Seductive Knight

by Tierney O'Malley

  Suddenly, the house turned cold while Gawain stared at her as if she were an unwanted gnat that he hated. Edmund was wrong. Gawain didn’t want to see her again. Most likely someone had twisted his arm to make him agree to let her stay.

  Alex scrunched her nose when Gawain looked at her from head to toe. Handsome and also intimidating, she thought.

  Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. I should have insisted on calling Luke.

  Her excitement quickly waning, Alex pulled her height to its fullest and returned Gawain’s assessment. She clasped her hands in front of her the way Nanni reminded her to do, to show everyone that she was every bit of a respectable lady although she wanted to tell him it was rude to measure someone with a stare. Gawain stood in front of her, then bent down to place the shoes by her feet. “You didn’t have to take these off.”

  “I have to. They’re dusty.” On the island, Nanni required that everyone remove their shoes before entering the house. She figured she should do the same here, especially with the shiny hardwood floor winking at her. Suddenly conscious about her feet, her cheeks heated. “Salamat.” She quickly slipped her feet in her shoes.

  “Excuse me?”

  “I said, thank you.”

  Gawain frowned.

  She bit her lip. Great. My accent is emerging. Whenever she felt agitated or nervous, Ema told her that her accent would get thicker. Well, Gawain made her nervous.

  “You’re welcome. Edmund told me you need a place to stay.”

  “Yes. You have a beautiful home.”

  Gawain nodded. “Your temporary room is upstairs. I’ll show it to you.”

  “Thank you.”

  Gawain combed back his long bangs with his fingers again, a habit he’d acquired at a young age. She’d seen him do that many times when they were younger. “My house is open to Bors’s visitors, but not indefinitely. I kind of like my solitude. I’m sure Bors already told you the rules.”

  “Rules?”

  “Yes. No drinking or smoking in the house, no inviting friends over, no ordering porn on On Demand, my room is off limits, and you can stay here three days max. Simple rules.”

  “Three days.” Edmund didn’t say anything about those rules. He also said two to three weeks. Oh, my God. Did I misunderstand?

  “Three days. That’s the deal Bors and I made. Anyway, my brother will have something figured out before your three days are out. Depends on your case, of course.”

  “I-I don’t understand. I thought you expected me to stay here.”

  “I am expecting you, but like I said—”

  “I heard you.” She picked up her shoes. “I’ll leave right away.”

  Gawain frowned. “You can stay.”

  “For three days. I don’t think that would be enough.

  “My house is not a hotel. You should understand that.”

  “I understand perfectly well, Gawain. It is great seeing you, although, obviously you’re not happy to see me. I totally understand. No hard feelings. Now, I’ll spare you the trouble of having a company for three days. I’ll give you back your solitude. I’m leaving.”

  “Can’t let you do that. Not until I talk to Bors.”

  Bors? She remembered him. A handsome and funny Knight. But what had he to do with her? “Why Bors?”

  “So he can tell me the situation.”

  “What situation?”

  Gawain let out an exasperated sigh. “Why you are here. At least I know what I’m up against if something happens.”

  If something happens? My God. Did Baskerville tell the Knights about her mom killing a man? Baskerville and Arthur Knight were friends. They must have talked. Embarrassed, Alex felt her face burning. She looked down and stared at her shoes. They were old, scuffed, and yet clean. Nanni told her the price of the shoes didn’t matter, but rather, the person who wears them. She was Molly’s daughter and she should be proud.

  Alex looked up and met Gawain’s gaze. There was nothing embarrassing about her mother’s action that night. She did what she had to do. What she thought she should do.

  “No need to call your brother. Nothing will happen to me.”

  “Please don’t make this hard on both of us. I am offering you my home for three days. Just, just accept it. Help us help you.” Gawain’s frown went deeper as he spoke.

  Alex shook her head and walked toward the door. God, why did Edmund say Gawain would be happy to see me? Did he just say that so she wouldn’t insist on calling Luke? “Please thank Bors on my behalf. I didn’t mean to inconvenience anyone. I have a friend. He offered me a place to stay.”

