Chapter 13.2
Sunday had arrived and I was having a bad face day. My cheeks looked puffy, my eyes squinty, and my nose—had it grown as I slept in my bed last night? It didn’t help this was my fourth attempt at applying makeup. I had stupidly decided to use foundation, something I had never used by myself before. The girl in the High Street pharmacy had assured me it was the perfect colour match at the counter. I had driven into the city centre this morning to get make up supplies. I didn’t normally wear makeup unless it was for a show, and Bri did our makeup. Okay, I’ll say it: I’m crap with makeup. A little face powder and lip gloss, what more did you need?
‘Oh, it’s perfect,’ she had said. She lied. When I took a proper look at my reflection in the mirror after painstakingly dabbing it all over my face, I screamed. It was not a perfect match. It was NOT a perfect match. It looked much darker in the bottle. On my face it was shades lighter than expected. I looked like a weird half-dead version of myself. I had run to the bathroom to wash the shit off my face. When I dried my face and looked in the bathroom mirror, there were traces of it along my hairline, evilly bonding with the roots. God, why? I had to use a wet towel and rub like crazy to remove it, which messed up the front of my hair and caused me no end of worry to re-do.
The second attempt, without foundation—I’d learnt that lesson—fared no better. The eye shadow was more sparkly than I wanted, and I was so stressed over the previous foundation drama that I poked my eye with the eyeliner, which caused me to tear up and I had to wash my face, again. Halfway through my third attempt, I noticed my skin looked dry. Sahara desert dry. Of course it did. I had stupidly forgotten to moisturize after each washing. I raced downstairs in my underwear, poured myself a shot of whiskey to steady my nerves, then raced back upstairs to get the job done right. Enough moisturizer. The perfect amount of face powder. Things were going well. The eyeliner I applied with a surgeon’s precision. Thank goodness for the calming properties of whiskey. I chose a different eye shadow, still silvery, but with a lot less shimmer factor going on. I held my breath as I applied mascara.
“Thank fuck for that,” I muttered when the ordeal was over, critically peering at my face in the mirror. I walked towards my bed where the dress lay. Reverently picking it up with a delighted sigh before stepping into it and pulling it up my body.
“Looking fine, girl,” I said to my reflection, then glanced at the nightstand clock. Five fifty-five.
Shit. Matt was a stickler for being on time. I grabbed up my clutch and stuck my powder in, then remembered I needed lipstick. I couldn’t decide on a colour, so ended up using my usual gloss, then got my heels out of their box. I had one on when I heard a car pull up out front.
Five fifty-eight. He was early.
Perfume. I needed perfume. I slipped the other shoe on and fastened it before hurrying over to my dresser. I heard my front door open and slam shut in quick succession.
“Poppet?” came from downstairs.
I spritzed the necessary places and took one final look at myself before calling out, “I’ll be one sec, Matt.”
My room looked like a bomb had gone off in it. Ah, well, it wasn’t like Matt would be sexing me anyway. He wouldn’t need to come up here.
“Poppet, will you hurry up,” Matt yelled. “The car’s waiting.”
I rolled my eyes and walked out of my bedroom. Matt was on the bottom step when I reached the top of the landing, probably planning to drag me along in an attempt to hurry things up.
He stopped—literally stopped—and stared at me. I smiled nervously and came down the stairs, with his grey eyes following my every move.
“Hi,” I said, offering up my glossy lips for a kiss. Matt hadn’t moved from the bottom step. In fact, he looked kind of dazed. I pulled back to look at him. “You look nice in your tux. What’s wrong with you? Why are you staring at me like that?”
He opened his mouth and blinked, then closed his mouth.
“Matt, mmph.” His hello kiss took my breath away.
“God, you’re beautiful,” he whispered when he finally pulled away.
I smiled. “You like?”
“I like very much,” he murmured, before slanting his lips over mine again. I lost myself in the sensation of his tongue sensuously exploring the crevices of my mouth. Matt could French kiss the heck out of anyone.
