Bewitching You

chapter Eighteen



Gray had thought a quick telephone call would do the trick. Then he’d have the rest of the evening to spend alone with Sofia. Yet, here he was, driving up the long cobblestone lane of the Dashmoor Estate, preparing himself to meet Andrew Dashmoor Senior, because Andy Junior was a pansy who didn’t seem to know how to do anything on his own.

Andy stretched out in Gray’s backseat with his hand over his forehead. “This can’t be happening. This can’t be happening.”

“Try to relax, Andy,” Sofia said to him from the passenger seat. “We can prevent this, remember?”

“I don’t know,” Andy whined. “I just can’t deal with this in my life right now. I’m under so much stress.”

Gray held back a groan. Had he known Andy would’ve reacted this way, he’d have come up with a different plan. Now, it was too late, and the kid had Sofia feeling sorry for him.

“It’ll be a cinch, Andy.” Sofia reached back and patted his leg. “You can talk to your father and convince him not to let that particular plane take flight. Then everything will be all right. “

Andy jolted up in between the seats and took Sofia’s hand. “You’ll go in with me, right? He’s never going to listen to me. He hates me. He always has.”

“Yes, I’ll go.” She squeezed his palm. “It’ll be okay. Gray will go in too.”

Gray shut the engine off when they reached the end of the drive and stared up at the large red brick mansion as dusk descended. Flowering vines crept up the sides of the exterior, and a vast stone staircase led up to the enormous front door.

“It’s gorgeous.” Sofia’s eyes widened. “I can’t wait to see the inside.”

Only she would find excitement in these circumstances. Gray supposed that was one of the reasons he loved her. He only wished her little “gift” weren’t so intrusive. Not when his body ached to have her alone and in his arms. Ah, well. He’d push through this and then take her back to his home.

A leggy, overly tanned blonde stood at the door when they walked up. She wore a cleavage-baring halter-top and a short tennis skirt. Gray didn’t think she was much older than Sofia. Apparently, Mr. Dashmoor had his very own trophy wife.

“Hi, Andy!” the woman said, her voice a high-pitched squeal. “We weren’t expecting you. Who are your friends?” She ruffled her fingers through Andy’s hair.

Andy blushed and did the introductions. Trophy wife’s name was Barbie, Andy’s newest stepmom. How appropriate.

She took her time shaking Gray’s hand, gazing up at him with heavily made-up eyes. “Wow! Aren’t you a tall drink of water?”

Sofia’s glare bore into Gray. Certain steam was shooting from her ears, he wrapped his arm around her waist and escorted her into the house, holding back a grin the entire time. Didn’t she know he only had eyes for her? Guess he’d have plenty of time to show her.

Barbie led them into the enormous living room with vaulted ceilings and an impressive mural of angels flying through clouds painted on two of the walls. Gray sat next to Sofia on one of the dainty vintage-style couches. Definitely not made for a man his size, but he held his tongue and made the most of it.

“Barbie.” Andy’s face paled again. “We need to talk to Dad. It’s really important.”

Barbie squealed a little more about who knew what and headed up the grand staircase. Her flip-flops made an annoying clopping sound.

“Your dad’s house is beautiful, Andy.” Sofia leaned over and patted Andy’s hand. “Did you grow up here?”

“Sort of,” he mumbled, and stood up from the chair at the sound of Barbie and Mr. Dashmoor striding downstairs.

Gray and Sofia stood as well. Andrew Senior looked like a modern-day Napoleon Bonaparte, and Gray wondered if he had the complex to match. Guess he was about to find out.

“Andy, why are these people in my house?” Napoleon asked, jutting his chubby little chin up at Gray. “I thought we settled that mishap with the bookie.”

“Dad, he’s not a bookie. He’s my friend and neighbor.”

Barbie settled onto couch opposite them, pulled out a nail file, and ground it into her fingernail. Could the woman be any more annoying?

“Well, what does he want? I’m a busy man, you know. I don’t have time for any of your nonsense today, Andy.”

Sofia slowly scooted behind Gray, obviously afraid of Napoleon, who stood eye-to-eye with her.

Enough of this.

“I’m Grayson Phillips, sir. This is Sofia Good. We’re here because we have reason to believe one of your airplanes is going to kill at least thirty-five innocent human beings and then crash into a mountain. And we want you to stop it.”

