Bewitching You

chapter Eleven



Gray attempted to breathe steadily as she lay next to him. Trying to sleep was pointless, he’d realized, oh, about an hour or so ago. Not with her body curled up against him. Her nightgown had ridden up, revealing the lower half of her backside, which pressed against his erection.

Just a thin sheet separated them.

He tightened his fists shut to keep from touching her. Otherwise, he’d get carried away.

She wiggled and shifted again, turning her body around to face him.

He relaxed his stiff muscles, welcoming the small relief. But then he noticed her lips curl into a sexy smile. The white of her teeth glistened in the dimness of the room but her eyes were closed. Smiling in her sleep? Hmm. Interesting.

“Sofia?” he whispered, to see if she was awake enough to answer him.

“Mmm. I like that.” She flattened her hand to his chest. “Feels so good.”

“Sofia?”

“That feels even better.”

Holy shit. She was dreaming. With the sensual way she was talking, he hoped it was of him. He kept listening, to be sure. What else was he going to do? Wake her up?

Nah. Not yet.

“Of course I want you, Gray. I always want you.” She scooted closer and slid her leg over his hip.

Okay. This was looking up.

She laughed softly. “Feel me. See for yourself.”

Deep breath.

“Mmm.” She curved her leg higher, boosting her nightgown up farther.

Hell, he’d been good long enough. Only so much a man could take.

Just one touch, that’s all. One touch.

Then he’d carry her to her back to her bed and leave her to her dreams. But first…

He slid his hand up her thigh, slowly. Upward more. Just a little more. His palm slid over the unbelievably soft flesh of her ass. And he couldn’t help but caress her. Feel her.



She moaned again and rolled her hips forward, forging her moist heat against his cloth covered erection and away again. Definitely no panties. That was just not fair.

“Sofia,” he whispered, wanting her permission to continue. “Please, baby.” He pushed the sheet down some. If it happened again, he’d be able to feel her. Just feel her. That was all.

She panted softly, taking in small breaths. “Yes. Please.”

Was she coming? Oh, hell. He exhaled.

Take her. Love her. She’s yours.

“Sofia.” His body shook with need as he gripped her hip and pulled her to him. “Damn, I want you.”

Carefully, he angled her onto her back, taking in the sight of her. His hands shook eagerly as he edged her nightgown up her waist—keep going—past her plump breasts and then over her head.

Her body was incredible. Creamy white with the moonlight shining down through the window.

The need to touch her overpowered any rational thought. He brushed his fingers along her thighs, across her mound, along her stomach. All soft, supple skin. Beautiful. Her nipples pebbled as his palms grazed over her breasts. He stopped to massage her, leaning over to run his tongue—

“Gray?”

He glanced up and noticed her eyes were open. She tried to sit up, but Gray lodged himself in between her legs.

“Sofia, I want you.” No asking this time. He nudged himself against her heat.

She reached up and cradled his jaw. “Was I dreaming?”

“Not anymore. This is real.” Not waiting for a reply, he kissed her lips, deep and long.

Her lips softened yet she trembled underneath him. She was nervous. He understood that. This would be her first time. And like the dreams, she’d give herself to him. He’d take her, make her his.

Not able to control himself, he grazed his lips down her neck to her breast again. Licking and tasting her, he savored how goddamn wonderful it was to have her, tangible flesh and blood. Sofia.

Her breathing quickened. Her fingers slipped through his hair.

This was going to happen.

He reached underneath the bed and pulled out a condom. She clasped her legs together when he skimmed it over himself.

“I’ll be gentle,” he said softly. Easing her knees apart, he wedged his body on top of hers again.

To make sure she was ready for him, he slid a finger inside of her. She was drenched. He slipped in another finger, preparing her as much as he could. Her lips quivered when he kissed her again, but she said nothing. A wary but lustful look covered her face.

She loosened some, so he withdrew his fingers and guided himself inside of her. Inching in, stretching her.



Sofia tried to breathe. Her pulse rocketed while her heart rioted. This was happening. He was making love to her. And she wasn’t dreaming this time.

Oh, wow.

Her fingers curled into his shoulders, bracing for pain but getting something different. Sure, the fullness of him entering her hurt a little, but her desire overrode any major discomfort. Nothing she couldn’t handle. It only hurt the first time, she remembered from the dreams.

What she didn’t quite remember was the squeezing in her chest or the fluttering in her belly. The feel of his bunched muscles under her fingertips. The way his naked hips fit between her trembling thighs. His chest against her breasts. All the sensations rolling over her, through her.

