Page 109 of Lovers' Dance

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Nathan exchange a resigned look with Matt. Then he said dryly, “Bella, sweetheart, I’m sure the last thing Madi wants to discuss is the world she works in.”

Matt snorted in amusement. “You’re having a laugh, Nathan. Madi could happily spend every waking hour in her studio. I swear, she wakes me up all the time, mumbling aboutgrand jetesandfouettes.”

“I do not,” I exclaimed, eyes wide. I didn’t talk in my sleep. At least, I didn’t think I did.

Matt gave me an impish smile. “I’m kidding, Madi. It’s actuallyplieyou keep shouting out.”

A mock scowl graced my lips, and Matt’s gaze was drawn to my mouth. When our eyes met seconds later, I could feel the air sizzling between us, as if the heat between us was a physical entity burning us up.

“What did I say, Bella?” Nathan drawled in a low voice. “Constantly eye humping each other.”

“Sod off,” Matt warned, when my head snapped around and I regarded Nathan with shock. At least this time I didn’t shout out my virginal status in public. Ha, those days were long gone thanks to Matt. Mmm. Maybe I could somehow convince him to take that which I willingly offered. Maybe if I debated the fact a lot of people got their freak on after a first date, he might reconsider this ridiculous notion of being a gentleman. I mean, it wasn’t the seventeenth century.

A change of topic, one less embarrassing was needed. I smiled at Bella, wondering if she’d had help with her makeup. It was flawless. “What do you do, Bella?”

“She’s an architect, has her own company based in Chelsea,” Nathan said, blue eyes shimmering with pride. It reminded me of Matt a few moments ago.

“That’s so cool,” I said, then resisted the urge to smack myself in the head. I sounded like a kid: ‘That’s so cool’. Urgh.

“Bella played a great role in designing our premises, poppet,” Matt advised.

I caught a glimpse of Bella looking sharply at Nathan and mouthing “Poppet?”

Nathan gave her a slight shake of his blonde head with an accompanying roll of eyes. I acted like I hadn’t seen their silent interaction.

“How are your parents? It’s been a while since I’ve seen them,” Matt asked pleasantly, then took a sip of his champagne.

Bella gave a small chuckle. “Annoyed that Nathan and I had to cut short our weekend with them. Dad thinks Nathan did it on purpose.”

Nathan grunted, shooting Matt a frustrated look. “I had to endure a thirty minute conversation on the advantages of good timekeeping.”

Bella chuckled, then monopolized me for the rest of the drive. I didn’t mind. She was sweet and not once did the conversation between us get awkward. Matt and Nathan were themselves engrossed in a discussion about mergers and fluctuating stock prices. When we were almost at our destination, Matt turned to me.

“Poppet, there’ll probably be press outside the entrance and a few authorised reporters attending the event. I don’t want you to worry about it. Okay?”

I nodded wordlessly. Not worry about it? Matt was crazy. Of course, I was worried about it. What if they asked me personal questions?

Bella tapped Nathan on his knee. “Nate, you’ll keep those vultures away from her, yes? You’re good at dealing with the media.”

Nathan gave me a smile before covering Bella’s hand with his. “Yes, darling.”

The limo drew nearer and I could see a line of limos out of the tinted windows, loads of fancily dressed people going inside the entrance. And the flash of cameras…the press.

I inhaled shakily and Matt leaned down to kiss my temple softly. “I promise it’ll be okay, poppet.”

“She’s not going to have a panic attack, is she?” Nathan asked in alarm. Matt glared at him while Bella asked what he meant.

“Look at me, poppet,” Matt commanded, holding my chin and turning my face to his. “We’ll be inside within minutes. I’ll be right next to you, and I won’t let things get out of hand.”

I nodded and tried to smile.

Bella was staring at us both, then she looked at Nathan. “You were right. He is different with her.”

Matt and I were too busy gazing at each other to pay heed to her softly uttered words.

“If I trip and fall, make sure no one sees my panties,” I muttered.

Matt laughed before kissing me full on the lips. “Oh poppet, you’re a dancer, that’s highly unlikely to happen. Remember to smile for the cameras.”

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