by T L Swan
I drop my head to hide my smile and what I really want to do is point at him and scream oh yeah baby, you nailed it in one but I bite my tongue. I’m so taking the high road with this one.
He takes a bite of his food. “Leave my mother to me anyway. You just concentrate on organising the wedding.”
I smile broadly. “What do you want me to organise?” I whisper.
He shrugs. “I don’t know. Whatever needs to be organised.”
I bite my bottom lip in excitement. “I’ve never done this before.”
He frowns. “And I have.” He shakes his head like I’m an idiot.
“Well shit, I don’t know what to do,” I mutter as my head starts to spin.
He smiles as he eats.
“Where do you want to get married?” I ask.
“Wherever you pick,” he replies nonchalantly.
“When?” I ask.
“A couple of weeks.”
I screw up my face. “A couple of weeks. I need to lose like five kilos before I get married.”
“Stop eating McDonald’s then,” he mutters under his breath.
I fake a smile. “Ha, ha, you’re so funny.” Fuck, Operation Slimdown is back on with a frigging vengeance. I sit still as I try to comprehend what to do first—this is overwhelming.
He stops eating. “What is it?’ he asks.
“I can’t do it in a couple of weeks,” I murmur in a panic.
He smiles sympathetically. “When would you like to get married presh?” he asks gently.
I think for a moment. “I would like to get married in fourteen weeks.”
He smiles. “In May?”
I nod. “Yes.”
He gets out his phone and scrolls through his calendar. “How’s May the 21st?” he asks.
I bite my bottom lip to stifle my smile. “Perfect.”
He smiles again. “And where would you like to get married presh?”
I think for a moment and narrow my eyes. “Kamala, on our ledge,” I reply hopefully.
He picks up my hand and kisses the inside of my palm. “Sounds like a date.”
Our eyes meet and I am overcome with emotion. My eyes start to fill with tears. After all we have been through this is finally happening.
He smiles and points to my plate with his knife. “Eat your fish,” he mutters.
I drop my head and smile as I pick up my knife and fork. May the 21st… May the 21st… May the 21st… May the 21st… this shit just got real.
“Where’s Bridget?” I ask Joshua as I come down for breakfast the next morning.
“Out by the pool,” he replies as he shakes his protein shaker.
I walk out and find her sitting on the edge of the pool drinking her coffee, her feet dangling in the water.
“Hey babe.” I smile.
“Hi,” she replies.
I sit next to her and put my arm around her. “You ok?“ I ask as I drop my feet into the water.
She nods. “Yeah.”
I know that’s not true. “Don’t lie to me. What’s up?” I ask.
She takes a sip of her coffee and looks straight ahead. “I just had the talk with Ben.”
My heart drops. “Oh, how did that go?” I ask.
“I asked him what was wrong and why he was angry with me.”
I nod and frown. “What did he say?” I ask.
She looks down and contemplates telling me the next part of the story.
“Well?“ I urge.
“He told me that in another circumstance he would be pursuing me but in this life he is not going there.”
I listen and take her coffee cup from her to take a sip. “Oh,” I whisper.
“I feel like an idiot,” she snaps.
I put my arm around her as I listen.
“I really liked him,” she sighs.
I frown. “When did all this start? Have I been living under a rock?”
She shrugs and blows out a breath. “At the hospital with Gran for weeks we sat together and laughed when he was trying to cheer me up.” She shakes her head. “I can’t explain it but we just clicked, or so I thought.”
I nod and sip her coffee again.
“And then on the night when you got really drunk.”
I cringe at the memory of my daggy dancing on Joshua’s phone. “Oh god, that night.” I sigh as I run my hands over my eyes in embarrassment.
“He drove me home and walked me up to my door.”
I smile as I imagine the scenario she is setting for me.
“I was quite drunk too and he came into my apartment to check it and I wanted him. Never have I wanted someone so badly.”
My heart drops again.
“He was saying goodbye and I was looking up at him hoping he would kiss me. He slowly ran his pointer finger across my lips down over my jaw and down between my breasts and right down to my pubic bone, I nearly orgasmed from one finger.”
