Page 101 of Lovers' Dance: Vol. 2
I swallowed at the sight of the tubes attached to her. Jenny kissed her cheek and fled out the room with a hand pressed against her mouth to stop her cries. Jamal also kissed his mother and walked away. I walked up to the top of the bed and kissed her clammy forehead.
“Wake up. I need you. We need you.” I whispered hoarsely against her skin. “Don’t make me go through this again. Wake up or I’ll never forgive you. Never. You better start acting right.”
The tears finally came, rolling down my cheeks like a dam had breached its bank. My frigging eyes were broken. I turned and walked away as fast as possible. Shit just got real and I felt a freak out coming at me. Please, God. Please. I couldn’t go through this again…
Matt watched her stifle another yawn. Why in the bloody hell she felt it necessary to clean for the tenth time he had no idea, but he saidnothing as she dusted the bookshelf. The same spot the feathers had gone over five minutes ago. The past few days had revealed an inner strength in her that left him speechless, and poignantly touched. His endearingly ditzy poppet had swept in like a drill sergeant, organizing everything and everyone in her aunt’s absence. Her family willingly letting her rule their lives without a murmur of complaint. The rift between them long-forgotten in the face of this family crisis.
“Jamal,” she suddenly yelled towards the open living room door. “Have you shown Matt this business plan of yours as yet? I told you he’ll spot any issues you might have missed. He’s a gazillionaire, you don’t get to that stage without knowing things.”
A smile graced his lips as she spun on her heels, feather duster in hand, and stalked towards the door; muttering under her breath about hard-headed people who let their pride get in the way.
“Jamal!”
“Damn, Madi. Stop riding my back. I told you, I got this.” Jamal shouted from somewhere further in the house.
Matt stayed silent. It was best whenever Madi and her family went at it. There was only one occurrence of real discontent. David’s sister had shown up the afternoon of the day they’d flown in. She was under the mistaken impression that it was her responsibility to take charge of her brother and his family. Madi was having none of it.
At first Matt was alarmed it would descend into a horrible family argument. Memories of Thanksgiving had been at the forefront of his mind. But Madi had calmly looked the woman up and down before saying: ‘Thanks for the offer but I’m home now.’
Gemma had spluttered for a moment then launched into a tirade about Madi deserting her family while shooting nasty glances his way. Madi allowed her the rant, regarding her uncle’s younger sister with impassivity. When Gemma paused for breath, Madi had smiled, politely stated she was welcomed to stay for dinner but would be leaving right after. Her tone held no room for discussion and David had simply patted her shoulder before escaping upstairs. The poor chap was out of sorts without his wife at his side. Gemma refused the dinner invite and left in a huff. Matt grinned at the image. His poppet would do well in a boardroom.
Again she stifled a yawn as she stood in the doorway. His attempt this morning to forcibly keep her in bed after their return from thehospital had ended with him getting a light punch in the eye. He would need to have a serious word with her about these violent tendencies she sometimes displayed.
His eyes wandered down her body, lingering over the curve of her arse in those jeans. It was becoming unbearable, putting aside his need for her while she dealt with keeping her family together. And she was doing just that. Her uncle and cousins were completely lost without the woman Matt still held reservations about. He frowned to himself. They had, of course, learnt about his marriage to Madi through the media channels. At least it hadn’t been a circus when it was revealed, for that he was thankful. Nathan’s father had exerted an immeasurable amount of clout back home in England to keep it that way.
His gaze slid upwards, hungrily noting the swell of her breasts under the t-shirt she wore. Matt shifted in discomfort on the sofa, cursing the throbbing hardness in his groin. Well, no one had ever died from sexual frustration to date, he would just have to bide his time until he could enjoy her delectable body. She arched her back, groaning softly as she rubbed her nape, then her left shoulder. So long, too long it seemed. Hours felt akin to years, days were centuries. The ache thundering through him clamoured for relief, to be sated. His desire for her was a constant state of being. Always present, usually pushed behind the requirements of daily activities; butalwayssimmering in the background of his mind. She was his eternal feast and he hungered. Matt hissed under his breath. This was torture. A man should be able to make love to his wife when the urge arose!
“Why are you looking at me like that?” she asked sharply with a sidelong glance.
“Like what, poppet?” he asked smoothly, feigning ignorance.
“I don’t know,” she muttered. “Like I’m a piece of meat.”
Matt raised an eyebrow. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. Why don’t you go rest for a few hours? You’ve barely slept these past few days.”
She shook her head, finally putting the duster down. Matt’s relief was short-lived as she said, “I need to start cooking so there’s food for Uncle David and Jenny when they get home. If you’re tired you should go and rest. You don’t have to come to the hospital with me later. I won’t mind.”
“I’m accompanying you,” he replied staunchly and beckoned her over. “And I’m not the one who needs sleep, you are.”
Her mouth curled down as her dark brown eyes filled with sadness. “I have to take care of them, Matt.”
“And I have to take care of you.” he shot back. “Come. Here.”
Her eyes flashed fire but she did make her way slowly towards him. “When are you going to stop bossing me around?” she grumbled as he pulled her into his lap. The surprised look she levelled at him caused him to shrug. He was aroused, there was no hiding it with her sitting on him.
“When you’re older and wiser.” Matt began to rub her back and she made a sound that increased the pressure building in his lower anatomy. “You need to rest and I’m going to ensure you get it.”
Madi leaned across to kiss him. She had intended it to be fleeting, the pressure of her sensuous lips light against his. Matt quickly moved his hand up her back and gripped her head; keeping her in place and forcing her mouth open with unbridled passion. Once she relaxed under his onslaught he gentled the kiss, revelling in the softness of her mouth, the rapidly demanding strokes of her tongue against his. She’d always been a natural at this, she had never kissed him like a virgin.
Matt pulled away, peering at her while breathing heavily. “I’ve always wondered who taught you to kiss.” She laughed at his comment then stopped abruptly, eyes widening in shock before filling with guilt. Matt kissed the tip of her nose. “It’s ok to laugh, poppet. I miss the sound of your laughter.”
“I should start cooking, Matt.” she murmured, getting off his lap. He exhaled softly and let her move away, eyeing her with unashamed lust.
“Fine, I’m going to get a shower,” He stood up. “A bloody cold one.”
“Oh stop. It’s not been that long.” She shook her head in amusement.
