Chapter 3
"Two sesame cakes, please!" I called out.
"Coming right up!" the shopkeeper replied.
While Knox was busy with the tailor, I had slipped across the street to the bakery.
The scent of toasted sesame seeds was everywhere, and my mouth was already watering.
"Fresh out of the oven," the shopkeeper said, handing them over. "Careful now, they're piping hot."
I took the cakes and stepped back onto the street. I couldn't even wait to get back to the shop; I took a massive, hungry bite.
In my distraction, I walked straight into someone.
"Are you okay?" the man asked.
He caught my arm, steadying me before I could hit the pavement.
I looked down mournfully at my sesame cakes, now ruined on the ground, before looking up to thank him.
A handsome face was staring right back at me.
I tried to pull my arm back, but his grip remained firm.
"Sir?" I called out.
I glared at him, not happy with him zoning out like that.
He snapped back to reality and quickly let go. "My apologies," he said.
I assumed Knox was finished with his measurements, and I was eager to get back.
I threw out a quick "I'm fine" and kept moving.
"Miss!" the man called, chasing after me.
"I'm Thomas Lane. Would you mind telling me your name?"
I rounded the corner before he could finish.
"Tom Shane?" I muttered to myself.
"The name sounded familiar to Knox's real name."
"What?" Knox asked.
He stepped out of the tailor shop, adjusting the set of his clothes.
"Nothing," I replied.
I walked around him, then reached out to squeeze his shoulder. He felt solid. I grinned up at him. "See? My instincts were spot on. You've got a great build. Honestly, you'd look good in anything."
"You like it?" Knox asked.
"Of course!" I answered without a second thought.
Then I realized what I'd just said, and heat rushed to my face.
Knox raised an eyebrow and stepped toward me, his tall frame suddenly feeling very large and very close.
I backed up until I hit the wall, then braced my elbow against his chest to keep some distance. "What are you doing?"
Knox leaned down, invading my space until all I could see were those hypnotic eyes of his.
"So, how much do you like it?" he whispered.
In that state, he was truly irresistible.
I reached up and covered his eyes with my hand, trying to sound composed. "Look, it's just basic instinct. People crave good food and good looks. It's science."
"Hmm." Knox let out a long, low hum. His thick lashes brushed against my palm as he blinked, sending a sharp tingle straight up my arm.
"So, if I weren't a Lane, would you still like me?" he asked.
I let my hand drop, my mind racing. "Do you want the honest answer?"
Knox smirked. "What do you think?"
I nodded, speaking straight from the heart. "I'm definitely fond of you, but I wouldn't marry you."
Knox went silent.
His gaze dropped, and though a faint smile remained on his lips, a sudden, dangerous edge to his presence sent a chill down my spine.
It felt as if a mask had finally slipped, revealing the real Knox underneath.
"Why?" he asked.
Realizing my honesty might have cut too deep, I scrambled to soften the blow.
"Look, business is brutal, especially for a woman on her own. Having a solid foundation makes everything easier," I said. "But honestly? If the Lane family's chosen son wasn't you, I wouldn't even consider marriage."
Knox let out a short, dry laugh.
"You think this family could be the solid footing you need?" he asked.
Despite the teasing tone, I could feel the tension bleed out of him. His mood had brightened instantly.
It was the strangest thing.
I sighed inwardly. I started this mess, so I had to fix it myself.
"Yes, yes, you're my solid footing," I said, trying to smooth things over. "Some people feel like old friends the moment they meet, and then fall in love at second sight. Isn't that fate? You and I—"
Knox cut me off, flicking my forehead just hard enough to sting. "Heartless little trickster," he snapped. "Always making promises you have no intention of keeping."
Did I hit a nerve or something?
Why was he getting worked up again?
Men, Knox especially, were impossible to handle.
As I helplessly rubbed my nose, I suddenly noticed several smudges of brown oil staining my palm.
What was that?
"Thomas? Thomas!"
That sudden call snapped Thomas back to reality.
Peter Clark draped an arm around Thomas' shoulder, looking puzzled. "What has you so distracted? You've been out of it all night."
He leaned in, a teasing glint in his eye. "Come on, is this about that fiancée from the countryside? Honestly, Thomas, you should just give in. She chased you all the way here. That's true devotion."
Thomas pushed him away.
"Drop it. I've never even met her. Besides, there's already someone else," he said impatiently.
"What?" Peter blurted out, stunned.
He wasn't the only one. The rest of the group went quiet, trading shocked glances.
"Damn! Who's the miracle worker who finally cracked that stone-cold exterior?" Peter jeered. The tension broke, and the whole group erupted in laughter.
Thomas was already on edge, and their rowdy teasing only made it worse. He stood abruptly and headed for the door.
He was halfway out when he suddenly turned and rushed back in.
"Listen," he blurted out, "do any of you know a girl who wears red? Striking brows, big eyes, red lips... and two tiny moles right at the corner of her eye?"
Everyone thought for a moment, then shook their heads.
"If none of us recognize her, she probably isn't from Goldhaven," Peter suggested.
Then he grinned, eyes twinkling. "Hey, maybe she's your fiancée! Looks like fate is trying to set you two up after all, haha!"
Thomas' brows knitted together. He looked seriously annoyed, not exactly contemptuous, but definitely not impressed.
"How could a girl from the countryside possibly have that kind of grace? Stop teasing me about her." He spoke sharply, clearly wanting to end the topic. "She'll find someone who suits her, but that person will never be me."