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“But I’m talking physically.”Sophie has the body some women wish to have and men desire.
He exhaled and smiled. “Sophie’s not my type, and I’d never have anything to do with a woman like her. Have you seen yourself, Nadia? You’re so beautiful. I crave your body. But I’m also selfish; I only want it shown to me.” He placed his lips on mine, and I pressed in to make him linger, and when he parted, he gave me a dazzling smile that made me weak. “Now, change into a pretty dress. I’d like to see you in the floral one I saw you dressed in a photo you sent me. You can pair it with your pale pink lingerie set.”
My heart lifted. “I made that dress.”
His smile broadened. “You did? It’s beautiful.”
I touched my smile. “How odd for you to talk about clothes with me.”
“It’s part of your life, and I want to hear about it. We’re artists, Nadia. I share my music; you share your fashion. In fact, show me your new designs.”
“Right now?” I asked.
He nodded.
I went and picked up my most recent sketches, showing him the new florals and lace patterns that I had created for a gown. He took out his phone and photographed the images.
“I can send them to you,” I mused.
Within this short time, he’d changed my mood. I was no longer feeling upset about what happened with Sophie. And it made me realize it was only a moment, and I could move forward.
I stared at him and his handsomeness. How passionate and protective he was of me.
“You are incredibly talented. And as for Sophie Wilkes? She doesn’t hold a candle to you inanyway. Nadia, you’re all I want, baby. No one else.”
My heart leaped in my chest, and I hugged him tighter.
You’re all I want forever.
“We can’t walk in together,” Paul told me before we reached Rockefeller Plaza. “You were supposed to walk in with Tomas and Cecil. There was too much attention when I showed up at the school. We need to be more careful until Rome.”
But we both knew Paul hadn’t been, and that was because of me. I’d avoided looking at the media since Googling myself and finding the petition online. I searched our names, and the first headline said, “Does Paul Crane Protest Too Much? Paul Crane’s Secret Love Nest.”The picture was the front of the Hudson.
“I’m having Nicole look into moving you to another place after our trip to Rome. We’ll also increase security detail.”
I stared out the window. I’m making Paul’s life harder.Would Paul start to feel like I was too much?
Paul leaned over. “I know it’s hard to read, but you must prepare yourself. Justus Black is giving an interview.”
My stomach dropped. “He is?”And why wouldn’t he? Justus only ever cared about himself.He’d need to explain Nora’s young age and why he left us.
“Gunnar said his lawyers probably recommended he do it, he would. He wants to get his story out before the world knows about you. To protect his reputation. I’ve tried intervening, but the public is already connecting you two and it’s only a matter of time—”
“It’s fine,” I said and lowered my head. That kernel of hope that Justus would try for a relationship vanished. And I admonished myself for even entertaining the thought. After all that happened, I was still reduced to that child hoping for love and acceptance. I need to wise up and prepare to share my own truth when the time comes. That left Nora. I was running out of time to learn about her.Mom must know something. She was vague and antsy when talking about her.Justus had also mentioned his son.Would he want to meet me? Would I want to meet him?I wasn’t sure.
“We’re here.”
The show was already in progress, but the press was still outside the main door. Paul had arranged a team of security to surround both of us. He reluctantly moved away from me, his stare lingered before he went ahead and distracted the press, and I went around to the service elevator. The only good thing was having Laurence next to me.
“Chef Renault cooks even better than in their café in Paris. We’re doing a five-course meal after this, and I plan to eat well. I have on my loose pants.”
I laughed at his joke, and it eased some of the tension. We exited the elevator. It was exciting to go inside a studio and seeThe Grand Chefmarquee with the three prep stations and the remaining chefs attempting to recreate Chef Renault’s five-star Michelin menu.
Chef Renault stopped at one of the chef’s stations and made his famous sour face at an unfortunate attempt at recreating his pure chocolate tartlet.
Renault picked up the plate and dumped it in the garbage. “Try again.”
The host spoke into a microphone at the side of the stage. “But Chef Turner only has forty minutes left. Will he be able to make the final two?”
