Stanton Adore (23 page)

“I just feel out of my depth here,” I whisper. “I have no sphere of reference to this level of debauchery.”

“Thank god,” he whispers with his lips against my temple. “I can’t stand the thought of you with anybody else, it kills me.” Guilt hits me and I know I should elaborate. Should I tell him? No, he will think I’m an idiot. Actually I am an idiot, who am I kidding.

“Why do I have a bodyguard Josh?” he frowns.

“Because if you want to be my girl you have to be protected.”

“Why.”

“You just do and I don’t want to fight about that. In fact I need to ask you another truth. How do you feel about my money?”

I pull back to look at his face and I frown, of all the nerve. “I don’t want you for your money asshole, how could you even think that?”

He smiles. “No I mean, are you going to leave me because of my money?”

I frown again. “You think I’m going to leave you because of your money” he nods. “Why?”

“I am a very wealthy man Tash and I live a very expensive life. I have been very careful not to expose you at all to it because I didn’t want to frighten you off.”

“How wealthy are we talking?” he shrugs. “Around about” I raise my eyebrows.

“Nearly a billion.”
What?

“Fuck off, you’re a billionaire?”

He winces, “nearly” he whispers. I stare at him open mouthed. Holy shit this is unimaginable.

“Joshua Stanton you are a total mind fuck do you know that?”

He smiles. “I’m your mind fuck if you’ll have me”

“That depends” I smile as I cross my arms in front of me.

“On what.”

“On whether you’re going to show me how that I love you sex you mentioned last night goes.”

He smiles and kisses me. “Does it have a happy ending?” he whispers into my neck. I bite my lip as I smile.

“Yes but this time the happy ending is going my way.”

An hour later we are in the shower and Josh is soaping up my back with deep massaging strokes. My eyes are closed, I am leaning onto the glass and am deeply relaxed. In all honesty I just want him to myself for the day. Bang work I say.

“Can’t you stay home with me today,” I know I sound like a whiney kid but I don’t care. I turn and kiss him as I put my arms around his neck.

“No you’ve already made me late,” he pulls my hips into his by my behind. He smiles down at me tenderly. I find myself returning the goofy grin.

“What,” I frown. He hunches his shoulders and bends to kiss me softly his tongue swiping through my lips. He grinds his hips into mine and once again I feel his beautiful length against my stomach.

“Do you know how long I have dreamed of having you like this?” he whispers into my neck. I smile as I drop my head back to allow him greater access to me.

“Like what?” I smile. I know exactly what he means.

“Wanting me as much as I want you,” I smile again.

“How could you have ever thought anything else you big dope?” He grabs me hard on the bum and I squeal with laughter.

“Big dope,” he growls as he bites me hard on the shoulder “I will show you just how big I am.” I giggle as I hunch to escape his attack.

“Tash,” I look up at the serious tone in his voice. My eyes close at the contact of his lips to mine. “Hmm.”

“Our adult relationship starts today, ok?”

I frown at him not understanding his meaning. “What do you mean?”

“I mean to me, our relationship of being scared of being found out and unsure of each other is over. I want to start again.” Tears well in my eyes at the sincerity in his face and the meaning of the words. It’s true I have felt torn, guilty and unsure about our relationship since the day it began. What we have is beyond beautiful, how could it be wrong? It’s impossible and he’s right we need to start acting like adults and take our future into our own hands.

“I would like that too,” I whisper as I lean in for another gentle kiss. With his lips pressed to my temple I hear the gentle words.

“I fucking adore you Precious girl.”

These words are very quickly becoming my favourite thing in the world to hear. Chicken soup to my soul.

Eleven o’clock and I am on my way home from the gym, may as well try to lose the 6kgs I have stacked on since Mr Orgasmic came back on the scene. It does seem like I am naked a lot of the time lately. It’s only a matter of time before hail damage strikes. A song comes onto the radio, it’s a new track by Katy Perry called Dark Horse. I heard it the other day and it gave me goose bumps. The words are exactly the situation between Josh and me, and seeing we are literally the dark horses of the family a pubescent idea comes to my brain, I laugh at the thought. I stop off and grab a coffee and text the girls

5.00oclock Oscars Coffee Catch up

They both reply immediately and I smile as I appreciate the two most beautiful friends any girl could wish for. I remind myself to ask them about their stuff tonight. I have been so self – absorbed lately I wouldn’t have a clue what’s going on with them or Jeremy or Army guy. It seems every time we talk lately I’m rambling on about myself and my problems. I’m a bad friend. I didn’t even talk to Bridge at Mums the other night. I was too busy fighting with Mole Patrol to even notice poor Didge. I make a pact to myself to not turn into one of those bitches that only needs friends when she’s single. I hate those girls, I’ve had them as friends before. They get a new boyfriend and poof you never see them again, they drop off the face of the earth. I know I need my friends, they keep me sane and make me laugh. Mostly at myself.

