Free Akira Tong for Christmas by Azure Boone

other way. Pretending to be a proper lady is, phew.” Torture was what it was. “A lot of work for me.”
    “You’re doing fine.”
    “I am?”
    He chuckled and narrowed his gaze. “You have no self-confidence, though.”
    “This is so true.”
    “And you know your weaknesses. That’s a strength.”
    Point for point. “I’m just an all-around superwoman.”
    “Yes, you are.”
    God, he really meant that. I heard it right there in his tone—he really meant it. “I don’t know where you’re seeing all this, but…I’m glad you see it.” So hard to hide that thrill. “I am getting awesome at this skating, though. Wow, I’m really doing it.”
    Like a blur, the superfast dude came flying out of nowhere.
    “Sarah!” Akira yelled.
    Too late. Mr. Olympics plowed dead into me. I was airborne one second, then staring into the gray sky the next, unable to breathe with pain shooting through my head and ass. Akira’s face was above me.
    The man was even cute terrified. For me. I caught my breath. “I’m okay,” I groaned.
    He snapped his head up. “You stupid son of a bitch! You busted her nose. I’m going to kill you if it’s broken.”
    He cared that much?
    “I’m so sorry.” The guy gasped.
    Poor guy. “It’s okay. I’m fine.”
    Akira carefully lifted me. “I got you. Try not to move too much,” he said. “God, so much blood.” He took off his scarf and held it to my nose, tilting my head down and pinching the bridge. He pulled me close and supported the side of my body with his. “Stay like that for a second until it stops. Do you hurt anywhere?”
    I focused on my body parts. “My butt…for sure.”
    “I’m surprised your spine didn’t shatter. The bastard plowed into you going fifty miles an hour,” he growled.
    I laughed. “Yeah, I know. I was a bird there for a second, flying. Guess that means you can’t give me my surprise?”
    His chin touched my temple. “I need to get you to a hospital and make sure nothing’s broken.” Hospital? Images of them somehow finding out my identity panicked me. “No, no, please don’t. Just take me to the room. I’ll check me. Please don’t make me go to the hospital. I beg you.” He sighed. “Maybe a hot soak will do you good. We’ll order in, and I’ll make it up to you.”
    “It’s not your fault, but yes, I love the idea of being…at the suite.” With you. Alone.
    Chapter Seven
    “Ohh, my ass!” I limped through the doorway as Akira finished a phone call in the hallway. It hurt worse than ever now. A minute later he came in with the most horrible look.
    “What’s wrong? Is your family okay?” I asked.
    He stared at me for several seconds, not seeing, peering at whatever had him in shock, it seemed.
    His brows furrowed a little, and he snapped himself out of what was obviously so wrong.
    “A hot soak will help that. Here, sit carefully.”
    “Oh, I am.”
    He disappeared and returned in a few minutes with some pills and water. I took them without even asking what they were. Which was odd because I was paranoid when it came to medication. He turned and poured me a little wine.
    “You trying to get me drunk?”
    “No,” he mumbled, handing me the glass. “Trying to kill your pain. No driving for you, that’s for sure. A little wine with this painkiller won’t hurt you.”
    “Okay.” What was wrong with him? He sounded terrible.
    He knelt before me and stared, appearing guilty and helpless. “Very sorry, Sarah.” Sorry for what exactly? “It’s not your fault. You can just buy me supper. I’m starving.”
    “I’ll order as soon as you’re in the tub. Okay, let’s go.”
    “Oh!” I latched on to his neck as he picked me up like a baby. “Or you can carry me. That works.
    Mmm, God, you smell so good.” He angled me through the bathroom door. “You really do know how to drive a woman crazy.”
    Then he just stood by the tub with me, holding me. My breath froze when I met his gaze head-on.
    What had I done