Free Seductive Knight by Tierney O’Malley Page B

inside. “Chips?”
    “Sure.” Alex peaked inside the bag and then took a handful of chips.
    He couldn’t stop watching her eat. If she licked her lips one more time, he wouldn’t be responsible for his next action. Deciding it would be better to keep distance between them, he stood up in a hurry. “You sure you don’t want real food?”
    “These are real.”
    “I mean real food. Like spaghetti and French bread, steak and potatoes. Rice and chicken. Something like that.”
    “Maybe later. Thank you, though.” Alex smiled.
    Gawain’s cock throbbed.
    Shit.
    Gawain noticed Alex’s primness. She didn’t used to be that way. One would think she went to the School of Manners for young Misses. If the place even existed.
    “Nanni and Ema. Were they good to you?”
    “Very good. They took us in without question, shared their home, food, and loved us. I am what I am today because of them.”
    “Glad to hear that.”
    Alex touched her necklace. “Nanni and Ema are my family now. I’ll go back to them as soon as I talk to Baskerville and figure things out.”
    “That’s the plan?”
    “Yes. I wouldn’t have come back here if it weren’t for the promise that I gave Mom.”
    He shouldn’t ask, but his curiosity won. “Did you ever consider coming back at all if you didn’t make a promise to Molly?”
    “Honestly? No. I guess it was my way of avoiding what happened. Also, I am happy in the Philippines. I live on an island, a paradise.”
    Gawain nodded. He wondered if she thought of him from time to time, because he’d never actually stopped thinking about her. “Home is the Philippines now.”
    “Yes. I can’t imagine living anywhere else.”
    “All right. You just got here, so let’s not talk about your going back to the Philippines right now.” Gawain opened a drawer, took out a small knife, and cut small pieces of cheese. He took two Ritz crackers, then sandwiched the cheese in between. He handed it to Alex. “Eat.”
    “Thank you.” She took a bite and closed her eyes.
    Gawain noticed how long her eyelashes were. Even without mascara, they were thick and curled up a bit. “Hey, don’t fall asleep on the table. If you do, I’ll carry you like a sack of potatos.”
    “Funny. You live here alone?”
    “Yes. Why?” Gawain made more cracker sandwiches. They shared the plate. He watched Alex eat, but he even found the way she chewed her food sexy. Sweet tooth!
    “I just want to make sure no woman would cut my hair while I’m sleeping. Aside from my mom and sister, and the women that Bors asks me to let stay, I’ve never brought a special one here.”
    “Why?”
    “Haven’t found the one worth cooking for.”
    “Maybe the right time hasn’t arrived yet.” Alex finished her sandwich, leaving nothing on her plate. “That was really good.”
    “Thanks. You haven’t tried my barbecue ribs. Man, I make a kick-ass sauce to die for.”
    “Okay. I look forward to tasting your sauce.” She covered her mouth with the back of her hand and then let out a lusty yawn.
    “Sheez, I don’t recall ever talking to a woman and putting her to sleep. You wound me, love.”
    Alex smiled, shaking her head. “I’m sorry. I’ve been so stressed and nervous, and worried before I even left Manila. Couldn’t sleep right. It’s as if my body is so wound up, I couldn’t relax. Until a few minutes ago. I don’t know.” She sighed. “Arriving here, felt like I finally reached the finish line and could finally relax. My body and brain are so tired.”
    “All right. You’re forgiven. Want another sandwich?”
    “No. If I could lie down for a bit, that would be nice.”
    “No problem.” After finishing his food, he wiped his hands on his pants, then picked up their plates and put them in the sink.
    “I’ll help.” Alex stood up.
    “Nah. Ready to go upstairs? I’ll carry you if you want.”
    Alex raised a brow at Gawain’s jibe. “No, thank you. After the crackers, now I weigh like a dinosaur. Not