CHAPTER 3
“I can’t find my shoes!” Gerrard yelled in annoyance as he manhandled his way through some of the other dancers.
“Who moved my bloody stuff?”
I rolled my eyes, pulling on my own pointe shoes.
It was the final night of our two weeks performance.
We all had mixed feelings about it.
“Have you checked in the rec room?” Liam turned around, hand covering his junk.
I averted my eyes and checked my costume wasn’t too tight.
When had he gotten that new tattoo?
“Thirty minutes until curtains up.” Gloria advised as she entered the crowded changing rooms.
She slipped in between half-naked bodies and waved me over.
“What’s up?” I asked over one of our temporary dancer’s crouched form.
“Dante needs you on stage.” she said quickly before spinning on her heels and once again dodging half-naked bodies as she exited the room.
“Ugh.” I muttered softly and made my way pass the people racing to get dressed for our final show.
What did Dante want now?
Well, only one way to find out.
Ten minutes later I was striding onto my stage.
Dante stood at the edge of the stage, sneakily peeking through a crack between the heavy stage curtains.
“What do you want?” I asked on my approach.
The sounds of a rapidly filling auditorium gave me a small dose of the jitters.
“Is that the director from the Royal Ballet sat in our front row?” he hissed.
“You are shitting me.” I gushed as I slid up to him and peeked out the tiny gap.
“Is it him?”
“Looks like him.” Dante replied nervously.
“But it can’t be. Why the fuck would he be here? It can’t be him.”
We looked at each other, then simultaneously went back to peeking.
“No, it’s not him, Dante.” I decided.
“You’re right.” Dante agreed, pulling me back from the curtains.
“I don’t know why I thought it was him. Last night, sweet cheeks.” he said, changing the topic with a wide grin.
“Tell me about it,” I murmured, gently dabbing away the smudge in his eye makeup.
“I don’t know if to cry or roll on the floor in anticipation of four weeks off.”
Dante licked his index finger and ran it over my left eyebrow, smoothing it down.
It wasn’t gross, it was just, well, it was gross but it was Dante and there was no need to get eeked out.
“I told you I’m going home, right?” he reminded me.
“My flight’s on the 2nd of January.”
“Yeah, yes, you mentioned it. How long are you staying?” I didn’t want to dwell on the fact my best friend was going home in the next five days.
Dante gave me an exasperated look.
“How long is the corp off for?”
I narrowed my eyes at him.
“Four weeks.”
“Then I’ll be gone for four weeks. My mama has been lighting up my phone, you know how she gets.”
I had to grin.
Dante’s mom was clingy when it came to her only child.
Who could blame her?
She’d raised him single-handedly and he was a great credit to her.
It was understandable she missed him, and not-so-secretly hated me for dragging him over to this side of the pond.
“It’ll be strange not having you around,” I murmured, before finishing on a wishful sigh.
“We always used to go hom- New York together.”
Dante gave me an air kiss, conscious of my makeup.
“It’ll work out. I’ll have words with Auntie Cleo when I go home.”
“Don’t do that.” I hissed.
“You’ll make things worse. Look, I’m over it.”
Dante raised his eyebrows with a scoff and shake of head.
Then we both spun around at the sound of the artistic director yelling for us.
“Showtime.” we said in unison.
Oh man.
It was the final night.
There would be tears when the curtains fell on our production.
I for one would be leading the cry-fest.
“Showtime.” I mumbled again and followed Dante off the stage…
The applause was deafening as we all took a bow.
Dante smiled at me as he swung Janey up into a one-armed hold.
She laughed in delight but I could see how tired she was.
Poor thing.
She was my little trooper and the cause of envy in her ballet class.
Little Melanie was giving me the cold shoulder and had missed last week’s class.
All attempts to placate her had fallen on deaf ears.
Bri said she was having a strop and would get over it.
I wasn’t so sure.
It was painful seeing someone else easily achieve something you were desperately striving for.
I would try to talk to her when classes started back up in the new year, if she came back.
I blinked against the glare of the lights, glad it was too bright to make out the faces of the audience.
“It’s official,” Gerrard murmured in my ear as we waved at the audience.
“We are a hit.”
“Mmm, we’ll see.” I whispered back before he slipped an arm around my waist.
Bri and Lisa crowded around us, maintaining their bright smiles for the public.
“Pub afterwards?” Lisa asked through her beaming smile.
“Mmm.” I nodded quickly, already tasting the pints.
