Page 134 of Lovers' Dance: Vol. 2

Matt kept touching my face, touching my neck, touching my shoulders. I groaned in pain. He needed to stop touching me. The pain radiating from my shoulder made everywhere else feel sensitive.

“You imbecile.” Nathan raged. “Are you blind, Greg? Look at the size of her. That shotgun is far too big for her. You didn’t even use a recoil pad? Bloody fool.”

Matt gently skimmed my right cheek and I winced, even wincing hurt. His grey eyes were wide with concern as he took my ear plugs out.

“Is my arm gone, Matt?” The pain was making me nauseous. My eyelids fluttered. “I can’t dance without my arm.” The tears were about to fall.

“No, poppet,” he said, slowly helping me up. “It hurts because of the recoil impact. Did I not tell you to stand over there? What on earth were you thinking?”

I assumed he berated me because he was scared at my reckless behaviour. Still, he could’ve been more compassionate. Nathan continued shouting at Greg, who staunchly protested he shouldn’t be blamed.

“How did you even manage to hold up the gun?” Matt wasn’t finished telling me off. “Do you know how badly you could’ve been injured? This is by far the most ridiculous, not to mention dangerous thing you’ve ever done. Did I not tell you to stay put? I have a right mind to paddle your arse for disobeying me.”

“It hurts,” I whimpered, while feeling very sorry for myself. “Everyone was doing it, and it looked easy.”

Matt stopped, his mouth opening and closing in disbelief before he shook his head and told Nathan to bring my purse and his jacket. Soon I was back inside sat on a stool in a parlour holding an ice-pack to my face while Matt held one to my shoulder. Bella, sweet Bella, had been hurling reproach at both Matt and Nathan. Luckily, a couple of guests were actual surgeons. One of them checked me over, gently rotating my arm to check if anything was broken while I gulped whiskey down. Karen had suggested it for the shock. Karen knew what was what. The whiskey was much appreciated, and I made the waiter leave the bottle.

“Poppet,” Matt murmured as he lifted the ice-pack to tenderly kiss my throbbing shoulder. “Silly woman.” The ice-pack went back and he scowled fiercely.

“I’m sorry.” I said for the hundredth time. Why did I have to apologize? I was the injured one here. “Everyone was doing it.”

“Because they allknowhow to handle a shotgun, Madi.” Bellapointed out, absent-mindedly rubbing her tummy. “What on earth were you thinking?”

I guess it was my turn to bear her wrath.

“She wasn’t thinking.” Nathan added, glaring at me. Why was he mad?

“It looked fun.” I said defensively. “And I watched the way you guys were doing it. Look, this isn’t my fault. Greg shouldn’t have given me that gun. It was supposed to be fun.”

“Are you having fun now?” That came from Matt, heavy with sarcasm.

“No, not really.” I replied in a ‘poor me’ voice.

Matt’s gaze softened immediately. “Let’s get you home.”

“No,” I protested. “Don’t be silly. It feels kind of numb now, I don’t mind staying. Go have fun with your friends, I’ll just,” I eyed the bottle of whiskey. “Rest here for a while.”

Matt raised an eyebrow. “I think it’s best to take you home, poppet.”

“I’m fine,” I reiterated, adding, “Honestly.” when they exchanged sceptical looks. “Go mingle. I’ll be out in a moment. Maybe ten-fifteen minutes.”

Still they hesitated. I really wanted to have a moment alone to huddle on that comfy looking chair nursing my shoulder and downing some more whiskey. Damned parties. Why did these stupid things happen to me? It must be a form of jinx, I was jinxed. Stupid shotgun, stupid clay pigeons, stupid party. Who in their right mind allows clay-shooting on their property?

“Go.” I waved towards the door. “I’ll be fine.”

Nathan took his wife’s hand and tugged her forward.

Matt kissed my temple. “Be right back. I’ll just let Franklin know we’re leaving.”

“Matt,”

He kissed my mouth softly, leaning back to gently rub his thumb across my bottom lip. “Don’t ever pull a stupid stunt like that again, young lady. You scared the hell out of me.”

I managed a grin, I had scared myself. “We can stay-”

“No,” he cut me off. “I’m taking you home.”

When he got like this there was no arguing with him so I simply nodded, wincing in the process as he took away the ice-pack I held and pressed my hand to the one on my shoulder.

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