Seductive Knight

by Tierney O'Malley

  She shouldn’t let him, but couldn’t stop herself from returning Gawain’s kisses. Somehow, Gawain shattered the wall that she’d erected around her heart, sealing her emotions. Now, with just one kiss, the hunger for affection that she hadn’t realized she had bottled up inside her, finally escaped. Each pull of his mouth on her lips, each time his tongue swept in to taste, sent an indescribable pleasure cursing through her, making her hungrier.

  She pressed her hands on Gawain’s chest, feeling his muscles move, while she returned his kisses. He was dominating her and she succumbed to it, giving herself freely to the passion that quickly enveloped her. My, she loved his taste, the feel of his tongue touching hers.

  Twining his fingers in her hair, Gawain tilted her head up. “You taste wonderful.” He showered kisses around her lips before moving along her jaw.

  Shivers ran down her spine when he kissed her shoulders before sucking the skin at the base of her neck. The tiny pain mixed with pleasure had her mewling. When Gawain cupped her butt with his free hand to press her harder against his erection, she gasped from the sheer pleasure of it. But it wasn’t enough. She wanted more. Gawain, however, lifted his lips from her skin.

  “Good God, woman. You made me lose my senses.”

  “Is that good?”

  “If you like what we are doing, yes.”

  Yes, oh, yes. I like. “Gawain?”

  “Yeah?”

  “When your pet came back, did you kiss him, too?”

  Gawain laughed and hugged her tight. She felt his mouth nuzzle the top of her head. Alex closed her eyes and savored the moment. She’d imagined it would be difficult coming back here, but she never expected this.

  “No, I didn’t. He isn’t as beautiful as you.” Gawain let go of her after one last kiss on her temple. “You sure you want to go out?”

  “Yes. Do I have to dress up. I have a dress, but I don’t think it’s good enough for a fancy dinner somewhere.”

  “Don’t worry. Jeans, yoga pants, shirts and a sweatshirt would work for what I have in mind.”

  “I don’t have a sweatshirt.”

  “No problem there. I got you covered.”

  Chapter Nine

  Dressed in a large Seattle Seahawk’s hooded sweatshirt Gawain had loaned her and stretchy pants she’d brought from the Philippines, Alex sat in the passenger’s seat while Gawain drove slowly on the dark road. Earlier, he put a mid-size cooler in the trunk of his Range Rover SUV. Tonight would be the perfect night, he said, but didn’t expound on it. She liked surprises, so she didn’t ask where they were going. Instead, she devoured a whole pack of Chips Ahoy.

  Alex took a cookie from the container, then offered it to Gawain “Want more?”

  “Sure.”

  “Open.” She fed him the cookie. “This is evil.”

  “I know.”

  He drove into the woods through the rough dirt road with only the headlights and the moon’s filtered light leading their way. The trees were still, like giant sentinels watching them. Alex noticed it was so quiet.

  Gawain kept on driving until they reached a spot that seemed to be the edge of the cliff.

  “We’re here.”

  “Where is here?”

  Gawain unbuckled her. “Let’s get out and you’ll see. Are you still afraid of the dark?”

  “I’m not ten anymore, Gawain.”

  “Once I turn off the headlights, it’ll be super dark out.”

  “But you’ll be with me, right? You’ll protect me?”

  Gawain cupped the back of Alex’s neck and pulled her closer for a kiss. It was a lover’s kiss, so sweet and tender that it touched her soul. When Gawain ended their kiss and she looked into his eyes, she knew she’d go back to the Philippines without her heart.

  “Baby, the squirrels here are aggressive beasts. They’ll bite your toes off. I promise though I won’t let that happen to you. I’ll eat their little paws first. I’ll give my life protecting you.”

  “Aww. So noble of you.”

  Gawain chuckled. “Let’s get out of this car before I change my mind and eat you first.”

  One more kiss and then Gawain got out of the car. She should really put a stop to this kissing thing. Still, if she were to be honest with herself, she liked Gawain to keep kissing her. Alex opened her door. The smell of the water, fresh and clean, welcomed her.

