Bedmates Soulmates

They'd almost gotten married back then.

Of course he would still have feelings for her.

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She's In Denial

Whoever his wife was now, Deborah was sure Austyn wouldn't love that woman as much as he did her.

'Sorry.

Austyn moved Deborah's arms away, gently but firmly,

She staggered back a step

4

'Someone's waiting for me back at the house," he said. "She's going to go up the wall if she knows I'm staying here."

There it was again.

That doting voice whenever he talked about his wife.

Deborah resented the fact that he wasn't using that voice when he talked to her.

She forced a smile. 'Don't you think your wife's a bit too jealous? It's not like anything's going to happen between us. Not tonight, Deborah added in her heart.

Austyn didn't look at her.

He smiled. "She can be a little jealous. She'll get hopping mail if she knows I'm here.'

Deborah clenched her fists. "That's not nice Jealous women are capable of all sorts of

d crazy things. Maybe she'll hurt you'

Austyn scowled. 'She's my wife. Watch your language."

Deborah flinched

Did he just tell her off because she spoke ill of that woman?

'I should get going. Good night,"

Austyn reached for the doorknob

Deborah sensed his displeasure.

Her comment about his wife must have offended him.

She followed him. "I'll see you out,'

"I know the way."

"But I don't. You need to show me around. Otherwise I might get lost in the building.

She looked up at him. 'Please? I just want to spend some more time with y Austyn sighed 'Come on."

you!

Kira darted her eyes around the basement carpark.

It had not been easy for her to sneak into the condo.

The two security guards at the front entrance were pretty stern with her when she couldn't name the resident she wanted to visit.

There was no way she could mention Kayleigh's name.

One call from the security guard to the actress would expose her lie.

She had to leave.

Kira hid behind a tree across the road

Her opportunity came when a big delivery truck lumbered up to the front entrance and occupied both guards' attention.

She slipped past the truck.

Then she got turned around

The condo project was huge, with eight blocks, a clubhouse, a tennis court and an Olympic-size swimming pool

There were winding paths and lush gardens and lids playgrounds.

Kira found Block A after fifteen minutes.

But she couldn't go in, not without an access card.

She waited outside the lift lobby, but no one came in or out for half an hour.

Then an idea came to her.

She found her way to the basement carpark.

Kayleigh must have a car.

It was too early for her to have turned in for the night.

She could either be leaving for a night out or coming home after work.

Either way, she had to come to the carpark.

Kira just needed to wait.

Wasn't this how paparazzi got their sneaky shots of celebs?

The carpark was cavernous and quiet as a grave,

Kira heard her footsteps reverberating as she walled

It gave her the creeps.

She picked up her pace.

Austyn came out of the lift,

Deborals was still with him.

They walked to the Hummer,

'You should head back upstairs,' Austyn said.

Deborah was reluctant to leave, but there was nothing more she could do. 'Olcay'

'Austyn." She grabbed his sleeve when he opened the door. 'What 1 said earlier, I meant it. I'll wait for you, no matter how long it takes."

Before Austyn could reply, she stepped back and said quickly, 'Drive safe. I'll see you tomorrow. Good night'

She fled towards the lift.

Austyn stared at her retreating back.

He had to find a way to make sure Deborah understood his message.

He was not getting back together with her.

Deborah must be aware of it, but she was in denial.

Austyn shook his head.

He caught a figure out of the corner of his eye.

It was moving furtively away from him.

Austyn recognised the figure immediately,

He clenched his jaw and marched towards the woman.

Kira almost shrieked when she felt a hand on her shoulder.

She didn't dare look back

She ran.

Shit!

The carpark must be haunted!

She'd heard so many ghost stories about carparks.

Why did she decide to come here?

No time for regret now.

Kira ran as fast as her legs would carry her.

She saw the green Exit sign up ahead

Safety was within reach!

But the footsteps behind her had not stopped.

They were gaining on her.

A powerful force tugged on her waist and stopped her mid-sprint.

Kira screamed

She kicked out blindly and failed her arms. "No!!

"What are you doing?

Kira heard a man's voice.

It sounded familiar.

And the minty scent was familiar.

She opened her eyes, spun around and bumped her forehead against Austyn's jaw.

'Austyn?" She rubbed her forehead. "What are you doing here?"

He looked down at her. 'I asked you first.'

Kira shrugged out of his arms and pushed him. 'You scared me!'

