by T L Swan
Then I shake my head and stand. “What a nightmare. Come on. Let’s go and find the girls.” He stands slowly. “Sorry I’ve been an ass.”
I smile broadly and punch him playfully in the stomach. “Sorry I have been a drama-queen bitch.”
He smiles broadly. “You have, but I’m kind of getting used to it by now.” He nods as he grabs my arm and twists it behind my back and I laugh loudly.
I escape and walk towards the door and my eyes flick to the large navy-blue velvet quilt and the red tasselled ties. Mm Cameron Stanton, I’m thinking you are a naughty boy like your brother.
We find the girls sitting on the lounge near the kitchen downstairs, drinking coffee.
“Hey.” Cameron smiles as he walks in and flops into a lying position on the lounge between them. Then he attempts to puts his feet onto Bridget’s lap.
She holds her hands up without thinking to let him put his feet on her and I smile. “Who do you think stole the cars?” Abbie asks Cameron.
Cameron shrugs. “I don’t know. Most probably the security cameras were disabled two weeks ago.”
“At least they didn’t get my Lamborghini,” I comment.
“Oh fuck off,” Abbie snaps as she rolls her eyes. “You sound like fucking Kim Kardashian.”
We all laugh. “Yeah, at least they didn’t get my Lamborghini.” Bridget copies me in a fake Kim accent.
Cameron’s phone rings and he looks at the screen and smiles broadly. “Hello,” he says sexily into the phone.
The girls and I exchange looks. He’s talking to a girl.
“I got back today,” he coos. His voice is different… soft and cajoling. He listens for a moment.
“What have you been up to?” he asks.
He listens and then smiles sexily. “Really?” he replies as he raises his eyebrows.
The girls and I exchange looks again.
He sits up slowly and bites his thumbnail as he listens, then smiles, stands and walks into the kitchen to escape our ears.
Abbie kicks Bridget and points at him and we all giggle silently.
“What are you wearing?” he asks.
Bridget’s eyes just about pop out of her head.
“Yeah, that’s too much,” he replies sexily in a hushed voice. He listens again.
“Naked and on your knees.” He listens for a moment. “I will be there in twenty,” he whispers huskily and then he hangs up and disappears upstairs.
We all burst into giggles. “Naked and on your knees,” Bridget whispers. “Who says that?”
I smile broadly. “His brother.”
“Oh, my fuck, they probably have it written down… like in a journal of hot talk,” Abbie laughs.
Bridget throws her head back onto the lounge chair. “Oh god, do you think Ben has that journal?” Bridget sighs.
I hold my hands up in a stop signal. “Oh my god, Didge, I forgot to tell you. Ben likes you,” I whisper.
“What!” she snaps.
“He said that he stopped it because you wouldn’t be an easy girl to leave.”
She frowns. “He said that?”
I smile broadly and nod.
“Oh, fuck off, that’s pathetic,” Abbie snaps.
“What’s pathetic?” Joshua asks as he enters the room.
“I was just saying that I can’t wait to start our life here together,” I reply nervously to throw him off the scent.
Joshua smirks. “I agree. That is pathetic Marx.”
The girls and I burst into laughter and I wrap my arms around Joshua’s waist. He is still in his suit, although his jacket has been ditched hours ago.
He kisses my forehead. “I’m going to bed.” His eyes hold mine in a silent invitation and I smile.
“I’m coming,” I whisper.
His dark eyes drop to my lips and he licks them in anticipation as I feel that familiar pulse in my core. My man needs his sleeping pill.
Chapter 6
‘The Power of Love’ by Gabrielle Aplin rings out and my sleepy eyes struggle to open. It takes me a minute to realise it’s my new phone ring and I scramble out of bed and dive into my handbag on the dressing table.
“Hello.” My voice is groggy.
“Hi love. Did I wake you?” Mum’s soothing voice coos down the phone.
I smile broadly. “Yes, but it’s ok. I miss you,” I mumble as I sit naked on the end of my bed.
