Page 201 of Lovers' Dance

After a handshake that morphed into a polite brotherly half hug, Matt strolled through the many guests until he stood quietly behind her. She had gotten rid of her drink and was unaware of his presence, engrossed in studiously peering at the painting on the wall. Her scent, delicate on the air around her, wafted up his nostrils. Wild flowers. He had decided since the early days of their relationship that scent was intrinsically her. He had as of yet to find any lotion or soap that she used with this particular scent. She was his wild flower.

“Would you like one, poppet?” he murmured, startling a tiny gasp from her lips. His hand landed on the small of her back and Matt had to forcibly stifle the surge of desire that threatened to overwhelm him.

Madi twisted around, a disbelieving smirk on her luscious mouth. “Who wouldn’t want a Monet?” She rested her hand across his chest, and Matt had to battle his body’s urges at her light touch. She smiled sweetly at him. “But because you want something doesn’t mean you can have it.”

Matt pulled her closer into his body. “If you want it, I’ll ensure you get it. Anything you want, I’ll move heaven and earth to get it for you.”

Madi leaned back, in the circle of his arms, and a pensive look cascaded over her face. “Matt, don’t you dare. It’s bad enough your mom thinks I’m trying to fleece you—”

“Pardon?” Matt frowned deeply. “Why would you say that? Did she say something to you, poppet? I swear if she’s said—”

“Calm down, you silly man.” She leaned forward to kiss the corner of his mouth. “I know your family are a bit worried about the nature of our relationship. I don’t want them thinking it’s something that it’s not.”

Matt pulled her closer, the contour of her body seamless against his, generating a hungry heat in him that could only be sated with their clothes off. Bloody hell. He needed to get her home and in bed before he lost his calm demeanour.

“I’ve told you,” he murmured into her hair. “My parents will eventually come around. Besides, my siblings adore you.”

“Ha,” she muttered. “Adam takes the piss, as you like to say, and Hannah is polite. Even if she hated my guts, I would never know. English people are like that, no outward show of emotion. Unflappable reserve. Cool as freaking cucumbers. It’s infuriating. For once, I would like someone to say exactly what they feel.”

Matt held her gaze as he drawled, “Like my grandfather for example?”

There was a second of pure alarm on her face before she schooled her features into one of nonchalance. Matt bent his lips to her ear. “I know what he said to you. I’ve known for some time now. You should’ve confided in me.”

She pulled away from him and Matt let her. It was with unhappy eyes she peered at him. “Can we discuss it later, Matt?”

Matt nodded, holding a hand out for her. “We can if you choose, but I’ve already made my feelings quite clear on that distasteful incident. Rest assured, poppet, the next time you see my grandfather, he’ll be apologizing and asking your forgiveness.”

Her face went blank for a moment, right before she burst into laughter. More than a few heads turned in their direction. Some curious, others with reproach. Matt ignored them, too entranced by the way her face lit up with humour. He couldn’t stop the wide grin from splitting his face.

“You don’t believe me?” he asked, feigning hurt.

She shook her head laughing, albeit not as loud. “It will be a cold day in hell before your grandfather apologizes to me. And ask forgiveness? Oh, Matt. That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.”

Matt shook his head, hand slipping possessively to her waist. “Come on, poppet. Let’s go say our goodbyes to Nathan and Bella. We’ve shagged a grand total of three times this week since you broke me on my return, and I’m not happy about that. If I don’t get my minimum twice a day dose, I start getting grouchy. You don’t want that, do you?”

She batted her eyelashes at him in an attempt of seduction. She looked as if she was trying to blink an irritating fleck out of her eyes. Totally ridiculous and completely endearing.

“You’re always grouchy,” she retorted, clutching her purse in one hand.

Matt winked at her. “Now you know why.”

She gave him a tender smile as she shook her head. “You make me smile.” Her eyes narrowed for a second. “Well, most of the times. Sometimes you get on my last damn nerve—ouch!”

Matt grinned. The tap he’d delivered to her arse was a light one. His hand lingered, as if magnetized to, in his opinion, the best arse he’d ever seen.

“Matt,” she hissed, trying to slide away. “People can see.”

“Mmm,” he drawled, smoothing his hand over her bum before resting his hand on her lower back. “Apologies, poppet. I will behave in public. In private though...” Matt let his gaze linger over the outlines of her breasts before lowering. He traced his inner lip with his tongue and her eyes widened in embarrassment. Matt made no attempt to keep his lustful thoughts off his face. To hell with anyone watching.

“Stop it,” she whispered tartly.

He grinned, urging her forward. It was half an hour before they had managed to say their goodbyes to Nathan and Bella, plus the other necessary people who had to be acknowledged by Matt before leaving. His parents were dismissive of Madi—polite, but dismissive. He would need to have a sit down with them. They needed to accept the fact Madi wasn’t going anywhere. The sooner they accepted it, the better.

“Buckle up,” Matt reminded her when they were seated in his car. She flashed him an absent-minded smile while she did as ordered, attention fixed on her mobile. His curiosity eventually won out after he’d tried to draw her into a conversation and got monosyllables in response.

“Who are you texting, poppet?”

She didn’t lift her head in his direction. “Dante.”

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