Lovers' Dance

by Carr, K

  The fuck.

  “Matt,” I spluttered, and he turned my face into his with his damp fingers and kissed me deeply, licking at my lips as if it was honey he’d smeared over them.

  “Mmm.” He groaned huskily, grey eyes intent on my shocked face. Fuck me. That shit was hot. And we’d only started…

  <><><>

  The alarm blared loudly. Matt reached up to turn it off with one hand. We were on the floor, having fallen off the bed about two hours ago. He was right: My bed was too small.

  “Poppet,” he murmured, wrapping a finger around one of my wild curls. I hadn’t slept at all. I was too astounded to raise my head from his chest and look at him right now. In fact, I think my face was stuck to his chest. We were both sweaty and sticky. Remembering how we got that way made my face heat up. No, I couldn’t look into his eyes yet. He had done things, things I didn’t even know were physically possible. I guess my being a limber dancer helped.

  “Madi.” He curled both arms around me.

  “Yes, Matt?” I replied meekly.

  “Are you blushing?”

  “No,” I denied it, but he must have been feeling the heat from my face on his chest. Matt chuckled and tried to lift us both up. It took a bit of manoeuvring, interspersed with our mutual groans of aches and pains.

  “God, Matt,” I said, trying and failing to meet his eyes. “That was—what we did was—”

  “Bloody amazing?” he suggested, gripping my hair back with both hands and leaning forward to kiss along my neck. “Fucking fantastic, maybe?”

  “I think I’ll need help getting to my feet,” I mumbled. “Everywhere aches.”

  Matt stopped kissing my neck at once, leaning back to cup my face. I had no choice but to look at him.

  “Are you hurt?” He sounded worried. “Bollocks. Did I hurt you badly, poppet?”

  I shook my head. I was sore, extremely sore, but it was a good kind of sore. And I needed to pee. “Help me up, please? I need the bathroom.”

  Gently Matt got us to our feet and, when I leaned heavily against him, he immediately lifted me up into his arms cradling me like a child.

  “You’re so tiny and I’m such an arse,” Matt muttered. “I shouldn’t have lost control like that.”

  “It’s fine, hon,” I assured him, wrapping my arms around his neck. “Eww, I smell bad.”

  Matt chuckled, but his face still held traces of worry and self-reproach. “You smell good, poppet. Good enough to eat.” He had started walking us towards the bedroom door, but he stopped and eyed the bed.

  “Don’t even,” I warned. “I’m stinky; so are you.”

  I could see him deliberating it in his mind. I tugged his ear and shook my head. Matt resumed his journey to the door. He held me against his chest while fumbling with the door handle until it swung open.

  “You’re so strong, Matt,” I mused, wanting him to lose that expression on his face. It made it worse.

  “I hurt you, didn’t I?” he asked quietly as he walked down the hall to the bathroom.

  “Don’t be silly. I meant it in a good way. I like the fact you’re strong.” I wiggled my eyebrows at him. “Strong and manly, like Popeye.”

  Matt used his foot to push the bathroom door open. “Popeye? That’s not really a compliment is it, Madi?”

  I giggled, glad he was frowning at me instead of looking guilty. “I’m Popeye, the sailor man—toot toot—I live in a—”

  “You can’t sing, poppet,” he advised me dryly.

  Forty-five minutes later we were downstairs in the kitchen, both showered and dressed for our respective day of work.

  “I was hoping on having a lazy morning with you,” Matt said as he poured me a cup of tea.

  “I can’t, hon.” I smiled a thank you and buttered a slice of toast for him before handing it over. “I’ve got so much on today.”

  “What about lunch later then, poppet?” he asked.

  “Can’t, sorry. I have a lunch meeting.” I was thinking about my conversation with Grumps. In the cold light of morning, staring across the table at Matt, I realized that his grandfather might have been right. I hated admitting it to myself.

  “With whom?” Matt asked pleasantly, but he had a weird look on his face. Huh, go figure.

  “One of my dad’s old friends. He’s a lawyer.” I took a few sips of tea with Matt staring expectantly at me.

  “And?” He pressed in that bossy tone of his.

