Chapter 10
SASHA
The flashing cameras and the roar of voices calling my name had become a familiar backdrop over the past few weeks. I stood next to Denver on the red carpet, his hand resting reassuringly on the small of my back as we posed for the photographers. The paparazzi were relentless, shouting questions about the launch of my new line, our relationship, and Denver's plans for XMGH Brands.
"Sasha! Over here!" a photographer yelled. I turned, smiling as the camera clicked rapidly. Denver's deep voice rumbled in my ear, low enough for only me to hear. "You're a natural at this."
I glanced up at him, my smile widening. "I'm just following your lead, Mr. Roberts."
He smirked, his piercing blue eyes softening as they met mine. "You're doing better than I ever could. You're stealing the show, as usual."
The Fashion for a Cause event was the last appearance in Denver's multi-month press tour. It had been grueling, but his strategy to bombard the media circuit with positive press for the company was working. The frenzy had shifted from the scandal surrounding Ethan's death to the debut of my line.
Once news broke about my appointment as lead designer, my social media account went viral. Instead of my posts going into what seemed like a black hole, I now had millions of followers who praised my designs for their freshness and mix of traditional and futuristic elements. Every day, I made sure to post videos featuring behind-the-scenes peeks at what went on in our design studio. Denver's cameos in my videos had only added to the hype, with fans swooning over our chemistry and labeling us the "power couple" of the fashion world.
But the spotlight wasn't easy. The pressure was intense, and the scrutiny was relentless. Every move I made was analyzed and every word I said was dissected. I'd never been one to crave attention, and the sudden fame was overwhelming.
Only Denver's strong and stoic presence by my side made it possible for me to keep going. His unwavering support gave me the strength to stay the course and continue with our strategy. He'd become my anchor, grounding me when the world felt like it was spinning out of control.
The event dragged on until well after midnight. Thankfully, it was a Saturday and we had one more day before we had to head back to the office. As soon as we returned to the penthouse, I kicked off my heels, sighing in relief as my feet hit the plush rug in the living room. Denver followed me, loosening his tie with one hand.
"You were incredible tonight," he said. His voice was soft and low.
I turned to him and smiled at the way he looked at me like I hung the moon. "You're just saying that because you're biased."
He stepped closer, his gaze intense. "I'm saying it because it's true. You're amazing, Sasha. And I'm lucky to have you by my side."
Through all the scandals, stalkers, and hostile boardroom meetings, Denver never failed to make me feel seen, cherished, and unstoppable. His strong arms wrapped around me, pulling me close, and I melted into his embrace, feeling the weight of the world dissolve under his touch. He was my safe harbor, my constant in the chaos, and in his arms, I found not just love, but the confidence to be who I was always meant to be.
My breath caught in my throat as he cupped my cheek, and pressed his lips gently but insistently against mine. I let out a soft moan, his touch sending hot bolts of desire through me. We tumbled toward the bedroom, each fighting to outdo the other in removing as many items of clothing as possible. Denver's love and kisses drove away all thoughts of business and publicity for the rest of the night.
The next morning, we woke up to the news that my collection of ready-to-wear apparel for the American market had sold out within hours of its launch. The success was surreal, and the flood of congratulatory messages on my phone was overwhelming. Denver sat beside me on the bed, scrolling through the headlines on his tablet.
"Looks like you're the talk of the town," he said, a hint of pride in his voice.
I leaned into him, resting my head on his shoulder. "We did it, Denver. We actually did it."
He wrapped his arm around me, pulling me closer. "This is just the beginning, Sasha. With your potential, I can see you starting your own brand. You're going to outgrow XMGH, and I can't wait to be by your side when you do it."
His words filled me with hope, and for the first time in a long time, I let myself believe it.
But even as we celebrated, the weight of the board's decision loomed over us. Denver's position as CEO was still on shaky ground. We succeeded in pushing back the torrent of negative press, but XMGH was a conservative brand at its core. Our strategy had dragged the company into the modern age of social media and celebrity news. We had no idea how the board was going to react to this new direction.
That afternoon, Denver received a call summoning him to a board meeting. He left the penthouse with a grim expression, and I felt a pang of anxiety settle in my chest.
I spent the next few hours pacing the living room, my mind racing with worst-case scenarios. When Denver finally returned, his face was unreadable.
"Well?" I asked, my voice trembling slightly.
He crossed the room in a few long strides, pulling me into his arms. "They voted to keep me as CEO," he said, his voice steady but tinged with relief.
I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding, my heart swelling with pride. "You did it, Denver."
He shook his head, his arms tightening around me. "We did it, Sasha. None of this would've been possible without you."
Later that night, we sat on the balcony, overlooking the forested hills below. Denver's arm was draped around my shoulders, and I leaned into him, savoring the peaceful moment.
It was quiet, the bustling sounds of the city were far away, and only the quiet song of chirping crickets filled the air. The balcony was lit up with a dozen glass votive candles.
"Sasha," he said with a deep breath. "I know we started this as an agreement, a fake relationship for PR, but what I feel for you has evolved into something much more, something real. I love you. More than anything."
My heart raced at the sincerity in his gaze, his blue eyes sparkling from the flickering candlelight around us. It was the first time that I had seen such vulnerability on his face. It took my breath away.
I turned to him. "I love you too, Denver. So much."
He cupped my face in his hands, his gaze searching mine. "Then let's make this official."
Before I could respond, Denver dropped to one knee, his piercing blue eyes locked onto mine.
As he reached into his pocket, I felt the flood of tears filling my eyes. My heart skipped so fast it felt like it was going to burst from my chest. He pulled out a small velvet box and opened it to reveal a stunning ring nestled within. My breath caught in my throat. A delicate band of crisscrossing white gold decorated with small diamonds that flanked a larger diamond in the center.
"Sasha Bennett," he began. His voice started steady but soon quivered with emotion. "You've turned my world upside down in the best way possible. I thought I was fine being a lone wolf, but you showed me that life is so much better as a team. You are not only my mate, but my partner, and guiding star. You've put color into my life, filled it with laughter, and shown me what it means to care for someone beyond just myself. Will you marry me?"
His gaze held mine like a lifeline, the seconds between us stretching into eternity.
My vision blurred as I nodded frantically, my voice trembling. "Yes! Yes, of course, I'll marry you, Denver."
He slid the ring onto my finger, and I couldn't help but admire how perfectly it fit. It was as if it had always been meant to be there.
Denver stood, his hands cradled my face, his thumbs brushing away the tears that had slipped down my cheeks. He pulled me into his arms and kissed me with a passion that set my soul on fire. His lips moved against mine with a hunger that mirrored my own, and I clung to him, pouring all my love and gratitude into the kiss. When we finally pulled apart, we were both breathless, our foreheads resting together.
"I never thought I'd find someone like you," Denver murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "You've made me believe in something I thought was impossible, that I could have a real, lasting love. A family. A future."
We'd been through hell and back, but we'd come out stronger on the other side. What had started out as a ruse turned into something real and authentic. And as I looked over at Denver, his eyes full of love and promise, I knew that no matter what the future held, we'd face it as partners.
This was our new beginning.