In Too Deep Read Online Free Page B

intimately. Bottom line, Matthew Birmingham could make her feel like no other man could.
    â€œMust be pretty serious if you have to think about it.”
    She blinked upon realizing he’d been waiting for her response while she was thinking that he could still take her breath away. “Yes, he’s an understanding sort of guy.” She would let him ponder exactly what that said about the seriousness of their relationship.
    Carmen turned to check the rolls she had put in the ovenearlier. She was wearing a pair of jeans and a tank top. He’d always liked how jeans hugged her backside, and she was giving him an eyeful now as she bent over. She heard the change in his breathing and inwardly smiled. Poor baby, he hadn’t seen anything yet.
    â€œIf I decide to let you stay,” he was saying behind her, “there have to be rules.”
    She turned around and lifted a brow. “What kind of rules?”
    â€œBruno isn’t welcome here.”
    She could live with that, since she hadn’t intended to invite him anyway. “And what about your Miss Candy? Will you respect me as your former wife and keep her away while I’m here?”
    It annoyed her that he actually had to think about his answer. Then he said, “I guess our plans can be rearranged.”
    A coldness settled in her heart. His response meant two things. He had intended to bring Candy here, and the two of them were sleeping together. The latter shouldn’t surprise her since she of all people knew how much Matthew enjoyed making love. That was the one thing the two of them had in common.
    â€œDoes that mean you’re okay with me staying, Matthew?”
    â€œSeems you’re hell-bent on doing that anyway. And like you said, the less the media knows about our business, the better.”
    She laughed. “You’re concerned with the media? You? The same person who kissed me in front of a tent filled with people, including Ardella Rowe?”
    â€œLike I said, you kissed me first.” He looked over her shoulder at the stove. “So, what are you cooking?”
    â€œSomething simple.”
    â€œI didn’t know you could cook at all.” The amused glint in the dark depths of his eyes made her smile, as well. Matthew didn’t smile often but when he did, it was contagious—and sexy.
    â€œI started cooking after Rachael Ray had me on her show.” And then, because she couldn’t help it, she added, “I’d prepared a couple of meals for you when I thought you would be coming home. When you never showed up, I fed everything to the garbage disposal.”
    He looked at her as if he wasn’t sure she was serious. “Here’s another rule, if we’re going to be here together. No talk of the past. You bailed out on our marriage and I’d rather not get into it—”
    â€œI wasn’t the one who bailed out, Matthew,” she countered, lifting her chin. “You replaced me.”
    A fierce frown covered his face. “What the hell are you talking about, Carmen? I was never unfaithful to you.”
    â€œNot in the way you’re thinking,” she said, truly believing it. “But there was a mistress, Matthew. Your work. And she was as alluring to you as any woman could be. I couldn’t compete and eventually stopped trying.”
    His frown deepened. “I don’t want to hear it. I’ve heard it all before.”
    He’d heard, but he hadn’t listened. “Fine,” she said, “then don’t hear it because personally, I’m tired of saying it. “
    â€œYou don’t have to say it. We’re divorced now.”
    â€œThanks for reminding me.”
    There was a moment of awkward silence between them, although the chemistry they shared was keeping things sizzling. She knew he felt it as much as she did, and wasn’t surprised when he tried easing the tension by asking in a civil yet curious tone,