All of them real.

He slowly eased forward inside her, deep, deeper. His breaths were steady by her ear as he halted. “Tell me if it hurts too much.”

“Just take me, Gray,” she whispered. “Take me.”

He peeked at her from the corner of his shadowy eye. A warning, it seemed. “If you say things like that, I might come before I’m done with you.”

Sofia bit her lips shut and wrapped her legs around his hips.

He pushed in another inch.

She clenched her eyes shut.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m a big girl. I can take it,” she said through gritted teeth.

He kissed a sensitive spot on her neck, then nuzzled his nose there. “You’re incredible and so goddamn sexy.”

Sexy? That made it kind of worth it. She focused her thoughts off the pain and on how he was working that sensitive spot on her neck below her ear—the way he’d taken her hands and pinned them above her head—the way his perspiration-damp chest pressed and slid against her responsive nipples—and the way his muscular body felt between her legs.

She loosened for him more, letting him in all the way. All of his magnificent thick, hard length…

“Sofia. You feel amazing.” He maneuvered to the spot that always made her orgasm in the dreams and slowly edged up and down against her. The pain was now mixing with pleasure. Deep, building pleasure.

“Oh, Gray,” she said on a breath.

“Is this the spot?” He pushed up on his hands and smiled, all the while quickening his movements.

“God, yes,” she cried, and the warm, wonderful buildup intensified, spiraling, erupting. Nerves she’d never felt before tingled and sizzled. Muscles tightened then went limp. Sweet, lazy limpness.

A few more thrusts and Gray gave way, falling onto her body.

Sofia wrapped her arms around him and held him close, spreading kisses across his cheek and jaw. Her emotions exploded, bursting free from where she’d kept them bundled up and hidden.

Love, want, need, devotion, loyalty―it was all for him.

And it was too late to go back now.

~ * ~

The aroma of bacon woke Sofia. Or was it Sam licking her toes? Either way, she opened her eyes and saw she was naked, with a white sheet partially wrapped around her body.

A little purple wildflower sat on the pillow beside her. He must have picked it from the patch growing by the house. How cute was that? She twirled it between her fingers and inhaled the scent.

The memory of what had happened the night before played in her head. Some parts she rewound and watched again.

It was happening. Last resort or not, she’d let him take up residence in her heart. A huge penthouse suite with a glorious view.

Nice analogy, Sofe. Does the door to this penthouse have a deadbolt on the outside, just in case he decides to vacate?

Sofia found her nightgown somewhere amongst the tangled bed sheets and slipped it over her head. She stripped the bed and remade it with fresh linens, deciding to wash everything since they’d made a mess.

She’d finally lost her virginity. Her mother would be happy about that fact, but probably not so much when she found out her daughter was falling head over heels.

A zillion other worries and doubts zoomed through her mind as she showered and dressed. But the worst was thinking about how Gray was going to react this morning. Would he regret sleeping with her? Would he want to get the heck out of Amish country, and fast?

Only one way to find out. She brushed her hair and teeth, put on a little makeup and lip-gloss, grabbed the laundry and headed downstairs. She set the laundry basket by the basement door to do later.

The air in the kitchen was smoky when she walked in. The windows were all open and he was at the stove, busying himself over a frying pan.

Sofia stifled a laugh. They had something in common, huh? She walked to the butcher block and lifted herself up to sit and watch. He was wearing his t-shirt and black boxer briefs, looking darn sexy with his disheveled morning hair and unshaven face.

He shot a grin at her, shut the burner off, and transferred the pan full of eggs to the other side. “I guess it’s not as easy as I thought,” he said, and turned to greet her. He wedged up between her legs and cupped her cheeks. “How are you feeling this morning?” he asked, but didn’t wait for an answer. His lips locked with hers, drawing her in for a deep kiss.

She didn’t protest in the least. In fact, she wrapped her legs around him and slipped her hands up under his t-shirt, curving them around his defined muscles. Her stomach flittered with delight and relief. This was her man, to do with what she wanted! It was hard to believe her dreams were all coming true.

Sort of.

“Gray?” She pulled away and caught her breath.

“Yeah?” He slid his tongue along her bottom lip. “I could kiss you all day long.”

Sofia sighed blissfully. “After breakfast?”

“After breakfast what?”

“After breakfast you can do whatever you want to me, all day long.”

His lips quirked up into half a smile. “I like the sound of that.”

