Arthur raced to his office door; he smoothed his hair down one last time. He poked his head into his outer office. Arthur prayed that he looked calm and cool like a cucumber. His heart thumped like that rabbit from Bambi. He spotted Guinevere chatting quietly with Jane. Her tiny legs encased in black wool pants and a lavender cashmere sweater. He noticed his jacket on the arm of a leather sofa. He assumed a feminine black and white coat belong to Guinevere.
Her voice is quiet lovely, soft and husky. What's in the pastel bag next to her?
"Guinevere?"
Gwen turned to stare at Arthur; she flashed him a brilliant smile. Arthur walked over to Gwen; he offered her his hand.
He is charming.
"Arthur," Gwen gushed. "I need to return your jacket. I have a gift for Morgana's baby." Gwen slipped her hand into Arthur's. She stared into his deep blue eyes.
It's like being trapped in a sapphire. They are so blue and perfect. His hands are really warm. Is he stroking my fingers? Is that my heart beating so fast?
Arthur drew Gwen from the sofa. Raising her slowly to her feet, his stomach tingled as he gazed in her eyes. He wanted to brush a few curls from her eyes as Gwen twitched in front of him.
Jane swallowed a giggle. "Mr. Pendragon, would you like a spot of tea?"
Arthur blinked. "Guinevere, do you have time for tea? Jane makes really delicious tea."
Gwen licked her bottom lip. "Can she bring ice cubes?"
"Anything for you."
Why does she need ice cubes? Ice cubes, who uses ice cubes in tea?
Arthur ushered Gwen into his office. Arthur felt so giddy.
"How are you," Gwen asked softly.
"Busy, contracts, and other matters. And you?"
Gwen blew air out of her mouth. "My park project is funded." Gwen looked into his eyes. "Viv told me to ask you. I think you might be able to help us. I need a favor," her voice wavered.
Arthur's heart dropped in his chest.
She's not special. She's like everyone else. She tricked me with her addicting kindness, and fake air of sweetness. I fell like a sucker.
"How much?"
Gwen cocked her head as she rolled her eyes. She offered Arthur a brief giggle. "I don't need money. Money is never a problem, if I need money. I need you to read something, and explain it to me."
Arthur wanted to kick himself. His heart ached that he didn't trust her.
"I'm sorry. Most people want things from me."
Gwen patted his hand. "I understand. It's hard to trust people."
Arthur wrapped his fingers over her hand. "Tell me what you would like to read."
Gwen flinched as she thought of her mother. "Well, Daddy was an engineer on an oil rig off the coast of Texas. He met this hippy girl. She was young and American. She was… is beautiful. They fell deeply in love. Or Daddy fell deeply in love. They raced off to Europe, and got married. Elyan, my older brother was born. Three years later, I was born. "
Gwen tapped her chin. "Did I mention that my mother was an heiress to Thompson Oil?"
Arthur's eyes bulged. "Your mother is an oil heiress?"
"Yes, Big Daddy was Randolph Thompson."
"Oh."
"Yeah," Gwen nodded. "Anyway, Daddy was gone a lot. Life was too hard for Shelly."
"Who's Shelly," Arthur interrupted
"My mother. I call her Shelly. Elyan calls her mom. She stops being my Mummy. She called Big Daddy. She wanted to go home. A judge decided that Shelly couldn't have both of us. Big Daddy wanted Elyan. He didn't have any grandsons except Elyan. He might be good at sports. I saw her at Thanksgiving. That's an awesome holiday. I spent the summers in Texas. Poppa sent Daddy away most of the time. I had a nurse. But, Daddy died three years ago. Big Daddy died when I turned eighteen. He left this trust thing. It's a lot of rules. I have to live in the Kensington flat or else unless I married."
"Is Big Daddy your grandfather?"
Gwen looked at Arthur like he wasn't listening. "Yes, don't you have a Big Daddy?"
I have a Big Daddy alright. That would be a sweet nickname for Uther.
"I had a Grandpa."
Gwen patted Arthur's knee. "Oh. I can only give 10,000 dollars to charity a year. I gave 10,000 to the park project."
