Stanton Completely (Stanton, #3)

by T.L. Swan

LIGHT BULB MOMENTS In what state does the subconscious mind need to be for one to be able to experience an awakening like this?

We look over at the girls to see Natasha in tears again. “What’s with the waterworks?” Cameron asks. I shrug. “I don’t know. She’s been in tears all night.” I shake my head at her over-the-top happiness. Cameron nods. “I would cry too if I had to marry you,” he says matter of factly. Adrian laughs and hits his bottle with Cameron’s.

“Cameron, there are too many mediocre things in life already… love shouldn’t be one of them.”

“Naked and on your knees.” He listens for a moment. “I will be there in twenty,” he whispers huskily and then he hangs up and disappears upstairs. We all burst into giggles. “Naked and on your knees,” Bridget whispers. “Who says that?” I smile broadly. “His brother.” “Oh, my fuck, they probably have it written down… like in a journal of hot talk,” Abbie laughs.

“Are the girls okay with you? I’m sure you and Joshua want to be alone.” I sigh. Mum thinks the girls are here for a holiday. She has no idea that the idiots committed the world’s dumbest crime and that they were in fact forced to come with us.

I wouldn’t expect anything less than drama with you. You’re a walking fucking sitcom.”

I see the girls across the pool and a wave of relief hits me and I go to walk off, but Joshua keeps hold of my hand. “Don’t go anywhere. I want to introduce you to some people.” “Ah, okay.” I swallow my nerves again. You have got to be kidding. I don’t want to meet anyone. I want to binge-drink until I forget why I am here.

It was the best and worst day of my life. I realized I was desperately in love and then I knew I couldn’t have her.” I lean up and gently swipe my tongue through his wet lips. “And the tattoo?” I whisper into his kiss. “I wanted a mark on the outside of my body to match the mark I had for her on the inside of my body.”

I walk to the door and peer down the huge, darkened hall. Fuck this house, castle, whatever it is, it’s like the frigging Amityville Horror on acid. People would pay good money to come on a haunted tour of this place.

He loves me, he loves me with the same intensity that he resisted me. All consuming passion that every woman should feel at least once in a lifetime. For a lifetime.

I’ve said it before, and I will say it again. It’s a total mindfuck dealing with a cantankerous stubborn mule.

“Did you just save Adrian from having to talk to an ex, Ben?” Ben shakes his head in exasperation. “No, I saved myself from having to hear about it later.”

Boundaries… what are they and do I have any left?

“This isn’t how it’s supposed to go, bad things aren’t supposed to happen to good people,” I ground out.

Darkness. Is it something ingrained in your psyche or is it a consequence of circumstance? With every hour I am away from my angel I feel the demons taking just that little bit more of my soul, pulling me into a darker place.

My heart jumps through my chest as I see him come through the gates and I can’t stop myself. I fling open the car door and run through the parking lot toward him. He sees me, drops his bag and I jump into his waiting arms. And he holds me, and finally my tears break the dam and I sob into his neck. I feel like I am having an out-of-body experience as I hear the reporter’s cameras click in the distance from every angle. “I’m here, baby,” I whisper into his neck and he pulls me tighter into him. “I’m here.”

We don’t move, we stay perfectly still and the only thing that can be heard is the sound of our hearts reconnecting. I love this woman so much and once again my tears start to fall.

“Dad,” I whisper and instantly the tears block my voice. “I wish you could be here today, Dad…and I know you would be if you could.” Bridget’s bottom lip starts to tremble, and I pause again. “I just wanted to thank you…for everything. For bringing me into this world…for showing me what true love was by the way you loved Mum…and for saving my life. For never leaving me in that room alone. I know it was you who saved me.” The lump gets really big in my throat and I hesitate. Mum sobs out loud, unable to hold it in any longer. “My dream has come true, Dad. He loves me and today I am marrying him.” I sob as I start to ugly-cry. “Your empty seat will be at the table next to Mum’s,” I whisper. and Brock drops his head as a tear rolls down his face. “I promise to make you proud, Dad. I’m going to be such a good wife.” It gets too much, and the room falls silent as we cry, all lost in our own grief. “I love you, Dad,” I sob.