Total pages in book: 168
Estimated words: 160782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 804(@200wpm)___ 643(@250wpm)___ 536(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 160782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 804(@200wpm)___ 643(@250wpm)___ 536(@300wpm)
“Look how gorgeous they are,” I hear Adrian’s voice speak. I frown as I stretch to find Joshua wrapped around me like a blanket. He had even moved his IV so that he could lie with me in my bed. Adrian is standing with a cup of coffee and Cameron is lying on Joshua’s bed, reading the paper.
Oh crap. “How long have you been here?” I grumble as I stretch.
Cameron smiles a face-splitting smile as he flicks his paper down to look over the top of it. “Long enough to know you two are pathetic!” He widens his eyes at me to accentuate his point and goes back to his paper.
Joshua inhales a deep breath as he wakes. “This bed is bloody uncomfortable.” He groans as he kisses the side of my face from behind.
I smile and roll back to face him. “Good morning, Mr. Stanton”
He smiles and rubs his hand over my behind. “Good morning, Miss Marx,” he whispers.
Adrian rolls his eyes. “Hmm, you seem to be feeling a lot better today.” Joshua bites his bottom lip to stifle his smile. “And I’m starving. Is there any food in this joint?”
Cameron smiles and winks at Adrian; he obviously sees that as a good sign.
“Josh, why in the hell were you taking cocaine alone like that? That’s ridiculous,” Cameron asks. I lie still as I listen to their conversation.
Adrian pipes up. “You gave all that shit up years ago. Why in the hell would you do that again?” Joshua’s eyes flick to me and I know he doesn’t want to have this conversation with me in the room. Too bad, he’s having it. I’m just going to come out with it.
“Are you a cocaine addict, Joshua?”
“No. How could you think such a thing?” he stammers. “Probably because we are in hospital after you
overdosed,” I reply. “Are you going to take an overdose every time we have a fight?”
He frowns at me and sits up in a rush. “Bit more than a fight, Natasha. We broke up.”
I sigh. “Josh, you know I didn’t mean that.” Cameron and Joshua quickly glance at each other.… silently communicating. Hmm. “Why did you do it?” I ask. “Was it accidental?” He frowns, not understanding the question. “I mean did you purposely take an overdose?”
“No, of course not. I lost track of how much I had had. I just had a really shitty weekend and was trying to perk myself up a bit.”
“What happened on the weekend?” I ask.
His face drops and his eyes meet mine and he swallows a large lump in his throat. “Can you get me some breakfast, boys?”
Cameron jumps up and rubs Joshua’s shoulder. “Sure mate,” he gives him three hard slaps on the back as he and Adrian leave the room. Joshua’s eyes search mine and I smile in return.
“Alone at last,” I whisper.
He pulls me into an embrace. “I’ve missed you, Presh. Don’t leave me again, ok.”
I smile and nod as he runs his lips down the length of my neck.
“Promise me,” I smile again. “Natasha, promise me,” he repeats.
I shake my head. “Josh, you know I only left you because of my dad and all of that mess. I will never leave you again.” I smile as I kiss his neck and he holds me tight.
I run my hands around the back of his nightgown and feel his behind.… he feels good.
He kisses me as he brushes the hair from my face. “Tash.… we need to talk.”
My head drops. “I know, Josh. I need to talk to you too.” I sigh softly.
“Well, you look much better today.” We jump back from each other as the doctor enters the room. Shit, I had my hand on his butt, how embarrassing. Joshua gives the doctor a nod in embarrassment and shakes his hand.
“Thank you, doctor.”
The doctor reads his chart and gets his flashlight as he looks into Joshua’s eyes. “You are lucky to be alive, young man. You nearly died.”
Joshua’s eyes find mine and he drops his head. “I know.… I was very frightened.” My eyes spring up to his. He’s right, that would have been frightening. “You have a lot of people waiting to see you outside. After you shower and eat, I will let them in.”
Joshua nods. “When can I go home?”
The doctor narrows his eyes. “Not until you have completed five drug counselling sessions with our rehab team. It will be at least another three to four days before I sign you out.”
Joshua frowns. “I don’t need counselling.”
The doctor looks up from his notes. “I am happy to check you into a three-month rehab program if you refuse.… your choice.”
Joshua glares at the doctor.
“Three days is fine. Thanks, doctor,” I interrupt. I widen my eyes at Joshua to signify his silence, and he reluctantly nods and heads over to sit on the bed.