Bedmates Soulmates

Her First Love

Kira pursed her lips.

Damn, they didn't beat around the bush, did they?

A hint of red crept over her cheeks.

The topic was something she didn't feel comfortable enough sharing with Giana, let alone a bunch of coworkers.

Farrah seemed to have read her mind.

She prodded the young intern, "Come on, we are all adults here. No topic's off limits. Lexi even told us about her spate of booty calls after divorce."

Lexi shrugged.

She was simply stating the truth.

There was nothing to be embarrassed about.

Kira had to bite the bullet.

She took a deep breath. 'It was, uh, it was a year ago on a rainy night. I can't recall much about it, to be

honest."

Austyn heard her answer.

'Did it rain that night?' he thought. "I remember I got drunk, and then....

Kira's colleagues cat-called.

"Who was he?' Farrah pressed for details. 'Fellow student? Coworker? Stranger from the bar?'

"His name is Austyn McCarthy, Kira thought, "and he's an old, scheming, self-centred egomaniac!"

Instead, however, she cleared her throat and said, "Not a student."

'He's working then," Farrah said. "What does he do for a living?

'Idiot," Austyn muttered under his breath.

'Paul,' he spoke into the headset. "Remind them of the rules. Only one question each round."

He wanted to hear her answers, but not when she was getting a raw deal from her colleagues.

Paul came to Kira's aid. 'Hey, one question only. Don't bully our new intern."

Farrah had to give up hounding Kira when the boss had spoken.

Kira breathed out and mouthed a "thank you' at the group leader.

Paul replied with a smile.

The game continued.

The Dares grew more outrageous and the Truths more risqué.

What is the meanest thing you have said to someone?

'Have you ever considered cheating on your boyfriend?

'Describe your wildest fantasy."

Her First Lovų.

'Have you ever peed in a pool?'

It was a whole new ball game compared to the high school version Kira played before.

She shrank back into the corner and tried to hide herself in the shadows.

But luck was not on her side tonight.

Six r

later, the bottle was once again pointed at her.

'The game's rigged!' she thought, but she had no evidence.

Vanessa was

tipsy and doubling over with laughter. The bottle must like you. Come on, don't be shy. Truth or dare?

Thinking of the last Dare-'Go next door and tell the first person you see "Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore." Kira shuddered and said, 'Truth." 'Be gentle with our new girl,' Farrah quipped. 'Or our GL is going to bite your head off."

'I got this," Vanessa said. 'Here goes. Who's your first love? Are you still in touch with him? Do you still think about him? Why did you two break up?"

The barrage of questions, less explicit but no less personal, caught Kira off guard.

She opened her mouth, but no word came out.

'Well?' Vanessa prompted.

Kira took a swig of her tea and licked her lips, which had gone dry.

"Um, yeah, I had a first love. Which I'm sure everybody else must have too.'

She'd learned her mistake.

Don't rush to reply, and don't spill everything in one answer.

'So did you love him? Vanessa asked.

Forcing out a smile, Kira said, "Yes, I loved him."

She also hated him.

Kira was gripping the glass so hard that her knuckles turned white. 'I was young and naïve when I fell for him. Then he left me. And that's the end of my first love." The air grew still.

Kira's colleagues shifted awkwardly.

They could see Kira's face had gone pale.

"Okay, next round!" Lexi clapped her hands and spun the bottle.

Kira gave her colleague a grateful look.

She stood up. I'm going to use the restroom. Excuse me."

'Do you want me to come with you?' Lexi asked.

"It's fine. I can find my way."

As soon as Kira left, Lexi glared at Vanessa. 'You've gone too far. We tease our new coworkers, we don't bully them."

HOFILove

Vanessa stuck out her tongue. 'How was I supposed to know she's so sensitive? Besides, it's a fairly harmless question. It's not like I asked her how many orgasms she had in one night. She's only reacting this way because she obviously hasn't gotten over the guy." Whatever, I don't care,' said Lexi. 'Just apologise to her when she comes back."

