Page 186 of Stanton Unconditional

I nod as I take another sip. “And?” I ask.

He turns and looks at the egg flip he is holding as he contemplates saying something. “And I read your diaries.” His eyes meet mine.

My eyes widen. “You read my diaries?” I whisper, mortified. He nods. “Joshua. They are private, how dare you!” I stand in a rush and he comes over and grabs me in an embrace.

“Tash, I couldn’t help it. I found them when I was looking for pads and shit and then I was just going to read the one where we had sex the first time and then I couldn’t stop.”

I pull out of his grip. “And that’s why you told me you love me, because you read my diaries?”

He shakes his head in a panic. “No, I told you I love you because I do and before I read the diaries I didn’t believe that you actually loved me. I thought you just thought you did.”

“I told you I fucking did!” I scream. “For once it would be nice if you believed what I said!” He is unbelievable, what the hell have I written in those bloody diaries?

He grabs me again. “Baby, stop fighting me. I love you. It doesn’t matter anymore. All of this bullshit that goes on between us doesn’t matter one bit.”

I don’t have the energy to struggle as he wraps his arms around me, and we stand still in an embrace.

“What matters is the two of us being together and me making you happy. I am not going back to America.”

I pull back and frown at him. “Why not?”

“Because I am not leaving you again.”

I smile stupidly. “You’re not?”

He smirks as he shakes his head. “No, I am not.” He bends and kisses me gently.

“And you are going to stop being a drama queen and leaving me every minute.”

I smile. “I am?”

He nods and kisses me. “You are.”

“And you’re not going to America?” I repeat as I rub my hands over his broad shoulders. Hope blooms in my stomach.

“No, Presh, I’m not.” He bends and tenderly swipes his tongue through my lips. “Now eat your breakfast because you are going to need your strength.”

“Why will I need my strength?” I ask.

He smirks as his eyes drop down my body and he gently cracks his neck. “Because I have the worst case of blue balls known to man and as soon as you are well enough you are going to cop it…both barrels.”

I giggle as he sits me back onto the stool and he serves up my breakfast.

He bites his toast as he leans over the bench onto his elbows. “You do know I am going to kill Christopher next time I see him, right?” he remarks casually.

My eyes widen and my fork stops midair.

He takes a bite of his toast then smirks and raises an eyebrow in a silent dare to say something.

I swallow the lump in my throat. “Why?” I whisper. He raises an eyebrow again. “You know why.”

Oh shit, what the hell have I written in those bloody diaries?

So much for privacy.

Joshua

It’s been a big day. I told the boys today that I am moving to Australia, and they took it better than expected. I know Murph’s upset…I’m upset. I love LA…but I need Tash in my life, and I want to protect her from the paparazzi at all costs. They don’t follow me here in Australia as much as in LA.