Page 117 of Lovers' Dance

“You and I need to talk, Madison,” he said quietly.

I sighed, mentally reloading my pistol and wondering who would survive the upcoming showdown. If Matt’s behaviour was something he’d learnt from his grandfather, I was screwed…

Matt let out a low laugh at a joke Adam made and glanced at his wristwatch. He’d been socializing for the past forty five minutes and was anxious to get back to his woman. She was breathtakingly stunning tonight. When he’d picked her up earlier, it was all he could do to stop himself from having his way with her on those stairs. That dress was made for her body. Hell, it was made to be torn off her body. He didn’t know how he was going to pull off ‘dating’ her. It had been far too long since he’d drowned himself in her sweetness. A little over a week was definitely too long to be without the feel of her naked body against his.

“I’m going to head back, Adam,” Matt said abruptly. “I’ve left Madi alone for too long.”

“Bella’s looking after her,” Nathan said from behind him. Matt turned around, nodding at his friend’s words.

“Yes, I know, but I left her with Grumps,” he said dryly. “I want to make sure they haven’t killed each other yet.”

Adam chuckled under his breath. “She sure knows how to rile the old man up.”

“Serves him right,” Matt grumbled. “He started it.”

“Let’s all go back,” Nathan agreed, acknowledging one of their mutual friends a few yards away with a shake of head. “I’m in need of a fresh drink anyway.”

The three men moved away from the outskirt of the group of people and started heading back the way they’d come.

“I’ve got to say, Matt,” Adam fell into step with him, “Madison’s got one hell of a body.”

“Shut the fuck up, Adam,” Matt growled in a low, hard voice.

“Touchy,” his brother teased. “You’ve never had a problem before with me complimenting your girlfriends.”

“Don’t be an arse,” Matt hissed as they walked past people coming from the opposite direction. “I won’t tolerate your usual behaviour when it comes to Madi.”

Nathan laughed at the two of them, close on their heels. “He’s like a bulldog with her, Adam. You should’ve seen him outside with the press.”

Matt ignored their good-natured ribbing and quickened his pace. It seemed people couldn’t see he was in a hurry. Every few metres, someone would stop him, or Adam, or Nathan. They would spend a couple of minutes making small talk, before resuming their journey to the moat. It was another forty five minutes before they finally entered the marquee. Matt’s eyes restlessly searched the throng of guest milling about after seeing the empty seats at their table.

“There’s Bella,” Nathan said, moving off towards his girlfriend. When she turned and spotted them, she practically pushed her way through the bodies surrounding her and hurried over.

“Matt, I’ve been trying to call your mobile for the last hour,” she said.

Nathan wrapped one arm around her waist. “Bella, darling, what’s wrong?”

She turned to him with a frown on her face. “Madi’s left with William—”

“What?” Both Matt and Adam asked with equal measures of surprise and alarm.

“What do you mean she’s left?” Matt asked in confusion, his eyes searching the crowds for his poppet.

“Your grandfather said he would take her home after Louisa spilt red wine all over her,” Bella explained quickly. “Madi’s dress was ruined and Louisa said it was an accident—”

“The little bitch,” Matt hissed. “I’m certain it was no accident.”

Adam rested a hand on his shoulder. “Calm down, Matt. I’m sure it was an accident.”

Matt shot his brother an annoyed look.

Adam shrugged before saying, “But we all know what Louisa is like. Call Grumps to check she’s okay.”

“He never answers his bloody mobile,” Matt said. “You know he rarely turns it on. Look, I’ve got to go. Madi doesn’t have her keys. Nathan, are you guys staying? I’m sure Adam can give you a lift home.”

“No, we’ll go with you,” Nathan said immediately. “Bella, do you have your bag?”

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