soul before me. When he opens his eyes, he kisses my knuckles with so much affection I giggle.

“I don’t deserve you, Marianne,” he breathes, the sound of my name in his uneven voice sending thrills spiraling down my pelvis.

“Let’s agree to disagree,” I whisper. “Kiss me again.”

His eyes widen before a predatory glint overtakes them. He growls, the sound vibrating through me with a feral intensity. His entire weight crashes into me. My arms swing around his broad shoulders, and our lips collide. Hard.

The heat of his skin seeps through my thin pajama fabric, and I pant against his lips.

His mouth moves to my neck, planting searing kisses down my throat while his fingers sink into the plumpness of my thighs.

“Kai,” I breathe out, a mix of desire and desperation.

His body slams against mine with a pressure that makes me squirm.

Our kiss is not a question but an answer. An answer to the unspoken torment we’ve both endured since our paths entwined.

A salvation.

His hands roam my back, tracing the outline of my spine with a soothing and scalding touch.

I respond to him with an urgency that matches his own, my hands finding their way into his hair, pulling him closer as if I could merge us into one being.

The kiss gets deeper, and I moan.

He pulls away and holds my gaze—his mesmerizing green eyes peering into mine—committing every detail of our connection to memory.

His strong hands move down my stomach, waking blissful tremors in the depths of my foundation.

“Just tell me,” he whispers against my neck while untying the ribbon of my pajama shorts, “if you want me to stop.”

I bite my lip. “I want this.”

“That fucking pull between us has me under a goddamn spell,” he murmurs. “And I don’t want to rush it or make you isolate yourself in your mind.” His tone lowers at each word, and I’ve never felt so connected to the present, to myself. “You’ll stop me if you need to, right?”

I take a shaky breath. “Yes.”

With careful fingers, Kai slips my pajama shorts off my legs so slowly that I feel the trembling of his fingertips on my skin. My eyes shut.

Hot bubbles tickle my stomach when his hands travel up my inner thighs, tracing the outer line of my blue panties before wrapping around the roundness of my hips.

“Fuck…” The growling voice escaping from his chest makes the hot, fizzy bubbles grow stronger.

When his hand moves under my panties and finds me eager and wet, my hips lift, and I gasp. “You’re not playing fair,” I manage to say between puffs for air.

“And I never will,” he whispers back against my chest, letting his fingers delve inside me.

My hands clutch his back, registering every tense and relaxed muscle as our tongues dance. His touch ignites a fire within, burning rational thoughts and replacing them with flaming desire.

“Feel what you do to me.” Kai guides my hand to his erection.

And I let my fingers explore the pulsing, hard length over his jeans.

A pleading moan rips out of his lips and sends a buzz through me when my hand slips under each layer of fabric to palm his dick.

God, he’s thick.

“Fuck… you’re touching me,” he murmurs before claiming my mouth with a passion that conveys his need for me.

The sensations make me lightheaded and giddy. Powerful?

In one swift motion, he flips me onto my stomach, his arousal pressing against me through his boxers. “Grind on me, cutie.”

Each movement intensifies his ragged breathing. I get wetter, and I grind my ass against him, teasing.

“You’re driving me crazy.” His body trembles against mine, his need reaching a fever pitch as he removes my T-shirt.

The mattress dips as Kai shifts, a whir and a dull thud telling me he dropped his jeans. The next second, he hovers over me, licking my shoulder plate and grinding his cock on me. He kept his boxers.

My skin tingles. His fingertips trace up my sides and over my breasts, causing my nipples to tighten in response.

“Please don’t hide,” he says, flinging me onto my back.

The reflex to move my arms and cover my bare chest floats in my mind, but with Kai, I feel safe. Alive. “I won’t hide from you.”

His piercing gaze travels down my body, mapping out every dip and curve, and the lust of his eyes makes me blush. “You’re so goddamn beautiful; it’s insane,” he whispers as if it’s a secret meant only for the two of us.

“Really?” I blurt.

Kai gives a light kiss on my right breast. “Every inch…” A kiss on the left breast. “Of you is…” Another kiss in the valley between them. “Pure, delicious torture.”

My body arches toward him, fingers tangling in his hair as he takes one of my nipples into his mouth. His lips and tongue work together to create an indescribable sensation. His stubble scrapes on the underside of my breast while his teeth graze my nipple.

With a pop, he releases it, and I blush with embarrassment and pleasure.

His hand slides down my body, finding its way between my legs and skillfully teasing my clit with slow strokes that gradually increase in intensity.

Our tongues resume battle while our lips lock in a passionate tango, leaving no stone unturned.

My insides quivered as his precise touch sent sparks of delight zapping in my abdomen.

