Chapter 26
Iwas out of my seat before Nash even disappeared off the stage.The words from his speech had lodged themselves deep in my heart, and if I thought there was still the slightest chance I could defy him, it was blown out of the water the minute he played his hand and declared his intentions to support the charity that meant so much to me.
I’d never be able to thank him enough. He was right, there werepeople up and down the country, in fact, all over the world, fighting each day to look after their loved ones who were battling dementia without any help.
The auction tonight would be a small step in making changes, butwith Nash’s pledge to take the fight into the future, there was only one place I wanted to be during that fight.
By his side.
Fox followed me through the crowd. I didn’t know if he sat with meduring Nash’s speech because that’s where he’d been allocated to sit, or whether he’d been instructed to look after me. Either way, I was grateful he was there to offer his comfort when my emotions began to overwhelm me.
I’d been hit by a tsunami of gratitude, admiration, and love, and I wasdrowning. While Fox holding my hand helped to calm the waves a little, there was only one person who could save me from going under completely.
Nash was stepping down the last step as I reached him, and thesecond our eyes met, I didn’t know if I wanted to jump into his arms and smother him in kisses, or drop to my knees and tell him I was surrendering. Tell him I belonged to him, and I was willing to do whatever he commanded of me.
I did neither, instead freezing on the spot as Nash prowled towardme, his silvery-gray eyes burning fiercely.
“Great speech, Junior,” Fox said from beside me when Nash reachedus. Still Nash didn’t tear his eyes away from me. I swallowed nervously. Under his intense gaze, I felt like a little mouse about to be devoured by a bird of prey.
Fox looked between Nash and me, and from the corner of my eye, I sawhim roll his eyes before shaking his head. “Guess I’ll leave you lovebirds to it, I’m off to make my bid. I’ve got my eye on that suite at the Allegiant Stadium.”
He rubbed his hands together and disappeared, leaving Nash and Istill staring at each other.
“What did you think of my speech, sweetheart?” Nash said, taking astep forward and closing the distance between us.
I tipped my head back to look up at him. “It was…perfect,” I replied,my voice thick with emotion. Perfect didn’t sum up how I felt about his speech. Or him, for that matter.
His lips pulled up into a smile on one side. “I meant what I said. Aftertonight, I’m going to carry on supporting the charity.”
“Why?” I asked in barely a whisper. Nash reached up to stroke mycheek.
“Because it means something to you, sweetheart, and you meaneverything to me.”
My breath hitched, and the feeling of warmth I’d felt before floodedme again, only this time, it seeped into every pore. Before I could compose myself, Nash lowered his mouth, brushing his lips over mine. It wasn’t enough though, I wanted more from him.
I wanted everything.
Slowly, I reached up and rested my hands on his chest, opening mymouth to allow him access. But to my disappointment, he pulled away, just enough so that I was the only one who heard his next words.
“There’s someone I want you to meet. And then I’m going to take youhome and fuck you until the sun comes up,” he said, his voice full of promise.
Excitement raced through me. Screw meeting whoever he wanted meto meet, I wanted nothing more than to go home right this second and spend the night at Nash’s mercy.
He chuckled, knowing where my thoughts had gone without meneeding to say anything. “Come on, sweetheart, believe me when I say you’ll want to meet this person.”
Grabbing my hand, Nash led me through the bustling crowd whowere either engrossed in conversations or busy making their bids on prizes. Several people stopped Nash to congratulate him on his speech, vowing they would continue to support him and the charity after the event.
Nash appeared to be making a beeline towards a woman who hadher back to us. A hint of hesitation ran through me the closer we got.
She was a tall woman with a slender figure. Long black hair traileddown to her waist, but as she moved her head, her hair parted, revealing her backless gold gown. Her long, toned legs were bare, and on her feet, she wore a pair of high-heeled, gold sandals that looked impossible to walk in.
“Pardon for the interruption,” Nash said, coming to a stop next to thewoman, who was in mid-conversation with an older man. “But I promised to introduce you to my wife.”
The woman turned, and as she did, recognition dawned. My entirebody went rigid, paralyzed in disbelief.
“Dominique, may I introduce you to my wife, Savannah Carson,”Nash said, waving a hand toward me. “Savannah, may I introduce you to Dominique Chèron.”
Dominique’s hazel eyes met mine, and her deep red lips pulled into awarm smile. “It is a pleasure to meet you at last, Mrs. Carson,” she said, her French accent thick.
She raised a hand for me to shake, but I couldn’t move. I’d fallen intoa state of stupor, totally and utterly bewildered by the woman standing in front of me.
Dominique Chèron was my idol. She was a fashion designer knownaround the world for her elegant and intricate designs. A talent to rival the most famous brands. Growing up, I’d followed her career, hoping that one day my designs would be as incredible as hers.
Nash squeezed my hand, getting my attention, and pulling me out ofmy trance. When I looked at him, he was wearing an amused smile.
“Apologies, Dominique. My wife is a huge fan of yours, I think she is alittle starstruck.”
How Nash knew Dominique was one of my favorite designers, I hadno clue, but I’d long since given up guessing how Nash knew so much about me.
