Free Seductive Knight by Tierney O’Malley Page A

wife?” He filled the glass with water from the faucet and then handed it to Alex.
    “Uh-huh.” She took a sip.
    “What made you think I didn’t have a wife?”
    Alex sputtered, choking on water.
    Gawain laughed. “You okay?”
    “Yes. I didn’t know you’re married.”
    “Why, because I’m not as handsome as my brothers?”
    “No. You all possessed certain beauty that one would think your parents must be gods.”
    Using the kitchen towel, he wiped the water off her chin. “Gotta tell my brothers that.”
    “Thank you. So where is your wife?”
    “What wife?”
    “You’re…you are married, right?”
    “Nope. Do I look like it?”
    Alex shook her head. “You’re confusing me.”
    Gawain laughed. “I’m not married. Just teasing you.” He glanced at her neckline. “What a very interesting necklace.”
    “What?”
    “Your necklace. It’s really…unique.” He leaned forward to inspect the necklace closely and studied it with great interest. His mouth was too close to her jaw, his breath stirring the few tendrils of hair that had escaped from her bun. He could have sworn she stopped breathing. “What are they?” He knew what they were, but asked anyway.
    “Different types of shells. Ema collected them for me.”
    Gawain listened carefully. He loved hearing her accent, but he’d already figured out that her thick accent would show when nervous. “These are beautiful.”
    “Thank you.”
    “Did you say Ema collected these? Who’s Ema?”
    “My brother.”
    “Brother?” Gawain frowned. “You’re an only child, Alex. Did Molly—”
    “No. She didn’t remarry if that’s what you’re going to ask. Mom remained faithful with Dad until the end.”
    Gawain walked to the pantry and took out bags of chips, cookies, and crackers. He placed them all in front of Alex. “Have some of those while I make us sandwiches.”
    “Thank you.”
    He opened the fridge and grabbed a block of cheese, lettuce, ham and turkey, and mayonnaise, placing them all in the counter. “Want tomatoes in your sandwich?”
    “Yes, thank you.”
    “So, how did Ema become your brother?”
    “When we arrived in Palawan, we didn’t have a place to stay, so Nanni and Ema took us in. Then when Mom died, Nanni raised me. That’s how I gained a brother.”
    He opened the cupboard, took two plates out and quickly made the sandwiches. “Did you know them prior to going to the Philippines?”
    “No.”
    He cut Alex’s sandwich in half. “I know you want to rest, but I’m curious about what happened to you and Molly. You two just disappeared.”
    “As much as I’d like to tell you everything, I have to wait until I talk to Baskerville, Gawain.”
    “I understand. Eat.”
    Alex picked up half of the sandwich. “This looks so good.”
    “Tastes good, too. Can you tell me more about this necklace, or does the story have to wait also?” He sat down on the chair and started eating. The necklace wasn’t long and definitely of no value, but the twinkle in Alex’s eyes at the mere mention of the necklace indicated it was priceless to her. The starfish that served as a pendant rested just below the hollow of her throat.
    “Ema would give me a shell for my birthday. I turned them into this.” Alex licked the juice off her lips.
    Gawain watched the pink tongue dart out. The memory of their recent kiss fired up his blood, making him sweetly uncomfortable. Shit, he wanted to kiss her again.
    Fuckin’ eh. This is Alex, moron. I already kissed her once. That’s enough.
    Damn. Why was he reacting to Alex this way? She’d just come back after eleven years of absence. He’d been around beautiful women, but never had his libido jumped as if he’d been incarcerated for years.
    Ignoring his carnal thoughts, he took big bites of his sandwich. What the hell was wrong with him? Good fucking God. In a matter of minutes, Alex’s presence had turned his mind into a riot of confused blob. He opened the bags of chips and dipped his hand