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

just perfectly before you showed up in my life. But I have a feeling you aren’t going to let this go.” I step into my underwear—which I’m surprised is still in one piece with how urgently Kurt wanted it off—giving him a look that says I don’t need a guy, I’m strong on my own.

“Damn straight I’m not budging on this one. You might have survived before I turned up, but it doesn’t mean you have to now!”

Stepping back towards me, his voice drops a little. “It’s just how I am, Asha. I care about you… a lot, and I don’t want you hurt or scared on your own. I know the dark is an issue for you. I see the way you react when we have to take Coco outside at night for a toilet break. Let me be here for you. That’s what boyfriends do.” He might be determined, but I can tell deep down there is a guy with a big heart, and he just hides it.

Thinking about it, Kurt coming home with me is probably a good thing. If Scott saw him at my house at this time of night, by himself, who knows what that creep would do to him? Or he could use it as an excuse to force an issue with Davina.

“Okay, I’m sorry. I’m just new to this girlfriend/boyfriend thing. I don’t want you to treat me like I’m useless. Just because I’m small doesn’t mean I’m not strong.” I slip my shorts on and pull my shirt over my head.

“I know you’re strong, you don’t have to prove that to me. Just look at your life.”

My hands scrunch into fists. “What is that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing, Christ, Asha. It’s late, can we just get on with it?” His frustration is now building.

“Fine. I’m not sure how Coco will react in the dark if you just turn up. So, let’s move beds. To sleep, of course. We both have to work tomorrow—well, technically later today.”

He wraps his arms around me and nuzzles his head in my neck. “Thank you for indulging my crazy. I promise, I’ll make putting up with me worthwhile.”

“I’m counting on it.”

Shifting back, he picks up his phone and slides it into his pocket. “Ready?” he asks, now with a victorious smile on his face.

I look back at his crumpled bed where we almost drifted off to sleep less than ten minutes ago. “Only if you promise I get to visit this bed again. Man, it’s way comfier than mine.”

“This bed is now yours whenever you want. No invitation needed.” Taking my hand, we walk out of his bedroom, with Kurt turning on and off lights as we move through the house so I can see where I’m going.

It’s the little things he does that keep me falling for him.

“We didn’t close the bedroom door,” Kurt grumbles in my ear.

“What?” I’m hardly coherent as I try to pull myself from a deep sleep.

“The door, we didn’t close it. Now I have a disgusting wet nose pushing in between my shoulder blades. At least that’s what I think it is.” His arms tighten around me, pulling my back to his front even more snugly than I thought possible. It’s like there was a minuscule gap between us and he wanted to make sure it’s closed up.

“Morning, Coco.” I giggle. She barks back at me to let me know she’s wide awake and ready to get up.

“Really?” Another grumble comes from behind me. “You didn’t think to warn me before I got the bark in my ear?”

“That’s what you get for being her favorite now. She didn’t come to me to give me the morning nudge to say she needs to be let outside. So, she’s all yours.” I try to open my eyes a little to see the time. “Ugh, it’s still dark out.”

“Then cross your legs, dog.” Kurt tries to act tough, but I can already feel him loosening his hold on me.

“Sucker.” I close my eyes again and pull the blanket up tighter after he gets out.

“We need to build her a doghouse so she can sleep outside.” Then I hear him talking to Coco on the way to the back door. “You and I need to talk about this wingman thing. It was cute before on the beach, but right now, it’s called cock-blocking.” The back screen door bangs, and I giggle to myself.

That is what Kurt gets for wanting to care for me. He should be careful what he wishes for.

The bedroom door closing rouses me from the light sleep I had drifted into again.

“That dog is evil. I’m sure she took her time to make me stand out there as long as possible, freezing my balls off.” Wriggling in behind me again, he’s about to wrap his hands around me.

“Don’t even think about it, mister. You warm those hands up before you touch me.”

“Seriously, you two suck this morning. I need more sleep to cope with this.” He lies on his back with a big sigh.

“Sleep, what a wonderful idea. Now shh.” I’m trying so hard not to laugh and give myself away.

I let him toss and turn for a minute before I roll over and put him out of his misery. “So needy.” Crawling into the crook of his arm and placing my head on his chest, I wrap my legs around him. His other arm quickly comes and locks me against his body again.

“You have no idea. Now hush you, a man is trying to get some sleep.” I can hear the happiness in his voice that he has me where he wants me again.

“Not sure this sleeping together is going to work,” I mumble but really wanting him to hear. It might be five in the morning but my sassiness is awake.

“Pretending I didn’t hear that. Told you there is no going back now, you’re stuck with me. Cold hands and all. Besides, I’m the one that should complain. You