~ * ~

Twenty minutes later, Sofia could still hear Mr. Dashmoor shouting at poor Andy somewhere on the second story of the gigantic house. The shrieking echoed, bouncing off the walls.

“Maybe we should’ve been a little more subtle,” Sofia said, more to herself than to anyone. She’d had to come out from behind Gray to explain in detail exactly why they believed one of his airplanes was in jeopardy. Mr. Dashmoor obviously hadn’t liked the explanation.

“No,” Barbie said, suddenly waking from her intense nail filing. She popped the gum in her mouth and straightened her body. “You were right to tell him. Only thing is Andrew doesn’t have an open mind like I do. He doesn’t believe in psychics and that sort of stuff. Me? I go see my own personal life planner every single week, come rain or shine. She helps me so much, you would not believe.”

“That’s, uh, great.” Sofia felt Gray nudge her leg. He’d appeared aggravated ever since leaving his condo, but Sofia hadn’t asked why. She had enough on her mind as it was. Innocent people were depending on her.

Barbie popped her gum again and squinted her eyes at Sofia. “You can really see the future?”

Sofia nodded.

“And if this plane goes up and those people die, Andrew will eventually face bankruptcy?”

Nodding wasn’t really lying, was it? The scenario was possible, at least.

“Damn.” Barbie stood and started pacing. “As you can see, I didn’t marry Andrew for his charisma…or good looks.” She turned and pointed the nail file at them. “Why don’t you give me that flight information? I have my ways with Andrew.”

“Really?” Sofia said.

Gray perked up beside her.

“Heck, yeah. I’ve been known to get what I want when I want it. You two get Andy out of here, so I can be alone with my little teddy bear.”

Sofia pushed the image from her mind. She’d have to remember that visual next time Nana tried to mind read. “Are you sure you can convince him to stop the flight from going up?”

“Cross my heart. You have Barbie Dashmoor’s word.”

~ * ~

Gray happily escorted the sobbing Andy down the hall to his condo so Sofia could start a hot bath in Gray’s whirlpool bathtub. She’d been excited to hear he had a whirlpool, and he’d been excited to see her excited. Hell, he got excited to see her do anything. Especially if it meant she’d be naked and within his sight.

“He hates me even more now,” Andy wailed.

“Shake it off, Andy. Be a man.” Gray opened Andy’s door for him and shoved him inside.

“But I’m not a man.”

“Look. Your dad doesn’t have respect for you because you don’t have respect for yourself. Get a job, pay your own bills, grow some balls, and you’ll be fine. Okay?”

“Okay.” More tears.

Gray shut the door and headed back to his place, already growing stiff against his jeans in anticipation. Finally, he had Sofia alone. Finally, he’d be able to woo her exactly how he wanted to.

With a candlelit dinner, soft music, and thorough lovemaking. No questions. Just do it.

After ordering in some salad and pasta, Gray slipped into Hayes’s shower. He’d been tempted to join Sofia in the tub. She seemed to be having a good time in there with all the oohing and awing and splashes. But if he started touching her now, he’d never be able to stop.

They had the rest of their lives together, and he desperately wanted to start it out right. Hell, maybe he’d even propose to her tonight.

Shit. Did he really just think that?

Yeah. Yeah, he did.

He shook his head as he toweled himself off and stepped into Hayes’s bedroom, suddenly realizing he hadn’t set foot in this room since before the funeral. Rachel had come in, made the bed, and picked up whatever mess Hayes had left. She’d cried the entire time.

Gray had listened from the living room, thinking her sympathetic to him. He hadn’t had a clue. Rachel had loved Hayes, not Gray.

But then why had she agreed to marry Gray?

Maybe for the same reason he’d asked her—he was lonely. He needed to go on with life and forget the past, or at least find some closure. But that hadn’t happened with Rachel.

It was happening with Sofia.

~ * ~

Sofia closed her eyes and let the whirlpool jets beat against her back. She’d been ecstatic to hear Barbie guarantee the plane wouldn’t leave the ground, or at least it would be inspected first. Initially, it had all seemed too good to be true. Too easy. But Barbie had assured her she’d call if anything went astray.

Let it go, Sofe.

She’d enjoy the evening with Gray and try to erase the worry from her mind. He needed some peace after all they’d been through, she could see.

And she loved that about him. His desire for quiet, normalcy—and her. She just hoped she could give him what he wanted. Lord knew she needed a little stability for herself as well. Unfortunately, it would never happen as long as she had her gift, and as long as her mother and grandmother had their gifts.

