“Kyree, it was really nice meeting you, and I hope we get the pleasure again soon,” Soleil said, before they took off down Highland and disappeared into the flow of pedestrians.
Zuri forced her feet to stay planted on the pavement, fighting the magnetic pull that made her want to close the small, tempting distance between them and melt into his arms. “So what exactly do you do in Boston?” she asked, adjusting the leather tote straps that kept sliding down her slippery coat.
“I’m a mechanical engineer at New Blue Horizon.”
Mmm, sexy and smart, too.
“It’s a marine research institute. I specialize in underwater robotics.”
“Robotics?” A faint smile played on Zuri’s lips. “Are you being serious?”
Kyree pressed a gloved hand over his heart, his eyes widening in exaggerated mock offense. “Of course I’m being serious. You think I would lie to you?”
Zuri chuckled softly. “It just sounds like a job you wish for as a kid…to grow up and build robots that can swim underwater. It’s like something out of The Jetsons.”
Kyree grinned. “I guess I am living a childhood dream. Although, I don’t think I could create anything cooler than Rosie the Robot.”
“Who knows, maybe one of these days…”
“Maybe,” he acquiesced. “Your turn. What do you do in New York?”
So, he was paying attention to more than just my body… “I work with Soleil. She’s a vlogger, stylist, designer, podcaster, brand ambassador–– Well, she does a lot,” Zuri said at his widening eyes. “Basically, I handle her schedule and communications, manage opportunities with brands and other influencers, travel with her––”
“Uncle Ky!” A small voice called, cutting Zuri off.
She glanced toward the square to see a curly-haired little boy, who looked around six or seven in a bright yellow puffer jacket, waving at them from the ice. She gave Kyree a quizzical look, her brows arching. “Uncle Ky?”
He grinned. “One of my cousin’s kids. She was supposed to be here, too, but something came up with a party she’s throwing in a few days, and I ended up being the one to take her place. Their sister Rayna is the true talent on ice.” His smile softened with affection as he pointed a finger toward the rink. “See her in the middle? Red jacket and white Santa hat.”
Zuri followed his gesture to the slender teenager with long curly hair fanning out from her hat and down her back, gliding across the ice with the grace and poise of a skilled figure skater.
“She’s been on skates since she was four years old.”
“Have you ever tried?” she asked.
“Once, when I was maybe twelve or thirteen. One of my cousins had his birthday party at a skating rink. They split us into teams to play hockey, and I couldn’t get more than two feet without falling. My cousin was begging me to sit down, but I wouldn’t give up. I refused to accept that I was terrible on ice skates.”
“Well, I’m sure you’re good at plenty of other things,” she said coyly, holding his gaze.
He flashed her a wicked look that clearly stated, You know for damn sure I’m good at one thing, at least.
Zuri bit the inside of her bottom lip to keep from moaning out loud in the middle of town, her body humming with the memory of all the things he had done to it, and with it in his suite.
“Listen, I—” they both said at the same time, then laughed.
“Ladies first,” he conceded.
Zuri willed her pulse to calm as she faced the man who had taken her to unimaginable heights of pleasure. “Well…” she began, drawing in a steadying breath. “I just wanted to say that I’m sorry about the other night.”
His smile died instantly. “You’re sorry?”
“No, no,” she said quickly, shaking her head. “I mean, I’m sorry about how it ended… The way I just left without saying anything.”
Relief washed over his features. “If I remember correctly, you did at least wish me a good night.”
She grimaced. “It was the very least I could do.”
“Under the circumstances, it was enough.”
