Joshua then leans down and kisses me again gently on the lips. “We are heading over here Mills. Catch you later.” He then pulls my arm out of the socket as he walks me over to the girls.
“How long did you date her?” I ask as I am pulled along.
“We never dated,” he snaps.
“I’ve seen photographs of you together at functions.”
“We are friends,” he replies as we get to the group.
“Friends with benefits?” I ask.
He scratches his head in frustration but doesn’t answer my question. We arrive at the girls and Abbie and Bridget smile and kiss me on arrival. Joshua stands still across the group from me with his dominant stance in full play, legs wide, one hand in his pocket and Corona beer in his other hand. My eyes flick to Heidi on the other side of the pool. She now stands with six other beautiful women and they are deep in conversation. What was his relationship with her? How well do they know each other? That stupid insecure feeling sinks in. Stop it.
The dance music starts to blare from the DJ inside and the lights get dimmed and the space is lit up only from the lanterns and party lights. This is some frigging party with recognisable super models and actors everywhere. The prerequisite to gain entry must be to pass a cool and beautiful persons test. There are two bars in the backyard making cocktails and waiters walking around with trays of tequila shots. Joshua has two when the tray goes past us. I have never been anywhere quite like this—it’s just like in the movies. I know the girls want Joshua to buzz off so we can do some serious fan girl gossiping. I keep seeing them widen their eyes at each other when they see something they want to talk about.
“Joshua, go and hang with your friends baby. I will stay just here with the girls.”
His eyes hold mine as he does an internal risk assessment.
“I’m fine. I have to get used to all this if we are going to stay here. Let me figure this out by myself; you have nothing to worry about. I will come and find you in an hour or so.,” I say.
He nods and his eyes flick to Abbie. “Don’t leave Natasha or Bridget alone.”
She smiles and clicks his bottle with her glass. “Ok boss.”
He smirks at her idiocy. I think Abbie is growing on him.
“Natasha and I can look after ourselves,” Bridget announces, annoyed at his suggestion.
He puts his arm around her shoulder. “I know Didge. These people just aren’t wired like you two, that’s all.”
“And I am?” Abbie asks, affronted.
Joshua smirks. “Yes Abbie, everyone here is wired just like you. I know you will be ok here.”
Bridget narrows her eyes at me in annoyance. “Go away Joshua, you’re just cramping our style now,” I whisper, horrified.
He kisses me gently on the lips as he smirks. “Over to the wall there—do you see the two men?” He points to the high rendered wall around the back of the huge backyard and to two men in suits lingering on the outskirts.
I frown. “Yes.”
“They are your guards for the night.”
I frown. “Where’s Ben and the boys?” I ask as my eyes flick around.
“Ben attends these parties by my side as a friend. He is not working when he is out with me.”
Bridget’s and my eyes meet across the group.
“Why is that?” I ask flatly.
“Because in the past I have needed a guard I can trust to party with so Ben just accompanies me as a friend and if I need him he steps in, but if you want anything, go to the boys at the back.”
Hmm, that was code for I take Ben to my strip joints and he has seen me have sex with a copious number of women so he gets special treatment. I skull the rest of my champagne. I did not like that answer one little bit.
“Don’t get drunk,” Joshua reprimands me.
“Listen fun cop, go away!” I snap. He’s really beginning to piss me off now.