Chapter 7

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Gwen finished applying her makeup and took a look at her reflection in the full length mirror. She was wearing a red halter dress with a gold necklace and gold stilettos. Her hair was up with some curls escaping down her neck and face.

"You look so beautiful." said Lance encircling his arms around her waist. Gwen held his hands. Lance looked really good in a simple black suit. "You look handsome." said Gwen with a smile looking at their reflection in the mirror. They did make a beautiful couple.

"Ready for this?" "Absolutely." said Gwen disentangling herself from Lance's arms. Lance took her in his arms and kissed her softly. "I love you." "I love you too now go. I need to touch up." "Ok." said Lance smiling leaving the room.

The visitors soon began to arrive and Gwen and Lance greeted them happily and graciously. Kara was the one who arrived first and had some food she had prepared with Mordred on her arm. Her father Tom arrived next holding a bottle of wine.

"You look beautiful Gwen." said Tom hugging his daughter. "Thanks daddy." said Gwen smiling. "I am happy for you. He is good for you." said Tom and Gwen smiled. Since she was a baby she was daddy's little girl and she was glad her father liked and approved of Lance.

Lance's sister Angelica and her husband Ricardo arrived next. Angelica was a very attractive woman with long dark brown hair, brown eyes and tan skin. She was about 5'10 tall and slim and worked as a model. Gwen greeted her warmly and Angelica handed her a gift.

Her brother Elyan and his girlfriend Shauna, Lance's parents and Sefa and her best friend Christine and some of Lance's business partners and associates arrived but not necessarily in that order.

Gwen was having fun just talking and mingling with the guests who were now having some snacks and champagne but she couldn't help but wonder where Arthur was. Her eyes fleeted to the door and jumped when someone arrived no matter how much she didn't like that.

Then another couple she didn't know arrived. The man was tall, thin, pale with black hair, most startling bright blue eyes she had ever seen and slightly large ears. Beside him was a very beautiful woman with dark brown hair, jade green eyes and pale skin. She was about 5'6 tall and really elegant.

Lance greeted the couple warmly. "Gwen I am sure you have never met. This is Merlin the one I told you about and this is his girlfriend Morgana." "Pleased to finally meet you. I have heard a lot about you." "All good I hope?" said Merlin. "Definitely." said Gwen with a smile. She liked Merlin already and she when she extended her hand to Morgana she was surprised when the girl hugged her instead. she seemed bubbly and really nice and free.

Lance's other friend Leon, Gwaine and Percival all arrive with their dates and still there was no Arthur.

Lance stood up and cleared his throat. There was silence. Gwen stood next to him with a huge smile. As he was about to talk, he arrived.

Arthur was ushered in and Gwen felt a rush through her. he was wearing a black suit and he looked really good. Beside him was a very pretty blonde girl about Morgana's height, super thin with wavy blonde hair donned in a blue dress a perfect match to her big blue eyes. Gwen immediately felt a wave of jealousy fill her at the sight of Arthur with his arm on another woman. He smiled apologetically.

She pushed it away as Lance began to talk. "I would like to thank you all for coming here to help us celebrate our engagement. Most of you have been with us since we started dating and as we reached this milestone, we wanted you all to be there as you mean a lot to us. Your love and support has led us to be here. Please enjoy." there were cheers and a toast before they began to mingle around.

Gwen made a point to stay further away from Arthur. She mingled with the guests and found herself mostly drawn to Morgana. she was a very intriguing girl, flirty, fun and carefree. she was stunned when she realized she was Arthur's sister. What! they didn't even look alike! Arthur had blonde hair, she had dark almost black hair, Arthur's skin was tan while Morgana's was pale, Arthur had blue eyes Morgana had jade green. Apparently Morgana took after their father while Arthur took after their mother.

"So um who is that with Arthur?" asked Gwen in what she hoped was a casual way. She could feel Arthur's gaze burning into her. Surprising how in a room full of people she could tell it was him.

Morgana smirked inwardly. She had heard from Merlin what was going on and that was the main reason she had come to this party. She wanted to see who had her brother in such a twist. she wasn't disappointed and could see why Arthur was smitten. While not usually Arthur's taste in women, Gwen was beautiful with an inner glow within her. She had no hidden personalities. she laid it all out there exuding a sense of innocence and gentleness. Hearing the question and the way Gwen sneaked looks her brother's way, she felt Gwen might like him back. and did she detect jealous?

