Wicked Knight Read Online Free PDF

Right. You didn't. You were just ogling each other. For a moment there, I thought I was looking at the cover of a Hallmark Valentine card. So sweet.”
    “Oh, God. Uhm, excuse me. I need, want...fresh air.” Julie went past Tristan. Gawain's laughter followed her.
    Stupid. Stupid. You really are an embarrassment to your family, Julie Parrish. What a dummy.
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    Chapter Two
    * * * *
    Out in the backyard, Katherine gave her the job of preparing Caesars and pea salad, while Kirsten got the easy job of dumping chips in bowls. She thought it unfair she had to cut and mix vegetables while her friend just hugged the bags of chips. She understood though. If she was addicted to green apples, the brothers were crazy about chips. She'd seen the men fight for a bag of Fritos like starving warriors gone from years of battle.
    As soon as Kirsten popped the Doritos bag, the men started reaching in the bag, grabbing handfuls of chips. Kirsten—she bet from years of practice—could block her brothers’ long arms using her body. At one point, she even kicked her legs to keep her brothers from getting closer.
    “Come on, you guys! We have to wait for the hotdogs.” Kirsten tried to sound upset, but ended up laughing.
    “Just a handful of Fritos, Kirstie. And I'll leave you alone.”
    “No, Bors. Mom!”
    “Boys, help your father move the tables,” Katherine ordered.
    The huge brothers stopped reaching for the chips at once. It never ceased to amaze Julie how the men, without delay, obeyed their mother as if she was a goddess they must follow. Katherine didn't have to raise her voice. The men, and even Kirsten, respected and heeded her calls as if they were God's own commands.
    Julie was never an obedient child.
    The men—except for Tristan and Gawain, who were still inside the house—put two picnic tables together to accommodate the big family. She stood beside Kirsten, holding two salad bowls. She watched the whole process of moving the tables, but her mind wandered back in the house. Tristan would most likely grill her again about the caller when he came out. Or maybe he'd let the topic go. Julie tapped her finger on the rim of the bowl. The little encounter in the kitchen had left her insides trembling spasmodically. And Gawain—she bet he'd never leave her alone after what he witnessed. Lordy, he'd most likely tell the others about the way she plastered her body against Tristan's. If he did, her secret infatuation with Tristan would be out in the open.
    Chips of all kinds, hotdogs, fried chicken wings, sausages, buns, a variety of salads, drinks, and condiments covered the long picnic table. One would think a big party was about to take place. However, since she'd known the family for over six months, she knew better. The men could eat!
    She had already found a cozy spot, sandwiched between Percival and Bors when Tristan emerged from the kitchen.
    “Hey, Doc!” called Bors. “Cook the Polish sausage. Julie won't eat the ‘ole traditional wieners. She wants a big one.” Bors’ double entendre earned him loud responses from his family.
    Everyone was busy eating and laughing, no one noticed, at least Julie thought no one did, that she only ate her salad and pushed the tiny tomatoes around with her fork. She hated tomatoes, but she forced a couple of the red pulpy vegetables down her throat. What she wanted was the juicy Polish sausages Tristan was barbecuing.
    Hearing the sizzling sound the sausages made, Julie's stomach rumbled loud enough for Percival and Bors to hear. They laughed again. This time Percival yelled at Tristan.
    “Hurry up there, Doc. Julie's stomach is rumbling so loud I can't even hear myself talk.”
    “Give her more salad,” Tristan yelled back, casting a glance at Julie.
    Crud, can they tell I have the hots for Tristan? Is that why they tease me so much? No. Of course not. Paranoia could make one think stupid things. Yup, she was paranoid. That was all.
    Down to her