“Definitely.”
With a final bow, we all waltzed off the stage laughing and hugging each other.
We had done it, and I was sad it was over.
“Madi.” Dante had delivered Janey to her mother’s arms and was currently mauling me around the waist.
“Who the man?”
“We the man.” I laughed as we twirled around wildly, bumping carelessly into the others.
“Let’s go get changed, chase these people out of here and hit the pub.”
“I’m all for that.” Liam confirmed, rubbing his face vigorously.
We all burst into laughter at his smeared makeup.
Half an hour later I was in my street clothes and sidestepping people milling about in the auditorium.
As expected, Dougie was waiting right below the far side of the stage.
“Perfection, my wee lassie.” he greeted, handing over a bouquet of roses while leaning down to lightly kiss my cheek.
“Absolute perfection.”
I grinned at him and sniffed my flowers.
“Ok buster, tell me which bit you liked the most. You’ve been here every night so you should have made your mind up by now.”
Dougie folded his arms while I waited expectantly.
Tonight he wore a green sweater over his shirt and some black dress pants.
He looked extremely preppy.
“My favourite part is when the queen dies.” he finally said and my mouth fell open.
With one hand I punch his arm none-to-gently.
“Ye wee bastard.” I affected my best Scottish accent and Dougie chortled at my attempt so I resume speaking normally.
“Thanks a lot, Dougie. You enjoyed my character’s demise the most? Gee, that’s just great.” The sarcasm was thick, I wanted it to be thick.
He leaned in closer.
“Ah, but ye dinnae ask me why.”
“Why?” I promptly asked with a touch of attitude.
“Because she did it for love, ye ken.” he said softly.
“Any sacrifice done for love is a wonderful thing. Do ye not think so, my wee lassie?”
I opened my mouth to respond and the answer died on my lips as my gaze went past his shoulder.
I blinked, certain I was seeing things but the handsome vision didn’t evaporate.
“Matt?” I said in surprise as my heart thundered in my chest cavity.
He was here!
In a daze I moved past Dougie, like a moth to the flame I was drawn to him.
“Hello, poppet.” was all Matt managed to get out before I leapt at him.
To hell with the damage done to the roses, my man was here!
“Oof.” he grunted, arms already encircling my waist and lifting me off the ground while I buried my face in his neck.
God.
He smelt divine.
“You’re here.” I murmured against his skin and simultaneously inhaled deeply, needing his scent like a junkie needed a hit.
“Yes, I am,” he said with amusement.
“What have you done to your curls?”
I pulled back, grinning like a fool.
“When did you get back? I can’t believe you’re here.”
Matt held me tighter.
“Where’s my kiss hello?”
He didn’t have to ask me twice.
I kissed the hell out of his sexy lips and ignored the flash of lights as our tongues tangoed.
“Bloody hell, I’ve missed you.” Matt said when we broke apart for air.
I slid down his body until my heels hit the ground but kept the space between us to a bare minimum.
Ok, I’ll just admit to wantonly moulding my body into his as I put aside the flowers.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were coming home today?” I asked, grabbing onto the lapels of his jacket.
“I didn’t know if I would arrive in time to see the show and I wanted it to be a surprise. I came straight here after landing. Adam is crashed out at my place as we speak.” His gaze drifted behind me and a tiny smirk curled up his mouth before he trained those beautiful grey orbs on my face.
“I’ve been gone two weeks, poppet. I demand another kiss.”
Very bossy, but hey, I’d been gagging for some Bradley lip loving every night he was away.
I offered my lips up for ravishment.
“Did you see the whole performance?” I asked, stepping back from his warm embrace.
Some distance was needed now, that last kiss had my nipples acting out…
poking out more like.
“Why didn’t you tell me you had tickets? I could’ve gotten you in for free, hon.”
Matt shrugged.
“Hannah purchased the tickets for her and Stuart actually. She begrudgingly allowed me to use them with certain conditions.” He rubbed his chin as a sheepish glint appeared in his eyes.
“Ah, she’s expecting you to call her to set up a spa day, poppet. Sorry.”
The added sorry at the end of his sentence had me shaking my head.
Then my eyes widened when I noticed the head of the Bradley clan a few feet away with the collar of his coat turned up high, but it did nothing to hide the scowl on his face.
“Matt,” I tugged one lapel.
“Your grandfather came too?” Why did I always ask the obvious?
