Page 147 of Lovers' Dance

“Mate, wipe that soppy look off your face,” Nathan said dryly.

Matt spotted the man he’d hired to take them out on the private vessel tonight approaching the women and he quickened his pace to catch up to them. After a cursory greeting and quick rundown of what he expected of the man, Matt led Madi onto the boat. She gripped him tightly, and he remembered their time in Venice. All her confidence on dry land seemed to desert her the moment she stepped onto the boat.

“It’s all right, poppet,” he murmured as Nathan and Bella walked over to the waiting chairs set up on the deck. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”

“Absolutely no broken bones allowed,” she stated with a playful threat in her eyes, then shivered as the night’s wind whipped past them.

Matt immediately shrugged off his jacket and held it out so she could slip into it.

“You really are a knight, Matt.”

“Only for you, poppet. I’m really a bastard, but you’ll never see that side of me.”

“As long as I’m good and never keep secrets?” she teased. The wind picked up again, blowing her hair across her face. Matt reached over to tuck the strands behind her ear.

“Exactly,” he agreed with a smile, urging her forward. Nathan had popped the bottle of champagne and was filling the glasses.

Madi paused, peering up at him. The expression on her face caused Matt to stop.

She mumbled something and Matt bent forward to catch what she said. He gripped her by the elbow and turned them in the opposite direction, a frown on his face.

“Matt?” Nathan called. “Where are you two going? I’ve poured your drinks.”

“We’ll be right back,” he responded sharply as he marched her towards the steps leading below. On their way down, the captain announced they were casting off. Matt nodded, barely paying attention.

‘I have a big secret,’ she had whispered. What the hell was it? Matt’s mind raced and he forced himself to ease up the tight grip he had on her elbow. When they’d entered one of the cabins below, he closed the door and spun around to face her.

“Sit,” he ordered curtly, gesturing towards the bed. She fidgeted with her purse and sat down, evading his hard glare. “Look at me, Madison. Right now.”

A flash of temper danced across her features before she faced him.

“What secret?” he asked, knowing how cold and intimidating he sounded. There it was again, that ripple of temper on her face. Matt shoved down the sudden amusement he felt. She wasn’t as scared of his domineering traits anymore. His amusement disappeared as her lips tightened into a mutinous line.

“Don’t make me ask you again,” he warned.

“I wouldn’t have said anything if I knew you were going to be assy, Matt,” she burst out.

“Well, too late,” he replied. “You said you have a secret and I want to know what it is, or else.” He let the unspoken threat hang in the air and she scoffed, arching a derisive eyebrow at him.

“Or else what?” she challenged.

Matt’s mouth fell open slightly, surprised at her defiance. Bloody feisty and bloody going to talk.

He narrowed his eyes and said huskily, “Or else I’ll stick my cock up your bum until you like it, poppet.”

It had the desired effect. Matt watched as her brown eyes widened in horror and she nervously chewed on her lower lip. He swallowed the urge to laugh. He would never do that to her, she was adamant about certain things being too risqué for her. But threaten he would. His poppet had backbone though. She snorted loudly, rolling her eyes with a shake of her head. Forcing a look of scathing disbelief on her face in a show of bravery, she edged further along the bed, sinking her delightful arse deeper into the mattress as if unconsciously trying to protect it. Matt almost choked on his laughter at her antics. She was sweet.

“That’s not gonna happen, Matt, and I’m not telling you now,” she stated haughtily.

Matt let his hands deliberately go to his belt buckle and her eyes widened to maximum capacity. She gulped and edged further along the bed.

Matt caught his lower lip between his teeth, peering intently at her. He was bluffing, but bluffing was a game he played well and always won.

“Right,” he dragged out, pulling the end of his belt through a couple of loops.

“You beast.” She scuttled over the bed so quickly Matt had only blinked a few times before the bed stood between them.

“Talk,” he commanded, fingering the belt buckle.

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