That Day - Karen Deen (large ebook reader .TXT) 📗

I could be a while before we have this quiet time again.

“Thanks, guys. I owe you big time. Maybe one day I can repay the favor,” I say, Asha tucked into my side and still a little sleepy.

“Not a problem. Ghost is hard to say no to.” We all chuckle a little. “Hope it all sorts out quickly, and after it’s all over, if you’re ever in Chicago, make sure you look me and Mason up and you can buy us a beer.” Ashton takes my hand and shakes it with strength like someone who means what he says and is a man of his word.

“I’ll buy you the whole fucking bar.”

“I heard that,” Mason calls from the top of the plane stairs. “It’s a deal, man.” Saluting me, he heads back inside to start preparing for them to take off again.

“Ignore him. I do.” Laughing, Ashton jogs up the stairs and turns at the door, lifting his hand up and giving us a quick wave before disappearing inside.

“What now?” Asha asks.

I direct her to the car that is waiting on the side of the runway that has been left there for us.

“You get to meet the man without whom we would both be dead, and that’s the god’s honest truth, although he will deny every word of it.”

Opening the door, I get her settled in her seat. “So, close your eyes, as we have a long drive ahead, and I’ll wake you when we get there.”

Normally she would fight me on that, but I can see she is struggling to keep her eyes open in the first five minutes of driving down the road.

Slowly, the road is winding up the mountain terrain.

Daylight is starting to break and the dappled light through the trees lining the sides of the road is stunning. I love the beach and it’s home to my soul, but I can’t deny how beautiful this place is.

It’s been years since I’ve seen Ghost, and I never knew why he chose to disappear all those years ago. I understand how big a sacrifice he is making to take me into his home. No one knows where he lives, so the privilege does not go unnoticed.

The closer we get, the more I realize how hungry I’m becoming. It’s been a while since I’ve eaten, and the adrenaline rush has my body craving fuel.

On the map, we are about five minutes away. I put my hand on Asha’s leg, giving her a little shake.

“Time to wake up, Sleeping Beauty. We’re almost there.”

Her arms stretching up and back arching has her breasts sitting nicely in a position I would love to take advantage of. I can’t believe I’m thinking like that at a time like this, but my cock is certainly on board with those thoughts too.

“Mmm, it’s so bright.” Her delicate little voice breaks the silence as her eyes open and shut a few times.

“The sun is up, and this mountainside is pretty spectacular. I don’t think it will be too tough hanging out here for a while.”

Her face turns to look out the side window and take it all in.

“But you’ll miss the ocean,” she says.

Looking across at her staring out and mesmerized by the scenery, I say, “I’d miss you more. Wherever you are, then I will be there too.”

She turns back to me, taking my hand and squeezing it. “I love you.” Those three words on her lips is all I need to know I’m exactly where I need to be.

“Love you too. And don’t worry, we will make it back there one day. To the salt air, the wind whipping through your long hair. The sand between your toes and that crazy dog of ours, Coco, running along the beach while you try to chase her. Remember those visions until we make it back home.”

“That’s if she ever wants to come home to us. I’m sure your mom and dad are going to spoil her rotten. But I’m glad she will be loved, and it’ll help take their mind off missing you.”

“Right, like they won’t be missing you more than me. They both threatened me to bring you home safe, otherwise don’t bother coming home at all.”

“Really?”

“Not even joking. Thanks for stealing my family.” We both laugh out loud.

I pull off the road and down a little hidden dirt track where the car barely fits under the trees. Just when I feel like we’re about to end up in a gully, the road takes a sharp rise, and as we arrive at the top, it opens into the most spectacular clearing with a view that is postcard-worthy.

“Kurt!” Asha gasps as she takes in the view out over the valley and a house that is situated behind a secure gated entrance.

“Holy shit, Ghost, what the fuck is this place?”

As the car approaches the gate, it slides open, and we drive through the front gate. Both of us are standing next to the car when the front door opens.

Two little King Charles spaniels come bounding down the stairs to greet us, and the voice I have been hearing in my ear for days comes booming out of the front door.

“Ace and Bandit, do not lick them to death.”

Asha bends down to love up the dogs while I’m transfixed on the door.

“Bull, nice of you to finally join me. About time you found someone to put up with your shit.”

He’s still exactly the same as the last time I saw him. Tall, broad shoulders, bald, and arms that are as thick as fence posts.

“Good to see you, man, glad to see you haven’t become lazy and let yourself go.”

A few feet away, he fires back his smartass comment. “Gotta keep myself looking hot for all the women up here,” he says, throwing out his arms to the side to insinuate the nonexistent women around us.

As I embrace him in a man hug and try to tell