Chapter 5
DENVER
On Monday morning, we left the penthouse and drove to the XMGH office in silence. Sasha didn't speak much during the trip, and I couldn't help but notice the way she worried her bottom lip between her teeth and her shaky hands fiddled with the strap of her purse. The acrid stench of anxiety and fear came off of her in waves. I knew it was just the nerves of what was to come, but I didn't like seeing her upset. As we pulled into the parking garage, I glanced at Sasha. "Ready for this?"
She nodded and flipped down the visor mirror to check her appearance. "As ready as I'll ever be."
I placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "You'll be fine. Just stick to the plan. Remember, I'll be right beside you. We're a team. Act natural."
She looked up at me, her hazel eyes searching mine for a moment before she nodded again. "Right. A team."
We walked into the office together, and the moment we stepped through the doors, I could feel the weight of everyone's eyes on us. The whispers started almost immediately, and I could see the curiosity and skepticism in their expressions. Sasha kept her head high, her posture confident, but I could tell she was feeling the pressure.
"Good morning, Mr. Roberts," the receptionist greeted me, her eyes darting between me and Sasha. Her expression was filled with curiosity, though she dared not ask what was on the tip of her tongue.
"Morning," I replied curtly, not giving her a chance to ask any questions. I placed my hand on the small of Sasha's back and led her to the elevator. As the doors closed, I saw the receptionist pick up her cell phone. Good. News of our new status as a couple would spread through every floor of the building by lunchtime. I turned to Sasha. "You're doing great."
She let out a shaky breath. "I feel like everyone's staring at me."
"They are," I said with a smirk. "But that's the point. We want them to notice."
The elevator doors opened, and we stepped out into the bustling office. The whispers grew louder as we made our way down the hall. I could see the calculating looks of some of the staff. As we walked by the glass-walled offices, I spotted Victoria Song in conversation with Margot.
"Denver," Victoria called out. "A word in private?"
I glanced at Sasha, who gave me a small nod. "Go ahead. I'll be fine."
I followed Victoria into the meeting room. Margo brushed past me and headed in the direction of the design studio. Sasha was going to have to deal with her supervisor on her own. I had my hands full at the moment. Closing the door behind me, I turned to her. She crossed her arms over her chest. "Is there news you would like to tell me?"
"I don't know what you're talking about," I replied, keeping my tone neutral.
"You and that woman," she said, her voice dripping with disbelief. "She's one of ours, isn't she? How long has this relationship been going on?"
"Since a while now," I said, not giving her any more information than necessary. "Sasha is one of the company's best designers. It's not something we've been public about, but we decided it was time."
Victoria narrowed her eyes at me, clearly not buying it. "You expect me to believe that this is genuine? That it's not some ploy to secure your position as CEO?"
I met her gaze head-on, my voice firm. "My relationship with Sasha is none of your business. But if you're questioning my integrity, then I suggest you take a step back. I've done nothing but work tirelessly for this company, and I won't let baseless accusations undermine that."
"You were supposed to demonstrate stability and earn the reputation for being a respected leader of the company. This little fling of yours will accomplish none of that, and only cause chaos and problems in the office."
Victoria was suspicious, and once she sniffed a bit of weakness, she latched on with fangs. I had to shift her focus away from my relationship with Sasha and onto something tangible to the business.
"I'm aware," I said, my voice firm. "But it's my personal life." And you should keep your opinions to yourself, you old bat, I wanted to say. "Sasha is an incredibly talented designer, and I believe she has the potential to lead our new American line. Her work is fresh, daring, and exactly what we need to stay relevant in this industry."
Victoria's expression tightened, her fingers drumming against the polished mahogany table. "Denver, with all due respect, this is absurd. Sasha Bennett is an assistant designer. Handing her the American line isn't just risky, it's reckless. She has no proven track record leading a team. What if she fails? The fallout could cripple the company."
I met their gazes head-on. "Sasha's talent is undeniable. I have never seen anything like her designs, they are unique and expressive. She has a vision that aligns perfectly with what this company needs to stay relevant."