I cringe. Oh god, this is awful.
“The way he looked at me.” She stops and thinks as she stares straight ahead.
“How did he look at you?“ I ask.
“He wanted me too. I know he did,” she whispers.
I drop my head. I’ve seen that look. Joshua wore it a lot in the early days.
“He kissed me on the forehead and left without saying anything,” she whispers.
“And then what happened?” I ask, confused.
“From then on we both knew that there was some serious chemistry between us but we just kept it at bay.”
“Until Kamala,” I reply.
She nods. “Yes, until Kamala.”
“Hmm.” I put my arm around her again.
“He raised more arousal in me in that five minutes on the dancefloor than I have ever felt in my life.”
“He is gorgeous,” I whisper, defeated.
“And now he doesn’t want me and I have to be here and under his protection and I can’t even fucking get away from him.”
“Oh Didge, I’m sorry.” We clink the tops of our heads together. “Why don’t we get you an apartment on your own and your own guard so you can distance yourself a bit from all of this?”
“Really?” she asks. “Would Joshua be ok with that?”
I smile. If only she knew that Joshua wants them all out. “Yeah, maybe you just need some privacy.”
“I can’t live alone with Abbie, Tash,” she sighs.
I giggle. “What’s wrong with Abbs?” I tease.
She looks at me deadpan. “Could you live with Abbie?”
“Definitely not.” I smirk.
She laughs. “Abbs is the best friend anyone could ask for… but she would be the world’s worst roomy.”
“Oh god, I know, right,” I reply. I wince.
The door opens and Abbie walks out into the pool area with two cups of coffee.
“What’s so funny, bitches?” she asks.
“We were just saying what a terrible roomy you would be.” I smile.
She nods. “This is true.”
“I am going to get you two your own apartments next to each other,” I reply.
She sits down and hands Bridget the fresh coffee.
“Where’s mine?” I ask.
“You have one,” she replies.
“This is Bridget’s cold coffee,” I scoff.
“So why are you drinking it?” she asks.
“Actually, yes, why are you drinking my cold coffee?” Bridget frowns.
I look down at it and smile and shrug. Actually… I have no frigging idea.
Adrian
“What are you looking for?” Joshua asks me as I search the pantry.
“Oregano,” I reply as I move things around on the shelf as I search.
“What’s that for?” he replies as he helps me look.
“To degrease the engine of my car, what do you think?” I reply as I continue searching.
He fakes a smile and hands me a jar and I take it and smirk. “Thanks.”
“Bitch,” he mouths be
fore he takes a seat at the bench to continue reading the paper. It’s Tuesday night and true to Tash’s promise I am cooking everyone dinner, Italian. This was supposed to be Cameron’s task but he has been held up at work so I’ve been roped in. Natasha is lying on the lounge watching television in her flannelette pyjamas and the girls are at the table stalking someone on Facebook.
“Oh my god, get off it, you slapper.” Abbie scowls as she looks at a picture.
Bridget laughs out loud. “Who is this skank?” she gasps.
“Who cares?” Joshua snaps as he flicks the page while rolling his eyes.
“Oh my god, Adrian, look at this picture.” Bridget holds up her phone and I walk over and take it. Apparently one of their friends’ boyfriends has been caught sleeping with this woman and they are scoping out the competition. The woman in the photo, let me rephrase that, the scrubber in this photo has taken a topless selfie in the bathroom mirror.
“Revolting.” I frown as I hand the phone back and fake a shiver.
Joshua’s eyes flick to Natasha and he watches her for a moment. He then gets up and walks upstairs while I continue to stir my pasta sauce. Two minutes later he walks into the kitchen and holds Natasha’s glasses under the tap, washes them and then dries them on his T-shirt. I watch him walk over to her and put them on her face. She smiles lovingly up at him as she sits up and he sits down and then she lies back down with her head on his lap and he puts his feet on the coffee table. No words are exchanged and he starts to play gently with her hair as they watch TV. I smile and turn back to my sauce. I want that, I want someone to get my glasses without me asking. I want the comfortable silence. I want the love that is so obvious between them. Theirs is an extraordinary bond and I’m so happy that it has happened for two of my favourite people.
