Stanton Unconditional (22 page)

He lifts his head and looks at me and I smile. He kisses me again as he pushes the hair back from my face. His hands drop down my body. “Your turn,” he whispers.

I shake my head and pull back from his grip as I continue kissing him.

“This isn’t about turns, Josh,” I murmur through the kisses.

“What’s it about?” he frowns.

“Love,” I smile as I kiss him again. “This is about love.”

He smiles into my neck and cuddles me tightly.

“Remind me to comfort you from your nightmares more often,” he murmurs into my neck.

I laugh and shake my head as I open the shower door. “Get to bed, sex maniac.”

He smiles and smacks me hard on the ass as he brushes past me. “You know it, baby.”

Deja vu … Why, oh why, is it coming back to haunt me? I wish I was having it about Joshua telling me he loved me. But no, I am having it because I woke alone this morning. No note, no kiss, no goodbye. Just a memory of some intermittent tenderness last night … or did I dream that too? I am sitting in the cafeteria at the hospital where I work—it’s lunch time. My phone beeps a message and I look at the screen in hope. Jes—my heart drops.

Hi Doc
Can we have dinner tonight?

I frown. I do not want to have dinner with you, Jes; I want to have dinner with Joshua. I type him a message.

Sorry, I can’t.
My gran is sick and I am tied up at the moment.
I will call you in a few weeks.

A reply bounces back.

When?
I miss you.
I haven’t seen you for two weeks.

My stomach drops—he shouldn’t be missing me. We are just friends. I smile and text him back.

Ring up short and slutty Barbie.
Take her for dinner.
Unlike me, she will repay you with a head job.

I smile as I imagine him reading it. A message bounces back.

You drive a hard bargain.
X
Call me.

I laugh and drink my coffee. He really is gorgeous. Jes and I have become friends and, unlike the relationship between Joshua and me, it is just so uncomplicated. I don’t care if he sleeps with anyone else, I don’t want to go out with him, but I have an underlying affection for him. It’s strange. I have never had it before with any other male. Either I wanted them or I didn’t, but with Jes it’s different. He makes me understand Abbie in a way I never have before. She has a deep affection for the men she dates but she is not in love with any of them, yet she cares for them and she has sex with them. Until I met Jesten I could never understand that, but now I think I do. He makes me laugh and he calls me every couple of days, either with a dirty joke or to arrange coffee or something and, if he doesn’t call me, I do notice it … but it doesn’t bother me, weird.

Back to Mr Stanton—did we have a moment last night or was that wishful thinking on my part How did it go from him comforting me, to me jacking him off in the shower and then him being wrapped around me affectionately all night? He said before that he never stayed with me because he couldn’t say goodbye to me. Was that the case this morning or was he just dying to chew his arm off to get out of there without waking me up? I rub my hands over my face in frustration. Joshua Stanton, you are a total mindfuck … welcome back!

It’s 7.30 am and I have been back from the gym for an hour. I am showered and ready for work. I sit on my computer in my hotel room as I plug my phone into it. I didn’t watch this yesterday because I didn’t want to see it before I went out with Natasha last night. I didn’t need further ammunition to weaken my resistance. On Saturday night, when we got back from the club and she was drunk, she made me film her while she danced for me. I press play.

Her laugh echos through the computer monitor and I smile broadly.

“What are you doing with my phone?” I ask. The phone camera pans around the room randomly— ceiling, floor, wall—and then it comes onto me. I am sitting on her bed with my back up against the headboard, and I am fully dressed.

“Oh yes, ladies, Joshua Stanton is back on my bed and in the house. Are you jealous much?”

She laughs and then the camera goes up and down in a nod. I smile at her idiocy. “I know, I know. Let’s make another movie,” she giggles. “What shall we call it?” She walks around the end of the bed with the camera still on me and I raise my eyebrows in question. She trips over the end of the bed and drops the phone. “Oops, who put that bed there?” she giggles. I can hear my loud laughter at her in the background. She laughs again and the camera goes in all directions again as she stands back up and focuses the camera back on me.

“What shall we call our new movie, baby?” she asks.

My heart stops at the sound of her calling me that—I can see it on my face as it falls. Maybe I should turn this movie off—it’s just going to mess with my head even further. I bring my pointer up to my mouth and run it over my lips as I think and lean back on my chair.

