Page 87 of Lovers' Dance

Matt surveyed his sister in her floor-length black and silver dress. Hannah’s chestnut hair didn’t have a strand of grey. Even though she was forty-one, her skin didn’t reflect the ravages of time. Of course, Matt knew she’d recently begun using Botox, something he felt she had no need of. But Hannah did as she pleased.

“And you wanted me to spend more time with them?” Matt joked in an attempt to lighten her mood.

Stuart, like everyone else in the grand salon, watched his daughters and Madi approach William Bradley, Sr. “Do you think it’s wise to let the girls introduce Madison to Grumps?”

“No.” Matt made a move forward but Hannah caught the edge of his dinner jacket, stopping him in his tracks.

“Leave them be, Matt. Grumps knows to behave. I’m sure he’ll be polite and Dad is coming over here anyway. He probably wants to talk business with you. Adam’s been avoiding him all night.”

Matt did notice his father’s looming stride in their direction. He smothered a groan while simultaneously looking around for Adam. His gaze tracked Madi’s movements, unconsciously resting on that sweet arse of hers and causing a stirring in his blood. Madison DuMont had no idea about the lethal effect she had on him. Matt repressed his ill-timed urges and affected a relaxed pose as his father drew nearer. Perhaps coming to dinner tonight had been a mistake after all, Matt mused. The more he dwelled on it, the more he regretted forcing this night on Madi. And himself.

“Why do you call him Grumps?” I asked quietly as the girls led me across the huge room. Everyone was staring at us, and I was secretly glad the girls had changed their clothes in a show of support.

“Because he’s always grumpy,” Nikki replied.

On that discomfiting note, we came to a stop in front the white-haired gentleman stiffly seated on a chair. There was a young woman behind the chair, dressed in a proper nurse’s uniform, and I wondered how old Matt’s grandfather was. The man looked ancient.

Cold, grey eyes looked up at me as Natty leaned forward to touch his hand reverently. She suddenly seemed calmer, almost as shy as Nikki.

“Grumps, we want you to meet Madi.”

“She’s Uncle Matt’s girlfriend, Grumps,” Nikki said, smiling sweetly at the old man.

Grumps arched an eyebrow at Nikki’s words, and I swear it was exactly the way Matt would do it.Was it genetic?

I straightened my shoulders and held out a sweaty palm. “Hello, Mr Bradley. I’m Madison DuMont.”

“Uncle Matt’s girlfriend,” Natty reiterated, unnecessarily might I add, unless he was hard of hearing.

Grumps took my hand and shook it firmly. Damn. He had a strong grip for his age. We peered at each other, his eyes travelling over me, pausing on my rambunctious curls before taking in my attire. He glanced at his great-granddaughters on either side of me, then returned that cold gaze of his to my face. Why hadn’t he released my hand yet? This was getting awkward.

“William Bradley,” he finally replied in a deep, firm voice that belied his years. “Senior.”

“Nice to meet you,” I said, wondering if I should attempt to pull my darned hand away. Why wasn’t he letting go?

“So,” he started, holding my hand prisoner, “you’re Matthew’s girlfriend.”

I could hear the questioning tone in his statement.

I inhaled softly, mentally toughening up. “Yes, I am.”

“I see,” he said and fell silent, still holding my goddamned hand.The hell?I counted to five and took matters into my own hand.

“Could I have my hand back now?” I asked politely, realizing after the words left my mouth I hadn’t added a ‘please’.Shit.This Grumps was starting to freak me out. The corners of his mouth tightened ever so slightly, and I wasn’t certain, but there was definitely a gleam of something in his eyes.

“Of course,” he said, releasing my hand. I checked my sigh of relief and clasped my hands behind my back. I didn’t want to risk it getting captured again. Maybe he had a hand fetish.

Natty and Nikki stood demurely, as if awaiting instructions, and I was caught in the middle. It felt like being called in front of the principal at school to confess your misdeeds. I risked a slow, moving glance behind me, catching Matt’s gaze and mouthing “help” to him.

He smiled at me. It was mesmerizing. I couldn’t stop my answering smile.Fuck it.My man was hot stuff, and his family were going to be blown away by me. I silently pledged that, after tonight, they would be lighting up my phone begging us to come over.

A raspy clearing of a throat had my head jerking around. Grumps regarded me for a moment before turning to Nikki.

“Nicole, tell your grandmother to have dinner served at once.”

The teenager immediately spun around and raced off to find Matt’s mom.

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