Irresistible Knight (27 page)
He could hear Gawain arguing with Kirsten about eating the whole bag of chips. Bors grinned. He'd miss the bickering, too.
With a hand shoved in his pocket, he walked out into the open space of their backyard.
His family, Branyan and his wife Lucy, his supervisor Simms, and even Trish all stood by the picnic table, huddled together, and turned to look at him.
“Hey, guys.”
“Hey, handsome.” Julie walked to him and gave him a hug.
“There's my favorite brother.” Kirsten grinned, then she, too, hugged Bors.
“You're a turn coat, brat.”
“You're such a jealous prick, Gawain.”
“Hey, bro. Miss seeing your ugly face.”
“I just saw you a week ago.” Bors clapped hands with his brother. And then like Kirsten, Gawain stood on the side facing Kirsten.
Are they going to form a line?
“What's up, guys?”
“Hello, darling.” Katherine hugged Bors.
“Son.” Arthur offered his hand.
Done with the greetings, his parents stood on the line. Odd, he thought. Next one to approach him was Simms.
Simms held up the resignation letter he submitted the same day he talked to Jean and started ripping it. “I don't need this. San Diego will have to find a top-notch staff. I'm keeping mine. You're staying. We have work to do. Jean gave us enough info to last us a lifetime in exchange of what you promised him.”
“Jean agreed?”
“Yes.”
Before Bors could say more, Simms stood beside his father, smiling. When Branyan and his wife moved away from the table, it was then that he realized why they were huddled together.
Bors stood rooted on the spot. His eyes directed to the woman he loved so much but thought he would never see again. But what was she doing here? To say goodbye? Bors shook his head. If this was one of Kirsten's jokes, there was nothing funny about it.
Branyan cleared his throat. “I think this is yours.” He handed Bors his badge and gun. “Welcome back, partner. Four days without you are hell.”
“Thanks, man.”
“Now I can breathe. It's wonderful to know my husband is partnered with the best of the best.” Lucy kissed Bors on the cheek.
“Thanks, Lucy.”
Bors already anticipated her next move. Sure enough, Lucy stood beside Branyan. His family and friends formed a path that led to Taylor.
“Hey,” Taylor greeted.
“Hey,” he replied.
“How are you?”
“Fine, I guess.”
A loud snort came from Teta, sitting on the lawn chair.
Wow. How did I miss seeing her there? Moron, because you only have eyes for Taylor.
“I heard you're selling your house.”
“Yes. I still have the condo.”
“Why? I thought you love everything about San Juan's. What about the woods, the birds, the cove?”
“The whole place looks different now, Taylor. It isn't the same anymore.”
“Why?”
Bors swallowed. He was told that Taylor loved him, but would her love be enough to accept what he was about to say?
“Why?” Taylor repeated.
Gawain whacked him on the shoulder none too gently, then nodded toward Taylor.
He closed their distance to an arm's length. God, he wanted to touch her, hug her so badly. With the sunlight reflecting on her silky hair, she looked so beautiful. “Because ... because you weren't there anymore.” With tenderness, he moved the soft wisp of hair from her temple, then traced the familiar soft skin of her cheek. She felt smooth and warm. “When you left, you took the colors, sound and the sunshine with you. Without you, life is dull, void. Lifeless.”
“What if I come back?”
“I want nothing else. But why would you do that?”
“It's the only way I could get my freedom.”
“I don't understand, love. Simms said your dad already agreed with my deal. And part of it is that you'll live free.”
“True. But you see, I can roam around the world without a bodyguard, but I will still never be free.”
“Why?”
“Because you have something that belongs to me. Without it, I would never truly be free.”
“What is it?”
“My heart.”
“Babe.” Still holding the box, he pulled Taylor toward him for a rough embrace. “God. I love you so much.” He closed his eyes and inhaled her scent.
“I love you, too.”
“How can you love me? I'm everything you hate in a man.”
“Don't say that. I love everything about you.” Taylor framed Bors's face. “I don't care whether you're a vermin catcher, boxer, basket weaver, or an FBI agent. I will love you no matter what you do for a living. You gave up your badge for me. I'm more than willing to give up my idea that all men in uniform are the same. You are unique. A gem in the bureau.”
“I can say the same thing about you. Do you really want to come back to the house?”
