by Carr, K
“Well,” he persisted, a defiant well-defined eyebrow arching at me in the rear view mirror. “Is it?”
I would have answered, but my cell rang. I fumbled around in my bag and pulled it out. It was Dante. “Hey, hon, did they catch you?”
Matt looked a bit put out and I realized how rude my behaviour was. Ah, well.
“No, they didn’t catch me, but we split up so I don’t know about the others. They should be heading to the meet point.”
Matt and his friend were chatting in low voices. I focused on my conversation with Dante. “Yes, yes, I’ll head back to the studio. Do you want me to bring food? I’m starving and my ankle is twinging. I think I came down too hard from the last lift.”
Dante said not to bother with food as they would get something on the way back to the studio. Lisa and Brianna weren’t at the meet point yet. Everyone else was there, but us three. Dante asked where I was.
“Umm,” I whispered, not wanting Matt to hear the lie. “I’m in a taxi.” The front of the car went quiet. I looked up to see Matt staring at me in the rear view mirror.
“I’ll see you in a bit, Dante. Gotta go, bye.” I hung up and flashed a bright smile at my second-time rescuer. “Matt, you can drop me off anywhere here. I know you’re probably busy. So, ah, that bus stop will do fine.”
“Don’t be silly.” He brushed my words aside with a shake of his head. “I’ll take you wherever you want to go. Did you say you’re hungry? We could get a bite to eat before I drop you off.”
I was starving and it was nice seeing him again. He was better looking than I remembered. And wearing a nice suit from what I could see.
“I don’t know, Matt.”
“Come on, poppet,” he cajoled, turning around quickly to wink at me. “You can at least buy me dinner. I think I’ve earned it.”
I smiled at him, making a snap decision. I did owe him. Big time. “Okay, Matt.”
My cell rang again. “Where are you, Lis? Dante called and he was getting worried.”
“I ducked into a café, Madi. That was crazy, wasn’t it? Have you heard from the others?”
“Just Dante. Have you heard from Brianna?”
“She sent a text. Are you close to the meet point?” she asked.
“No, I’m going to get something to eat first. Oh my God, did you see Liam’s face when those two guys checked out his junk? I swear he’s never going to wear a leotard for another snap dance.”
“Ha. Um, listen. Eddie’s been griping about the choreography, Madi. He said you and Dante never take his views on board.”
My eyes widened. “Did he really say that?”
“Yes, was a bit rude about it too. I don’t know. He must have been having a bad day or something. Do you want me to let Dante know?”
“No, there’s no need to get Dante involved. It’s my dance company, I’ll sort it out. Look, I’ll see you later and we can talk then. Bye.” I hung up, fuming internally at what Lisa had confided in me.
“You okay?” Matt asked after a moment of silence.
“Yeah, I mean, yes. Where would you like to grab something to eat? That pub coming up looks okay.”
Matt and Nathan exchanged a look. A snotty sort of look. I noticed that Nathan was wearing a suit similar to Matt’s. Great. He was probably another rich white man. It was expected, the wealthy were a cliquey group.
“I’m starving, Matt. I know you’ve probably never eaten in a place like that, but I doubt I could afford the sort of restaurants you normally frequent.”
“It’s fine, Madi,” he replied.
“Great,” I said, a touch too brightly. “Now both of you keep your eyes front, I have to change my clothes.”
They both looked at each other, then their heads jerked forward. Matt’s gaze was jumping between the road in front and the rear view mirror though.
“No peeking,” I warned as I pulled my t-shirt out of my bag.
“You’re no fun, poppet,” he drawled, then started looking for a parking spot while I changed in the backseat.
<><><>
Matt felt like a teenaged boy on a first date. Over-excited, nervous and hoping to go all the way. He stole a look in the mirror, willing her to flash him some more of her smooth dark skin. Beautiful. She was so damn beautiful it made him ache. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Nathan reaching up towards the sun visor.
“Don’t even think about it,” he growled in a low voice to his friend.
“What?” Nathan whispered back, trying for an innocent look and failing miserably. “The sun’s in my eyes.”
