Page 107 of Lovers' Dance

I touched the necklace, feeling extremely nervous. “How much did it cost?”

Matt pressed another kiss to my shoulder, moved around to face me, a secretive smile on his lips.

“Not nearly as much as you’re worth.”

Damn. He had a way with words.

“Only for tonight,” I warned, reaching for the matching earrings. “Where is the ball being held?”

It took a moment for Matt to answer, his eyes were glued to me. “Tower of London, poppet. I can’t believe how absolutely exquisite you look.”

I laughed, you would think my usual appearance was hobo chic. Earrings in place, I nervously touched the necklace again. “This jewellery is insured, right? I’d hate for anything to happen to it. What if I lose it, Matt? Oh God. Help me take it off.”

“You’re not going to lose it.” Matt waved away my worry. “Even if you did, I’d simply get you a new set. Such a shame there was no time to pick you up a matching bracelet.”

I stared at him agog. He was tripping. But, then again, he was filthy rich. An unsettling thought flittered through my mind. “Do you always buy expensive jewellery for your girlfriends?”

“Have you ever been to the Tower, Madi?” he asked, sidestepping my question with one of his own.

“Not inside it, no,” I replied, suddenly not wanting to know if Matt showered his previous bed partners with expensive trinkets. I was different from his exes, right? I was special. God. I hoped I was special and he wasn’t spinning me lines.

Stop it, I silently chastised myself.

“Do you have everything you need?” he asked, glancing at his watch.

“Almost.” I went over to grab my everyday purse from the mantle and pull out my Oyster card and cash.

“You won’t need money tonight, poppet,” Matt advised. I turned in the act of stuffing the cash and Oyster card in my clutch and caught him staring intently at my ass. I cleared my throat loudly and his gaze jerked up.

“I’m beginning to have second thoughts about—”

“About what?” I cut him off in alarm. “Tonight? Is it the press?”

Matt sauntered over, stopping when I put a hand against his chest. “I like to think I have immense self-control, but you in this dress is wreaking havoc with my plans to date you properly.”

I chewed my inner cheeks, fighting a grin. Like I said, the dress to end all others.

“Well, I thought it was a bad idea from the get-go,” I quipped and stepped back. An extra sway of hips had Matt groaning.

He shook his head and swiped a hand across his face before regaining control of his desire. “Right. Let’s go. Nathan and Bella are waiting in the car.”

“What? Who’s Bella?” I asked with dread. The last time I’d seen Nathan was when the media broke the story about my relationship with Matt. I’d been hiding under my office table. Good grief. Why did I always embarrass myself?

“I’m sure I’ve mentioned Bella before,” Matt said, slipping his hand over mine and herding me towards the front door. “She’s Nathan’s girlfriend.”

“Is she the same age as you and Nathan?” I asked thoughtlessly.

Matt growled something low under his breath before flashing me a tight smile. Uh oh. The age drama again.

“She’s two years younger, poppet. Where are your house keys?”

I had to think about that for a minute.

“Sometimes you can be absentminded,” he mumbled, pulling out a bunch of keys from his tuxedo jacket.

“Kitchen,” I said in triumphant, moving back into the living room. Matt grabbed my wrist and shook his head.

“I’ve got mine right here. Let’s go.”

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