It had a tiny bell that jingled with every step she took
The dress was ruined during the kidnapping.
Austyn kept a mental note to buy her a new one.
He didn't get the chance to hear the jingle in bed.
Maybe he could also get her one of those hip scarves belly dancers used.
The type that came with a waist chain and hundreds of little coins.
He walked towards her with a somewhat hurried pace, his throat dry.
Kira rolled to lie on her side.
She propped up her head on one hand and placed the other on her hips, striking what she hoped was a seductive pose. Austyn stood at the foot of the bed, looking down at her.
She batted her eyes, smiling coquettishly.
'I made two requests,' he said. 'You've carried out just one."
She blinked.
at was the other one?
He Wants. A tripleara
She recalled what he said, 'Lie on it. Take off your clothes.'
Kira looked down at her buttoned-up pyjamas.
Blood rushed to her face.
It had taken her an inordinate amount of courage to strike sexy poses and make eyes at him.
Now he wanted her to do a striptease?
'You're shameless!' Kira sat up in bed and pointed a finger at the man.
Austyn bent forward. 'Are you going back on your word?'
'Well, no, but-"
"Then take them off."
Kira pulled her collar together.
Austyn whispered, coaxing, 'You said you wanted to look at abs, right?"
He lifted a corner of his PJ top. 'Show me yours, and I'll show you
Kira eyed his pyjamas.
When did she say she wanted to look at abs?
'Don't you wan
to find out if they're six-pack or eight?""
He hadn't forgotten what she said to the waiter at the Orchid Club.
Kira's resolve wavered.
She did want to find out.
mine.'
Austyn planted a knee on the sheets and pulled her towards him. 'It's a fair trade.'
Kira licked her lips.
Dad did teach her to be a woman of her word.
But he'd also taught her the tactic of diversion.
The More Puned
The Mood's Ruined
Kira threw her arms around Austyn's neck, drew him in and planted a kiss on his lips.
It was unclear whether her husband saw through the ploy.
Austyn spent the next two minutes returning and deepening the kiss.
They were both out of breath by the time their lips parted.
A warm feeling spread through Kira's limbs.
Her body relaxed.
Whether it was the alcohol or the kiss that was making her giddy, she wasn't sure.Text content © .
Austyn had not lost sight of his second request.
Sensing that Kira wasn't in a hurry to undress, he decided to take matters into his own hands.
He distracted her with the kiss while his right hand deftly undid the first two buttons of her pyjama top.
He was moving on to the third when his phone launched into a piercing trill.
Kira opened her eyes, panting.
She pushed at Austyn, lying on top of her. 'Your phone."
'Leave it.'
'At least see who's calling. What if it's something important?"
Kira needed the time to catch her breath anyway.
Austyn furrowed his brows.
If he found out it was Kai getting in the way, the assistant could kiss his year-end bonus goodbye.
He straightened up and grabbed the phone on the nightstand.
Kira caught a glimpse of the caller ID.
Deborah.
Austyn stared at the screen.
The phone was ringing and vibrating at the same time, urging him to pick it up.
His hand went to the 'Answer' button.
But Kira got there first.
She snatched the phone from him, stabbed 'Decline' and held the side button until the phone shut down.
She tossed the phone unceremoniously back onto the nightstand, her good mood ruined.
Emboldened by alcohol, she let her annoyance show. 'Doesn't she have other friends? It's the middle of the night. Why can't she call in the morning?" Austyn glanced at the watch on his left wrist. 'It's four o'clock in the afternoon."
'So?' Kira refused to acknowledge her mistake.
The curtains in the bedroom were drawn shut.
The room was dimly lit with just a lamp.
How was she supposed to know what time it was
'It's not like she's facing a life-or-death situation. If she is, she should call the police.'
Kira seized Austyn's collar and pulled him down.
She threw the blanket over him. 'Go to sleep!'
She turned off the bedside lamp.
When she caught sight of Austyn's phone, she yanked open the nightstand's top drawer, swept the phone inside and banged the drawer shut. Out of sight, out of mind.
She wished.
Kira lay on her side with her back to Austyn, silently fuming.
Everything had been going so well.