Bewitching You

chapter Seventeen



Rachel opened the door for them. She was more than ready to have Grayson out of her sight. He looked so much like Hayes. More than ever, with his hair tousled and his clothes wrinkled and imperfect. These two must’ve had quite a journey.

But was this for real? Or did Grayson’s new girlfriend simply have a vivid imagination and a contact that worked for the airline? Sofia seemed like a sincere and genuine person, though sometimes looks were deceiving. What motive did she have for concocting this story? Rachel already knew why Grayson believed it. He was angry and still a mess from losing his brother.

“Thank you for this, Rachel,” Sofia said, waving the paper. “I’m going to do what I can to keep this plane from going up. I hope you’ll seriously consider changing your flight.”

Rachel nodded. She didn’t intend to change anything. If the pair of them could stop this plane from flying, she’d find alternate transportation from Denver to Aspen. Maybe she’d take a different flight or rent an SUV and drive. Or if the plane went up, and Sofia was right…well, then so be it. Fate would lead her to Hayes. Right?

“Take care, Rachel,” Grayson said, but he didn’t meet her eyes. He wrapped his arm around Sofia and led her down the hall. She whispered something to him, and he leaned down to kiss her.

Hayes had certainly done his job. Grayson was happy. But did that mean Hayes had crossed over? Would she never see him again?

She shut the door and pressed her forehead against it. “Hayes, come to me,” she whispered. Calling him had worked before. It had to work again. “Hayes, please come see me. Please.”

~ * ~

Sofia read over the information Gray had written down when Rachel finally caved. The day after tomorrow, the flight was scheduled to depart. Saturday. They had forty-eight hours to stop it somehow.

“What can I do?” she muttered, while staring out the car window. “Call and tell them their plane is broken and to fix it?” She snorted. “Yeah, they’ll believe some wacko woman from Indianapolis who hasn’t even laid eyes on it. What about a bomb threat? That might work.”

Gray shook his head and tightened his grip on the steering wheel. “They tend to investigate those. We want to avoid anything that’s going to put us in prison.”

Sofia liked how he was saying “we” instead of “you.” He was in this for the long haul. Her new partner in solving crimes and tragedies.

“Can you read the itinerary back to me again?” He’d gone into detective mode. So serious and analytical.

“DashAir Airlines, flight 221. Leaves at a quarter to five. Saturday from Denver to Aspen, Colorado.” She swerved her finger over the way he wrote Aspen, and realized this handwriting didn’t match the love note at all.

This confirmed he’d been telling the truth. Not that she hadn’t believed him. But who had written it then?

“DashAir,” he said. “Huh. I think I know somebody who knows somebody who owns that airline.”

“Really?”

“A neighbor of mine. He told me his dad owns it.”

“You’re kidding?”

“I kid you not. We should see if he’ll put in a call to daddy.”

“That would be fantastic, Gray.”

He smiled at her and winked. “Am I still your hero?”

“We’ll see later tonight.” She slid a hand up his muscular thigh.

How had she gotten this lucky? She only hoped her luck would continue, considering their blooming relationship had so many discrepancies compared to her visions. Different locations, different emotions, everything was altered in some way. She shifted in her seat as an irritating weight of doubt settled heavy in her chest.

Ignore it, Sofe.

This would work. They loved each other. It had to work.

~ * ~

Penny ambled downstairs to get a bite to eat. She couldn’t stand being cooped up in that bed any longer. Besides, Sofia could be home any minute. It was time for Penny to think about leaving before she was caught in her web of lies.

“Mom?” Laura called from the kitchen table. A garden salad sat in front of her. “You okay to be up and about?”

“I’m fine, dear.” Penny poked her head in the refrigerator, but didn’t see anything good.

“Where’s Herbert?” She turned around to see the blush on Laura’s face.

“He had to go into work for a few hours.”

“Oh? Will he be back later? He’s such a nice gentleman.”

Laura finished chewing and swallowed. “You really are the devil in disguise, aren’t you, Mother?”

“I prefer the name Cupid, but I won’t be picky.” Penny sat down opposite her daughter and eyed the salad. “What do you have there, dear? Trying to stay trim for a reason?”

“Mother, stop it. Herbert’s a nice man, I agree. But I want to take it slow and see where it goes.”

“I highly recommend the bedroom.”

They both broke out in laughter.

Laura put her hand over her heart. “It’s been a while, that’s for sure.”

Penny loved seeing Laura in such good spirits. She couldn’t remember the last time they’d laughed together. It had been years. Not since before Michael, her ex-husband and Sofia’s father, had up and left. The weasel. He never did understand or appreciate the gifts Laura had been given.

Laura’s smile faded as she sipped her tea. “Have you talked to that spirit?”

“You mean Hayes?”

“Mm hmm.”

