Read Online Runaway Heart by Scarlet Day - Free Book Online

was ragged with desire. She realized that she held power over this enormous warrior. The knowledge was a heady feeling and gave her more confidence. Jaren rolled over onto his back, giving Kari better access to him.
    The door chimed. Jaren let out a frustrated roar that echoed off the metal walls of the room. Throwing the blanket over Kari’s naked body, he bolted out of bed and stalked to the door, not bothering to clothe himself. He slammed his hand on the sensor pad by the door with such force that the wall shook.
    “What?”
    The man standing in the doorway was almost as big as Jaren. His eyes widened at seeing Jaren unclothed, and then he directed his eyes downward to stare at the floor. Kari assumed he didn’t want to be accused of ogling his superior officer’s naked mate. The man crossed his right arm across his chest, his fist closed. Kari guessed it was their version of a military salute.
    “My sincere apologies, My Lord. There is a communication from the king. Your presence is requested immediately.”
    Jaren looked at Kari with concern in his eyes before turning back to the other man. “I’ll be there momentarily.”
    “Yes, My Lord.” The man bowed formally at the waist before turning to leave, never once looking up. The door slid closed. Jaren stood motionless for a moment before walking over to the closet and quickly pulling on trousers and a shirt, along with his boots.
    “I need to go to the bridge. Please stay here, and I will return as soon as possible.” He stopped on his way to the door. Turning around, he strode to the bed and wrapped Kari in his arms. His lips possessed her mouth in a devastating kiss. When he broke the kiss and pulled back, his eyes were glowing.
    “I love you, Karinna.” Then he stalked out the door and Kari was alone.
     
    * * * *
     
    Kari stared at the closed door as the small spark of hope that had ignited in her heart turned to ice. Whoever Jaren was, he wouldn’t be able to settle down into an anonymous life with her. Not if he was a lord. If he were close enough to the king of his homeworld to be receiving communications from him, then he would not be able to just disappear. Which meant she would not be able to stay with him. At least, not without putting him in danger. She choked back a sob as she realized how much the thought of leaving him hurt. Something inside of her had changed last night. Somehow, she was now connected to him. The thought of putting him in danger was unbearable, but running away from him seemed almost as bad.
    Kari didn’t know how long she sat there, but she finally got out of bed and went into the sanitizer room to clean up. The sanitizing beams did nothing to calm her raw nerves. She wished she could take a hot water shower to sooth her tense muscles and warm her suddenly chilled body. She stepped out of the sanitizing stall and brushed out her hair, then dressed in the trousers and shirt Jaren had purchased for her at the space station.
    She didn’t want to think about what had happened with Bores. He had come so close to taking her. If Jaren had not come in time… She shuddered, deciding that she was not going to dwell on that. She had other things to worry about right now.
    The trousers Jaren had bought for her were either made for a male or a very tall female. She had to roll them up to keep from stepping on them and she found a leather strap that she could use as a belt to keep them from falling down. The shirt was too big as well and almost touched her knees, but with the sleeves rolled up to her elbows it at least served its function. It wasn’t fancy, but that suited her just fine.
    She went to the food dispenser and ordered a much-needed cup of caf. The warm cup in her hands felt like the only warmth in her whole body. There was a comfortable leather armchair next to the small desk on the other side of the room from the bed. Kari settled herself in the chair with her legs curled under her and waited for Jaren to return.
    It