Lovers' Dance Page 7

  “What does that matter?” Matt groused, flicking over a few pages. He wanted to go over in fine detail every bit of info about her, not fast forward. “She inherited almost two million pounds? Well, that’s good.”

  “Look at her net worth now, page ten.”

  Matt tore his gaze from the sheets of paper on his desk to level Nathan with a venomous scowl. “I don’t care what she’s worth on paper.”

  Nathan’s mouth fell open, he filled his glass, tossed it back, then began to berate Matt. “Are you hearing yourself? She’s in debt, owns a dance studio in Greenwich which she put most of her money into and has a mortgage on those premises. At least she owns her house outright, a pokey little terrace—”

  “You arrogant arsehole. She’s twenty-six-years-old and has her own house and business. She may be in debt, but she’s sounding pretty damned smart to me.”

  Nathan poured himself another drink, tossed this one back too, then took a deep calming breath, before saying evenly, “Go to page twelve. Have a gander at that for me.”

  Matt didn’t appreciate Nathan’s overreaction. He flicked a couple more pages, saying to Nathan as he did, “Mate, I never asked you to do this. You’re the one that took it upon yourself to find her and run a background check.” He paused, then queried sharply, “Who did you hire to get this info? By God, if you had some shady outfit looking into her, I swear I’ll wring your bloody neck.”

  Nathan snorted in disgust over Matt’s misplaced lack of trust in him. “I used the company we always use. Everything is confidential and destroyed upon request. Read page twelve for me. Once you’ve done that, we’ll talk. I mean, I don’t have a problem that she’s black.”

  Matt looked at his friend coldly. “Yes, you do, and the fuck I care if you do. Now shut up.” He turned his attention to page twelve. When he finished reading it, he rested his hands over the file, fingers laced together tightly. That was the only tell-tale sign of his sudden nervousness.

  “I’m assuming you have more information on this Kincaid character. Page twelve gave me nothing more than innuendo and light suspicion. Bloody hell, Nathan, how many times have my family’s sub-companies been levied with untrue charges? I can’t even count.”

  Nathan poured his third glass. This time, he poured one for Matt and slid it over to him. “I’m still looking into this Kincaid, but, Matt, please stay away from her—this girl-

  “Woman.” Matt corrected tersely.

  Nathan waved a hand in the air. “Fine, girl, woman, whatever. She’s got trouble written all over her. Trust me.”

  Matt leaned back in his chair, his interlaced fingers now resting on his chest as he appraised his closest friend dispassionately. “Trust you? You went behind my back and ran a background check on a woman I had decided not to contact. I could’ve found her myself if I wanted to. You barge into my house with your Scotch and this file, order me to read it, and now you’re warning me to stay away from her? I love you like my own brother but, fuck you, Nathan. Did I not support you when your family were dead set against you seeing Bella?”

  “That’s different.”

  “How so?” Matt asked, a dangerous glint in his eyes. “Because she’s white like us?”

  “I don’t know, it just is. Look, I’m not the bad guy here. I want you to remember who you are and, bloody hell, Matt. Everyone expects you to marry Louisa. You need to forget Madison DuMont.”

  Matt was tense and furious at Nathan, but he knew deep down his friend was trying to protect him. He unclasped his fingers and ran his hand wildly through his hair before groaning in frustration. “I can’t stop thinking about her. How preposterous is that? A woman I’ve known for less than twenty-four hours and she’s all I think about. Every single day. Don’t you think I’ve tried to forget about her? She’s not like us, and I don’t mean her race. We’re from different backgrounds, different social groups.” He sighed loudly. “But I can’t get her out of my head.”

  Nathan topped up his glass, fidgeting with the edge of Matt’s desk. He wouldn’t meet his friend’s gaze as he asked in a solemn voice, “You like like her?”

  “I told you I can’t stop thinking about her. What do you think?” Matt asked through gritted teeth. “You shouldn’t have done this, Nathan.”

