Stanton Box Set

“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 that 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 for my soul.

Eleven o’clock and I am on my way home from the gym. I may as well try to lose the six kilograms 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 as we are literally the dark horses of the family, a pubescent idea comes into my brain and I laugh at the thought. I stop off and grab a coffee and text the girls:

Five o’clock Oscar’s 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 Mum’s 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 download 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. Surely he wouldn’t be that stupid? 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 with 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 bodyguard. 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 to 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 cream 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 bodyguard.

“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, ma’am, 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

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