“Natasha on her knees,” I smile at the screen.

“Ohh yeah, that’s a good one,” she snaps. “What about Joshua just jizzed?”

I hear my laughter echo through the room and the camera goes all over the shop again as she laughs uncontrollably.

“I like that one too,” I smile. “Give me the phone I want to film you.”

I hold my hand out for the phone and she shakes the camera side to side in a no signal. “I am filming you. Oh, I know, why don’t I do a dance for you?” She bursts into laughter again and I find myself smiling broadly at the computer screen. She’s such a frigging idiot. I have never been with a woman that doesn’t try to be cool in front of me and yet Natasha is a total fool in front of me all the time … and I love it.

“Oh my god, I know the song. Pass me my phone .” She holds out her hand and I pass her phone to her from her handbag.

“Give me the camera,” I hold out my hand and she passes me my phone and I start to film her.

She is wearing a short yellow dress and has her shoes off. Her dark hair is messed up and sexy. She looks edible.

She holds her hand out in front of her to accentuate her point. “Oh my god, this is our new song because I am singing it to you … right?” She steps to the side as the alcohol steals her balance and she laughs as she fiddles with the phone. “Where the hell is this song?” she snaps and I laugh out loud again. “Got it, are you ready?”

The camera goes up and down in a nod and I find myself smiling at the computer screen.

The door opens, I pause the film and my eyes flick to Cameron and Adrian as they walk into my room. “Do you mind?” I snap.

They both lean over my shoulder to see what I am watching. “Not a bit,” Cameron smiles as he pulls up a chair.

Adrian narrows his eyes at the screen. “What is she doing?” he frowns.

I sit back in my chair. “Dancing,” I smile.

Adrian smiles broadly. “She’s so hot. Play the tape.” He pulls up another chair on the other side of me. I slowly press play, it’s a Rihanna song. ‘Only girl in the world.’

Natasha grabs a hairbrush off her side table and starts to sing into it.

La la la

La la la

Want you to love me, like I’m a hot ride

Be thinking of me, doing what you like.

She runs her hands up and down her body while she dances and I immediately feel myself harden. My eyes close.

Adrian laughs out loud. “I love this girl.” She starts to flick her hair around crazily and blowing exaggerated kisses to me. She starts taking my shoes off as she dances and sings.

Want you to make me feel

Like I’m the only girl in the world

Like I’m the only girl who knows your heart

Cameron laughs out loud. “How in the hell do you get her to do this shit for you?”

I rub my face in embarrassment and I shrug. She starts to really dance crazy and, doing a million twirls on the spot, she starts to do high kicking and we all laugh out loud again.

“Fucking hell. This is priceless,” Cameron laughs.

She starts to undo my jeans and I lift my hips to allow her to access me. She laughs out loud again as she struggles and I feel myself melt just that little bit more. I need to turn this movie off immediately … but I can’t, I need to watch. I just can’t take my eyes off her. Why does watching her uninhibited laughter make me want her that much more?

We all sit still, riveted to the spot. She sings again.

Like I’m the only one that you’ll ever love

Like I’m the only one who knows your heart.

She points at me and leans in and kisses me slowly. The camera goes onto the side and then rests downwards on the bed. I swallow uncomfortably as both of the boys look at me.

“I thought nothing happened,” Cameron says flatly.

I shrug my shoulders as my eyes go back to the screen. She jumps up on the bed in a rush and my laughter fills the room again.

“Listen to yourself laughing.” Adrian smiles at me as he puts his hand on my shoulder in a reassuring gesture. I nod as my eyes stay riveted on the screen.

She stands above me on the bed and she sings into the hairbrush while flicking her hair around crazily.

Only girl in the world

Like I’m the only one that’s in command

Cause I’m the only one who understands how to make you feel like a man

We all sit silent as she drops in a straddle over my body and slowly lifts her dress over her shoulders. She is wearing a yellow lace bra and g-string that match her dress. Her beautiful tanned body is on display. I immediately press the pause button.

“For my eyes only, boys,” I snap as my eyes flick to them.

“Please tell me you are going over there right now to tell her you want her back,” Cameron sighs.

I shake my head sadly. “No, it’s over between us. You can only come back so many times after being kicked to the curb.”

Adrian frowns. “But you stayed there last night.”