“My fist will be in your eye if you touch that visor,” he warned quietly.
“What was that?” she called from behind his seat, sounding muffled.
“Nothing. Are you finished, Madi? I need to reverse into that spot.”
<><><>
I told him I was done as I pulled my favourite cowboy boots out my bag and stuffed my ballet shoes in. I thought about freshening up my make-up, but what the hell? It wasn’t like we were on a date. We were going to get something to eat, a thank you for him rescuing me again. I was trying my best not to think about what we’d gotten up to that night in his bed. Shit. Had he told his friend about that?
Matt parked as I pulled my hair up into a loose ponytail. Nathan was openly staring at me. Was he a weirdo?
Once the car was parked, Matt jumped out to open the door for me. I stepped out of the car, then flung myself into his arms. He stood frozen for a second before wrapping his arms tightly around me.
“You’re the best, Matt,” I murmured into his neck. He smelt so good. “I can’t believe you rescued me again.”
He didn’t say anything and I leaned back to gaze up at him. He licked his lips slowly, then twisted his head in Nathan’s direction. His friend had exited the car and was watching us curiously over the top of Matt’s car.
“Go get a ticket,” Matt ordered, before turning back to me. “I’m going to kiss you, poppet. I think I’ve earned it.”
I stayed absolutely still as he lowered his lips towards mine. Then we made contact. And the world disappeared as he ravished my lips with a kiss so intense it took my breath away. Man, he could kiss.
“Wow,” I whispered when we broke apart.
“Wow, indeed,” he agreed. I struggled in his arms and he let me slide back to the ground. I checked him out. In his expensive suit, he looked every bit the wealthy, successful business man I suspected him to be. It was unnerving to think I had been swapping saliva with him.
“You’re overdressed for a pub,” I teased, trying to affect a casual demeanour. My body was shaking. How could I be light-headed from a kiss?
Matt’s gaze ran over me, taking in my sleeveless t-shirt and khaki shorts, complete with brown knee-high cowboy boots.
“I like your top,” he finally said, eyes lingering around my boobs. The t-shirt had a picture of a cupcake with the words ‘eat me’ underneath. He stroked my mouth with his thumb. “I hoping to do exactly that.”
I shuddered. An embarrassing shudder went straight through me when he said that.
“Got the ticket,” Nathan said on his return. I hadn’t noticed when he left. Matt kept staring at me. I couldn’t hold his piercing glance with my eyes, so I slid my hands under his jacket to slip it off. He didn’t stop me, and why in the heck was I touching him so freely? As if he was mine? I tugged the jacket off, then started on his tie. He stood next to his car on the busy street and let me do as I wished. I tossed his jacket and tie into the car. My hands were shaking from his kiss.
“Am I presentable?” he mocked. I cocked my head, lips pursed, then undid the top buttons of his shirt and rolled his sleeves up.
“You are now.” I looked him up and down, satisfied he didn’t look like a corporate banker anymore.
“Are you going to partially undress me, too?” his friend joked from the other side of the car.
“Sod off,” Matt replied with a laugh, but there was a hardness to his jaw as he
regarded his friend. Nathan held his hands up and shrugged in good humour. I didn’t think Matt was finding him amusing at this moment. I reached back into the car to get my cell and wallet, then Matt locked up. He linked arms with me and we started walking towards the pub.
“God, I’d forgotten how tiny you are,” he said, as I walked between him and his friend.
“She is quite small, Matt,” Nathan agreed.
I jerked to a stop and pouted at them. “Hey, I’m normal sized for a ballerina.”
They exchanged an amused glance over my head. I sighed in an exaggerated manner, having come to terms with my small stature years ago. Who didn’t want to be a tall, leggy goddess? But variety was the spice of life, and the world would be a bland place if we all looked the same.
We went into the pub, getting a few looks from patrons. Matt led us over to the corner seats by the window and muscled me in so I ended up with him on one side and Nathan on the other. He smiled at me as his leg brushed mine under the table.
