Stanton Box Set

“Is this a house?” Bridget gasps. My god, I did not expect this. I expected a holiday shack on the hill, this is over the top frigging… I don’t even know what… ridiculously extravagant money. Five men in traditional Thai dress come out of the house to the left, stand in a line and then simultaneously put their hands together, as if to pray, and bow.

“Sawas Dee Krab.” Joshua smiles as he and the boys bow their heads in reply. Oh shit, I didn’t know about the bowing head and my eyes flick around to the others and I quickly bow my head to try not to be rude.

“Sawas Dee Krab, Joshua,” they all say and then burst into conversation.

Joshua and Cameron instantly reply in fluent Thai.

Joshua then turns and pulls me by the hand to the front of the men. “This is Natasha.” He smiles as he picks up my hand and kisses it. They all smile and laugh at something he has said and then bow their head at me again. What… he can speak Thai? Oh jeez, I’m so punching above my weight here. Joshua smiles warmly. “Boys, can you show the girls to their house.” He grabs my hand and pulls me up the steps towards the house through two oversized carved timber doors.

“Oh my god!” I hear the girls scream excitedly as they disappear up the path to go next door and I shake my head in disbelief as Joshua pulls me into the house.

“Joshua,” I whisper as I stop dead in my tracks.

“Welcome to our home, my precious girl.” He bends and kisses me gently.

I’m overwhelmed, this is bullshit. High carved timber cathedral ceilings adorn the large room, the walls are rendered in a cream colour, and dark timber floors are throughout. A wall of glass looks out to sea over the massive infinity pool and the backyards of the four properties are fenced individually for privacy. An island in the middle of the pool has a circular cabana, a thatched roof and lounge chairs are surrounding a fire pit. My eyes flick to Joshua. This is a visual sensation if ever I saw one.

“Are you serious?” I raise my eyebrows in question.

“Do you like it?” he asks.

I frown. “Ahuh,” I whisper as I put my hands on top of my head. I walk through the room and around to the left to an extravagant kitchen with every luxury appliance known to man. In front of it is a sixteen-seat dining table.

“How have you been happy to stay stuck in my tiny dump for the last month?” I frown. “This kitchen and dining area is the size of my whole apartment.” I shake my head in disbelief.

He pulls me into an embrace. “I love your apartment. I feel more at home there than I do in my own home,” he whispers into my forehead. “Money doesn’t make you happy Natasha, I know that first hand.”

We continue up the hall and through another set of double doors and my stomach drops. Dear god. A huge all-white bedroom with a massive four-poster bed in the centre, fine white mosquito netting adorning it, and with yet another glass wall lookin

g out to sea.

I burst out laughing. “This is the fucking bedroom?” I gasp. “Are you serious?”

He smiles broadly. “Look around while I go and get our bags.” He leaves and I walk over to the window and put my hand on the glass as I stare out to sea. This place is unbelievable. Over to the left is another set of doors. I investigate and my eyes widen again. A white marble bathroom with a ridiculously large white stone bath sits in the centre with a triple shower to the right. Bloody hell, Joshua Stanton, you are a mind fuck. I walk back out to the bedroom and run my hand up the beautiful thick timber of the post on the bed and stare up at the delicate netting. This is the most beautiful place I have ever been in. Stupid crazy rich. My eyes roam over to the bedside table and my heart stops… tears instantly fill my eyes. One lone white photo frame sits on the side table, a photo of Joshua and me. A selfie that he took of us on the beach one day all those years ago. We look so young. I am laughing at the camera and he is kissing my cheek. We look so happy… so in love. I have never seen this photo before and I instantly pick it up as a lump of emotion forms in my throat. I turn to see Joshua standing in the doorway watching me silently.

“I love you,” I whisper.

He nods as his eyes search mine.

“I’m so sorry,” I whisper. How could I have put him through all this nonsense?

He nods again, unwilling to speak.

“I’m here now.” I smile softly.

He nods again.

“I’m not leaving again, I promise you,” I whisper.

He drops the bags and rushes to me, burying his head into my shoulder and I smile. I’ve died and gone to heaven. I am in the most beautiful place on earth with the most beautiful man on earth. And he loves me—he’s always loved me.

“The wait is going to be worth it baby.” I smile into the top of his head. “I am going to make you so happy.” I start to shower his forehead with kisses.

He pulls back to look at me with darkened eyes. “Good.” He smirks.

I smile broadly. “Good?’ I question.

He smiles and nods again. “Because I am about ten minutes off blowing in your mouth, my beautiful slut.”