SARAH
I straightened the aquamarine dress Mitch convinced me to wear, then considered changing. The back was low, showing off too much skin for my taste, while the front was decent. The gown reached the floor, and only when I walked could you see the silver heels I wore with it.
Last night, this had seemed like a perfect idea, but now, I wasn’t sure I wanted to show Knox what he was missing out on.
My fingers trembled as I pulled some blonde curls into place, my heart galloping in my chest like it had for the better part of the day.
I was all done up, make-up on, hair perfect, yet I considered slipping into something different. Maybe Knox will be late and I—
The doorbell took the decision from me. Sighing, I grabbed my clutch, walking with a heavy heart. I’d looked forward to this, but with the new boundaries he had set, I suddenly wasn’t sure I’d enjoy the evening as much as I’d hoped.
Opening the door, all I saw was a bouquet of red roses big enough for Knox to hide behind, and fuck, he didn’t even know what that did to my insides.
He lowered the flowers until I could see him smiling. “These are for you,” he muttered, and I swallowed.
“I assumed, because you rang my doorbell and no one else lives here. They are…” I couldn’t find words because red roses sent a message in themselves, and he probably didn’t even realize it. Reaching out, I took the bouquet from him. “Thank you,” I muttered as I turned away, inhaling deeply, loving their sweet scent.
“You’re wel—” He stopped suddenly. I glanced over my shoulder. His eyes were on me, his lashes lowered, as if he’d seen something he hadn’t intended to see—or something he had a hard time resisting.
“Yes?” I asked innocently.
Licking his lips, he met my eyes again. He smirked, looking slightly embarrassed. “I hadn’t realized I was going to have to fight men off you all evening. A warning would’ve been nice.”
I laughed, his hidden compliment heating my cheeks. I put the roses in a vase, filled it with water, and placed them on the kitchen counter, then returned to his side, doing a little twirl.
“Does that mean I look okay?”
I knew I was fishing for compliments, but he didn’t respond, just nodded toward the door. I sighed, disappointment settling in my stomach. I grabbed my keys and stepped outside, locking the door as he walked to the car.
He opened the door for me. It was strange, yet I appreciated it. The drive was quiet, except for me giving him occasional directions, and I convinced myself that this had been the worst idea ever.
I glanced at Knox, seeing his lips pressed into a thin line. I couldn’t see us convincing anyone that we were a happy couple.
“The valet will take the car, so you can park in front,” I stated quietly. He pulled up, then slipped out of the car while a young man held the door open for me.
“Thank you,” I whispered. I guessed him to be about eighteen, and when he smiled and bowed, I knew he was going to break hearts someday.
“You’re very welcome. You look incredible. Enjoy the evening.”
I nodded as Knox walked around the car. It was only then I took in his outfit. His tux fit him perfectly, and the silver tie he wore complimented my dress. As it was, at the end of the night, I wished I could peel those clothes off him one by one.
“You look forbidden in that tux,” I whispered as he leaned in, kissing the side of my head.
“Thank you, darling,” he replied, his voice low. I felt his palm settle on the small of my back, my skin tingling.
I took the lead, ignoring the way everyone seemed to stare at us as I pulled up the gown slightly, hoping to not step on it as we walked up the stairs. A few people greeted us, but I just nodded at them, glad when Knox took my hand.
The ball was always held at the National Museum of Eden, and I loved the building, but I was too nervous to enjoy my surroundings tonight.
“Champagne?” a server asked.
I glanced at Knox. If I got tipsy, I couldn’t guarantee anything, so I shook my head.
“No, thank you. I still have to lead the ball, and we don’t want that to be a mess, do we?” I winked. The server blushed before bowing and walking away. Knox had also refused a glass, which I was glad about. There was nothing I hated more than people who drank, then considered themselves fit to drive. Too often in my job, I’d seen the proof most weren’t.
There weren’t too many people here yet, so I easily spotted my boss. “See that guy over there?” I nodded. “That’s my boss. I need to go say hi. I’m just… I’ll introduce you, and… You’ll be okay, right? This will be… I mean—”
“Relax, Sarah,” Knox interrupted my babbling, stepping around me until all I could see was him. He took both my hands in his, brushing his thumbs across my knuckles. “You’ll do perfectly fine, and I’ll be on my best behavior.”
I panicked suddenly because we hadn’t figured out our story, hadn’t agreed on times and dates. Almost everyone here was a police officer or firefighter, people trained in catching liars. My breath hitched and I swallowed, opening my mouth to say something when Knox framed my face with his hands.
“Breathe,” he whispered so close, I smelled the minty scent of his toothpaste.
“I am breathing,” I assured him, but felt lightheaded.
He chuckled and I focused on his eyes, the blue seeming darker than normal. I was conscious of the way the pad of his thumb brushed across my cheek. I turned into the touch, drawing strength from it.
“Better?” he asked.
I nodded. “Better.”
He stepped back, linking our fingers, before gesturing over to my boss. I approached him and his wife. “Sergeant Denton? Mrs. Denton?” The two focused on me. I didn’t miss the way both eyed Knox. “This is Knox Dyer.” I wanted to add that he was my boyfriend, but the words got stuck in my throat. I worried the more I’d say that, the more I’d believe it myself.
“I’m her boyfriend. It’s nice to meet you, ma’am, sir.” He shook both hands, then drew me into his side.
“Are you ready?” my boss asked, making Knox chuckle.
“She was born ready, although I have to say, she’s surprisingly nervous.”
