Bewitching You

chapter Nineteen



The sun started rising, finally. The light poured through the slits in the blinds and took shape across Gray’s broad chest, his chiseled jaw, powerful lips, and sleeping eyes. At some point in the early morning, he’d exhausted himself and had fallen asleep.

After massaging, kissing, licking, and suckling every inch of her body. Eating her up like candy, it seemed. He’d savored her, made love to her, talked to her, and repeated the process for hours upon hours. The man had enough stamina to satisfy ten women.

However, Sofia was only one. Although she was completely satiated, she was also completely worn out. Kind of like a sex hangover.

She stretched out her weary arms and legs and yawned. She hadn’t been able to fall asleep like Gray, hadn’t really wanted to descend into dreamland. Sometimes a girl needed a break from saving people’s lives. Sometimes the responsibility was all too overwhelming.

Sometimes it was easier to have this moment in time with this person without knowing what the future held.

She sat up and squelched the urge to run her fingers over his magnificent body. Truth was, if he woke up at that moment and wanted more, she’d give it to him. She’d do anything for him, to him—whatever he asked, she’d say yes. And she’d be happy to do it.

But he was sleeping soundly, and the whirlpool bath was calling her name. She slipped from the bed, tripped over one of his colossal shoes, redeemed herself, checked to make sure she hadn’t disturbed him, and then quietly closed the bathroom door behind her.

Gravity was not her friend at times. However, a hot bath was. She sat at the edge of the cold-tiled tub and started the water. Of course, a man didn’t have bottles of bubble bath lying around.

In fact, she was pretty sure she’d been the first person to use this most excellent tub. The shower next to it, on the other hand, had water spots galore on the glass door. Sofia poured a capful of the manly-man scented shampoo into the running water and wondered if Gray had a housekeeper or if he did the cleaning himself.

She had a ton of questions for Gray. Some of them she’d gotten answered the night before, in between being thoroughly explored. His favorite color was brown, of course. He’d spent half of his childhood growing up in the heart of San Francisco, the other half in Indianapolis. Two different worlds, he’d said, and he hoped to one-day move back to San Francisco. Sofia had told him she’d love to see it with him since she’d never been. He’d smiled at that and made love to her again.

Then he’d asked her about her painting and if she wanted to pursue it as a career. Sofia had needed to think about that. Painting as a hobby was one thing, as a career it was something she wasn’t sure she had the courage to do. Gray had told her he had every confidence she could do whatever the hell she wanted to do in life, and she’d succeed at it too. In response, Sofia had straddled him, taking the driver’s seat for once.

He hadn’t been disappointed.

Sofia sank into the hot water and soaked her tender body. The jets and the warmth felt so good that she nearly fell asleep a couple of times. It wasn’t until Gray walked in that she fully opened her eyes.

Without a word, he stepped into the other half of the tub and sat down. He plunged his head under the water and then he surfaced, scrubbing his hands over his face and hair.

He gazed at Sofia for a moment before asking, “Last night was too much again, wasn’t it?”

“I don’t know. Are you usually that…intense?”

“No. Never. Not that many times, not as passionately.” He pressed his palms to his bloodshot eyes. “With you, it seems like I can’t get enough. Even right now, I’m holding back from touching you because I know I won’t want to stop.”

Her heart stuttered as his penetrating gaze swept over her again.

“Do you think it’s possible to love someone too much?”

Any other time Sofia would’ve laughed his question away. She would’ve been flattered and happy to know he loved her so. But his tone wasn’t that of adoration—it was of worry. Did he wish to stop loving her altogether?

“No,” she said. “Love me as much as you want. I’ll love you back tenfold. I promise.”

“But, Sofia, I don’t want to—”

Before he could say another word, Sofia slid into his lap and pressed her lips to his. She kissed him until he kissed back, wrapping his arms around her waist and gathering her against his hard body. His tongue thrust into her mouth, and she eagerly accepted it, showing him she could handle whatever he delivered.

“Sofia,” he whispered.

“Don’t talk. Just kiss me.”

But he stopped anyway. “Sofia, the doorbell’s ringing. I better get it.”

