That Day by Karen Deen (best novels to read in english txt) 📕

Calling his phone, it goes to voicemail, but I don’t bother leaving a message for him. Instead, I text him.

Asha: I believe there is a lady at your front door looking for her panties.

Let’s see how quickly that gets him running to the door once he sees it. Making myself at home on the front steps which are a little hidden from the street, I start reading on my phone. I can’t have social media, so reading is my only time filler, or watching TV. Davina manages my author social media pages from a secure location and tells me what I need to know, and I give her the replies to send. Even all the dealings with my publisher, as far as they know she is my PA and handles all the emails. I’m sure they think she is actually me and that I’m using a pen name. Which is true, in a way.

I’m getting into my book a little as time passes, and I’m starting to think maybe Kurt is asleep and didn’t hear the doorbell or the phone. Or perhaps he just isn’t home. He can’t be too far away, though, with his truck still here.

Starting a new chapter, I only get a few sentences in when I hear male voices getting closer. Normally I would panic, but I can hear as clear as anything that one of them is Kurt.

“You better be cooking me dinner after that sprint. It was supposed to be a casual run,” the unknown voice says.

“No chance. I have plans, and they don’t involve your sweaty ass.” I smile at hearing his voice, and two sets of feet pound up the driveway. Then his shirtless sweaty body comes around from behind the back of the truck, a big smile on his face because he knows I’m here, having seen my car.

I thought the wetsuit look was hot, but I have a new favorite. His abs glistening in the last of the day’s light, his hair curlier than normal and hanging down wet with sweat. Getting to my feet, I almost stumble with anticipation, as he slows to walk up the stairs to me.

“Ah, and this would be the plan. You sly dog. You didn’t tell me we were having company for dinner.” His friend runs to the bottom of the stairs and stops, hunching forward a little and taking in a few deep breaths.

“That’s because there was never the word ‘we’ in my dinner plans.”

Standing on the step below me but still taller than me, he leans down and kisses me softly on the lips.

“Hey, beautiful.”

I can’t help but shiver a little. This guy who could crush me with his size is so gentle with me. “Hi.” I let out softly, knowing I’m blushing in front of his friend.

“Well, because he seems to have lost his manners, hi, I’m Seth, this big lug’s best friend.” He slaps Kurt on the shoulder from beside him now.

“Or my pain-in-the-ass friend is probably a better description. Seth, this is Asha, my girlfriend.” His eyes don’t leave me the whole time both of them are talking.

“Girlfriend, what the fuck. Since when?” Seth almost trips over his bottom lip as his mouth gapes open.

“Seth!” Kurt growls at him. “Play nice, it’s new and I just haven’t shared it yet. Now you know, okay?” Stepping up on to the step with me, he takes my hand and punches a code into the pad next to the door. “Sorry, I didn’t realize what time you were coming. I’ll shower before I hug you. You don’t want my sweat all over you.”

My nervousness gives me away when I let out a little giggle.

“Sounds like it wouldn’t be the first time.” Seth laughs, following in the door behind us.

“Seth,” Kurt says sternly again.

“Sorry,” I mouth to Kurt for encouraging his friend.

“Oh, don’t worry about it. Seth knows how to be inappropriate all on his own. He doesn’t need any encouragement. Isn’t that right?”

“Too right, buddy.”

Kurt leads me into a big open-plan room including the kitchen and living room, with a spectacular view of the ocean. My focus in my surroundings distracts me from noticing where Kurt was leading me. His hands on my waist startle me a little as my feet leave the ground, sitting me on a stool at the kitchen counter.

“I need to take a really quick shower. I promise not to leave you too long with this guy, and just remember, anything he tells you is bullshit and he’s made it up.” Kissing me on the cheek, he whispers in my ear, “Missed you today, and you can trust him.” Then he stands, pointing his finger at Seth.

“You! Behave, otherwise I will tell the stories about you that are actually true, and we both know they are a lot worse than mine.”

Seth holds his hand on his heart. “You wound me. I’m the angel in this friendship. Now go shower, you smelly bastard, so I can convince Asha I’m a far better option than you.”

I laugh out loud at the relationship between these two men who are obviously close. It’s something I miss terribly.

Kurt backs toward a set of stairs, giving him the death stare and making sure Seth knows he’s not joking.

“Five minutes, I promise,” he says, running up the stairs two at a time.

“Damn, he must really like you. The protective Kurt is in the house. Anyone would think I was about to tell you all his biggest, darkest secrets,” Seth says, grabbing himself a bottle of water from the fridge.

“Well, are you?” I smile, trying to hold in my giggle.

“Absolutely! Now, where to start.”

We both look at each other and burst out laughing.

I think I’m going to like Seth.

Chapter Ten

KURT

Standing in the shower, washing my body in record time, I can’t help smiling. I would have introduced her to Seth soon but now is as good a time as any. If there is one person on this earth