  On the island, the smell of Pacific Ocean had strong saltiness to it. Here, so different. Like spring water. She wrapped her arms around herself, then looked up at the skies. She could not believe what she was seeing. Billions and billions of stars winked at her. It felt as though she was inside the dome of dark skies dotted with dancing stars. It was breathtaking.

  The water glistened from the moon’s reflective light. The contours of the islands on the other side and mountains from afar were so defined. And the stars…oh my word. They seemed so close. She raised her hand to reach out. “So beautiful.”

  She turned around when she heard Gawain close the trunk. “Are we on the edge of the world?”

  “Not quite.” He took her hand as he walked by her.

  “You sure no bears will come and get us?”

  “No. Maybe a cougar.”

  Alex dug her heels on the dirt. “You’re kidding.”

  “I am.” Gawain let go of her hand. “Such a scaredy cat.” He put his arms around her shoulder, then pulled her against him. “Warm enough?”

  “Yes.”

  “Here. Got blankets.” Gawain spread one on the ground, then handed her the other. “I’ll get the cooler.”

  “Okay.” From where she stood, she didn’t have to look up. She could see stars as far as her eyes could see.

  Faintly, she could hear the water splash against the rocks below. Other than that, there were no other sounds except for the nature breathing life around them.

  “You know, I wondered if I’d be able to find a place here to stargaze. It’s as if you’ve read my mind.”

  “I come here a lot.”

  “With your girlfriend?” she asked, smiling.

  “No.”

  “This is my special spot. I come here when I want to be alone. To think.”

  “And yet, you brought me here. Afraid to leave me at home because I might use your shaving cream to shave my legs?”

  Gawain laughed. “Yeah. That’s the reason why I brought you here. Silly goat.”

  “How did you find this place?”

  “Spotted this while I was flying one day. I drove up here. Lucky to find an old path.”

  “This place is perfect.”

  “I know. I love the skies and everything about it. Including the stars. This spot is a little heaven.” He put the cooler on the ground. “So you stargaze all the time?”

  “Back home, yes. It was my pastime. After a long day, it’s always nice to just look up and wonder.”

  “Wonder?”

  “About the stars and who might be looking at them.”

  “Well, we could have been looking at the same stars, for all we know.”

  Alex sat on the edge of the blanket, leaned back and used her arms for support. Gawain surprised her. He sat behind her with his legs on each side of her, trapping her in the process. And then he pulled her close so that her back touched his chest. He bent his knees and then rested his arms on them.

  “If you get cold, let me know.”

  “I will. Thanks for the sweatshirt.” She had to roll the arms so many times to make it work.

  “You look good in it.”

  Alex ignored the compliment. Her head, she thought, would be as big as a watermelon if she listened to all of them. “How come you’re always alone when you come here to stargaze?”

  “Because I’ve never found anyone deserving to share this spot with.”

  “I am deserving then?”

  “No. I just didn’t think you could be trusted. You already wore my boxers. I’m afraid to think what else you might do. I don’t think I’ll ever use my toothbrush a
gain. Who knows what other parts of your body you scrubbed with it other than your nails?”

  She elbowed him softly. “Ha. Ha. I can see why you like it here. Quiet, clean, fresh, away from everything. This is like your own paradise. Just beautiful.”

  “We can share it.”

  “I’d love to, but I won’t be here long.”

  “We’ll share this while you’re here, then.”

  “And then when I’m gone, you’ll have to find someone to share this with.”

  “Not every day you find someone who appreciates nature. Believe it or not, to some this is boring. Nothing but trees, water and cold air.”

  “That’s sad. I could stay here forever.”

  “Then stay.” Gawain’s voice, soft and sincere, caressed her skin.

  “I don’t belong here anymore. My life is back in the Philippines. With Nanni and Ema. They took me in without questions, they shared their house and food without asking for anything in return. They’re waiting for me, Gawain. I’m not going to abandon them.”

  “You’re lucky to find them.”

  “I know. How about you come and visit me.”

  “I’ll take you up on that.”

  “We could go island hopping. You should see El Nido and the caves. And the water—warm and just fantastic. We could swim until we are pruny.”

