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

Two hours have passed since I left the beach, and the sun is setting.

I sit at my desk and I wait.

Finally, her office light switches on. It’s like a trigger telling me to calm the hell down. The fine details I can handle. Lights on, she’s working. Living room light then twinkles as well, which means she’s moving through the house.

Seriously, I need to snap out of this. I’m becoming obsessed over Asha, and we’ve only just met.

I try to remind myself we’re just friends. We both agreed.

Friends—oh, the handbook. Where’s my laptop? I need to start putting this together. At least it will give me a way to pass the time and something to focus on.

After laughing at myself for over an hour, writing stupid shit that Asha is going to tear apart, I decide to organize my week for work. I message Ricky to pick up the cement on the way past the building supplies in the morning, double-check that I have the other contractors lined up for later in the week, and email the client to let them know that everything was fine on the job site after the storm. Thank goodness they had decided against coming down for the weekend, so they missed it all.

Getting lost in my work, by the time I look up, I’ve missed Asha going to bed. Which means I missed my opportunity to message her. As I think about it, though, I can’t message every night, that’s just creepy. I’ve known her two days and I’m watching her house. Nothing like freaking her out right at the start. Again, I need to wait for her to come to me.

Fuck, I wish I could sleep!

I thought after all these years it would get better, but nothing changes, and the insomnia just became part of my life.

Lying back in my bed, this is one of the things I love about my house. Being on the second story, my bedroom has its own balcony with big sliding doors. I can hear the sounds of the night, the waves crashing, I can smell the ocean, and on the clear nights, I can see the stars and moonlight. All from the comfort of my pillow, and I don’t have to worry about leaving my doors open, being so high up.

My room isn’t fancy, just simple and plain. The way I am. Pale gray walls with a few scattered photos of places I have visited over the years. The furniture all matches in a light-gray-whitewashed timber. The only rich color in the room is my bed covers. Dark navy with white and gray pillows. I know it’s a pretty standard beach-house theme, but it works for me. Plus, when you’re a guy that works in a grubby job, white bed linen is just a stupid idea. Not that I would get into bed without a shower, but even walking in after work and brushing past my bed on the way to the shower will do it. I learned very early on that leather couches and dark colors were definitely the way to go for me. It means my home is a typical bachelor pad, but that doesn’t concern me one bit. It’s comfortable, and that’s the way I like it.

Reaching for my tablet and opening my kindle app, my book from last night opens up to the part where he is sneaking through the woods, trying to get inside the bad guy’s compound. Sorry, Mr. Brown, you will have to wait, I’ll come back to you. I need to search for some other books. I type in A.J. Smith, Asha’s pen name, and there they are. Three books with half-naked men on them.

I can feel my body tensing up, and it’s so stupid. But I don’t like the thought of her with another man looking like that. The moment I met her I knew I was in trouble. She sets off every inner feeling I have about her being mine and wanting to wrap her in my arms, offering every other man that look that says back away. I don’t know how I’m going to manage this, but I need to find a way.

While the first book’s downloading, I make myself comfortable by propping myself up on pillows and leaning back against the headboard. Okay, little lady, show me what is in the beautiful head of yours.

I feel like today is going to be a good day, judging by the morning light getting brighter over the horizon. Out on the water sitting on my board, it doesn’t feel hot, but I think the day will heat up to a normal summer’s day.

Monday morning brings all the early-morning surfers who want to start the week well. It’s funny, by the end of the week the numbers drift off a bit, people catching up on that little extra sleep before work, as the week takes its toll on them.

The swell has settled down after the weekend storms, but it’s still big enough to get a good wave. Looking at the position of the sun, I know this needs to be my last wave before heading home to get ready for work. Lying flat, feeling the power of the water under the board starting to lift me in the air, I know this is the wave. Paddling hard, I’m on it and away, up onto my feet, crouched, ready to stand… when I spot Coco out of the corner of my eye, running across the beach on her own. She comes to a stop, standing in front of me barking like crazy, wagging her tail. I look up for Asha quickly, and I can’t see her.

Shit, my balance is off, and the wave is starting to close out on me. I try to get to my standing position, but it’s too late. This isn’t going to end well. The front of my board digs in, and I’m flying through the air, headfirst