  “And nothing. He helps out sometimes with our shows—”

  “Helps out how?” Matt interrupted.

  I frowned at him. “What’s up with you, Matt?”

  Matt smiled suddenly. “Nothing, poppet. I’m disappointed we can’t spend this morning together and you’re too busy for a lunch date. You look lovely, by the way.”

  I glanced down at my suit. Yeah, I did look nice.

  “We’ll go out tonight,” Matt decided. “On a date.”

  I grinned at him, it was a smug grin. “Back to this dating crap, huh?”

  Matt had the grace to look embarrassed. I didn’t blame him. He was the one who had wanted to do things properly, and he was the same one who hadn’t lasted the weekend before getting into my panties.

  I pondered Grumps’s words. Was the old tyrant right about Matt and me?

  “Can we do it another time?” I hedged. “This week is going to be manic, and I’m sure you’re going to be busy, too.”

  “I’m always busy, poppet.” He sipped his tea, then levelled me with a serious stare. It was unnerving and my guard went up immediately as he said, “Listen, about last night, I want to reiterate Louisa won’t be a problem. I’m going to speak to her and settle this for once and for all.”

  “Don’t, Matt,” I replied. “Forget about it.”

  Matt put his cup down and his eyebrows lowered to an unhappy level. “No, I won’t forget about it. Why would you want me to? Is there something you’re not telling me?”

  Damned man and his mind reading ability.

  “No, I just don’t want any drama. Look, I’ve got to go. It’s six-ten already.”

  Matt peered at me as I pushed back my chair and stood up. I tried to avoid his gaze, to hide my inner thoughts, but he was good at reading me.

  “What is it?” he asked quietly. “You’re hiding something from me. Don’t do that.”

  “I’m not.” I countered with a bright smile, then changed the topic. “Hey, instead of calling your driver to pick you up, you can drive the Porsche to work.”

  Matt scrutinized my features for a few loaded seconds before saying, “I will find out, poppet. Whatever it is you’re keeping secret—”

  “I’m not keeping secrets, Matt.” I lied with a straight face. The mistrustful look swimming through Matt’s eyes indicated my poker face wasn’t up to scratch.

  “Mmm,” he murmured, standing up and fixing his tie. He looked amazing in suits, giving the outward appearance of a serious-minded businessman until you paid close attention to him. Then you could see it. The leashed-animal magnetism that couldn’t hide behind thousands of pounds of perfect tailoring. Matt vibrated with power—dangerous, wild power. Consuming power. He had consumed me, sucked me into his world, and I knew deep down I had to escape before it was too late. It was already too late.

  “What is it?” he asked sternly as his calculating gaze roved my face.

  “I’m going to be late, Matt.” I went over to grab my keys and bag from the counter, then plucked the crystal ballet key chain off the hook close to the fridge. “Catch,” I said, tossing them at Matt. He caught it easily, I knew he would.

  Still under his watchful gaze, we headed out of the kitchen and out of the house. I locked up, trying my best to keep a bland face. Matt caught my hand in his as we walked down the front path.

  “This is almost normal,” he mused.

  “Hmm?”

  “Us, leaving here together like a normal couple on their way to work.” He flashed me that gorgeous smile of his, and I melted in
side. I squeezed his hand, then let go to walk to my car parked across the road.

  “Poppet,” Matt called. He was frowning at me. “Where in the bloody hell is my kiss goodbye? My ‘I love you, Matt. Have a nice day?’”

  I grinned at him, adjusting the bag over my shoulder and walking back to where he stood with folded arms.

  “I love you, Matt,” I whispered, reaching up to press my lips against his. “Have a nice day.”

  Matt snaked his arms around me and deepened the kiss until I was breathless and weak in the knees. “Much better, poppet. I love you, too.”

  “I need to go,” I murmured, reluctantly pulling away.

  “Mhmm.” Matt smiled at the look on my face. “I’ll call you later. Make sure and answer.”

  I rolled my eyes and walked over to my car. Matt leaned against the Porsche watching me get in, before making a gesture across his chest to remind me to buckle up. I did and he nodded in satisfaction before opening the door to the SUV.

