Page 146 of Lovers' Dance: Vol. 2

Emotional. Being with her had eroded his cold sense of detachment, and sometimes he mourned the loss of it. She had breached his impenetrable walls from the start, and he had fooled himself into thinking he still held all the control, that he alone dictated the terms of their relationship.

A tentative touch across his knee had him glancing down at her dainty hand. Her wedding band seemed to mock him, to cry foul, to remind him of his promise to always put her first. God. He was a bastard, but the hidden resentment he felt towards her pursued him relentlessly. They needed to have a serious talk. One he’d been avoiding for months. It was unfair to her, his continued distance. Laughable, considering how he previously chastised her for poor communication between them. Yet here he was doing the same thing. Matt covered her hand with his own, squeezing gently as their gazes met. With his free hand he reached up to smooth away an errant curl from her face and tucked it securely behind one ear. This time the smile stayed on her face.

“So,” Matt’s own mouth twisted into a playful grin. “What have youlearnt about gambling today, Madi?”

Adam chuckled while Madi scrunched up her face, embarrassed at Matt’s teasing. The one horse she’d bet on came dead last. Matt had tried to convince her that choosing a horse solely based on its name was illogical. She had waved his concerns away, reassuring him she had a ‘good feeling’ about the horse.

“What was it called again?” Bella asked, also chuckling.

“I got good vibes,” Madi defended her decision.

“Good vibes?” Nathan joined in the teasing. “Blimey. I’d hate to see what happens when you get a bad vibe.”

Matt laced his fingers through hers. Her lovely skin did not show it but he knew she was blushing hard.

“I’m getting a vibe about you right now, Nathan.” she retorted.

Adam laughed even louder as Patricia, his date, leaned over to murmur something in his ear.

“Excuse me,” Madi said when the muted ringing of her phone came from her clutch. She tugged her hand free and retrieved the phone.

Matt relaxed against the upholstery as everyone else politely started up other conversations while Madi answered the call.

“Hey, Bri-” she started then abruptly fell silent for a few moments before firing out rapid questions amidst the frantic chewing of her full lower lip. Matt paid attention to her words even as his eyes zoned in on her delicious mouth. Someone was injured. He noted her hand distractedly rubbing her own knee as she spoke about Meniscus tears. Although she wasn’t a member of the medical profession, her knowledge on injuries was formidable. Being with a ballerina had also increased his own understanding of the strains on the human body. He couldn’t count the number of times he’d found her in discomfort, close to tears as she limped around their home. He worried about her. Luckily, since knowing her, Madi had so far escaped any major injury; but she explained to him most dancers suffered some form of injury every season. She was obsessive about her feet also, determined to ‘not end up with fugly mutated monster paws’ in her own words. Matt glanced towards her shoes. For a ballerina she had quite cute feet, when they weren’t wrapped in bandages or tape, which was often.

“Everything ok?” he queried when she ended the call.

Madi twisted her head further to look straight at him. “Lisa’s hurt her knee.”

Matt arranged his face into the required expression of concern.

“Badly.” Madi added before her attention returned to the mobile and she made a call. Seconds later she said in a low terse voice, “Dante, it’s me. Call me back as soon as. Lisa’s hurt her knee. It sounds bad. Call me.”

When she hung up the phone she stared listlessly out the window, eyebrows pulling together in a frown as she chewed her lips.

“Poppet,” Matt called softly.

“Yes?” Her brown eyes were distant, focused on him but not actually seeing him.

“I’m sure Lisa will be fine,” He sought to ease her worry but the tight grimace that flickered over her mouth confirmed his supportive words did nothing to decrease her concern.

“Adam, I can’t recall ever being to your place in Westminster,” Glenda said. “How long have you been there?”

“Quite a few years now,” Adam replied disinterestedly. His attention was now solely on Patricia, who languished in his attentiveness.

Matt shot Adam a sardonic glance, certain Patricia’s intent ran along different lines to his brother’s; and Bella, fully aware of the change in Madi’s demeanour, turned the topic to much lighter things, trying to recapture the frivolous atmosphere of not too long ago. Try as she might though, Madi remained pensive. Her responses were forced, as was the smile she wore. By the time they arrived at Adam’s home Matt knew she was in no mood for the planned evening soiree.

“The others should be getting here soon.” Adam advised on their entry to his lavish abode.

“I say,” Nathan exclaimed, moving straight towards the sculpture holding centre place in the drawing room. “Is that a Giacometti? Bella, darling, you’re never wrong with these things. This bronze is a Giacometti, right?”

Adam’s staff began serving drinks and Matt stepped closer to Madi, effectively blocking her from the other’s view and affording them some privacy.

“We won’t stay long, poppet.”

She raised a hand and lightly brushed the side of his face. “It’s fine, Matt. I’m fine, just,” Her hand fell back to her side. “This is a major setback. Lisa had a substantial role in the production.”

Before Matt could reply the sound of her phone interrupted them. Retrieving it she looked around quickly. “Is there-”

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