Page 125 of Lovers' Dance: Vol. 2

“Married, you say? Kids?”

Matt’s head snapped around, eyebrows raised. “Yes to the first and no to the second. Why?”

“No reason.” I muttered. I hoped Franklin had a shitload of nieces and nephews. Why would anyone need all of this? I squirmed in my seat, remembering Matt’s Surrey estate. I guess if you had that much money you had to find some way to spend it. Better you than the tax man.

“Poppet,” The car was slowing down on its approach. “I need to warn you about Franklin’s eccentricities,”

“What?” My voice was filled with trepidation.

Matt hesitated for a moment. “When it comes to his private life he’s a very free spirit for lack of a better description.”

Free spirit? What the hell? I blinked a few times. “What does that mean? He’s some kind of neo-hippie?”

“Ah, simply put, he doesn’t subscribe to the expected rules one would deem acceptable in polite society. At least not within the walls of his home.”

What the fuck was Matt talking about? His hand left the gear stick, covering mine for a moment before he gave it a gentle squeeze.

“Matt, if there’s any funky shit going on in there, I swear to God-” I was nervous now, extremely nervous. These people believed they were untouchable, hell, they probably were.

“It’ll be perfectly fine, sweetheart,” he assured me.

Sweetheart. He was calling me sweetheart. I narrowed my eyes as he pulled up in front the mansion. There were staff waiting outside.

“Just avoid the upper levels of the property.” he said firmly.

Now? Right now when we were literally minutes away from entering tonight’s festivities he was going to drop this on my plate? And what the hell happened in the upper levels? Animal sacrifices?Human torture? Oh crap.

“Matt,” I hissed fiercely as two suit-clad men made their way over to the idling car. “This is the last party you’ll force me to attend. I’m putting my foot down. I could’ve been at the studio-” I stopped when my door got opened and smiled politely as the man held a hand out for me.

“Thank you,” I murmured demurely while Matt got out his side of the car and nonchalantly tossed his car keys to the guy who held the door for him door. Huh. He’d willingly let some stranger drive his car but not me. My sexy husband held an arm out for me and my heels crunched over the gravelled path as I made my way to his side.

“Smile,” he coaxed. “We’ll have some much needed fun tonight.”

With my fake smile in place I let him lead me to the impressive double front doors. Another member of staff opened up for us with a friendly ‘Enjoy your night’.

It was apparent Matt knew his way around. At a leisurely pace we walked across the marble floors. My eyes slid over the glistening surfaces and massive chandelier hanging from the high ceiling.

“This is,” I paused, thinking of the proper words to describe the grandeur.

“As nice as our place in Surrey?” Matt was fishing.

“Umm, nicer.” I replied. Honesty was always best.

“Cheeky.” Matt shook his head.

The low strains of music reached my ears as we rounded a corner and came face to face with some party-goers.

“Matthew!” An oval faced brunette with pale skin and a smattering of freckles across her nose glided over once she spotted my husband. “Darling, you made it.” She offered her cheeks which Matt promptly kissed before they hugged.

“Karen,” Matt smiled. “You look ravishing. This is my wife, Madison.” Matt presented me, yeah, it felt exactly like that.

“Hello,” I greeted with my free hand up and ready to be shook.

Karen’s green eyes sparkled as her gaze travelled my form. She tilted her head at Matt and his grin widened.

“What an absolute beauty you are,” she said right before enveloping me in a perfumed embrace.

“Um, thanks,” I was a bit uncomfortable. Her boobs were pressed quite close to mine, intimately mashed together to be precise. And although she was a looker, I didn’t swing that way. “You’re not badyourself.” Urgh. Why did I say that? Easing back from the love affair taking place between our boobies, I gestured to the space around us. “You have a lovely home.”

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