“I just rang to check everything is alright. I spoke to Bridge last night and she told me that Joshua’s cars got stolen.”
I blow out a breath and run my hand through my hair. “Yeah, they did.”
“Is Joshua ok?” she asks.
I shrug. “Not sure, he had a bad day yesterday and when we got to bed we didn’t really talk about it. I’ve woken up and he is not here so I am assuming that he is at the gym.”
“Are the girls ok with you? I’m sure you and Joshua want to be alone.”
I sigh. Mum thinks the girls are here for a holiday. She has no idea that the idiots committed the world’s dumbest crime and that they were in fact forced to come with us.
“It’s ok, Mum. Cameron is already here. Joshua and I have the rest of our lives together alone.” I smile into the phone. God, that sounds good.
“You ok honey?”
I stay silent. Why does she always read me like a book?
“Yes. Why?” I reply.
“You just sound off,” she breathes.
I stand and walk over to the mirror and look at my reflection. “No, I’m good. Maybe a bit jetlagged,” I reply as I stare at my lying face.
I can hear her smile. “I will let you go then, sweety. Go back to bed. I love you.”
“Bye Mum. I love you too.” I hang up the phone.
I look at my reflection in the mirror. Mum was right. I am off. I have a sinking feeling that everything is not as it seems with Joshua and me. Last night when we came to bed and made love… actually that’s not true, we didn’t make love. Joshua fucked me—no emotion, no passion, no tenderness—it was like he needed a release as a sleeping pill and I was the closest thing he could find. I could have been anybody and he would have taken me the same. It was like he didn’t know me. It has never been like that before. Even through all of our shit when I didn’t know what was going on between us there was always love and tenderness after we had both orgasmed, a gentleness in him that I love. Not last night… nothing like it… what does that mean? I have a shower while deep in thought, then I put a sexy nightdress on and hop back into bed and surf the net on my iPad as I wait for his return. Forty minutes later the bedroom door opens.
He smiles as he walks in. “Hey presh.”
“Hi,” I breathe. “How was the gym?”
“Good.” He keeps walking into the bathroom.
Hmm. I get up and follow him into the bathroom and find him getting into the shower. I lean up against the vanity as I watch him soap up.
Something is definitely wrong. He hasn’t commented on my sexy apparel or asked me to join him or tried to take me on the sink… unusual behaviour for my beautiful man. I stay still watching him for ten minutes with my mind in overdrive and eventually he gets out and starts to dry himself.
“Josh.”
He bends to dry his legs. “Yes,” he replies without making eye contact.
“Are we ok?”
He looks up. “Why wouldn’t we be?” he asks and we both know there is a double meaning to that question.
“Can we talk about me not telling you about your mother?” I ask nervously.
He throws his towel into the washing basket briskly and exits the bathroom. “There is nothing to talk about,” he replies flatly.
I follow him like a puppy. “Josh, I’m sorry, ok. I didn’t know what to do and I didn’t know if it was a test.”
His eyes meet mine and he smiles sarcastically. “I’m glad you passed it, Natasha.” He turns his back on me and starts to dress. Fuck. I knew he was pissed off.
“Come on, Josh. Don’t be
smart. Try and see this from my point of view,” I reply.
He pulls on a pair of shorts and throws a T-shirt over his head. “I have and that’s why I’m not fighting with you.” His eyes challenge me to say something and I can tell he wants to fight. He has that bat-shit crazy look in his eye.
I swallow my nerves. “I would rather you scream at me than fuck me like you don’t know me,” I whisper.
His eyes lock onto mine. “You don’t like to be fucked like I don’t know you,” he sneers.
I cringe at the venom in his voice and I shake my head. “No, I don’t.”
“Well I don’t like to be fucked over like I don’t know you.” He glares at me and then leaves the room in a rush.
My heart races and I close my eyes as regret fills me. He has every right to hate me right now. Yesterday when he found out about this nightmare he was in shock but now the hard and strong ramifications are coming my way. I should be grateful that he is just angry and not disowning me but the fact that I have disappointed him is like a knife through my chest. I blow out a breath as I search through my case to find something to wear. It’s going to be a long day.