“Oh no!” Bridget laughs as she sees another bad picture and the girls both erupt into laughter.
Cameron walks in and sits on the table. “Hey,” he smiles.
Everyone answers without looking at him and carries on with their business.
“Don’t anyone get excited I’m home,” Cameron grunts. “I’ve been slaving my guts out all day saving lives to keep us in the lap of luxury you are all used to.” He sighs as he lies back on the table.
I shake my head at him. “Yeah, right, because you pay for everything,” I reply flatly.
He smiles cheekily. “Wouldn’t matter if I did, nobody would appreciate it anyway,” he replies in a raised voice.
“Shut up,” Abbie scoffs and bursts into laughter again at another picture without raising her eyes to him.
I smile broadly and turn back to my sauce. How did I get here with this group of friends where four has turned into seven so easily and everyone is comfortable being completely themselves in pyjamas? I am grateful that Joshua has brought these women into my life—I adore the three of them. They are genuinely good girls… and funny. They make me laugh constantly with their stupid antics.
Cameron gets a message on his phone. “Brennan is having a party on the weekend and wants us all to go,” he announces as he reads it.
“Oh,” the girls coo as they pull an excited face to each other.
“No,” Joshua replies flatly.
“Why not?” Cameron asks.
“I’m not taking my girl to a pussy party.” Joshua shakes his head in disgust at the suggestion.
The girls giggle. “Pussy party?” Abbie gasps. “What the hell is a pussy party?”
Cameron smirks. “Pussy on a platter,” he replies as he widens his eyes in jest.
“Oh Joshua,” Natasha scoffs. “We can go. I’m not being a closet girlfriend.”
Cameron frowns. “What’s a closet girlfriend?” he asks.
“It’s a girlfriend that a guy keeps at home in the wardrobe and nobody knows she exists. He just pulls her out at bedtime for sex,” Bridget replies as she goes back to her phone.
Cameron nods, seemingly interested. “I need me one of those closet girlfriends. Where do you get them?”
I shake my head. “You already have about ten,” I reply.
I see Ben walk outside with a security guard and I go to the door.
“Dinner is about fifteen away.”
“No, I’ve eaten,” he replies. “Thanks anyway.”
“You ok man?” I ask. Ben has been noticeably absent lately.
“Yeah, just rebooting all the systems. I still can’t work out how he got past the security gates.” I nod. “I will save you some for later.”
He winks and keeps walking.
I walk back inside to see Cameron answering my phone. “Hello Nicholas.” He smiles. “It’s Cameron.” He listens for a moment. “How are you?” He laughs at something. “Yeah, I’m good.”
My eyes widen as the whole room stops still. I scratch my head uncomfortably. Fuck.
“Yes, he is right here.” Cameron smiles as he hands me the phone and then punches me so hard in the stomach that I am nearly winded.
I take the phone as I hold my stomach and walk outside to escape the listening ears. My heart thumps heavily in my chest.
“Hello,” I answer as I walk over to the pool. My mind goes back to the very first time he rang me when I was out here on the deckchair.
Silence… “Hello Adrian,” he whispers huskily.
My eyes close at the sound of his voice and I find myself unable to answer him. I don’t have it in me to be angry with him tonight.
“How are you?” he asks quietly.
“I’m ok, and you?” I ask.
“I could be better,” he replies.
Again silence.
“I want to come and see you,” he whispers.
My eyes close again. Why do I care so much about this bastard? “Why?” I ask.
“Because I miss you and me,” he pauses.
“Nick don’t, there is no point.” I sigh as I shake my head.
“Please?”
“We have nothing to say, Nick. You have stated your case. I get it.”
“Adrian please, I’m as confused as you. I can’t work this out alone.”
My anger starts to simmer and I shake my head. “You will always be confused.” I reply flatly.
“No, that’s not what I meant,” he stammers.
