Bedmates Soulmates

She found the well-appointed bathroom and sat down on the botlet with its lid down.

She called Rony.

"Rica? Where are you? I was getting worried!'

"I'm not going back to the hotel tonight. And cancel my ticket to Stamford tomorrow. I'm staying here. Tell Jim I'll be on leave for the next couple of-no, for the next week. If he needs a field correspondent, get Anne-Marie to cover it." "What?" Romy shouted What are you doing in Rinton? Our job is done here, Jim is going to kill me if you don't—"

'I have more than two weeks of unused leave saved up from the last couple of years, Kira cut him off. 'I'm entitled to take days off.

'But Jim will-

'I gotta go. Bye."

Kira hung up.

Then she called another number.

The line was connected but Jesse didn't pick up.

Kira gave up after four tries and left him a message.

she dawdled in the bathroom for a while longer.

She checked the time.

It was nine-thirty pm

Kira took her time washing her hands and face, but she had to leave the bathroom eventually.

Austyn was leaning against the wall outside.

"Are you done?"

Kiranodded. 'I feel much better now."

So you are ready to go home now?

Kira changed the topic. I'm thirsty.!

She walked past him and bounded down the stairs.

The bottle of Evian he gave her only contained 350 mt..

Kita sipped as slowly as she could, but the bottle was still empty after ten short minutes

Austyn followed her downstairs and stood in the living room, waiting patiently.

Kira darted her eyes around, looking for another way to stall.

She needed an excuse to stay here.

Austyn raised an eyebrow when he saw her clutching the empty plastic bottle.

"Is there anything else?!

"Um, actually, yes, there is one more thing."

'I'm hungry."

He crossed both arms. "What do you expect me to do about that?"

'Nothing, nor a thing." She offered him an ingratiating smile. 'You have been kind enough to offer me the use of your bathroom. Would you also be kind enough to allow me to use your kitchen?'

*I dabble in cooling. And I would like to thank you for your hospitality tonight by making you some home-cooled dishes. It'll just take ten, fifteen minutes to whip them up. May 12

She trotted towards the open-plan kitchen without waiting for a reply.

Austyn

nstared after her.

It was rare for him to meet someone who was so...thick-skinned.

He watched Kira bustle about in the kitchen and chuckled when she bumped her head on the fridge door.

Das And Cheese

et rid of.

She was like a caccoon, adorable and fun to watch, and equally difficult to get

Over the past few years, Kira divided her time between work and home.

with two mouths to teed at home, she'd had plenty of practice to hone her culinary skills.

thought of four easy dishes off the top of her head.

Chicken and spinach tortellini soup, forexample.

She cubbed the spot on her forehead where the door hit, and examined the contents of the fridge.

It was stocked full of fresh veggies, lean meats and fruits.

Kira saw broccoli and thought maybe she could make stir-fried beef and broccoli.

Then she felt a little unhappy.

Austyn seldom cooked.

He was a workaholic before he disappeared and, judging from the short conversations they'd had so far, had kept up that habit.

But the utensils and appliances in the kitchen showed clear signs of having been used frequently.

So someone must have cooked for him.

Was that person Gwen?

Never had Kira imagined that

at this woman would end up together with Austyn

She even became his fiancée.

Wasn't she friends with Gideon?

After Gideon took a bullet for Kira and ended up in the hospital, Gwen slapped Kira hard.

She obviously had feelings for Gideon

Then why was she involved with Austyn now?

Austyn had lost his memory, but Gwen hadn't.

She knew who Austyn was,

Why didn't she bell him?

Why didn't she bring him back to Stamford?

Why did she insist on calling him Jason?

What was she thinking?

Kira gripped the packet of beef in her hands,

Are you trying to mince the meat with your bare hands?!

Austyn's volee jolted her back to reality.

'th, no, I was just thinking about what to make.'

She put back the packet of beef and said, in as casual a manner as

Transt single, 'he corrected her. I'm engaged

Kira paused

The dull ache in her heart retired

could manage, 'For a single man, you have a remarkably well-stocked fridge"

After a long while, she said, 'Right, I forgot Your fiancée is a very beautiful woman, by the way. We kind of lookalike, don't you think? I'm surprised you didn't mistake me forber." Kira's words were laced with a hint of bitterness

How could he be engaged to her look-alike?

Did this mean that on some level, maybe subconsciously, he had not forgotten her?

"You do dhace some resemblance with Gwen, Austyn said evenly. "But it's only-superficial. To me, you two are n

He had been mildly uprised when he met Kira for the first time

He even thought she was own's identical twin

But after spending two minutes talking with her, Austyn changed his mind.

Kand Gwen were as different as chalk and cheese.

I would ever mix them up.

nothing alike.'