Matt didn’t even look over his shoulder.
“Yes. My interfering sister failed to mention Grumps would be using the spare ticket. She believes I’ve been ignoring the old tyrant and wants me to spend some time with him.”
Guilt.
Yes, the guilt was quickly replacing my excitement of seeing Matt in the flesh.
“But you are ignoring him, Matt.” I murmured, trying my best not to look over in Grumps’s direction.
“Has he asked your forgiveness, poppet?”
I shook my head slowly.
“Sent you a handwritten letter filled with apologies?”
Another shake of head from me.
“Perhaps he’s texted you?” Matt arched an expressive eyebrow.
“Ok, Matt, you’ve made your point.” I replied.
“Good.” Matt stated casually.
“Until he apologizes he’ll remain in my bad graces. Now, shall we go chat with your employees? I want to congratulate them on a job well done.”
I snuck a look at William Bradley Snr, it was bad timing because he was looking right at me.
Un-fucking-believable .
I actually felt sorry for the man.
It didn’t help his grey eyes were identical to Matt’s.
“You didn’t speak to him at all? And they’re not my employees, well, Dante and I don’t look at them as employees.” I whispered as Matt turned me around and we both took a step moving forward.
“You pay their wages, they’re your employees, poppet. Concerning Grumps, bar the required polite greetings, no, I have not spoken to him.” Matt was serious and I felt even worse for the old man.
“Wait, my flowers,” I turned and grabbed the bouquet.
Shit.
Dougie.
I had completely forgotten about him the moment I spotted Matt.
He was right where I had left him, the only difference was the bemused look now plastered on his face.
Matt and I continued walking, but I drew us to a stop next to Dougie.
It would be rude to do anything else.
“McGregor,” Matt held a hand out.
“Bradley,” Dougie shook his hand.
An uncomfortable silence ensued as each man took his hand back.
Or I should say, I felt uncomfortable.
The two men exchanged cool glances.
“Dougie was just telling me which part of the performance he enjoyed the most, Matt.” I volunteered into the silence.
“Really?” Matt asked politely.
“And which part was it?”
“The part where the queen bought it.” I answered for Dougie.
He had a mischievous gleam in his eyes, it looked sly and the little that I knew about the Scotsman had my warning flags going up.
“Mmm, I see,” Matt said dismissively.
“How’s the oil business treating ye, Bradley?” Dougie queried pleasantly and I relaxed.
This was what these men talked about, business and money.
“The usual. How about yourself?” Matt’s hand slipped around my waist, then he slowly ran his hand down my hip.
Dougie’s gaze followed the movement.
I was too busy trying to fight a mini-orgasm to pay attention to the cold expression now seeping into Matt’s face.
Damn.
I missed his hands, almost as much as his lips.
The things he did with them…
“I cannae complain.” Dougie replied a touch sharply.
I focused on him then and immediately noticed the small frown forming between his eyebrows.
A quick sidelong peek at Matt revealed nothing.
What was up with Dougie?
Crazy ass.
Dougie suddenly beamed at me.
“Well, my wee lassie, I’ll take my leave now. Ye were brilliant on stage.” He made a move, leaned in closer then stopped mid-motion.
His eyes jerked to Matt before ruefully coming back to me as he straightened up without completing the intended kiss goodbye.
“I’ll be seeing ye, aye? No more ignoring my calls.”
“Thanks for the flowers, Dougie.” I said quickly.
Shit.
Why did he have to bring up the calls?
I wondered how much time I had before Matt asked about it.
Dougie stuck out his hand to Matt.
“Nice to see ye, Bradley, oh and congratulations on the engagement.”
“Thank you.” Matt gave him a quick shake then regarded me intently while propelling me forward.
“You must be starving. Shall we get something to eat before heading home?”
Dougie had been dismissed.
I risked a glance over my shoulders to see him standing there, watching us walk away.
Oh my God.
Matt was cold!
If he ever dismissed me like that someone would be getting a smack.
And that someone was six feet plus and devastatingly handsome.
“Did you have to be so rude, Matt?” I asked in a low tone while waving at Gloria’s mom.
Nice lady.
Matt’s hand slipped onto my ass, squeezing lightly.
“I was far from rude, poppet. Mmm, your jeans are tight, I like that.”
I weighed up making a smart-assed retort but wisely refrained from it.
If he was distracted by my butt then he might not ask about the missed calls.
A murmur of agreement came from me as we approached Dante and some of the others.