  “As long as we swim naked.”

  “Deal. Come to the Philippines and we’ll swim naked.”

  Gawain laughed. “Baby, I don’t renege on my words. If I say I’ll go, I’ll go. You don’t have to trick me into believing that you’ll swim naked.”

  “I’m not.” Alex yelped when Gawain bit her shoulder. “Fine. It would be nice if you could really come.”

  “I’ll go.”

  “Really?”

  “Promise.”

  “Girls will be all over you.”

  “I’m used to it.”

  “Because you’re a Knight, right?”

  “Right, baby.”

  “Must be tough being you.”

  “Nah.”

  Alex leaned back and rested her head on Gawain’s shoulder. “So, what have you been up to these past years?”

  “Since you left? Let’s see. The first two weeks since you and Molly disappeared, I locked myself in my room and cried.”

  “Oh, my God. Really?”

  Gawain chuckled. “No. Not really. I danced, actually. I thought, yeah! That imp is gone. I don’t have to worry about her ruining my shoes.”

  “Be serious.”

  Gawain wrapped his arms around her. “I was sad when I heard you were gone, but I told myself you’d be back, that maybe Molly would change her mind and turn around. I kept hoping that I’d see my little imp again. Months went by and no signs of you and Molly. I realized then that the brat who annoyed me to hell that I couldn’t stop thinking about wasn’t coming back. I never stopped scanning the crowd, though, with hopes that I’d spot you.”

  “You really missed me?”

  “Yeah. Hard not to miss a wart that you pick all the time.”

  “What?” Alex tried to turn around, but Gawain hugged her tight. “You’re mean.”

  “I’m just kidding, love.”

  “Any girlfriends?”

  “Girlfriends with an S?”

  “Yes.”

  “Hundreds.”

  “I could believe that.” She drew lines and circles on Gawain’s arm.

  “Really?”

  “You’re a catch, Gawain. You know that. Only a blind woman wouldn’t fall in love with you.”

  “Hmm…no wonder even a ten year old was in love with me.”

  “Ha. Ha.”

  “I had a few girlfriends here and there.”

  An odd heaviness centered in her chest at Gawain’s admission. Of course he had girlfriends. Still, she couldn’t help but feel jealous. “All of them beautiful, I’m sure.”

  “They’re okay. None as beautiful as you. And no one lasted long enough to consider a serious relationship.”

  “What happened to Reina? Edmund said you’re not romantically linked anymore.”

  “Baby, Reina is so old news. We dated. Didn’t work. We’re still friends. Although she wanted more than that.”

  “She was mean to me.”

  “She was just jealous of you.”

  “Of me? Why?”

  “Because you’re prettier than her and she knows that we’re friends. Hey, remember your friend Maria?”

  “Yes!” She turned around to face Gawain. “What about her? How is she?”

  “She lives in the neighborhood. Owns a restaurant called Amiga’s. We can go have lunch there.”

  “Yes please. That would be nice. Do you think she’ll recognize me?”

  “I didn’t recognize you. So, we’ll see.”

  “She was my only friend.”

  “I heard she was miserable, too, when you were gone.”

  “Aww.”

  Gawain placed his hands on Alex’s hips and adjusted their position so she could straddle him.

  The position was so intimate, Alex felt embarrassed and excited at the same time. “I shouldn’t be sitting like this. It’s not proper.”

  “No one’s here to see us.” Gawain cupped her cheek. “Guess what?”

  “What?”

  “Maria has a three year old.”

  “What,” she squeaked. “She’s married and…has a baby?” A cry of joy broke from her lips. Tears quickly blinded her eyes. She covered her mouth to stop a sob from escaping.

  “Crybaby.” Gawain pulled her back into his tight hug. “I’m not telling you more news if you’re just going to cry on me.”

  “Sorry.” She buried her face on Gawain’s shoulder. “I’m just so happy for Maria.”

  “Guess what?”

  Alex laughed. Wiping her tears, she looked at Gawain. “What?”

  “She named her baby Alex.”

  “No joke. She has a girl named after me?”