“Wow,” I whispered, looking as dazed as Matt had moments earlier.
“Poppet, you’re beautiful.”
“You said that already,” I teased.
Matt nodded slowly. “I know, but it needed to be said again. You’ve taken my breath away.”
I blushed and pushed him a little. “Stop being silly, hon.”
The expression on his face made me blush harder and I reached up to fiddle with my side bun. As I brushed my ear, the realization dawned that I had no earrings on.
“Crap,” I muttered. “I’ll be two minutes, Matt. Forgot my earrings.”
“That’s okay,” he grinned, arm tightening around my waist as he led me protesting down the last step. “I’ve got something for you.”
“Nuh uh,” I said, spotting the velvet box on the coffee table that hadn’t been there before.
Matt’s grin widened as he went over and picked up the box before returning to my side.
“Think of it as a pre-emptive move on my part,” he said, opening it to reveal its glittering content.
“A what?” I was distracted. I didn’t think blingified was an actual word, but it should be. I’d been blingified.
“I’m sure at some point in the future, hopefully not too soon, I’ll do something which you won’t like.” He took out the necklace and balanced the box on the banister. It wasn’t the same set I had returned. “This is my way of saying sorry in advance.”
“Matt,” I started.
“Poppet.” He stood behind me and fastened the necklace around my neck, pausing to press a kiss to my bare shoulder. “I’m not taking no for an answer. Besides, a beautiful woman such as yourself deserves beautiful things.”
I touched the necklace, feeling extremely nervous. “How much did it cost?”
Matt pressed another kiss to my shoulder, moved around to face me, a secretive smile on his lips.
“Not nearly as much as you’re worth.”
Damn. He had a way with words.
“Only for tonight,” I warned, reaching for the matching earrings. “Where is the ball being held?”
It took a moment for Matt to answer, his eyes were glued to me. “Tower of London, poppet. I can’t believe how absolutely exquisite you look.”
I laughed, you would think my usual appearance was hobo chic. Earrings in place, I nervously touched the necklace again. “This jewellery is insured, right? I’d hate for anything to happen to it. What if I lose it, Matt? Oh God. Help me take it off.”
“You’re not going to lose it.” Matt waved away my worry. “Even if you did, I’d simply get you a new set. Such a shame there was no time to pick you up a matching bracelet.”
I stared at him agog. He was tripping. But, then again, he was filthy rich. An unsettling thought flittered through my mind. “Do you always buy expensive jewellery for your girlfriends?”
“Have you ever been to the Tower, Madi?” he asked, sidestepping my question with one of his own.
“Not inside it, no,” I replied, suddenly not wanting to know if Matt showered his previous bed partners with expensive trinkets. I was different from his exes, right? I was special. God. I hoped I was special and he wasn’t spinning me lines.
Stop it, I silently chastised myself.
“Do you have everything you need?” he asked, glancing at his watch.
“Almost.” I went over to grab my everyday purse from the mantle and pull out my Oyster card and cash.
“You won’t need money tonight, poppet,” Matt advised. I turned in the act of stuffing the cash and Oyster card in my clutch and caught him staring intently at my ass. I cleared my throat loudly and his gaze jerked up.
“I’m beginning to have second thoughts about—”
“About what?” I cut him off in alarm. “Tonight? Is it the press?”
Matt sauntered over, stopping when I put a hand against his chest. “I like to think I have immense self-control, but you in this dress is wreaking havoc with my plans to date you properly.”
I chewed my inner cheeks, fighting a grin. Like I said, the dress to end all others.
“Well, I thought it was a bad idea from the get-go,” I quipped and stepped back. An extra sway of hips had Matt groaning.
He shook his head and swiped a hand across his face before regaining control of his desire. “Right. Let’s go. Nathan and Bella are waiting in the car.”
“What? Who’s Bella?” I asked with dread. The last time I’d seen Nathan was when the media broke the story about my relationship with Matt. I’d been hiding under my office table. Good grief. Why did I always embarrass myself?