“Positive.”
“For good?”
“What are you saying?”
Bors grinned, then kissed Taylor's smiling lips. What better opportunity to propose than today. His family and friends would bear witness when he pledged his love and loyalty. This was what he'd imagine his proposal would be like. Too bad he didn't have a ring.
Holding Taylor's hand, he kissed her again, then went down on his knee. He put the box on the ground. He brought the box here to ask Kirsten to wrap it nicely for him. Now there was no need for it.
“Finally. I thought I'd have to stun him to find the courage,” Teta said to no one in particular, earning a round of laughter from everyone.
“He told me he hadn't found the right woman who deserved the three magical words. Looks like he found the perfect one. She had him on his knees already. Keep him down there, Taylor. That's the best place for a Knight,” Teta said.
Bors leaned his forehead into Taylor's hand, laughing. Taking a deep breath, he looked up at Taylor. “You heard Teta. I've never said the three magical words to any woman. But with you ... I'll do anything. Taylor, I don't have a ring right now, but I hope this will do.” He opened the box and took out a shoe that Taylor left in the parking lot. He had them fixed before he went to see Jean.
“You kept my shoes? They look so new.”
“Yes.” Cupping Taylor's ankle, he removed her sandals. “Taylor, the way you described how you felt about my house the first time you'd seen it is exactly the same way I feel right now—you are my last stop, my destination. I love you and will love you more everyday forever. Through tough times, with you and me together, we'll survive. Taylor, will you marry me?” He slipped the shoe on her foot.
“This isn't really happening.”
“I know I should give you a ring—”
“No, no. This is better. It's just I didn't expect this. Bors, how can I say no? You're such an irresistible Knight. Yes, honey. I will marry you.”
Bors stood, scooped Taylor up and hugged her tight. The sound of birds chirping was loud in his ears. The ferryboat tooted its horn. He could hear the water as it crashed into the shoreline. The trees were green and majestic again. And it was all because of the woman in his arms. “I love you. Please don't leave me again.”
“Not going to happen. I love you more than enough to stay beside you forever.”
“Wow. He is really a cheapskate. Shoes instead of a ring,” Teta commented.
“I know. So Taylor will carry the shoe in her purse so she can show it to her friends? What is she gonna say,
hey this is my engagement shoe.
Wow. Only a Knight would do this kind of thing,” Teta shook her head.
“Well, maybe Taylor will wear the shoes until they get married,” Gawain said.
“I think it's really romantic,” Kirsten said in a teary voice.
“Man, I hope this isn't gonna be a new Knight tradition.”
“Oh, such a wonderful idea, Percival. Now, you'll have to bring your girlfriend here to propose.” Kirsten grinned.
“What girlfriend?”
“Find one and we'll help with the preparation,” Julie beamed.
“Lord have mercy.”
“I'm hungry. Let's bring out the food, folks,” Gawain announced.
“How could you be hungry again? You just ate.”
“Percival, unlike you, I have a man stomach.”
“You mean a cow's stomach. You're such a dick.”
“Technically, cows don't have more than one stomach, but rather four digestive compartments.”
“Technically, you can shut up, doctor. Can we eat?”
“Gawain, you're gonna have to marry a chef someday.”
“Haven't you heard, Julie? I'm engaged to
Sarah Lee.
”
Exchange of words flew around Bors and Taylor.
“Welcome to the family, love. I hope you won't change your mind.”
“I love your family, Bors.”
“And they love you, too. Wanna visit the cove?”
“We can't leave yet. Everyone helped prepare the food. We have to partake.”
“Let's eat quickly then.”
Taylor laughed and hugged Bors tightly. “I love you.”
“I love you more.” Bors stared at Taylor before giving her a long drugging kiss that held a promise for more.
Author Bio
Tierney O'Malley always enjoyed writing stories—first on her school books, journals, and then to her first personal computer. Addicted to romance books, she dreamed of one day publishing her stories and sharing it to a wider audience. eXtasy Books, in conjunction with three other wonderful publishers—all listed on her page—have made her dream come true. She is the bestselling author of steamy Knight Brothers and Wicked Night Before Christmas. Visit her website to find out more about her recent romance books.
Tierney loves to hear from readers. Email her at [email protected] or visit her cyber home at tierneyomalley.com