Page 97 of Margot

I watched the entire concert in amazement and when the last note was played, I gave a standing ovation. The rest of the orchestra was fantastic but Sutton was the one I cheered the loudest for.

I pushed through the crowds of people and made my way backstage with roses in my hand. I saw Sutton through the slim spaces between shoulders and arms and I waited. I watched her shake hands and talk to people. I watched her smile with grace and laugh like it was the easiest thing in the world for her to do.

I knew better though.

I knew how hard it was for Sutton to interact with people and to let them into her personal bubble of space. I knew how her body tensed when people went in for a hug. She was still doing it all with grace though.

The more her walls tumbled down, the more beautiful she became. I didn’t even think such a thing was possible but I was witnessing it before my eyes.

When it was my turn to talk to Sutton, I cleared my throat and pulled my shoulders back so my spine was straight. “Excuse me, Mrs. English, that performance was absolutely amazing.” I handed over the roses with a smile and she put her hand on her chest. She didn’t stare at the roses though she stared at me.

“Lennox.” She breathed like I was her oxygen supply when everyone else had been depleting her.

“So, I know you probably don’t do this, but I was hoping you’d let me take you home after that performance and fuck you all over my bedroom.” Sutton’s cheeks burned bright red. She buried her nose in the roses to avoid looking up and it was adorable.

“Sure. Give me your address,” she teased back.

“Something tells me you know the way.” I kissed her cheek and she grabbed my suit jacket, pulling me close.

“You look really good in that suit, Lennox.” Her lips brushed the shell of my ear and I had to fight to compose myself in public. I put my hands on her waist and leaned down so that she could hear me.

“Thank you, baby. You, on the other hand look really fucking edible. So hurry home and ride my face.” I slid my hand down to her ass and she giggled relentlessly before pushing me away.

That time it wasn’t because she was scared though. She was actually playing around.

“I’m leaving in a few minutes. Let me get away from everyone and I’ll meet you at home.” She slid her delicate fingers between mine and I raised her hand to my lips to kiss it.

“I’ll see you at home.”

…

Sutton got home twenty minutes after me. It was enough time to shed my suit jacket and shoes, pour us a glass of wine, and glance over some work emails. I saw one from the regional manager of Red Wing and wondered what it was about. Whatever it was, I’d find out later because once Sutton was in the house, she’s all I could concentrate on.

“Chardonnay.” I handed her a glass and she took it happily.

“Thank you. I need this after how nervous I was on stage tonight.”

“You didn’t seem nervous at all. You seemed right at home like you always do.”

“Did I? I was a ball of nerves. Normally, I love the stage because even though a crowd of people is staring at me, I feel isolated up there. It’s not a bad isolation though. I love it. Tonight, I felt nervous. Almost like I had stage fright.”

“You think it was Margot?” I asked. Sutton took a long sip of wine before snapping her fingers and pointing at me.

“You know what? You might be right. I did invite her to tap into my feelings but maybe in doing so, I tapped into hers as well. At least she wasn’t angry.” Sutton set her glass of wine down and dashed into the bedroom. “I’m gonna write to her,” she called out before she slipped away.

“Okay, Sutton,” I chuckled and opened up my emails again. The email from my manager stuck out first so I clicked it.

Lennox English,

Your work this past month has been exceptional. You’ve out-sold every realtor in your office and you’ve shown leadership skills when it came to alerting me to Ebony’s behavior. I’m pleased to say that I recommended you for the new office manager position and my decision was approved.

If you’ll accept this promotion, I can get you started on the necessary paperwork. It’s nothing more than a few pages. Let me know what your decision is. I’ll be waiting to hear from you.

Regards,

Elmore Richardson

I blinked a few times then broke into a smile. For the past month, I’d sold twelve luxury homes all selling for well over one million dollars. Something in my aura was different since things started looking up with Sutton.