Page 98 of Stanton Adore

“Thank you.” I smile, and he disappears down the stairwell. “Can you tell me your name please?” I whisper to the bodyguard.

“Max.” He smiles. “Sorry about barging in, I thought you might be in trouble.”

I frown, is this a joke? “What trouble could I possibly get into in my apartment, Max? I was having a sleep.” He nods, also feeling a little embarrassed. “Max, I don’t need a bodyguard. Josh has officially lost his marbles.”

He smiles and steps back. “Excuse me for talking out of line here, ma’am, but I have been guarding Mr. Stanton for four years and if you are close to him, you are in danger, and you do need protection.”

“Danger, what kind of danger?” I frown.

He shrugs as he walks toward the door. “Speak to Joshua, Natasha. I can’t elaborate.” I frown as I close the door behind him. How very odd. Talk about dramatics. I turn to the table and pick up my roses—they are beautiful with the biggest buds I have ever seen. And the perfume…I inhale deeply. They smell divine. I put them back on the table to remove the card written in Joshua’s handwriting.

Yes, I want to play with magic X

I jump up and down on the spot like a five-year-old. This is the first time in my life that I have received flowers from someone that I actually love. He wants to play with magic. He must have liked the song that I sent him. I clap my hands together in glee while feeling very proud of myself. He sent me roses. I feel like I am sixteen again, actually no, I don’t. I feel like I’m seventeen since that was the last time Joshua made me feel like this.

I turn my attention to the gift box. For some reason I feel nervous about opening it. He has never bought me anything before…it feels weird. I slowly undo the ribbon and inside is thick cream tissue paper. I slowly unwrap the contents. My heart stops. Inside is the most beautiful black satin corset, suspender belt, stockings and the briefest satin and lace underpants. They are stunning with a cream satin ribbon entwined through the lace around the top and bottom of the corset. Tiny cream ribbon bows are around the tops of the sheer thigh-high stockings and up the boning in the corset. My eyes drop back to the box and I pull out a gorgeous black evening dress that does up at the front with a trail of intricate black ribbon bows. He’s dropped a pretty penny on these babies. I swallow a lump in my throat. OK, so he wants to play with magic, and I think I am supposed to wear these. A sudden thought sends panic through me. Shit. I grab my keys and run out the door. I had better get myself to that Beautiful Behinds salon like now. And I don’t give a flying fuck if Max is following.

5 p.m.

I am at Oscar’s waiting for the girls. I’m excited to see them. I have news and it’s good news. Bridget and Abbie arrive fifteen minutes late and walk over to our low sunken leather lounge deep in conversation.

“So, then what did you say?” Abbie hunches her shoulders.

“Hi, what’s going on?” I ask. Abbie flops into the lounge, blows out a breath, throws her head back and closes her eyes.

“What’s going on?” I wince.

“Tristan wants to be exclusive.”

“Huh, who’s Tristan?” I frown.

Abbie points at me. “Exactly,” she snaps.

Bridget does wide eyes at me. “Army guy,” she snaps.

“Oh, of course.” I frown. I probably should have known that. “What happened?”

Abbie pulls a sad face at me. “He said he wants to be exclusive or he can’t see me anymore.”

I narrow my eyes at her. “And?”

She throws her arms in the air. “You know I can’t do that.”

Bridget and I frown at each other.

“OK,” I whisper.

“Why in the hell not? You can’t fuck around for the rest of your life,” Bridget snaps.

Abbie scowls at Bridget. “Watch me.” We all fall silent as the waitress comes over and takes our order.

“Change the bloody subject. I’m not discussing this.”

Bridget rolls her eyes at me and I nod.

“So, what’s happening with Mr. Stanton?” Abbie smiles.

I lean back onto the lounge and swoon. “He’s amazing.”