Irresistible Knight (11 page)
Bors stood and stared at her. Man, how could a man possess those distinguishing attributes by merely wearing jeans with a tattered hem and a shirt? His eyes were different. They were too intelligent, too keen, as if he could see beyond her skin.
“Do I pass muster?”
“What an impressive transformation.”
“From a troll to what?”
“A handsome grouchy ... hmm ... troll. Did I hurt your pride when I called you a troll?”
“I don't give a damn if you call me an ogre. It's better than pretty. Where is your purse? I'll get it,” Bors snapped.
“Are you angry because the job of picking me up fell to your hands?”
“I'm not angry.”
“Yes, you are. You should have asked Gawain to come and get me.”
“For heaven's sake, woman. It's late.”
“Right. Come back tomorrow then. I am sure my meeting with Judge Knight would go well if we are both rested. Go. Leave. Goodnight.”
“What happened to your screws? They get loose when you fell and broke your heel?”
“There is no need for insults, Bors. I'll get my purse. I am not a damn invalid.”
Bors scoffed. “You're practically standing on one foot, Taylor. Or should I call you Teejay?”
“Taylor or Teejay is fine. You know, you're too bossy. Dan said don't put weight on this foot.” Bors's deep scowl told her to just give up. “Fine, it's in the bedroom. I left it on the bed.”
Bors walked toward the bedroom as if he'd been in the cabin before. He knew where to go. It didn't take long before he was back with her purse in his hand.
“Is this it or do you need something else?”
“We are coming back here, right?”
“You are just going to meet my dad.”
“Right.”
“I'm busy and I don't dally. Let's go.”
“To meet Judge Knight, right?”
“Isn't that the plan?”
“Just want to make sure. Wait, how would I know that you're not going to, um...”
“To what? Ravish you? No, never crossed my mind. And for your information, I don't go around ravishing women who don't want to be ravished.”
“I'm not talking about anything like that, you toad. I asked because ... wait. Never crossed your mind? Why? Do I look that repulsive? For your information, Mister Troll of a Man, I've received more than a handful of proposals, proving I don't look like a witch with a wart on my nose. And for you to say that I am unattractive? Such an insult.”
“What the hell! Taylor, you could drive a man crazy. I didn't say anything about you being un—God.” He shook his head and fixed his stare on the ceiling. “My dad is waiting. Could we go now? Or you need a minute?”
“No. I'm ready. Earlier you were so flirtatious. Now you act as if I smell bad.”
“I like your smell. There. Satisfied?”
“No. But I'll force myself to believe you.”
Bors grinned. “You are so like Kirsten.”
“Did you see the raccoons outside? They were so cute. At first, I thought I heard footsteps, but when I looked outside, I saw only raccoons.” She didn't expect his reaction.
The grin vanished. He changed his stance, stood tall with his feet wide apart like a cowboy ready to draw. And his face ... turned granite like. “No, I didn't see the bandits. You're in Orcas Island. You're bound to see animals and hear sounds, especially at night.”
“Thanks for telling me that. But you don't have to look like a mad dragon ready to spit fire at anyone.”
Bors stared at her, his jaw muscles twitching. After a couple deep breaths, he shook his head. “I'm cool.”
“Alright. That's all I need to know. I don't want to ride in the car while the driver is irritated with me.” She ambled toward the door the exact moment her stomach chose to rumble. Her face heated right away. Damn, she should have eaten the grass salad.
“Did you eat?”
She whirled around to face Bors. He was still scowling. “Yes.”
“You could have fooled me. That rumble I heard is loud enough to disturb the dead.”
“You know, it's rude to tell a woman that she is unattractive, or ask her age, or if she is hungry. You, Bors Knight, are one rude man.”
“And you, Taylor, are hungry, but denying it. Let's go.”
Taylor faced the door again, but before she could take another step or even blink, Bors stood right in front of her, right hand on his back beneath his shirttail.
What in the world?
“Are you carrying a gun?”
“Why?” He turned to look at her.
“I don't like men carrying. They either work for the government, or they're thugs
working
for those who
work
for the government, or gangsters who—”
“Work for the government. Got anything against men that protect your streets, your country?”
“Protect? You would think differently if you met the men who visited Jean. I hate men in uniform.”