I forced a smile, somewhat mad that he hadn’t given me the chance to answer, but when Denton only laughed, slapping Knox’s shoulder, I was glad anyway.
“What handsome is trying to say is I’m anxious to get the talking out of the way and get to the food.” I winked, relaxing.
We chatted a little before we were taken to the small space behind the stage. They put a headset on me and taped the pack to my side, trying to hide it under my dress as best they could. When choosing this outfit, I hadn’t even thought about complications on stage. I’d just assumed I’d have a handheld mic.
Once they were done, I felt strange, but when Knox leaned over, telling me something about the buffet, I felt myself relax.
* * *
KNOX
When Sarah took the stage, I realized what Hayden was talking about. Glancing around, I couldn’t count the number of men who watched her with appreciation, almost as if they hoped they’d get a chance with her that night.
And the guy standing on stage, one of the firefighters in Eden, smiled at her as if he’d walked in with her on his arm.
Not that Sarah seemed to notice.
She was a natural, holding the audience captive with small anecdotes and sweet smiles while she talked about what the Eden police and firefighters had managed over the last year, which fundraisers were coming, and when the barbecues were for family and friends.
She probably said a few more things, but I got lost in watching the way her necklace sparkled, drawing attention to the soft skin of her neck. I wanted to put my mark on her, wanted to make sure people knew she was here with someone.
I was her fake boyfriend, but there was nothing fake about the way I wanted to make certain everyone knew she belonged to me.
“And now, let me end with a joke. A policeman pulls over a guy for speeding and asks him to get out of the vehicle. After looking the man over, he says, ‘Sir, I couldn’t help but notice your eyes are bloodshot. Have you been drinking?’ The man gets really indignant and says, ‘Officer, I couldn’t help but notice your eyes are glazed. Have you been eating donuts?’”
The crowd laughed while Sarah winked. “Because we’re famous for that, let’s hope tonight’s menu includes one of those fried goodies. With that, I hope you’ll enjoy dinner and some fine music.”
The firefighter walked over, placing his hand on the small of her back. I couldn’t help but grit my teeth.
“There’s nothing to worry about, young man. I saw the way she looked at you.” I turned my attention from Sarah to Mrs. Denton. The lady looked to be in her late fifties, her eyes a watery green, her smile kind.
I shook my head. “I’m not worried. I mean… I’m just not.”
She chuckled, patting my arm, then leaned in. “Being in love is hard, isn’t it? Especially with someone as complex as our Sarah. I get it. It’s hard being the right man for a woman who is kind to the marrow of her bones, but the way you touch her makes it obvious you’ll do everything you can to make her happy. You’re a good match. No one will be able to deny how much in love you are.”
I was torn between being glad everyone believed our act and upset because it was all fake.
Sarah and the firefighter stepped to our table. I instantly stood, along with the rest of the men at the table. I’d forgotten those were the manners in small towns. During business meetings back in Atlanta, women had insisted on being treated as equals, so no one really stood.
“Knox, this is Eric. He and I have worked closely on some cases. Eric, this is Knox.” Sarah gave me a soft smile before lowering her eyes. I wondered what was going on in her head, but knew I couldn’t ask until we had more privacy.
Eric held out his hand, his dark eyes guarded. “The boyfriend. I heard a rumor she hadn’t come alone today. Imagine my surprise about her dating someone. I’d never heard about you before. Glad she found someone, though.”
Knowing he was trying to rile me up, I shook his hand, squeezing a little harder than was appropriate. “Pleasure to meet you, although I haven’t heard of you before, either.” I let go of his hand and stepped behind Sarah’s chair to pull it out for her.
“Well, I assume we’ll be seeing a lot more of you, won’t we?” Eric asked as Sarah blushed furiously. He clearly knew something was up.
I sighed, drawing Sarah close. Meeting her eyes, I grinned. “If she stops hiding me.”
I leaned in, rubbing the tip of my nose against hers before kissing her briefly—my heart stopping in my chest. Jesus, I wanted to ravage her right there on the spot, but forced myself to pull back. Her eyes were still closed. She licked her lips before slowly lifting her lashes, exhaling quietly.
Oh hell, she’d felt it, too—the electrical charge between us, the undeniable connection.
“Please, everyone sit. Mr. Brice, I believe you’re sitting somewhere over there.” Sergeant Denton pointed at a table across the room.
Eric nodded, although his smile was tinged with silent fury. “Sure. Sarah, I’ll see you for the second part of the show and the opening dance.”
He touched her arm briefly before walking away. Sarah arched her brows and sat on the chair I now offered her again. After I took my own seat, Mrs. Denton leaned over with a quick wink.
“A claim well placed and even better executed,” she whispered conspiratorially. I chuckled quietly.
“Was it that obvious?”
She shrugged, her black gown shifting slightly to reveal skin and bones. “It was to me because I was watching you. Eric is a good man, but not the one for Sarah—no matter what he’s thinking or what history lies between them.”
I fisted my hands under the table because knowing there’d been something between Eric and Sarah made me want to get up and punch the guy, even if I had as much claim to her as he did—none.
I felt her small hand on my thigh and turned to her. She was glowing, a rosy blush on her cheeks, while her lips were drawn into a happy smile. I couldn’t resist and kissed her again, lingering for a moment just to take her in.
“What are you doing?” Sarah asked, her voice barely above a whisper, and I cupped her cheek.
“Fulfilling boyfriend duties, and you need to be kissed. A lot.”
I wanted to say more, but a server interrupted us. As dinner was placed on the table, I couldn’t help but think I was in way too deep.