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

love you, Kurt, and if I don’t tell you… and something happens, I’ll never forgive myself.”

Before I have time to say another word, his mouth is on mine. Like he described before, he is devouring me, and I can’t get enough. My heart is flying at letting go of the words I’ve been holding onto for what feels like forever.

Breaking for a breath, Kurt says, “Asha, I love you more than I know how to describe.”

I want to yell to the world that he loves me too.

Reaching up on my toes and kissing him again but slower this time, I give him everything I’m feeling inside. Kurt whispers, “You light up my world like I’ve never felt before. Trusting me with your life is… I can’t even find the words.”

The emotion on his face is more than I’ve seen before. Swallowing slowly, his Adam’s apple bobs in his neck as he struggles to keep himself in check.

As he takes my face in his hands, I move my hands up around his neck, letting my towel slide to the ground.

“The only words I need are the ones you already told me. No matter what happens now, I will know in this lifetime I’ve been loved.” A couple of solitary tears fall down my cheeks.

“Fuck, beautiful, don’t even say shit like that.”

Kissing me softly on the lips, he drops his hands to my backside and then lifts me up into his arms, so easily.

Wrapping my legs around him, I know I’m safe and exactly where I need to be.

Kurt is my safe place.

“Just know that I will love you all through this long lifetime we are going to have, but then I will continue to love you into the next lifetime too. And every lifetime after that, even if you get sick of me.”

“That’s all I want, Kurt. Your love and a lifetime.”

“Then I’ll make sure you get it.”

His lips softly kiss my cheek on one side, then the other.

Then our lips touch, gently, like it’s the first kiss all over again. He takes my bottom lip between his teeth and gently pulls on it, tugging it forward. My body is heating up with this kind of kiss. Kurt’s tongue runs along my lips seeking entrance. Opening to him turns the kiss into so much more.

My hands run up into his hair that I love to feel.

The kiss is gaining more passion, and his hands on my ass push my body harder against his. I can feel his body reacting to me as his cock is hardening against my sex.

“Kurt.” It comes out as a moan more than a clearly understandable word.

“I’m taking you home and I’m going to show you all the ways I love you.” His deep voice is almost a growl.

I’m still clinging to him like a monkey when he bends and picks up our towels and clothes. As I’m about to drop my legs, he holds me tighter.

“Not a chance. I’m not letting you go. Not now, not ever.”

As I bury my head in his neck while he carries me up the beach, I whisper to him, “That’s why I love you.”

Chapter Seventeen

KURT

Just like I promised, I spent last night showing Asha how much I’ve fallen in love with her.

I’ll never get tired of hearing those words falling from her lips.

While she’s sleeping like an angel in my bed, snuggled into my pillow with the sheet wrapped around her, I make her breakfast in bed.

While the coffee is brewing, my phone starts dancing on the counter with its vibration. I’ve got it on silent.

“Hey, any news?” The code name on my phone tells me I need to keep my voice down.

“Yeah, a few whispers starting.” His voice is low and quiet.

“Fuck, I was hoping we would have more time.” Running my hand through my hair, I can’t help myself, it’s what I do when I feel stressed.

“Don’t panic yet. It’s just a few murmurs. Nothing big, but they are actively looking for her now. They know they’re running out of time.”

“That’s what worries me. Anything close by?”

“Nah, all a fair ways away at the moment. Although we can never be certain of anything or anyone hiding right under our noses, you know that.”

My heart settles a bit, but I still have this shit feeling in my gut. In all the years I was on the job, that gut feeling never let me down, and that’s what worries me.

“Okay, keep me posted of any change.”

“Roger that.”

“Ghost?” I say, catching him before he hangs up.

“Yep.”

I take a breath. “Thanks, man. Never thought I’d be calling on you again, but I need you more than ever this time.”

“Kinda gathered that, can hear it in your voice. Usually hard as nails, but this time you’re different. Word of warning. Don’t let it make you drop your guard.”

“Not a chance, buddy. If anything, the guard is up stronger than ever before.”

“Just remember that when shit gets real, that’s all I’m saying. Talk soon.”

The phone goes dead in my ear.

I just wish this were all over, but I’ve got a feeling there are going to be a few hurdles before we get there.

Leaning against the kitchen counter, I look out at the ocean, trying to find the stillness for my mind.

I’ve told Asha we need to forget about this and just enjoy our time together. She can’t know what is going on behind the scenes. That way she doesn’t have to lie to Davina and Scott when they ask her things. The poker face is my job in this shitstorm. Unfortunately, I’m good at it because I’ve spent years mastering it.

Needing a bit of fresh air, I wander out onto the deck, leaning against the railing to take that deep breath that fills my lungs with salty air.

Talking to Ghost has brought back thoughts I’ve been getting better lately at burying, but just not this morning.

“Bull, you need to get the targets out of there. Trouble is on its way,” Ghost’s voice comes