  With a wave after I wound down the window, I turned my key in the ignition to start my car. Nothing happened. I tried again, and all I got was a low spluttering of the engine and a jerking of my car. The hell?

  Matt paused, halfway in the Porsche, and called from across the street, “Car troubles?”

  I scowled at him and stroked my steering wheel, whispering sweetly, “Come on, baby. Start for mama.”

  My baby didn’t start. Damn it.

  Matt sprinted over. “What’s the problem?”

  My scowl went up a notch as he leaned over the open window. “I don’t know, Matt. Can you check under the hood?”

  Matt burst out in incredulous laughter, glancing down his impeccable suit in a pointed manner. “Do I look like a mechanic, poppet? Call the Automobile Association.”

  I stroked my steering wheel and tried to start the engine. Nothing happened. I turned my head up at Matt. “Do you know what this is, Matt? This is intimidation. That Cayenne intimidated my baby. Parked over there in her spot, all shiny and new. Mocking her, messing with her head. And I’m not a member of the AA.”

  Matt laughed and opened my door. “It’s probably the way you drive like a maniac. I’m surprised your car has lasted this long. Get your bag, we’re taking the Porsche.”

  Muttering under my breath, I wound the window up, grabbed my bag and got out my car.

  “Why are you looking at me like that, poppet?” Matt asked as he watched me lock my car.

  “Did you do something to my car?” I asked.

  Matt gave me a look. Maybe he was innocent and I was being stupid, but my damned car was working fine yesterday morning. We crossed the street and Matt held the keys out to me.

  “You’re driving,” he ordered.

  “Why?” I hesitated as he dangled the keys in front my face. My suspicions were back.

  “Because I want to check my emails on my phone. I can’t drive while doing that, poppet.”

  I took the keys, peering at him warily. Matt’s eyes gleamed and I could see him fighting a smile. We got in the SUV and Matt pointed out the fact the seats were electronically adjustable, as was the steering wheel.

  “The seats are heated too.” he said, buckling up.

  I buckled up and started the engine. It purred to life.

  “Custom interior too,” Matt quipped.

  I checked my mirrors and pulled away from the curb. Smooth, it handled smoothly. “Aren’t you supposed to be checking your emails?” I asked dryly.

  “In a moment,” he said. “You do know it has front and rear park assist, don’t you? I made sure, and got the reverse camera, also.”

  I shook my head. “Do you own shares in Porsche, hon?”

  Matt bit his lower lip, then pulled out his phone to supposedly check his emails as I drove. I was sure he was playing a game on his phone. The thought of Matt playing Candy Crush made me smile. That would never happen in real life. About twenty minutes later he raised his head. In those twenty minutes I had been completely entranced by the stupid SUV. It was a sweet ride.

  “So this lunch meeting of yours.” Matt tugged on his seatbelt when I put my foot down to catch the lights. “Who’s going to be there?”

  I wriggled in the seat. Damn. It was comfy and the dashboard was fully equipped with all sorts of gadgets. “Just Dante, myself and Geoffrey,” I murmured. The lights were on a fast sequence this morning, I hadn’t made the amber.

  “Geoffrey?” Matt queried. “He was your dad’s lawyer friend?”

  “Mhmm,” I replied, distracted by the way my hand felt clutching the gear stick. “Are these Porsches good off-road, Matt? I mean, I not that interested, but it feels as if it would handle well.”

  “They’re great on most terrains, poppet. How well do you know him?”

  “Know who?” The lights changed and the vehicle responded immediately as I gave it gas. The gas consumption though…this turbo model was a definite guzzler.

  “Geoffrey,” Matt said impatiently. “How well do you know him?”

  I risked a glance in his direction before turning my gaze back to the road. The roads weren’t too busy at this time in the morning. I could get to work in twenty minutes if I gunned it.

  “Since I turned eighteen, Matt. He’s nice. Why are you so interested in him?”

  Matt shrugged as I glanced at him again, his striking features one of nonchalance. “Poppet, I’m interested in any man who spends time with you. Haven’t you noticed I’m a jealous man?”