Gwen rubbed her face as tears dropped from her eyes. "We can't ever make a fuss. My Aunt Maggie's daughter married my boyfriend…. my cousin, Elena. It really wasn't a lost. I couldn't make a fuss. I was a bridesmaid."
Pulled his hand away to cover his mouth to hide a giggle.
"It's funny, you can laugh. It's downright insane. I did catch the bouquet."
"Please go on."
"The trust says that we can't consult an outside lawyer. I don't understand it. Viv doesn't understand it."
Arthur finally understood Gwen's poorly explained and delivered request, almost request. He read in a few business magazines about an internal battle over Randolph Thompson's grandchildren's trust.
"Do you want me to read, and explain your options?"
Gwen's face beamed with happiness. She reminded Arthur of a child at Christmas.
"Yes."
"Anything for you." Arthur truly meant anything for her.
Impulsively, Gwen threw herself into Arthur's arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck and squeezed tightly.
She smells like lavender. She feels so good and right in my arms.
Gwen drew back. She shivered when she realized that her face was rather close to Arthur's. Wow, if he moves. He could kiss me. Do I want him to kiss me? Gwen blinked rapidly. Yes, I want him to kiss me. Oh my. I need to speak with Viv.
Gwen traced Arthur's jaw with her fingers as their eyes locked. "I'll make you a good Texas dinner of slow cooked barbecue pork, cole slaw, homemade biscuits, not the sweet ones, and Red Velvet cake."
Arthur grabbed her fingers. "I like home cooked meals. I could think of something else."
Gwen moved instinctively closer to Arthur. "Like what."
"I don't know what to do."
"Think about it."
Gwen ginned as her hands tingled. "We could rubbed noses, or eat cupcakes."
Arthur scrunched his nose. "No, try again."
"A pie."
"Smaller and sweeter."
"Brownies."
"Good, but better."
Gwen tapped her chin. Am I flirting with Arthur? "I could offer you a necklace or ring. You could take my first born. I have to guess your name."
"You like fairy tales."
"Who doesn't?"
"What does the prince always get for his good deed?"
Gwen twisted her lips. "A kiss?"
"Ding Ding!"
Gwen leaned forward to touch Arthur's lips. "What am I doing?
They jumped away from each other when Jane pushed a cart of tea into Arthur's office. Gwen scooted down the sofa.
Jane pushed the cart into the middle of the room. She proceeded to make a steaming cup of tea.
"Gwen, how do you like your tea?"
"Lots of sugar and ice cubes."
Jane's eyes widened. "What?'
"I'm part American, Jane."
Jane pressed her hands into her bosom. "I'm sorry. You poor dear."
Arthur drank his tea nervously. It calmed his wracked nerves. He almost made out with Gwen in his office. His father was in the building
What am I doing? I wanted to kiss her. Wait, she wanted to kiss me. She liked me. Oh, whoa. She likes me.
Gwen drank her sugary warm brew as she chatted with Jane. He's out of my league. I couldn't keep Lancelot. Why would Arthur want me?
8888
Arthur wrapped his hand around Gwen's cold little fingers as he guided her to Morgana's office.
"Are you sure?"
"She's lovely."
"Who?"
"Morgana, she's sweet."
Arthur didn't have the heart to tell her that Morgana and sweet weren't supposed to be used in a sentence ever. Gwen's gift twisted around in Arthur's hand.
"Okay." Arthur deicide not leave Gwen alone. Morgana was like the witch with the candied house.
Arthur knocked on her door.
"Enter, at your own risk."
First born, nonsense from father. I could never answer my door like that. Father thinks it's cute. I tell anyone that listens that my real sister is on another planet. Morgana is a pod person or something.
Arthur pushed Gwen behind his large body. "Morgana, Gwen brought you a gift."
Gwen leaned over and smiled at Morgana.
Arthur swore he saw a tender light gleam in her green eyes.
No, nothing tender about my sister. I hope she hires a good nanny.
Gwen rushed from behind him.