"Vivian. she is Arthur's…friend." said Morgana and Gwen fought not to narrow her eyes. What's with the pause? Were they more than that? 'Why would you care Gwen?' 'You know why you care!' 'Ugh!'

"Um, please excuse me Morgana. I am in need of some water." said Gwen and she made her way out of the entertaining area down to the kitchen. She saw Lance laughing at something with Merlin and Leon. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves so she left. This was going to eb a really long evening.

xxx

Arthur couldn't believe how beautiful Gwen looked in that red dress. it was absolutely sinful. he could barely take his eyes off her to concentrate on his date. He had brought Vivian…stupid right? He had sworn to cut it off with her and after that slap, he hadn't thought she would agree but surprisingly she did. He did point it out they were coming as friends. Better make things clear this time around.

He mingled, greeted the other guests, got to meet Gwen's father and brother… sipping his wine his eyes roamed around and his eyes widened in surprise seeing Gwen and Morgana talking and laughing. Morgana and Gwen? No! Could it get any worse?

He knew his sister was up to something knowing full well how he felt for Gwen. Apparently Merlin couldn't resist her 'beautiful emerald eyes' and had told her about him and Gwen…curse Merlin and now he was sure she was up to some match making.

He wouldn't have minded if Gwen was his but she was engaged to his best pal and if she and Morgana became friends that would mean he would be seeing more of Gwen. He didn't think he would be able to handle that if she married Lance!

Suddenly he saw her walking away. this was his chance to talk to her since she had aboided him like a plague. kind of easy to see seeing as she had talked to everyone in length and not him except when they had welcomed him (yes she brought Lance with her!) He saw Vivian talking to Mithian Leon's girlfriend and smiled knowing he wouldn't have to explain where he was going.

He followed the way she had taken and after looking for her (checking at the ladies room) he found her in the kitchen…alone… He entered and closed the door.

xxx

Gwen was startled when the door suddenly closed and her heart raced as she saw who had closed it. "Arthur." "Hello Gwen." "W…What are you doing here?" "Came to talk to you." said Arthur simply walking up to where she was standing. Gwen backed away till her back was on the sink. He came and stood just shy of her personal space looking at her intensely his blue eyes sending heat her way.

"Why have you been avoiding me Guinevere?" Arthur asked and Gwen wished he would stop saying her name like that.

"I haven't been…" "Don't lie to me Guinevere. You talked to everyone in there except for me. why?" "I couldn't find the time when you were alone." said Gwen and even to her it sounded so lame.

"I told you not to lie to me. I can see it in your eyes." e moved closer to her. "Do you feel it too?" He asked moving even closer and taking her chin up with his finger forcing her to look at him into his blue eyes.

"W…what?" said Gwen unable to think straight at his close proximity. She could feel the heat of his body, that is how close he was to her, his cologne invading her senses.

"Do you feel what I feel when you are close to me? The intense need to touch you, to kiss you, to be with you? do you feel the sense of loss when we are not together? I cant get you out of my mind Guinevere. you consume me, my every thought, my dreams, my mind… Do I make you feel that way too?"

"Arthur!" moaned Gwen with a sigh unable to look away at the raw emotion in the blue eyes. she knew she should walk away. she knew she shouldn't be like this. her fiancé was in the next room but she couldn't. she was weak at the knees, her heart was pounding.

xxx

Arthur groaned as she moaned his name. he could see the emotions in the brown eyes. he could feel her heart beating fast. she wanted him too. he could feel it. he affected her just as much as she did him. Unable to resist the pouty lips slightly parted, he leaned down and touched his lips gently on her lips.

It was brief but a myriad of sensations passed through him. He couldn't resist and lowered his lips to hers in a more passionate kiss.

Gwen tried to resist but couldn't and was soon kissing him back with as much passion as she could master. Her arms circled his neck and his arms caressed her back pulling her closer to him. Neither wanted this to end. The kiss was so intense and hot it made them both melt and yearn for even more.

Lost in the kiss, they didn't hear the door open and only jumped apart from each other when someone said, "Gwen?" they both turned to the door in surprise.

there it is. they kissed! OMG! So any guesses who is at the door? Could it be Lance? Gwen's father? Morgana? Kara?

Please review and tell me what you think.