  “I know. Edmund told me. Okay, how about this. I’ll talk to Bors first, and then you can call your friend. How’s that?”

  Alex agreed, her emotions in chaos. She couldn’t understand. Why would Gawain treat her with so much indifference? Did he harbor a grudge as deep as the ocean she’d crossed? Or he, too, had heard about her mother and her crime and decided he didn’t want to be associated with her? Edmund said she was passed down three times before he got the duty of bringing her here. Maybe no one wanted to be close to her.

  “If Bors says you’re good to go, I’ll call a cab. You don’t have to worry about the fare. I can also give you a ride. Do you have your friends address?”

  “Cab?”

  “Taxi,” Gawain explained with a hint of a smile.

  “Yes. A taxi would be nice.”

  Gawain reached behind his pants. He pulled out his wallet and opened it. “Here. I have three hundred dollars cash. Would that be okay?”

  “I-I don’t need your money, Gawain.”

  “Please, I understand your situation. Once you’re settled or got your life going again, you can pay me back.”

  “There’s no need. I’m not taking your money. Please call Bors so I can go.”

  The ache in her chest intensified. They hadn’t parted on good terms. She remembered saying that she didn’t want to see him again. That was years ago, though, and she spoke like a stupid child would. God, but she didn’t think he’d hate her so much. Embarrassed beyond belief, she stammered her apologies. “I-I-I am sorry for the trouble. Th-thank you for the offer, but I can’t take your money.” The back of her nose burned. Her eyes began to water. Damn it. She wouldn’t cry.

  Alex wanted to stomp her feet when hot tears rolled down first on her left cheek and then the right.

  * * * *

  Tears. A woman’s most powerful weapon to make a man bend. Damn. Seemed like he upset her. What the hell. He’d offered the others money before, and they didn’t take offense. Given her accent, maybe she was an immigrant. That could be it. Maybe in her culture, it was offensive if a stranger offered them money.

  From the doorway, he had a chance to observe her. She was barefoot. Her shoes were on the corner of the doormat. He thought it odd. Now, hearing her talk was even weirder. He really must talk to Bors and ask about her story. He hoped she wasn’t an illegal alien. With the immigration laws getting tighter now, she’d be back in the country where she’d come from in a hurry.

  “I see this is really upsetting to you, but I’ve done this before. Bors had brought women here and I let them stay and gave them money so—”

  “Bors brought women here and you gave them money?”

  “Yes.”

  “And you think I’m one of those women?”

  “Aren’t you?”

  “I’m not a loose woman.”

  “Loose woman? Most women I’ve let stay here…Oh, wait. You think the women who stayed here are loose and I paid them?” The woman wiped her tears with her fingers then squared her shoulder. Her posture was so straight she reminded Gawain of his old toy soldier. She looked ready to punch him. “No. Not all of them are paid women. The majority of them has all kinds of drama or issues going on with their lives. My brother is helping them. I support his cause, but within the bounds of reason.”

  “I beg your pardon, Gawain, but what drama are you talking about?”

  “Whatever it is you
’re running from.” Damn, it. He should have taken two Tylenol capsules. He was hoping he’d just show this woman her room, offer her food and that was it. If she wanted to stay with a friend, he’d let Bors know. He didn’t need this.

  “You thought I’m one of the women Bors is trying to help.”

  “Isn’t that why you’re here? You need help, don’t you?”

  “Yes, I need help. But not—”

  “That settles it. You need a place to stay. I have a room you could use. If you’d rather that you stay with a friend, that’s fine. That’s after Bors gives me his permission.”

  “Who are those women Bors is trying to help?” Alex shook her head. “Forget I asked. I shouldn’t pry.”

  “Can’t tell you anyway.”