  “I know, but I couldn’t help myself.” Nathan took a civilized sip from his glass. “Are you sure you like her, or do you simply want to shag her and move on? Because shagging her is fine. Get it out of your system. She’s a looker, I’ll give you that. I mean you should see her dance on that website of theirs. I’d shag her brains out if Bella wasn’t—”

  “What? A website? There’s no mention of it in the file. Why didn’t you say something before?” Matt was turning on his laptop. His increasing anger at Nathan’s offensive words pushed aside at the thought of seeing her again, even if it was on a website. He did mention tartly though, “Don’t ever speak about her in such a manner in my presence again. Shag her brains out? Do you want me to hurt you?”

  Nathan snorted something under his breath. Matt ignored it.

  “Give me the name of her website,” Matt ordered.

  “I can’t remember,” Nathan replied innocently.

  Matt directed a hard look at his friend, who shrugged nonchalantly.

  “Fine. I’ll Google her dance studio.” He put the name in the search engine, then showed Nathan two expressive fingers. “You twat.”

  It was at the top of the search results. He double-clicked and his gut clenched sharply. The home page gave the basic info about their dance company. Matt clicked the galleries icon, a soft smile gracing his lips as he scrolled through the pictures. There weren’t as many as he’d like of her. Most were of students, costumes, ballet shoes, their premises. Nathan got up to stand behind him. “Hit that icon right there. The website needs work. They probably couldn’t afford to have it professionally done. Some of the links are—”

  “Will you shut up,” Matt hissed as he clicked on the icon Nathan had pointed out. It brought up a list of past productions. He clicked on the most recent, then sat in awe as he watched his dark beauty dance to a classical piece from the Nutcracker. His eyes followed her movements over the screen, barely paying attention to the other dancers.

  “My God, she’s amazing,” he whispered. “Nathan, look at her. That’s incredible.”

  “I’ve seen it already, Matt.”

  “Yes, but still—”

  “You should see the video of them dancing to modern music,” Nathan interrupted, closely observing his friend’s demeanour. “The dross these young people listen to, no appreciation for real music. Come out of that link and go to the street dancing one. You’ll see why I said I wouldn’t mind shagging her, too.”

  Matt’s head snapped around. Nathan put a little space between them in case Matt took a swing at him. He looked angry enough to do it. Nathan chuckled. He’d never seen his friend act possessive over anyone. Nathan’s humour disappeared almost instantaneously. If Matt was reacting strongly now…maybe he shouldn’t have located her. Maybe his interference was a mistake.

  Matt clicked the link, the beat of a song he’d never heard pumping out of the laptop. His eyes widened as he watched the movements of the dancers on the screen. He watched her, and his body instinctively reacted to her dancing. She was limber, hips shaking in a manner that made him want to… He cleared his throat, there was something lodged in it. Who knew a person could choke on lust? Matt shifted in his seat, hunching over slightly to hide the growing bulge in his khaki pants. He cleared his throat again before clicking on the website’s blog page. Better not to watch her dancing like that; later, when he was alone. Yes, later.

  “It says here there’s an upcoming snap dance? What’s snap dance?” Matt queried, feeling old. “Is this a new craze or something?”

  “I thought so, too, but, if you scroll down to past blogs and click the link—wait, click that one—no, the one before it. Snap dance in Euston.”

  Matt clicked the link.
A video of the busy station popped up. He looked over his shoulder at Nathan. “It’s a video of inside Euston station.”

  “Wait for it. Watch the crowds, see how the camera’s focusing on the entrance to the Underground.”

  Matt turned his attention back to the screen. He didn’t have to wait long. A masked group of ladies in ballet costumes came running out, startling the surrounding crowds who started gaping at them in curiosity. They began to dance in the middle of the station, much to the enjoyment of the crowd. It went on for about ten minutes before security began to appear. The surrounding people were clapping loudly as the tutu-wearing women dispersed, darting through the crowds as they made their escape. A policeman gave chase to one, but she leaped over someone’s suitcase and nimbly evaded capture. The picture faded out with the words: ‘Bringing dance to the people.’