~ * ~

Penny slapped at Laura’s hand when Laura pushed the doorbell for the third time. “They’re probably still sleeping. Whose bright idea was it to drive over here first thing in the morning?”

“I’m worried.” Laura pressed the doorbell again. “If they’re not at your house and they’re not here, then where the hell are they?”

The sound of a deadbolt turning got Penny’s undivided attention. This was sure to be exciting, meeting Sofia’s love for the first time. If he looked anything like his twin brother, Sofia was one lucky girl.

The door opened halfway, and Penny’s question was answered. The twins were identical, although this one had shorter hair, which was nice. His jeans didn’t have any holes in them. His t-shirt was black, stretchy, and showing off his muscles. And naturally, this one was alive and thriving.

She read his thoughts while Laura did the introductions.

The image of Sofia in a tub of water vibrated from his mind.

Well, maybe it was best to block the thoughts for a bit. She didn’t want to invade anyone’s privacy too much.

“It’s nice to meet you.” He shook both their hands. Very polite. “I’m Gray Phillips, but I’m guessing you already know that since you’ve found where I live.”

“That’s right, dear.” Penny passed by him into the condo. Everything was clean and tidy, except the mess in the dining area. Hmm. What had happened there?

“Is Sofia here?” Laura passed him as well and poked her head around.

“Yes.” The young man shut the door. “She’s, um, getting dressed. I’ll go get her. Make yourself at home.”

Penny and Laura both watched him closely as he disappeared down a hallway.

“He’s handsome,” Penny whispered.

“Yeah, I bet he thinks he can get any woman he wants. I don’t trust him for a second.” Laura huffed and frowned. “Oh, God. I bet they’ve slept together.”

“Do you think?” Penny rolled her eyes. “It had to happen sometime.”

“I know that, Mother. I’m the one who foolishly told her to go do it.”

“Oh, really? Do you think she wouldn’t have if she hadn’t had your permission? Don’t be naïve, Laura. She’s not twelve anymore.”

Laura tapped her foot on the hardwood floor. “Can we stop bickering now? They’ll be out any second, and I don’t want Sofia to worry any more than she’s going to already.”

“You really need to give her more credit.” Penny plopped down on one of the leather sofas and let out a breath. This was not going to go well. She could feel it in the air. Something was amiss. Something was terribly wrong.

~ * ~

Gray shut the bedroom door behind him. Sofia was lying on the bed, wearing nothing but his dress shirt, unbuttoned. She gestured for him to come hither.

His body reacted instantly, but his mind knew better. “Sugar, I’d love to, but you might want to see who’s waiting for you in the other room.”

She jolted up. “Who?”

“Your mother and your grandmother.”

“Oh, my gosh. Shoot. How did they find me?” She quickly began buttoning up.

“I don’t know. Have you called them recently?”

“I was going to, but, you know. We were busy saving lives and all that other stuff.”

Gray watched her fumble with the last button. He couldn’t help but lift her chin up and kiss her just once. “Can we finish what we started in the tub when they leave?”

She smiled halfway. “Yes, I’d love to. I—” She finished buttoning. “I wonder what they want.”

“We can go find out,” Gray offered. What was she nervous about? Did she think they’d object to him? “Are you going to tell them about moving in with me?”

“Yes. That’s a good idea. I—” Her hands trembled as he took them in his.

“What, Sofia? Tell me.”

“They have special abilities too.”

“So, they have premonitions like you?” Gray wasn’t sure what was so horrible about that. He’d already proved he was supportive of Sofia.

“Not exactly. Just don’t let my mom touch you, and try to think of Rodney Dangerfield a lot. Okay?”

“Excuse me?”

“I’ll explain later. Trust me.”

Gray held tight to Sofia’s hand as she led him to the living room. Her mother and grandmother stood as soon as they saw Sofia. He searched through his short-term memory for their names. Laura and Penny? Yes, that was what her mother had said. They all had the same eyes. Big and blue. He’d known right away when he opened the door they were related to Sofia in some way.

“Sofia, what are you wearing?” Laura asked as she gave Sofia a hug. “No bra?”

