Bedmates Soulmates

She almost leaned in and kissed him, but she stopped herself.

Austyn meant well and his promise sounded sincere.

But he didn't know they would be divorced in a year.

Once Kira moved out of the villa, she wouldn't have him by her side when another thunderstorm hit.

She would have to tough it out by herself.

It was best not to develop a dependence on him now.

Dependence would lead to craving, and craving would lead to addiction.

'Was that why you tried to call me that night?" Austyn asked. 'When I was away on business in Farindon."

Kira nodded. 'It was a big storm. There was a blackout. Elsie was away. I didn't know who else to call.

Then she remembered what happened when she called Austyn, hoping he could come home.

She was still slightly miffed by it

'I called you, but a woman answered the phone. She said- Kira mimicked the woman's saccharine voice-Mr McCarthy can't come to the phone right now. He's taking a shower." t sleep with be

Austyn laughed at her bad imitation. 'Nothing happened between me and that woman. I didn't sleep with her. Do you believe me? Kira thought about it, then she said, 'I do.' Austyn petted her head. "Good girl."

Kira swatted his hand away. 'I'm not a dog. And see? This is the difference between you and me."

What d

difference?!

"You didn't believe me when I told you there was nothing between me and Liam

'Cape.'Austyn corrected her,

'Fine. You didn't believe me when I told you there was nothing between me and Cane, but I trust you unconditionally. Who's the bigger person now, huh?! Austyn had no reply to that.

She was right, lait there was nothing he could do about it.

Heing wary of Came was his po

la response.

After all, once bitten, twice shay

Kira couldn't help but gloat a little.

It was rare for her to score a point over Austyn. 'Any other woman would not have bought your story so easily, you know. You were far

away from home, alone in a hotel room with a woman whom I can only assume is gorgeous, and nothing happened? It's like tossing a bone in front of a dog and not having it take a bite. It's just so unlikely." Austyn pinched her nose with two fingers. 'Are you calling me a dog?

It was a metaphor."

'Since you find it so unnatural that I didn't sleep with the woman, perhaps I should reconsider and give her a call??

Kira glared at him. "You have her number?"

'I don't. But Kai's a capable assistant. I bet he can find her number within a day."

'Don't!

"Why not, hmm?"

It was Kira's turn to be speechless.

She was winning a minute ago.

How did the tables get turned so quickly?

As the couple continued squabbling, Kira forgot about the tempest outside.

Kira woke up in the morning feeling rejuvenated.

She had a good night's sleep, dreamless,

Austyn was still fast asleep.

She was tempted to just laze in bed, but this was someone else's house and it didn't feel polite, Kira got up quietly and tiptoed to the bathroom.

The toiletries were still in their package.

Kira brushed her teeth and thought Austyn was lucky to have such a considerate friend

Damian rescued her last night and took her and Austyn in without a word of complaint.

Kira went downstairs after washing up.

The living room was empty.

The

ehouse was quiet.

Kira found her way to the kitchen,

The fridge was stocked full of vegetables and meats and fruits, but no readymade meals.

Kira rolled up her sleeves and went to work

Damian came out of the bathroom and heard a noise in the kitchen.

He grabbed a t-shirt with one hand and a beer bottle with another.

He approached the kitchen stealthily, the beer bottle raised.

The intruder was a woman in a pale yellow sundress with her back to him.

It was his wife's dress.

Kira whipped around when she sensed someone watching ber

"Oh, Mr Matthews, it's y

s you.' She breathed out.

"Good morning" Damian set down the beer bottle.

Kira looked away immediately.

Damian must have just gotten out of a shower.

He wore nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist.

His toned pectoral muscles were quite prominent, and he had the kind of firm abs impossible to get in a gym.

Sensing her discomfort, Damian put on the t-shirt he held in one hand.

"Sorry. I thought there was an intruder."

Kira saw him getting dressed out of the corner of her eye.

She turned back to face him. "I got up early. Thought I'd make breakfast. I hope you don't mind me using the stove."

'It's fine. Go ahead. There's plenty of stuff in the fridge. Use whatever you like.'

"Thank you. And not just for this. I haven't thanked you for rescuing me last night. If it weren't for you, I could've... Anyway, I don't know what else I can do to express my gratitude, so I thought I should make breakfast." 'Don't mention it."

"And the clothes. Kira pointed to the dress she was wearing. "Could you send me the bill? I don't want to take advantage.'

How Do You Know Gideon?

Damian shook his head. "There's no need. The dress belonged to my wi-my ex-wife. You two have a similar build. When I saw y now, for a moment, I thought it was ber." Kira nodded.

No wonder she found him staring at her

at her in a strange way.

She'd thought he was offended to find her using the kitchen without permission.

to young Kira couldn't help her curiosity. 'I didn't know you were married. You look so

you just

Damian chuckled. 'You flatter me. I'm not young anymore. Kids call me Uncle when they see me on the street,

'They're just being polite. As my dad used to say, you're only as old as you feel. Besides, late twenties is a man's best age."

'I'm older than Austyn."

"Oh. Then early thirties is a man's best age."

Damian laughed. 'Stop it. If you say any more things like that, it's going to go to my head. The water's boiling, by the way."

1

'Shoot. Kira returned to the pot.

Damian leaned against the door jamb and watched her with a smile on his face.

The smile vanished when he recalled what Mike told him last night.

Kira was putting sliced tomatoes into the pot when Damian suddenly spoke. 'You know Gideon Garner, don't you?'

Her hand froze mid-air.

She recovered her senses when the hot steam scalded her hand.

She dropped the tomatoes into the pot and tried to keep her voice as casual as possible. 'You mentioned that name last time. Is he someone important to you?"

"When Gamer was sixteen, he was thrown out of his home and wandered to a small town in the southwest. A kind family took him in. He stayed with them for four years. The family had a father and a teenage daughter. Do you want me to continue?" Kira clenched her fist.

She was glad her back was to Damian so he couldn't see the shock on her face.

How did he know all this?