Seductive Knight

by Tierney O'Malley

“I told you not…I didn’t know…” She made a sweeping motion with her hand, disbelief written all over her face. “This is unbelievable. I never would have thought…wow.”

  “I know it’s not exactly how you dreamed—”

  Alex cupped his face and stopped him with a kiss. “It is more than I could ever hope for. Thank you.”

  Gawain took her hand and kissed both palms. “You deserve more than this.”

  “It’s enough. You’ve made me very happy.”

  “For you, I’ll do everything.” For a minute, everything stood still. Nothing mattered but the woman standing in front of him. Strong love for her moved deep inside him. Damn, how he loved her. Yeah. That tiny seed called caring had sprouted deep inside him a long ago, but now it had grown to be a full blown love. Before the night was over, he’d make it known to everyone that she was his.

  Mine.

  He felt someone smack him on the shoulder none too gently followed by clearing of throats and laughter. Smiling, he planted a loud kiss on Alex’s lips. “I’m not letting you go,” he whispered. Alex’s eyes widened. She opened her mouth to say something, but he stopped her. “Is that boutonniere for me?”

  “Yes. Kirsten told me to give this to you. I didn’t ask why. I’ve never even heard of a boutonniere. I don’t think I can even spell the word. I’m so excited and nervous about this party that I didn’t even notice the sisters at-heart are all carrying their boutonnieres.”

  Gawain laughed. “You’re supposed to pin this on my suit’s lapel, love. Right here,” he teased.

  Alex looked at the others. “All right.” Her hand shook so much they had to ask Kirsten for help.

  When everyone was ready, they all lined up and posed for the photographer, who had a fine time taking their pictures.

  “Gawain, you didn’t have to do this for me,” Alex whispered.

  “I got help.”

  Alex smiled at everyone. Since Gawain’s parents were standing in the back, she gave them a big air hug. “Thank you all for making this happen.”

  “You’re welcome, Alex. I’m not a religious person, but I’d like to think that Molly and Clayton are looking down on you right now. Proud of what you’ve become.”

  That little speech brought tears to Alex’s eyes.

  “Thank you,” she choked on the words.

  Addie gave her a tight hug. “I should thank you. Growing up in a convent, I didn’t get a chance to attend my prom. Now, I got a second chance.”

  “Me, too. I was homeschooled, you know. No friends, didn’t attend any parties. Missed homecoming and prom. No boyfriends.” Taylor looked at Bors, her eyes twinkling. “Until my smelly troll came along and swept me off my feet.”

  “You’re kidding.”

  “Nope,” Taylor wiped Alex’s tears with the pads of her fingers.

  “What about you, Julie?”

  “Same. I had to walk the straight line because of my ex-stepmother who threatened to steal my inheritance.”

  “Wow. Kirsten?”

  “Attended all four years of homecoming and four years of prom.”

  “Four for prom? I thought prom is for seniors.”

  “Got asked each year of high school.” Kirsten grinned.

  Alex noticed Edmund scowl. Still, it could have been just a shadow because it was gone in a heartbeat, replaced by a smile. He wrapped his fingers at the back of Kirsten’s neck and then placed a kiss on her temple. Alex glanced at the brothers. Their grins were tight. Boy, they’d have a hard time when Kirsten finally exchanged I dos with Edmund.

  “Ladies and gentlemen,” the vocalist announced. “A special request for tonight’s first dance. You Belong To Me.”

  * * * *

  Gawain took Alex’s hand and guided her to the center of the dance floor. His heart was pounding so hard that it muted the band playing. Without taking his eyes off Alex, he placed an arm around her waist, leaving a respectable distance, although all he wanted to do was hold her tight. But this was her prom night. He’d do everything to make it feel like one. Come to think of it, tonight had been better than any of his high school dances. He was dancing with the only woman he loved and would ever love. And tonight, he would make it known to everyone present.

  Slowly, their bodies moved like one. Her hand felt warm on his shoulder and the other flat on his chest with his own hand on top of it. He knew she could feel his heart beat. Did she know that every beat was just for her?

