Page 103 of Sweet Surrender
Christ, the things that man had done to me over the past few monthswould make an escort blush, but I couldn’t bear the thought of him seeing me puke.
“Open the door, Savannah,” he said, using his authoritative,I-won’t-take-no-for-an-answervoice.
As much as I’d gotten used to obeying his every order, there were stilltimes when I wanted to defy him, like now. And there were times when Ihaddefied him.
It usually resulted in me being punished with orgasm deprivation, butboy, when he did eventually let me come, it was always worth the torture.
But I was too distracted to argue with him, and as much as I didn’twant Nash to witness my vomiting episode, he was the only person in the world I wanted near me right at that second.
On shaky legs, I got to my feet and unlocked the door, finding Nashwith a sympathetic smile on his face, and a bottle of water in his hand.
“Feel better?” he said, handing me the bottle.
Grateful, I took it, and gulped down several mouthfuls wanting to getrid of the nasty taste in my mouth.
“No,” I replied, my voice hoarse.
Nash pulled me into his embrace, wrapping his strong arms aroundme before placing a delicate kiss on my head. I snuggled into his chest, wishing we were anywhere inthe world but here.
Obviously, I didn’t really want that. I was more than ecstatic for theopportunity Dominique had given me, but what if everyone thought my designs were terrible?
What then?
Being a fashion designer was all I’d dreamed about since I was a littlegirl.
As if he could hear my thoughts churning over in my head, Nashpulled back, before bringing his warm palms up to cup my face.
“I know you’re nervous, sweetheart, but you have nothing to beworried about. Dominique isn’t stupid. She knows talent when she sees it, otherwise, she never would have given you this opportunity.”
I opened my mouth to protest, ready to tell him she’d only given methe opportunity because she owed him a favor, but Nash cut me off by placing a finger over my lips.
“Before you say it, she didn’t give you the slot because she owed mea favor. She looked at your sketchbooks as a favor, the rest was on you. If she didn’t think you had what it takes, she never would have given you the time of day. You’re a talented designer, Savannah. You need to have more faith in yourself, people are going to love your work.”
“You don’t know that, Nash,” I replied glumly when he took his fingeraway.
My eyes dropped to the floor, but using his thumb to tilt my chin backup, I found Nash frowning in disapproval. “One day you’ll remember that I know everything,” he said, smirking. “Now, enough of this pity party. I’m ordering you to put a smile on your face, and get that fine ass out there to show the world how goddamn talented my wife is.”
My designs were a hit. I had to keep pinching myself every time oneof the critics told me how much they loved the outfits I’d showcased, and they couldn’t wait to see what else I was going to produce.
I was giddy with happiness. I’d dreamed of this moment for so long,but it waswaybetter than what I ever could have imagined. The only thing missing from the whole experience was my mom.
I wished she’d been in the audience to see my work, and as much asI didn’t believe in the afterlife, I hoped if there was such a thing, then she was out there somewhere, watching proudly.
Nash more than made up for her absence though. Once the lastmodel wearing the skirt and shirt ensemble I’d put together walked off the catwalk, he was on his feet, applauding louder than anyone else, and a rush of love for him flooded me.
Fox had also been on his feet, clapping wildly, and coming in a closesecond to beating Nash’s over-enthusiastic applause, and again, a rush of love for him ran through me.
A different kind of love though.
In a weird way, Fox had almost become part of mine and Nash’smarriage. More often than not, he’d be at our house, having dinner with us, or catching football games on the TV with Nash.
He knew to give us time alone, but if there was ever a single day thatwent by, and I hadn’t seen or spoken to Fox, I’d find myself missing him. He was a good man, and I hoped one day he’d find a woman for himself.
The three of us attended the after-show party, but shortly after itstarted, Fox disappeared. Apparently, Dominique had propositioned him again, and he didn’t want to partake in another round of getting his ass whipped.
Nash and I stayed for several hours, but when I slumped against him,exhausted, Nash demanded that we leave. I didn’t argue. I’d barely slept the night before, fretting over the show, so I was more than ready to call it a night and crawl into bed.
After saying our goodbyes to Dominique, we made the short walk tothe hotel, admiring the Parisian sights on the warm evening.
