Stanton Series Box Set: Stanton Series (Box Set)

by T L Swan

  “We just have to pull into the estate agents for a moment,” Joshua remarks casually as he looks for a parking space.

  “Did you buy that house?” I ask.

  His eyes flick to me as he tries to remember if he has mentioned it before. “Yes, I thought it would be good for your mother or Bridget,” he replies.

  I fake a smile and hold his eyes with mine as I raise a brow in question.

  He stares at me for a moment. “I am buying the damn house to stop Amelie buying it,” he snaps in frustration.

  “Oh,” I mutter, acting surprised.

  He shakes his head. “Let’s just do it and we will talk about it later.” He sighs, defeated.

  I nod and act uncaring. The truth is I’m glad he’s buying the house. I’m not living next door to the silly bitch. No way in hell.

  He picks up my hand and kisses the back of it. “I won’t be long. Don’t get out of the car,” he murmurs.

  I roll my eyes and nod.

  “Do you want a coffee?” he asks.

  “Yes please,” I reply as he gets out of the car.

  Joshua walks to the group of guards who are now congregated on the sidewalk and hands over some money. One of them nods and disappears into the café.

  I blow out a breath and throw my head back onto the seat. Just how long are we going to have to live like this? I can’t stand all of this security. I know exactly why Joshua hates it so much. He’s had to deal with this a lot longer than me. I shouldn’t whine, at least I have security. My blood runs cold as my mind goes to the young women who have been murdered and I get a visual in my head of them being tied up, tortured and raped…alone. That could have been me. What they would have given to have security with them, protecting them. God I hope they catch the bastards. I wrap my cardigan around me protectively and hold my temples. This fucking headache had better go away. We have a wedding to go to on Saturday. Sean's sister is getting married and the girls are being Adrian’s and Cam’s dates. I’m looking forward to it. Joshua and I are staying on Sean’s luxury boat because Maria doesn’t want the girls to have to catch the small boat out to the big boat late at night after the wedding. It’s just so Hollywood staying on a boat. Joshua and I are going to be alone at last and then I can give him my wedding present. I smile to myself. I can’t wait to see his face when I give it to him.

  The door opens and Joshua falls into the seat beside me. “What are you smiling at?” he asks as he hands over my coffee.

  “I’m excited about staying on the boat.” I smirk as I take a sip of my coffee.

  He puts his hand on my leg. “Me too and we own another house now,” he says casually as he starts the car.

  I shake my head at this situation I find myself in. This is stupid rich at its best. Oh and we own another house now.

  We drive to Willowvale in silence and, admittedly, as soon as we hit that heavenly driveway lined with the beautiful trees I can feel my worries slowly leaving me behind. This place is a sanctuary and although I was first scared that I would only ever relate it to bitchvet… along with my reservations, her memories are starting to fade. She’s not a threat to me anymore… was she ever? I’m such an idiot to think that she was. I close my eyes as the afternoon sun warms me through the windscreen. I need this couple of days alone with my man.

  “You ok, presh?” Joshua asks me as he grabs my hand and kisses my fingertips.

  I smile. “Yes, just got a bit of a headache, my Lamborghini. I feel better now that we are here,” I reply softly.

  He smiles warmly. “I love you,” he whispers.

  “I know you do.” I smirk as he pulls the car into the parking space. Joshua gets out and comes around to my side of the car and opens the door for me as I gather my handbag and things.

  “Come on, up to bed for the afternoon.” He gestures to the house with his chin as the two cars of guards approach from up the driveway.

  “Are you coming with me?” I ask a little too sweetly as I climb out of the car. I smile and bat my eyelashes to try and be cute.

  “Yes, but we are sleeping. You have a headache and I have exhaustion,” he says dryly.

  I screw up my face at him in disgust. “Boring,” I mouth.

  He leads me through the house by the hand straight up to our bedroom and puts our bags on the end of the ottoman. Disappears, turns the shower on and undresses me. I smirk as he concentrates while undoing my buttons.

