Page 37 of Stanton Unconditional

We walk through reception and I smile at our secretary. “Hi Belinda, I just need to get my laptop from my office.”

“Oh, you’re back already. I thought you were away till Sunday.” She raises her eyebrows in question.

I fake a smile. “No, got back last night.” I grab my laptop and am walking out of the office with Max when Nicholas Anastas walks out of Henry’s office. I stop dead in my tracks. Lordy Lord, he is one delicious man, once again I am stunned to silence.

His eyes light up when he sees me. “Hello … Natasha, isn’t it?” I hunch my shoulders like a juvenile delinquent. Holy shit, he remembered my name.

“I was hoping to see you today.” He smiles.

“You were?” I smile as my brain turns to mush.

“Yes, can I have a private word?”

My eyes widen. “Of course, come into my office.” Max frowns at me. “It’s ok, Max, I know this man.”

Nicholas frowns at our exchange. “Why are you so heavily guarded?” he asks as we walk into my office.

I shake my head in embarrassment. “My boyfriend…ex-boyfriend is a little on the protective side.”

He nods. “Was that your boyfriend I met at the restaurant that day? Joshua Stanton.”

I nod glumly. “Yes, that’s him.” Fucking scumbuckett.

“Oh, right. So, you had another man with you, Adrian Murphy.” I smile, oh my God, I know where this is going.”

“Yes.” I can’t hold the smile that is splitting my cheeks.

He looks around in embarrassment. “I am going to America for a couple of weeks and I wondered if I could get his number off you. I thought we might hook up.”

I give him a resigned smile as I frown. How do I put this? “Umm, Adrian…isn’t really the kind of guy that hooks up.”

He frowns. “Sorry, that came out wrong, I meant catch up.” He raises his eyebrow as he contemplates asking me a question. “Not that kind of guy, hey?” he adds with a trace of a smile on his lips.

I smile broadly as I picture the beautiful Adrian. “Adrian is a romantic, he believes in love. Trust me, he doesn’t hook up with random people.”

I can almost see his brain ticking as he licks his scrumptious lips. His eyes hold mine with renewed determination. “So… can I have his number then?”

Hmm ok, I’m going to make Adrian a little hard to get.

Right, what would Abbie do in this situation?

“Look, I don’t know, he doesn’t like me giving his number to anyone. I get asked for it a lot.” I inwardly cringe, oh boy was that too cheesy?

He nods and passes me his phone. “Call him. See what he says.” I smile as I look at his hand outstretched with his phone in it. Determination in a man is so damn hot.

“No, I am not calling him on your phone because then you will have his number in the call register.” I smirk.

He smiles as his ploy to trick me is uncovered. “Touché,” he whispers as he raises an eyebrow. He passes me his business card. “Call him tonight and then call me back and tell me what he said.”

Hmm… so dominant. So bloody sexy. “Why don’t I just tell him to call you?”

“I’m pretty sure we both know if we leave it up to him, I won’t be getting a call anytime soon.” He smirks.

I scrunch up my face in uncomfortableness. “I wouldn’t take it personally. He doesn’t call anybody back.” God… I should shut up now, I’m blowing it.

He nods. “Yeah, I get it. I will speak to you tonight.” He smiles and leaves my office.

I blow out a breath that I didn’t even realize I was holding. If Adrian doesn’t go out with him, he’s crazy. That man is frigging hot. I regain my composure and leave my office. “Ready to go?” I smile at Max.