Page 151 of Lovers' Dance: Vol. 2

“Hmm,” I didn’t want to say it, but the words spilled out my lips. “I just hate this unpleasantness about you, I mean, you’re polite but so demanding, so-”

“Don’t say it.” he warned with a tightening of mouth, his grey eyes flashed dangerously.

I wasn’t dumb…I silently mouthed the word after turning my face. A sharp smack on my ass had me jumping away from him in shock. “What the hell? I’m your wife, show me and my ass some respect.”

“Don’t call me bossy then,” he countered with one raised eyebrow as I rubbed my stinging bum cheek.

The lack of panties meant the connection was even more direct. I opened my mouth to let him have it and the bastard winked at me. It was obvious he owned every inch of my heart because I began to smile against my will.

“Love you,” I murmured as we arrived at the lobby and the doors opened once more.

“I know you do.” Matt said, slipping one hand over mine. “I’ll try my best to be home before midnight.”

I grinned at him and squeezed his hand. “So will I. Ah, have you spoken to your niece?”

“Which one?” Matt asked as he led me towards the rear exits of the lobby which would take us to the private parking area. “Trouble or Terror?”

“You really shouldn’t call them that, Matt. You could be psychologically scarring them, causing some sub-conscious damage that makes them want to live up to those nicknames.”

Matt rolled his eyes. “Did I ever tell you about the dolls and tea party fiasco they subjected me to when they were about four? Trust me, they deserve the monikers I’ve assigned them.”

“What did they do?” I queried, slowing down when my Cayenne came into view. I wanted to draw out what little time I had left with him.

“ThelemonadeI felt obligated to drink, being the doting uncle back then, was piss, poppet.”

My mouth fell open, his words had stopped me in my tracks.

“Yes,” Matt confirmed with a faint grimace. “My darling nieces thought as their urine was pale yellow it was close enough, never mind they could have simply asked their nanny to make the actual drink,” Matt shook his head. “The little blighters.”

I couldn’t stop the chuckles so I covered my mouth with my hand, picturing two sweet blonde girls offering a younger Matt their version of lemonade.

“It wasn’t amusing then and that hasn’t changed with time. Stop laughing at me.” Matt groused.

My chuckles came harder. “B-but didn’t you smell-”

“They put Hannah’s perfume in it, threw me off the bloody scent – stop laughing.”

I doubled over, making no attempt to hide how hilarious I found the whole thing. “Oh God. I needed that,” I wheezed out.

Matt sent me a mock glare and I straightened up, stepping into the warmth of his body to steal a kiss.

“You’ll have to do better than that to soothe my ego, Mrs Bradley,” he drawled, wrapping his strong arms around me.

“DuMont-Bradley,” I reminded him. “And may Ipleasehave my panties back?”

“No,” he replied firmly. “Now why do you think I need to speak to?”

“Natty,” I supplied. “One of her friends is doing some sort of art project at Uni, and she volunteered me as a subject, but she feels she needs your permission first. I told her it was fine but,” My words trailed off as I shrugged.

Matt sighed in exasperation. “I honestly don’t know what goes through her head. She should be focused on her own studies, not running around doing favours for her flighty art friends. I don’t understand why Hannah and Stuart allow her to socialize with that group. Her grades have been slipping, Grumps mentioned it to me. She should be focused on her own work like Nikki is. Hmph. Wasting time with those bloody friends of hers.”

I blinked, surprised at the frustration clouding his features. “She loves art, Matt, and she’s just trying to help her friend out. And what do you meanflighty art friends? I have an MFA, in case you’ve forgotten. And Natty’s friend is getting an Art degree from Cambridge University, that’s impressive.”

“Humph,” Matt snorted as he released his hold on me in order for us to resume our walk to my car. “Impressive it may be, but it’s highly unlikely to be a lucrative career.”

“Not everything is about money,” I shot back. Jeez! I was glad we wouldn’t be having kids. Matt would probably have their lives planned out until death and heaven forbid they go against his wishes. Yeah, we definitely weren’t having kids.

“No,” Matt ensured his tone was carefully neutral. “But most things are in today’s society, poppet. It’s naïve to believe anything else.”

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