“Does this feel good?” he asks between kisses, but all I can do is nod and moan in response.

Euphoria threatens to consume me like a raging fire. My body pushes toward him in desperate need.

Stars burst behind closed eyes.

But I don’t want to be selfish, so I grip him beneath his boxers and pump.

“Oh… yes,” he rasps, his voice laced with primal desire. “Tighter.”

My nails dig into his skin on the back as I grip him tighter. He groans against me, coaxing me to bite his lower lip. The taste of his flesh and his muffled cries create new connections in my brain. His reactions are so raw. So real.

He genuinely enjoys me touching him.

He’s mine.

The scent of our mingling sweat interweaves, creating a captivating aroma in every corner of the room.

That masterpiece of a man is mine.

Our hurried breaths sync up, matching the rhythm of our bodies moving in harmony. Then, his body stiffens.

What if he comes before I do? Will he stop?

But just as I have that thought, Kai withdraws my hand from his throbbing cock and places it on his thigh. “Not yet,” he grunts. “Make it hurt.”

I dig my nails into his flexing muscles, mimicking the pace of his fingers inside me. His hips buck against me, trembling with frustration as his peak slips away.

“Don’t stop,” I moan.

I’m so scared he’ll stop.

With each of his struggles, my pleasure grows until finally, I come on his fingers, my hand clutching onto the firm muscles of his thighs.

My climax leaves me panting and spent yet yearning for more.

“That was too damn easy.”

So arrogant.

“I want more.” And a deep blush covers my face and chest.

Oh, my. I asked for more.

He chuckles darkly, and it sends shivers dancing across my skin.

I wait for Kai to say it’s his turn to push my head down, but instead, he plants a trail of gentle kisses down from my neck to my collarbone before finally reaching my chest.

Doesn’t he want to come?

His tongue expertly teases my nipple into peaks while his other hand continues its gentle strokes.

Maybe I need to act.

Desperate to unravel the mystery that is Kai, I grind against him, but he pays no attention to it.

“A little impatient, are we?” he asks with a smirk.

“Yes.” I whimper while I explore his sculpted back, neck, shoulders, arms, and abs. Each scar tells a tale of his resilience.

Satisfaction fills me as I press into the soft flesh where I stitched him up earlier.

“Does it still hurt?” I ask, running my fingers gently around the region.

“I can’t even feel it.”

But then he thrusts against me, and his dick pokes right between my thighs. A sharp intake of breath and a tightness in my chest makes my heart accelerate.

Kai runs his hand up my thighs, and his fingers curl on the edge of my panties. My hand catches his wrist.

Oh. A part of me isn’t ready yet.

But instead of feeling guilt, there’s pride there because, for once, I can listen to my subconscious and wait. If Kai pressures me, then it’s not meant to be.

But the sexy criminal says, “It’s all good. We can fool around with these on.”

“I’m sorry, I mean I—” Old habits die hard.

“No need to apologize, cutie. There’s no rush.”

His understanding makes my heart swell. I loosen my grip on his wrist, letting him know it’s okay without words.

Kai shifts his focus back to my body, worshiping it with his mouth and hands as if my skin held a secret he was determined to uncover.

After a minute, every inch he covers intensifies the burning sensation within me. Kai is so damn attentive. He moves between my thighs, rolling his hips until an unexpected sound escapes from my mouth.

He smiles against my neck before repeating the action, which draws another surprised noise from me, making him burst into laughter between my breasts. “Damn. You’re so responsive.”

Yeah, I don’t know where it comes from.

My fingers tangle in his hair as I surrender to the powerful sensations against my core. A simple dry hump has never turned me on so much before. Right now, everything else pales into insignificance except for this overwhelming desire coursing through every part of me.

But he knows exactly how to prolong this delicious torture until it becomes unbearable. There’s just enough pressure to maintain my intimacy in a fuzzy bliss but not enough to make me burst. Words are irrelevant. A whistle sneaks out from my lips.

Nothing has ever been so good. Never came twice, either.

But I’m being selfish.

My attention zooms on Kai and the hard dick trapped in his boxer briefs.

A wicked grin spreads across my lips as I match the rhythm of his thrusts with my hips, savoring every sensation.

Maybe I can’t have two orgasms, but he has yet to climax once. I push myself harder until I can taste the colors of the rainbow dancing behind my eyes.

Fucking delicious.

“Too much… I won’t last,” he warns between ragged breaths.

Kai’s breathing hastens to a frantic point until his hips suddenly come to a standstill. “Ah... fuck... Marianne,” he cries out.

With this newfound control over him, I want to drive him wild and make him lose himself completely.

“So what?” I reply.

A slow groan spills from his lips, his resolve melting under my touch.

