Chapter 31
Natasha
I sit on the plane next to Adrian on the flight into Phuket.
Joshua has insisted we come here for a week on the way to LA.
Apparently this is one of the only places on Earth that he can relax, and I can’t wait to see it.
I watch him silently as he plays cards with Abbie and Cameron.
He didn’t sleep last night. He, Max and Ben were up watching security tapes all night.
My apartment was broken into yesterday by someone.
I never imagined it, who would want to do this?
It doesn’t make sense. The motive for scaring the hell out of me is still unknown, and Joshua was frantic.
I have never been so glad to get on a plane as I was today.
TC’s murder, Coby Allender, the serial killer, Margaret Stanton and her ultimate betrayal, I can’t wait to get the hell out of here.
Joshua’s uninhibited laughter echoes through the cabin, and I smile broadly at their interactions.
He changed out of his suit two hours into the flight and since then the real beautiful Josh has come to visit.
What must it be like to be him and under so much scrutiny all the time?
What is comforting though is the fact that he is finally being himself around the girls.
I suppose he realizes they are going to be around more than he previously thought and has finally let his guard down.
Bridget is up the back of the plane talking to Ben and the other guards and Adrian has come down to sit with me.
Abbie is getting her ass kicked at poker.
“They’re cheating.” Adrian smiles. I frown. “Who?”
“Joshua has been teaching Cam to count cards.” He smirks. My mouth drops open. “Joshua knows how to count cards?” He raises his eyebrows and smiles. “Ahuh.”
I narrow my eyes. “What must it be like to be that intelligent, Adrian?” I sigh.
He smiles sadly. “I imagine lonely, Cinderella.”
My face drops. “Lonely?” I question.
“Joshua’s insides don’t match his outsides.”
“What do you mean?” I ask.
“Look at him.” He gestures and my eyes flick to my beautiful man, laughing freely as he plays, and I smile broadly.
“He looks like a movie star, so people expect him to be stupid, so then a lot of people annoy him because of their lack of intelligence. The people who are like him on the inside are computer geeks who have hardly any life experience because they have been on their computers or gaming for most of their life.” He sighs.
“He’s between two worlds and that’s why the paparazzi have so much interest in him.
He doesn’t fit the bill, he’s not normal. ” He smiles.
I frown. “Is that why he spends so much time with you and Cam?”
He smiles. “Yes, I think so.” He shrugs. “Cam is his brother and I am so close that I’m like his brother; he feels comfortable with us. He can be himself.”
I smile as my eyes flick to Joshua again. “Did you think we were going to make it, Adrian?” I ask.
He smiles and takes my hand in his. “I hoped so, that’s a big fucking tattoo.”
A giggle bubbles up and I sigh, I am one lucky bitch. “Tell me about where we are going. Why does he love it so much?” Excitement starts to fill me at the life we are going to live together, and the future we have.
He smiles and puts his head back into the seat rest.
“Joshua owns four adjoining properties on the cliff of Kamala Beach in Phuket.”
I lean back and he fiddles with my fingers that he still has in his hand.
“Joshua is himself there, no cameras, no girls, no bodyguards. Just Josh.”
I raise my eyebrows. “No girls?”
He shakes his head. “I usually stay with Joshua in Kamala and Cameron and Ben each get their own house.”
I smile wistfully. “Why do neither of you hook up there?” He shrugs.
“We just don’t. I don’t know why. Cameron and Ben have a thing for Thai girls and that’s why they get their own houses.
Joshua and I just relax. We read, drink cocktails, go to the beach and swim.
I don’t know, it’s just the way it has always been. We spend a lot of time there.”
“How much time?” I ask.
He shrugs. “Up to eight weeks a year.”
I frown. “Really? That’s a lot of time.”
“I think if Joshua could have his horses there that is where he would live permanently.”
I smile as I listen.
“Are you ok?” I ask as I kiss the back of his hand.
He smiles sadly. “Not sure really, I thought Nicholas was different. I’m hurt.”
My face drops. “I think he’s still different, Adrian. It can’t be easy to lose a husband. It is a natural progression to moving on, the guilt thing.”
He nods. “He pursued me, Tash, and then when he found that there was really love between us, he told me he’s guilty for feeling like this when his husband is dead.” He shakes his head. “I should have known that the story wasn’t going to end happily.
In fact, I did know and that is why I resisted him for so long.” He sighs and I kiss the back of his hand again sympathetically.
“I’m sure it will work out. Look at Joshua and me, we have been to hell and back. Love always wins in the end, Adrian, I honestly believe that.”
He widens his eyes at me in jest. “Yes, but your name is Cinderella, and you are living in a fairy tale with Prince Charming.” He laughs.
“Prince Lamborghini you mean.” I giggle and he laughs out loud.
“Prepare for landing.” The voice sounds over the intercom.
Joshua leans over the back of our seats and I turn. How long has he been listening to our conversation? He gives me a wink and I know he has overheard what has been said.
Adrian stands and goes back to his seat and Joshua slumps back into the seat next to me.
He bends over and does up my seatbelt. “Are you ready to start our new life together, my precious girl?” he says gently.
My heart melts. “I am,” I whisper.
“Do you know how adored you are?” he whispers as he bends and kisses me gently on the lips and I swoon at his feet.
“I do,” I smile into his kiss.
“Do you know how loved you are, Joshua Stanton?” I breathe into his lips.
“I do,” he replies softly.
He pulls back and looks at me and the emotion in his eyes brings goosebumps to my skin. I don’t remember the plane landing. I just remember two hands on my cheeks and the beautiful intimate kissing from my beautiful Lamborghini.
Finally, I can relax.
We walk out onto the pool deck in Ben’s and Adrian’s house where breakfast is being served and I laugh as I see everyone. They all cheer at our arrival. It’s been a massive week here in Thailand. My whole life has changed.
“You all look like shit.” I giggle.
“Shut up,” Bridget sighs.
Adrian lifts his head from his hands. “Where did you two disappear to last night?” he asks.
“We went to celebrate alone.” Joshua smiles as he picks up my hand and kisses the back of it. My cheeks heat, celebrate we did.
“Where’s Cameron?” I ask.
“In the kitchen,” Ben replies.
Joshua and I walk into the house and into the kitchen to see Cam.
He is on the phone and his anxiety is obvious. Joshua frowns as he listens. Cameron hangs up the phone and drops his head into his hands.
I frown at Joshua in question. He shrugs. “What’s up, mate?” Joshua asks quietly.
Cameron’s haunted eyes meet his.
“The blood tests came back,” he whispers.
“And?” Joshua replies.
“I’m not a Stanton,” Cameron whispers.
Continue reading for a sneak peek into the
next book on Natasha & Joshua’s story,
Stanton Completely…