That Day, Karen Deen [early readers .txt] 📗

as simple as not happening. No way, no how. Is that enough for you? You can ask and say whatever you like, baby, but every single time, I will put your life before mine. And you know why?”

I wait for her, not sure if she is going to answer me, then finally she gives in. “Okay then, you stubborn man, why?”

“Because I love you with all of my heart. So, unless your heart is still beating in the same rhythm as mine, then my life is not worth living.”

Not giving her a chance to reply, I smash my lips on her mouth and take her in a passionate kiss, one that tells her everything I’m trying to say in words.

How much I love her.

That I can’t live without her.

I believe I was put on this earth to keep her safe.

And that one day, I’m putting a ring on her finger and making her mine for eternity.

I can’t promise her forever yet, because that’s not fair to either of us, but I know that’s what I want. To be joined as one and create a life for our own little family.

“Kurt,” she moans between our heated kissing.

“Nope, no talking. You won’t listen, so I’m showing you. You need to feel it all. Then you will understand.” Our lips are tangled together again, and now our hands are moving too. All the words are lost and just the loving remains.

Pure and simple.

Lust, love, and forever unbreakable.

ASHA

Last night Kurt and I loved each other like it could be our last chance.

After he silenced my pleading, we just let the love take us to where no one could touch us.

Yet lying here now, as the sunlight is barely starting to creep through the trees, I know it’s time to take the leap and take on these people who want me dead.

I had two options that Kurt and Ghost gave me.

Go into hiding with Kurt for the rest of my life and live like Ghost and Cassie are, never seeing their families again and leaving everything from their old life to dissolve into dust.

Although it’s tempting, I can’t do that to Kurt. And to be honest, I don’t have the strength to leave him and do it on my own anymore.

So, the only other option against a bully is to meet them head on. Not to turn and run like they are expecting, but to run straight at them and take them by surprise.

I’m absolutely petrified, but I know it’s the right choice.

Actually, in all honesty it’s the only choice.

I creep out of bed, trying not to wake Kurt. I need to go to the bathroom.

He doesn’t move or make a sound, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s awake too. It was hard to sleep last night, even though he did his best to wear me out.

I know I won’t be able to eat anything, so I freshen up and brush my teeth, do my hair, before I tiptoe back to the bedroom to get dressed. Opening the bathroom door, though, it’s no surprise that he is out of bed and dressed and already straightening the bed and making everything as it was when we arrived.

Looking up from what he’s doing, he smiles at me. “Morning, beautiful. Did you sleep okay?”

“Honestly?”

He starts laughing at me. “Yeah, me neither. Come here and give me a kiss.” Pulling my pants up my legs, I make my way to him and reach up to kiss his lips. His arms fold around my back and lift me up off the ground, so my face is level with him. Finishing the kiss, he looks me in the eyes.

“Now that’s better. That’s how every morning should start.” Slowly letting me slide back down his body to be on my feet, he then swats me on the ass and laughs. “You ready to take on the world today, my little badass?”

And as frightened as I am, I actually get a little tingle of adrenaline that we are finally doing something instead of sitting back and waiting for them to hurt me. “Ready as I’ll ever be.”

My reply makes him laugh. “Well, that’s good enough for me.” Kurt looks at me with more confidence than I feel.

We pack up the rest of our things, and while Kurt freshens up in the bathroom, I leave the notes I have written for both Cassie and Bessy. I hope it will help make the sadness a little easier to accept when they wake up.

Hearing footsteps outside, I know it will be Ghost with any last-minute instructions and to say his goodbyes.

Ghost gives a knock and sticks his head in the door. “Hey, boss man, how are you this morning?” His morning laugh breaks the silence all around us, sending some of the birds scattering and taking flight a little earlier than they planned for the day.

I join him out front, and he gives me a nod. “Got your sassy pants on today, Asha? I like it. Keep it up.”

Kurt emerges out of the cabin behind me with his bag and the box with my laptop for Ghost.

“We are all set,” Kurt says. “No last-minute changes?” Both men exchange an intense look, one I’m not about to ask about.

“Nope. All as we discussed. You just need to set it in motion and follow what I tell you along the way, let me be your ears and your eyes.” This is the most serious I have seen Ghost in front of me.

“Roger that.” Both men lean in and take a quick man hug with a slap on the back. I’m guessing that is the closest they will get to admitting how much they mean to each other. Damn alpha men and their bravado.

“Now, you come here, little lady.” Ghost opens his arms for me to step into them. “Do everything as we discussed and don’t take any risks. But most importantly, trust him. He might be a pain in my ass, but he will keep you safe.