Page 85 of Lovers' Dance: Vol. 2

A strange look passed over his face when I swiped my hands down my flat stomach. When our eyes met in the ceiling to floor mirror there was a poignant moment between us. I gave him an uncertain smile.

“You look lovely, poppet,” he repeated, turning back to his cufflinks. “I like it when you wear your hair up.”

“You’re looking quite hot yourself, Mr Bradley.” I teased. In my stocking clad feet I sauntered over to help him make a choice. “Those cufflinks will go nicely with that watch.”

Matt snorted at my suggestion and I bumped him with one hip. He took a few steps to his right and opened another drawer. I tried to hide my grimace. It was the place he kept some of my jewellery. The rest was in a safe somewhere in the house. I really didn’t want to know where.

“This goes perfectly with your dress.” he decided, holding up an emerald and diamond choker.

“That’s new.” Came my unhappy mumble. I watched as he came closer and motioned for me to turn around. Reluctantly I did.

“There are earrings also.” he added mischievously, knowing my discomfort when wearing the pricey bling he kept buying for me. Matt fixed it around my neck. “And a bracelet.”

“Matt,” My reproachful tone only made him grin wider. “You have to stop buying me expensive jewellery. I have so much already, stuff I’ll probably never get a chance to wear.”

He headed back to the drawer and got the matching earrings andbracelet, suggesting under his breath that I could always wear them around the house…with nothing else on. I ignored his low comment then chuckled at the thought of George catching me stark naked, blingified but otherwise naked. That would definitely give him a coronary.

I let Matt fasten the glittering bracelet around my wrist before I put on the earrings. Damn. He was right as usual. The jewellery did go perfectly with my dress. Sparkling chocolate goddess. That was my moniker for tonight. Helen of Troy, eat your heart out. I could launch ten million ships tonight to your paltry thousand.

Matt resumed picking out his cufflinks and watch. I observed his reflection in the mirror. How could he look so good in a tuxedo? His body was made for clothes. I glanced at his Testoni’s shoes, out and ready for wearing; they jarred me into getting my own shoes out.

“What time is Dan arriving?” I asked a minute later while slipping on my heels.

“In half an hour, poppet.”

“Matt,” I fiddled with my wedding band for a moment then straightened my shoulders. “Are we good?”

“In what sense?” he queried distractedly.

I glided over to his side, reaching up with my hand to turn his face towards me. He gave me a small smile but his eyes skittered away, back to those bloody cufflinks. He now wore his RW Smith watch, one of three. I did not need to know how much he spent on those exclusive watches, there was a waiting list to get one.

“Pay attention to me, hon,” I ordered. When I was certain he was focused on me I continued. “The past few days we’ve been avoiding-”

“Madison,” he interrupted, a sudden weariness enveloped him as he removed my hand. “Can we not do this? We’re fine. I’m fine. Let’s just have a good time tonight. Ok?”

“Ok.” I nodded once then plucked out the cufflinks I had chosen before and placed them in the palm of his hand.

I kissed his cheek quickly before leaving him to it. We werefine. I harboured secret resentment for that particular word now. Friggingfine. If his definition of the word meant going to extreme lengths to not speak about the baby issue from three days ago; then yes, we were fine. What made it worse was the fact we both made the effort to get home from work at a reasonable hour so we could spend more time together. The thing I had wanted most was now the thing Idreaded. There was an underlying awkwardness between us that Matt kept skirting around whenever I attempted to bring the topic up.

“See you downstairs.” I called out from the bedroom door. His muffled answer could only be one of agreement.

George was loitering in the kitchen when I walked in. He gave me a once over and nodded his head.

“Stunning?” I prompted.

“Very much so, Mrs Bradley.” he confirmed. “Would you like a cup of tea?”

I scrunched my face up. “Coffee, please.”

The doorbell went and George turned away from the counter. I followed him out the kitchen like a stray puppy. It was Dan, earlier than expected and wearing a harassed expression. Uh oh.

“You’re early.” George stated tartly. His body was blocking my view of Dan so I tried to steal past him to greet Dan.

“Hi, Dan.” I said brightly.

“Evening, Mrs Bradley-”

“I shall notify Mr Bradley of your arrival. Please wait outside.” George instructed Dan with a haughtiness that made my blood curdle.

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