Bors frowned and stared. He looked, searching her face for something. “In general?”
“Right now, yes. Until I find someone who deserves the word trust, my idea about men is all in the general category. So why are you carrying a gun?”
“My dad is a judge who made enemies. I want to be able to protect him when necessary.”
“How about Gawain?”
“My family, including my mom, all know how to shoot. Now, can we go?”
“Sheez, you're grumpy.”
Bors shook his head at her, opened the door just a crack, then looked at her. “How's your foot?”
“Chubby.”
“God, you're a brat with a horrible attitude. You know, I think you should bring your violin, too, just in case the meeting goes longer than an hour.” He nodded toward the black case sitting on the couch.
“Okay.”
Bors grabbed the case. “Here. Hold it.”
In one swift move, Bors lifted her off her feet. “I can walk, Bors.”
“I know. But we can leave faster this way.”
“Why are you in a hurry? You think I'll change my mind?”
“I don't think it. I know.”
Taylor decided not to argue with him. Besides, it felt great to be held like this. She could get used to this treatment. She wrapped her arm around his neck and rested her head on his shoulder. Bors smelled so good, a sigh escaped her lips.
Chapter Six
Bors nearly dropped her on the floor. Taylor's warm breath licked his skin. Like fire, it traveled down his chest and all the way to his hardening cock.
Fuckin’ eh.
Thankful he didn't have to walk far, Bors managed to open his passenger door. He wanted to throw her inside so he could keep their bodies separated, but he wasn't raised that way. Jean's woman or not, he'd treat her the way he treated all women—with respect. Careful not to bang her sore foot, he lowered her on the seat.
“Taylor, baby. Let go of my neck.”
“Oh, sorry.”
Bors felt her fingers skim his nape. Whether she did it on purpose or not, the effect was the same. He loved it. “Comfy?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Good. Now, buckle up.” Quickly, he walked around to the driver's side. Reaching for the gun tucked on the back of his jeans, he scanned the area. Whoever was here earlier must have skipped—taken off, when he came. Taylor didn't just imagine someone. Every part of his bone told him what she heard was a man's footsteps and not an animal. It wouldn't be safe for her to stay here. He opened his door and slid in the driver's seat.
Someone's on her tail. If Taylor and Jean were intimate and she ran away from him, he would chase her to hell and back. The woman was too beautiful, with sensuality oozing from every pore of her body and the remarkable thing was, she didn't even know it. Her sex appeal showed each time she moved. It was natural, unpretentious, and goddamn it, bringing out the beast inside him.
And she hated his kind—men in uniform.
“Fuckin’ eh,” he grumbled.
“Do you count the number of times you curse so you know how much money you have to put in your curse jar?”
“No. Hard to keep track.”
“Wow. You curse that often, huh? What about when you curse mentally?”
“What about it?”
“Does it count?”
“No.” He inserted the key in his ignition.
“So you pay only if your mother hears you curse.”
“We all follow the honesty policy. If we utter a curse with or without Mom around, we're supposed to pay. Since we don't live with Mom and Dad anymore, we all keep a jar wherever we're staying. It's hard to keep track of how many times I cursed in a week, so I just put all of my coins in the jar. That's why Gawain said my jar is always full.” He slowly backed up the truck.
“Tell me if I'm wrong. Your mother required you and your siblings to put money in the jar to discourage you from cursing, right?”
“Uh-huh.”
“But it obviously didn't work. Why keep the quarter dollar rule?”
“It helps pay her bills.”
“Holy smokes!”
“I know. My father is happy with the rule also. We help pay the bills.”
“I bet.”
They were almost out of her driveway when his cell phone started ringing.
“Would you like me to answer that?”
“Do you want to fish the phone from my pocket?”
“No.”
“Thought so.”
“I just don't want you to miss a very important call. Especially from Judge Knight telling you to take me directly to his house. Right. Directly to his home office.”
“That's where we're going, Taylor. To take you directly to my dad's.” Taylor relaxed visibly. What, did she think he'd take her someplace else?
“Good. Then you can ignore your phone.”
“You don't trust me, do you?”
“Can you be trusted? You have a gun tucked behind you.”
