21. Nadia
21
NADIA
I tossed and turned all night, knowing he was stuck in that cold jail cell makes me miserable.
It hurts that I’m finally here, in his bed, without him.
The irony doesn’t miss me. I found a man who lets me become the person I always knew I could be. He unlocked the pieces that I’d hidden, even from myself.
And now, he’s gone.
The worst part, I wasn’t allowed to attend his arraignment. No one would tell me what happened. There’s no information online.
Just, silence.
Rochelle was able to stay late, but she’s back at the workshop getting ready.
Maybe that’s where I should be. Being busy will make the time go faster.
But, for how long?
Murder carries a huge sentence. He could go away for years, or even decades .
Oh, God. That would be awful.
I should be thankful he wanted to take care of me, and set me up with a substantial bank account. If my big show goes well, between the sales and the money he’s set aside for me, I should stay comfortable.
I’d give it all up to have him back.
That feeling he gives me, like I’m the most important person in the room, as if his entire world revolves around me, I’d rather have that.
Because I feel the same way about him.
One coffee isn’t enough to lift this melancholy from my bones. Exhaustion of the heart is caffeine proof.
Maybe another will perk me up enough that I at least have the energy to work on the last dress for my fashion line.
I’m just sliding the decanter back into place when a large pair of hands wrap around my waist and turn me around.
“Roman!” Flinging myself around his neck, he lifts me easily to sit on the kitchen counter.
“Did you miss me?” His hot breath fans over my neck as his dark eyes bore into me.
“Nope. Not even a little. It’s been very peaceful here.” I fight the grin trying to overtake my mouth.
His palms circle my throat and he tips my chin up with his thumbs. “Stop being a brat,” he growls. “If you want a spanking, just ask. Now, did you miss your husband?”
My smile fades as the truth makes my chin tremble. “Why? You know I did. I’ve been worried sick.”
His hips work between my knees as he moves closer. “Why? Because all I could focus on was getting back to you. Nothing else even entered my mind. Just you. Which tells me something?—”
“Tells you what?” I cut him off.
“That I’m fucking madly in love with you to the point of delusion. The only single thing that matters to me is you, my wife. I want to spend the rest of my days showing you what it’s like to be loved by me. For real. No business, just love.” He ducks his head, meeting my lips with his in a ferocious kiss.
Breathlessly, I pull back. He loves me? “What about the club? I heard on the news it burned to the ground.”
His dark hair falls over his eyes as he shakes his head. “It doesn’t mean anything to me if I don’t have you by my side, lastochka.”
“But, I thought you wanted that more than anything?” My nails dig into his back and my knees quiver in worry that he won’t want me any more.
His fingers thread through my hair and he tilts my face up so our noses almost touch.
“Priorities change. That life, I don’t need it. I have enough money for us to last a lifetime. We can do whatever the hell we want. I wanted that club because I couldn’t have it. Out of greed. My purpose was building an empire. Now, I want that with you, baby.” He strokes my cheek and his lips follow his strokes.
I search his eyes. There’s a moment where I feel like I need to hold back. But, I want this with him. The need to feel complete outweighs the last of my reservations. “I don’t want to have anything to do with that establishment. After seeing what it did to my dad. It ruined him, and our family. I don’t want that for…ours.”
“Consider them gone. Why do I need them when my wife is such a good girl for me, hmm?” His hands grip beneath my thighs and he hoists me around his waist. “I’ve been in jail for four days, and all I could think about is how much I missed you. And, how little I cared about everything else.”
He carries me into the living room, and sprawls me onto the couch beneath him.
“Did you really? I was worried you’d be locked up forever.” The weight of him over me makes my pussy pulse.
“And if I was? Would you have waited for me?” His lips find my neck and he sucks his way down towards my collar.
“Yes,” I pant. It’s getting harder to focus on his words as his mouth moves lower.
“Tell me why you’d wait.” He folds my shirt away from my body and runs his hand into my leggings.
“Because—” I trail off. Am I ready to admit it to myself?
His teeth bite down on my exposed nipple. “You’re asking for a spanking.” He leans back and strips his belt from his pants. “Tell me,” he demands.
“Because I love you,” I scream as his fingers plunge inside me.
“How much?” He presses, twisting his wrist, holding me in place by my neck.
“Fuck. All of it. Every single bit.”
His lips slam over mine as he works me to a state of bliss, my hips grind against his hand to match his rhythm.
“Hmm, so needy for me.”
I feel empty when he withdraws, with a mischievous glint in his eyes, he puts his fingers against my lips.
“The taste of love is sweet, isn’t it?” He pushes them inside my mouth and I suck them clean.
“God, I love you.” He whispers against my cheek, moving lower with his tongue down the column of my neck and sucking on my flesh. My back arches, pressing my breasts against him.
His fingers slide out of my mouth with a pop, with the lightest of touches he traces them over my nipple, before taking it between the two and pinching.
“More,” I pant out.
“I said I’d give you everything, I intend to start by having you sit on my face.”
I don’t know how he lifts me so effortlessly, but within seconds I am flipped around, he’s on his back and I’m perched over him.
“Now this is where a wife should sit, on her husband's face.”
I let out a giggle, but then as his tongue swipes across my needy pussy, my head tips back. His fingers painfully dig into my hips as he pushes me down, completely smothering him so he can devour me.
And like every moment I am with Roman, my mind stops swirling. I am free. I am exactly who I am meant to be with him.
And that makes me come so much harder than I ever have in my life.
My life has changed so much since I began to get ready for this show.
In the last few weeks, I’ve lost my father, gained and lost a club, but won the best prize of all.