Before the distance could be closed a man literally jumped out in front of us.
Matt turned sideways, partially shielding me with his body.
“Mr Bradley, I’m Tom from Entertainment Live. What were your thoughts on tonight’s performance?”
“Perfectly executed.” Matt replied with a tight smile.
“This is the first time you’ve made an appearance. Was there any particular reason you hadn’t attended before?”
“None at all,” Matt said.
“Business matters kept me away.”
“Have you set a date for your wedding?” Freaking Tom from Entertainment Live asked.
Salivating at the mouth like the dog he was!
I could see the wheels turning behind his eyes, see him hoping for a news worthy scoop.
Matt smiled at him, it was his slick, warning smile.
“That is a private matter, Tom.” Matt’s jaw line looked tense.
Tom better watch it.
“Ms DuMont, how does it feel knowing you’ve nab one of the most eligible bachelors in the world?”
I laughed before I could stop the damned thing from escaping.
Matt leaned back, a slightly perplexed look gracing his face.
“Umm,” I stammered.
“A bit of an exaggeration that, don’t you think?”
The twin eyebrows of doom lowered a fraction and Matt gave me a little smile as Tom laughed.
“Millions of women would disagree with you, Ms DuMont.” Tom burst out before eagerly asking Matt, “How does it feel knowing she doesn’t think you’re a catch?”
“I didn’t say that.” I exclaimed in alarm.
Oh shit.
Freaking media.
Matt’s smile was empty as he edged us away from the reporter and his stupid questions.
I glanced up at him, saw his rigid jaw line and chewed my lower lip in trepidation.
“Matt, hon,” I mumbled, bumping him with my hip as we walked.
“You know that’s not what I-”
He tilted his head at me, eyes shining with humour and his mouth compressed into a thin line.
Probably fighting the urge to laugh at me.
I pouted.
“It’s not funny.”
“No, it isn’t, poppet.”
“So why are you trying not to laugh?” I queried dryly.
His hand caressed my ass again.
“I don’t think you should speak to the press. Ever.”
“Agreed.” I said then grinned as Dante spotted me and crooked his finger at us.
We joined the group and Matt conversed with everyone while maintaining his hold on me.
I stole little glances at him as he chuckled over something Liam said.
To all appearances he was enjoying himself, but I suspected it was a facade.
It was barely noticeable: the minute tightening of the corners of his mouth whenever someone acted overly boisterous, or the flash of arrogant disdain at Lisa’s recounting of the antics of some of our students.
It was barely noticeable, yet I saw it, and it not only left me feeling confused but also annoyed.
Did he secretly view me in the exact same way he was assessing my friends and colleagues?
Matt was such a snob.
I was marrying a snob.
I stepped away from him.
Oh, I was subtle, using the pretence of getting closer to Gerrard to hear the joke he made.
Matt shot me a quizzical glance when I settled myself next to Dante instead of returning to the curve of his arm.
I avoided his piercing gaze and observed the remaining crowd milling about the auditorium.
Was he silently judging them?
Wait, let me include myself.
Judging us?
What would happen after we got married?
Would he expect me to socialize with his type of people alone?
Could I no longer get legless and stumble out of a pub between Bri and Lisa when we had one of our girls’ night?
Would I always have to act exactly how he expected me to act in order to avoid any media embarrassment?
Oh God.
Would my life become one boring glitzy function after the other where I rubbed shoulders with stuffy people who had no idea what normal fun was?
My mouth parted with trepidation.
I hadn’t thought this thing through properly.
What did being Mrs Madison Bradley entail?
Fuck that.
I was keeping my damned last name.
I was very aware of Matt’s eyes on me.
When I got the courage to peer at him I could see his Vulcan powers coming online.
The intense way he searched my expression made it obvious he was on to me.
He knew something was up.
“Uh, excuse me for one moment.” I muttered and made a dash for it.
Head bent low I sidestepped laughing people on my way up the aisle.
“Madison.”
Oh for fuc- My head snapped up.
Was there no escape from the Bradleys?
“Mr Bradley,” I smiled feebly.
“Hello.”
He waved the greeting away and took my arm.
“Come, there’s someone I want you to meet.”
“I was just heading to my office.” The tiny white lie fell with ease from my lips.
“Can it wait?”
“No. He’s right over there.” Grumps pointed over to a lone man surveying the high ceiling of my building on the opposite side of the auditorium.
He wasn’t right over there.
