Authors: K Carr
“Nothing’s wrong, Adam,” he repeated emptily.
Adam shook his head, strode over to Matt’s desk where he picked up the phone and punched out numbers.
Matt eyed him warily, wondering what the hell he was up to.
“I need you in Matt’s office.”—pause—“No, the meeting went as well as can be expected.”—long pause—“I don’t care how busy you are. Get your arse in here, Nathan. I swear you and Matt have no respect for your elders or, should I say, your betters. Two minutes.” Adam slammed the phone down and folded his arms as he leaned on the desk. If Matt’s current expression made him nervous, he gave no indication of it.
“Why did you call him, Adam?” Matt asked wearily. He didn’t need this.
“Because something is obviously wrong and don’t say it isn’t. I’m your brother. I was there to witness your shitty nappies being changed. I know you and I know when something is bugging you. If you won’t tell me, tell Nathan.”
Matt ran a hand over his face and made his way over to take a seat behind his desk. “Your concerns are unwarranted.”
“Is it truly work or something else?” Adam slid into one of the chairs in front his desk and scrutinized his face. “Talk to me.”
Matt observed his older brother. Dark brown hair was swept back to reveal his prominent features, blue-grey eyes were staring expectantly at him.
Matt sighed and ran a hand over his face again. “Madi’s mad at me.”
“Ah ha!” Adam said. “I knew something was up. Why is she mad at you? Does it matter? Buy her something nice. Women like that.”
Matt rubbed the back of his neck and sighed. He was about to unload to his brother when the door opened.
“You can’t go in there.” Rachel unprofessionally battled with Nathan to win the door handle. “He doesn’t want to be disturbed.”
“It’s okay, Rachel,” Matt called, flashing his loyal secretary a grateful smile.
Nathan shook his head at her, gloating as he pushed the door open further and strode in. “Really, Rachel, I wonder about you sometimes.”
She narrowed her eyes at him and huffed. “You’re disturbing my boss, Mr Walthamstow. You and his brother. I won’t have you barging into his office like this.”
Nathan had a soft spot for Matt’s secretary. He found her northern accent charming. “How’s your father doing? Have you been back to Manchester to visit recently?”
She narrowed her eyes further, squinting up at him with barely concealed suspicion. “He’s still in the hospital. Thanks for asking, and I’m putting you in the book.”
Nathan twisted his blonde head to grin at Matt before answering the bristling secretary, “For how long this time?”
“I’m not sure yet,” she snapped, then popped her head around Nathan’s broad shoulder to send Matt an unhappy look. “I’m sorry, Mr Bradley. I won’t allow anyone else to get past me.”
“It’s okay, Rachel,” Matt repeated, and with a worried expression plastered across her face, she closed the door.
“Right,” Nathan said briskly, walking over to the desk. “I’m finishing for the day in one hour.” He pulled out the seat next to Adam and plonked onto it, glaring at both brothers. “Bella’s parents have invited us to their place in the Cotswolds and we need to beat the traffic out of London. Whatever it is you need me for, it better be quick.”
“Madi’s mad at Matt and he’s being cagey about it,” Adam advised in a droll voice.
Nathan’s scowl deepened. “You called me here for this? Buy her something nice. Women like that sort of thing.”
“That’s what I said,” Adam agreed, with a nod.
Matt regarded them silently for a moment before admitting, “I have. She’s still mad.”
“What did you buy her?” Nathan asked in exasperation. “It can’t be any cheap, old dross, Matt.”
Matt gave him the look that comment deserved. “A Porsche Cayenne with personalized plates…”
“It’s the little touches that make all the difference,” Adam mused then stopped, mouth parting in shock. “Wait,
what
?”
Nathan chuckled at Adam’s expression. “Don’t look so surprised, Adam. Matt’s always been show-offy.” He turned his attention back to Matt. “And she’s still mad?”
Matt nodded, frustration pouring off his face. “Then I bought her jewellery, ridiculously expensive jewellery.”