“Oh.” Sofia blushed and glanced at Gray. “I need to do laundry.”

“You look happy, dear,” the grandmother said, getting the next hug. “Your face is glowing.” She winked.

Gray rolled some of the tension from his shoulders and sat with Sofia on the loveseat. At least her grandmother seemed to like him. The mother, however, couldn’t spear swords from her eyes any faster. He took Sofia’s hand and squeezed.

Tension was thick in the air.

“So,” Sofia started with a hint of uncertainty in her voice. “I’m sorry I left your house unattended, Nana. We had to leave in an emergency. But I left a bowl of food and water for Sam. Is everything okay?”

“It’s fine, dear. I went home last night. Sam seemed well taken care of. Thank you for doing that for me.”

“Sure. Anytime.” She cleared her throat. “You all met Gray, right?”

“Yes, dear.”

“He stayed with me at the house for a couple days. We kept having car troubles. It was the strangest thing.”

“That’s unfortunate,” Penny said, but still grinned.

“It was, but, well, we’ve fallen in love, and now I’m going to move in here with him.”

Laura sat up straight at the edge of the couch. “No, you’re not.”

“Oh, yes, she is,” Penny countered. “She’s a grown woman, and they’re in love. See?”

“Mother.” Laura gave her a stern look. “Spill it.”

Penny let out a sigh and set her eyes on Gray. “Dear, would you mind if we had a moment with Sofia? We won’t be long.”

~ * ~

Sofia knew this conversation wasn’t going to go well. Not with the way her mother glared at Gray, and the way Nana was being overly cheerful.

“What’s going on?” Sofia asked, as soon as the bedroom door clicked shut with Gray behind it. He hadn’t appeared altogether happy about having to leave the room in his own home, but still he’d whispered he loved her in her ear and kissed her cheek before stepping away.

“He seems like such a dear.” Nana clapped her hands together. “I’m happy for you, Sofia.”

“What’s going on?” Sofia pointed the question to her mother. “Why wouldn’t you approve of me moving in here? I love him, and he loves me.”

“Oh, Sofia.” Laura sat by her and took her hand. “You don’t have a clue, do you?”

“About what?” Sofia panicked. “What is this about? Gray? How did you figure out where he lives, anyway? What are you two up to?”

“Sofia, take a breath,” Laura said. “Nana will explain it all to you.”

Sofia looked at her grandmother expectantly. “Well?”

“Dear,” Nana started slowly, “I noticed you were in the shed to get the toolbox. Did you happen to see my magical goodies?”

“Yes. What was that all about? Have you always had those things?”

Nana waved her hand absently toward Laura. “Your mother will explain more about that later. What’s important now is that you know I took the liberty of casting a spell on you and Gray.”

“A spell?” Had Nana finally lost it? Sofia straightened her shoulders and tried to stay calm. What the heck was going on here?

“Well, actually, I had to do it twice. You were fighting it, you see. And all the energy I used gave me the worst migraine. Your mother and Herbert had to take me to the hospital. But the ghost helped you through that with the note. He’s a really great character. I wish you could’ve met him.”

“Mother,” Laura said through pursed lips, “you’re rambling. How is she going to understand any of this if you ramble?”

“Wait.” Sofia stuck her hand out to stop them. “What is this? Witchcraft? Spells? Ghosts? What are trying to tell me?”

Laura turned to face her. “Your grandmother is attempting to say that the love you and Gray feel for each other may not be real. It’s very possible that the strong emotions you’re feeling right now will fade when the spell fades.”

“Good chance it won’t though,” Nana added.

“You’re kidding?” Sofia pressed her fingers to her forehead to think for a moment. She wasn’t surprised Nana had come up with such a crazy idea…but her mother? “You believe this spell business, Mom? You believe it actually works?”

“Yes,” Laura said softly. “Unfortunately, it’s all true. You know how Nana and I explained that we all carry a gene that allows us our gifts?”

Sofia nodded.

