Read Online Akira Tong for Christmas by Azure Boone - Free Book Online Page B

touch that rock wrapped in silk. Ice-skating seemed like the worst idea now. Wonder if I could get him drunk. Oh my God, I was losing it. What was wrong with me?
    Ice-skating would require him to touch me. Plus I really wanted to ice-skate, for once in my life. At Christmastime in New York. I mean, that was one of my dreams. ’Course, I was such a lovely skater in my dream, fluid and full of grace.
    Breakfast out of the way, we headed to the frozen pond at the famous Bryant Park. “I’m so nervous,” I said, my jaw shaking.
    “Are you cold?”
    I looked up at him with an excited grin and shook my head. “I’m good. Just nervous. What if I fall?”
    “You won’t.”
    “So confident.”
    “I’ll hold you.”
    I laughed, giddy at the idea. “Then you’ll likely fall with me.”
    “I doubt that.”
    “’Cause you’re so strong?” I snickered at his eye roll. “You are. And sexy. Where is this woman that likes you anyway?” I looked all around teasingly.
    “You want to meet her?” He sounded surprised.
    “Not really. I just want to see her.”
    He chuckled. “Let’s get this over with. I have a surprise for you after this.” A surprise? “For real? What is it?”
    “Surprise?”
    I pouted. “Fine, let’s hurry. Now I can’t wait!” I pulled him by the hand, and five minutes later, he was helping me stand on ice skates for the first time. “I need to feel your hand,” I said, terrified.
    We took off our gloves and stuffed them in our pockets. Akira held my hand tightly. God, so big and warm and safe. I held his just as tight. “Ready?” he asked.
    “As ready as I’ll ever be.”
    “Okay, let’s go. Slowly at first.”
    I took my first steps. “Oh. Oh. Feels kinda like…skinny Rollerblades?”
    “Exactly.”
    Wow, I was a natural at this. Five minutes was all it took. “Okay, let go of my hand.”
    “Are you sure?”
    “Not really. But feels okay.”
    “I’ll stay close.”
    “Yes, please.”
    Another few minutes, and I was really doing well. I laughed. “Look at me! My God, I’m ice-skating.” Giddy joy tickled through me at seeing the rare, genuine smile on his face. “You’re really good at this.”
    I checked out the other skaters. “Wow, that dude is amazing,” I watched said guy spin in the air and skate superfast. “How awesome to be able to do that!”
    “Eh, he’s a show-off,” Akira muttered, watching.
    I laughed. “You’re just jealous.”
    “Maybe.” He gave me one of those half grins that revealed a side of him he kept well hidden.
    “God, you are so gorgeous.” I laughed and covered my mouth. “Sorry. I can’t help it. Women must bang your door down in Japan, right?” I was dead serious.
    He rolled his eyes, but more like, You have no idea.
    “You don’t like all the attention?” I didn’t get that part.
    “No. I hate it, actually. Everybody thinks I’m Mr. Japan and I can have any woman I want.”
    “Well, you can. It’s true.” My breaths came in puffs of vapor as I got more comfortable on the blades.
    “But they think I have had every woman.”
    I sucked in my breath. “Oh. I didn’t consider that. They all think you’re a slut. When really you’re just an innocent virgin?” I teased, skating up to him and holding his arm.
    I’d have sworn he blushed. “Yes, something like that.”
    “I’m sorry. I know what it’s like to have people think bad things of you and there’s nothing you can do to fix it. It sucks donkey balls.”
    He busted out laughing. “Donkey balls?” His face screwed up. “That’s disgusting.”
    “Sorry, you’re seeing my raw side. I’m really no proper lady, I’m afraid.”
    “It happens to be one of the things I like about you.”
    My heart skipped a beat. He liked me. “Really?”
    He lowered his head and shook it, then angled a grin at me. “I like that you’re not afraid to be yourself. That’s admirable. And brave.”
    Huh. “I never thought of it like that. I don’t know how to be any