I shake my head in frustration. “Who do you think you are? I don’t want to see you!” I snap.
“You’re lying!” he sneers.
“And you’re on yourself!” I reply angrily.
“I will be there in a week and we are going to sit down at dinner and talk about that twisted heart of yours.”
I narrow my eyes. “Why the hell did I say that?” Fucking psychologist.
“Goodbye Nicholas,” I reply.
“See you soon, my love.” He hangs up.
I rub my hands over my face. Oh this is just perfect. I storm inside to see everybody in the same position and my sauce burning.
“What the hell are you idiots doing? Stir the fucking sauce!” I snap angrily.
Joshua and Cameron laugh and the girls all jump up and run to the kitchen to help. Bridget starts to stir the sauce frantically.
Natasha puts her arm around me and gives me a gentle smile, sensing my fragility. “Are we good?” she asks as she kisses my shoulder.
I nod. “Yes, I’m good,” I reply, although in all honesty I’m just not sure. Men. It would be so much easier if I just liked women.
Natasha
I stand at the mirror with my stomach in my throat as I put on my hot-pink lipstick. I’m nervous… no, that’s an understatement, I’m in a near panic. I am going to a pussy party tonight… with Mr Pussy himself. What the hell goes on at these things?
“Knock, knock,” Adrian calls from the door.
“Come in,” I answer.
He sticks his head around the door and his eyes drop down to my toes and he gives a low whistle. “You’re hot, Natasha Marx.”
I smile and look back at the mirror. “Is this ok?” I ask nervously.
“I hope so. It cost a bomb.” He walks around behind me and puts his hands on my hips and we look at our reflection in the mirror.
I am wearing a white dress that is short and tight. Hot-pink stiletto strappy sandals and a hot pink clutch match my lipstick. My dark hair is out and full. I even went to the hairdressers today to get a blow-dry, something I never do.
Adrian is in navy pants and a white shirt and looks gorgeous as usual. I put my hand on my stomach. “Where are the boys?” I ask.
“Downstairs having some drinks before we go. Are you ok?” He smiles.
“I’m as nervous as hell,” I whisper as I hear male laughter echo from downstairs. “I don’t fit into this world, Adrian. Why did I think this was a good idea? He smiles broadly. “Stop. It will be fine and we will all be there. You’re the hottest girl in LA. I do hope you are wearing glass boots though?”
I frown. “A stage up from glass slippers?”
He smiles again. “About three stages up from glass slippers, my beautiful Cinderella.”
“Oh god.” I put my head into my hands. “Can you make me a margarita please? I need something to calm my nerves.”
He kisses me gently on the cheek. “Sure chick. Where are the girls?”
“In their room?” I reply and with that he disappears.
Ten minutes later I tentatively walk down the hall and over towards the handrail. I hear different male voices. Oh god… who else is frigging here? I wish the girls’ rooms weren’t so far away. I don’t know if they are downstairs or not but I have to walk past the stairs to see. I slowly walk down the stairs and a group of about ten men are in the lounge room drinking… oh crap. I stop in my tracks and close my eyes. You can do this. I slowly start to walk again and Joshua glances up and sees me. Standing in the group of men with his legs wide and his hand in his pocket, a slow sexy smile comes over his face. He is in dark jeans and a black V-neck shirt, and his hard muscular body oozes sexual power in that casual outfit. From his ridiculously expensive watch on that ripped forearm to the dark clippered no -fuss hair. And those broad shoulders and that tight ass seal the deal. How in the hell did I get this god? Joshua Stanton is one hell of a delicious package.
He puts his head on an angle and slowly cracks his neck and I smile on the inside. I will never tire of that.
“Here she is,” he announces and the men all turn to face me.
“Hello,” I smile meekly.
My eyes flick around the group. Ben smiles warmly and Adrian winks in our special we-know-a-secret wink. He bought this whole outfit for me on one of our shopping trips.
“And this is my beautiful Natasha.” Joshua smiles as he holds his hand out for me and I feel myself melt. I take his hand and hold my breath as I walk down the bottom three steps. He gently kisses my cheek and puts his arm around me protectively. Oh crap, I feel like the freak from the show on display-everyone’s eyes are on us.
The men all smile and start to shake my hand and introduce themselves: Markus, Andrew, Ricardo.
Then I get to a familiar face. “Carson.” He smiles as he takes my hand and shakes it.
Oh shit, I smile nervously. “I remember.” What I don’t remember is him being so good- looking last time.
He looks uncomfortable. “Sorry about last time we met,” he murmurs.
Oh god, he had to bring that up. “Me too, forgive my rudeness,” I mutter as my eyes flick to Joshua.
Joshua eyes are locked onto me and he smiles warmly in appreciation.
“Let me get you a drink, presh.” Joshua leads me over to the bar where a jug of frozen margarita sits. What I really want to do is pick up the whole jug and scull it while it pours all over my face and down over my clothes. Abbie comes laughing out of the kitchen with Cameron and Birgetta and they walk over to us at the bar. Trust her not to be intimidated by this situation and I instantly feel some of my nerves dissipate. Cameron runs his hand up my arm to my shoulder and smiles warmly. “You look beautiful tonight, Tash,” he says gently and I smile. Since Cam and I had that talk we have definitely turned a corner.
Abbie screws her face up and hits him on the arm. “Why didn’t you tell me I look beautiful, dipshit?” she whispers so the others can’t hear.
He looks at her and replies flatly: “You look beautiful Abbie.” “It doesn’t count now. You have to say it when you see me, asshole.”
He rolls his eyes at Joshua who seems amused by the banter between the idiots and he passes us our margaritas.
A low whistle sounds and I look instinctively up at the staircase.
“Hello yellow,” Carson whispers loudly and the boys snicker.
Bridget is slowly coming down the stairs wearing a short bright-yellow dress and white short boots and white clutch. Her long honey hair is out and blow-dried from our salon appointment this morning, and she is literally glowing. I don’t think I have ever seen her look so good. My eyes immediately flick to Ben whose eyes are glued to her. He smiles softly as she walks down the stairs.