Page 16 of Big Forbidden Blacksmith

“Does this have anything to do with your trip?” Briar asks. Her steps on the linoleum floor echo off the walls. “Maybe a certain dashing and large knight in a flannel shirt?”

My eyes spring open at her words. “W-what?”

“I can tell when you’re lying. I’ve known you since we were tiny. The way your voice lit up when you talked about that man. More happened out there than you’re telling me, I just know it. You’ve got itbadfor your big buff blacksmith.”

Well shit. She’s read me like a book. While Ashley didn’t seem to want to bother me about it, Briar’s always quick to get to the heart of an issue.

“I miss him,” I admit to her, and to myself too. “I miss the place, I miss Bear, I miss the workshop, the clean country air. I miss everything about the place, but I especially misshim.”

“Wow,” she says, looking almost shocked. Even so, she doesn’t seem judgmental about it. “I knew you were in deep but it sounds like you might actually love him.”

Before I can respond, a buzzer rings. Someone must be at the building door. Probably the delivery guy with the supplies order I made after getting back to the city.

“I’ll go check who it is,” I say, walking to the monitor. My heart skips in my chest, threatening to chisel its way out. The figure on the little screen is huge, and he has a familiar shape.

“Who is it?” Briar asks, skipping over peeking over my shoulder to look at the tiny security screen. “Sweet baby Jesus, who is that and why is he built like a tank?”

“Knox,” I whisper, swallowing weakly to get rid of the lump stuck in my throat. It’s him. The man I’ve been pining for over the past few days. He’s right there, dressed in a plain shirt with a cap drawn low on his head. I’d know those shoulders anywhere.

“Wait, your mysterious rescuer?” Briar asks, but I don’t bother to answer her. With a trembling finger, I press the button to buss Knox in. I can barely hold still, I’m shaking so much I’m probably a workplace hazard.

“He found me.” I look at my cousin, dumbfounded. Sure, my studio isn’t a secret, but it’s a long way from his property to here. For him to have found me, he had to specifically look for me. “He’s here!”

“It’s actually him?” Briar laughs, eyes bright with glee. “Is this my cue to leave, then?”

“I’m sorry you dropped all your plans for me,” I say, turning to face her.

“Don’t be,” she says with an easy smile. “I’m just glad that you’re smiling now. When I walked in, you looked more like a ghost.”

Before I can reply, there’s a knock. We turn to the door to see Knox, his tall, broad silhouette filling the doorframe as he steps inside. He looks like he stepped right off the farm, with his worn-out jeans and muddy boots. He doesn’t look like he belongs here, but he’s mine anyways.

The look in his eyes is wild, but he’s holding back, I can see it. Anger, disappointment, and need are evident on his face.

“Lara,” he rasps, closing the distance between us. I breathe in sharply when he cups my cheek with his rough palm. His eyes bore into mine. “I thought I’d lost you.”

“I’m sorry,” I say, my eyes flooding with tears as my heart floods with guilt and longing.

I was wrong to think I wouldn’t miss this. Miss him. I was so, so fucking wrong.

“It’s alright,” Knox murmurs, running his fingers through my hair. Just as I’m about to lean forward and kiss him, a throat clears. My cheeks flare with heat. Right, Briar’s still in the room.

I turn around to find Briar watching me and Knox curiously. She already has her bag slung over her shoulder as she starts to back to the door.

“Call me later, won’t you?” she says, as she checks her phone.

“Sorry,” I smile at her. “Knox, this is my cousin, Briar. Briar, this is Knox.”

“I’ve heard so much about you, Knox, but I’m sure not all there is to hear,” she teases, just as she steps out the door. “I’ll let you get to it.”

“I’ll walk you out,” I start, but Briar just shakes her head at me.

“We can catch up later, I promise!”

I don’t let myself look back up at Knox until I’m sure my cousin has left the floor. I walk quickly to the door of my studio and unprop the door, letting it close so that I can lock it.

“Look at me, Lara,” Knox says firmly.

I turn to stand and take him in, almost afraid to look him in the eye. Shame fills me. Why on earth did I let myself think this was nothing but a fling? He hasn’t even touched me yet but just his presence has heat building up under my clothes. More than that, I miss how it felt to be with him, to watch him cook or work. Yeah, we’re filled with desire for each other, but it’s more than that.

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