  “Why are you staring, Mr. Knight?”

  “The same reason you are.”

  “I think you are the most handsome man in the whole wide world.”

  “My mom, sister, and sisters-in-law would disagree with you.” Gawain lifted her hand to kiss her palm, then placed it back to where it was.

  “Well, in that case, in my world then.”

  Gawain grinned. He pulled Alex close to him. God he wanted to feel her warmth, her soft body. He wanted to tuck her in his arms so no harm could come to her. He wanted to comfort her at all times, and he wanted to grow old with her. He loved her so much he’d explode if he didn’t share the feeling with her soon. “In my world, you’re mine.”

  He leaned down to capture her mouth. He grunted a male satisfaction when she met him halfway. He gave her a very gentle, undemanding kiss. Then she put her arms around his neck and returned his kiss with equal passion. Their kiss turned hot, quickly spiraling him out of control. Damn, she never failed to arouse him. And he’d never tire of her taste, the feel of her tongue touching his. He just slanted his mouth on top of hers when loud ehems reached his ears. Slowly, he released Alex’s soft lips. Her cheeks were bright red.

  He didn’t dare laugh. His love was embarrassed enough for forgetting herself in front of their family and friends. He realized the music had ended as well, but he didn’t take his eyes off Alex. God, he wouldn’t tire of looking at those big green eyes of hers. He ran the pad of his thumb along her lower lip, savoring its softness. He dipped his head for just a quick kiss when Teta broke the spell.

  “Tough bunions! Is he going to kiss her again?”

  It was Teta who asked the question loud enough for the neighbors to hear and made everyone laugh. He ended up planting a kiss on Alex’s forehead.

  “Bro, our special guests are waiting.” Percival clapped him on the shoulder and then walked toward the table where he had the computer technicians wait.

  “We have special guests?” Alex asked.

  “Yeah. They’re looking forward to seeing you.”

  “Me?”

  “Yes, love.” Gawain kissed her temple then wrapped his arm around her. “Watch that big TV.”

  * * * *

  Who could be their special guests that they had to be on the big television? President Barack Obama? She waited while the cursor moved around the blue screen. A loud gasp escaped her when she saw who was on the screen. She covered her mouth with her hand to stifle a cry. Gawain’s arm tightened around her waist.

  “They are our special guests.”

  “Oh, my God. How?”

  Before Gawain could give her a reply, Ema waved at her and to everyone.

  “Hi, Alex. You look like a girl.”

  “Because I am a girl.”

  “I know, but right now you look like one,” Ema replied with a grin.

  Alex shook her head laughing. “Oh, my God, I can’t believe this.”

  “How are you, Alex?”

  “Nanni…” Her tears rolled down her cheeks. “I missed you both.”

  “You look beautiful. I’m glad we got to see you on your prom night.”

  “Me, too.” Alex smiled at Nanni’s attempt to speak in English. She noticed Ema and Nanni’s clothes. “Are you wearing a tuxedo, Ema? Nanni, your dress. I’ve never seen it before.”

  “Kirsten sent us the clothes. Thank you, Kirsten. Boy, you look lovely.”

  “Thank you, Auntie Nanni.”

  “What?” Alex couldn’t believe what was happening. “You’ve been talking to them? How co
me I didn’t know any of these.”

  “Because it’s a surprise, love.”

  “You look happy,” Nanni said.

  “I am, Nanni. There are so many things I wanted to tell you.”

  “Later, Alex. We have a computer now. We can talk anytime. Right now, we are going to party.”

  Alex laughed when Nanni moved her shoulders up and down.

  “Gawain, thanks for the Mac. I really appreciate this.”

  Alex turned to look at Gawain. “You gave them the computer?”

  He squeezed her shoulder. “You’re welcome, bro. Percival tweaked it a bit to make it run faster. The feed is really awesome.”

  “Thanks, Percival.”

  “You’re welcome, man. Hey, thanks for the video. The caves are freaking magnificent.”

  “What video,” Alex whispered.

  “Percival sent him a GoPro.”

  “So they’d met. Since when?”