“I’m so sorry,” I said, quickly shaking my head, and grabbing herhand. “It’s an honor to meet you.”
Dominique’s smile grew. “It is always an honor to meet my fans.”
I stared at her for a few seconds. She was even prettier in real lifethan she was in the magazines I’d seen her in. Nash squeezed my hand again, and it was only when his eyes dropped to where I had Dominique’s clasped in mine, I realized I was still shaking her hand.
My cheeks heated in embarrassment, and I let go.
“I’ll leave you ladies to talk,” Nash said, giving my hip a squeezebefore turning away.
Panic rushed through me as I watched him disappear into the crowd.I turned back to look at Dominique, and all coherent thoughts vanished from my brain.
What the hell was I meant to say to her?
Thankfully, she put me out of my misery. “Nash has told me lots aboutyou.”
“Oh. I didn’t know you two were friends,” I replied, wondering how aFrench fashion designer and an American casino owner’s paths crossed.
“We met a few years back, here in Vegas, actually. He helped me outof a situation,” she replied, answering my unspoken question.
“Oh.”
“He gave me your sketchbooks to look over,” Dominique said,dropping an unexpected bomb.
My mouth fell open as all the air rushed out of my lungs and my heartplummeted to my stomach. “He…he gave you my sketchbooks?” I replied weakly, feeling the blood drain from my face.
I always thought my designs were good, but not Dominique Chèron good.
“You did not know?” she replied, raising a perfectly sculptured brow inquestion.
I shook my head, disbelief gripping me so tightly that I couldn’tform the word.
She chuckled before shaking her head in amusement. “It does notsurprise me. Nash has his own way of doing things.”
I gaped at her like a moron. She seemed to know an awful lot aboutNash, and I couldn’t help but wonder what situation occurred for them to become acquainted, and then a thought occurred to me.
Had they slept together?
Not seeming to notice my insecurities coming out to play, Dominiquetook a sip of her champagne before continuing. “He asked me if I would take a look at your sketchbooks, and consider taking you on in my employ,” she said, shocking the absolute shit out of me yet again.
I think for the millionth time, my jaw dropped open. “Oh...erm…right,”I stuttered, certain Dominique thought I was nothing but an idiot.
“It would not be my usual practice to take someone on just bylooking at their designs. I’m sure you understand,” she continued. “I have a very rigid process, and high expectations of designers who want to work for me and my company.”
“Yes, of course,” I said, feeling my cheeks turn a deeper shadeof crimson.
What the hell had Nash been thinking? He couldn’t randomly askpeople to look at my designs and expect them to take a chance on me. Hell, I hadn’t even gotten through my first year in college, let alone graduated with any form of qualification in design.
“But Nash reminded me that I owed him a favor,” Dominique said, afond smile gracing her face as she looked over my shoulder to where Nash had disappeared. A wave of jealousy ran through me, but I pushed it away before her gaze returned to me again. “So I looked at your designs.”
My heart began racing in my chest as my palms grew clammy. Theroom around me felt like it was closing in, and my dress was suddenly too tight, making it hard to breathe. I waited for her to put me out of my misery, and tell me that I would never make the grade to work for her but she didn’t say anything.
“And?” I whispered when the tension became too unbearable tostand.
“And I shall tell you the same as I told Nash. Non, I will not employyou,” she said bluntly, crushing my hopes and dreams to ashes in an instant.
My eyes dropped to the floor as the euphoria I’d been riding allevening died a quick but excruciatingly painful death.
Soft fingers lifted my chin, and as I raised my head again, it was tofind Dominique offering me a kind smile. “You did not let me finish. I won’t employ you because there is no need. Your sketches were magnificent. Truly, I was enthralled by them. You dream of being a fashion designer, oui?”
I couldn’t believe what she was saying, and through the sheerdisbelief gripping me, I managed a small nod.
“You certainly have the talent to make it in the industry, so long asyou can make clothes as well as you draw. So, non, I won’t employ you, but I will help you achieve your dream. In three months, I am hosting a fashion show in Paris. I would be willing to give you a slot to showcase, say, five outfits if you think you can have them ready by then?”
What was happening right now?
What Dominique was offering was an opportunity I had dreamedabout since I was a little kid.
“Yes!” I exclaimed a little too enthusiastically, making a few peoplearound us look over in curiosity. “I mean, yes, I think I can have outfits ready. I…I don’t know what to say…thank you.”
Dominique’s red lips pulled into a smile. “You are most welcome. Justdo not disappoint me, Savannah. I may like your designs, but that does not mean the rest of the industry will. I can help by giving you the platform to show your work, but it is up to you to deliver.”
I nodded, still not really believing this turn of events. “I won’t let youdown, I promise.”
“Bon,” she said with an air of finality. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, Ineed more champagne, and to go and make my bid. There is a spa day I have been eyeing up all night.”
She gave my shoulder a squeeze as she gracefully glided away inheels that I could only dream about walking in. Still dazed, and in a complete state of shock, I scanned the room looking for Nash, the only person in the entire world I wanted to share my news with.