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

in silence while devouring our breakfast, and I’m thankful for the strong hot coffee he had also placed in front of me before I sat down. I hope it will switch on the brain cells that seem to be lacking this morning.

“How much damage is there to arrange to get fixed?” I finally look up at him leaning back in the chair like he belongs at my table every morning.

“Not happening. I told you I will have it taken care of in a few hours. Then we can talk about how to prepare for the next time we get a storm cell like that.” Sitting forward in his seat, his hands clasp together, eyes fixed on mine. “And don’t even try to object, Asha. It’s a waste of your energy that you will need to help me.” Kurt leans back against the chair again, looking satisfied with himself. I’m getting ready to say something in reply, but one word stops me.

“Asha…” Not rough enough to be scary but deep enough for me to listen.

Frustrated that he has this effect on me, I stand, with the chair screeching against the wood floor as I push it back with force.

“I’m not some damsel in distress, you know.” Picking up our plates, I head to the sink so I don’t have to look at him.

“Never said you were. What I’m saying is I’m here right now, I have the skills you need, so use me while you can.”

Now it’s my turn to groan out loud. “You need to stop with the double meanings. My body can’t take much more.” Correction, my body would love to take a whole lot more.

Feeling him standing behind me, he’s so close to me that I can hear his breathing. I try not to flinch as his hand gently slides up my neck, holding me in place, leaning his mouth to my ear.

“If that is what you want, Asha, just say the words…” His voice is barely a whisper. The touch of his lips on my neck with the softest kiss. And then he’s gone.

I feel the loss of his touch, his words echoing in the stillness of the morning as he walks out the back door.

“I’ll get started… outside.”

Breathe, Asha.

Christ, that man is too dangerous for me!

Staring out the window, I see him grab his tool belt and clip it around his waist. Which just helps accentuate his total V-shaped body. Wide shoulders, muscley arms that have veins running just below the skin. A chest under that shirt—I know what it feels like now—and it certainly narrows down towards the promised land. I might have been without a man for a long time, but starting back in the game with Kurt is straight-up a big mistake… huge!

Especially when I can’t take it any further.

Not sure how long I’ve been standing here staring, but when I pull my thoughts back into the real world, I see Kurt grinning at me as he carries one of my garden chairs back towards the old tree where it normally sits facing the ocean.

Busted admiring the view!

Shit, I need to get out there and help. Quickly rinsing the dishes, I decide I’ll deal with them later. I grab my sneakers, so I don’t end up with cut feet, knowing my clumsiness. I decide to keep Coco locked inside. I don’t need any more drama from her again today. I can create enough of that on my own.

“I think that will hold her in the yard for a while. I’ll build a better gate later when I can get the materials, but that will keep the great escape artist safe in the meantime.” Kurt stands up, admiring his handiwork on the temporary gate.

“I don’t know how to thank you for all this. I wouldn’t have even known where to start.” I look around the yard that is now spotless and shows no signs of last night’s storm in any way.

“That’s what I do. I’m happy to help.” Now that the sun is higher in the sky now, it’s warmed up and the humidity is awful. Even Kurt has sweat on his forehead.

“Let me get you a cold drink.”

He bursts out laughing at me.

“What’s so funny… oh yeah, right, no power. Then can I at least get you a lukewarm refreshment?” We both continue to laugh as we walk towards the house.

“Thanks, but I’ll pass this time. I really need to get going and check on my place for any damage and my parents in case they need help.” I shouldn’t be as disappointed as I am to hear that he’s leaving.

“Oh god, I’m so sorry. You should have said something earlier and gone to help them. I could have managed.” Again, I’m babbling way too fast.

“Asha.” How does he do that.

“I wanted to help you. If it was urgent, they would have called me. Now, I’ll just grab my tools and head back down to my truck since they’ve cleared the power pole down there.” While we worked on the house, the emergency power company crew was making the wires safe and clearing the pole off the road.

“Right, yes. You need your things. I’ll help carry them, be useful.” I follow him across the yard to the work area he set up.

“I’m fine, I carried them up here on my own. You just relax and hopefully you’ll get some power back shortly so you can salvage some of the food in the fridge.”

He’s not looking at me when he’s talking, like he’s avoiding eye contact, just as plenty of the times I’ve done the same to him.

“Right, yeah, the food.” The moment of truth is coming, and I don’t know what to say or do.

Kurt is standing in front of me now, phone in his hand.

“Asha, give me your phone number so I can message you my number.” Without hesitation, I rattle off my number. I’m supposed to protect myself, and keeping my privacy is vitally important. Obviously, just not with