“I talked to him this morning, actually.” Penny picked up Laura’s fork and scooped a cucumber with extra dressing into her mouth.

“Are you going to leave me hanging, Mother? Or are you going to tell me if my daughter’s all right?”

“Of course she’s all right. The spell is complete, and they’ve admitted their love for each other.”

Laura clenched her eyes shut and opened them again. “Lovely. Now we wait for the heartbreak?”

“Don’t be such a pessimist.” Penny poked at a carrot. “The spell worked out for me just fine. Why wouldn’t it work for Sofia?”

“Dad told me he was in love with you before you even cast that spell on him.” Laura pushed the salad bowl away from her and in front of Penny.

“Could’ve fooled me.”

“Now what? How long until it fades and we find out if he really loves her?”

“Eternal worrywart, that’s what you are.”

“Answer the question.”

“The spell fades after a week or two. The love will last a lifetime.” Penny hoped, anyway. You never could be too sure with spells, especially if one didn’t practice as much as one should.

“You’re going to tell her, Mother. I won’t have her heart crushed when she wakes up one morning and sees that he’s gone. No note. No nothing.”

“Well, he’s not Michael, dear.”

“You’re going to tell her.” Laura raised her voice. “And if I find out you’ve put anymore spells on my daughter, I’ll never speak to you again.”

Two could play at that game. “Fine, I’ll explain everything.” Penny raised her voice as well. “But only if you tell her she has more powers than she realizes. She’s a witch like you and me and the ancestors before us.”

“No way. You know how I feel about that.”

“And your reasoning is complete nonsense. You can deny the powers that lie at your fingertips for as long as you like, but Sofia has the right to decide for herself. Don’t you think her gift would be a great deal easier to handle if she had a little extra help? A spell to bind a murderer? A protection spell to help the victim? To keep an airplane from flying…or to fall out of love, if need be?”

~ * ~

Gray pulled into his condo’s parking garage, questioning how ungentlemanly it would be to take Sofia straight up to his bedroom, lock the door, and throw away the key. The plane wasn’t supposed to fly out until tomorrow anyway. They had plenty of time, and her hand on his thigh for the past ten miles had made him quite uncomfortable in his jeans.

He walked her through the lobby. The elevator might be a good place for loving as well. He’d never tried it before, but who better than Sofia to be his first and only?

Her eyes were wide as she took in the high ceilings, extravagant fixtures, and modern furnishings. “This is where you live?”

“My condo is a little more humble.” The elevator doors opened, and Gray led her in.

“Hayes and I picked out this condo. He thought the women in his life would give it up easier if he walked them into a place like this. His words, not mine.”

“And you?”

“I liked the soundproof walls and windows.”

“What is it with you and quiet?” She leaned against the railing and smiled up at him.

Gray moved in front of her, trapping her against the wall. “What is it with me and you?” He brushed his mouth against hers. “I can’t seem to get enough. I’m addicted, I think.”

She returned the kiss, sliding her tongue along his upper lip. She tasted of sweet tea and red licorice—her afternoon snack she’d picked up while he pumped gas into the BMW.

Gray felt her leg slip up his. It was all he could take. He reached down, cupped her ass, and lifted her against him. He pressed her into his erection to show how much he wanted her.

She rolled her hips forward, rubbing him, making him want her naked and under his sheets, or on top. Whichever was faster.

She moaned against his tongue as he slid it against hers.

The sound of the elevator door opening didn’t seem to disturb her, so he continued, getting as much of her as he could until she remembered their self-assigned duty to save thirty-plus lives.

“That is so f*cking hot, dude.”

Shit. Gray broke the kiss and saw the curly golden-haired neighbor guy staring back and forth from him to Sofia.

“You are my inspiration. I want you to know.”

Sofia cleared her throat and wiggled away from Gray. Damn kid.

“Sorry to interrupt you guys. You were having a moment there, weren’t ya?”

“Oh, don’t worry about it,” Sofia said, cheerfully. “It’s not a big deal.”

How did she do that? Gray frowned at her. “Again with the ‘no big deal’?”

“Of course you’re a big deal, honey.” Sofia waved a hand from his toes to his head. “A very big deal. I just didn’t want to make your neighbor, here, feel uncomfortable.” She held out a hand for the kid to shake. “I’m Sofia.”

He shook her hand and eyed her chest. “Andrew Dashmoor. You can call me Andy.”

The elevator door began to close, and they all stepped out into the hall.

“Dashmoor?” Sofia’s eyes lit up. “As in Dashmoor from DashAir?”

“You got it.” He pushed a hand through his hair as if preparing to make a move on Sofia. “My old man owns the whole entire airline.”

“That is so neat.” Sofia gave her cute smile. “I bet you can get all kinds of deals.”

Gray’s jaw tightened. Did Sofia not see when men were attracted to her? Maybe she did and was playing it up. Either way, Gray stood behind her and decided to play along. “Do you believe in psychics, Andy?”

