555 Advances and retreats*

Kelly fought the emotions that were threatening to overwhelm her. She silently swallowed, struggling not to let the tears flood her eyes.

Her eyes locked on him as she continued stepping closer, very slowly and carefully as if she was walking on a ground with buried landmines.

The man standing before her took her breath away. He looked like an outlaw on the run, and oh god, his disheveled appearance looked sinuously sexier than his usual oh-so-neat and composed gentleman look. She couldn't pinpoint what it was, but Kelly could tell that there was something that changed in him. And it seemed she couldn't call him her little soft cutie pie right then because that moment, he was. . . wickedly beautiful and... dangerous.

Before Kelly could reach him, Kai gritted his teeth, as small muscle in his jaw clenched. She could see the war waging within him, and he turned towards the door.