Page 232 of Lovers' Dance: Vol. 2

Folding his arms over his chest, Matt arched an eyebrow. I remembered that look. It was filed under ‘you’re crazy and I’m going to ignore you’ in my mind.

“I am not having sex with you, Madison. It’s not happening. Are we clear?”

A light cough had us both spinning around. William Jr had just come around the corner.

“The food is being served, son.” William smiled at us both. “Grumps decided not to wait.” His grin widened further. “And ever so often a man needs to reassess his principles.”

“We’ll be there shortly.” Matt choked out while I slumped against the wall.

We watched him vanish around the corner then turned to each other. The corners of Matt’s mouth were quivering as he fought a smile.

“Do you think he heard everything?” I asked with dread.

“I don’t know.” Matt leaned into me, cupping my chin with his fingers and bending his head to press a brief kiss to my mouth. “What I do know is this: we’re divorced with twins on the way. I fucked up,” He sighed. “We both fucked up. It’s a complicated mess but,”

I held my breath, mesmerized by his gaze.

“But I love you,” He brushed his fingers up my cheek while his other hand gently palmed my stomach. “I never stopped loving you and I want you back.”

My lungs burned and I took a ragged breath. “I don’t know if-”

He tenderly ran his index finger over my lips. “We can only try, poppet. Give us another chance. Give me another chance with you.”

He kissed me again, taking his sweet time much to my delight. When we broke apart he winked at me and I bit my lower lip, fighting the instinctive giggle.

“Think about it?” he asked while taking a firm hold of my hand once more.

I gave him a shy nod, conflicted but unfortunately in love. The heart wants what the heart wants. You can’t just flip a switch and stop loving someone, love didn’t work that way.

“Let’s go eat,” Matt started us down the hallway. “And you should try to enjoy this moment. God only knows if my family will ever be so humble before you again.”

Hmm. He did have a point there.

“Keep Grumps away from me.” I warned. “And Adam. I don’t want to get arrested for assault.”

Matt lightly rubbed his thumb over my knuckles. “Grumps is being a meddling arse. He’s actually looking forward to their arrival.”

“Right.” The sarcasm was thick in my voice.

“He is.” Matt assured me. “He’s upset with the girls and thinks they are a lost cause now. He believes the new babies will be a fresh start.”

“Fresh start for what?” I queried with building trepidation.

“Don’t worry,” Matt picked up on the worry in my voice. “I won’t let him brainwash them, not much anyway. Hannah, Adam and I turned out alright.”

Biting my tongue I decided then and there Grumps would havelimited time with my children. He would probably live forever…I didn’t want them being influenced by that dragon of a man.

“I’m sorry about your studio,” he added as we walked. “But I have something of yours which will make you feel much better.”

Curious, I tilted my head sideways to see his face. “Of mine? What is it?”

“Your memory box.” he replied softly.

My feet stopped moving. “You found it? Can I- my box is here?”

Matt turned to face me, nodding in answer to my breathless questions. “I found it after that day – do you remember when you came by to drop off the jewellery?”

“You’ve kept it for that long?” I was aghast, then understandably angry as I yanked my hand free of his. “Do you know how terrible that was for me? Believing it was gone forever. Damn it, Matt. You are such a mean bastard. How could you do that to me?”

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