“I’m sure I’ve mentioned Bella before,” Matt said, slipping his hand over mine and herding me towards the front door. “She’s Nathan’s girlfriend.”
“Is she the same age as you and Nathan?” I asked thoughtlessly.
Matt growled something low under his breath before flashing me a tight smile. Uh oh. The age drama again.
“She’s two years younger, poppet. Where are your house keys?”
I had to think about that for a minute.
“Sometimes you can be absentminded,” he mumbled, pulling out a bunch of keys from his tuxedo jacket.
“Kitchen,” I said in triumphant, moving back into the living room. Matt grabbed my wrist and shook his head.
“I’ve got mine right here. Let’s go.”
We walked out of the front door, and I stopped in my tracks as Matt locked up. It wasn’t a car, it was a limo. A sleek, black limo with a man waiting patiently by the doors.
“Matt, that’s not a car.”
“Hm,” he murmured distractedly, turning the door handle to make sure it was secure. “Car, limo, it’s all the same, poppet. Did you have breakfast and lunch today?”
He was frowning as we walked towards the waiting car. I had taken too long to reply with an exasperated, “Yes, I ate earlier.”
The man opened the door for us and Matt helped me in the limo.
“Madison.” Nathan was a carbon copy of Matt in his tuxedo, but blonde and not as hot in my opinion. “You look amazing. This is Bella Humphrey, the love of my life.”
“Hi,” I said with a warm smile. I hoped she wasn’t weird like Nathan. “Madi DuMont.”
“My girlfriend,” Matt teased as he slid in next to me. I blushed and let my eyes wander over Nathan’s girlfriend. Damn. She was smoking hot. Her brunette hair was pulled up high with a few soft curls framing her face. Curious light-brown eyes were currently giving me the same once over I was giving her. Our eyes met and she flashed me a shy smile.
“Nathan has told me a lot about you.” She was soft-spoken.
I narrowed my eyes at Nathan, who was innocently adjusting the lapels of his jacket. I could imagine the things he’d told her.
“All good things, I hope,” I replied. The limo pulled away from the curb and we were off.
Her smile widened and she sent a sidelong glance at Nathan, who was fiddling with his wristwatch. The bastard. Did he tell her about the pub? Or maybe the table? Oh, no—did her tell her about the conversation with my aunt that he’d witnessed?
“Yes,” she assured me, even though the niggling voice at the back of my head didn’t quite believe her. “Your dress is beautiful, by the way.”
“So is yours.” I returned the compliment. It was true. She wore a strapless dress; the bodice a mixture of black and white patterns, the skirt of the dress black with white edging around the bottom. And she was dripping ice. Expensive ice. I suddenly felt glad Matt had convinced me to wear his gift.
Nathan let out a loud, exaggerated groan. “Oh, no, Matt. This is how it starts. First they’ll talk about clothes, then shoes, then hair and nails, then back to shoes. By the time we arrive at the ball, we’ll be part female, mate.”
“Oh, hush.” Bella swatted him lightly, then turned back to me as Matt filled up a champagne flute and held it out for me. Champagne in the back of a limo. If my cousin Jenny could see me now.
“You’re a ballerina?” she asked politely.
Matt answered before I could open my mouth. “The best I’ve ever seen, Bella, and able to run a successful dance company on a daily basis. She’s practically wonder woman.”
I blushed furiously, taking a demure sip of champagne to collect myself. Matt poured another flute, sending me glances full of pride. I had never heard him sound so proud of me. Honestly, I thought Matt’s interest in my career was nothing more than the obligatory lip service. I mean, his career was completely different to mine. But the pride in his eyes…it made my skin hot, so hot I hoped my nose didn’t start shining.
“Yes, I am.” I wanted to explain it to her. I wanted her to like me. She was Nathan’s girlfriend. Nathan was Matt’s best friend. If she liked me, maybe Nathan would like me too, because I remained undecided as to whether he did, or whether he simply found me amusing. Like a joke. Your boyfriend’s best friend was supposed to like you, right?
