I do as he says, gripping the metal with both hands, trying to ignore the way my pulse races at his proximity. He’s so close now that I can feel the heat radiating off him, smell the sweat and smoke clinging to his skin. His rough fingers guide mine over the metal, and the simple touch sends a shiver down my spine.
“Like this,” he murmurs, his voice rough and low. The sound of it makes my skin tingle.
For a moment, it feels like time slows. The forge, the truck, everything fades away, and all I can focus on is the feeling of his hand on mine, the way his breath brushes the side of my neck as he leans in. I glance up, meeting his gaze, and the intensity there makes my heart stutter. It’s like he’s daring me to look away, but I can’t.
Before I can say anything, the door to the forge swings open, and a group of men wearing flannels and smirks stride in, breaking the moment.
“Knox!” One of the men booms, full of playful energy. “Didn’t know you had company.”
Knox pulls away quickly, his expression hardening again. “We’re working.” His eyes dart to me. “Petal, meet three of my brothers, Creed, Judge, and Archer.”
“Sure doesn’t look like work from here,” Judge teases, grinning as he takes in the scene. His gaze flicks to me, and then back to Knox, his grin widening. “Must be real tough, huh?”
I can’t help but smile at their banter. There’s a lightness to it, a sense of camaraderie that makes the forge feel a little less stifling. Archer, the quietest of the three, stands back, arms crossed, a knowing smirk on his face. It’s clear they’ve come to stir the pot, and they’re enjoying every second of it.
“Maybe you should let her teach you a thing or two, Knox,” Creed adds, his voice full of mischief. “Looks like she’s got a good grip on things.”
Knox grumbles something under his breath, shooting his brothers a glare, but they just laugh, clearly unbothered by his irritation.
I glance at Knox, biting back a grin. “They’re fun,” I whisper, just loud enough for him to hear.
He rolls his eyes, but there’s a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “They’re pests.”
His brothers continue to tease, their banter light and playful, and I find myself laughing along with them. It’s easy to see the bond between them, the way they needle each other with affection. And even though Knox grumbles and scowls, there’s no denying the warmth in his eyes when he looks at them.
But it’s when his gaze shifts back to me that I feel the heat intensify again. The moment may have been interrupted, but the tension between us is still very much alive, simmering just beneath the surface, waiting for the right spark to ignite it.
As the day draws to a close, the forge grows quieter, and Knox’s brothers take their leave, still chuckling as they head out the door. I gather my things, feeling the weight of the day settling over me.
“See you tomorrow, Knox,” I say, flashing him a smile.
He nods, his eyes lingering on me for a moment longer than necessary. “Tomorrow.”
As I walk out of the forge, I can’t shake the feeling that something is shifting between us, something I’m not quite ready to name. But whatever it is, I know one thing for sure—this is just the beginning.
Chapter Three
Perry
I stand behind the counter of my new flower shop, staring blankly at the vibrant bouquet in front of me. The peonies and dahlias are beautiful, their bright colors and delicate petals bursting with life, but I can’t seem to focus. My hands move on autopilot, arranging the flowers as if they have a mind of their own, while my mind is somewhere else entirely. Somewhere darker. Somewhere I don’t want to be.
I know he’s in town. I can feel it, like a storm brewing just beyond the horizon, ready to sweep in and tear apart everything I’ve built. He hasn’t shown himself yet, not directly. But the signs are there. The cryptic notes slipped into my mailbox late at night, the strange occurrences at the shop—flowers wilting unexpectedly, deliveries gone missing, equipment breaking down. All of it reeks of him, and every day that passes, the knot in my stomach tightens. I’ve been in Copper Mountain for less than a month and already a dark cloud seems to hang over the life I’ve built here.
But I refuse to let him win. I left that life behind, came to Copper Mountain for a fresh start, for peace. My flower shop, my little haven, was supposed to be that peace. Yet here I am,standing behind the counter with my heart pounding, my hands shaking as I try to keep it together.
I’ve always prided myself on being independent. I don’t need anyone to fight my battles for me. Especially not Knox. The thought of him makes my chest tighten, but in a different way. I don’t want to drag him into this mess. He’s already got his own issues, his own demons to deal with. I’ve seen the shadows in his eyes, the way he keeps people at arm’s length. Bringing him into my problems would just complicate things.
But still, every time I think of him, there’s this pull. Like he’s the only one who could make me feel safe again, even if I won’t admit it out loud.
The bell above the door jingles, pulling me from my thoughts. I look up, expecting a customer, but instead, it’s Knox, all six feet of brooding muscle and dark eyes, standing in the doorway of my shop. His presence fills the room immediately, the scent of metal and earth clinging to him like a second skin. He looks out of place here, surrounded by soft petals and pastel colors, but at the same time, there’s something about him that feels grounding. Solid.
“Hey,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady as I force a smile. “What brings you here?”
He steps inside, his eyes scanning the shop before they land on me. There’s something in his gaze, something heavy, like he can see right through the smile I’m wearing and knows I’m barely holding it together.
“I was in the area,” he says gruffly, as if that explains everything. “Thought I’d stop by.”
I raise an eyebrow, leaning against the counter. “Since when do you stop by flower shops, Knox?”
