Page 33 of Lovers' Dance: Vol. 2

“Half an hour, half a pint and I’m driving.” I countered.

“Two hours, two pints and I’ll pay for your taxi.” Dante tugged on my ponytail.

“Half an hour, half a pint and I’m still driving.” I repeated. Anything longer than 30 minutes and I would end up staying out with them all. Dante knew this.

“Two hours, diet cola and you’re still driving. Come on. Our production was a success.” Dante cajoled, and I caved.

“Okay, but you know I don’t drink diet, it tastes weird.” I said. Matt would understand. Pub crawl here we come…

It was gone 2am when I used my keys to open Matt’s front doors. I put my bag and Matt’s gift down and had a few moments of silent curses as I tried to remember the darned alarm code. The last thing I needed was the alarm going off. On my second attempt it worked and I breathed a sigh of relief while kicking off my sneakers and shrugging out my duffle coat. After hanging it up I picked up my bag and the gift. There was the low glow of light coming from one of the rooms down the hallway but the house was quiet. I worried my lower lip between my teeth, feeling like a kid sneaking in after curfew.

“Ok,” I muttered to myself. “How mad could he be?”

Knowing Matt, he’d be mad but very polite about it. Maybe I should have come straight here after the pub instead of going home to get his gift. And of course, once I got home I had to have a shower and change into some comfy clothes. I also unloaded my dryer and dishwasher. Too much residual energy from the final performance.

I sighed and headed for the light. Hopefully my smile would dazzle him into a good mood. He always said I had a charming smile. The sight that met me when I slowly elbowed the door open had me grinning.

Matt was sprawled out on the ridiculously large corner sofa while Adam was propped up against the armchair. It looked like he hadslipped off the seat at one point and simply went back to sleep. I noticed the two glasses and empty Scotch bottle on the ornate wooden table and shook my head. They hadn’t used coasters and that table was expensive. George would not be pleased. I quietly put my bag and Matt’s gift down, folded my arms, and watched the two brothers sleep. Wow. They did resemble each other, although Matt was much more handsome in my opinion. With toasty sock-clad feet I minced over to where Matt lay and bent forward to brush his hair off his forehead.

“Matt,” I whispered, slowly running my hand through his silky hair. “Hon, wake up.” Nothing. I got nothing. So I bent down further, low enough to whisper above his ear. “Matt, wake up. You’ll have a bad back if you stay on the sofa.”

His breathing hitched for a moment but resumed its slow, deep rhythm. He looked so sweet and peaceful. And his lips…I couldn’t help it. I stole a kiss.

“Ow.” I hissed when a strong arm immediately snaked around me and yanked me into his body. The collision of our foreheads was unexpected and I was now in a very awkward position.

“What time do you call this, poppet?” he murmured, eyes still closed.

“Uh, early o’ clock. Why aren’t you in bed?” I whispered back.

Matt groaned and moved his body so he could manoeuvre me into a better position on top of him. His arm still held me prisoner. Then he sighed contentedly and went back to his deep breathing.

“Matt, we can’t stay like this.” I advised, although it was now quite comfortable laying atop his muscular body.

One grey eye popped open. “You’re late.”

“Mhmm, a little.”

Both eyes were open now and squinting at me. “Very late.”

“Sorry?” I volunteered with a remorseful smile.

Matt’s hand slipped under my sweater and he began to rub circles over my lower back. “How are you planning to make it up to me?” he drawled sleepily.

I pressed a light kiss to his jaw, then another to the base of his neck where his pulse maintained a steady beat.

“Anything you want.” I murmured as I buried my face against thewarmth of his skin.

“I like the sound of that,” he said, his hand tugged gently at the waistband of my pants. “Let’s go to bed, poppet, and you can show me how sorry you are.”

We sat up and Matt rubbed his face before peering at his sleeping brother for a few seconds.

“Adam,” he called sharply.

Adam jerked, eyes struggling open. “What?”

“Go to bed.” Matt ordered as he pulled us up.

---