Read Online After the Rain by Karen-Anne Stewart - Free Book Online Page A

be nice about it, but regardless of what he says, she would make up her own mind. Damn, I love that about you . “Go,” he tells her before changing his mind.
    The surprise in her widened eyes makes him laugh. “You’re getting really good at undercover ops, and Lawson is as competent as he is fierce. He’s a pain in the ass, but he’s good at what he does, you’ll be in good hands. Besides, I love the fact that he already knows that if he does anything you don’t like, you’ll bust him in the mouth the first chance you get.”
    Raina tries to suppress her laughter but fails miserably. “I didn’t mean to hit him, it was just a reaction,” she manages to get out between giggles.
    Relieved that she’s able to put the dark reasoning of why she hit Lawson behind her and see the humorous side of her knocking the formidable agent on his butt and busting his lip, he chuckles before asking, “Who’s going to be the lead with you?”
    “Scott.”
    Kas nods his head in approval, “He has plenty of undercover experience.” Squeezing her hand he warns, “He’ll be tough on you in the field, Rain.”
    “I don’t expect anything different.”
    “When are they planning on leaving?”
    “Monday.”
    “Good, you won’t miss Seth.”
    Excitement brightens her face, “I can’t wait until Friday.”
    Kas fights the twinge of jealousy stinging him. He’s never mentioned anything to Raina, but he knows Seth has a crush on her. Seth’s feelings have never bothered him because he’s fairly confident that he would never divulge them to Raina; Seth wants her happy. Kas’ heart swells humbly with the fact that Seth knows that she’s happy with him. Standing up, he walks to her, pulls her from the chair and sits down, lowering her onto his lap. Burying his head in her hair, he nuzzles her neck, hiding his smile at how she is truly brilliant but completely ignorant when it comes to knowing when someone has a thing for her. Just another thing I love about you .
     

     
    Si fu Shang shifts, expertly dodging Raina’s sidekick. She quickly follows with the butterfly kick he has been teaching her, making contact with his shoulder, and it knocks him a couple of steps back.
    “I’m sorry,” she immediately apologizes.
    “That was excellent, Raina, don’t apologize,” he laughs, “your execution is off, but that was a solid kick.”
    Giving him a tight smile, she thanks him before getting back into position.
    “Take a break, get some water,” he tells her, grabbing his bottle. Carefully studying her while she is sipping on her own water, he takes a deep breath, not wanting to push her but realizing she needs the push to get over her recent set-back.
    Feeling like an ass, he reminds himself it’s for her own good, that it’s exactly what his father did to him when he had his butt kicked in his first match and was skittish. “Breaks over, get back on the mat,” he commands, noticing how she flinches at the unexpected stern tone.
    Raina sprints back to him, bowing before taking the Da Huang stance. The surprise flashes in her eyes when Si fu Shang comes at her fast, his moves relentless. Feverishly blocking him, she quickly breaks into a sweat, grunting breathlessly as he backs her into a corner.
    “Don’t ever let your opponent put you in this position,” he warns calmly, backing away so she can join him back on the mat. The uncertainty in her eyes hurts him, but he pushes on, throwing a backfist that he has to pull at the last second due to her reaction being too slow to stop him.
    Raina’s self-agitation is apparent.
    “Again,” he gently commands.
    Re-focusing herself, Raina delivers a snap kick, losing her balance when Si fu Shang grabs her leg.
    Letting her leg go, he motions his fingers for her to come closer, “Again!”
    Her breathing is labored as they continue the rigorous training. Her hair is damp from perspiration, and her knees feel weak, but she continues to administer kicks and punches, doing