"Morgana, you're glowing. I've thought about you. "Gwen walked back to Arthur to retrieve her bag.
Morgana stared intently as she watched Gwen and Arthur's fingers touched briefly. A huge smile adorned her baby brother's face. For a moment, they stared into each other's eyes.
Goodness, Arthur's in love. I knew that he would flitter around sleeping with half of London. Love would hit him like a flu bug. I thought it would be a slutty wench. Not a girl like Gwen. He's growing up. She's lovely. I hate women. Can't trust them.
Gwen bounced back to Morgana. "I made this for you."
Morgana pulled a white and pink blanket, sweater, hat, and bootties from the bag.
"I hope you like. Daddy taught me to crochet. I was in the moment."
Arthur better marry you.
"Thank you; it's the sweetest thing ever."
Morgana liked Gwen's smile. She was so damn cute.
"You're welcome."
888
Arthur just spent the worst fifteen minutes of his life in Morgana's office, praying that she would behave. Morgana calmly asked Gwen a few question about her work. They chatted about Vivian. Gwen remarked that she had a cousin named Vivian. Arthur took a breath when Gwen realized the time.
Like a mother duck, Arthur ushered her out Morgana's office. He cringed when they made a tea date. His eyes darted around to make sure that none of them were about. Gawain can sense blood like a vulture.
He shook her coat for Gwen to slide her arms into her waiting coat. Calmly, he wrapped a scarf around Gwen's neck.
I want to take care of her.
"I'll bring the papers to you in two days.
"I'll make supper."
"Dinner."
"It's supper in the South."
Arthur chuckled.
"Meet me at our Starbucks. We can go back to my flat."
"Okay."
"At 6 sharp."
"Until then."
Arthur walked Gwen to the lifts. He brushed his lips across her cheek. He waited until Gwen was safely into the lift and descending before he punched the air around him.
"So, 75,000 said yes."
"Shut up Gawain."
888
Gwen rubbed her cheek gently. It was like his lips seared her flesh. She rested her head against the lift's wall. She wanted to keep his jacket. His scent was so warm, fresh, and masculine. She felt giddy when she thought about Arthur. She didn't know if she could handle another out of her league guy again. Nice girls finish last in her world.
888
Arthur sipped a cup of coffee as he sat patiently waiting for Gwen to arrive. Morded gave him a thousand dirty looks when he ordered his coffee. Arthur smirked when he realized that the boy fancied his coworker. He cleaned her mess, and practically tripped over his feet to be near her.
Arthur shivered when a hand touched his sleeve.
"Right on time, Arthur. How was your day," Gwen asked brightly.
Arthur didn't know what quite to say. Nobody ever asked about his day. It was downright rotten and busy.
"It was hectic, and yours?"
Gwen rolled her eyes. "Dr. Southron made his usual demands. I ignored him. You have to tell me about your day over dinner."
"Okay."
Wow, she's really interested din my day.
"I'm starving."
"Good, I have another favor."
Arthur eyed her skeptically. "What is it?"
"I need you to go to the pictures. I have tickets for an old film, Beauty and the Beast. I need you to go."
"Okay."
Gawain will never let me live this down, if he finds out.
"Back in a moment."
Arthur sat perplexed as Gwen offered a ticket to his archenemy. The boy rolled his eyes, and huffed and puffed. He heard Gwen telling him that she would ignore his big bad wolf behaviors. Morded muttered a quick," Thank you," as he removed a ticket from Gwen's hand. She waited until he stomped to the back. She approached Sophia, and offered her the remaining ticket. The younger girl hissed in joy.
Gwen looked like a fluffy kitten with a ball of catnip as she skipped back to Arthur.
"Mission Accomplished."
He corners of Arthur's mouth tugged upward. "What are you doing?"
"I'm Cupid in my spare time. Be careful, I might shoot an arrow at you."
You already did.
A/N: Thanks for the awesome reviews! They are always welcomed. I love my favorite story and story alerts. I'll update next Monday. My principal just realized that she has not observed me teaching all year. I have to have four observations over the next two weeks. I can't update until the weekend, lucky me.