Half an hour later I lie on Bridget’s bed. “What do you mean, he’s got the shits? He was fine yesterday.” She tuts as she puts her clothes onto hangers and in the walk-in robe.
I shrug. “Obviously he is over the shock and is now angry,” I reply.
She shakes her head. “I still can’t believe this crap. So tell me, what exactly did Margaret say to you?”
“She said that when Scott was a baby Joshua’s dad had an affair and was away a lot of the time and that one of his friends would come to the house to check on them.”
Her eyes widen. “One of his friends,” she repeats.
I nod. “I know and that they started hanging out and then one night he kissed her and she told him to leave but he didn’t and he stayed in the car out the front of the house for hours and then when he knocked again at 2 am she didn’t have the willpower to reject him.”
“Fuck,” Bridget whispers. “It’s like Dynasty.”
I nod again. “And get this, she said she fell in love with him and was going to leave Robert when he got back two months later but then this guy told her not to be stupid because he never loved her anyway.”
Bridget stops what she is doing. “She said that?”
I nod. “And I don’t know if I’m being stupid but I believe her,” I reply.
She frowns. “So how is Cameron involved? I don’t get what he has to do with this.”
I blow out a deep breath. “So when Joshua was in hospital for the drug overdose Cameron saw his blood type. I still remember the moment when he spotted it.”
She stops again. “You saw him see it and you didn’t say anything.”
I shake my head. “No.”
She winces and I nod.
“So Cameron obviously started doing a bit of research and realised that Joshua and he had different blood.”
“Right,” she replies as she hangs things up in the wardrobe. “Go on.”
“Remember when Gran was sick in the hospital and that kid was sick and needed Josh’s blood?”
“Yes.” She nods.
“Cameron asked me then what I know and I denied knowing anything.”
Bridget grabs her temples. “Fuck, this is messed-up shit, Natasha.”
“I know and I tried to smooth it with Cameron last night and explain,” I reply.
“What did he say?” she asks.
I shrug. “I know he’s off me and it is just going to take time but I think we may have turned the corner.”
Bridget nods. “Fair enough, I would be off you too if I was him.”
I nod.
“So what did Josh say?” she asks.
“Well, yesterday when I told him he was quiet, and I thought it would be ok but then last night he had sex with me as if he didn’t know me.”
She points the coat hanger at me. “At least he had sex with you. That’s a good sign, right?”
“Mmm, I suppose. But then this morning I called him on it and he is openly pissed off with me.”
Bridget nods and walks back into the wardrobe. “Hmm, I think I would rather him fight with me and get it over with than pretend not to be angry,” she replies.
I pull the pillow over my head. “Oh god, I’m such a fucking idiot,” I scream into it.
“I know,” she replies. “Just take it. You deserve it so just take it. Let him fight with you and be prepared for a couple of days of shit. You are lucky he is even here.”
I nod sadly. “I know. I just didn’t imagine that we would be fighting on our first week in LA.” I sigh.
She smiles. “Natasha Marx, I wouldn’t expect anything less than drama with you. You’re a walking fucking sitcom.”
I laugh and nod. “It’s true, I am. But it’s not the Bold and the Beautiful, it’s The Stupid and the Ugly.”
She laughs again and Joshua pokes his head through the door. “I’m going, Tash.”
I frown and sit up. “Where are you going?”
“To work,” he replies.
My face drops as I see his edible navy suit and tie. “Oh.” I stand and walk to the door.
“Bye Didge,” Joshua calls to her as he walks down the hall. I grab his hand. I need to make this right before he goes.
“Do you want to go out for dinner tonight, just the two of us?” I ask as I nearly run to keep up with him.
He shakes his head as he walks forward powerfully. “No.”
“Can I come to your office for lunch?” I give him a stupid hopeful smile.