Adam was looking alarmed. “How expensive?”
Matt ignored Adam, instead exchanging a thoroughly helpless glance with his best friend. “She returned it, Nathan. Diamonds. What woman in her right mind returns diamonds?”
Adam looked sick, probably doing a mental tally of his younger brother’s spending.
“I got her dozens of bouquets of flowers,” Matt continued, starting to get irritated. “She sent a text—a text. It had the word ‘
dies
’ in it.”
“Bloody hell, mate.” Nathan sat up straighter in the chair. “What did you do?”
Matt ran his hand through his hair, ruffling the waves into disarray. “I didn’t do anything.”
Nathan gave him a disbelieving stare, holding a curled hand up to make his point. “A Porsche Cayenne”—index finger standing proud—“diamond jewellery”—middle finger up straight—“flowers”—ring finger joining the others.
“I had a catering company take gourmet food over to her studio yesterday,” Matt added. “I’ve apologized a million times and she’s still mad. Nothing is working, and I don’t understand why.”
“Is she on her monthlies?” Adam asked, looking upset over Matt divulging his recent spending on his current girlfriend. It was worrying. He didn’t like the thought of this woman making Matt spend money. He didn’t like it at all.
“What?” Matt asked in annoyance. “What the hell does her monthlies have to do with this?”
“Women act irrationally around their time of month,” Adam said glibly. Nathan bit his lower lip, fighting a smile at the look Matt gave his older brother.
“Adam, I am not going to discuss Madi’s cycle with you…that’s just—just shut up.”
“I’m only pointing it out,” Adam muttered under his breath. “Everyone knows women get temperamental around that time.”
Nathan let slip a little laugh that he covered with a cough. As an only child, he never had to deal with an irritating sibling. These two men were the closest thing to it, and it amused him when they acted this way with each other.
“What did you do, Matt?” Nathan asked. “Madi doesn’t seem the type to fly off the handle for no reason.”
Matt directed his glower at Nathan. “Are you in control of your faculties? Have you forgotten the pub scene and last Friday’s media storm? She was livid.”
“With just cause,” Nathan reasoned in her defence. He didn’t want to admit it, but he liked the young woman who had turned his friend’s world upside down. Nathan had been concerned about Matt’s continued womanizing. Since he found his peace with Bella, he had hoped Matt could find his own with someone worthy of him. Madison DuMont may not be from their world, but she had an effect on Matt that Nathan had never seen before. It was changing him, and change was always good. Once their little dalliance had run its course, Matt would be ready to find himself a wife.
“Did it have something to do with the dinner party last week?” Adam asked, assessing Matt intently. “She and Grumps got into it.”
“What dinner party? What happened between her and William?” Nathan’s head swivelled between the two brothers before settling on Matt. “You didn’t tell me any of this.”
Matt didn’t like the way this conversation was heading. He felt he was being unfairly punished for Louisa’s actions, and he sure as hell wasn’t going to admit what had taken place under that table.
“She called him senile in a roundabout way,” Adam said with a gleeful smirk on his face. “You should’ve seen his face, Nathan. God. She’s a feisty little thing, isn’t she?”
Nathan was blinking fast, eyes on Matt. “She insulted your grandfather? What did he do? What did you do?”
“You two are no help at all,” Matt groused. “What does it matter why she’s angry? She is and I can’t seem to fix it. Fuck’s sake, I’ve never had a woman stay mad at me. She’s acting like a child and it’s infuriating. I’ve apologized profusely. What more does she want?”
Nathan and Adam exchanged a knowing look.
“She’s twenty-six, Matt,” Adam said matter-of-factly.
“And you’re not used to not getting your own way,” Nathan added. “Look, she’s completely different from your usual women.”
“If that’s in reference to her race, you need to get the fuck out of my office, Nathan,” Matt said coldly.
Nathan rubbed his jaw and scoffed. “No, that’s not what I meant and, I already told you, I don’t have a problem with her being black.”
