What if you swallowed a glass of ice, and halfway down your throat it becomes a clump of surreal warmth?<br/><br/>Manuel knew the sight that awaited him. His ears had pricked at her voice, the accusation in her tone did little to disrupt its cadence. It was surprising how she could conjure that improbable balance. Cold disapproval laden upon molten desire.<br/><br/>"Hello, Naomi," he ensured his voice was muffled. His lips were feasting on the other girl's neck, forcing her to arch against the wall in delirious joy. His eyes lifted away from the appetizer. The poor, writhing girl was still winded by his assault but finally seemed to have regained her senses. A dull, inadequate place to return to after the high of tempting his muse. Her hands clutched at his belt pleading for his attention to return. The leather coiled around his waist gave way, but he would not.<br/><br/>His grip had slackened and his body was budging. He had been an unyielding mass of sex and pleasure, now there was only vacant and painful air. She had lost him.<br/><br/>"Forgive me, but I wasn't aware we had a meeting," his lips curled at the implication of formality. It was as good as a slap in the face; an old faithful ruse to unite her temper and her lust. Moreover, it was the truth. He was due to marry Naomi's daughter in a few months. A woman of singular talents, to make him disband his harem. But it would seem old habits died hard. Very, very hard.<br/><br/>The girl he had picked up just would not do now. "<em>Si dovrebbe andare , mia cara</em>," he mellowed his voice, imprinting the apology it carried into his eyes. He parted with a kiss, one she used to sate as much of her greed and one he used to stoke Naomi's rage. He could have untangled himself at any time, but the mash of tongues, lips and hands continued for what seemed like an eternity. Soon they were cozying up to the wall again and the poor dear was lost to a flood of moans.<br/><br/>He slid a sidelong look at the blonde goddess being ignored. He might as well have had a sign on top of his head that said, '<em>What are you going to do now, mother</em>'