I nod and drop my head in shame. “Yeah, I was a total prick at dinner and made her cry and I just can’t stand seeing her upset. I couldn’t leave her.”

Adrian’s eyes hold mine. “Why do you think that you can’t leave her when she’s upset?”

I shrug as I link my hands on top of my head.

“I know why.” Adrian smiles. “You’re still in love with her.”

With a heavy heart I sigh. “Natasha and I are finished, I can no longer trust her, end of story.”

Chapter 18

Adrian

8
.30 am and
I sit in the small corner office at the job we start today at Braodtec. I have arrived early to prepare for the day ahead. It’s a poky space with no view, a usual prerequisite of ours when working. I go for a quick walk around the office as I try to locate the kitchen or a coffee machine. This place is a nightmare—how am I supposed to be productive with no caffeine? Six years ago Joshua designed this company’s software for them as one of his first jobs and he signed a contract stating he would be the one to upgrade the systems. Back then signing a contract for future work sounded like a smart choice. Little did he know that he would own a multimillion- dollar company today and that this job would be a massive pain in the ass. It has been on our diary for six months but I couldn’t get Joshua to come to Australia after the Natasha debacle. Now we are here for his grandmother it seems like a good time to cross it off the list. It should take about six to eight weeks if all goes to plan. I start to go through my emails and my phone rings. I look at the screen and the name lights up.

Nicholas Anastas

Shit, what does he want? I haven’t heard from him in six months, since I last avoided his calls. I stare at the ringing phone on my desk for a moment, I frown and press decline. I keep reading my emails as I scratch my head in frustration. I open one from Frank which reads:

Hi Murph

This was in the company email inbox from a Mrs Jones. Not sure what to make of it but I thought I should forward it on to you. The attachment is very interesting?

Keep me posted.

Frank

Frank is one of my PAs in LA. I have three. He liaises with the public and social network platforms and then filters anything onto me that I need to address. The workload is just too great for me to handle alone and Joshua wants nothing to do with it. He has no desire to be the successful millionaire or dominate the world, but his brain has ensured that he does it effortlessly anyway. I deal with the staff, the clients, the workload and Joshua takes care of the tech side of things. He doesn’t mix with the clients or make friendships outside of his close circle. It works well between us, that is except when he breaks up with his girlfriend and then goes AWOL for a month. That is a total nightmare for all concerned.

Mt phone rings again and I look at the screen.

Nicholas Anastas

I roll my eyes and push reject again. Take a hint. I blow out a breath as I click the email open. It reads: ‘Contact me on
[email protected]
or the wife gets the lot.’

Shit, my heart sinks. I click on the attachment.

It’s jumbled and the camera is shaking around. I lean in to the screen to listen to the audio. I can barely hear it. It looks as though the camera is attached to something she is carrying. I can see two sets of legs, one obviously hers but the other? It can’t be Joshua—he would never wear track pants around a woman. I press pause as I try to study the screen; is it even Stanton? I narrow my eyes and lean in close as I try to get my bearings. I pick up my phone and ring Ben.

“Hey,” he answers.

“Hi, can you come up here please?” I ask.

“Sure, what’s up?”

“I’m not sure,” I answer as I sit back in my seat in concentration.

“See you in a minute,” he sighs.

Ben and the security team have an office on the second floor. They moonlight as computer techs as a cover because the seven of them can’t be in our office with us. It’s just too small. We ensure Joshua has one guard with him at all times. Ben has come in early with me this morning to go over the security of the building. My phone beeps a text and I pick it up and read it: Nicholas Anastas.

I hear you are in Sydney.
I want to see you tonight.

Not now, asshole. I click off the message in annoyance. I press play again. They seem to go into a room and I screw up my face in question. What the hell is this?

Ben walks in. “Hi. What’s up?”

I sit back on my chair as I flick my pen around in annoyance. “Not sure. I think Stanton’s fucked up.”

He crosses his arms in front of him as he rolls his eyes. “Play it,” he snaps.

We watch the two sets of legs start to go upstairs. Ben leans in and turns up the volume so we can hear the sound.

“So what did you say your name is?’ Joshua’s distinct voice is heard.

“What do you want it to be?” she replies and I look at Ben deadpan and he smiles stupidly.

“Original,” I say flatly.