Victoria scoffed, her lips pressing into a thin line. "Expressiveness is only valuable if it's executed well. And forgive me for saying this, but Sasha Bennett is not Margot. Margot has decades of experience and understands the brand inside and out. Passing her over will cause chaos in the design department."
I tightened my jaw, but I didn't back down. "Margot's designs are safe, but safe isn't going to save us. We need boldness, and Sasha has it. If we don't take this risk, we're going to lose to our competitors."
Victoria crossed her arms, her tone skeptical. "And if her line flops? What's your contingency plan?"
"There isn't one. Because I believe in her. And I'm willing to bet everything on that belief."
Victoria's expression was unreadable, but somehow, my words had an effect on her. "I will take that under consideration and advise the board at our next meeting. For now, I will be keeping a close eye on this relationship of yours. Any public scandal and the board will have to take decisive action. Do you understand, Denver?"
I nodded, knowing that was the best I could hope for. "Understood."
The meeting ended shortly after and I retreated to the sanctuary of my office. I had just sat down at my desk when my phone vibrated in my pocket. I pulled it out to read the message. It was from Sasha.
Sasha: "How did it go?"
Me: "As expected. Victoria's skeptical about how real our relationship is, but I managed to shift her focus to expanding our brand with the new American line. I could practically see the dollar signs in her eyes."
Sasha: "I just hope this doesn't backfire on us."
Me:: "It won't. I won't allow it."
Over the next few days, the staff at the office continued to gossip about our relationship. By the time Friday afternoon rolled around, we were old news.
Saturday was the charity auction for the children's hospital held at the Hughes Hotel in Paradise Peaks. Vintage pieces from XMGH's archives were up for sale and all proceeds would go to the hospital.
As soon as we stepped out of the car, the cameras were on us, bathing us in a blinding flash of lights. I held onto Sasha and led her down the red carpet. Despite her brave face, I sensed her nervousness. I gave her hand a comforting squeeze as we finally made it inside the hotel and away from the photographers.
The cameras and attention never seemed to relent. Sasha clung to my arm, her smile bright but her grip tight. I could feel her body coiled tight as a spring and her stiff flinch every time a flash went off. "Is my dress okay?" she whispered to me, her voice barely audible over the chatter. "Do I look out of place here?"
I glanced at her, surprised by the vulnerability in her tone. She looked stunning, radiant even, but her eyes betrayed a flicker of self-doubt. "You look perfect," I assured her, squeezing her hand. "Why would you think otherwise?"
She hesitated, her gaze dropping to the floor for a moment before she forced another smile. "It's just, I'm not used to this. The cameras, the people watching every move I make. What if I say something wrong? Or do something that makes me look like I'm out of place here?"
Her words struck me. This wasn't just about the event; it was deeper. It was about her fear of not belonging, of being judged and found wanting. "You're more than good enough, Sasha," I said firmly. "You're here because you deserve to be. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."
She nodded, but I could see the doubt lingering in her eyes.
Despite the boundaries she set for our arrangement, Sasha leaned against me as we made our way across the room. For a moment, I forgot that this wasn't real and placed my hand on the small of her back. To my surprise, she didn't brush me off, but instead, smiled shyly as she glanced at me from under her lashes. Whatever doubts or nerves she had expressed earlier seemed to vanish as the night went on.
We mingled with the guests, playing our parts perfectly. The chemistry between us was undeniable, and I could see the way people watched us, trying to figure out if it was real. Sasha was a natural, her charm and wit winning over everyone she spoke to.
But then I noticed him, Ethan, the photographer. He was watching Sasha and for some reason, my possessive instincts roared to the surface. Though Sasha hadn't said anything, something about him bothered me. I subtly positioned myself between them, blocking his view of her. Sasha seemed to sense my tension and glanced up at me, her eyes questioning.
"Everything okay?" she asked.
"Fine," I replied, keeping my tone light. "Just wanted to stick close to you."