  “How delightfully interesting.” Matt decided he was intrigued by this woman he’d saved. “It says here there’s an upcoming snap dance this Friday. What an unusual name to call it—”

  “I thought so myself,” Nathan agreed as he moved back to his seat. “I know what you’re thinking, Matt.”

  “What am I thinking?” Matt asked lightly, scrolling through the website. He made a mental note of their opening hours. It would come in useful in the future.

  “You’re planning on seeing her again.”

  “So what if I am? I don’t see how that concerns you, especially since you’re the one responsible for this mountain of information I’m looking at.”

  Nathan’s face twisted into a scowl. “I wouldn’t have looked for her if I had known she was—”

  “Was what, Nathan?” Matt asked in that same relaxed tone.

  Nathan wasn’t fooled for a second. He noticed the flash of temper in Matt’s eyes and amended his answer. “So young.”

  “She’s twenty-six, not sixteen,” Matt shot back. And his sweet virgin, he added mentally. He flicked through the file again, finding that picture of her. He was going to make her his. Madison DuMont was his, she just didn’t know it yet.

  “Matt,” Nathan warned. “I know that look on your face.”

  Matt smiled. “Don’t worry, Nathan. Nothing bad is going to happen.”

  “Huh.” Nathan snorted, shaking his head. “Just to be clear, you’re going to shag her, buy her something nice and ridiculously expensive, then get on with your life. Right? You’re not going to deviate from the usual modus operandi.”

  Matt laughed, nodding to his friend. “Yes, Nathan, I’m going to shag her and buy her something nice before continuing on with my unbearably boring life.”

  “Make sure she signs a non-disclosure clause, too,” he added. “Heaven forbid this gets out. Matthew Bradley suffering from a dose of jungle fever.”

  Matt lowered his brows in distaste. “Did you actually just say that?”

  Nathan nodded. “That’s nothing in comparison to what the press will write if they find out. Remember the headlines nine years ago when the media found out about you and that Norwegian model? That was the reason your solicitors convinced you to draw up the clause.”

  “They won’t find out,” Matt said, gaze drawn to the picture of her. “Stop worrying.”

  Nathan shook his head and stood up. “I’m leaving. Bella’s parents invited us over for supper. Her father has been dropping hints about a possible engagement, future grandkids.” Nathan sighed out loud, fixing a tired blue-eyed stare on his closest friend. “We’re getting old, mate.”

  Matt laughed. “Yes, we are. Thankfully, I don’t look it. You should marry Bella, she’s good for you.”

  Nathan smiled. Never had truer words been spoken. His smile wavered at the talk of marriage. “What about you? Your parents are eager to see you wedded to Louisa. Portia called me last week, said it was my responsibility as your friend to make sure you did the right thing, the expected thing.” Nathan shuddered. “Your mother scares the living daylights out of me. Always has.”

  Matt squashed the immediate spurt of resentment as he thought about his parents. They were getting overbearingly insistent, to the point where he’d deliberately missed the last two family functions. He knew what was expected of him. Both his father and grandfather had ambushed him at the twins’ birthday party a few months ago, droning on about their family heritage and the responsibility each male Bradley had to ensuring their family prospered. Then they had started talking about the next generation of Bradleys and Matt had stopped paying attention. He was thirty-six, not ninety-six; he had time before settling down.

  “Screen her calls,” he replied dryly. Nathan gave him a dirty look and Matt shrugged. “Change your mobile number then.”

  “Why don’t you talk to them? Tell them you’re not sure Louisa is the one for you.”

  It was Matt’s turn to shoot Nathan a dirty stare. “And risk being ostracized? They’ve only started speaking to Adam this past year. Look, Louisa and I are going to happen, though I’m loathe to have Jack Gilliford as my father-in-law. She’s the most suitable woman to carry the Bradley name and give my parents the next grandchild they’re so eager for. Plus, I’m certain merging our fortunes will make her so happy she’ll be more than willing to overlook any of my future indiscretions.”

  Nathan rubbed his chin, a reflective look on his face. “It sounds like you’ve already made peace with it.”

  Matt nodded slowly, eyes falling once again to Madi’s picture. “I have but, until I propose, I’m planning to enjoy myself immensely.” He flashed Nathan a lecherous grin. “You know how much I relish new challenges.”