“That’s what you said, Nicholas.”
“You’re twisting my words,” he replies.
“And you’re twisting my fucking heart. Leave me alone,” I snap.
“No, I won’t.”
“Nicholas, stop this. Go back to writing your books and your life in France. We have been there and it didn’t work. Let’s leave it at that.”
“I will be in LA in a week,” he snaps angrily.
“Don’t bother. I won’t see you. It’s a waste of your time.”
“You will see me if I have to kidnap you,” he snaps angrily.
I shake my head in frustration. “Who do you think you are? I don’t want to see you!” I snap.
“You’re lying!” he sneers.
“And you’re on yourself!” I reply angrily.
“I will be there in a week and we are going to sit down at dinner and talk about that twisted heart of yours.”
I narrow my eyes. “Why the hell did I say that?” Fucking psychologist.
“Goodbye Nicholas,” I reply.
“See you soon, my love.” He hangs up.
I rub my hands over my face. Oh this is just perfect. I storm inside to see everybody in the same position and my sauce burning.
“What the hell are you idiots doing? Stir the fucking sauce!” I snap angrily.
Joshua and Cameron laugh and the girls all jump up and run to the kitchen to help. Bridget starts to stir the sauce frantically.
Natasha puts her arm around me and gives me a gentle smile, sensing my fragility. “Are we good?” she asks as she kisses my shoulder.
I nod. “Yes, I’m good,” I reply, although in all honesty I’m just not sure. Men. It would be so much easier if I just liked women.
&nb
sp; Natasha
I stand at the mirror with my stomach in my throat as I put on my hot-pink lipstick. I’m nervous… no, that’s an understatement, I’m in a near panic. I am going to a pussy party tonight… with Mr Pussy himself. What the hell goes on at these things?
“Knock, knock,” Adrian calls from the door.
“Come in,” I answer.
He sticks his head around the door and his eyes drop down to my toes and he gives a low whistle. “You’re hot, Natasha Marx.”
I smile and look back at the mirror. “Is this ok?” I ask nervously.
“I hope so. It cost a bomb.” He walks around behind me and puts his hands on my hips and we look at our reflection in the mirror.
I am wearing a white dress that is short and tight. Hot-pink stiletto strappy sandals and a hot pink clutch match my lipstick. My dark hair is out and full. I even went to the hairdressers today to get a blow-dry, something I never do.
Adrian is in navy pants and a white shirt and looks gorgeous as usual.I put my hand on my stomach. “Where are the boys?” I ask.
“Downstairs having some drinks before we go. Are you ok?” He smiles.
“I’m as nervous as hell,” I whisper as I hear male laughter echo from downstairs. “I don’t fit into this world, Adrian. Why did I think this was a good idea?He smiles broadly. “Stop. It will be fine and we will all be there. You’re the hottest girl in LA. I do hope you are wearing glass boots though?”
I frown. “A stage up from glass slippers?”
He smiles again. “About three stages up from glass slippers, my beautiful Cinderella.”
“Oh god.” I put my head into my hands. “Can you make me a margarita please? I need something to calm my nerves.”
He kisses me gently on the cheek. “Sure chick. Where are the girls?”
“In their room?” I reply and with that he disappears.
Ten minutes later I tentatively walk down the hall and over towards the handrail. I hear different male voices. Oh god… who else is frigging here? I wish the girls’ rooms weren’t so far away. I don’t know if they are downstairs or not but I have to walk past the stairs to see. I slowly walk down the stairs and a group of about ten men are in the lounge room drinking… oh crap. I stop in my tracks and close my eyes. You can do this. I slowly start to walk again and Joshua glances up and sees me. Standing in the group of men with his legs wide and his hand in his pocket, a slow sexy smile comes over his face. He is in dark jeans and a black V-neck shirt, and his hard muscular body oozes sexual power in that casual outfit. From his ridiculously expensive watch on that ripped forearm to the dark clippered no -fuss hair. And those broad shoulders and that tight ass seal the deal. How in the hell did I get this god? Joshua Stanton is one hell of a delicious package.