As soon as I get home I down load the song Dark Horse and send it through as a message to Josh’s phone, I smile when I imagine him opening it. I frown as the thought that he might open it in front of someone crosses my mind, how embarrassing. Surly he wouldn’t be that stupid………would he? It seems all this sexing up definitely wears a girl out and I shower and flop into bed for a well-deserved nana nap, no doubt the frigging nymphomaniac will hit me full throttle again tonight………… not that I’m complaining.

I awake by the sound of the keys in the door and smile that my beautiful man has surprised me with an early visit home. I amble into the lounge room in my undies and singlet. To my horror the face I’m looking at is Bruce Willis my new body guard.
What the fuck
. I scream and run back into my bedroom to cover up.

“Sorry Natasha,” he calls out. “The delivery guy couldn’t get you and I was getting worried.” I chuck on some clothes and return to the lounge fuming mad.

“Why do you have a key to my apartment?” I demand. He nods and moves to the side to allow a delivery man with a huge bouquet of red roses step out from behind him. Oh shit I’m a total bitch, I rub my forehead in frustration. The delivery guy speaks.

“Natasha?” I smile and nod. “Can you sign here?” He pulls out a delivery docket and pen. I sign and he passes over the biggest bunch of red roses I have ever seen and then disappears back out the door to retrieve something else. I sheepishly look at Bruce, embarrassed by my rude outburst. I am not going to get used to this invasion of privacy………it’s doing my head in. The delivery guy returns with a big black gift box with a beautiful satin crème bow. I smile as I take it and put it onto the table.

“Thank you,” I smile and he disappears down the stairwell.

“Can you tell me your name please?” I whisper to the body guard.

“Max,” he smiles. “Sorry about barging in, I thought you might be in trouble.”

I frown, is this a joke? “What trouble could I possibly get into in my apartment Max? I was having a sleep.” He nods also feeling a little embarrassed. “Max I don’t need a bodyguard. Josh has officially lost his marbles.”

He smiles and steps back. “Excuse me for talking out of line here Mamm, but I have been guarding Mr Stanton for four years and if you are close to him, you are in danger, and you do need protection.”

“Danger, what kind of danger?” I frown.

He shrugs as he walks toward the door. “Speak to Joshua Natasha, I can’t elaborate.” I frown as I close the door behind him. How very odd. Talk about dramatics. I turn to the table and pick up my roses, they are beautiful with the biggest buds I have ever seen. And the perfume………I inhale deeply, they smell divine. I put them back on the table to remove the card written in Joshua’s handwriting.

Yes I want to play with magic
X

I jump up and down on the spot like a five year old. This is the first time in my life that I have received flowers from someone that I actually love. He wants to play with magic. He must have liked the song that I sent him. I clap my hands together in glee while feeling very proud of myself. He sent me roses. I feel like I am sixteen again, actually no I don’t. I feel like I’m seventeen since that was the last time Joshua made me feel like this. I turn my attention to the gift box. For some reason I feel nervous about opening it. He has never bought me anything before………… it feels weird. I slowly undo the ribbon and inside is thick crème tissue paper, I slowly unwrap the contents. My heart stops. Inside is the most beautiful black satin corset, suspender belt, stockings and the briefest satin and lace under pants. They are stunning with crème satin ribbon entwined through the lace around the top and bottom of the corset. Tiny crème ribbon bows are around the tops of the sheer thigh high stockings and up the boning in the corset. My eyes drop back to the box and I pull out a gorgeous black evening dress that does up at the front with a trail of black ribbon intricate bows. He’s dropped a pretty penny on these babies. I swallow a lump in my throat. Ok, so he wants to play with magic and I think I am supposed to wear these. A sudden thought sends panic through me. Shit. I grab my keys and run out the door I had better get myself to that beautiful behind salon
like now
. And I don’t give a flying fuck if Max is following.