  “What?” he asks, deep in thought.

  “Just you,” I reply.

  “What about me?” he asks.

  “It’s just a headache you know,” I reply.

  He nods and rolls his eyes as he pulls my shirt from my shoulders. “Yeah, well I’ve seen your ‘just’ headaches and they scare the shit out of me.” He sighs.

  “I’m ok baby. I’ve got my tablets that will put me to sleep for a while and when I wake up we can have dinner. What are you making us?”

  He shrugs. “Toast.”

  “You’re wrecking it,” I murmur.

  “Shut up and look pretty, Marx. Get into the shower before I put that mouth of yours to good use.”

  I kiss him gently on the lips and sink into my hot-water-therapy shower as he fusses around in the bedroom unpacking my bag and when I emerge fifteen minutes later and semi-conscious I find my flannelette pyjamas laid out on the bed. He passes me a glass of water.

  “Where are your tablets?” he asks.

  “In my makeup bag.” I sigh as I climb into bed.

  He starts to rat through my bag and frowns as he pulls out a long skinny silver box with ribbon. “What’s this?” he asks as his eyes meet mine and he sits down on the bed next to me.

  Oh shit, I wanted to give him that on Saturday night before the wedding. Frigging hell. I’m hopeless at keeping secrets.

  I lie back in bed against the hightop pillows. “It’s an early wedding present for you.”

  His eyes light up and he pops two tablets from their foil and hands them to me. I kiss him gently and take them.

  He holds it in his hand and looks at it, deep in thought.

  “Open it,” I say.

  He frowns.

  “Open it. I want you to open it.” I smile.

  He kisses me gently and slowly opens the wrapping.

  I hold my breath as I wait for his reaction.

  Joshua frowns at the contents of the present and his eyes flick to me. “These are your contraceptive pills.” He frowns.

  “I know. I won’t be needing them anymore,” I reply nervously.

  His eyes widen. “You won’t?” he whispers.

  I shake my head as I smile.

  He sits still on the bed as he stares at the pill packet in his hand. I think he’s in shock. “Are you sure?” he whispers.

  I giggle. “I had better be. I haven’t taken them for a week.”

  His eyes widen further when he reads the days of the week and does the math. He smiles broadly. “Really?” he gushes.

  “Really,” I repeat.

  “Holy fuck!” he exclaims and then he seems to realise what is going on and he gently puts his hand on my stomach. “So you could be…” His eyes drop to his open hand on me. “Right now?” he whispers.

  “Josh, it takes a while. It won’t happen straight away,” I reply.

  He shakes his head. “No, my boys are good swimmers. They are on the job.”

  I smirk. “Confident bastard.”

  His lips drop to my neck and he kisses it slowly. “I fucking adore you,” he whispers.

  I smile as I move my head to give him greater access.

  “There’s more.” I smile.

  “More what?” he whispers into my neck.

  “More present,” I reply.

  He pulls back and picks the wrapping back up and rattles through it and frowns again.

  I smile broadly. God I’m good. I am feeling oh so proud of myself at this very moment. Fucking boom!

  “Your keys?” he replies, puzzled.

  I nod and
smile.

  “I don’t get it,” he replies.

  “They are my keys to the LA house.”

  “And?” he asks.

  “I won’t be needing those anymore either,” I reply nonchalantly.

  “Why not?” he asks.

  “Because I’m going to be living here at Willowvale with my husband,” I reply.

  His eyes widen again. “What!” he shrieks.

  “But there are conditions,” I snap.

  “Of course.” He smiles.

  “I want to go to LA two weekends a month.”

  He smiles broadly.

  “And you are going to mind the baby two days a week so I can go back to work.”

  He bursts out laughing and grabs me in an embrace. “Oh my god Natasha, I fucking love you.” He jumps up and then sits back down as he looks at the pills and the keys in his hand, then he stands again.