Her heart was still racing

Her palms were sweaty

"You scared yourself."

Kira recalled what happened.

When she felt a hand on her shoulder, her thought immediately went to a ghost.

Now come to think of it, the touch was warm.

She had made a fool of herself.

But no way was she going to admit that in front of Austyn.

She huffed. 'You appeared out of nowhere. You walked without making a sound. I thought you were a ghost!'

Austyn let it go.

He knew how stubborn she could be at times.

He studied her flushed face. 'What are you doing here?"

Kira got her brain into gear and tried to think up a plausible-sounding excuse.

She certainly couldn't tell him she was here to dig up dirt on Kayleigh.

She looked him up and down. 'Did you come here to cheat on me with the actress?"

She decided to stall. "What about your What are you

doing.

Kayleigh's Not Here

Austyn gave her head a heavy pat and tousled her hair.

"Hey!" Kira pushed his hand away. "You hit me!'

"I barely touched you.!

"Then why does my head hurt?"

'Because it's stuffed with crazy ideas. They tried your brain."

"Are you calling me crazy?' Kira crossed her arms. "Wait! Don't change the subject. You haven't answered my question. Did you come here to see your

mistress?'

Austyn flicked her forehead with a finger. 'Stop talking nonsense. I came to see someone else."

'Who is it?'

'Not someone you know.'

'I won't know unless you tell

Austyn was thrown for a moment.

She was quick

He decided to go on the offensive. 'What about you? You haven't answered my question, either. What are you doing here?"

Kira rolled her eyes. 'You answer me first!'

Austyn gave a one-shouldered shrug. 'Fine. Don't tell ine, I know the answer anyway.'

'You do?"

"You're here for Kayleigh."

Kira winced.

How did be know?

'Kai told

you, didn't he?

"Why do w

do you want to see Kayleigh? He was patting her head again.

Kira swatted his hand away. 'You didn't want Kal to tell me her address because you didn't want me to see her, right?!

"Don't start throwing accusations before you have the evidence. You never asled me for her address.'

"I asked Kat. He said no

"Then he's the one who doesn't want you to see Kayleigh. Why do you pin the blame on me?

Kira stock out her lower lip.

Kal took his orders from Austyn

Did he know his boss just made him the scapegoat?

*So if I asked you for her address, you would have told me?"

"Uh-huh."

"You won't try and stop me from seeing her?!

'I won't'

'Good. Take me to her then."

Austyn was prepared for this. 'She doesn't live here anymore.")

Kira's eyes widened "What? But Wait, if she's not here, what are you doing here then? Didn't you come to see her?"

"Who told you I'm here to see Kayleigh?'

"Why else would you como here?"

"I told you, I'm here to see someone else."

"Why do I find that hard to believe? Who is it then?"

Austyn pinched her check. You've asked enough questions. My turn now. If Kai didn't give you the address, how did you find this place?

Kira's eyes darted around.

'I got it from someone else'

Austyn was going to fly off the handle if he knew Kira had gone to see Liam, even though nothing happened between the

"Who's that someone else?!

"Um." Kira racked her brain. "A fan!"

"A fan

"Yes!" Kira nodded emphatically, I used to be a fan of Kayleigh's. Even joined her online fan club. Someone there knows her home address. I got it from

them!

Kira stared at the floor.

Austyn studied her face, unconvinced.

Kira added, "But I'm not her fan anymore! Even the sight of her annoys me!"

Austyn smiled. "At least 1 know that part's the truth!

Kira looked away.

Hopefully, he bought her story.

"You're getting cockier now, sneaking around in a carpark by yourself. Don't you low good girls should stay home after nine pm? Bad things happen if they wander on the street alone."

"I can take care of myself."

'By shrieking and running away when someone touches you?"

That was-

Kira puffed out her cheeks.

Why must the man make fun of her?

Wasn't it a natural response to take flight at the first sign of danger?

Austyn stared at her face.

She wore no make-up.

Her eyes were big and round and sparkling

Her cheeks were still flushed.

Ha pinched her cheek again. "Do you know what happens to bad girls who stay out late?""

He trailed a finger down her neck and lingered on her clavicle.

Kira's face turned scarlet.

What was he doing?

'Come on. Austyn started moving towards the Hummer.

Kira dug her heels in. "No!"

She hadn't gotten what she came for,

Austyn kept walking like he hadn't heard her.

Kira gritted her teeth.