  Damn. Now she sounded so proper and her accent disappeared. Could she stand any straighter? Didn’t matter. At least she’d stopped crying. “All right.” Gawain raised his hands up in the air in a gesture that he capitulated. “We’ve started on the wrong foot here. You need a place to stay. I know, that.”

  “And that is true, but I have to decline. It must have been difficult for you to have constant visitors. Like I said, Luke offered his place where I could stay when I get to the United States. I’ll stay with him.”

  Obviously, she had education. Maybe she had money before and now found herself in a difficult situation. Thus, the pride. “No problem there.”

  “Good. Now, please call Bors.”

  The last woman Bors had tried to help tried to steal his wallet and gave him a shiner. This one might not do those things, but would drive you nuts with her pride. She was kind of shrewish, too.

  Gawain looked at her ankle length dress. It had seen better days and was three sizes bigger than her. Her shoes were no better. She dressed like a transient wandering around in downtown Seattle. Well, at least she looked clean. Unlike a hobo who hadn’t showered in a month, she smelled nice. What was up with her hat…worn and practically covered her face. Was she hiding on purpose? Maybe she had rashes on her forehead she wanted to hide? Good God. He hoped she wasn’t contagious. Also, one minute she spoke fluently as if she was born here and then she’d talk like English was her second language the next. What the fuck was that about? Now, he regretted not asking Edmund about her.

  Gawain took a deep breath. “Okay. Just hang on a sec.” He walked toward the window a few feet away from the woman. He fished his phone from his front pocket and dialed Bors’s number. He answered right away. “Bro, she wants to stay with her friend.”

  Bors’s reply was brief. “No.”

  “Butthead, she’s insistent.”

  “She’s staying with you, Peewee. And don’t fucking let her out of your sight,” Bors snarled from the end of the phone.

  “Trouble?”

  Bors sighed. “Baskerville thinks so. What do you think about her?”

  “What do you mean?”

  Bors laughed. “Edmund said she could make any man’s cock come alive.”

  “Not mine. Stop laughing.”

  “Does she look familiar to you?”

  “No. Can’t really tell. She’s wearing a hat.” Gawain looked at the woman.

  “You sure?”

  “I’m sure.”

  “All right. Understandable. Snot, look at her and then call me. Remember, she’s staying with you. I don’t have all the facts, but for now, I want you to keep an eye on her.”

  “Wait, are we talking about more than three days?”

  “Yes.”

  “Fuck it, Bors. We have a deal.”

  “She’s not going anywhere without you. And no one is supposed to know that she’s in Orcas.”

  “You’re asking more than what I offered,” he hissed on the phone.

  “And I know you’ll do more for her once you figure out who she is.”

  “I’m supposed to know her?”

  “Take care of her while I find more info.”

  “Bro, I’m not an agent.”

  “I know that, cuticle. Just listen to me. She’s not going anywhere. This one is not like the others.”

  “Damn it, Bors.”

  Bors chuckled. “Can’t believe you didn’t recognize her.”

  Gawain turned to look at the woman. She stared back. I’m supposed to know this woman? “Who is she?”

  “Breaking your own rule?”

  “Damn it, Bors!”

  “Listen, I’ll leave her to you. If she insists on leaving, use your cuffs you keep beside your bed.”

  “I don’t have handcuffs—“

  “I’ll call as soon as I talk to Baskerville.”

  “—anywhere in this house. Wait…Baskerville is involved, too?”

  “Yes. As much as you are now.”

  Looking at the woman who was staring at him as if he’d just grown ten feet tall, he hung up the phone. “Sorry. I can’t let you stay with your friend.”

  “Why?”

  “Bors said so.”

  “You always do what your brother tells you to do?”

  “Depends.”

  “Well, given how you like your solitude, I think it’s best that I go someplace else. I am not interested in staying here anymore. I don’t care what Bors told you.”

  Sighing, he raked his hair again, deliberately showing her his frustration. “I can’t let you leave. It’s for your own good.”

  “I’m leaving.”

  “Don’t be a brat.”

  “A brat?”

