Page 180 of Lovers' Dance

“If he asks, I’ll try not to drop you in it, but I can’t lie to him. He’ll know, George,” I said with certainty.

George sighed and we started down the hallway. “Isn’t he asleep though, Ms DuMont? I doubt he’d appreciate being woken—”

I was hurrying forward. George sighed loud enough that I could hear him. I couldn’t believe what Matt had done. It was the sweetest thing anyone had ever done for me. I raced up the stairs and down the hallway to the master bedroom. In moments I flung the door open, flicked on the lights, then flew over to the bed and jumped right in.

“What the—” Matt jerked upright, peering around wildly until his gaze rested on my grinning face. “Poppet. What in the blazes is going on? Are you okay?”

I flung myself into his arms, toppling us both down, then proceeding to kiss his face off.

“Pop”—kiss—“Madi”—kiss—“woman”—kiss, Matt spluttered between my assaults on his mouth.

“I love it, Matt. It’s perfect.” I gushed, about to plant another big one on his lips, but he held me off. His grey sleep-tinged eyes becoming more alert with each passing second.

“Madison,” he said sternly. “Calm down.”

I stilled, grinning widely at him. My grin faltered at the look in his eyes.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

I nodded at once. “I’m fine, Matt. I can’t believe you built me a—”

“Madison, hush,” Matt ordered as he sat us both up. Matt rubbed his hands vigorously over his face and hair before taking a few deep breaths. He turned his gaze on me. “How are you feeling, poppet?” he asked gently.

I waved my hand through the air. “I’m fine.”

When he arched a sceptical eyebrow at me, I tried to explain, but he pressed a finger against my lips. “Are you seriously going to sit here and tell me you’re fine after everything that’s transpired these past few days? I may be many things Madi, but I’m not a fool.”

“Oh. You’re talking about—” I twirled my finger in circular motions next to my head. “Is that what you’re talking about?”

Matt was trying his best to maintain that aloof expression on his face, but I could see a smile fighting to get through. He cleared his throat and rubbed his face vigorously.

“Yes, Madi, I’m talking about your recent behaviour.”

“I’m fine, honest,” I assured him. “I’ve slept loads and it’s the sixteenth today, so everything’s fine.” I really was fine now. “And I can’t believe you built me—”

“Poppet,” Matt interrupted solemnly.

I blinked at him, smiling widely, fidgeting with excitement. Matt scrutinized me for a long moment. The glimmer of a return smile tickled the edges of his mouth. That was all I needed. I attacked him with kisses.

“I love it. I love you. I can’t believe you did this, Matt. It’s amazing. You’re amazing. You built me a dance studio.”

The ferocity of my kisses were starting to have an effect on Matt. One minute I was the aggressor, the next I was the willing submissive to his passionate domination of my lips. And his hands that were currently roving my body without pause.

“Madi,” he murmured in the crook of my neck as he pulled me on top of him. “God. I need you, poppet. Right now.”

When I had woken up, it was to the sensation of skin on skin. Matt was naked as a jaybird under the sheets. Mmm.

“I thought we were doing the dating crap,” I murmured, nibbling on his ear.

“We’re not doing the dating crap anymore,” Matt said huskily, then twisted me over so I ended up flat on my back with him rising above me. Matt was pushing down the sheets that pooled around his waist and I grinned.

“Ah, hon,” I started with the sweetest smile on my face. “George is waiting downstairs for me.”

“Pardon?” Matt paused, lips hovering next to my peaked nipple poking against the t-shirt. He tilted his head to stare at me. “What time is it? Why is he awake? In fact, why are you awake?”

I ran my hand through his tousled hair, so silky. I’d forgotten how it felt against the skin of my inner thighs when he…

I squirmed and forced those naughty thoughts out of my head. “I woke up hungry and went downstairs to get something to eat. George must’ve heard me.” I scrunched my face up in puzzlement. “Which is strange. Doesn’t he have the whole loft conversion to himself? Anyway, I made us gnocchi and sauce with pancetta. Are you hungry? I’ve made loads. And then I found the studio. It’s fabulous, Matt. Oh, and it’s probably quarter to three now.”

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