e his mind.

Kira hustled into the front passenger seat of the spacious SUV and buckled up, as if afraid he was going to change! Austyn got behind the wheel. Where to?"

Kia was about to give him the address of her hotel when something suddenly occurred to her

'Aren't you supposed to go back to, uh, whatever the thing you were having just now?"

Austyn had told the lecherous man he would return shortly.

Kira gripped the seatbel

She didn't really want him to go back, of course.

'It's a business meeting, Austyn said, 'Mr Edison is an associate,"

John Edison had insisted on coming to the pub after they finished dinner.

Austyn went along because Edison was more pliable once he'd had a few.

Kira kept her eyes on the floor. 'Do you do you want to go back to it an important meeting?

Austyn tapped a finger on the steering wheel.

"It's going to determine if my company, along with four others in the retail industry, can survive the onslaught from a newcomer. It's make-or-break time. Kira was racked with guilt. It sounded like a seriousmestir

If it was so important, should he go back to the pub?

Should she get out of the car?

But she didn't want to lose this opportunity to spend some alone time with him.

opened and closed her mouth several times, but she had no idea what she wanted to say.

Mostyn was tired by that look of pained indecision on her face,

ite cleared his throat and teased her. 'So, what do you think I should do? Drive you home and lose millions of dollars in business?" "Na Kira blurted.

He Hasn't Aged A Day

Kira had no idea missing just one meeting could lead to such heavy losses.

Or should retum to the pob and leave you here?!

"No!' Kitasaid without thinking.

Astyn seiled.

*Those are the only two options:"

Kira racked her brain trying to come up with something sensible to say.

"Well, you can never eam enough money. There's always tomorrow. You know what they say, money is the root of all evil..."Material © of .

Kira was rambling, clutching at straws.

"You are right.' Austyn nodded.

Kira heaved a sigh of relief

Tomorrow, our rival company is going to launch something that'll probably bring us to our knees. Then it's going to be millions of dollars lost and thousands of workers unemployed." Kira's mouth hung open. 'Are yo

you serious?

Austyn nodded solemnly.

Kira wning her hands. "Well, then, in that case.."

She was on the homs of a dilemma and at a loss for what to do.

'I'll give you a couple of minutes to think about it, Austyn said with a straight face. "Let me know your decision after I'm done with a smoke."

He got out of the car and lit up a cigarette.

Through the half-open car window, he could see her face, on which irresolution was writ large.

Austyn chuckled and strolled away to smoka.

Kira grappled with the decision, going back and forth.

Meanwhile, the vodio had worked its way up from her stomach to berbrain.

was feeling lethang.

Her eyelids grew heavy.

The quietness of the street outside lulled her into sleep

Austyn was stunned to find the woman napping in his car.

She was slumped in the seat with her eyes closed.

Her breathing was slow and rhythmic

Austynwent for another cigarette, then another

He got a call from Mr Edison and rescheduled the meeting.

Half an hour later, she still showed no signs of waking up. Austyn got in the driver's seat.

She didn't act to the sound of the car door slamming shut

He examined her sleeping face.

Her head www lolled to one side

She was completely conked out

Astyn had no idea why he didn't try and wake her up.

Nor could he understand how the woman could just fall asleep in a stranger's car, completely unguarded.

Wasn't she afraid he might do something to her?

Aust diumed his fingers on his knees

Five minutes later, he started the car.

When it pulled up outside lis apartment building, she was still fast asleep.

'Miss Hewitt?"

No response.

"Miss Hewitt!' He raised his voice.

she didn't reach,

Austynexhaled.

He shut off the engine, got out of the car, circled to

o the passengers

side and unbuckled her seat belt

She was snoring slightly.

Austyn carried her out of the car, kicked the door shut, locked it with his key fob and entered the lobby.

Her petite frame fit snuggly in his armi.

She was very light, probably underweight.

Austyn stepped into the titt

He could almost count her ribs with his fingers.

His brows were lunowed.

He wondered if the woman had an appetite like a bird.

Kira's eyes fluttered open.

When she sensed she was in his arms, she screwed her eyes shut again and pretended to be still asleep, enjoying the race moment of physical intimacy.

He had strong arms.

She felt safe and secure and wasn't afraid of falling at all

She missed his familiar scent.

Not his cologne that had changed.