The mid-morning sun was warm and unwavering, casting golden rays over the backyard of Zaire’s estate. Birds chirped lazily in the trees, and the sound of water trickling from the edge of the infinity pool blended into the quiet hum of peace that seemed to settle over everything.
I stepped out onto the patio in a soft, lilac swimsuit cover-up, my hair pulled into a high bun. I held a large tumbler of fruit-infused water, my sandals slapping gently against the stone as I moved toward the lounge chair. My pulse was already a little unsteady, and I hadn’t even seen him yet.
Zaire was already out there. Shirt off, swim trunks low on his waist, reclined in one of the loungers with his sunglasses on and a small speaker playing low R&B in the background. He looked up as I approached, slowly remo