Ugh. When was she going to tell Gray about them and their abilities?

Don’t think about it, Sofe. He loves you. He’ll understand.

Hopefully.

The bathroom door opened, and Gray stepped in, wearing a terry cloth robe and a pair of silk boxers. His hair was damp, dark, and curly. Had he taken Andy home and showered already? Sofia figured she must’ve been in the bath for quite some time.

“Hi,” she said, as he sat down on the edge of the tub.

His gaze swept over her body, which was fully visible now that the bubbles had disappeared.

Oddly, she wasn’t insecure this time. She felt sexy and desired. Loved. How could she not, when he stared at her as if she defined perfection?

“The food is here.” He shrugged his arm out of the robe and dipped his fingers into the water. With a tender touch, he ran his hand over the side of her breast and down her belly. She sucked in a breath when he slipped two fingers past her sensitive * and pressed them inside her.

“Are we hungry?” she asked. She lifted her hips as he reached a delicate area.

“I’m starving.” His dark eyes met hers. He kneaded his fingers deeper into that spot.

“There. Yes,” she panted. “Yes.” She clamped her knees together as she exploded and jerked against his fingers. Within a matter of seconds. Seconds was all it took for him to make her orgasm.

He slowly withdrew his hand from the water and wiped it dry on a hand towel. Aftershocks rolled through Sofia’s body as she tried to gain composure.

He kissed her lips and grinned. “Come eat with me.”

“Okay.”

Then he was gone. Good Lord. Could she expect that type of service every time she took a bath? Sofia gathered her wits and wrapped a towel around her body.

No way was she dressing in the clothes she’d worn all day. The light in Gray’s walk-in closet was on, so she decided to slip into something more comfortable—one of his dress shirts. His clothes only took up half of the enormous closet. Sofia imagined she could make good use of the other half, except her clothes weren’t tailored suits and ties. They were mostly jeans and t-shirts—clothes she wouldn’t fret over if she were to get a little paint on them.

She let out a sigh. Slow it down, Sofe. Who knew if he wanted her to move in with him? They’d barely revealed they loved each other. And it had taken a mysterious note for them to do it.

Someone had wanted them to remain together.

But who?

After toweling off her hair and buttoning up the crisp white dress shirt, she headed out to see the entire open area of Gray’s condo was dim except for four candles sitting on the center of the dining table. She didn’t bother looking at what he’d ordered for them. Her sights were on the sexy man sitting at the end of the table, gazing her way. No smile, only passion oozed from him. His sultry eyes urging her to go to him without a word being said.

Sex. They screamed sex and a promise of extreme pleasure.

“Why don’t we eat, Sofia? You’re going to need your energy.”

Oh, boy.

Her body trembled as she ambled over and sat beside him, half expecting him to pull her onto his lap and take her right there. She wouldn’t object.

She sipped her wine and forked through her salad, wondering if her quivering belly would reject the lettuce. Why was she so nervous? Or was it anticipation? They’d had sex before, but tonight they would make love.

Sofia would know the man who kissed her, penetrated her, and brought her to release, loved her. So much that it hurt.

“Aren’t you hungry?” He ran his hand up her naked thigh.

Dinner was over as far as she was concerned.

“I don’t think I am, really.” Keeping eye contact, she began unbuttoning her shirt. His shirt. “I see that you are, though. Would you like to have me for dessert?”

He dropped his fork onto the floor. “I, uh…Yes, I would.”

Sofia remained cool, calm, and sexy for him. He brought the boldness out of her. Made her yearn for it. She finished unbuttoning while he watched attentively.

“Are you done with this, then?” She pointed to his plate.

In response, Gray shoved both their plates toward the center by the candles. The wine glasses tipped over and fell onto the rug below, but he didn’t seem to care. He sat back and gestured for her to make herself comfortable.

With as much grace as she could muster, Sofia pulled herself up to sit on the table in front of him. The dress shirt fell open and his jaw clenched. She braced her feet up on each of his armrests, revealing herself to him. He stared intently, licking his lips.

“I really like it when you don’t wear panties,” he said in a gruff voice.

Sofia leaned onto her elbows and tilted her head back to gaze at the lit candles. “Do you want me to beg, Gray?”

“Yes, I’d like that very much, actually.”

The feel of his fingers spreading her apart startled her, briefly. Then he stilled, not giving her any more.

