In Too Deep_ Husband Material & the Sheikh's Bargained Bride - Brenda Jackson [17]
He stripped off his clothes, filled with a frustration he was becoming accustomed to and a need he was fighting to ignore. He stepped in the shower and the moment the cold water hit, shocking his body, he knew he was getting what he deserved for letting a golden opportunity go by. But no matter the torment his body was going through, he was determined to stick to his plan, and at the moment he was right on target.
His goal was to build up a need within her, force her to remember how things were between them, and how easily they could stroke each other into one hell of a feverish pitch. And then when she couldn’t handle any more, when she was ready to take things to another level, instead of sweeping her off her feet and taking her to the nearest bed like she would expect, he would show her the door.
He stepped out of the shower and was toweling himself dry when he heard his cell phone ring. Wrapping the towel around his middle, he made his way over to the nightstand to pick it up. Caller ID indicated it was his manager, Ryan Manning. “Yes, Ryan?”
“It would have been nice if you’d given me a heads-up that you and Carmen were back together.”
Matthew frowned. “We’re not back together.”
“Then how do you explain the photograph the Wagging Tongue plans to run of the two of you kissing? Luckily I have a contact over there who thought I’d be interested in seeing it before it went to press. They plan to make it front page news that the two of you have reconciled your differences and are remarrying. The papers hit the stands tomorrow.”
Matthew rolled his eyes. The Wagging Tongue was one of the worst tabloids around. “Carmen and I are divorced, nothing has changed.”
“Then what was that kiss about?”
“It was just a kiss, Ryan, no big deal. People can read into it whatever they want.”
“And what about Candy?”
“What about her?”
“What will she think?”
Matthew drew in a deep breath and said, “Candy and I don’t have that kind of relationship, you know that.”
“But the public doesn’t know that, and this article will make her look like a jilted lover.”
He had no desire to discuss Candy or their nonexistent bedroom activities. Ryan knew the real deal. Candy was trying to build a certain image in Hollywood, and Matthew had agreed to be Candy’s escort to several social functions, but only because he had gotten sick and tired of hanging around the house moping when he wasn’t working. Ryan and Candy’s agent felt it would be good PR. He’d known the media would make more out of it than there was, but at the time he hadn’t given a damn.
“And where is Carmen now?” Ryan asked.
“In bed.” He smiled, imagining the erroneous vision going through his manager’s mind.
“Dammit, Matthew, I hope you know what you’re doing. Her leaving almost destroyed you.”
A painful silence surrounded him. No one had to remind him of what he’d gone through. “Look, Ryan, I know you mean well, but this is between me and Carmen.”
“And what am I supposed to tell the media when they can’t contact you and then call me?”
“Tell them there’s no comment. Good night, Ryan.”
Matthew breathed a sigh of relief as he ended the call. Ryan could be a pain in the ass at times, especially when it came to the images of his clients. But then he could definitely understand the man’s concerns. His separation and subsequent divorce from Carmen had left him in a bad way for a while. But that was then and this was now. He could handle things. He could handle her. Pride and the need for self-preservation would keep him from falling under her spell ever again. He felt good knowing that although he’d given her some sexual release, she would still go to bed tonight needing even more. There was no doubt in his mind she would be aching for his touch.
He