  “You’re sick,” Nathan joked. “I feel sorry for that poor girl. Make sure you get her something nice when you’re finished with her and, for God’s sake, don’t let anyone find out about it.”

  “Woman, not girl, and stop worrying. No one’s going to know.” Matt stood up and walked his friend out.

  He hurried back to his study, wanting to go over the file in a more detailed fashion. He understood why Nathan was deeply concerned about him pursuing Madison, but once Matt saw something he wanted. He always got what he wanted. That wasn’t about to change any time soon. He held her picture in his hand, staring at it intently. He would shag her, a lot. Then, he would be able to get over this unusual fixation he had about her. Sex. That was all it was. She was deliciously hot and he wanted her.

  Why then did he feel a fraud for letting Nathan assume sexual conquest was the main factor pushing him? Yes, he wanted her desperately, but he remembered how she’d felt in his arms, making those weird snoring noises as she slept. He remembered the way his heart had twisted when she had cried in his arms. He’d never felt that way before, never experienced the urge to protect someone so completely. Her petite frame didn’t help. It only served to make him feel manlier, like he should use his brawn to keep her safe. What in the bloody hell was wrong with him?

  He put the photo down and picked up the file, starting from the beginning. He couldn’t help but approach this as he would any business deal. He needed to be fully informed. The file wouldn’t give a complete picture of the woman he was unable to push out of his mind, but it was a start. He hadn’t planned on looking for her but now, because of Nathan’s interference, Matt decided it was fate’s way of telling him to go for it. Fate was never something he put much stock into before but, in this instance, he was willing to believe. The promise he had made to himself not to find her was negligible now. He felt another unexpected spurt of sympathy as he read in detail about her parents, imagining a terrified little girl coming to term with the loss of the world as she knew it. To have survived and then grown up into a determined young woman capable of accomplishing her goals…his intrigue mounted. The file, in his opinion, lacked the layers of her character that he wanted to peel back to reveal the very centre of what made her who she was. But there was only one way to learn those details. Madison DuMont intrigued him. He couldn’t remember the last time he had felt an interest in anything outside of work. He wouldn’t stop until his
desire to know everything about her was sated. Matt grinned. With his good looks and vast wealth, she didn’t stand a chance. No woman could resist his charms. He pushed aside the niggling voice in his head reminding him of all the conceptions he had over black women. Did it matter the colour of her skin? Women were all the same; white, black and all the varying shades in between. He simply needed to ensure this strange preoccupation he had with her remained secret.

  FIVE

  WE WERE ALMOST ready for the snap dance. I was not so sure about this event. Instead of Hyde Park, which we’d originally planned for, the location had been changed to outside Buckingham Palace. Dante was crazy. The flag was up, signifying the queen was in residence. We would get into trouble. He said no, we wouldn’t, thousands of tourists flocked outside those regal gates every day. I agreed with that, but those tourists didn’t set off small fireworks. They weren’t really pyrotechnics, just confetti-loaded compressed canisters. I was anxious, the others weren’t. We numbered twelve in total, excluding Dante’s two friends, one who would film the whole thing and the other on music/confetti duty. Shit.

  “Stop worrying about it, Madi.” Dante loosened his long coat. We had earned curious glances from the people milling about. It was mid-July and unseasonably hot for a British summer. I was sure a couple of coppers were following us. Who would wear coats on a sunny day like this? Bomb-strapped terrorists, that’s who. Oh, God. I was going to get arrested. My black tutu itched against my thighs under my coat. Lisa was grinning like a loon. She loved our snap dances. The girl got off on danger. We had once done an event at Tate Modern and security hadn’t been pleased.

  “Madi’s going to cry,” Gerrard teased, stretching his muscular thighs. We wore leotards and ballet shoes, another thing that brought attention to us.

  “I’m not, you idiot. I’m sweating like a pig, that’s all.”

  “We all are,” Eddie groaned, wiping beads of perspiration off his forehead. “I would’ve preferred doing this at Hyde Park to be honest.”