“What do you guys want to eat?” I asked, grabbing a menu and trying not to show how much that little contact with his leg had affected me.
Matt and Nathan took a menu each. I observed them as they perused their menus. Nathan had a derisive curl to his lips while scanning what was on offer. I peeked at Matt out of the corner of my eye. His head was bent over the menu, but he was watching me. We grinned at each other and his leg brushed mine again. Why was he sitting so close?
“The roast chicken baguette sounds fine,” Matt said. His tone indicated the opposite.
Nathan shot him a disbelieving glance.
“What are you going to order, Madi?” Matt asked, closing the menu to give me full attention with his startling grey eyes.
“A burger with everything,” I replied, setting the menu down. “And a pint of Carlsberg. After the day I’ve had, a pint is a definite requisite.”
Matt turned to Nathan. “And you?”
Nathan looked at his menu again and winced. “I remain undecided at the moment. Who can decide from such a gourmet on offer?”
There was definitely a truckload of snooty scorn in his posh British voice. My gaze travelled over the blonde man in his fancy business suit. It was obvious he thought this place beneath him. I chewed my lower lip, wondering what the hell I was doing here with these privileged type of men.
“If nothing appeals to you, then starve,” Matt said succinctly, then leaned back against the worn upholstery to regard me with interest. “You own a dance studio?”
I nodded, still a bit peeved over his friend’s snootiness.
“Tell me about it,” he commanded.
I tilted my head up with a bemused expression at his tone. “You’re quite bossy, Matt.”
He moved about in the seat, trying to fit his long frame comfortably. “I’m not,” he disagreed.
Nathan coughed lightly. I looked over and he was staring at Matt with amusement.
“You’re absolutely right, Madi. May I call you that?”
I nodded and Nathan flashed me a bright smile. Matt cleared his throat in a pointed manner and shot me an expectant look. Oh, yeah, he wanted me to tell him about my studio.
“Can we order the food first?” I nudged him, needing him to move so I could get out. “I’m starving. Have you decided what you want, Nathan?”
Nathan frowned again at the menu in his hand. “I’ll have the Caesar salad. Not much can go wrong with a salad.”
I nudged Matt once more. He slid aside and stood up.
“What about drinks? You guys haven’t said what you want to drink.” I held my wallet and cell as I slid across the seat and stood next to a waiting Matt. Gosh, he was like a Viking, big and strong with a definite edge of danger hovering around him.
“Bottled water,” they said in unison, then shared a knowing grin with each other.
“I’ll be right back.” I checked the table number and headed towards the bar, now unsure about my choice of a pint. Would they think I was an alcoholic? It was a pint. I mean, who has bottled water in a pub? I would get half a pint instead. That was more ladylike.
There were a few people waiting to be served, so I stood at the bar awaiting my turn.
<><><>
Matt smiled to himself as he watched her waiting at the bar. She looked great. Instead of looking casual in a t-shirt and khaki shorts with the cowboy boots, Matt thought she looked like a catwalk model posing in bohemian wear and completely unaware of the effect she had on the people around her. He narrowed his eyes at the table of young men who were openly ogling her with lecherous stares.
“Bloody hell, Matt. She’s a little thing, isn’t she.”
Matt gave his attention to Nathan, partially that is. He wanted to keep an eye on the louts perving on Madi.
“Yes.”
“Cute, too,” Nathan added. Matt rolled his eyes, and Nathan conceded begrudgingly. “I’ll admit she’s more stunning than her picture. She doesn’t look twenty-six, closer to twenty I think, but, then again, people of her race are known to age—”
“I sincerely hope you’re not going to make any mention of her race.” Matt cut him off curtly, attention once again locked on that table. One of the men had gotten up and was making his way over to the bar. Matt watched as he strolled up to where Madi stood placing their order. There was more than enough space at the bar for him to stand somewhere else.
“I saw you snogging her back at the car. In the open. What’s gotten into you? And why on earth do you keep calling her poppet? You never use nicknames with women.” Nathan was drumming his fingers over the edge of the table, blatantly perplexed concerning Matt’s behaviour.