As clear as day, we hear Joshua reply. “My bedroom is this way … Natasha.”

Our eyes widen in shock. “Holy shit, who is this slut and how did she get past security with a fucking camera?” I stammer as I run my hand over my face in horror.

Ben changes his stance nervously as he crosses his arms. “I don’t know—let me find out.”

“She is threatening to send this shit to Natasha. Do have any idea how postal Stanton is going to go when he sees this. He can kiss Natasha goodbye. Why would he even mention her name?” I can’t believe this.

Ben shakes his head. “I don’t know. Let me look into it today and we will tell him tomorrow. Contact her and see what she wants. Try and buy us some time.”

“Christ,” I snap, “I don’t have time for this shit. What exactly do your moronic security team actually do? I expect you to check every female that comes into contact with him for cameras. It’s common sense.”

He swallows nervously. “Hmm, you would think.” With that he walks out of the room.

I blow out a breath to try and calm myself. This is a disaster. Joshua is going to hit the roof.

My phone beeps a message and I angrily snap it from the desk to check it. Nicholas Anastas.

You either ring me or I will be at your office at 1 pm.
Don’t push me.

I frown at the screen. Don’t push me … don’t push me, cockhead. I text back angrily.

What do you want?

He texts back immediately.

I want to know what happened between us.

I roll my eyes.

Nothing.
Stop looking for something that wasn’t there.

He texts back.

That’s bullshit and you know it.
See you at 1 pm.

I puff air into my cheeks in frustration.

Joshua walks into the office and smiles as he puts his briefcase on his desk. Then he stands still and puts his hands on his hips as his eyes scan the room. “This office fucking sucks,” he says dryly.

I glare at him in annoyance. “Shut up. I’m not in the mood,” I snap.

His eyes flick to me and he smirks. “What’s up your ass?”

“Nothing,” I snap

He laughs. “Maybe that’s the problem.” He picks up a pen and throws it at me.

I narrow my eyes at him.

Knock, knock. We both turn to the door and see two men in suits and a very attractive woman.

“Hello. We have just come to welcome you. I’m Paul and this is Alex and Tatiana.”

We both stand and shake hands with them and smile cordially.

“Tatiana and Alex here will be in the office next to yours and will help you in any way they can.” Paul says, “Hopefully this reprogramming will run as smoothly as possible.”

Joshua frowns at the woman and she smiles broadly at him.

“Oh my god,” Tatiana puts her hand on her chest. “It’s you,” she purrs.

He frowns again. “Have we met before?” he asks.

She laughs and nods. “Yes, we met at a wedding last year. We were seated next to each other. Remember?”

He smiles and nods. “That’s right, I do. Yes of course.”

My eyes flick between them as she blushes. Oh god, give me a break.

“We will be in the office next door if you need anything.” Alex smiles and they leave the room.

Joshua turns and smirks and raises his eyebrows. “Interesting morning, huh.” He smiles.

I sit back down in my seat. “You have no idea,” I sigh.

Natasha

I walk into the hospital and head straight upstairs to the palliative care unit. I have a bad feeling today. I just hope Gran is ok.

I run into Mum in the hallway. “Is everything ok?” I ask nervously.

She smiles warmly as she kisses me on the cheek. “Yes, she is doing really well. She has had us laughing all day.”

I put my hand on my chest. “Oh, thank goodness, I’ve been a bit nervy,” I sigh.

Mum smiles sympathetically as she walks past me down the hall.

Bridget, Cameron and Will are sitting together on the seats. Bridget is

seated opposite the boys and has her legs resting on Cameron’s legs who is oblivious and on his phone. She and Will are deep in conversation.

“Hi,” I smile as I put my bag on the seat next to them.

“Oh hi,” Bridget smiles. “Loving that Kate Middleton dress.” She raises her eyebrows at me. I smile. I love this dress too. It’s cream and fitted and hangs just below the knee. It’s very simple but beautifully cut and it hangs really nicely. I am in matching cream high-heel shoes. My hair is in a loose, low ponytail and I have my glasses on and minimal make-up. I stand and stretch my back. I’ve been on my computer all day and it’s as tight as anything.

“You been at work?” Cameron asks, his eyes not rising from his phone.

“Ahuh,” I answer flatly. “You guys been in yet?” I ask as my eyes flick around and I put my hands on my hips.