  I smile broadly. “Do you like your wedding presents, Mr Stanton?” I ask.

  “Don’t ask stupid questions, precious girl. What do you think?” He laughs out loud and bounces onto the bed, spilling the water from my glass.

  Chapter 19

  Joshua’s lips dust my neck as we scramble for air. His body still inside mine, he is on top of me and my hands are in his above my head. I smile into his kiss as once again his lips possess mine.

  “I fucking love you,” he whispers into my lips.

  I smile mischievously. “If I knew I was going to get fucked this well and this often as you try to impregnate me, I may have stopped taking my pills sooner.”

  He pulls out and kisses me on the lips. “Oh, because you’re so hard done by and you never get sex, right,” he replies sarcastically as he sits up in bed.

  “Now I get even more,” I purr as I widen my eyes. “Mission accomplished.”

  He shakes his head. “You’re a sex maniac, Marx,” he mutters.

  I smile. “I’m making up for lost time.”

  His face falls.

  I frown. “Come here, that came out wrong.” I pull him back to lie down with me.

  “If I was a better person I would tell you I’m sorry that you missed out for so long. But I’m not. I’m glad you did,” he murmurs into my shoulder.

  I smile. “You know, Joshua, that’s one thing that I am proud of. You have no idea how proud I am of the fact I waited for you.”

  I can feel his smile. “Me too.”

  He rolls onto his back and looks around the space we are in. “Some boat, hey?”

  I nod as my eyes shoot around the room in amazement. “Isn’t it heavenly?” I say as I nod—this is ridiculous wealth. We are on Sean’s boat for his sister’s wedding tonight. The guards are moored on their own little luxury boat closer to shore. The gang and their guards are staying in a hotel closer to the reception.

  “Do we have to go to the wedding? I just want to stay here.” Joshua sighs.

  “Yeah, me too,” I reply. “This is our third wedding together.”

  Joshua smiles as he holds his arm out for me and I lie back down next to him. “Next one is ours.”

  I kiss his chest as excitement fills me. “I wish it was ours that was the third wedding.”

  He frowns. “What does that mean?”

  I widen my eyes at his stupidity. “You know—three weddings and a funeral?”

  He frowns.

  “It means the next thing we are going to is a funeral.” I smile. “God, don’t you watch the movies, Joshua? You are so uncultured.” I sigh sarcastically.

  “You do know you’re an idiot, right?” He smirks as he wraps me tightly in his arms.

  “It comes naturally,” I whisper. “I don’t even have to try.”

  “I noticed, “ he murmurs.

  We lie relaxed and peaceful for another twenty minutes until our precious time is up and we need to get ready. “Josh, we need to get up baby.”

  “Hmm.” He sighs sleepily. “Don’t make me go. I want to stay here with you.”

  I smile softly. “We have the rest of our lives together. We can go to the wedding today.” I gently kiss his lips

  “Hmm,” he murmurs.

  “And besides you can get some ideas as what to write in your wedding speech.” I smile.

  “Shut up or you’re going to cop it again,” he purrs as he rolls on top of me and puts my hands over my head.

  “Cause your wedding speech will be totally shit, I just know it.” I squeal with laughter. Joshua narrows his eyes and then rips into my neck with his open mouth.

  “That’s it,” he growls. “All aboard for Pound Town.”

  Three hours later we are at the wedding and I think I have been introduced to everyone on the planet who has a huge bank balance. I will never in a million years remember any of their names. A lot of people are from horse-related activities and Laura and her now husband are merchant bankers so the banking world are here too. Ben, Max and our security are lingering outside. They ate the same meals as us but in another room—they seem to be having their own party.

  We are seated at the table with Cam, Murph, the girls and six other people that the boys all know well. Joshua’s arm is slung over the back of my chair, and he runs his fingers backwards and forwards over my shoulders as he listens. The speeches start and Laura’s father is first to speak.

