LITMIR.BIZ

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on to what?’ He was annoyingly persistent.

      ‘I don’t know. Another woman, perhaps.’ Although that thought still had the power to upset her. ‘The—the one who’s been keeping your bed warm since we split up. You can’t pretend you’ve been lonely since I walked out.’

      Matt’s eyes darkened. ‘How would you know that?’

      ‘I read the tabloids, Matt. I’ve seen the pictures of you with other women. You’re not exactly back-page news.’

      Matt arched a mocking brow. ‘Jealous?’

      ‘Of course not.’ Although she had been, if she was totally honest. ‘Naturally I was interested,’ she added, trying to sound offhand. ‘You have your own life to lead. I—I never expected you to live the life of a monk.’

      Matt shook his head. He had the feeling she was never going to admit to the chemistry that still flared between them. Ignoring her resistance, he cupped her nape with his free hand, tipping her face up to his.

      ‘Tell me you don’t want me to kiss you,’ he grated roughly. ‘Tell me you don’t want to feel the thrust of my body taking possession of yours, and I’ll let you go.’

      Joanna sucked in a breath; he was much closer now and twice as provocative. ‘You’re crazy!’

      ‘Am I?’ Matt rotated his hips against hers and she felt the unmistakeable hardness of his arousal. He took the wrist he was holding and wound it behind her back, pressing her even closer. ‘You used to like me to do this. You used to like it when I laid you out on the bed and licked my way down—’

      ‘Don’t say any more!’

      Joanna could hardly get the words out. Against her will, her legs were trembling, and she was unable to prevent the muscled power of his thigh from forcing its way between hers.

      It was weakness, pure and simple, she assured herself, but she was very much afraid he might feel the dampness at her crotch and know she was lying now.

      She’d known the attraction she’d always had for him hadn’t gone away. That was why she’d fought against coming to the United States in the first place. But God help her, she’d never actually thought she might find herself in a position where she wanted to give in to it again.

      Matt’s eyes darkened, and instead of lowering his mouth to hers, his expression took on a mocking slant. ‘You know,’ he said consideringly, ‘I think you would love me to seduce you, if only to prove how desperate I am.’ He paused. ‘I am right, aren’t I?’

      Joanna didn’t answer, but he could feel the softening of her body, could smell the arousal of her sex. Yet, in spite of the anticipation of her soft flesh yielding to his invasion, Matt managed to push her away.

      Forcing the sexual images from his mind, he said harshly, ‘You’d love me to make a fool of myself, wouldn’t you? To get down on my knees and beg you to change your mind?’

      ‘No!’

      The word was practically wrung from her lips, but he didn’t believe her.

      For a moment, he felt some sympathy, but only for a moment. ‘Well, I still have some pride.’ His lips twisted. ‘I’m out of here, Joanna. If you still want to talk in the morning, I’ll meet you for breakfast. Your choice. Goodnight.’

      Joanna caught her lower lip between her teeth as he strode towards the door.

      ‘I didn’t want to talk to begin with,’ she shouted after him, needing to defend herself. ‘You’ve got a whole different scenario going on here and you’re making me take the blame for your mistakes.’

      His smile was mocking. ‘Yeah, you go on believing that. Personally, I don’t give a damn.’

      Joanna pursed her lips. ‘I don’t know why you’re saying these things,’ she persisted. ‘I didn’t ask you to get this suite. I didn’t ask you to come up here.’

      ‘No.’ He conceded the point. ‘I was stupid enough to think you might thank me for making life easier for you. But, I should have known better.’

      ‘Matt!’

      He’d reached the door when she called his name, and although he glanced back over his shoulder, his lean dark face was hard and unforgiving.

      ‘Matt.’ She couldn’t believe she was going to say the words, but she couldn’t let him leave without some words of justification. ‘Don’t go. Not like this.’

      Matt’s brows ascended. ‘Are you saying I was right?’

      ‘No—’ Joanna licked dry lips. ‘I mean, you can’t honestly believe that I want you to seduce me? I simply thought…’ She shrugged. ‘Can’t we still be friends?’

      ‘Friends!’ Matt gave a disbelieving laugh as he turned and pressed his back against the door. ‘You’re not serious?’

      Joanna had the feeling that she’d had too many glasses of wine. She wasn’t thinking clearly. She’d wanted him to go, for heaven’s sake. So why was she delaying him now?

      When she didn’t answer, Matt got impatient. ‘I don’t have time for this,’ he said roughly. ‘I suggest you go to bed. I’ll meet you in the coffee bar in the morning.’

      Joanna licked her lips. ‘What if I don’t want to go to bed?’ There was so much adrenalin coursing through her veins, she doubted she’d ever sleep again. Instead, she walked towards the windows Matt had opened earlier. ‘The pool’s floodlit, isn’t it? I might go for a swim.’

      Matt stared at her as if she’d taken leave of her senses.

      But Joanna was suddenly so warm her skin was prickling with heat. Hardly thinking what she was about to do, she unbuttoned her tunic and peeled it off. Then she tipped the straps of her bra down over her arms, feeling the blessed relief of air from the air-conditioning system cooling her overheated flesh.

      Matt swore. ‘What the hell do you think you’re doing?’ he demanded, and she heard the revealing thickening of his tone. His voice was both harsh and raw with emotion, and Joanna lifted a nervous hand to her throat.

      ‘I’m going for a swim,’ she said lightly. ‘The water will be beautifully cool at this time of the evening.’

      Matt’s teeth ground together. ‘If you think I might come with you—’

      ‘I don’t expect anything of you, Matt.’ Yet despite her words desire was suddenly shimmering throughout her body. Her blood was racing like liquid fire, and she moistened dry lips with a pink tongue. ‘You can stay or go. It’s up to you.’

      ‘I made my decision five minutes ago,’ Matt reminded her, stifling a curse, but his face suddenly blazed with colour. Didn’t she realise what seeing her in only half a bra and a skimpy pair of panties was doing to him?

      Of course, she did. He scowled. ‘If this is some sick game you’re playing—’

      ‘It’s no game.’ She took a deep breath, stretching her arms above her head. ‘I don’t play games, Matt. I’m going swimming. What’s wrong with that?’

      ‘It’s after eleven o’clock.’

      ‘So?’

      Matt swore and turned towards the door again and she realised he was really leaving this time. Which was probably just as well, she assured herself unsteadily, grabbing her overnight bag and heading for the bathroom. That way he need never know she’d only been bluffing.

      She didn’t wait to hear the door slam behind him. There was a closed door to her left, which she guessed led into the bathroom, and she couldn’t wait to take off the rest of her clothes and step into a cool shower. She had no illusions now that Matt really cared what happened to her, and she found her eyes were stupidly brimming with tears.

      She was reaching for the handle

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