Read Online Runaway Heart by Scarlet Day - Free Book Online Page A

was time for them to have a talk. She accepted the fact that she had, without a doubt, fallen completely in love with him, even though they had only known each other for a few days. But what her heart wanted would not be possible if it meant putting Jaren in danger. She fought back the tears that wanted to spill from her eyes and tried to resign herself to the knowledge that her heart was likely about to be broken. Her heart, however, kept trying to convince her that the situation might not be as bad as she feared. That small hope kept trying to thaw out and flare back to life.
    It felt like an eternity before the door slid open and Jaren appeared. Kari didn’t say anything as he stopped to look at her with a weary expression on his handsome face, and then he turned to the food dispenser to retrieve his own cup of caf. He took a long drink before turning to face her, and then he leaned back against the wall, looking down into his cup.
    “Who are you, Jaren?” Kari meant the words to come out hard and demanding, but all she could manage was a whisper.
    Jaren’s jaw tightened as he continued to stare into his cup. Finally, he raised his eyes to hers and took a deep breath. “I am High Prince Jaren, first heir to the throne of Aldryss.”
    Kari went numb. Her mind reeled at Jaren’s declaration. She felt like she couldn’t breathe, her chest felt constricted. She thought her heart might actually stop beating, or even explode, the pain and shock was so great. It was much, much worse than she feared. He wasn’t just a superior officer in some military on a distant planet. He wasn’t even just a titled lord.
    Of all the ships Kari could have gotten on, she had to get on the one carrying a blasted future king! And then she had to go and fall in love with him!
    Kari swore—not a normal occurrence, but nothing about this situation was normal. Jaren raised his eyebrows at the outburst but remained silent. Kari just continued to gape at him, processing the implications of his birthright. Now she knew for certain there was no way she could stay with him and avoid her father’s attention. Knowing her father, he would stop at nothing to make her pay for defying him, including declaring war on another planet. She couldn’t allow that to happen. Her life wasn’t worth an entire planet.
    Trying to be strong, she met Jaren’s hard look with one of her own and put as much steel as she could muster into her voice. “You have to take me back.”
    “No.”
    Kari blinked, then glared at him in shock. “You have no idea what my father is capable of. He would kill you and everyone you know for defying him.”
    “He can try.” Jaren’s voice was calm, like he wasn’t even worried about it.
    Kari couldn’t believe Jaren’s cavalier attitude. He obviously had no idea what the stakes would be if she didn’t return to Montore. She was going to have to educate him.
    “Dammit, Jaren! You don’t get it, do you?” Kari demanded as she slammed her cup down on the desk, sloshing out the liquid, and stalked toward Jaren. She poked her finger forcefully at his chest, emphasizing each word. “You. Can’t. Win. This. Fight!”
    In one motion, Jaren threw his cup across the room and grabbed Kari by the waist, spinning them around so that her back was to the wall. He had both of her wrists captured in one of his big hands, pinning them above her, with his hard body pressed against hers. Kari wasn’t sure how he had managed to move so quickly.
    “You doubt my ability to protect you?” His voice was harsh and demanding. Kari was stunned by the speed and roughness of his response. Rather than being offended by it, Kari found herself responding in a completely unexpected way. She shivered and felt heat spread through her body. Her breathing became shallow, and she licked her lips nervously. Jaren inhaled deeply, and she knew he could smell her wet desire.
    “No.” Kari’s voice was breathless. “I don’t doubt you. But I can’t let