Page 162 of Lovers' Dance: Vol. 2

“Sell it, give it away,” I tossed Matt’s words back at him. “I don’t care.” And honestly, in that moment those words were true for me. I shook my head again as I descended the steps, pausing once to look back at Matt. “Do you remember that day in the pub?”

His lips tightened.

“I was right about you,” I said. “You’re a bad person, Matthew. You had all my trust without showing me the same favour, I gave you almost every bit of me; yet you still refuse to see the truth, to show some level of faith inme. You prefer to think the worst of me, instead of seeing this whole debacle for what it truly is. God. How can someone as intelligent as you are be so bloody stupid?”

Then I walked to my SUV, got in and drove away without a backward glance. The missing weight of my rings felt strange. We were still married but it was obvious Matt believed our short marriage to be over. The past few weeks I had tried my best to assessthe situation from his point of view. Of course I would have been livid if someone had brought me evidence of his alleged infidelity, but I would have at least allowed him the opportunity to defend himself. Matt hadn’t really afforded me the same courtesy. He had his proof, and that was all he cared about. He had done what he usually did: exactly what he damned well wanted without serious consideration for anyone else. I had always likened being with him to being caught up in a whirlwind. Now the wind that had swept me up and away was gone and I had been left out at sea; alone, confused, and hurting. Swirling sucked big time. Hell, men in general sucked…

CHAPTER 18

“Make sure yougroom him properly after he cools down.” Matt advised the stable-hand as he dismounted the horse.

“Yes, sir.”

“And tomorrow I want the two mares transported to my father’s stable as early as possible.”

“Yes, sir.” the man said as he took the reins from Matt.

With a curt nod, Matt strode off towards the path that would lead to the house. He had enjoyed his afternoon ride immensely, it had provided a much needed distraction from his thoughts. Shame it was only fleeting. His traitorous wife was never far from his mind, and he hated that fact.

The twenty minutes brisk walk from the stables to the house of his Surrey estate was one of further self-reflection, unexpectedly interrupted when he spotted an unknown car parked next to his. Feeling his annoyance swell, he stalked up to the front double doors and entered his home.

“Amelia,” he called loudly in the foyer. “Who in the bloody hell is parked on my drive?”

The matronly woman who ran his Surrey staff came hurrying towards him.

“You have a guest-”

“I gathered that,” he cut her off impatiently. “Who is it?”

“Ms Gilliford, sir.” she paused at his irritated grunt, then forged on. “I did advise her you were out on your afternoon ride but she insisted on waiting. I’ve put her in the back salon.”

Matt wiped a hand over his face, grimacing slightly at the perspiration beading on his forehead. “Notify her I’ll be there shortly, I need to clean up.”

With that instruction he headed upstairs, grumbling under his breath. He had been holed up here for the last three weeks. Working out of his home office and avoiding any form of social interaction. Ever since he had informed his family of the breakdown of his marriage, which had garnered mixed responses, he needed seclusion. The twins were distraught and demanded to know whathehad done. His siblings asked if they were planning on working things out. His parents and Grumps had fired countless probing questions at him. Matt had warned with harsh emphasis that he wasnotdiscussing it any further, they stopped asking after that. It didn’t help the media had also found out about the separation between him and Madi, but his investigator was working on the leak and a name had been promised to him by the end of today.

He entered the master bedroom and went straight to the en-suite, where he stripped off his clothing and got into the shower. The hot spray of water was almost cathartic, until he reached over for some soap and his hand closed over the bottle that was her brand. Biting back expletives, Matt flung it aside and reached for his own. How had he missed it? There was no escape from her. It was embarrassing to admit to himself but he felt as if his beloved London had turned against him, it seemed everywhere he turned there was a billboard with her striking face staring out at him. Bloody soap! He would ensure his staff removed every reminder of his traitorous wife at this property also.

An image of the latest picture in the gossip rags flashed before his eyes. The little insets focused on their ring fingers, both bare, both an undeniable fact things weren’t right.

“Tossers.” he muttered, vigorously lathering his body up. Matt paused over his semi-hard cock, even thinking of her in anger his body still reacted. The nights were the worst. He would reach out for her in his sleep, find an empty space next to him then jerk into wakefulness. Those first few seconds were always filled with frightful alarm at her absence, before he remembered.

She didn’t share his bed anymore. She never would again.

God. He fucking missed her. That cheeky smile of hers, the way she would hum tunelessly while cooking, or unconsciously dance while doing the most mundane things. He bloody missed the scent of her on his pillow, the taste of her on his lips, the way they made love - Matt let out a frustrated groan. He had gone from semi-hard to painfully rigid. Ignoring the state of his manhood, he hastened to finish his shower. Once dressed, he fixed a pleasant smile on his face and sought out his unexpected guest.

“Louisa,” Matt greeted on entering the sunlit room. “This is a surprise.”

She rose gracefully from where she was seated, a bright smile on her face as she sauntered towards him.

“Matt,” She pressed a light kiss to his cheek. “How are you,darling?”

Matt maintained his faux smile and noted the empty glass at the side table where she had been seated. “Fine, and you?”

“Are you really?” She ignored his query into her wellbeing.

Matt cocked his head to the side, eyebrows raised as he regarded her silently.

“You failed to show for your own birthday celebration,” Louisa continued wryly. “Your mother was upset.”

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