  Gawain replied with a kiss on her temple. “Since you received your driver’s license.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “We all thought to surprise you.”

  “You did this. For me?”

  “I’ll do more, baby. To make you happy.”

  Alex was at a loss for words. She cupped Gawain’s cheeks, tiptoed and then kissed him on the lips. She didn’t care if Ema and Nanni were watching. Right now, her heart was full of love for this man lovingly holding her. They stared for what seemed to be forever, but only a few seconds had passed. She could just stand there and gaze at Gawain’s face.

  “I hate to break the staring contest, but we’ll have to borrow Gawain for a minute.” Bors smacked Gawain on the back none too gently.

  The brothers took their spots on the stage. Alex didn’t know what was happening. Kirsten stood beside her. The brothers’ wives followed. “What’s going on?”

  “My brothers are performing. Come on, Knights! Rock the night!” Kirsten yelled.

  “Sexy beasts!”

  “I love you!”

  “Woohoo!”

  Alex looked around, laughing. She didn’t know who said what. She didn’t care. Ema and Nanni were still on the screen clapping. She couldn’t believe she was watching the four handsome brothers. They were so breathtaking in their casual clothes, but in their tuxedoes, they made her heart so close to bursting she felt dizzy. Her eyes though kept focusing on the youngest boy in the Knight family—Gawain. She met his gaze. Hi winked at her.

  Edmund handed each Knight the stem of a deep red rose.

  Bors tapped the microphone. “All right. This performance is for the beautiful women in our lives.”

  Alex heard loud sighing and giggles around her, but she didn’t look. She couldn’t take her eyes off Gawain.

  And then the band started playing.

  The brothers, standing with their legs apart, snapped their fingers in unison. Alex realized they were going to sing.

  They did.

  Kirsten whispered that each brother had their favorite songs, but the four of them were crazy about the Troggs. Alex wasn’t familiar with the group, but when the brothers sang All Around Us, she fell in love with the song instantly.

  Alex could not believe the boy she admired and loved was staring back at her while he sang each wonderful word of the song. And then Gawain winked.

  Oh, Lord.

  As soon as they got done singing, Tristan, Bors, and Percival left their spots. They walked over to their wives to hand them the roses. Gawain, however, remained on his spot. Twirling the stem between his fingers, he kept his gaze on her.

  All of a sudden, everything went still, with no one saying a word. Even the wind seemed to stop blowing. She looked around her. Gawain’s family and friends were all smiling. Bors winked at her. Tristan nodded as if in acknowledgment. She was about to ask why was everyone quiet, but Percival placed a finger on his lips and then pointed at Gawain.

  Gawain reached inside his breast pocket and took out a folded piece of paper. Before he unfolded it, he looked at the television screen where Ema and Nanni were also sitting quietly. “Thank you for making this night possible and for keeping my heart safe all these years. I owe you one, brother, Nanni.”

  Ema, sporting a big grin, nodded. Nanni, on the other hand, began crying. What in the world did Gawain mean by keeping his heart safe? Alex didn’t have to wait long to hear the answer.

  “Years ago, I received a letter from a ten-year-old girl,” Gawain started.

  “Oh, my God,” she whispered aloud, eliciting laughter around her.

  “This is her letter,” Gawain continued. “Yeah, I’ve kept it all these years. In this letter, she asked me to marry her and said that she’ll love me forever. I told her that I wouldn’t give my answer just yet because she had growing up to do. I have my answer now.” He pointed his gaze at Alex. “Alexandria Rose, since we were young, you held a special place in my heart. Now, you have me, baby. Body and soul.”

  Gawain started walking toward her. His swagger alone could make any woman’s heart go crazy, but those blue eyes…oh God. She might just swoon.

  Alex’s heart pounded so hard, she could hear blood pumping in her ears. He loved her. He wanted to marry her. She pinched her arm to make sure she wasn’t dreaming.

  Gawain stopped an arm length away from her and then went down on one knee. “As my family and your family, our friends, stand witness, I pledge my love to you, Alex. Mahal kita.”

  Alex was so surprised, she gasped.”