Matt snorted in derision, then sighed loudly. “You’re right, I’m not used to this. I didn’t think women were complicated until I met her.”
“Women aren’t complicated,” Adam said, getting to his feet. “They are simple creatures. God knows I’ve been with enough to tell. Look, she’s mad and you’re in the doghouse. Do what dogs do: beg.”
Matt’s mouth tightened. “I’ve apologized numerous times, practically begged forgiveness—”
“Try harder,” Adam quipped. “And stop moping around the office. It’s bad for staff morale and it’s getting on my nerves. If you want to get back in the funhouse with your new plaything, then swallow your pride for once. I’ve got another meeting in thirty minutes so I’ll see you later. Don’t forget the charity ball on Sunday. You can’t miss this one like the last.”
At the mention of the upcoming function, Nathan groaned. “Bollocks. I’d forgotten about that. Do I have to attend?”
“Are you a top executive of Bradley Industries?” Adam drawled blandly.
Nathan squinted at him in response.
Adam squinted back and ordered, “Make an appearance, both of you.”
“I’m in the Cotswolds this weekend,” Nathan replied, getting up himself.
Matt looked at his brother and best friend, shaking his head slowly. Their input over the situation with Madi hadn’t been helpful. He was still at a loss on how to fix things between them.
“It’s the gala of the month,” Adam said firmly. “Everyone’s going to be there, and that includes you two. I’ve got to go.” With that, he sauntered out of Matt’s office.
When the door closed, Nathan turned to Matt. “Listen, mate, maybe this is a sign you should end things with Madison. Don’t look at me like that, I’m simply giving you my opinion. I like her. She’s young and probably not used to dealing with someone like you. You’ve apologized which, by the way, I find shocking. Give it time. I’m sure she’ll come around and, if she doesn’t…find yourself a new bed partner. I’ve got to make a call. Bella won’t be pleased with me. Who knows, I might find myself in the doghouse with you. See you later, mate.”
“Cheers, mate.” Matt did nothing to hide the sarcasm in his tone as Nathan left his office. He rubbed his face vigorously, then took a deep breath, a determined gleam filling his eyes. He’d had enough. He would go over to hers after work and insist she stop this behaviour. With his mind made up, Matt pushed his doubts aside and focused on work. The little voice of warning at the back of his mind wouldn’t shut up though. Was she right in her anger? Should the blame lie at his doorstep?
“Bloody Louisa,” Matt muttered softly. He should have never taken Madi to dinner last week.
IT WAS GONE midnight when I pulled up across the street from my house. That frigging SUV was still there. I was too tired to care, until I spotted Matt’s Rolls-Royce parked behind it and noticed the light shining through the curtains.
Son of a bastard.
I was taking back my keys. The moment I walked in, I was going to knee him in the nuts and take my keys back. Which part of giving me time did he not understand? I grabbed my stuff from the back seat, locked my car and stomped across the street to my house. Well…not exactly stomping, more akin to an angry limp that tore a soft moan from me with every step.
When I opened the front door, my anger disappeared on a wave of silly mushiness. Matt was sprawled on the couch, fast asleep with papers strewn across his chest. I quietly locked up and put my bag down before limping over to the couch. My eyes devoured the sight of him. He was wearing his work clothes, the tie half undone like the buttons on his shirt. There were a few sheets of paper on the floor. I started carefully plucking the sheets off his chest. It was a report that made no sense to me. I was an artistic being and definitely not a numbers person. When I had tidied up the papers, I took a moment to observe the sleeping man. Matt was more than handsome, he was a fucking masterpiece. It was easy to see why women threw themselves at him. That particular thought made me uncomfortable. I didn’t know how I was supposed to act in a relationship, especially with someone like Matthew Bradley. Our last conversation hadn’t been pleasant, and I wondered if I was being a bitch. An unreasonable bitch. I sighed softly. It was too damned late and I was too damned tired to think about it. Tomorrow I would decide if any kneeing of nuts took place. Right now, I wanted to sleep. I eased my sneakers off and crept onto the couch, snuggling up to Matt. He made a sleepy noise of content and his arm unconsciously tightened around me. I should’ve gone to my bed, but I missed being in his arms. Tomorrow, yes, tomorrow, I would wake up early and have a serious talk with him. God. He smelt nice. I snuggled closer into the lines of his body, eyes slipping closed.
