Page 74 of The Innovator

Natalie was the magnetic pull on my compass. I did things because of her.

I took out my sweaters and knit tops, placing them on the marble counter. I’d put them in another drawer later. Or better yet, I could ask if she wanted to help me reorganize and update my wardrobe. As I placed my favorite sweater—which I’d never worn—aside, Natalie strode in, siphoning the breath out of me.

She left me not only speechless, but bewildered. I’d seen beautiful women. They surrounded me, and I had easy access to them, but the captivating woman standing before me came from elsewhere.

I had seen the red dress hanging on the door, but she brought it to life. Natalie was a walking masterpiece in sexy straps with a tailored bodice and a skirt that accentuated her curves. Her blonde hair was swept to the side with a sparkly accessory that matched the simple moon-shaped studs in her ears.

She walked up to me, and my heart melted. I didn’t know what that phrase meant until this moment. Warmth oozed from the center of my chest, spreading to every part of my body.

“You okay there?” She touched my face, and the gentleness added more warmth and something else.

What the hell was happening to me? For a moment, I stepped outside of myself.

Stepping back in, I yanked her to me, letting her feel my arousal. “If you keep turning me on, we’re going to be late to the event.”

“I’m glad you approve of the dress.” She smiled, turned to the marble counter, and gasped. Her gaze fixated on a garment, and she broke away from me and walked toward it.

“Where did you get this?” Her lips trembled.

I came up beside her as she unfolded a sweater that had cost me three hundred thousand dollars. “In Paris at a silent auction. One of my clients invited me. The sweater caught my eye. There’s no label on it. I’d never seen anything like it. It looked like a unique piece of architecture.”

Tears glittered in her eyes. “That’smysweater. I knitted it for the auction anonymously. I didn’t want people to know it was me in case no one bought it.” She held it close to her body, closing her eyes for a moment before opening them to look at me. “Butyoudid. Have you worn it?”

How had I not seen her at the auction? At that time, I had eyes on many things, including several women. Even if I saw her, would I have noticed the zing in my body? Probably not. I was a different man back then. My emotions had only skimmed the surface. But now, my feelings came from a deep place.

“No. I was afraid I’d ruin it. I didn’t see you at the auction.”

I didn’t remember it being crowded, but I’d been in a rush to catch my flight back.

“Once I saw the sweater on the mannequin, I left. I was too nervous.” She ran her fingers over the gray yarn. “This sweater meant so much to me. I’d always wanted to branch off and create a new collection from LaRue, but I feared no one would like it. That’s something every creator fears. But deep down, I had to do it.”

“You listened to your intuition.” I offered her a tissue.

“Thanks.” She dabbed at her eyes carefully. “I don’t want to redo my makeup.”

“Don’t. You’re beautiful with or without makeup.”

She smiled. “I don’t want to look like a monster walking beside you.” Her fingers hovered over the masculine buckles that secured the asymmetric collar on the sweater. “Out of all the people in the world,youpurchased it.”

“I connected with that masterpiece because I understood the mastery that went into it.”

“That means a lot to me, Grayson.” She looked at the sweater the way a mother adored her baby, with love, devotion, and wonder.

My jaw tightened. “Who crushed your confidence? Was it your aunt?” I wanted them to feel the pain they’d bestowed on her.

“No one in particular. Aunt Estelle doesn’t know about my passion. She couldn’t care less. It’s more about responsibility. I couldn’t detach from the LaRue brand because it’s my family. There’s duty and legacy there. But I wanted something for myself, even though I wasn’t sure if it would be well received.”

I tipped up her chin. “You’re a spectacular designer, and I’m glad you made it. It’s my favorite piece of clothing. I’m not just saying that because you’re mine. I’m giving you an objective critique. This sweater has design features I love. The various stitches—not sure what they’re called—create unique textures that beg to be touched.” I tugged up the collar. “The asymmetrical collar drew me to it. The buckles give it a military look—power, vision, intellect. You portrayed a story with a sweater.”

She smiled, and my world brightened. “How can it be your favorite when you haven’t even worn it?”

I kissed her temple. “I’m fond of its exceptional creator, so everything she creates will be my favorite.”

She folded the sweater back, and I made a mental note to wear it as soon as the weather cooled off.

“I’ve always wondered who bought it. You left an anonymous donation at the auction and took it that day. There was no shipping address on record.”

“After spending so much on it, I had to make sure it came home with me. I didn’t want to risk it getting lost during delivery.”

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