  “A boy, actually.”

  “Wow.” Tears from overwhelming emotion and nostalgia rolled down her cheeks.

  Gawain kissed her cheeks and lips. “Alex is a mischievous little urchin. A terror at the restaurant, but the customers love him. They would come to the restaurant with gifts for him. I think they go there just to see that little kid. He’s really handsome. Just as his namesake is beautiful.”

  Alex wiped her nose with the sleeve of the sweatshirt. “We used to talk about getting married and having babies someday all the time. We’ll get pregnant at the same time and our kids are supposed to grow up together. And then we’ll match them.” Alex laughed at the memories. “We picked our husbands to be. Hers would be this boy Chris. He’s our age.”

  “Guess what?”

  Alex felt her eyes grew big. “No. Don’t tell me…”

  “Yes.”

  “She married Chris? Chris Lowry?”

  Gawain nodded. “He’s the one. A good man.”

  “Sweet banana! Maria had a big crush on him. I can’t believe this. Her dream came true then.” She covered her mouth with her hands, shaking her head. “Wow,” she whispered.

  “What about you. Who was your husband to be?”

  “He’s…someone.”

  “Let me guess. It was I. Am I right?” Gawain grinned.

  Alex nodded her head. She could feel the heat of embarrassment on her cheeks.

  “You talked about us getting married and having children.” Gawain wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her tighter against him.

  Alex could feel his hardness between her legs. Pleasure radiated through her whole body. She bit her lower lip and tried not to moan. “What, what made you think it was you I was dreaming about?”

  “You wrote me a letter asking me to marry you. Come, on. Admit it. I was your dream husband.”

  “Oh, quit your smiling. Your head is as big as the moon already.”

  Gawain wiped the tears off her cheeks with the pads of his thumbs and kissed her w
ith an open mouth and familiarity. He claimed her as if he had all the right to do so. As if she belonged to him. His tongue plundered, seeking, tasting.

  Alex couldn’t remain passive. Her mind told her she shouldn’t be doing this, but her body betrayed her. She sucked him greedily, making Gawain growl deep. Between her thighs, she could feel Gawain throb. He gripped her butt, pressing her against him. He was hard and warm and lord help her, she loved the feel of him.

  Gawain urged her to move her hips, rubbing her pussy on his hard cock. In between kisses, he whispered, “You feel so good.”

  “Oh.” The word escaped her mouth. She rubbed herself right where she throbbed.

  “Yes. Just like that.” Gawain’s hands snaked inside her shirt. He caressed her back before his hands moved to her front to cup her breasts.

  “Gawain…”

  “Yeah, baby.”

  “I don’t think—”

  “Don’t think. Just feel,” he whispered, his breath hot against her neck.

  With every kiss and caress of his hands, Alex’s skin pricked pleasurably. There was no denying it, a web of strong attraction had started building the moment Gawain took her hat off.

  In between sucking and licking her neck, Gawain made her hotter and hotter. Her pussy was wet and throbbing for something close but not quite within her reach. His mouth grazed her earlobe before covering her lips again.

  Gawain feasted on her mouth while his fingers teased her nipple, moving magically over her breasts. She speared her fingers through his hair, pulling him closer while her hips moved—rubbing, thrusting.

  “Baby, I’ll help you.

  She didn’t know what he meant by helping her until he began to slip his hand down and inside her pants. She was wide open and Gawain easily slipped in. His touch scalded her and she lifted her ass. “Gawain,” she whimpered.

  “Shh, it’s all right.”

  His fingers moved back and forth across her seams, but not quite touching where she wanted to be touched. “Gawain…”

  “Fuckin’ wet and hot,” Gawain whispered in between kisses. “I want my mouth here, too, baby. Damn.” And then he pressed his finger on her clit.

  Alex moaned so loud she thought she heard her own voice echoing in the darkness. Waves of ecstasy flowed through her as Gawain played with her clitoris. Jesus, he knew just how much pressure to give and where to touch. When Gawain’s finger slipped inside her throbbing pussy, she felt a mixture of pain and pleasure. She buried her face on his shoulder.