Chapter 7 No Home

• Taylor froze, her fingers tightened against the fabric of her gown..
• Remove what?
• Knox’s gaze dropped, tracking down the length of her arm until his eyes rested on her left hand.
• "Remove that ring," he commanded softly.
• Taylor glanced down at her hand, her elbow stiffening.
• "If you want to make a deal with me," Knox said calmly, "remove another man's ring before you stand in front of me."
• Taylor looked down at the simple band on her finger. It was a couple's ring she had bought with her savings. It was a token she had treasured more than anything else in the world.
• But not anymore.
• She slid the ring off her finger and dropped it into her small evening purse.
• "Good," Knox said, finally releasing her from the wall. "Now we can talk."
• Talk?
• Taylor looked around the massive space.
• Heavy mahogany office chair, the sleek desk, and the neatly organized folders.
• "Is this an office or a hotel room?" she asked, her fingertips tracing the smooth edge of the desk.
• "I can choose to make it anything I want," Knox replied smoothly, his eyes following her movements. "If I want it to be a room, it becomes a room."
• Taylor’s fingers froze on the wood.
• She turned to him. "Mr. Knox, marry me."
• "I heard you the first time," Knox said, leaning against the edge of the desk. "Now I want to hear why I should marry you. What do I gain?"
• "Freedom," Taylor said without hesitation. She stepped closer. "If the press finds out that you are marrying me, my family won't be able to push you into the alliance with Mira. I know you don't want it."
• Knox smirk. "And why do you want me? Besides, I don't trust your family. Why should I trust you?"
• Taylor met his gaze.
• "Because you're the only man powerful enough to protect me from them. And because I'm risking far more than you are."
• Knox studied her face for a long, silent moment before giving a slow nod. "A contract marriage?"
• "Yes. You can call it that."
• Buzz. Buzz.
• The sharp vibration of a phone cut through the silence. Knox looked down at his screen, and a dark, smile spread across his face. "It seems your family is entirely unaware of your little rebellion."
• Taylor watched him, she didn't need to look at the screen to know who was calling. Mira. She held her breath, waiting to see if he would answer.
• Knox swiped the red button, rejecting the call and walked over to Taylor stopping so close that they were practically sharing the same air. "Don't make me regret this," he murmured. Turning slightly, he poured a deep red wine into two crystal glasses and handed one to her. "Take it."
• Taylor stared at the dark liquid before slowly accepting the glass and drank the wine down in one continuous gulp.
• "Hey, calm down," Knox said, raising an eyebrow.
• Taylor set the empty glass down. "Are you afraid, Mr. Knox?"
• "Yes," he paused dramatically, his eyes darkening as he leaned in closer. "I'm afraid of what I might do."
• Taylor choked, coughing slightly as the wine caught in her throat.
• Knox let out a low laugh and walked back to his chair. "Don't try to tease someone if you can't handle the fallback." He sat down, watching her closely.
• Taylor poured herself another glass. The horrific memories of her past life came rushing back.
• "Do you believe there is actually true love in this world?" she asked suddenly, her eyes fixated on the swirling red wine.
• Knox watched her steadily and nodded. "Why ask that?"
• She shook her head, a bitter laugh escaping her lips. "Love always comes with a price. Sometimes it's money. Sometimes it's power. And sometimes... it's betrayal."
• "True love exists," Knox countered softly, taking a slow sip of his own wine.
• "Then maybe I'm just not meant to experience it," Taylor laughed, though a stray tear slipped down her cheek.
• Knox frowned slightly, setting his glass down. "You're drunk. You should go home."
• "Don't worry... I won't stay. I know you're chasing me away too," she mumbled.
• Her knees gave out, and she sank down onto the cold floor, curling up with her evening bag.
• Knox stood up and walked over to her. "Hey. Hey, get up," he called out.
• The only response was the soft, even sound of her breathing. She was fast asleep.
• Knox squatted in front of her.
• His hand reached out toward her face, freezing for a fraction of a second before he gently brushed a stray lock of hair away from her eyes.
• "Leave me alone... I'll go by myself..." Taylor mumbled in her sleep, flinched slightly.
• Knox’s lips twitched. "Bold."
• "But where should I go?" she whispered into the empty room, her voice breaking. "I don't have a home..."
• The amused smile instantly froze on Knox’s face. He looked at her quiet, vulnerable form.
• Buzz. Buzz.
• Taylor's phone vibrating loudly inside her purse.
• Knox ignored it, but the phone rang out and immediately started up again.
• He pulled the device out.
• The caller ID flashing on the screen simply read: Home.
• The phone timed out, went silent for a second, and then immediately began to buzz again.
• Knox slid the green bar and brought the phone to his ear.
• "Hello," Knox answered.