“Not yet,” Bridget answers. “She has a line up in front of us.” She gestures to a group of oldies sitting in the other waiting room.

“Mmm, ok. I might go and get a coffee then,” I sigh. I pick up my bag and head back downstairs to the cafeteria.

I walk down to the cafeteria in a daydream as my security trails behind me. How is it I don’t even notice them with me anymore? Max has taken a week off to go away with his girls. I think Joshua has just pissed him off too much to be around, something he has denied of course. As I head down the hall to the cafeteria I see two of Joshua’s bodyguards waiting outside, leaning up against the wall, and I get a rush of adrenaline. He’s here. I try to hold my idiocy to a minimum and not jump in the air. I enter the cafeteria as casually as I can and my eyes scan the space. I see him. Joshua is sitting at the table closest to the door and his broad back is facing me. He is on the phone and has a notepad in front of him and is writing something down. I walk over behind him to say hello when my eyes glance at the notepad and I read the name Coby Allender written on it. He speaks down the phone unaware that I am here.

“I want a list of past offences and the evidence being presented at the upcoming trial.”

He listens for a minute. “No, when is the trial?” He listens again. “I see.” He listens again. “Tell me, do the police think he is guilty?” My eyes widen, who is he talking too? I walk past him and straight to the counter.

Fishface looks at me. “What will it be?” she asks flatly. God this woman is a bitch.

“Skim cap.” I raise my eyebrows at her as if to say, yes you, you are a bitch, and I know it.

She nods and takes my money and I turn to see Joshua scribbling on his paper. His eyes flick up and connect with mine, and he smiles sexily. I literally swoon. He only has to look at me and I melt into his eyes. I smile and turn back to the counter and I watch him in the reflection of the fridge door in front of me. He keeps writing and talking, then he hangs up and rips the top piece of paper off the notepad, folds it and puts it in his inside suit pocket. He takes a sip of his coffee and sits still staring at me, then he gently cracks his neck and I smile. Some things will never grow old. I take my coffee and walk over to him.

“Hi,” I smile.

“Hello,” he smiles back.

What I really want to do is slam my hand on the table and scream where the hell where you when I woke up this morning, asshole, but I have to remind myself that this new improved version of myself is non-drama-queenish, and boy does it suck.

“Did you have a nice day?” I smile as I take a sip of my coffee.

He nods. “Yes, we started a new job today so I was busy.”

I frown. “New job?” I question.

He smiles. “Just a little six-week one.”

“Oh.” I nod as disappointment runs through me.

“You?” he asks.

I shrug. “It was ordinary, nothing exciting.”

He smirks as he sips his coffee. “We are heading back upstairs.” His eyes linger on mine.

I nod and smile and he rises from his seat and follows me out. We walk into the crowded lift and stand silently next to each other. He is so tall and big, his body oozes power in that dark charcoal three-piece suit. I can feel the electricity coming from him as my body weakens with want. I wonder if any of the other women in the lift can feel the heat oozing from this fine specimen. As I watch the numbers above the door light up I silently make a pact with myself. I am not mentioning last night or asking him when I am seeing him again. I need to be strong, even if it kills me, and it probably will because he is acting like he doesn’t have a care in the world and I could quite easily strangle him with a smile on my face. Calm, calm, calm … keep fucking calm. We walk to the lounge seating area and we sit opposite each other.

“Have you been in yet?” I ask the others.

“No,” they all reply flatly without looking up.

Joshua takes out his phone and starts to read and scroll through it. I sit with my legs crossed trying to look everywhere but at him. Bridget and the boys are deep in conversation about Adrian.

“So, is he seeing him tonight?” Abbie frowns.

Cameron nods and throws his hands behind his head. “Yep,” he answers as he leans back in his chair.

I frown. “Huh, who is he seeing tonight?” I ask.

“Nicholas Anastas,” Bridget replies.

“How did that come about?” I frown.

“He texted him this morning demanding to see him,” Cameron says as he raises his eyebrows.

“How hot. I love it when a man demands to see you. Now that’s romance.” My eyes flick to Joshua who doesn’t even hear me and is smirking at his phone. Hmm … take a hint, bastard.

Joshua laughs and bites his bottom lip to stifle his smile as he watches something on his phone and his eyes flick to me. I frown in question. What is he looking at?