  “What did he say?”

  It must have been Bors who asked the question, but Alex couldn’t tell.

  “Google translate says, I love you,” Kirsten answered.

  “I will marry you now, tomorrow, or the next day. Anytime. If you will have me.”

  “Gawain…”

  “You are my heart, Alex. I’ve never met anyone like you. Malaki ang suso mo.”

  “What?” Alex couldn’t believe what she just heard. Gawain said the words with a heavy accent, but she understood.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” Taylor asked.

  Alex didn’t hesitate to answer. In English she said, “My boobs are big.”

  Everyone laughed almost hysterically. Alex glared at her brother. Nanni was pinching his ear as if he were still a boy.

  “Bro, I’m going to kick your ass.”

  “Man, I told you puso. Not suso. Puso means heart. Alex has a big heart,” Ema explained while laughing.

  Gawain shook his head. He produced a simple band from his pocket and then held it between his fingers.

  Alex stopped breathing. Well, it felt that way.

  “I love you. Will you marry me?”

  “Well, at least he bought a ring. Bors gave Taylor a shoe. Her shoe. I wonder how much that boy spent on that ring.”

  “Shush, Teta. The price doesn’t matter.”

  “It has diamonds?”

  “Shush!”

  Alex ignored the whisperings behind her. Her vision was blurry from unshed tears. She loved Gawain, but accepting his proposal could mean staying here in US. She looked at the screen. Nanni and Ema was watching her. Both were nodding.

  Bors must have read her mind, he announced, “Dad is working on getting Nanni and Ema Visitor’s visas. We’ll see about Keeko.”

  “You even know about my dog!”

  “We’ll make sure they are here to attend your wedding,” Kirsten said in an overly excited tone.

  “She hasn’t agreed yet,” Teta said.

  “How long is she going to make him kneel there?”

  “I think he’s been doing that quite a lot.”

  “Going down?”

  “Probably used to it now.”

  “I bet.”

  Alex couldn’t tell who said what. Her mind was in a riot, her heart ready to explode.

  “You guys are naughty,” Kirsten said.

  “How’d you know about going down?” Bors snarled.

  “Shush!”

  Soft, co
ntrolled laughter echoed around her. Smiling, she threaded her fingers through Gawain’s hair. She loved this man with all her being. How could she not marry him? “I’ve loved you since we were young, Gawain, and I’ve waited for this moment to come. Yes, Gawain Knight, I will marry you.”

  Gawain grinned, then kissed her hand. She watched as he slipped the ring around her finger.

  Cheers and clapping erupted. The band began playing again.

  As soon as Gawain stood up, he hugged her tight. “I love you.”

  “I love you more, Gawain.”

  They were about to kiss when the brothers clapped Gawain on the back. They teased him mercilessly making him blush. He looked adorable. When all the hugging and crying was done, Bors announced that he was hungry. Everyone agreed it was time to eat.

  Gawain took hold of her hand. “Come.”

  “Where are we going?”

  “To the kitchen.”

  “Are you hungry? The food is outside.”

  “I know. And I’m not hungry.”

  In the kitchen, Gawain wrapped his arms around Alex’s waist and then pulled her tight. “Did you know that I’ve witnessed my mom and dad kiss each other passionately in this kitchen?”

  “No, I didn’t know that.”

  “And my brothers, too.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah. I thought there must be some kind of a magic floating around in here that makes two people let go of their defenses and give in with what their hearts dictate. So I never stayed here alone with Teta in case that magic ribbon started floating around.”

  Alex laughed. “She’s a nice grandma.”

  “I know. Still. Anyway, I told myself that someday, I’d bring my special someone here. Maybe if I’m right about the magic this kitchen holds, it would bind our love and make it stronger.”

  Alex noticed how Gawain’s eyes got misty. She cupped his face and then ran her thumb back and forth on his cheeks. “With or without this kitchen’s magic, our love has already rooted. It is strong. It’s nice to think this place is magical though.”

  “Tell me you love me.”

  “I love you, my Knight. To the moon and back a hundred times over. Cross my heart.”

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