Page 77 of Lovers' Dance

“Madi?” Matt called softly, lifting the sheets and crawling into bed. I faked snored and heard him sigh before he turned off the bedside lamp. Matt pulled me into his arms and sighed again. I tried to stay still and not clue him into my wakefulness. It wasn’t long before he fell asleep, one hand curved possessively over my waist. Sleep continued to elude me, and all I could think about were those stupid comments posted on the Net. How long would it take before Matt was embarrassed about having a black girlfriend? How long would our intense sexual attraction outweigh the obvious disgust some members of the general public held about our relationship? I exhaled loudly in frustration. Why did it matter anyway? It was the twenty-first century, for crying out loud. We weren’t hurting anyone. Another frustrated sound left my lips.

“Poppet?” Matt murmured sleepily, arms tightening around me. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” I whispered. “Go back to sleep, Matt.”

He tossed a leg over mine and stroked my back in the darkness until my body relaxed and I finally dozed off…

NINE

MATT AND I were having an argument, our second argument since the media had revealed our relationship. Our second argument since officially becoming a couple. It wasn’t forty-eight hours since then—that did not bode well.

“I don’t want to go.” I stared at his handsome face. I was back at his place. I had drove back to Kensington after spending a few hours in the studio. I wished I had gone home. My Saturdays were never this stressful before meeting Matthew Bradley.

“We are and that’s the end of it. I’m going to get ready, I suggest you do the same,” he replied sternly before walking off. I stared at his retreating back, open-mouthed and wanting to throw something at that stubborn head of his.

“I’m not going,” I yelled to his back.

George peeked from around the front living room door. When he saw my scowl, he tucked his head back in. Feeling my anger rise, I stormed down the hallway after Matt.

“It’s going to be awkward, Matt. I don’t want to meet your family.”

Matt stopped, turning on his heels to peer at me with his darned eyebrows raised haughtily. “What you want and what’s going to happen are two different things, poppet. My parents are expecting us in three hours. With the traffic, it will probably be a two hour drive to the estate.” The twin eyebrows of doom lowered slightly. “We need to get ready now if we are to arrive on time.”

“I have nothing suitable to wear,” I shouted, resisting the urge to stamp my feet. “Stop bossing me around. It’s annoying. I’m not going.”

“You are,” he stated with confidence, then his expression softened. “After dinner at my parents, we can stay over at my other home. It’s not far from theirs. Have you been to Surrey before, poppet?”

I narrowed my eyes at the change in his tone. “No, it’s filled with snobby rich folks.”

Matt grinned at me before he turned serious. “Madison, darling, they want to meet you. I want them to meet you. It will be fine, I promise.”

“No, it won’t,” I replied with surety. “It’s like we’re being summoned. I can’t face them. Not with everything that’s been in the papers.”

“Poppet,” he cajoled, taking my arm and gently herding me towards the stairs.

“Matt. I’m black—”

“Really? You know, that completely escaped my notice. I should have my eyes tested,” he shot back.

I rolled my eyes and tugged my arm away. “I don’t want to be judged by your family.”

He opened his mouth, probably ready to make a witty comeback, but I cut him off quickly.

“They won’t like me, Matt. Your brother was weird last night, and I don’t want to— mmph.”

Darn his sexy kisses. Against my better judgement, I kissed him back for a moment before pulling away, flustered and horny.

“Stop that.”

“Why?” he murmured, grey eyes darkening with desire. “You’re so good at it.”

“I have nothing to wear,” I said feebly, letting him slip a hand around my waist and walking me up the stairs.

“Yes, you do.” His hand slipped down to my ass and he squeezed lightly. “I had something brought over earlier after I spoke to my parents and agreed to dinner.”

I paused to frown at him. Matt flashed me a sweet smile and urged me up the stairs. “I don’t like you buying stuff for me.”

“Duly noted, poppet. I think we should share the shower. It saves on time and it’s good for the environment.”

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