Vanessa shrugged.

'I didn't do anything wrong... she muttered.

Paul quietly left the room. 'Mr McCarthy, you still there?"

Silence on the other end of the line.

Austyn sat still with the contract on his knees.

His eyes were downcast.

Avery watched the paper in Austyn's hand getting twisted into a pretzel. 'What are you doing? You were fine a minute ago. What's gotten int-

Austyn stood up abruptly.

He flung the contract aside and picked up Kayleigh in his arms.

"I'm not signing the contract today. We'll talk about it another time."

"Hey, come on,' Avery jumped to his feet. 'I went through a lot of trouble to put the plan together. I know Stamford's your territory. That's why I came to pay you a courtesy call before I set up shop here. But the Maguire family's on an equal footing with the McCarthys. You can't just dismiss me like some two-bit nobody."

He crossed his arms. "If you insist on leaving, I'll take it as a personal slight."

Take it whichever way you like." Austyn had not stopped walking. 'Since you know Stamford's my town, you'll also know that you can't make a move here without my say-so. Lose that attitude and I'll consider granting you another meeting. If not, be prepared to go home to your father with your tail between your legs.'

Avery's chest heaved.

He had known Austyn could be capricious, but he never expected the man to be so savage!

In the karaoke lounge restroom.

Kira splashed her face with cold water again and checked her reflection in the mirror. Slightly better.

At least she no longer looked like death warmed over.

She turned on the tap and washed her hands, dawdling

Anything to delay going back to the room.

If she knew the Truth questions would lead to Gideon, she would have picked Dare.

Gideon Garner was the smartest student in class, quick on the uptake, and always one step ahead of her.

Even when it came to their feelings for each other.

Everyone else could see Gideon was crazy about Kira.

He always sat next to her in class, stared at her when she talked to other guys, and volunteered to join whatever group project she was in.

Kira, nose buried in a book, hardly noticed.

Until one night

Gideon sneaked into her room, pinned her to the bed and smothered her with kisses.

He asked her jealously why she was standing so close to that guy earlier in class.

Kira, book smart but dense when it came to matters of love, finally cottoned on. Then....

"Ah!

Kira yelped as she felt a strong tugging at her waist.

She was pulled into a broad, warm chest, her body enveloped by a masculine scent.

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Kiss Or CPR?

Kira's back was pressed against the wall.

A big hand covered her mouth.

"Hmm! Hmm! Her calls for help were muffled. She tri

tried to bite at the hand and wriggle free, kicking and pushing at the same time.

'Don't move!" a man's slightly hoarse voice said.

It sounded familiar. 'I'll let you go in a minute!"

Kira was so stunned that she forgot to struggle.

The man let go of his hand.

'Mr...Mr Cane? Kira was still in a daze.

Liam glanced down.

She was in his arms, her eyes round with shock and fright.

Kira Hewitt?

What was she doing here?

The two were standing so close that they could hear each other's heartbeat.

Suddenly embarrassed, Kira wanted to shove him away, but his hands were clamped around her waist,

*Mr Cane?' she said in a low voice. 'Could you let me go, please?"

Liam was about to speak when he glimpsed, out of the corner of his eye, several shadows approaching.

He set his jaw and whispered in Kira's ear, 'Sorry, I can't let you go now. Someone's looking for me, but L would prefer if they don't find me, so..." Liam leaned in, pressing his lips to Kira's.

Her eyes were wide open with shock as she felt the warm sensation on her lips.

What was he doing???

She was about to stomp on his foot when she heard a man's growl.

"Where the hell is he? He was here just a minute ago. How could you lose him?

"Wait, Boss, another man replied. 'I think I see something. There's someone in front." Footsteps approached,

It was hard to make out faces in the dimly lit corridor.

'Is that him? the first man asked.

"Um, I can't be sure."

They had only seen Liam in photos before.

Today was the first time they came across him in person.