“Calm down, Nathan. It’s highly improbable that anyone we know was driving along at the exact moment I kissed her.” Matt let his gaze wander around the pub and its patrons. “And near impossible they would come into a place like this.”
Nathan leaned back against the seat, arms folded as he scrutinized Matt. “Tell me, dear friend, what exactly are you planning to do with this young woman? And for how long?”
Matt held his gaze, thinking over his friend’s words. What was he doing, seated in a pub while awaiting food he was certain would taste like cardboard? He looked at her and a smile split his face. She was frowning at the woman taking her order, and Matt stifled a chuckle as she rifled through her wallet to pull out her ID with a haughty expression on her features.
“You know me, Nathan,” Matt said evasively. “I enjoy new experiences.”
Nathan shook his head slowly. “Did you stop to consider maybe your behaviour regarding this woman—”
“She has a name,” Matt interrupted, a tightening of his mouth the only indication Nathan was beginning to annoy him. “It’s Madison, or Madi if you so choose to use, as long as you use it.”
Nathan inhaled noisily, also frustrated and annoyed with Matt. “Fine. Did you stop to consider your behaviour regarding Madison is directly linked to the pressure being placed upon you to make things official with Louisa?”
Matt jerked back in surprise, completely at a loss over Nathan’s comment. “Why would you think that? It has nothing to do with—she’s coming back. Do try and be pleasant.”
<><><>
I sauntered back to our table and Matt stood up to let me slip past him. He didn’t give me much room and I couldn’t avoid bumping into him. “Food’s ordered and our drinks will be here in a minute.” I took my seat, wondering if it had been deliberate on Matt’s part, not giving me enough space to pass without touching him.
“While we wait, you can tell us about your dance studio,” he said. Persistent, wasn’t he? I figured Matt was the type of man who got what he wanted. He exuded a quiet confidence that came from a lifetime of not having to worry if people took you seriously. I doubted he ever experienced what it was like to not be sure of yourself. Matt acted like the world was his, and that was the way it should be.
The waitress brought us our drinks and I began telling them about the dance
company Dante and I had started. By the time our food came, Nathan was warming up to me if his outrageous teasing of my accent was anything to go off. When I mentioned my place of birth, he joked I was a deserter and it was common sense to return to ‘our’ Great Britain.
I got stuck into my burger, cutting it into quarters, before demolishing it. Matt laughed while Nathan observed me in mock horror.
“I didn’t think you could manage a burger of that size,” he said, picking at his salad. “But you’ve proved me wrong.”
“I burn a lot of calories with dancing,” I explained. “Although I don’t usually have burgers.” I grabbed a couple of fries and smeared them through the ketchup. “I tend to eat healthy. This is my weekly pig-out.” The fries got popped into my mouth and I chewed with an unrepentant grin on my face. I’d probably never see these two after today. What did it matter if they thought my eating habits were gross? Matt’s leg brushed mine, and I tried to ignore the heat radiating between us. Would he ask for my number? Should I ask for his? No way. I stomped that idea into the ground. Risk humiliation by asking the handsome white man for his number? Hell, no. It was by chance we had run into each other today. Although we had kissed by his car, I seriously doubted he’d given me a second thought after that night. It was a spectacular kiss though.
“Are you the same age as Matt?” I asked Nathan.
“Older,” Matt jumped in with a devious twinkle in his eyes.
Nathan looked offended. “By a few months.”
Matt sipped his water while I chuckled at Nathan’s affront.
“How old are you, if you don’t mind my asking?” Nathan asked. There was a sudden undercurrent of tension between him and Matt. Or it felt like that from the way Matt abruptly placed his glass of water on the table.
“Twenty-six,” I answered, finishing off the last few fries on my plate. Mmm, that had been good.
“You’ve accomplished quite a lot for a woman of your age.” Nathan was smiling at me. I wasn’t sure if his smile was genuine. Matt cleared his throat in a decidedly threatening manner and my gaze jumped between them.