Page 130 of Lovers' Dance: Vol. 2

“Poppet,” Matt rasped out, biting his lower lip for a second. “Ah, you may have misunderstood-”

“What?” I growled, not appreciating Nathan’s behaviour or the others. “Who the hell shoots birds at night? Pigeons sleep at night. What sort of messed up shit is that? Why would…unless they’re infected? Is it Avian flu? I thought pigeons couldn’t spread it? Have you called the RSPCC?”

“Poppet,” Matt gasped for breath.

Franklin was leaning against his wife, tears leaked from his eyes as he said, “Bird Flu! Christ! Pi-pigeons!”

“Stop,” Nathan wheezed. “God, make her stop, Matt. I can’t – I just can’t-”

“What the hell is your problem, Nathan?” I was getting mad. “It’s inhumane to shoot sleeping birds. The RSPCC can sort it out properly. Why are you laughing? Stop laughing.”

“Poppet,” Matt was wheezing now.

I glanced up at him. His face was red. I swear if someone didn’t tell me what the hell was going on-

“Clay,” Matt got out. “Clay pigeons, sweetheart.”

My face fell. “Clay pigeons? As in the sport? That kind of shooting?”

Bella nodded with lips pressed tightly together. At least she attempted to keep her laughter at bay. The others had no problem letting theirs out. My face burned with embarrassment, and Matt, my own bloody husband was chuckling away.

“It’s not funny,” I said sharply. “How was I to know we weren’t under attack? These are serious times we live in. It’s not funny, Nathan.”

“No,” Nathan straightened up. “It’s hilarious. Blimey, Madi. You-” He had another attack of laughter. His blonde hair was in disarray as Bella smacked his arm. I glared at Matt. His shoulders were shaking. I glared even harder.

“Absolutely adorable,” Karen said dabbing the corner of her eyes. “She’s adorable, Matthew.”

Louisa, who’d been enjoying my humiliation, observed the way Karen and Franklin grinned at me. Her humour abruptlydisappeared.

Matt bent his head, grabbed my chin and planted a nice big wet one on my lips. He didn’t care in the slightest everyone was staring at us.

“I love you to bits,” he said, running his index finger down my nose.

It was hard to keep scowling at him after that. I relaxed against him, inhaling his scent deeply.

Franklin coughed then cleared his throat as he wiped his eyes. “Definitely a keeper, Matt.”

Matt kept his gaze locked on mine, the amusement in his eyes faded away to leave something pure and real. And I was helpless to stop myself from falling into the pull of his piercing grey eyes.

“They do that all the time,” Nathan warned. “Like bloody teenagers. Bella, darling, grab that waiter,” Nathan thumped his chest. “I need a drink.”

“Let’s go get something suitable for you to eat.” Matt said softly. I nodded and Matt inclined his head at his friends before leading me away.

“That was embarrassing.” I admitted ten minutes later in a kitchen filled with staff bustling around. Matt seemed completely at ease here and I wondered how close he was to Franklin and Karen. He had waltzed up to one of the chefs and demanded a dish of my choosing to be made.

I’d been secretly appalled at his arrogance so asked for a simple sandwich. When the chef offered fresh salmon, I gagged a bit. Don’t get me wrong, I love fish, just not salmon. Too rich for me. The chef ended up making me a chicken salad, his secondary offer of venison Carpaccio elicited another gag in my throat. Why did so many people enjoy raw meat?

Matt was watching me chew my food. I watched him watching me. We really did make googly eyes at each other quite a lot.

“Are you having fun, poppet?” he asked, moving close enough to rest a hand over my waist.

“It’s ok,” I replied after swallowing, “Um, what goes on upstairs?”

Matt suddenly averted his gaze, pointed out the impressive Aga and asked if we should have both kitchens in the Surrey estate redone. Hmm. Avoidance. My curiosity increased, but I definitely would not be heading up there. Not now I knew there were also gunson the property.

“Is it,” I glanced around, ensuring we were out of anyone’s earshot. I realised members of staff for rich people constantly had their ears open. Matt’s Surrey staff were always lurking around corners. It freaked me out whenever we stayed there. “Kinky stuff?”

Matt raised one eyebrow. I popped some salad in my mouth and waited.

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