“I moved from the corps de ballet when I was nineteen.”
She nodded slowly. “This was back at your home? In New York?”
“Yes, there are so many amazing dancers back home who deserve to be called ballerinas, but it’s a difficult title to earn. By certain standards, some wouldn’t call me a ballerina. I mean, look at Maria Tallchief, her technique was absolutely exquisite, beyond words. I read in some paper that three dancers of her generation implied she wasn’t a ballerina. She was one of the greatest American ballerinas ever.”
Oh, shit. Did I sound a bit fanatic? Matt patted my knee and smiled encouragingly as he twirled his flute between his fingers. God. I loved him.
“Not that I would ever compare myself to her,” I hastened to add, in case they thought I had illusions of grandeur.
“I’m quite a fan of the ballet,” Bella said in her soft voice.
“Obsessed with it more like, darling,” Nathan groused, before sending her a sweet smile. “I’ve been dragged to more shows than I care to count.”
She wrinkled her face at him, then turned back to me. “You’re right. It is extremely difficult to be classed as a ballerina. Have you seen Sylvie Guillem on stage? She’s still performing and one of the most significant artists of today.”
“I saw one of her recent shows at Birmingham Hippodrome. I was blown away.”
Bella nodded, handing Nathan her empty champagne flute and leaning forward. “You can’t tear your eyes away from her.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Nathan exchange a resigned look with Matt. Then he said dryly, “Bella, sweetheart, I’m sure the last thing Madi wants to discuss is the world she works in.”
Matt snorted in amusement. “You’re having a laugh, Nathan. Madi could happily spend every waking hour in her studio. I swear, she wakes me up all the time, mumbling about grand jetes and fouettes.”
“I do not,” I exclaimed, eyes wide. I didn’t talk in my sleep. At least, I didn’t think I did.
Matt gave me an impish smile. “I’m kidding, Madi. It’s actually plie you keep shouting out.”
A mock scowl graced my lips, and Matt’s gaze was drawn to my mouth. When our eyes met seconds later, I could feel the air sizzling between us, as if the heat between us was a physical entity burning us up.
“What did I say, Bella?” Nathan drawled in a low voice. “Constantly eye humping each other.”
“Sod off,” Matt warned, when my head snapped around and I regarded Nathan with shock. At least this time I didn’t shout out my virginal status in public. Ha, those days were long gone thanks to Matt. Mmm. Maybe I could somehow convince him to take that which I willingly offered. Maybe if I debated the fact a lot of people got their freak on after a first date, he might reconsider this ridiculous notion of being a gentleman. I mean, it wasn’t the seventeenth century.
A change of topic, one less embarrassing was needed. I smiled at Bella, wondering if she’d had help with her makeup. It was flawless. “What do you do, Bella?”
“She’s an architect, has her own company based in Chelsea,” Nathan said, blue eyes shimmering with pride. It reminded me of Matt a few moments ago.
“That’s so cool,” I said, then resisted the urge to smack myself in the head. I sounded like a kid: ‘That’s so cool’. Urgh.
“Bella played a great role in designing our premises, poppet,” Matt advised.
I caught a glimpse of Bella looking sharply at Nathan and mouthing “Poppet?”
Nathan gave her a slight shake of his blonde head with an accompanying roll of eyes. I acted like I hadn’t seen their silent interaction.
“How are your parents? It’s been a while since I’ve seen them,” Matt asked pleasantly, then took a sip of his champagne.
Bella gave a small chuckle. “Annoyed that Nathan and I had to cut short our weekend with them. Dad thinks Nathan did it on purpose.”
Nathan grunted, shooting Matt a frustrated look. “I had to endure a thirty minute conversation on the advantages of good timekeeping.”
Bella chuckled, then monopolized me for the rest of the drive. I didn’t mind. She was sweet and not once did the conversation between us get awkward. Matt and Nathan were themselves engrossed in a discussion about mergers and fluctuating stock prices. When we were almost at our destination, Matt turned to me.