She took a few steps back, did a run-up and launched herself at Austyn.

She jumped onto his broad back and hooked both arms around his neck.

Austyn pitched forward from the sudden Impact and almost lost his balance. He shot out one arm to steady her.

Then be slapped her buttocks. You could've knocked me to the ground!

Kira bit his shoulder.

Austyn pinched her butt.

'Ow!'

'Crazy girl' Austyn stood still. 'Come down

'No!

"You really won't come down?!

"No" Kira squeezed her legs tighter around his waist. "You gave me such a scare just now. My legs are jelly. I can't walk'

If he wanted her to leave the carpark, he had to carry her out

Mishim stood still

"Why aren't you moving

Austyn hesitated

Then he started walking towards the car with Kira hanging on to him like a koala.

I've never cared a woman on my back

Huh?

'You're the First

Kira rolled her eyes.

Oh please. You are thiny years old. You had at least one glaifriend before me. How can you tell you you've never carried a woman before?'

Wasn't piggybacking a common thing for couples to do?

Austin's words were hard to belleve

'Thu's the truth, believe it or not.

Kiersted her chin on his shoulder

She could see the right side of his face.

Even Deborahi?

Deboral Connelly was bls first love.

He still camed her photo with him at all times.

Austyn was younger back

and in love.

How could Kire believe he did note of the couply things with Deborah?

Austyn was r

qulet

He didn't ware to besach the subject of Deborah so soon

He himself was all reeling from the shock.

We might and it even harder to accept that Theborah was dive.

His Sensitive Spot

Kira pulled a face.

The man clammed up every time she brought up Deborah.

He must still be carrying a torch for that woman.

Kira breathed in his cologne.

His steps were steady

His back was broad and made her feel safe.

Kira noticed Austyn's earlobe.

He liked to nip her earlobes when they were in bed.

She decided to see if he liked it when she did the same to him.

She bit his earlobe.

Austyn shuddered.

His steps faltered.

"What are you doing?"

"Punishing you."

She knew he was trying to take her away so she wouldn't see Kayleigh

He said Kayleigh wasn't here.

She didn't buy it

Austyn tightened his arms. 'Did you know that's a foreplay move? Can I take it to mean you're inviting me to have sex?!

He patted her buttocks. Here in the carpark?"

Kira let go of him immediately.

But she seemed to have found his weakness.

She blew air against his ear.

The muscles

on his back bunched.

His shoulders tensed.

'Stop it.'

"Huh?" Kira feigned ignorance. 'I don't know what you're tallding about. I didn't do anything'

She did it again as she talked.

Austyn gritted his teeth. 'Stop that!!

Kira's eyes widened. 'Your ears just turned red! And your neck. Ooh, you're blushing!!

Kira was thrilled by her discovery.

Austyn McCarthy was capable of blushing!

His ears must be his sensitive spor

No wonder he wanted her to stay away from them.

"Ah! Kira felt herself spinning in the air.

The delectable view of his red earlobe disappeared.

She stared up at his face.

She was lying in his arms.

Her heart pounded

'Still think it's funny? Austyn leaned down.

Kira punched him in the chest. "You scared the hell out of mel

"That's the price for what you did."

Austyn opened the front passenger door with one hand. "Get in."

Kira was strapping herself in when Austyn said in an even voice, 'Deborah and I... We weren't like the other couples. We didn't do any of the lovey-dover

stuff. I was often away in the army and we barely got to spend time together.!

Kirs looked at him.

She had to admit, she was touched that he would bother to explain himself to her.

Before she could smile, however, Austyn asked, 'What about you? What couply things did you and Gideon do together? Did he give you piggyback rides?

Kira cleared her throat. 'It's late. We should really get going!

"Can't answer the question?"

Kira grabbed his arm with both hands. 'Honey, Gideon and I are in the past. Could you please let it go? Pretty please?!

Austyn snorted and started the car. 'If you know he's past tense, why did you still keep a vigil outside his ward for the whole night?"

Kira looked away.

He wasn't going to let this go, was he?

"You have the duration of the car ride to think it through. Tell me everything you did with Gideon. I expect an answer when the car stops,

eyed the window.

Kira

The Hummer was moving fast.

It was too late to jump out of the car now.

She banged her forehead softly against the window.

The Hummer turned left and exited the carpark.

A pair of eyes in a comer followed its progress

Deborah stood watching Austyn leave with that woman.

Her face was granite.