We continued to mingle, but I kept a close eye on Ethan, making sure he didn't get too close. The auction was about to start when my sister, Sophia, approached us.
"Well, well, well," she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Look who's playing house."
"Not now, Sophia," I growled, shooting her a warning look.
She ignored me, turning her attention to Sasha. "And you must be the lucky girl. Sasha, is it? Tell me, how does it feel to be the flavor of the month?"
Sasha's smile didn't falter, but I could see the fire in her eyes. "It's nice to meet you, Sophia. Denver's told me so much about you."
Sophia's smile faltered for a moment, but she quickly recovered. "I'm sure he has. But let's be honest, Sasha. You're not exactly his usual type. What's your angle?"
I stepped forward, my voice low and dangerous. "That's enough, Sophia. Sasha is my girlfriend, and I won't tolerate any disrespect toward her."
My sister was recently promoted to Marketing Director at Alpha Fang by Victoria Song after Reeve Song's dismissal as CEO. Bolstered with confidence from her new promotion and growing ties to the Song family, Sophia had been insufferable. My little sister needed a reminder that I was the alpha in the Roberts pack hierarchy. "Behave or I will arrange a marriage for you with Eugene Mudgett in Kansas. You can spend the rest of your days mucking in mud as queen of his hog farm."
Sophia snarled and glared at me. "Don't you dare pull rank on me, Denver. Fine, I'll leave you two lovebirds alone for now."
She walked away, and I turned to Sasha. I pressed my lips together in a thin line. A flush of shame heated my cheeks at Sophia's antics. "I'm sorry about that. My sister can be difficult at the best of times."
Sasha shook her head, her smile genuine. "It's fine. I can handle her. I've dealt with my share of catty women in this industry."
The auction was about to start when I spotted another familiar face. It was Cameron Fitzgerald, my college roommate and one of my best friends. He owned Cam's Comfy Cuisine, the country's top home delivery meal kit company. Cam was the epitome of a self-made billionaire, charismatic and confident. Unlike myself and others at my alma mater, he came from a humble background without family money or connections. He spotted us and as soon as he noticed Sasha, a mischievous glint came into his eyes.
"Cam." We greeted each other with a friendly clap on the back. "I didn't know you were in town."
Cam grinned, his gaze flickering to Sasha. "Couldn't miss the auction. I heard there's going to be some interesting pieces up for auction." He extended a hand to Sasha. "And who is this lovely creature? You've been selfish, Denver, keeping her all to yourself."
"Sasha, this is Cameron Fitzgerald, one of my oldest friends and a constant pain in my backside. Sasha is one of our best designers at XMGH."
Sasha smiled politely, shaking his hand. "Sasha Bennett. It's nice to meet you, Cameron."
"Please, call me Cam," he said. "Anybody who can tame this grump deserves all of my respect."
The flirtatious wink he flashed her ignited a rage inside of me. My wolf snarled at the competing male. Until Sasha, I had never been this possessive of a woman.
Cam grinned at me. He was being a pest as usual. I rolled my eyes fondly. "Ignore him, Sasha, Cam's here to be a nuisance."
Cam placed a hand over his heart, feigning offense. "You wound me, Denver. I'm here to support a good cause, and maybe catch up with an old friend." He turned his attention to Sasha. "So, what's your story? How did you manage to get this one to settle down?"
Sasha's cheeks flushed, but she held her ground. "We're still figuring things out."
Cam raised an eyebrow, his grin widening. "Ah, enough said." He leaned in, dropping his voice to a whisper. "If Denver ever steps out of line, you can always call me."
I growled low in my throat, shooting him a warning look. My friend was really pushing it. "Enough, Cam. Don't make me remind you what happens when you mess with things that don't belong to you."
Sasha elbowed me softly, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Relax, Denver. He's just being friendly."
"Friendly," I muttered under my breath.
Cam held up his hands in mock surrender. "Alright. I'll behave." He glanced around the room. "You know, Denver, I've been thinking about moving back to Huntington Harbor. We should catch up sometime."
I nodded. "Let's set something up."
