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

From the bedroom, the alarm on my phone starts going. Trying to ignore it and keep kissing her isn’t working, because the noise is now whipping Coco into a barking frenzy.

“Yeah, okay, girl, I know. It’s annoying me too.” Leaving Asha sitting on the counter, I head to the bedroom, cursing the time. It means I need to leave to get to work. I can’t be late two days in a row, otherwise Ricky is going to be painful to put up with. He already drives me insane most days, so no need to add fuel to the fire.

As I pick up the rest of my clothes and slip my phone into my pocket, I feel Asha’s lace panties. I leave them right where they are, sliding my shirt over my head. I’ve never been someone who does that, but I want a reminder of last night. Not that the visions and memories in my head are going anywhere anytime soon.

Seeing her sitting where I left her, knowing she just has that little dress on and nothing underneath it, is not helping me to leave.

“Don’t look so sad,” she says.

“I wish I could continue where I left off, but unfortunately, I need to get to work. Do you think you could sit there all day and wait for me to come back?” Wrapping my arms around her, I give her one last kiss on the neck.

“Sure, it’s not like I’ve got anything else to do today.” She laughs a little.

“Excellent, then I’ll be back at four.” I kiss her on her lips this time, like it’s the last time I’ll see her, both of us panting as we separate.

“Or better still, I’ve got a better idea. Come to work with me and show me your skills with the hammer you bragged about.”

“Oh, shucks, I wish I could. But I do have work to do today. I need to meet my word count, otherwise I’ll never make my deadline. Plus, I wouldn’t want to show you up in front of your work buddies.” Her hands push me on the chest so she can jump down. “Now, get going. I don’t want to get blamed for you being late, and I need to get a little more appropriately dressed to walk Coco. I’m already later than normal because someone distracted me a little.”

“Nothing little about my distraction, beautiful,” I say, pulling her in for another kiss.

She’s so responsive to my touch, it really makes it hard to walk away.

“Get out of here. We both have shit to do today,” she says as I swat her on the ass. She walks towards the door, opening it for me to leave.

“Yes, more appropriate clothing means make sure you put underwear on before leaving the house, please.” I kiss her on the cheek and step past her out the door.

“What makes you think I’ve had underwear on every other morning when I’ve walked past you? Maybe I was going commando.” Her smirk, trying not to laugh, tells me how funny she thinks she is.

“Ugh, you’re cruel, you know that? Now I’m going to think about that all day at work.” I lean in for one last peck on the cheek. “You’ll pay for that later.”

“You wish. Have a good day.” She closes the screen door between us to give us a barrier that will break the pull.

“You, too. Call me when you take a break.” With that, I look at my watch and know I’m cutting it fine and need to get moving. “See you later. Remember, underwear is a necessity,” I call over my shoulder, jogging to the truck and giving her a wave out the window as I back out the driveway.

I’m so glad I gave myself the pep talk about not fucking her and getting involved.

Cause I couldn’t be any more wrapped up in Asha if I tried.

I’m barely out of the driveway and racing home to get changed, before I realize I haven’t even had breakfast. Looks like it will be fruit on the go this morning, and hopefully Ricky turns up with coffee.

My phone starts ringing, and even though there is no caller ID, I know exactly who it will be.

“Good morning.” Sarcasm is dripping from my voice.

“Back off.” Scott’s voice booms through the Bluetooth speaker in my truck. I didn’t even get very far from her house before he called. Not that it surprises me, because I know he was watching.

“I’m not talking to you about Asha, asshole,” I say, making sure he understands where I stand.

“You don’t need to talk, but you sure as fuck are going to listen. Stay away from her. Do you hear me?” I don’t know why he’s even bothering.

“Loud and clear, brother. I just don’t give a fuck what you say. And instead, you listen to me. You ever show up at her house like that again, we will have issues. You stay out of my way and I’ll stay out of yours. Simple. Do I make myself clear?” I grit my teeth, trying to stop myself from losing my temper with him.

“You don’t scare me, Kurt, not one bit. I don’t know what your angle is here, but you need to back away now, before I’m forced to do something you won’t like. Asha’s affairs don’t concern you.”

I laugh at his words. “That’s where you’re wrong, tough guy. Every single thing about Asha concerns me. Your job is to be in the background. My job is to spend every possible waking minute with her and help her live a happy life, safe in my arms and my bed. Something you can’t do this time. I know what you think you were doing this morning, but it won’t happen again. Your reputation proceeds you, man. Fuck off and leave me alone. End of discussion. Have a good day!” I push the end-call button before he has time to say another word, sweat pouring off me.

“Fuck!” I shout, slamming my hand onto the