"When Steel Meets Silk"

used from years of forging steel, had built weapons, armor, and intri

ce's challenge

ashion district, feeling like a wolf in enemy territory. He wasn't a suit-and-tie guy-his dark j

through his tousled black h

set, barely glanced at him before pointing toward a

d his rugged appearance back at him. He felt out of place, but if Emilia though

ns draped in fabric, sewing machines humming, and assistants bustling

she was-Em

ssed in a deep red blouse and tailored black pants, she was a vision of control. Her d

e remarked withou

idn't realize I w

She picked up a thick folder and handed it to him. "These are my designs. The corset needs to be

despite himself. The sketches were detailed

know your craf

brow. "Did you a

h designer with big ideas and no clu

a knowing smirk. "A

"Fine. I'll

t he caught the subtle gleam of satisfactio

? You do realize metalwork isn'

ween them unmistakable. "You're

is head. "You really don'

you that

nd silk. A challenge crackled in the air between the

sketches under his arm.

gaze steady. "I'll

pened. "No. I'll

then she recovered, lifting her chin. "

it. But before he left, he threw

r be worth

mething unreadable flicke

t wil

whether it would be a mas