His eyes, hooded with want, fix on mine. “You want me to come in my underwear like some inexperienced teenager?” His voice is laced with arousal and playful defiance.

Aww. Cute.

I can’t resist this. His parted lips, stiff muscles, and labored breathing only fuel my confidence. For once, I’m in control of this naughty game we’re indulging in.

“Yes, baby.” Ruin those tight boxers for me.

As I trace the ink on his arm, my hands roam, bold and daring.

Kai grits his teeth, gripping my waist as though he could maintain his self-control by simply holding me tighter. But I can sense the rapid pulse beneath my palms, the undeniable tension coiling within him.

It’s exhilarating.

I trace my tongue along the veins on his neck, feeling a rush of power as he responds with a mix of snort and whimper.

The intense desire between us is suffocating, but as my fingers brush against his rough, stubbled cheek, he presses harder against me, and the room spins.

“Okay,” he whispers into my ear.

Kai resumes his slow thrusts, but I move under him and his eyelids flutter. His mouth explores my neck, throat, and jawline, leaving a refreshing trail behind. It’s sloppy. He’s losing control.

His eyes roll, forearms shaking. As we quicken the pace, louder moans escape, filling the room. My hand weaves through his messy hair while the other grips his firm ass. Palpitations, tingling sensations, and chills all at once compete for my attention.

“Marianne… so close...” His hoarse voice is a turn-on as he loses control, grunting like a wild beast.

A climax hidden far away builds, and my pussy clenches around the ghost of him. I’ll get another orgasm if we keep going just a bit.

My legs wrap around his waist to change the angle, intensifying the sensations. “Not yet, Kai,” I gasp between moans.

He responds with a frustrated grunt.

“Don’t stop now,” I plead. “You’ll be the first to make me come twice.”

A glint of determination sparks in his eyes. Kai shifts his weight, pressing me harder into the mattress.

His hands slide down my body, gripping my thighs, adjusting our position subtly.

It gets messy. Wild.

Our bodies are slick with sweat, gliding effortlessly against one another. The frayed edge of pleasure looms closer, and I hold onto him as if he’s the lifeline to my sanity.

“Don’t stop.”

The pleasure becomes painful, but I relish the sweet ache of it all.

My entire body tenses up, and my head is ready to explode.

The room trembles around us, or maybe it’s just me. Every movement is a swirling current pushing me closer to the shore of my new existence.

“Yes!” I cry out, my muscles tightening until I reach a powerful climax that rips through my flesh.

Bliss lifts my back from the bed, and Kai snakes his arms around me.

He stares down at me with a silent question in his eyes. I nod, permitting him to do what he desires.

“Grip me,” he says, voice deep and primal. “And don’t let go.”

With a ferocity fueled by our mutual desire, I cling to him as he pushes violently. His mouth finds mine again in a tangle of tongues and teeth. It’s not gentle—it’s desperate, raw, and real.

And then it happens. His body tenses, a shudder wracking through him. Kai reaches his climax; the powerful release is audible in the deep rumble of his voice. He bites down on my shoulder to muffle the sound, but I welcome the slight pain.

He slows and comes to a complete halt, trembling above me.

The trickle of his sweat down my neck is oddly satisfying.

My entire body feels like it’s been shattered into a million pieces and splattered across the walls but in the best way possible.

Kai rests his head on my chest, on the brink of hyperventilation. His body crushes mine with unmatched satisfaction. We remain motionless for a long time. Our breathing regulates.

I fight off the creeping fatigue and instead let my fingers wander over his back, feeling him shiver under my touch. Kai boosts my ego and raises my self-esteem in ways I never knew were possible.

“That was... wow,” he exhales, still trying to catch his breath. “Twice, huh?”

“Yeah.” I let out a soft laugh. “It kinda sets the bar pretty high.”

The air cools on our damp skin, but the warmth between us could outshine the sun.

His torso twitches over my belly with laughter before he rises to plant an earnest kiss on my lips.

“I’m going to clean up first,” I announce.

Entering the bathroom, I find myself staring at the mirror. And for the first time in my life, I like what I see—not because Kai likes it, but because it still brings me joy after the ordeal I put it through. Whatever I saw in my reflection before was tainted by years of poor self-esteem and constant critique. This body, my body, is tough yet soft. And that makes it enough for me.

After changing and brushing our teeth, Kai and I slide under the covers. Shaping my pillow, I squeak in surprise when a strong arm wraps around my waist and pulls me in. I smile in the dark while Kai snuggles his head in the crook of my neck before falling asleep.

Outside the bedroom window, the night deepens its hold on the world, and inside, I’m curled on the side of the sexiest criminal to ever live.