My loving husband.
Who knew that the man with the darkest reputation could become the shining light in my heart?
“Are you ready for this? We’re about to rock Vegas, baby!” Rochelle clings briefly to my arm before she scurries to follow one of the models. “Kanesha, girl! We need to fix that sleeve! Wait for me, I have short legs!” Her heels click over the marble tiles towards the dressing room.
It’s surreal, seeing the ideas I had in my head become reality. Silks and chiffons adorn the gorgeous women and men who’ve been hired to wear my designs.
“None as beautiful as you.” Roman’s hand clasps my waist and he pulls me tightly to his body before placing a gentle kiss on my temple.
“What?” I have so many things going through my mind, I’m not really sure where he’s coming from.
“I see that look on your face. The little furrow you get between your eyes when you think you aren’t good enough.” His warm thumb finds the spot above my nose and he rubs gently. “I can assure you, no one in this room glows as brightly as you.”
A warm feeling spreads through me.
I love how he knows my fears and calms me.
But, when the announcers gets on the loudspeaker to begin the event, my stomach lurches and my pulse skyrockets.
“I’ll be just outside if you need me, in the best seat in the house.” He squeezes my ass before he leaves.
He’ll be right in the center, impossible to miss.
My biggest cheerleader.
Clapping my hands, I draw everyone’s attention backstage. “Okay everyone! It’s a really big night! Elizabeth Devonson is here tonight. Let’s put on a good show for her!”
Wide eyes and frantic claps run through the models before they scurry to their places.
Roman’s deep pockets have helped with hiring the best makeup artists and helpers. I just hope it’s enough to catch Elizabeth’s eye.
As the music starts, the happy murmuring from the audience is enough to lighten my worries.
They really like them!
I can see Elizabeth smiling and pointing from where I hide behind the curtain.
“Did she see the Brazilian patterns? How about the Monaco inspired one?” Rochelle hangs on my arm between her manic circles through the wardrobes. “What does she think?” she asks anxiously.
“I don’t know. She’s smiling. That’s good, right?” My doubts try to press down on me, but I still have one more outfit to send out.
The one inspired by Roman. Him sneaking a peek at my sketchbook, then showing me his tattoos, was enough to send my ideas whirling.
A heavily brocade suit, lined with iridescent threads that highlight the seams to almost glimmer in the lights. They lightly mimic the swirls and lines of his ink, but almost dance with movement as the model strides down the runway.
It only would have looked better if it was on the broad shoulders of my man. His imposing presence would really bring home the full effect of what I want.
There’s a collective gasp from the gathering.
Are they standing?
Applause rattles the windows, and the cheers are so loud my ears ring.
The man wearing my suit has barely exited the stage when a rush of bodies flow from the seating area to surround me.
Elizabeth is in the front.
“I absolutely must have that suit!” she squeals as she pulls me in for a hug.
“My-my last outfit?” I didn’t think it would be the star. I made that as a way to exhibit my love for Roman, to show the world that he’s my knight.
“Yes, darling. Please, let me showcase it!” She brushes her wild hair back from her shoulders in an extravagant gesture. “You’re going to be famous!”
A hand lands on my lower back, and Roman’s lips move close to my ear. “I knew you’d do amazing.”
“Miss! Miss!” There’s a lanky man behind Elizabeth. His calls make Roman’s fingers tighten on my hip.
“It’s “Mrs.Petrov”.” Roman corrects him with a growl.
The thin guy’s face pales and he nods emphatically. “I’m sorry, yes. I’m Parker Glass, I work for Entwersh.”
My heart feels like it stops.
“No way,” I whisper.
Roman tilts his head, but doesn’t ask.
“Whatever Elizabeth offers for that suit, I’ll double it.” Two of his boney fingers rise.
“What? You’ve got to be kidding me!” Elizabeth scoffs. “I knew her first!”
This must be a dream.
The clicks of Rochelle’s heels get closer and she grabs my free arm. “Nadia! It went so well!” She grows quiet when she sees Elizabeth’s red face. “What is going on?” she mouths.
“Bidding war.” I can hardly contain my excitement. It’s a struggle to keep my expression neutral.
Rochelle’s nails dig into my elbow, and I can feel her vibrating next to me.
Elizabeth’s eyes narrow, but then a slow smile spreads over her face. “I’m going to max you out, Parker. Then I’m buying the rest of her line.”
My god.
A low squeal begins to come out of Rochelle.
This is a life changer, especially for her. She won’t have to worry about her medical bills ever again.
Roman steps between us, raising his hands. “We’ll sit down next week and work out the details. I’m sure everyone can come to a happy agreement.”
“Are you her manager?” Parker pipes up.
“Better. I’m her husband.” Roman turns and wraps his arm around me, then leads us away with Rochelle following.
“I knew you could do it, baby.” He squeezes my hand and pulls it up to kiss my fingers. “You’re magic.”
“I couldn’t have done it without you, Rom. I know you put in a word for me with Elizabeth those weeks ago.” There’s no way she would have known who I was.
“Are you mad I pulled some strings? All she had to do was see you. No one is making them buy your designs. That’s all you and your talent.” The love is obvious in his gaze.
“I’m not angry. I’m thankful that you cared enough to try and help.” My ex would have never done that. He thought my interest in fashion was just a hobby and never took it seriously.
I needed a real man to respect me enough to be supportive.
Once we’re safely backstage and away from the crowds, Rochelle stops and screams. “I can’t freaking believe that!”
Erupting into giggles, we clutch each other, shrieking in laughter and tears.
All of our hard work, the stress, the planning. It all paid off tonight.
Dreams really do come true.