“You mean, like, that chick on the Montel reruns?”

“Exactly.”

Sofia peered up at Gray with an arched brow.

He would make it up to her later. “Sofia is just like that chick on Montel.”

“No way. Are you kidding me?”

Sofia stepped back hard on Gray’s big toe. “He kids you not,” she said, before he could.

Gray knew damn well her ability was limited to her dreams, but certain circumstances called for certain measures. If they could convince Andy that she was an all-powerful psychic, they could convince him to call his good old daddy to stop that plane from flying. And Gray could have a little fun with Sofia in the process.

“So who or what was I in my past life?” Andy eyed Sofia suspiciously.

“Let’s see. I have to touch you to find out. Do you mind?”

“Not at all, dude.”

“Close your eyes,” Sofia said.

Andy clenched his eyes shut, and Sofia looked up at Gray, sticking her tongue out at him. You’re going to get it, she mouthed.

Gray was looking forward to it. But did she really have to touch Andy?

The elevator door opened again, and Mrs. Farley, Gray’s neighbor two doors down, walked out with her cane in one hand and a sparkly pink leash attached to her toy poodle in the other.

“I’m waiting,” Andy said with a smile on his face. “Are you going to touch me or not?”

Mrs. Farley gasped, and the poodle barked. The silver-haired woman had been Gray’s neighbor since the day he and Hayes had moved in. Lord only knew how long she’d lived here before that. Her hobby was walking around with a notepad and pencil, writing down occurrences that happened in the building. She’d gone through a new notebook every week when Hayes was alive. Yep, his brother had kept her very busy.

Gray took Andy by one arm and Sofia by the other. “Why don’t we take this somewhere where Sofia can concentrate?”

“Mr. Phillips,” Mrs. Farley called out. “Mr. Phillips. Mr. Dashmoor. There is to be no funny business in this building. Do you hear me?”

Gray glanced over his shoulder to see her and the dog scowling up at him. “Of course not, Mrs. Farley.” He shoved his key into the lock. Gray had learned a long time ago the less said to the elderly woman, the better. He turned the key in the lock. It worked. The door opened without a problem. His luck was improving.

“Yeah, Mrs. Farley,” Andy said. “No worries.”

Sofia piped up. “I wasn’t going to touch him anywhere inappropriate, I assure you.”

“You weren’t?” Andy frowned.

“Well,” Mrs. Farley huffed. “I’m going to have to write this down on my list of grievances. I would’ve expected this from your brother, Mr. Phillips, but not you.”

Gray blew out a breath. He really wished she hadn’t stooped to that level. “Mrs. Farley,” he said, after she’d started down the hall. “Your dog pissed against my door again last week. Next time he does that, I’m going to find that notebook of yours and use it as toilet paper to wipe my—”

~ * ~

Sofia hadn’t realized she’d had the strength to push a man Gray’s size onto his butt. But she did and she had, and now he was sitting on the dark maple hardwood floor in his foyer.

“Super psychic woman, baby.” Andy put his hand up for a high-five, but Sofia knew better.

She shook her head for him to nix it and looked down at Gray. “I’m so sorry, honey. I had no idea I could do that.” She held out a hand for him to grab.

Needless to say, Manly-man didn’t accept it. He stood on his own. “Don’t worry about it,” he grumbled.

“Well, I couldn’t let you threaten to—”

“I know, Sofia.”

“Don’t be mad at me.”

“I’m not.” He sure the heck sounded like it. He brushed past Sofia and Andy and headed to the kitchen.

“This place is nice, dude.” Andy followed him. “Do you have more square footage than I do?”

Sofia glanced around for the first time. The floor plan was open, revealing the living room, dining area and kitchen. The floors were all hardwood. A black leather sofa and loveseat and a glass coffee table sat in front of a flat screen television in the living room. A fireplace posing as a half wall separated the living room from the dining room. The dining table was a dark oak. Four high-back leather dining chairs surrounded it. The kitchen had dark granite countertops and an island bar with stools separating it from the rest of the space.

Everything was very masculine. Of course, Gray and Hayes were the only two people who’d lived here. Bachelors. Sofia was sure Mrs. Farley’s comment had hit a nerve with Gray. The twins had grown up together and lived together as adults…and now Gray was alone.

He pulled out two bottles of beer and handed one to Andy. “Sofia, I can open a bottle of wine if you want. Or I have water, but that’s about it.”

“I’ll take a beer.” She sat on the bar stool beside Andy.

Gray grinned. “Yeah?”

“Sure. I drink beer sometimes.”

“Awesome.” Andy leaned toward her. “Super psychic woman who can drink a brewski. I like that. How do you feel about cozying up in a humongous bean bag and watching a football game on a plasma?”