“I already told you—”
His cell phone stopped ringing only to start again. What the heck? He stepped on the brakes and reached for his phone. “Hey, Dad. We're on our way. What? Is she okay?” He listened to his dad's calm tone, but he could sense worry beneath it. Tristan rushed Julie to the hospital. She was bleeding and contracting. Damn. “I'll be right there. You sure? How's Tristan? I bet.” He could imagine his brother falling apart with worry. “She's with me. Yeah. I'll call him later. Take care, Dad. Let me know when you need me.” He hung up the phone.
“Trouble?”
“Julie, the woman you met at the clinic—”
“Your sister-in-law.”
“Yeah. She's in the hospital.”
“Oh, no. Is she and the baby okay?”
“Yeah. The doctor is watching her right now. My family is there. Dad can't see you right now, Taylor.”
“No problem. He can see me when he is able. I can wait. Family is number one. If you don't mind rolling this truck forward again, I'll be out of your hair and you can go see your family. They need you right now.”
“Dad will probably see you tomorrow. He knows how important your case is.”
“Good. I'll be in the cabin. He knows my cell. He can call me anytime. With my sore foot, I can go as far as the porch.”
“Are you okay? You're not changing your mind about meeting my dad, are you?”
“Of course not. I really need someone to help me.”
“But you don't trust anyone.”
“You wouldn't understand.”
Bors turned to look at Taylor. Sure, Julie needed her family right now and they would be with her until the earth crumbled beneath their feet. But what about Taylor? Looks like she could use a shoulder to cry on. As far as he could tell, his shoulder was the only one available. He'd stay for a few minutes with her. Besides, tonight would be as good an opportunity as it got. Question her, pry out some information about Jean and get her on his side of the law, then he would nail her lover on the cross. Jean. Taylor's lover. He couldn't imagine it. “Try me.”
“Why? My problem is none of your concern.”
“I'm a Knight, Taylor. When Dad asked me to get you, you became my concern. I don't have to go. If you need someone to talk to, I'm available.”
“Why, are you a judge also?”
“No, but I am a good listener.”
“Oh, yeah?”
“Uh-huh. Just ask Gawain.”
“Bet he'll say,
he's all bullshiter, Taylor
. Your brother is nice.”
Bors laughed. “You're probably right.” He turned the truck around and left the driveway.
Taylor looked behind her. “Excuse me, Bors, but the cabin is right back there. Where are we going?”
“I have a hankering for Dick's burger.”
“At ten at night?”
“Dick's is open twenty-four-seven. Have you tried it?”
“Seen it in Seattle.”
“But?”
“Never tried it.”
“Baby, Dick's burger is the best.”
“Better than
Burger King
?”
“What? Man, you really got to try Dick's. The burgers there are freaking awesome, and it's always open to serve hungry stomachs. Oh, and the milkshakes...” Bors glanced at Taylor, then wiggled his brows. “You should try it.”
“I think you like anything that you can put in your mouth.”
Bors grinned. Taylor looked serious when she said the comment. He was sure she meant it literally, but he received it differently. “Anything I put in my mouth, babe, I enjoy.”
Taylor mumbled something with a pig in it. He couldn't help it. He laughed.
“Bors, you don't—” Her stomach rumbled.
The full moon provided Bors enough light to see Taylor's face turn pink. “My sister's stomach rumbles all the time, too. She eats a lot—always hungry—but never gains weight. What's up with that?”
“Maybe she regurgitates after every meal.”
“No way. Is that why you're skinny?”
“Excuse me. I'm not skinny.”
He even laughed louder.
Just as he predicted, Dick's was busy. Bors recognized most of the customers. Local teens, most wearing black T-shirts with wolves printed on the front. They must have watched a movie at the drive-in. He waited for a car to leave, then took the vacated spot.
“I'll order for us. What do you want?”
“I don't know what to get. You said burgers here are great.”
“Oh, yeah. Double cheeseburger, Deluxe Burger, or just a burger? With, or without onions, tomatoes?”
“Umm, I'll order double cheeseburger with everything on it. Wait, no pickles and onions. Just mayonnaise. Don't like mustard. I want cheddar cheese, please. Oh, and make sure no peppers get in my burger. I like tomatoes. Umm, if they have Romaine lettuce, I'll take that. Yup. That's it. Please make sure my burger is cooked.”