Page 241 of Lovers' Dance: Vol. 2

His face fell.

“I love you too much,” I whispered. “It hurts too much –mmph.”

We’d shared passionate kisses before, ones that deserved to be on the big screen winning accolades. This kiss was more than passion. Matt’s tongue swept past my lips without any resistance as I clung to his arms. It was a first kiss, if that made any sense. I felt as if it was our first kiss all over again. Searching, aching, forceful yet so sweet…I matched each stroke of his tongue with my own. The intensity of it peaked and ebbed, like the ocean’s tide and as only liquid can, it left us floundering, drowning in each other and needing to come up for oxygen after a while.

Breathing heavily, Matt pressed soft kisses across my cheeks. “Say it once more,”

“I love you.”

“Again.” Matt’s throaty demand made me smile.

Then I was laughing and crying at the same time. “I love you. I’m an idiot and you’re the biggest asshole I know, but I’m in love with you.”

“We’ll make it work,” Matt pledged with raw determination as I peppered his jaw with teary kisses. “It will be perfect this time around.”

I wasn’t too sure about the perfection thing, but I didn’t care and it felt as if a weight had been lifted off my shoulders.

“I love you so much,” Matt whispered, holding me close. He chuckled and looked down at my tummy which was in the way. Then he went to his knees and started to kiss my stomach. “All three ofyou.”

If I had felt true love for him before, it was nothing in comparison to the tidal wave of emotions flooding through me in that moment.

“We won’t rush,” Matt laid his head against me and I ran my hand through his hair as he continued. “We’ll take things slow.”

A warning light flashed brightly amidst the soppiness in my mind. Snap. Did this mean what I think it did? “You’re really not going to sex me anytime soon, are you?” I asked dryly.

Matt grinned up at me before launching into a full-blown conversation with my tummy, in French to boot. I think there was some Italian and Russian thrown in there also. I allowed him ten minutes of his mushy behaviour then stroked my fingers through his soft hair and cleared my throat.

“So this beef salad you mentioned,” I arched an expectant eyebrow. “What’s happening with that?”

CHAPTER 29

“Are we goingto discuss it?” Matt’s annoyance grew as he finished setting the kitchen table for our meal.

I scrunched my features up while dishing out the food. I was also annoyed and his tone of voice wasn’t helping.

“Of course we’ll discuss it,” I snapped, walking over with the hot plates filled with hot food. “But can I at least eat first before you start spouting your sanctimonious nonsense?”

Matt hurried to my side and carefully took the plates off me. I huffed under my breath as he placed them on the table.

“I feel how I feel, Matt,” I said. “You won’t understand. You can’t-”

Matt dragged a chair out with more force than was needed. The screeching wood across my tiled kitchen floor had me eyeing him.

“I do understand, poppet,” he grated out while beckoning me over. “What? Do you honestly think it doesn’t bother me? It sickens me but what can we bloody do about it?”

I took the seat and observed Matt as he yanked his chair out and folded his tall frame into it. He had ditched his work jacket and tie the moment he waltzed through my front door an hour ago. The shirt had the first few buttons undone and now sported a stain from him standing too close when I was vigorously stirring my sauce. I think there was a stain on his trousers also. His jaw was clenched and the skin of his cheeks were slightly tinged in anger. Those eyebrows of his were dangerously low as he scowled at my salt and pepper shaker.

“I know nothing can be done about it. I’m not stupid.” I retorted and reached for the chilli sauce.

Matt delivered a light smack to the back of my hand, one eyebrow now raised as he regarded me. I frowned but left it alone and he winked at me, thus easing the tension between us.

“And don’t think I’ve forgotten about the hours you keep putting in at your studio.” Matt brought up another bone of contention. “I spoke to Dante and he agrees with me. You need to cutback, poppet.”

We were arguing, but it was ok. I was almost 32 weeks into my pregnancy and it was taking its toll on me, if I was honest. Of course,I acted like superwoman in front everyone else.

“Forgive me if I’m wrong,” I stated with false humility. “But do you or Dante work in obstetrics? I know Dr Nichols does,” I began cutting my vegetables into bite size morsels. “And he said I’m perfectly fine to continue at my current pace.” I popped some food in my mouth, smug as shit.

Matt was stumped with that and he knew it. Then a gleam entered his grey eyes and he cocked his head at me. “Well, I missed last week’s antenatal visit, but I won’t this week. The three of us will have a discussion about what’s good for you and our babies. By the way, Iwillcall your aunt if you don’t start slowing down. Believe me, I will. She’s completely forgiven me, this religion malarkey is good for some things. Anyway, she made me promise to take care of you when we last spoke and you know I’m a man of my word.”

---