He looks down at me as he keeps walking and shakes his head again. “No.”
“Can I come to your office and strip?” I widen my eyes and try to be cute.
“No, definitely not.” I see a trace of a smile on his lips. Ha, I’m getting to him.
“Do you want to go to a strip club tonight with the boys and I do a pole dance for you?”
He can’t help himself and he smirks. “You will do a pole dance for me in a strip club?” He raises an eyebrow in question.
I bite my bottom lip to stifle my smile and I nod. That is without a doubt the stupidest thing that has ever come out of my mouth.
He thinks for a moment and seemingly remembers he is mad with me.
“No,” he replies.
I pull a dejected face. “So I will just wait here for you then?”
“Yes,” he replies.
“So I won’t leave the house and will just sit around and think about you all day then.”
“Yes,” he replies and I see the underlying smile again.
“So I will just masturbate all day then and get my tight pussy so wet and soft that when you get home tonight you can just put my legs over your shoulders and put that beautiful big cock into the hilt.”
He smirks and then breaks into a smile. “Goodbye, Natasha.” He bends and quickly kisses me and heads down the stairs.
I lean over the balustrade rails and watch him walk down the stairs. God, he’s simply delicious.
“Bye, honey,” I call in an exaggerated voice as I do a wave in the air.
He looks back up and I can see that smirk again.
“I will be waiting here when you get home… because I’m like a wife now,” I call as I throw both of my arms in the air and show him my ring. He shakes his head in embarrassment and smirks again.
“I love you, Mr Stanton,” I yell again as he exits the door. I smile broadly to myself and turn and see Cameron standing in the hall watching me.
“What the fuck are you doing, you fruitcake?” He frowns.
I laugh at my stupidity and widen my eyes at him. “Sucking up, what does it look like?” I reply.
He smirks. “Did it work?”
I shake my head. “Nah, he will be cranky again by the time he gets home.”
He smiles and shakes his head. “Like I said, fruitcake.”
I smile and shake my head aroun
d like a freak. “Being normal is so last season, Cam. Get with the times. Joshua’s favourite food is fruitcake.”
Joshua
I sit at my desk, swivel slightly on my chair and think. I’m procrastinating. I don’t want to be here today, but then I don’t want to be with Natasha at home either. Adrian is snowed under with staff issues and I am trapped in my office like a mouse. My intercom buzzes.
“Mr Stanton, Mr Stanton is here to see you.” Eliza’s voice echoes through the speaker.
“Send him in,” I reply.
Cam walks in casually. “Hey.”
I sit back in my chair and link my hands on my head. “What’s Tash doing?” I ask.
He smiles as he takes a seat. “What’s it to you? I thought you were off her.”
I smirk. “I am, but I want to know what she’s doing,” I reply.
He frowns. “They were talking about shopping or something equally boring.”
“They are leaving the house?” I ask.
“Um … yeah, so.” He frowns at me like I’m from another planet.
I immediately ring Ben. “What’s up?” he answers.
“Who is with the girls?” I ask.
“Peter and Frank,” he replies.
I frown. Those two are useless. “Can you go home and take them shopping?”
“Oh fuck man, come on,” he replies.
“Max isn’t with them and those two are idiots. I need her safe.”
“Stan, you’re killing me. Stop this nonsense with Max. I am not going shopping and shit all the time.”
I frown. “What’s up your ass?” I ask. I never have to ask Ben to do anything twice.
“Nothing. I am not hanging out with Bridget and the girls that’s all. I’m your guard, not hers.”
I smile and look at Cameron and shake my head. “I’m asking you to guard my future wife, not bone Bridget, although somehow I don’t think you would be complaining if that’s what I was asking.”
“Fuck off man,” he snaps in his heavy accent and I smile.
Cameron narrows his eyes and does his hand in a choking gesture.
“Send the other two here and you and Richard go with the girls,” I reply.
“Fine,” he snaps and then hangs up.
I smile broadly. I’ve never seen Ben like this. I think he actually does like Bridget.