  “There’s nothing to be jealous of. He’s a lot older than me. That’s gross.”

  Matt snorted under his breath, a little scowl curling down the corner of his mouth. “Like I am?”

  “Don’t be silly, hon,” I said. Dude just wouldn’t get over this age issue. I remembered my conversation with Grumps. Shit. I wouldn’t be able to get his cruel words out of my head. The more I dwelled on it, the more I knew he was right. Stupid, ancient meanie.

  Matt had been watching me. “What’s wrong, poppet? You keep doing that.”

  “Doing what?” I checked the side mirror. There was a Range Rover gaining on me. I put my foot down.

  “That beautiful face of yours, it’s been full of tension all morning. Tell me what’s bothering you,” he commanded firmly. “I won’t stand for secrets between us, Madison.”

  “Matt,” I replied in a voice as firm as his. “You need to do something about your bossiness. Seriously. At least when it comes to speaking to me. I’m not one of your employees.”

  Matt, being Matt, ignored the flash of temper in my eyes and did exactly what he wanted, forget how anyone else felt. “Don’t change the topic, poppet. I’m not that easily distracted and I know something’s wrong. We’re almost at your studio and I want an explanation at once. Why have you been acting strange all morning?”

  “I’m tired, Matt. We didn’t get any sleep last night.”

  That comment did distract him. His grey eyes crinkled around the edges as he smiled at me. “Mmm, sleep was the furthest thing from my mind last night.”

  “Yeah, I heard that,” I exclaimed with a rueful grin.

  “How about dinner tomorrow night?” Matt drawled, resting a hand lightly on my leg. “I know we’re both busy with work, but there’s this lovely restaurant I want to take you to. You enjoy proper Italian food, right?”

  “Yes, but can we hold off on making plans for now? I don’t know what my week is going to be like.”

  “You’re doing it again,” Matt groused abruptly. “Bloody hell, poppet. Tell me what’s on your mind.”

  “Nothing.” I couldn’t keep the frustration out of my voice. Should I tell him about the talk I’d had with his grandfather? Matt was intuitive, but he would be furious if he knew what Grumps had said to me on the drive home last night. I didn’t want a furious Matt. No telling what he would do.

  “Oh, shit.” The SUV jerked as my foot pressed the brakes by accident. I gave it gas and turned a worried face to Matt. “Is that a press van by the gates, Matt
?”

  Matt peered out the windscreen. “Bollocks. Bloody media won’t quit. It’s probably because you attended the gala with me last night. Don’t read any gossip sheets today, okay?”

  I nodded wordlessly as we drove up to my building. The flash of lights as we drove past the parked van made me wince. Bastards. It had barely gone seven am. I cruised through the gates and drove over to my parking spot next to Dante’s car.

  “Do you think more will come?” I asked nervously, putting the vehicle in neutral.

  “Probably a few more. Oh, poppet, don’t look so stressed. I’m sorry, darling. It will get better. I promise.”

  I nodded soundlessly again, then tried to smile at him. “Just so you know, I’m not keeping this gas guzzler. It drives like a dream, but I’m not keeping it.”

  Matt leaned over to pull me into a deep kiss, then said mischievously, “You are. I know you enjoyed driving it, plus your old car is on its last legs. The Porsche is yours. I’ll need it to get to work today, but it’ll be back in front your house by tonight. Will you be all right getting home later?”

  I nodded my head with a sigh, knowing it was going to happen exactly like he said.

  Matt cupped my cheek with his large hand. “Do you have any idea how much you mean to me?”

  I shook my head and Matt bent forward to kiss the tip of my nose. He was sweet and gentle with me. It made me feel like the most precious object in the world.

  “Words can’t express it, poppet,” he murmured, rubbing his thumb softly against my skin. “I’ll call you. Depending on what meetings I have today, it might be this afternoon.”

  “Okay.” I leaned away, unbuckling my seatbelt and trying not to blurt out what was on my mind. I fucking loved him, but he wasn’t mine. Not really. He belonged to a different world, one I knew I could never adapt to. Grumps had a lot to answer for. Stupid, stupid man.