Soliman, Wendy - The Name of the Game (BookStrand Publishing Romance) (30 page)

Nate nodded. “Yeah, I can access the paper’s files from just about anywhere, given an Internet connection and the right passwords.”

“Well, there you are then.”

“Did you find anything interesting on Andrews?” Matt asked.

“Nothing that stands out, but it might mean something to you. He’s financially sound but very ambitious to make his mark.”

“He sees private patients on behalf of a plastic surgeon, I gather,” Ashley said.

“Yes, that keeps his bank balance stoked. His wife, by the way, is strictly NHS. Doesn’t approve of hubby dipping his toe into the private sector.”

“Dr. Seymour returned from her holiday early and looked as though she was under some sort of pressure.”

“We’re thinking that she found out what her husband’s been up to,” Matt said. “If she’s legit, then it would play on her conscience.”

“Possibly,” Nate agreed.

“Anything else?” Matt asked, clearly frustrated that Nate’s initial enquires hadn’t brought anything more interesting to light.

“Well, Andrews is a decent golfer.”

“Golf?” Matt sat a little straighter.

“Yes, why? Is that important?”

“It could be. Where does he play?”

“Ashdown Forest.”

“Then we’ve found the connection.” Matt thumped the arm of his chair. “Roker is a scratch golfer and also plays at Ashdown.”

“In that case, it might be significant that Andrews was accused of cheating in a tournament at the club.”

“In golfing circles, isn’t that akin to committing murder?” Ashley asked.

“Yes, it is,” Nate agreed. “In the normal way of things, even being suspected of underhand tactics would be enough to get a member blackballed. But in Andrews’s case there wasn’t even a hearing and the charges were dismissed.”

“Had it been otherwise,” Matt said, “Andrews would have been out on his ear, socially disgraced, and no one would have wanted to know him.”

“Right,” Nate said. “But the chairman of the ethics committee decreed that there was no case to answer.”

“And let me guess,” Matt said. “Roker’s that chairman.”

Chapter Eighteen

“Right first time.” Nate’s tone resonated with disgust. “So much for being a family friend. The guy’s obviously trying to screw you.”

“Yes, but at least now I know what I’m dealing with, I can tackle Dr. Andrews, give him the chance of avoiding jail by telling what he’s done.” Matt’s expression was grim. “By the time I’ve laid it on the line, social ruin will seem tame by comparison.”

“Shouldn’t you involve the police?” Nate asked.

“Probably, but I want to try and avoid that, at least for now. I can settle the claims, confront Roker, and—”

“And sweep it under the carpet?”

“No, Nate, never that. The buck stops with me, and I’ll take responsibility for any fall out. But I’d like to talk to Roker’s partners, to see if we can salvage the amalgamation. Whether or not they want to involve the police is up to them, but whatever happens, the story’s yours to do with as you wish after that.”

“Thanks, Matt. I won’t print anything you’d rather see suppressed.”

“I know that, but just wait until I give you the word.” Matt clasped Nate’s shoulder as the men stood, and Matt lead the way to the door.

“Bye, Ashley.” Nate turned to shake her hand, changed his mind, and kissed her cheek instead. “It was good to meet you. Best of luck.”

“Thanks so much for your help.”

It seemed very quiet after the American left. Matt and Ashley stood there, just starting at one another, assimilating all they’d just learned.

“So, now we know,” Matt said, sighing heavily.

“Yes, we do.” Ashley paused. “I’m sorry, Matt. I know you didn’t want to believe it of Phil Roker. He’s a friend of yours, or at least you thought he was, and that makes it tough to take.”

“You saw through him at once.” Matt grimaced. “What does that say for my judgement?”

“You trusted him. He knew that and played on it. Just as Eve knew of the animosity between you and Charlie and fed it.”

“I’d give a hell of a lot to know why Phil’s doing this to us.” Matt paused, staring out the window, his back to Ashley. “To me. It just doesn’t make sense.”

“I dare say he’ll take pleasure in telling you when he knows he’s been caught.”

“Undoubtedly.” He pulled his phone from his pocket and flipped it open. “I’d better tell Charlie the glad tidings.”

They had a brief conversation, from which Ashley gathered that Charlie was already with Roker and couldn’t talk freely.

“Call me back when you can.”

Matt closed his phone, turned toward Ashley, and smiled at her.

“Right,” he said, “first a slap-up room service meal, and then I have investigations of a different nature to undertake.”

Ashley tilted her head, her expression flirtatious. “Whatever do you mean, boss?”

“You know damned well.” he said, choking on a laugh. “That suit.”

“Ah yes, how could I forget?”

“It’s new? I don’t recall seeing it before.”

“Yes, I couldn’t bear to wear anything I have down here. I know it’s stupid, but Eve unpacked it all, so it feels contaminated. Besides, I needed a confidence boost.”