So did Sofia. Any doubt she’d had the day before had vanished from her mind. Only one nagging detail kept her from skipping breakfast and heading back up to the bedroom.

She dropped down from the butcher block and strode over to sit at the table. “Did you ever have the dream where you took my virginity?” she gathered the nerve to ask.

Gray set a plate in front of her and bunched his forehead. “Yeah. Why do you ask?”

“I didn’t, um, reach orgasm in that dream, but I did last night. Don’t you think that’s odd?”

He sat across from her and smiled proudly. “No, I think it was beautiful. Because of those dreams, I knew exactly what you liked and how to please you. It was incredible, and now I can honestly say I am a true believer that I was dreaming of the future.”

“But it was different. Everything was different. Do you remember? It was supposed to happen somewhere else.”

“Well, you said you could change the future, right? Maybe we’re taking a different course.” He shrugged and bit into his eggs.

“Do you think?” She nibbled her lip, fearing the worst. She remembered he’d told her he loved her in that dream, too, but he hadn’t last night. What if they were going too fast? What if she’d given herself to him too soon? What if they weren’t supposed to meet until much later? The only reason they were sitting there together at that moment was because they’d recognized each other from the dreams.

“Do you want to go out on the rowboat later?” he asked, changing the subject. “Want some orange juice?” He lifted the pitcher, a weak grin on his face.

“Why not? And yes.” Maybe he was just as anxious as she was?

Probably not possible.

He came around and filled her glass, then leaned in and kissed her cheek. “Don’t worry,” he whispered.

Sofia forced a smile on her face. She couldn’t push him away now. Protecting her heart wasn’t an option. No matter what had happened or what was going to happen, she knew one thing was certain—she’d fallen in love with Grayson Phillips before she’d ever met him.

~ * ~

Penny sat on the couch and rested her eyes, attempting to avoid the migraine that was undoubtedly beginning. If only she could make a spell to get rid of these things. Then she could live closer to Sofia and Laura.

No. Too much time with these girls would put her in the grave sooner than she liked. It was better for everyone to love them from afar. As soon as this love spell business was all settled, Penny was heading back home, and she was going to finish knitting the last sweater. And maybe think up a strong enough love spell for Laura.

Her daughter was one hundred percent pure sour grapes. However, she hadn’t always been that way.

The doorbell rang throughout the house, but Penny didn’t budge. Laura would get it. It rang again a moment later. Where was that woman?

Penny rubbed at her temples and could feel Laura’s thoughts from not far away.

Why won’t he just go away?

He? Penny was intrigued. She stood and walked to the entryway. Laura was leaning against the door to the den with a frown on her face.

“Who’s at the door?” Penny peeked out of the peephole and saw a distinguished looking middle-aged man. “A man?”

Laura put her finger to her lips and shushed her.

Penny read her mind and an image of a naked Rodney Dangerfield popped into her head.

She cringed. What disrespect.

To get even, Penny unlocked the door and opened it. “Hello? How can I help you?”

The gentleman seemed bewildered. “Um, I’m looking for Ms. Good.”

“Which? Laura or Sofia?” Penny read his mind. He didn’t have a clue who was whom, but he pictured Laura, her blonde hair shining in the sun, smiling.

“Uh, the older one, please.”

Isn’t he a charmer? “You want Laura. Just a moment, Mr.?”

“Lawrence. Herbert Lawrence. I live next door.” He was upset about Laura painting the wall with plums. Good grief.

“Ah. Nice to meet you. I’m Laura’s mother, Penny.”

He nodded. Nope, not one ounce of charm. No wonder Laura didn’t want to open the door.

“Laura,” Penny called out. “Mr. Lawrence is here to see you.”

Laura appeared from behind and swung the door open all the way. “Thank you, Mother,” she said, gritting her teeth. Rodney Dangerfield was doing naked cartwheels in her mind.

After giving Laura her best stern look, Penny backed up into the hallway and listened in. The two murmured back and forth in angry voices, but Penny kept her attention on what was said underneath. Herbert thought Laura’s skin looked soft and wanted to touch it. Laura thought the grey in his hair was kind of sexy. Herbert’s feelings were hurt that Laura kept pulling these pranks on him. If she’d only settle down for once, maybe he could gather the courage to ask her out. Laura was scared to death that he was going to ask her out.

Laura slammed the door on him, stomped back into the den and slammed that door as well.

“Are you happy, Mother?” she yelled from the other side.

The wheels spun in Penny’s head. Oh, she was happy all right. Her daughter wasn’t such a helpless case after all.