Page 55 of Lovers' Dance: Vol. 2

“You barely know the man,” Dante said harshly.

“I do.” I retorted, making sure I injected as much scorn as possible into my tone.

“This is bullshit.” Dante growled. “I’m changing my ticket and flying back today.”

“Dante, stop,” I said in frustration. “Look, maybe this is for thebest. I do love him, truly I do-”

“You’re in love with sex and it’s clouding your judgement. Come on, Madi. Just slow down for a minute here.” Dante inhaled sharply. “Just listen to me. He’s the first man you’ve ever slept with and that can be a heady feeling-”

“I’m not talking about this with you,” I cut him off, insulted by his inference the only reason I loved Matt was due to him being the first man to show me the pleasures of sex. What we had was more than sex. I was also completely embarrassed over the fact Dante knew I had been a virgin before Matt. We were friends since yay high. He knew everything about me. “I’m sorry I called. Goodbye.”

“Madison Beatrix DuMont.” he yelled. “Do not hang up this call.”

The use of my hated middle name halted me. Gosh darn it. Who in their right mind would stick Beatrix in their child’s name? My parents must have been smoking something.

“Please, please, don’t rush this,” Dante implored. “I’m sorry I overreacted before, you took me by surprise. Look, you love him, fine, whatever; but there’s no need to do this. Just wait, sweet cheeks.”

“Wait?” I asked. “We’re getting married, sooner rather than later. I love him. Why must we wait?”

Dante sighed, long and hard. “I- I don’t know him well enough, sweet cheeks. I don’t know if I can trust him with you. I – God. Please, just wait.”

My head snapped up at the sound of confident footsteps. Matt was heading in my direction with a brown envelope in his hand and a happy smile on his face.

Matthew Bradley was the most beautiful man I had ever seen, and I wanted him to be mine. Dante’s disapproval only served to confirm this.

“I have to go, Dante.”

“Madi. Wait-” his words were filled with raw desperation. I hung up the call, schooling my face into a pleasant mask as Matt drew nearer.

“Who were you talking to?” he asked when he stood in front of me. He reached for me with his free hand and I wrapped my arms around his waist and buried my face in his chest. The cell phone in my handwas an unwelcome reminder of the conversation with Dante. I shook my head against him, not wanting to discuss it.

“The vicar should be here soon,” Matt volunteered into the silence. I nodded against his chest while he slipped his free hand into my coat to rub my back in soothing circles. “You can still have a proper big wedding if you want, sweetheart. Last chance to back out.”

I leaned back to peer into his eyes. The grey orbs were mesmerizing, so many times I’d found myself just lost, drowning in his eyes. “Do you want to, Matt? Back out? I would understand-”

“No,” he cut me off gruffly. “I’ve wanted you since the first night we met, I started falling in love with you that day in the pub,”

“When I called you a pompous old racist?” The scepticism on my face earned me a tender smile from him.

“When you stormed back in after your hasty departure,” His smile deepened and his eyes glinted with amusement. “You were so furious and so utterly enchanting. I didn’t stand a chance.” He kissed my temple, the barest of touches. “And since that day my love has only grown, so no, poppet. I’m not backing out of this. The sooner we’re married, the better.”

The tension in my body flowed away at his declaration and I tilted my head, wanting to seal his words with a kiss.

Matt avoided my lips with an accompanying wink, saying with sham sternness, “Not until we’re married, young lady. I am a gentleman, after all.”

That tore a laugh from my lips. “Right. You weren’t one this morning.” He shrugged without an ounce of remorse and I laughed even more. “I love you so much, Matt.” My own declaration was heartfelt as I pushed Dante’s words to the back of my mind. I did know Matt. Maybe not every single detail of the man he was, but I knew the most important thing and that was his love for me.

“The vicar has arrived.” Rachel’s voice came from a way behind us and the clicking of her heels paused as she took in our embrace.

Matt and I exchanged a long look, both grinning like kids, then I straightened my shoulders and eased out of his arms.

“Ok. I’m ready. Let’s do this. Let’s get married. This is good. Great, actually. I’m ready. Let’s do this.” Oh why did I sound like some jocktrying to pep himself up for a game?

Matt arched one eyebrow at me, the corner of his mouth curled up slightly. “Just breathe.”

I took a few deep breaths then smiled, feeling shy all of a sudden. “I’m ready.”

Matt held his hand out to me. “Let’s go meet the vicar, I’m sure he’ll have a few questions for us before we start and we’ll need to sign the paperwork.”

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