Page 174 of Lovers' Dance

“Are you sure, poppet?” he asked. “I’m fully capable of making you a sandwich, and you should eat something.”

I smiled at him, my first real smile of the day. He looked a dream, his black hair tousled around his gorgeous face. I liked his hair like that. It gave the impression of him being at ease. My eyes lingered on his lips, he hadn’t kissed me hello. I could do with a kiss. My eyes dipped lower. Dark-grey sweater clinging to the muscular lines of his arms and chest; casual black pants that drew my gaze to his—

“Stop lusting after me,” he teased, coming over to help me with the sheets. My smile grew further as we stripped the bed. Matt said he was getting me a new bed later this week, and I asked him if he was mad. He shrugged at me as I stuffed the pillows in fresh cases. I didn’t think it had anything to do with my bed being too small in his eyes, well not wholly. I think it was mainly because he knew Dante had been sleeping in here.

“Do you want to help me flip the mattress?” I suggested, without the slightest hint of sarcasm.

Matt nodded. “That’s a great idea, poppet. Last time I slept here, I swear those springs were poking me in the back. You’re definitely getting a new bed.”

I shook my head and hid my knowing smile. We flipped the mattress. Well, Matt flipped the mattress, I pretended to help. My arms felt achy.

There was a low knock on the half-opened door and Dante stuck his head around it. Matt stiffened before turning his back and starting to tuck the clean sheets over the edges.

“Madi, all right if I use the shower first?” Dante queried. He looked uncomfortable and I could guess the reason why. Normally he would walk into my room. My place was his second home. Tonight he’d knocked on the bedroom door, a first-time occurrence.

“Sure, D. Spare clothes are in the—”

“Bottom drawer. I know,” he quipped before pulling the door shut.

Matt spun around immediately, eyes narrowed and eyebrows at an unhappy level. “He has spare clothes here, poppet? Spare keys and spare clothes? You’re having a laugh, right?”

“Can we not do this right now, Matt? You said Friday. On Friday, you can argue with me all you want.”

His features softened and he nodded. “I did say Friday. Fine, but it’s on the list, poppet. Top of the list.”

We finished making the bed and I started tidying around my room under Matt’s gaze.

“Leave that, poppet. I want to talk to you for a moment.” He beckoned me over.

I paused, not liking the undertone in his voice. “About what?”

Matt rubbed his lower jaw and sat on the bed, patting the space next to him.

I shook my head. “I’d rather stand, Matt.”

“Fine.” He brushed my reluctance to sit next to him away with a wave of hand. “What’s the plan for tomorrow?”

“The plan?” I repeated, nervously undoing my pony-tail and tugging my fingers through my hair. I needed to shampoo and condition, but it was way too late to deal with my curls.

“Yes,” he said quietly. “The plan.”

“There’s no plan, Matt. Don’t you have work?”

He shook his head. “No. I told you I would be taking a few days off. So what’s your plan for tomorrow?”

Oh, no.Oh hell, no.“I’m heading to the cemetery with Dante, then chilling out, Matt. You should go to work. Aren’t you working on some big takeover bid? I thought things were—”

“Why haven’t you been sleeping?” he interrupted.

I blinked fast and answered automatically. “So I’m too tired to dream tomorrow.” Damn. He always caught me out. I belatedly realized it must be some form of tactic to startle someone into telling the truth. Take them unawares.

Matt got up and strode towards me. The skin on his face looked flushed, like he was getting annoyed. “Explain.”

I sighed loudly and sidestepped him. Matt grabbed my wrist, pulling me to a halt.

“Explain to me why you’re subjecting yourself to sleep deprivation, missing meals, generally not taking care of yourself, Madison.”

“Don’t do this, Matt,” I implored, trying to twist my wrist free. “Please, everything will be fine by next week. I told you I’ll be better next week.”

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