The auctioneer came up to the stage and announced the start of the auction.
We said our goodbyes with a quick hug. "She's too good for you. You'd be a fool to let her go," he whispered in my ear.
I didn't respond, but his words lingered in my mind. He was right. Even if this was supposed to be a means to an end, it was becoming something more. Something which I wasn't ready to admit to myself yet. We took our seats and as soon as the first piece was revealed, Sasha gasped.
"That's an original 1992 Shades of Fire chiffon dress," she breathed out, her voice full of awe. "I've always wanted to see it in person. It's a masterpiece."
Her passion for design and love of vintage fashion shined brightly from her eager eyes. She leaned forward in her seat, her cheeks flushed as she admired the piece on stage. "That's one of my favorite pieces from the archive. I didn't know they were going to auction it off."
"You should bid on it. It would be a great addition to your personal collection."
She hesitated. Her gaze flicked from the auctioneer to me, and then back again. A longing expression came over her face. "I don't know. It's probably going to be way out of my budget."
Before I could respond, Cam's voice cut through the crowd. "I'll start at $10,000."
Sasha's eyes widened in surprise, and she turned to look at Cam, who winked at her from across the room. I clenched my jaw, my protective instincts and competitive streak flaring up. Cam was playing games.
The bidding quickly escalated, with several other guests joining in. Sasha watched the proceedings with a mix of awe and disappointment, clearly wishing she could participate. When the bidding reached $50,000, I raised my paddle. "$60,000."
Sasha gasped, turning to me with wide eyes. "Denver, what are you doing?"
"Winning that gown for you," I said, my voice firm.
Cam raised an eyebrow, his grin widening as he raised his paddle. "$70,000."
I shot him a glare, my jaw tightening. "$80,000."
Cam smirked, clearly enjoying himself. "$90,000."
Sasha tugged on my sleeve, but I ignored her. I gritted my teeth, my grip on the paddle tightening. "$200,000."
The room fell silent, the auctioneer looking between Cam and me. Cam leaned back in his seat, raising his hands in surrender.
The auctioneer slammed the gavel. "Sold to Mr. Roberts for $200,000!"
Sasha stared at me, her expression a mix of shock and gratitude. "Denver, that's too much. You didn't have to do that."
I shrugged, trying to play it cool, but I couldn't hide the slight smirk tugging at the corners of my lips. A primitive part of me basked in the success of acquiring the dress for her. "Don't flatter yourself. I just didn't want Cam to outbid me. Besides, that dress belongs in the collection of someone who knows how to appreciate it."
She looked at me, her hazel eyes shimmering with something I couldn't quite place. Gratitude, maybe? Or something deeper? Before I could figure it out, she leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to my cheek. "Thank you," she whispered, her breath warm against my skin.
The rest of the evening passed without incident. We left after I paid for the dress arranging for it to be delivered to the penthouse. Sasha seemed to be in a good mood. As we drove home, she sang along to the stereo, her voice slightly off-key but full of joy.
I glanced at her. "You're terrible at singing," I said, but she just laughed.
"Good thing I'm not a pop star, then."
I couldn't help the small smile that tugged at my lips.
We arrived home and the first thing Sasha did as she stepped past the front door was kick off her heels. I paused in the doorway and watched her. It was such an everyday maneuver and it showed that she felt comfortable and at home in my penthouse. Warmth burst in my chest. There was no denying it. Everything so far today felt so right. Even though it was supposed to be pretend, it all felt so real.
"Sasha," I said, clearing my throat when I realized how hoarse my voice sounded.
Sasha spotted the bags of takeout on the dining table and sniffed the air. "Is that eggplant parmesan? I would have asked to come home earlier if I had known that was what we were having tonight." She looked at me, her eyes wide and full of happiness. Whatever I wanted to say could wait until later.
"Yeah, I ordered some takeout from Allegro. I hope you like Italian?"
Sasha beamed. "Are you kidding? It's my favorite."