5.00oclock and I am Oscars waiting for the girls, I’m excited to see them. I have news and its good news. Bridget and Abbie arrive fifteen minutes late and walk over to our low sunken leather lounge deep in conversation.

“So then what did you say?” Abbie hunches her shoulders.

“Hi what’s going on?” I ask. Abbie flops into the lounge, blows out a breath, throws her head back and closes her eyes.

“What’s going on?” I wince.

“Tristan wants to be exclusive.

“Huh who’s Tristan?” I frown.

Abbie points to me. “Exactly,” she snaps.

Bridget does wide eyes at me. “Army guy,” she snaps.

“Oh, of course.” I frown. I probably should have known that. “What happened?”

Abbie pulls a sad face to me. “He said he wants to be exclusive or he can’t see me anymore.”

I narrow my eyes at her. “And.”

She throws her arms in the air. “You know I can’t do that.” Bridget and I frown at each other.

“Ok,” I whisper.

“Why in the hell not? You can’t fuck around for the rest of your life,” Bridget snaps.

Abbie scowls at Bridget. “Watch me.” We all fall silent as the waitress comes over and takes our order.

“Change the bloody subject I’m not discussing this.” Bridget rolls her eyes at me and I nod.

“So what’s happening with Mr Stanton?” Abbie smiles.

I lean back onto the lounge and swoon, “He’s amazing.”

Abbie pulls a disgusted face to Bridget. “He’s not that amazing, he slept with TC.” I shiver at the mention of her name. “What did he say about that?”

“He fessed up that he slept with her.

“Fuck off,” Bridget snaps.

I nod, “I know gross huh.”

Abbie fake punches her hand. “I swear I am going to take that bitch down, first James now Joshua. Who’s next Jeremy?” we all nod and agree at the disgusting turn of events.

“What did he say? Oh shit that’s right, what did he say about his frigging Mother?” Bridget puts her hands up to her cheeks.

“Nothing he told her we are back on.”

“Holy shit,” Abbie whispers wide eyed.

“We’ve decided we are going to try to make a go of it.” They both smile beaming smiles at me which I can’t help returning. “He sent me roses and lingerie today and said I will be picked up at eight by my bodyguard.”

They both frown at me. “Fuck off,” Abbie snaps. “You have a fucking bodyguard now?”

I frown and nod. “Apparently I need one.”

“This is James Bond shit and trust me you are no Bond girl”

I laugh. “You’ve got that right.” A little girl walks up to us while her mother orders.

“Hello,” Abbie smiles.

The little girl glares at us and walks off. Abbie hunches her shoulders and laughs.

“Getting clucky Abbie?” I ask.

“God no,” she winces. “I don’t cluck, I fuck.” We all burst out laughing.

“What about you Bridge. How’s Jeremy?” she smiles and fake bats her eyelashes.

“Perfect,” Abbie does cross eyes and lurches to simulate throwing up. Hmm, I nod. How do you go from thinking a guy is playing up to being totally in love in the space of three weeks?

Bridget grabs my arm. “Oh shit, I forgot what did Josh say about Ivy?”

I frown. “Who’s Ivy?”

Bridget rolls her eyes. “The frigging Vet.”

I pull a disgusted face. “You mean Amelie.”

She nods, “Yeah that’s her.”

I shrug my shoulders. “I didn’t ask him”

“Why in the hell not?

I blow out a breath. “At that point of our massive argument I was more worried about TC.”

“Oh shit, what did he say about her?” Abbie is seated on the front of the chair with baited breath waiting for my answer.

“I’m actually embarrassed to tell you,” I wince as I imagine their reaction. Too bad I’m not lying to cover his sleazy ass. “She’s a prostitute that he had sex with.”

“Fuck off!” Bridget snaps. Abbie’s eyes are the size of the saucers.

“No way.”

“Unfortunately yes.” The girls both sit in silence with frowns on their face. I sip my coffee acting totally unaffected that my boyfriend uses prostitutes.”

“And you’re ok with this?” I hunch my shoulders.

“Seriously, you need to change your job. You are so desensitized to this shit it’s frigging scary.” Is that true? I smile to myself, of course it is. Every second male I see is a sex addict who frequents prostitutes. In fact I think prostitutes do a great service to the community, imagine the rape crimes if unstable men had no other way of getting their needs met. I shrug my shoulders.