  “I would like to thank you all for coming here tonight.”

  Joshua’s phone beeps a message and he retrieves it from his pocket. He opens the message, his body straightens and he pulls his arm off the back of my chair.

  My eyes flick to him and he glares at me. Huh? I frown in question.

  He blows out a deep breath and shakes his head angrily as he keeps reading the message. He starts to scroll through the message. Jeez, it must be big.

  I frown again. What now?

  His tongue runs over his top teeth and I know he’s angry.

  I lean into him. “What’s wrong?” I whisper.

  He passes me his phone as the crowd all bursts into applause. We both clap for the sake of good manners. I take his phone and look at the screen. Oh dear god, the blood drains from my face. The headline reads:

  Natasha Marx caught having an affair with her bodyguard.

  My horrified eyes meet his and he glares at me. Photo after photo of me and Max, arm in arm. One where we are holding hands—When the fuck was this?—and one where it looks as though we are kissing. What the hell?

  “I don’t understand,” I whisper nervously. “These photos are not true, Joshua.”

  His cold eyes hold mine and he angrily pushes his chair back in a rush and stands and storms from the ballroom. Oh crap, my nervous eyes flick to Abbie and Bridget who are frowning at me. I stand and quietly follow him. Where is he going? I run into the foyer to find an absolutely furious Joshua.

  I shake my head nervously. “Joshua, it’s not how it looks,” I whisper as my eyes fly around to the people surrounding us.

  “I fucking warned him,” he yells.

  Everybody around us starts to stare and Ben immediately walks over to us. “What’s the problem?” he whispers.

  “Him,” Joshua yells, too angry to articulate himself. “I have warned him time and again to keep his mother-fucking hands off her,” he yells.

  I stand frozen on the spot. Shit, this is bad. This looks really bad… and it had to be Max, didn’t it?

  Ben’s eyes immediately flick to the horrified guests around us and, trying to diffuse the situation, he grabs Joshua by the arm and pulls him outside. “What are you talking about?” he whispers angrily.

  “Natasha and fucking Max,” he sneers.

  Ben screws up his face as his eyes flick to me. Max follows, unaware of what is going on. Joshua’s furious eyes meet his and he lunges for Max. Max steps aside and misses Joshua’s hit.

  “What the hell are you doing?” I whisper angrily.

  Joshua grabs Max by the shirt and pushes him up against the car. “Are you fucking happy now?” He slams him again. “Are you?” he screams.


  “What are you talking about?” Max yells as Ben steps in and pulls Joshua off Max.

  My eyes flick around to the few people outside and my head hangs in shame. This is embarrassing, not to mention degrading. It looks as though I have been having an affair with my bodyguard. Poor Josh, no wonder he’s furious.

  “What are you going on about?” Max screams.

  Joshua has red steam shooting from both ears and pushes Max again.

  “Josh, stop it!” I scream

  The security from the party comes down the steps towards us. “Is there a problem here?” they ask Ben.

  “No,” Ben snaps. “Get in the car, Stan,” he yells.

  “Shut up!” Joshua yells as he turns his attention to Max. “Is this what you have been planning all along?” He pushes Max again

  I frown in horror. What! He thinks this is true! Oh my god, this is getting out of control. “Joshua, it’s not true,” I whisper in a hushed voice to avoid attention, although it’s way too late for that. We have a small audience watching us “Get in the fucking car, Natasha!” he screams.

  “Don’t speak to her like that!” yells Max and the bodyguards all exchange worried looks.

  My face drops. Oh god, just shut up, Max. Joshua turns and with renewed vigour pushes Max again.

  “I’ll speak to her any way I want.” He grabs me by the upper arm and pulls me toward the car.

  “Oww,” I yelp. “Joshua stop it. You’re acting crazy.”

  Ben steps in. “Stan, stop it.”

  Joshua pushes him too while having my arm in a pincer grip.