“Poppet,” he murmured in his sleep. A tiny smile curled my lips as I drifted off. I was his poppet, he was my knight. Tomorrow I would ask him if he had feelings for his stunning ex…
<><><>
When my eyes cracked open, I was alone on the couch, with a moist line of drool from the corner of my mouth to my arm. Eww, and embarrassing. I sat up wiping my mouth, then rubbing my eyes. There were sounds coming from the kitchen. Breakfast sounds. I stood up with a groan, stretching the kinks out my body before sniffing my t-shirt. I smelt funky. No way was I going to have ‘the talk’ with Matt smelling like this. I hurried upstairs and had a shower, changed into fresh clothes, then took a deep breath before making my way back downstairs.
Matt was walking out of the kitchen when he saw me. “Morning, poppet. I was coming to get you. Did you have a nice shower?”
My nipples were misbehaving. Who could blame them? Matt’s impressive chest was on show, a pair of slacks the only clothing he had on. I knew he didn’t have any underwear on. The apparent hardness of his lower anatomy was a dead giveaway.
“Asshole,” I said in greeting, even though I wanted to fling myself into his arms. A girl’s gotta be strong in situations like these.
The smile on his face dimmed for a moment. “I know. I’ve made breakfast, poppet. Let’s eat, then you can shout at me all you want.”
I arched a sceptical eyebrow at that, and Matt’s smile disappeared completely as he walked up to me.
“I had every intention of telling you to stop this childish behaviour of yours when I got here last night, but you weren’t at home and it gave me time to think.” He sighed and reached out for me. I backed up against the wall. No telling what I might end up doing if he touched me. Probably rip my clothes off and beg him for an orgasm. That would be undignified…but oh so worth it.
“You were right, Madi. I was wrong to let things get out of control last Saturday at my parents’ dinner party. There’s no excuse for my behaviour,” he continued with remorseful grey eyes. “My apologies weren’t that sincere since I believed the fault wasn’t mine. It was, poppet. I’m an arsehole and I should’ve—”
“Smacked the bitch?” I offered.
A wide grin appeared on his face, one which softened into a sweet, tender smile. “No, I don’t condone violence against women, but I should’ve made it explicitly clear to Louisa her behaviour was wholly unacceptable. I should’ve moved seats the instant she touched me.”
I nodded vigorously, trying to keep my gaze on his face instead of his chest.
“And I shouldn’t have tried to buy my way out of trouble,” he added.
“What are we going to do, Matt?” I asked, wondering if he would try to kiss me soon. I would sock him in the eye, of course, but damn, I wanted a kiss.
Matt took a step towards me that brought us within kissing distance. The silent countdown in my head had started. Any second he would lean in and claim my mouth, it would be a-fucking-mazing. My tongue traced my lips slowly. Matt’s eyes tracked the movement and he inhaled sharply before stepping back.
What the hell?
Where was my kiss?
“I’m going to prove to you that I’m not an arsehole. Things developed so quickly between us we never had a chance to date properly.” He flashed me that sweet smile of his and continued. “So, we’re starting afresh from today.”
My brain was in kissing mode. He wasn’t making sense and my lips were complaining at the lack of ravishment. “I’m sorry, what? You want to date me?”
Matt nodded.
“But we’re already doing that,” I said. What in the hell was wrong with Matt today?
