Stanton Box Set

I laugh as I pant, coming off the high. “Yeah you and me both,” I smile as I roll onto my side to face him. I place my hand on his cheek and lean in gently for a chaste kiss, and he cuddles into me. “I’ve missed you, baby, ” I whisper.

He gives me a sad smile and whispers, “Me too.”

Trying to save the moment from the sadness in his eyes, I sit up. “So is this a full service date?”

He laughs. “Um, looks like it.”

“Good. You can take me out to dinner,” I smile.

He suddenly looks uncomfortable. “Tash, that’s not a good idea.”

“Why not?” I snap.

“What if someone sees us?”

“I don’t care,” I frown.

“I do,” he answers.

“Are you ashamed of me?” I’m horrified.

“No, Natasha, I told you it can’t be that way between us anymore.”

I get up and whip him with my T–shirt. “It’s a shame you talk. You’re so pretty when you don’t open your mouth.” His mouth drops open and he bites his lip as he tries to stifle his smile, then he reaches out and smacks me hard on the backside. I silently high–five myself and smile as I saunter out of the room. We haven’t bantered for years and I must say it feels good, it feels familiar. Moments later I am in the shower when I feel him get in and kiss my neck from behind.

“Where do you want to go for dinner?” He smiles into my neck as he wraps his arms around my waist. Argument over, I won.

Chapter 10

Ninety minutes later Joshua and I are waiting to be seated at my favourite Italian restaurant. “Table for two thanks,” he asserts to the waiter, without as much as a smile.

“Ah yes, this way.” The waiter motions to the front of the bay windows that lead out onto the street. He looks around.

“We need to be at the back of the restaurant,” Josh says as he adjusts his cufflinks. I frown at him, affronted by his rudeness.

“Ok, this table at the back then.”

Joshua smiles. “Thank you.” Beautiful Josh has disappeared and Mr Stanton has come in his place. That became apparent an hour ago when a bodyguard arrived at my apartment with an overnight bag, full of clean clothes for him. After a heated discussion and a small tanty from yours truly, he finally agreed to the bodyguard travelling in a separate car from us. If I have him for one frigging night I’m not sharing, not a chance. He looks edible of course, jeans, white shirt and a navy blazer. He oozes confidence and sex appeal—no wonder he attracts so much attention. The forty – thousand–dollar Rolex watch doesn’t help the situation either. I am so punching above my weight here. “Why do we have to sit at the back?” I frown, “I wanted to sit near the window.” He follows me silently and pulls out my chair for me to take a seat. Oohh, manners. He sits, ignoring my question as he looks around. He calls the waiter.

“I’ll have a bottle of Barossa Valley Chiraz thank you.” He turns his eyes back to me.

“Answer my question,” I snap.

He raises his eyebrows in silent defiance. “Natasha, I really don’t want the paps to find me here. I like privacy.”

I huff. “Could have fooled me,” I mutter under my breath.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” he snaps.

“Joshua, I’ve had a google alert on you, and every time I turn on my computer I’ve had to endure every damn date you’ve been on for the last five years. I would say you thrive on the attention on your love life.”

He sits back, obviously annoyed at my challenge. “I do, do I?” He raises an eyebrow.

“Yes, I think you do,” I answer. The waiter arrives and pops the cork then pours a little into the glass. Josh tastes it.

“That’s fine,” he replies, his eyes not leaving mine. The waiter pours me a glass.

“Will that be all?”