I turned my head, sending Matt a mental plea for help, never mind I had just run from his presence.
He was regarding his grandfather and me with open curiosity, but didn’t budge one inch from the group.
Ah, no help there.
I let Grumps lead me to the man, although I ended up taking his arm, just in case the old coot stumbled and fell.
If that happened I had no doubts in my mind that he would sue me for every penny I had.
“Madison, I want you to meet-” Grumps began, but I cut him off in surprise as I took the man’s outstretched hand.
Oh my.
Dante had been right!
“I know who you are,” I gushed like a fool, pumping the man’s hand up and down vigorously.
“Ms DuMont, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” he said in a very soft spoken, cultured voice.
“Let me just say how much I enjoyed your performance tonight.”
I blushed.
I blushed so hard it left me feeling light-headed.
Then I realised his hand was still being clutched in my now sweaty one.
I released him and blushed some more.
Hail to the dark skin, shield against the embarrassing blush.
“Really? You enjoyed it?” I needed to stop sounding so breathless but wow.
The director of the Royal Ballet just told me he enjoyed our show.
“Yes,” he confirmed.
“There were some instances where the transition of the dancers’ movements could have been smoother, but it was enjoyable. I especially enjoyed the interaction between yourself and the woman who played the princess, and your fouettes pirouettes were excellent.”
“Thank you,” I got out past the overwhelming rush of pride bubbling inside me.
“It means a lot hearing your opinion on our choreography. My business and dance partner, Dante Palmer, would love to know your thoughts on our production.”
Grumps stood by my side, silently watching me fidget with excitement.
Then he inclined his head at the esteemed director.
Umm, okay.
“Perhaps, Ms DuMont, we could have a future discussion about your intentions for this performance.”
My eyes widened a fraction.
“Intentions?”
“Yes,” he said with a nod of head as he pulled a card from his coat pocket.
“Please call me, we’ll talk.”
My hand was shaking as I took the offered card and clutched it tightly between my fingers.
“William, thanks for the invitation. Good night to you both.” he said before turning on his heels and heading down the aisle in the direction of the exits.
I stared at the card in my hand then raised excited eyes to William Bradley Snr.
His lined face was blank; only his eyes, so identical to Matt’s, showed any emotion.
Expectation.
That was what I saw in his eyes and the excitement in mine died.
“Now, Madison,” Grumps started in a stern voice.
“Let us put the past unpleasantness behind us. Tell my grandson that all is-”
“You son of a bastard.” I said coldly before spinning in my cute heels and hurrying after the retreating back of the Royal Ballet’s director.
The last glimpse I had of Grumps was one of him with his mouth hanging open and a flush creeping up his cheeks.
Bloody man!
This must be where Matt got it from.
That blasé superiority where he believed he could buy his way out of trouble.
Just throw money at whatever problem and watch it disappear.
Well, I would not be bought.
Grumps could take a flying leap into hell.
“Excuse me,” I tapped the director on his shoulder when I caught up to him.
He turned around with a polite expression in place.
I held his card out to him, my heart was breaking as I did it.
“I’m terribly sorry but this is a mistake.”
“I beg your pardon?” he asked.
Still holding the card out, I spoke quietly.
There were some people close by.
“I’m not exactly sure what pressure Mr Bradley has exerted over you, but I’m not a fool. You’re the director of Britain’s largest ballet company. You have world class dancers in your company, have put on highly acclaimed performances. Do you really expect me to believe you’re interested in the efforts of my company?”
“Ms DuMont-”
“Did he blackmail you or something?” I interrupted, already thinking of worst case scenarios.
“Or has he promised to make a sizeable charitable donation to the company?”
“I can assure you-”
“Because if that’s what took place all I can do is apologize. My company will succeed on its own merits, not from back door deals. That’s not the way we work. I have integrity and pride, and I’m sorry but I can’t accept your card.” My voice was hoarse from shame, anger, disappointment, and I couldn’t keep what I felt off my face.
“Ms DuMont,” he said kindly then paused for a moment.
“William Bradley is one of our patrons, and yes, he did insist that I come down here tonight,”
A little wounded sound came from the back of my throat.
That bastard of an old man.
I was going to kill Matt’s grandfather.
I would probably get life imprisonment.
Matt would break our engagement and testify for the prosecution as would all the other witnesses.
Grumps was old, but he still had a few inches on me.
How would I kill him?
Asphyxiation.