“No, poppet, not really. Think about it for a moment. The way we started our relationship was wrong.” He paused when he saw my expression, hurrying to add, “I love you, Madison DuMont, and I want to do things right. Prior to last week, our relationship was hidden, like a dirty secret. Everyone knows about us now, and I’ve made up my mind on this. I’m going to date you—”
“What about sex?” I blurted, then blushed furiously. Matt burst out laughing, and I slapped my hand in the middle of his chest, intending to shove him away. Things got confused in my head once I felt his warm skin covering that muscular hotness, and I ended up sliding my hand over his chest. The air caught in my throat, and I swore I had a mini-orgasm.
“Oh, poppet,” he murmured, yanking me into his arms, chuckling. “You do make me laugh.”
I inhaled his scent. A face full of Matt’s chest was heaven. He slid one hand up my neck and rubbed it, drawing an embarrassing whimper from me.
“You were a virgin before I made love to you.” He pulled back to peer at me, one eyebrow raised high. “How far did you go on dates? I’m asking so I know exactly how many men I need to hunt down. The thought of someone else enjoying your luscious lips is making me experience violent tendencies.”
“Psycho,” I muttered with a roll of eyes, then remembered the questions I had for him. “Matt, do you have feelings for her? Your ex? Are you still in love with her?”
Matt gave me serious eyes. “No. I’ve never loved Louisa, not the way I love you. She’s…it’s difficult to explain, poppet.”
“Try,” I said coolly. I needed to know where things stood between them.
“She was the expected choice, the one who would fit perfectly in my life. We grew up together, our families have known each other for years. At one point, marriage seemed like the next step with us,” he said in an empty voice.
My mouth turned down at the edges. “I see.”
Matt cupped my chin, tilting my head so he could stare into my eyes. “But, I don’t want her, and I don’t love her. I think, in some strange way, I was waiting.”
“Waiting?” I asked. “For what?”
Matt lowered his head, lips millimetres away from mine. “For you, poppet.”
I finally got my kiss and it was abso-fucking-lutely fantastic. When he pulled away, we were both breathless.
I had forgiven him. I hoped it wasn’t something I would later regret. That didn’t stop me from socking him in the eye though.
“Bloody hell! Why did you do that?” Matt exclaimed, a hand covering his left eye as he stumbled back.
“You let Aphrodite mess with your junk, Matt. Consider yourself lucky,” I said, grinning ear to ear. “What’s for breakfast?”
He tentatively touched around his eye, wincing a few times. “Crepes with bacon and eggs. Come on, let’s go eat. I need to explain exactly what I expect from you now we’re going to date and put a bag of frozen peas on my eye.”
I took his outstretched hand and we walked to the kitchen. My stomach grumbled loudly.
“Am I forgiven, poppet?” Matt asked as I took a seat at the table and he went over to the fridge.
“Yep,” I said, immediately tucking into my breakfast. “Just don’t let it happen again.”
“I won’t,” he promised, as he pulled out a bag of frozen peas and held it against his face. “You’re keeping the Porsche, by the way. You need a bigger vehicle.”
“No, I’m not. It’ll drive my insurance premium up and it’s a gas guzzler,” I said between mouthfuls.
Matt came over to take his seat and start eating with one hand, while the other kept the frozen peas to his face. “You’re keeping it, poppet. Our first official date is on Sunday. There’s this charity ball I have to attend, and I want you with me.”
I sighed and reached for the pot of tea positioned neatly in the middle of the plates.
“You’re bossy, Matt.” I said as I poured the steaming liquid into my cup.
He put the bag down and winked at me. “And you love me.”
“And I love you,” I agreed. I did. “Now, about this dating crap, we are going to have sex…right?”
Matt’s piercing grey eyes glinted mischievously as he picked up his cup. “Do you mind pouring me tea, poppet? My vision is slightly impaired at the moment.”
“Asshole,” I mumbled under my breath, but I didn’t mean it, not anymore. In fact, I was planning on jumping his bones once breakfast was over. It had been a long, frustrating week, and a bare-chested Matt was irresistible. Yes, as soon as breakfast was over I would get my swirl on…