'Did you call Giana?'This belongs to - ©.

'Yes.' Austyn had not had the time to delete the evidence of his 'crime.'

'Why?'

'You don't want to know.'

'I do, which is why I'm asking.'

'I asked her to get you a leave of absence for tomorrow.

'But I have class in the morning!'

Professor Robinson was in the habit of conducting a roll call at the beginning of each lesson.

Anyone caught playing truant would be in her black books.

'What time does your class start?' Austyn asked.

'Eight thirty.'

'You won't be able to get up in time for that class.'

'Why won't I?'

Jut her head, Kira calculated the distance from the hospital to her school.

She could make it in time for class as long as she woke up no later than seven forty-live.

I could set an alarm,' she said.

Forsey Man-child

"That's not going to work.'

You don't know that.' Kira protested. "The alarm on my phone works just fine.

Act Fast: Free Bonus Time is Running Out!

Prelude To Divorce

Austen sighed

Khax 10 seemed to be a moving target.

She could remember Deborah's veiled threat almost verbatim, yet she couldn't get what he was trying to imply

He couldn't have made it any more obvious.

You've spending the night with me,' he said. 'Are you sure you can get up early in the morning?"

When Kita finally figured out what he was saying, she tossed a balled-up t-shirt at him. 'This is a hospital!'

Austyn chuckled. 'Come here.

Kita remained where she was. 'Can't you ask the nurse to get another bed in here? I think they have those foldable beds.

Then I'll just sleep on the chairs.

You'll wake up teeling sore all over.

'I can handle it?

Why make yourself suffer when there's a perfectly fine bed?' Austyn patted the sheets, inviting.

Kira eyed the bed.

She didn't miss the expectant look in Austyn's eyes.

She held up three fingers. If you want me to share the bed with you, I have three conditions."

Which are?'

"One, don't touch me.

Austyn said nothing.

"Two, don't touch me. And three-you guessed it-don't touch me!'

"What if I say no?'

"Then I'll say good night and I'll get a cab.'

Austyn pondered for a moment and agreed.

"It's for your own good, you know.' Kira was satisfied by his response. 'You've got a chest wound and a needle stuck in your arm. You can barely move. Now's no the time to think about... pleasures of the flesh.' Austyn was tickled by her choice of words.

Kira switched off the lights and got into bed next to him.

Austyn kept his word, but only for the first ten minutes.

When Kira almost dozed off, she felt a source of warmth behind her.

It inched closer.

She wriggled away.

It kept getting closer.

Kira ran out of space.

She almost fell off the bed.

'Austyn!'

'What? I'm not touching you.'

'But you're taking up all the space!'

The bed was comfortable enough for one, but a little cramped for two.

She had to lean into his anns if she didn't want to end up on the floor.

Austyn smiled.

He had missed this-teasing her, getting a rise out of her and then watching her try to chide him without resorting to swear words.

She was cute when she got mad.

He drew her into his arms.

'You promised you wouldn't—'

'I lied,' he said simply. 'Go ahead and punish me.'

Kira had an urge to do what he said.

The man deserved a solid box on the ear.

Prelude To Divorce

712

But she held off in the end.

She was too tired to move.

'Will I get a reduced sentence if I promise never to do it again? If I'm going somewhere, I'll make sure to let you know first.'

He spoke in a low voice, but Kira heard every word in the quietness of the night.

She gripped the edge of the blanket.

Could she believe him?

I'm checking out of the hospital in the morning,' he said. 'Come home with me.

'No.'

'I'm not asking you to forgive me.' Austyn coaxed her in a gentle voice. 'You can stay mad at me for as long as you want. I just want you to move back home. The dormitory room's too cramped.'