Page 88 of Stanton Adore

He nods and smiles. “You seem scared, what, is she a ballbuster or something?”

I smile. “You have no fucking idea—we fight nearly every time we see each other.”

“Seriously?”

“She doesn’t put up with my shit, which is—” I shrug, “—refreshing I suppose. Without wanting to sound conceited, I am pretty used to women doing anything I say.”

He listens and I can see him thinking. “Do you think that’s what the attraction is, the defiance thing?”

I shake my head. “I wish it was just that.” I flop back down on the bed as I try to articulate my thoughts.

“I’ve never been with anyone remotely like her. She’s funny, beautiful and smart.” I rub the heels of my palms into my eye sockets. “And the sex.” I shake my head and blow out

a breath. “She fucking blows my mind. You have no idea how hot the sex is. It’s…ridiculous. And it’s intimate, which is new.”

He frowns. “Intimate, what do you mean?”

I shrug and stand back up. “If I knew how to turn it off I would have done it seven years ago.”

“Do you think that maybe it’s just that she was the first girl you loved that you are so stuck on her?”

I smile and nod. “I did think that, but since I have been with her again, I’ve fallen harder for her again. It’s totally fucked. I have absolutely no control over her or my feelings when I’m with her and it’s fucking with my head. I’ve lost six fucking kilos since I got back. She makes me so crazy I can’t even eat.”

He winces. “This whole situation sounds shit. Just don’t tell Mum until…” he shrugs, “… you know if it’s going to work out. Don’t put yourself through it.” He smiles. “Actually, don’t put me through it. She will go fucking apeshit when she finds out.”

“Just tell her I’ve gone to bed then, will you? And then tell her I’ve gone to work early in the morning.”

“Are you not coming home at all?”

“Probably in half an hour. She’s going to kick my ass when I get over there, but hopefully I will be staying.” I quickly throw my work gear into an overnight bag. He watches me silently as I move around my room.

“Going somewhere, Joshua?”

Fuck, it’s Mum. I don’t need this shit. How did she hear us?

“Yes.” I keep my eyes down as I keep packing my gear in my bag.

“Where are you going?” One of her eyebrows rises as she waits for my answer and her arms are crossed in front of her.

She knows damn well where I am going, so I don’t answer.

Cameron interjects. “Come on, Mum, where’s my cocktail?”

She holds up her hand. “In a minute, Cameron. Give us some privacy, please.”

I glare at Cameron, warning him not to go anywhere. “Cameron can stay, Mother. I have nothing to hide from him. What is it you want to say?”

She walks over to the window with her back to me and pulls the curtains back and stares out at the view. “What is going on with Natasha, Joshua? And don’t you dare lie to me.”

Cameron does wide eyes to me, signaling silence.

“I’m still attracted to her,” I answer as I close my eyes and wait for the backlash.

She turns and smiles at me. “I know you are attracted to a lot of women, Joshua. God knows you’ve slept with more than your share.” I bite my lip as I listen to her. “You realize that if you allow her to persuade you into her bed, you will disgrace the family.” I smile. The fucking gall of this woman, I really have had enough of her shit for one night. Cameron shakes his head at me, again signaling my silence.

“Natasha would never have to persuade me into her bed. I would go there willingly.” She narrows her eyes at me, and I cross my arms in front of me in defiance.

“Tell me, Mother, does Dad know you use your money to intimidate people?”