“Let me pay for it.”

“You don’t need to.”

His mouth curved in a wicked smile. “I insist. That way I get to claim owner’s rights and can peel it off you any way I choose.”

“I might have let you do that anyway, but thanks.” Ashley laughed up at him. “I’m starting to feel like a kept woman.”

“Get used to it, baby.”

“Just so that you know, the suit was ridiculously expensive.”

He pretended to be affronted. “You think I’d dress you on the cheap?”

Ashley stood on her toes and placed a delicate kiss on the cleft in his chin. “You’re more concerned with undressing me. You just admitted it.”

“Ah well, you’ve got me there.”

They ate, sitting at a table in the suite that overlooked the harbour. Only candlelight illuminated the room, soft music adding to the charged atmosphere. The food was delicious, but Ashley barely tasted it. Instead, she was acutely conscious of Matt’s fingers constantly brushing against hers, of their knees touching beneath the table, of his eyes, devoid of all strain now, making love to her as he fed her from his own fork. She pushed all thoughts of Eve to the back of her mind. That situation had to be tackled.

But not tonight.

They took their time when they finally fell into bed because, for once, time was something that they had an abundance of. No more snatched nights or interrupted liaisons. No more hiding.

No more pretence.

Matt’s heightened passion, his determination to give her pleasure at the expense of his own, tugged at her on a level she had no control over. Power, strength, and total control appeared to guide him as exquisite shards of sensation brought her alive. She squirmed beneath his marauding hands, desperate for him, her breathing ragged as his tongue worked its way through every crevice, lingering, exploring, tasting her.

“I love you, Ashley.”

His eyes were alight with tenderness as he finally gave in to her pleadings and entered her.

She wrapped her legs round his waist and closed her eyes. “Tell me again,” she said, lifting her hips to meet him and groaning as pleasure enveloped her.

“I love you so damned much that it hurts.”

“Not good enough.”

She pushed at his shoulder, sending him tumbling sideways. Still joined, he flopped on his back, and she straddled him, riding him hard.

“I can’t think about anything, other than you, and what we’re doing right now.” Matt groaned and gave a savage thrust upward. Ashley anticipated it and sank down to meet him halfway. “Not even when the future of the whole bloody company I’ve worked so hard to build is at stake.”

“Hmm, better.”

“Marry me, Ashley Wilde. Just as soon as I’m free, you’re gonna marry me.”

“Is that a proposal?”

Ashley closed her eyes and tossed her head sideways, consumed by pleasure both physical and cerebral. They’d discussed a future together, but he’d never suggested marriage before. If she’d had any doubts about his integrity, they evaporated at that moment.

“It sure is.”

She opened her eyes, a triumphant smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. “Then ask me again when you’re thinking with your brain.”

“You want a grand romantic gesture?”

Ashley didn’t answer. She couldn’t because he kissed her, and she exploded mere seconds after his lips claimed hers.

They slept locked in one another’s arms, but woke early, ready to face the realities of the day. The shared the shower, made love for the third—or was it the fourth?—time, and then breakfasted in the suite. For some reason, Ashley was ravenous.

“I want you to go back to Reigate straightaway,” he said as they ate.

“All right. Why?”

“There’s no need for you to be down here anymore. Go back to the flat, pack your things, and go straight home.”

“What’s going on, Matt? What is it that you’re not telling me?”

“I’m going to confront Eve today,” he said tersely. “I’d rather you were safely out of the way when I do so.”

“Shouldn’t you see what Dr. Andrews has to say for himself first?”

“Charlie’s going to do that whilst I’m with Eve. We agreed on that when he called me back last night.”

Ashley thought about it. “I can see the sense in that. I’ll go home then, but ring me as soon as you’ve spoken to Eve.”

“Of course.”

“Good luck,” she said, kissing him as she readied herself to leave the suite. “I’ll be thinking of you.”

“I know you will.”

* * * *

Ashley drove back to Reigate, unable to rid herself of the feeling that she’d overlooked something important about Roker’s relationship with Matt’s family. Unless she missed her guess, something more than mere ambition drove him. On a whim, she changed course and headed for Lingfield. No one was expecting her back at Reigate, so she wouldn’t be missed. Matt had mentioned that Sophie and Philip Roker used to be close friends. She was curious to see if Sophie could shed any light on the reasons for his actions. At the very least, she probably knew more about his background than Matt did. Matt hadn’t been around in the early days when Roker worked at Interactive. Besides, women were generally more intuitive. She phoned Sophie as she approached her house.

“Sophie, it’s Ashley.”

“Ashley.” Sophie’s voice brightened. “How nice to hear from you.”

“I’m on my way back to Reigate and wondered if I could stop by.”

“By all means. It would be lovely to see you.” She paused. “You sound a bit grim. Has something happened?”