“Please,” she whispered.

That simple word was all he needed. His velvety tongue slid across her, warm and firm. He licked her again and then again, faster through each pass, until a surge of marvelous heat rose inside of her, heavy, ready to burst.

Intense pressure built, almost too much to endure. She sat up and thought to push him away, but his rough hands cupped her backside and held her close. He licked and suckled her until finally she screamed from the torturous pleasure.

She gasped out breaths and clasped onto his hair while the aftershocks singed through her.

“Gray. Oh, wow.”

His tongue slid inside her, eagerly lapping her up.

At last, he pulled away. A devilish grin spread across his handsome face as he wiped his mouth and licked his fingers. “That was delicious, sugar. Thank you.”

Sofia nearly came again.

And once more she wondered how she got so lucky.

After catching her breath, she returned his devilish grin with one of her own. “Can I have my dessert now?” she asked, wanting to return the favor.

“I was hoping you’d ask.” He pushed his chair to the wall and slid off his boxers.

Sofia clasped her shirt closed and knelt in front of him. He was fully erect, gorgeous, perfect, but she wasn’t quite sure how she’d begin…or end. She’d watched her roommate from art school give her boyfriend a blowjob one night, late, when they’d thought Sofia was sleeping. They both seemed to enjoy it immensely. And of course, she’d done it in one or two of the dreams, but it’d been hazy, like an out-of-body experience. She tried to remember.

He ran his fingers through her hair and lifted her chin up to kiss her. “You don’t have to.”

“I want to.” She craved it. “I just…I’ve never done it before.” Her cheeks warmed and she knew she looked and sounded incredibly naïve. How many women had knelt before him like this? Women who were able to satisfy him as he’d satisfied her?

His mouth twitched to a grin, but he quickly flattened it out. “I’m sorry. I forget that you’re new at all of this. You’re so amazing, Sofia.”

Okay. That made her feel a little better.

“And you’ve done it in the dreams. Do you remember?”

“I’ll try to. This is much more real.”

“Are you sure you want to?”

“Yes. Yes, I want to please you.”

~ * ~

Gray throbbed, he desperately wanted her mouth on him—her sweet, innocent, untainted mouth. But he would come from the mere sound of her voice if she kept talking like that.

Easy now. Just talk her through it. He could teach her exactly how he liked it.

“Slow,” he said. “We can start out slow. Taste me. Run your tongue across to see if you like it.”

She nodded, her gaze glossy and wide under her thick lashes.

How did he get so f*cking lucky?

He inhaled sharply at the mere sight of her tongue…then she swept it all the way from bottom to head, licking the juice he’d already spent. His mind blurred with lust. “Do you like it?”

“Yes. Very much.” She repeated the action, but this time she took his head into her warm mouth.

“That’s good, sweetie.” He clenched his fists into the armrests so he wouldn’t grab her head and force her down on him. “Try to take more in.”

She did, and then, as if it were a natural reaction, she began sucking on him. Eagerly, taking more and more of him into her mouth. Her slick tongue pulsed against him, luring him to the edge.

Gray ground his teeth. He was going to explode in her mouth if he didn’t gain control.

Maybe that’s what she wanted. But what if she were offended? Hell, it was too late. He let go, releasing, quaking his hips up and down again until he was drained.

She swallowed. Sweet heaven. Then she drew back and ran a finger across her red, swollen lips. “Did I do okay?”

He nodded, breathing heavily, wanting more. “Like I said—amazing.”

She stood to kiss him, her plump breasts crushing into his chest. “I love you, Gray.”

The words were simple, but each time she said them, they affected him in a way that astounded him. He’d never thought he needed to hear it from a woman, never thought the sentiment would mean much to him, but now he knew he couldn’t live without those three simple words.

How could this have happened in such a short time?

It didn’t matter. It felt too good to matter.

He stood and lifted her into his arms. “I love you, too, Sofia. And tomorrow, I want you to pack your things so you can move in with me. If you want to, that is.”

She flung her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. “Gray, I’d love to.”

He carried her to the bedroom, somewhat disappointed in himself for not proposing marriage. And somewhat relieved she hadn’t expected it. Not yet. His feelings were too deep, too soon. Aching, to be exact. He didn’t just want Sofia he needed her. He thrived on her.

Although it thrilled him to have a woman he was able to care so deeply for, it also scared the hell out of him.

If only he could get this under control.