Page 23 of Taste The Smoke
Kenya took Alonzo’s hand as he helped her out of his SUV. “I’m looking forward to this cruise, and to at least have a few minutes with you.” Since that Saturday at her house two weeks ago, they’d only been able to spend a little time together. Between them both working, and him helping his sister get ready for today’s event, their texts, conversations and brief visits had been sporadic. And she missed him. She would never forget that chocolate encounter, or the way he’d held her high on the wall with his face buried between her legs giving her the most intense pleasure she’d ever experienced.Thank goodness for twelve-foot ceilings.And the massage…it had been everything he promised. It had also helped her pain levels, and she was considering trying one of the CBD edibles.
“I know, and I’ll make it up to you.”
“I’m counting on it.” She’d become more open and playful with him, and she liked it.
“Hey, Alonzo.”
Kenya turned at the sound of a slim, smiling woman rushing toward them. The woman hugged him, then smiled at Kenya.
“Kenya, I want you to meet my sister, Sonya. Sonya, this is Kenya.”
“Oh, my goodness. It’s so nice to finally meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you,” Kenya said. The siblings shared the same dark bronze coloring and similar features, but where Alonzo’s eyes were somewhere between light and dark brown, Sonya’s were a deep chocolate brown.
“If it’s coming from my big brother, I’m sure it’s not all good. I’ve been waiting forever to meet you, too. I was starting to think Lonzo was lying about dating, since no one had seen you.”
She was surprised when Sonya hugged her. “Oh?”
Alonzo shook his head. “It’s called keeping your nosy butt out of my business.”
“Whateva,” Sonya drawled. “Now that we’ve met, Kenya, you’ll have to tell me all about how you got Lonzo?—”
“Don’t we need to get this stuff on the boat?” Alonzo interrupted.
Kenya bit her lip to stifle a laugh. They reminded her of Phaedra and herself. “I’ll help.” She reached for a box.
He stilled her hand. “No, you won’t. I don’t want you to do anything that might hurt your back.”
“Aw, that’s so sweet. Mom is going to be so excited when I tell her about how you’re taking care of Kenya and being all chivalrous and stuff.”
“Sonya,” he warned.
“Okay, okay. I’m going.” She grabbed the duffle bag and started toward the boat.
“Your sister is too funny.”
“She’s a pain in the ass.”
“But you love her.”
Alonzo loaded the boxes onto a dolly. “Yeah, I do. As much as she gets on my nerves, I don’t know what I’d do if she wasn’t around.”
Kenya leaned into him. “You’re a great brother.”
“Mmm hmm.”
“Can I at least carry this small tote bag? I hate feeling useless.” She rolled her eyes when he tested the weight first before handing it to her. Then she thought about it. This man had been looking out for her from day one, and she couldn’t be mad. It was one of the things she liked about him and made her fall in love with him. She, who never believed that love could happen in less than two months, had done exactly that. However, until she was sure he felt the same, she’d keep it to herself. They boarded he boat and she helped Sonya arrange the oils, creams, bath salts and bombs on the table Alonzo had set up.
“Thanks for your help, Kenya,” Sonya said when they finished.
“It was nothing.” She picked up a zipper pouch containing bath salts. “I love your packaging.” Sonya had the name of the spa in an elaborate purple font with the company’s logo above it—elegant and simple. “I’m thinking I might want to try this, along with a bath bomb.”
“You should come into the spa for a massage. I heard Lonzo mention you have some back pain.”
“Yes, from a car accident a few years ago. It flares up every so often and the pain radiates down my right leg. Alonzo gave me a massage a couple of weeks ago and it did help, so I’ll definitely be making an appointment.”
A slow grin spread across Sonya’s face. “Lonzo gave you a massage?”
Oh, crap!Kenya hadn’t meant to tell her about the massage.