  “You’re acting like one. I’m surprised you haven’t stomped your feet and screamed like a little girl.”

  “You are rude!”

  Gawain shrugged. “I’ll still give you three hundred dollars if you stay. How’s that?”

  “Gawain, offer me your money one more time and I’ll forget my promise to Nanni to behave like a lady.” She walked toward the couch where Gawain noticed a small travel bag.

  “Now, wait a minute.” He blocked her from going anywhere. “You can’t go out there. Bors said—”

  “I don’t care.”

  “You should. He’s only trying to protect you. Don’t be such a hard head.”

  She put her hands on her hips the way Teta would when upset. “Let me ask you this, Gawain. If it weren’t for Bors, would you let me stay here?”

  “What kind of question is that? If it weren’t for Bors, you wouldn’t be here and the other women would never have stepped foot here either.”

  “Thought so. I’m leaving.”

  “You’re being ungrateful, you know that. Bors put his life in danger to—”

  “Danger? What in the world are you talking about? I came here to the US without talking to Bors. Why he would butt his head in my affairs, I have no idea. And Edmund said you are expecting me and will be happy to see me. Which we both know, now, is a lie. I can’t believe I listened to him. He lied! You don’t want me here more so than you hate celery in your salad.”

  “Celery?” Yes, he hated celery, but how did she know that? Gawain watched the woman walk around him and pick up her bag. Whatever she had in it wasn’t much. It didn’t look heavy at all.

  “I am thankful that Bors asked Edmund to pick me up at the airport to bring me here. I’m sorry that I bothered you, but I wouldn’t have come here if my godparents had not been sick.”

  “Godparents?”

  “The Baskervilles.”

  “You mean Ben and Susan Baskerville?”

  “Yes.”

  “How—”

  “They are my parents’ friends.”

  “—right.”

  “God, Gawain. Life’s too short to hold grudges this long. I suspected you’d hate seeing me, but not this much.”

  “Why would I hate seeing you?”

  Who the heck is this woman?

  “I think I know why you’re doing this. You hated me for what had happened in the past, and also, you most likely think an apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. That I am like my mother once was.” She walked toward the door.
<
br />   Shit. “Stop. You’re not making sense.”

  What the hell was she talking about? They’d met? He would remember if they had. Why would he think she was like her mother? “Stop,” he repeated and followed her. He reached her in a few strides, then grabbed the doorknob before she could turn it. Standing this close, he could smell her scent. Fresh. Like vanilla.

  Gawain tilted his head to the side to see her face better. God, even a scarecrow has a better looking hat than she does. And what the hell is she wearing? A flour sack? Gawain shook his head. She really had his attention now. Bors asked about what he’d thought of this woman. His answer…a shrew.

  “I’m sorry, all right?”

  After taking a deep breath, Gawain gave her his deadly charming smile, expecting a reaction he knew too well. The woman’s reaction surprised him, though. She only lifted her chin. She didn’t whimper or return his smile. Different. Yes. Different compared to the many women he had bedded in the past. All he had to do was grace them with his smile and they fell all over his feet. This one, though, was darn unusual.

  The top of her head reached his chin. He tried to see her eyes, but she only pulled her hat down. This is stupid. “Let’s have a truce, all right?”

  “A truce,” she said sarcastically.

  “Have we met?”

  “Of…course. You don’t know who I am?”

  “No. I’m supposed to know you?”

  “Oh, my God. You have no idea that I’m coming, do you?”

  “Yes, I know you’ll be here.”

  “But you didn’t know it’s me coming here today.”

  ”Well, I told Edmund not to tell me your name. It’s my rule, you see. I don’t want the names of those women who stay here. In your case, I’m breaking my own rule. You said Ben is your godfather and your dad’s best friend.”

  Her dad was Baskerville’s friend? Gawain’s heart started pounding against his chest. Could this be…no. No way. This woman spoke with an accent. “Take off your hat.”

  “Why?”

  “I want to see your face.”