While Sasha unpacked the takeout containers, I went to the kitchen to grab a bottle of red wine, plates, and silverware. Sasha had already opened the containers of food and laid out the salad, bruschetta, fried calamari, and eggplant parmesan.
We ate family style, helping ourselves to each dish. Sasha took a big bite of the eggplant parmesan and made a low moan of delight. She closed her eyes and sank back against her chair as she chewed. "This is so good, Denver. You made the perfect choice."
A warmth spread through my chest at her praise. "I figured you would want something hearty after today."
Sasha plucked a calamari ring and popped it into her mouth. "You guessed right. Gosh, those fancy schmancy foods they served at the auction might as well have been made for ants. I needed a magnifying glass to see what was on my plate."
I picked up a piece of bruschetta and bit into it while I watched her eat with gusto. "Sometimes simple and authentic is best over complicated artifice."
She took a sip of wine and tipped her glass at me. "I couldn't agree with you more."
We chatted like we had been friends for ages as we ate. When every last crumb had been devoured, Sasha rose and took our dishes to the sink, while I cleaned up the empty containers. After I threw away the trash, I leaned against the counter and watched her as she did the dishes. To my surprise, she chose to wash them by hand instead of using the dishwasher. As she worked, she hummed the song that played on the stereo on our drive home. Her hips shimmied as she swayed to the music.
A giant knot formed in my stomach, and it wasn't from the heavy meal we just had. I wanted her and I was going to have her.
As soon as she placed the last dish on the drying rack, I crossed the kitchen and came up behind her. She gave a surprised yelp when I yanked her away from the sink and twisted her around. Her wet hands flew up to my chest in surprise, staining the expensive silk with water. Not that I cared.
"Denver," she breathed out.
I pulled her to me until we were pressed together from chest to thigh. "I'm going to kiss you now."
Her breath hitched. "But the plan," she whispered as her tongue darted out to wet her lips.
"Fuck the plan. Things between us have changed. I want you, and I know you want me. This isn't just pretend and I can't deny that I feel something for you. Tell me that I'm wrong."
She gulped and clenched my shirt in her fists. "No, it's real. We've made an awful mess of things, Denver."
"No, it's just the right amount of mess."
I leaned in, my lips brushing against hers in a soft, tentative kiss. The moment our lips touched, it was like a spark ignited between us, lighting us on fire. I deepened the kiss, holding her in place with a hand on the back of her neck as I claimed her mouth. Backing us until she was pinned against the counter, I thrust my hips against hers, letting her feel the hard evidence of my desire for her. She ground against my bulge and let out a soft moan as she returned my kiss, devouring my mouth with equal fervor. The sweet musky aroma of her arousal overwhelmed my senses. I wanted to be covered in her scent.
When we finally pulled apart, we were both breathless.
Sasha looked up at me, her pupils dark with desire. "Denver, are you sure? We still have to deal with the board and the stalker. I can't go back and play fake girlfriend if you're just going to fuck me and cast me aside."
"I would never do that to you," I said, my voice softening. "My intentions toward you are genuine. If we keep going, then I will never leave. I've never met another woman like you, Sasha."
She didn't respond, but the way she looked at me, the way her breath hitched when I spoke, told me everything I needed to know. She felt it too. But she was scared. And I couldn't blame her. This wasn't part of the plan. This wasn't supposed to happen.
"We don't have to figure this out right now," I said, my voice gentle. My hand came up to brush a strand of hair out of her face. "But I need you to know that you are it for me." Letting her go, I helped her stand steady on her feet. It was unclear whether she was unstable due to my revelations or the wine she had with dinner.
"Take all the time you need, Sasha. I'm not going anywhere. I'll wait for you." I left her in the kitchen and went to my room. Though I pretended to be calm in front of her, once I closed the door, I went to the minibar. Taking a large swig from a bottle of vodka, I collapsed on my bed. My mind raced as I realized what I had just done. Never before had I poured my heart out like that to a woman. This was supposed to be a simple business arrangement, not a life-changing event. But now, nothing was certain, except that Sasha was for sure my fated mate. If only I knew where she stood.