Bedmates Soulmates

At Club Kyo.

Damian snatched the glass out of Austyn's hand. 'That's the fifth glass you've had since I came in, and God knows how many more you had before that. Can you still stand?'

'I'm fine,' Austyn said, but made no move to retrieve his glass.

'How many fingers am I holding up?'

"Four. And

you

have a new 1-cm scar on your left index finger.'

"Good to know your eyes are still working. What about your brain? What's forty-five times sixty-eight?"

Austyn ignored his friend.

He was just a little tipsy, but he was not drunk.

'Jesse tells me you're married.' Damian set down the glass.

What Kind Of Orgy Is This?

9

Damian twirled a Zippo lighter between his nimble fingers.

The brass lid opened and closed with a rhythmic 'click' that was slightly hypnotic.

Austyn blinked away the sleep in his eyes. 'You were away on a mission back then. I didn't get the chance to tell you.'

"Who's the girl? someone I know?

Austyn shook his head. 'She's not from our circle.

""You love this girl?"

'No.'

"Then why did you marry her?' Damian looked his friend in the eye.

'I was...in need of a wife. She appeared to be a sensible girl. So..."

"How long had you known her before you tied the knot?'

"A day."

Less than a day, actually.

Two minutes, to be precise..

He'd gone to Kira's rented, cramped basement apartment with a different script prepared.

But somehow, the proposal for a contract marriage just slipped out.

Damian knitted his brows. "That sounds like something Jesse might do, but not you. I know you. You won't cross the street without looking left and right, twice, let alone rush headlong into a loveless marriage with a stranger.! Austyn didn't speak

"Why this girl?' Damian asked.

Austyn gave a nonchalant shrug. 'No particular reason. She just happened to be the right candidate at the right time. She's obedient, deferential, quiet. I figured she's just as good a prospect as any."

'Is that so?' Damian asked, sceptical.

"Yes.' Austyn nodded. 'How about you? Anyone interesting in your life?'

Knowing he wouldn't get any more answers out of his friend tonight, Damian decided to drop the subject for the time being.

A girl in a blue-and-pink floral cheongsam led Kira and Kal down a gilt hallway.

She looked to be about Kira's age.

Her face was immaculately made up and her hair was done up in an elegant French twist.

Kira tugged at her simple t-shirt, feeling a bit self-conscious.

The usher led them past rooms with thick oak doors labelled 'Game Room,' 'Cigar Room,' 'Movie Theatre,' 'Library," and so on.

Kira took in the opulent décor at the members-only club.

Kai was right; she was underdressed.

She would have been politely stopped at the door if Kal had not been with her.

What Kind Of Drgy. This

'Young Madam," Kai spoke up when they were almost at the room. 'Boss is not alone. There are a few of his friends in there as well.'

Kira paused. 'Friends?'

She thought she was only here to take Austyn home.

and Doctor Chase. And there's another

"Yes,' Kai looked down at the floor. 'You've met two of them-Captain

in O'Neill an

one of Boss' long-time friends. Don't worry. They won't bite.'

Kira took a deep breath. 'Okay.'

She kept walking.

It was not like she e could back out now.

The usher stopped in front of an unmarked double door at the end of the hallway.

She knocked twice, and waited for someone inside to say 'come in' before pushing open the door.

She gave a polite nod to Kira and gestured for her to go in.

Kira stepped into a cavernous room with subdued lighting.

She froze.

In the centre of the room was a raised platform, on which three scantily clad women were gyrating to sultry music. One was swinging around a pole.

In front of a sofa in the corner, a woman in a hot pink slingshot bikini was twerking in front of a seated man.

Heat rushed to Kira's cheeks.

What kind of orgy scene had she stepped into?

She wanted to turn tail and run.

Behind her, Kai cleared his throat. "Uh, that's Doctor Chase. He's single, so he tends to be, um, a little more, uh, fun-loving.

Kira didn't know what to say.

She'd met the doctor at Stamford General.

He was efficient and professional in a white lab coat.

She'd never have pegged him for a playboy.

'Don't judge a book by its cover,' she thought. 'And I'll never judge a man by his clothes again.

She should have known that a man who was friends with Austyn was no ordinary doctor.

Doctor Chase belonged to the upper echelon of ultra-wealthy families whose extravagant and hedonistic lifestyles were a source of constant fascination to the tabloids. This was the first time Kira came face to face with it.

Kai called it 'fun-loving."

Kira thought it was debauchery.

Austyn came from a similar background, she realised with a start.

Did he enjoy the same 'fun-loving' lifestyle when she wasn't around?

'Kai, there you are."

Jesse, whose view had been blocked by the dancer's shapely buttocks, finally realised there were two newcomers in the

Toom.

"What took you so long? He gave the dancer a playful pat on her derrière before standing up. 'And Miss Hewitt. Welcome,"

He beckoned to her. 'Come."

Kira dithered.

She was still trying to think of an excuse to leave without sounding rude.

"What are you doing here?"

She jumped at the sound of a deep voice filled with annoyance.

Kira squinted in the dim blue light.noveldrama

She could just make out Austyn's face.

He sat by himself on a long sofa, eyes boring into his young wife.

Kira was confused, then miffed.

What was she doing here?

Hadn't he summoned her here?

Kai said Austyn was drunk and wanted to see her.

But that look on Austyn's face was anything but pleased.

Considering this was a (semi)public place with strangers present, Kira refrained from making a scene.

She bit back a snarky comment and said evenly, "Kai said you wanted me to come."

'Kai Scott!' Austyn barked at his assistant.

Kai hid his bulk behind the petite frame of Kira. "Boss, it wasn't my idea. Doctor Chase called me and asked me to drive Young Madam here. I was just following orders.'

'Damian asked me to.' Jesse ratted out his friend in a heartbeat. 'He said he wanted to meet your wife

"Traitor." Damian shook his head. 'A man like you on the battlefield would've been fragged by your own troops."

Jesse offered a sheepish shrug.

Damian might call him names, but Austyn was capable of a lot worse.

The doctor just chose the lesser of two evils.

He threw a pleading glance at Damian.

A Good Spanking Was Long Overdue

Damian, as always, magnanimously shouldered the blame. 'Don't be upset, Austyn. I asked Jesse to make the call. I was kind of curious about your wife. I don't have many days left on my leave. After this, who knows how long till I can see you guys again. So I thought I might as well make use of the opportunity'

Austyn could tell off Jesse or Luca, but he had too much respect for Damian to do that to him.

He tried to hold back his anger, but it still bothered him to see Kira here.

This was a men's club, no place for a girl like her.

Jesse was enjoying a lap dance at the moment.

He was the one who called in the hostesses,

Austyn wouldn't put it past the doctor to soon engage in some activity that was a lot more...X-rated.

Kira couldn't and shouldn't be here for that.

'Kai, send her home. The tone in Austyn's voice brooked no argument.

Before the assistant could reply, Kira took a big step forward and announced, loudly over Prince's 'Do Me, Baby,' 'You can leave if you want. I'm not going anywhere!"