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

“You know you could have just gone home, right?” I reply smugly as I lean against the wall, still appreciating the view.

“I’m good.” He sits back on his feet and starts wiping the shelves in the door.

“I’m confused, what made you want to clean my fridge? It’s a little random,” I say, hoping he will turn to look at me, but no such luck.

“Spilled some milk, so needed to clean it up.”

It’s then I see all the food on my dining table, way more than was in my fridge the last time I opened it.

“Ah, Kurt, where did all this food come from? Did you go to the store?” Not that I heard his truck move.

“Nope, had it delivered this morning while you were working. Wanted to make sure you had plenty to keep you fed so you can keep writing and not worry.”

It’s like he is doing all these sweet things to make me second-guess what I heard. It’s hard to keep my mind on the right track when he is distracting me with his kindness and hot body.

“Thank you, but it really wasn’t necessary. I don’t eat much when I’m writing anyway.”

Finally, he turns around and looks as intense as he did at the restaurant. “Well, you should. You need to keep your strength up. You never know when you’re going to need it. Plus, we don’t want you passing out on us again, do we?” And there is that change of voice and character again. So dominant and forceful like he’s never been before.

Instead of making me want to listen, today it’s just pissing me off. “Pretty sure as a grown woman, I know when and how much to eat.” My hands are now resting on my hips.

Thankfully the knock on the backdoor stops me in my stride before I start in a full-blown bitch rant. I’m too wound up today to back down. Which means I’ll say things I don’t mean.

“Asha, it’s just me,” Davina’s voice calls out. “Come and open the door for me.”

Rushing over, I open the screen door, telling Coco to stay out of her way. She’s already on crutches, so we don’t want a dog under her feet causing another accident.

“Sorry, come on in. Just be careful, the floor may be a little wet, Kurt has been doing some cleaning.”

Davina gives a confused look, but I want to say to her ‘Don’t worry, sister, you can’t be as confused as I am.’

“Oh, good for Kurt. Hi there, I wasn’t expecting you here.”

With that he stands up, wiping his hands on his shorts. “Why is that?” he asks, a little snappier than he would normally talk to her.

“Oh, I just got the impression from Asha you were spending the day at home.” Davina is looking toward me for help.

“I tried to convince him to head home while I work, but he insists on staying. At least he’s not wasting his time, I suppose.” I give her the look to ask her not to push this any further.

“Nothing better than putting a guy to work. When you’re finished you can come and clean my house too,” she says, trying to lighten the moment; Davina has worked out things here are not right.

“Sorry, no can do. You will have to find your own cleaning bitch. Maybe Scott might be a perfect candidate?” He raises his eyebrows and lets out a small laugh.

“You are such an ass sometimes. Scott is a good guy, I can assure you. Now, what does a woman have to do around here to get a coffee?”

Moving towards the couch, she’s about to sit down when I stop her in her tracks. “Before you sit, maybe we will sit outside and enjoy some fresh air, on the seat under the tree. You head out and I’ll bring the coffee.” Moving to hold the door open for her again, she moves outside but gives me the look of what the hell as she passes me.

“I can make them and bring them out.” Kurt is beside me, way too close that his male pheromones are getting me twitching again.

“Nope, I’m good. Um, yep, I can do it. Don’t want to interrupt your cleaning binge.” And I’m back to rambling again.

I get mugs onto the counter while I make myself busy making the coffee.

Walking toward Davina, carrying the mugs, she turns from watching the water, putting her hand out to take her mug from me.

When I sit next to her, letting out a big sigh, she just turns to me and says the obvious, “What the fuck is going on in there between you two?”

“I wish I knew.”

Taking the first sip of my coffee, I try to work out how to start this.

Davina says, “Something has obviously happened. The tension in there is solid, and there’s not one bit of sexual in it.”

“I need to talk to you about this morning, but there are things you need to know too. But I don’t want you to react to any of it. You need to look calm like we are talking books or whatever.” I turn to the side so I’m facing her, and my back is to the house. We are far enough away that Kurt can’t hear me, but I don’t want him to see me, either. Knowing him, he probably has some crazy spy skill of reading lips.

“Okkkaayyy then.”

Taking a deep breath, I hope I’m not about to screw up my life more than it already is.

“I know you won’t be happy about this, but I have known for quite a while who Kurt really is.” I can tell she is looking at me but trying not to give any reaction. “You don’t have to pretend anymore. I know he used be a WITSEC agent and work with you and Scott.”

“Son of a bitch, he couldn’t keep his mouth shut,” she cusses under her breath.

“He told me everything. How he knew I was someone in