“Poppet, there’ll probably be press outside the entrance and a few authorised reporters attending the event. I don’t want you to worry about it. Okay?”
I nodded wordlessly. Not worry about it? Matt was crazy. Of course, I was worried about it. What if they asked me personal questions?
Bella tapped Nathan on his knee. “Nate, you’ll keep those vultures away from her, yes? You’re good at dealing with the media.”
Nathan gave me a smile before covering Bella’s hand with his. “Yes, darling.”
The limo drew nearer and I could see a line of limos out of the tinted windows, loads of fancily dressed people going inside the entrance. And the flash of cameras…the press.
I inhaled shakily and Matt leaned down to kiss my temple softly. “I promise it’ll be okay, poppet.”
“She’s not going to have a panic attack, is she?” Nathan asked in alarm. Matt glared at him while Bella asked what he meant.
“Look at me, poppet,” Matt commanded, holding my chin and turning my face to his. “We’ll be inside within minutes. I’ll be right next to you, and I won’t let things get out of hand.”
I nodded and tried to smile.
Bella was staring at us both, then she looked at Nathan. “You were right. He is different with her.”
Matt and I were too busy gazing at each other to pay heed to her softly uttered words.
“If I trip and fall, make sure no one sees my panties,” I muttered.
Matt laughed before kissing me full on the lips. “Oh poppet, you’re a dancer, that’s highly unlikely to happen. Remember to smile for the cameras.”
The limo was inching forward slowly. We would have to get out soon. I could do this. Oh, God, please don’t let me fall on my ass in front the press.
“Love you,” I whispered to Matt and the smile that stretched across his face made my heart go into overdrive. If this relationship between us was going to work, I would have to take the good with the bad.
“It will be fine, poppet,” he reassured me.
The limo stopped and some guy opened the door for us. Matt went first. I remembered to exit the limo properly. I’d watched enough award shows on TV to know how. Matt took my hand immediately, an aloof smile on his face as I was temporarily blinded by flashlights.
Oh, God, please don’t let me fall on my face.
Nathan exited with his beautiful girlfriend behind him, all smiling politely. I probably looked like a deer in the headlights.
“Mr Bradley,” someone shouted. I stiffened at once, gripping Matt’s hand like my life depended on it.
“Rumours have it your company’s planned takeover of Hydroworld has run into snags. Care to comment?”
Matt’s smile widened. It was as empty as a light bulb and as bright. “I’m here to enjoy a night of fundraising for a worthy cause, not talk business.”
“What about you, Mr Walthamstow? Would you care to comment?” the man shouted.
Damn. He was tenacious. Matt was walking us towards the entrance. There were a few people in front of us. I wished they would move their asses quicker, and I sincerely hoped my panty lines weren’t showing.
“As Matt explained,” Nathan replied smoothly as more lights flashed around us, “tonight we, like every other guest attending, are focused on fundraising for a noble cause. Raising funds to help treat and hopefully one day cure cancer, is something every nation, every person, should be involved in. It is a disease that unfortunately touches too many lives. Holding events like the one tonight,” He smiled widely and tightened his grip on Bella’s hand. “Allows many of us in the corporate world to play our part in the fight to defeat this terrible disease.”
“Ms DuMont,” someone shouted. My heart skipped a beat. Oh, shit. Oh shit, shit, shit. Matt tried to move us along quicker, but those damned people in front of us weren’t moving forward. What were they doing?
“Ms DuMont,” that strident voice came again. “What’s it like dating a billionaire?”
There was a pause in the jostling of the reporters, and I could feel sweat beading across my forehead. Must remember to touch up my face powder when I got inside…if we ever got inside.
I felt my mouth open before I’d thought of what to say. That was a recipe for disaster. Think.
“I don’t look at Matt in terms of his monetary worth.” I tilted my head up to send Matt an eye SOS. “He’s a normal guy who’s exceptionally hot.”
Oh, shit. Did I say that? Did I freaking say that?