He came back and eased me onto my back. His touch was gentle as he stroked the warm washcloth along my folds, cleaning me of our spendings. I sighed under his care.
"Sasha," he murmured against my skin, his voice a low, soft growl that filled me with warm happiness. I had done that, turned the formidable jaded CEO into a purring kitten. "You're everything."
After I was no longer sticky, we climbed under the covers. We snuggled, our limbs entwined. I rested my head on his chest, listening to the sound of his heartbeat. His fingers traced lazy patterns on my back.
Tonight, we had each other and that was enough.
Chapter 7
DENVER
I woke up to the weight of Sasha's body curled against mine, her warmth seeping into my skin like a balm, the faint scent of her filling my nose. Her head rested on my chest, her breath steady and soft, her arm draped loosely over my torso. For a moment, I just lay there, soaking in the quiet intimacy of the moment. Last night had been amazing. It was everything I hadn't realized I needed in my life until now. I pressed a kiss to the top of her head, my chest tightening with something I hadn't allowed myself to feel in years. Not since I'd learned to keep the world at arm's length.
Sasha stirred, her eyelashes fluttering against my skin as she woke. She blinked up at me, her hazel eyes still hazy with sleep, and a soft smile tugged at her lips. "Morning," she murmured, her voice soft and rough around the edges.
"Morning," I replied, brushing a strand of hair from her face. My fingers lingered against her cheek, tracing the curve of her jaw. She was breathtaking, not just in the way she looked, but in the way she made me feel. Raw. Exposed. Alive. "Sleep okay?"
She nodded, her cheek nuzzling into my hand. "Better than I have in weeks," she admitted, her voice still heavy with sleep. But then her expression shifted, her brow furrowing slightly as she studied me. "You're thinking too hard again. I can hear it."
I let out a low chuckle, though it didn't quite reach my eyes. "Can't help it. Last night, it changed things."
Her gaze softened, and she propped herself up on one elbow, the sheets slipping down to reveal the curve of her shoulder. "Yeah," she agreed, her voice quiet but steady. "It does."
I hesitated, my thumb brushed over her cheekbone, and I searched her eyes, trying to find the words I'd never been good at saying. "Are you okay? With this? With us?"
She bit her lower lip, her gaze drifting to the window before returning to mine. "I don't know, Denver. I've never felt like this before, and it's a lot. But I believe in us."
Relief washed over me, though it was tempered by an old, familiar ache. I'd never been good at vulnerability, at letting someone in. But with Sasha, it felt different. Necessary. "Me neither," I admitted, my voice rough. "But I need you to know something. Last night wasn't just a moment for me. You're it for me, Sasha. Forever."
Her breath hitched, and for a moment, she just stared at me, her eyes searching mine as if trying to find the truth in my words. Then, without a word, she leaned in, pressing her lips to mine in a kiss that was soft, lingering, and full of promise. When she pulled back, her forehead rested against mine, her breath warm against my skin. "You're it for me too, Denver," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion.
We stayed like that for a while, wrapped in each other's warmth, until the demands of the day forced us to move. I managed to convince her to shower with me all in the name of conserving water. After we were both as wrinkled as prunes, we got dressed and settled into the soft domesticity of our morning routine.
As we stood in the kitchen, I couldn't help but watch her. Sasha was quiet as she sipped her coffee, her fingers wrapped tightly around her mug as she stared into the distance. I could practically see the gears turning in her head, and I knew what she was thinking before she even spoke.
"Sasha," I said softly, breaking the silence. "Talk to me."
She turned to look at me, her expression conflicted. "We can't keep hiding here, Denver," she said finally, her voice steady but tinged with frustration. "We both have jobs. Lives. I can't just let this stalker dictate everything."
I clenched my jaw, my wolf's instincts roaring to the surface. "Sasha, it's not safe. I'm not risking your safety for anything."
She set her coffee cup down with a little more force than necessary, her eyes flashing. "I get that, Denver. But I can't live like this. We're like prisoners in a gilded cage. I need to go back to work. I need to feel like I'm in control of my own life again. And you need to show up at the office before the board replaces you."
The urge to argue was strong, but I forced myself to take a breath. She was right. I couldn't keep her locked away, no matter how much I wanted to protect her. "Okay," I said finally, my voice tight. "But we're doing this my way. Increased security. I'm not taking any chances."
She nodded, her expression softening. "Thank you," she murmured, her hand reaching out to brush against mine. The touch was brief, but it sent a jolt of warmth through me, a reminder of everything I was fighting for.
When we arrived at the office, the whispers started the moment we stepped off the elevator. I could feel the weight of everyone's eyes on us, but I kept my focus on Sasha, my hand resting protectively on the small of her back as we made our way to the design studio.
From her desk, Margot glared at the two of us like she wanted to stab us right then and there. We didn't get far before Victoria cornered us, her expression as sharp and calculating as ever.
"Denver," she said, her tone clipped. "The board is waiting for you."
I glanced at Sasha, who gave me a small nod before heading to her desk. I followed Victoria into the boardroom, where every member who was a significant stakeholder was already waiting. I could feel their judgmental gazes boring into me.
Victoria wasted no time. "What's going on with you and Sasha Bennett? First, you expect us to believe she's your girlfriend, and now you've suddenly disappeared for an entire week during the run-up to Fashion Week. Do you have any idea how this looks? There is chaos in the design department because of the whispers about your romance with a subordinate."
I clenched my jaw, my patience wearing thin. "My personal life is none of your business, Victoria."