“Um.” Sofia wasn’t sure how to answer that, but it appeared she didn’t have to. Gray walked around, put an opened beer bottle in front of her, and kissed her cheek.

“I love you,” he whispered into her ear, and sat down on the stool on the other side of her.

Sofia’s skin prickled with delight. She’d never tire of hearing that, and hoped he’d never tire of saying it. The make-out session in the elevator had left her wanting more.

She took a sip of the beer, and from the corner of her eye, caught sight of Gray’s upper arm flexing as he leaned against the island. She looked farther up to see him smiling at her.

“Super Psychic Woman,” he said teasingly, “are you going to tell Andy his fortune?”

“Wait,” Andy said. “Doesn’t she have to touch me first?”

“Right.” Sofia hopped off the stool and swiveled Andy around to face her. “First, I’ll tell you who you were in your previous life.” She sized him up like her mother did with all of her clients.

Andy was an average-sized man, but seemed smaller in the presence of Gray. Maybe a couple inches less than six foot. He was lean, but not too skinny. He had some muscle to him. He appeared to be a year or two younger than she was, so maybe he was twenty-one or twenty-two. He wore a shirt with the name of a rock band she’d never heard of and ripped jeans his daddy probably paid a bundle for. He was attractive in a boyish way, with his curly blond hair and puppy dog brown eyes.

“Close your eyes again,” she said.

He did, and added the extra step of flinging his head back and bracing his arms against the island. The man was ready to be touched, that was for sure.

Tell him something he wanted to hear. That was always her mother’s motto, and it would be Sofia’s for this task, since she didn’t really know who the guy was in his previous life or even if he had a previous life. Might as well make him happy.

She brought her hand up to his neck and slowly swept it down his chest. Gray cleared his throat and raised his brows at her.

Hello! This was his idea. She ignored him and continued with the act, stopping just above Andy’s abdomen before starting back up again. She needed more time to think. What would Andy Dashmoor want to hear?

“You were a king,” she blurted out. “Of a foreign country. You had several wives that catered to you and fed you grapes from the vine.”

Andy smiled, but kept his eyes shut. “What else?”

“The people of your kingdom adored you and bowed at your feet.”

“Cool. How did I die?”

“Do you really want to know that?”

“Duh. The Montel chick always ’fesses.”

“Okay.” Sofia rubbed circles on his chest with the tips of her fingers and thought of how to end the highly fabricated tale. If this didn’t please him, she didn’t know what would. “Two of your wives were fighting over who was going to sleep with you that night. The argument got out of hand and one of them said if she couldn’t have you, no one would, so she stabbed a knife into your heart.”

“Dang. That’s harsh.” Andy opened his eyes and winked at her. “There’s plenty of me to go around, as you can see.”

“Okay.” Gray straightened in his seat. “Can I talk to you in the other room, Sofia? We’ll be right back, Andy.”

“No prob, dude. You got any chips or anything?”

“Help yourself.”

Sofia followed Gray into a hallway. He pushed a door open and gestured for her to enter, all the while not giving her the courtesy of eye contact. Great. Was he grumpy again? What happened to the sweet I love you in her ear?

His bedroom was large, but taking up most of it was his California King covered by a black and beige striped comforter. The bed frame was a dark mahogany wood that matched his dresser and nightstand. The walls were white, and vinyl blinds covered the window. The man needed some color in his life, for sure.

“Do you want me to paint you something so you can hang it up in here?” she asked.

The door shut behind her and suddenly she was being picked up and set down on the bed.

Gray’s body covered hers as he continued the kiss that had begun in the elevator. His tongue and lips were potent and powerful, like the rest of his body, leaving her senseless and full of desire. She imagined what he could do with that tongue on other parts of her body. She had dreamed that experience before, but as she’d realized, real life was far more satisfying than her visions. Far more emotional, as well.

She eased away from him long enough to tell him she loved him.

“I love you too,” he said, “and I want you.” He kissed her again. “I know you’re having fun out there, but could we move it along so I can be alone with you?”

“Fun?” Sofia looked up into his amused eyes. “You think I was having fun?”

“Well, you were getting into that chest rubbing.” He chuckled. “Thought I’d bring you in here and remind you what a real man feels like.” He pressed his erection between her legs. “A real king,” he said, and chuckled again.

“Oh, ha, ha. Real funny. Get off me, now, Grayson Phillips.”

“Ah, I’m only playing with you, Sofia. You know I’m teasing. And I’ll admit I’m a little bit jealous.”

“It serves you right. Why did you bring this whole psychic thing up anyway? I’m in way over my head.”

He grinned and whispered his plan into Sofia’s ear. “What do you think he’ll do if you predict his daddy is going to lose all his money after this plane goes down? I predict the families are going to sue, and he’ll lose all his business and have to file for bankruptcy, don’t you?”

“And then Andy can’t depend on Daddy anymore?”

“Exactly.”