Laura released a breath. “Well, we also have the added benefit of witchcraft to supposedly help us with our gift. Although some people get carried away and use it for personal matters, which then gets us into sticky situations like this. That’s why I haven’t told you before, Sofia. We hold a very powerful tool at our fingertips. It can either prevent or cause tragedies. And in this case, it’s likely to bring heartbreak.”

Nana huffed. “Don’t be so dramatic, Laura. There’s no heartbreak here. All I see is love.”

“For now, Mother. What about one, two, three weeks from now when that man”—she pointed to the bedroom—“wakes up from the after-effects of the spell and wonders what the hell had gotten into him? He’s going to realize he’s not really in love with her.”

Sofia’s mouth dried up, and her heart pounded. “Gray doesn’t love me?” It was all very confusing.

“No, Sofia. Not really. The spell lured you together and gave you both very strong feelings for each other, only ending when you both admitted you loved one another. However, it takes a while to fade.”

“That’s not entirely true, Sofia,” Nana piped up. “The spell was only a boost to get you started. It could very well be that the love will continue indefinitely. You remember you were dreaming of him. He’s in your future. What was the point of waiting?”

“Oh, God. He doesn’t really love me.” Could it all be true? She’d been stupid to think that a man like Gray could have feelings for her.

“Sofia, dear, the love could be as real as you and I.”

“But what if it isn’t?” Her eyes stung. “He’ll think that I fooled him. He’ll hate me.”

“I’ll never hate you.” Gray’s voice rumbled from behind her, followed by the click of a door.

Sofia turned quickly to see him.

He frowned, anger in his eyes. “This is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.” He walked around the loveseat and spoke to her mother. “May I sit by Sofia, please? The woman that I love.”

~ * ~

Gray had stayed in the room long enough. He’d listened at the door, not being able to help himself. It was obvious when he left that he would be the topic of conversation. He’d been right and what he heard had infuriated him. A spell? Absolutely absurd.

Laura glared up at him. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. Obviously, you’ve been listening in. You know what’s going on. For once, maybe it’s time to use your head instead of your dick. Let her leave here with us. You can talk to her later on the phone, if that’s what she wants.”

Gray stood his ground. “Sofia isn’t going anywhere other than to pack her clothes so she can move in here with me. Just as we were planning before you interrupted us.”

“You tell her, Gray,” the grandmother murmured.

“Gray,” Sofia said, tears in her eyes, “maybe we should talk about this.”

“No,” he said. “This discussion isn’t logical enough to give it any more thought. It’s comical. It’s a f*cking joke. I love you because of who you are, not because of some bullshit spell.” If they thought his love would simply fade away, they were sorely mistaken.

Sofia stood and took his hand. “But what if it’s true? I don’t think my mother and grandmother would lie to me about something like this.”

“If it’s true, Sofe, then you don’t really love me. Is that the case?”

“No, of course not.”

“Then how can you believe them?”

Laura maneuvered in front of Sofia, forcing their hands apart. “Because the spell hasn’t weakened yet. And I’m not going to let my daughter stick around here to wait for you to come to your senses.”

Heat rose up his chest, gripped his heart. “Why is it so hard to believe I’ll love your daughter now and forever? I’m starting to understand why she’s never really had a man in her life—you won’t let it happen.”

Laura poked her finger into his chest. “You’re just as idiotic and stubborn as your thickheaded brother.”

Gray stepped back, shaken by her words. “How did you know my brother?”

~ * ~

Penny stood, thinking it was probably a good time for her to step in. Laura had muddled this meeting up terribly. What was she thinking, mentioning Hayes?

“Excuse me,” Penny said, setting a hand on Gray’s forearm. Strong young man, he was.

He looked down at her with narrowed eyes. “How does she know my brother?”

“Hayes visited us in his afterlife, dear.” Only partially true, but Gray didn’t need to know Laura’s part in Hayes’s death. Not now. “He’s a wonderful young man.” Gray’s face grew pale, but she continued. “Apparently, he had business to do before he was able to cross over. He needed to see to your happiness and thought Sofia would do the trick. I completely agreed, so we worked collectively to guide you two together. As you can see, it worked. You fell in love. You’re happy. Hayes was able to move on. All’s well that ends well, right?”

“This isn’t funny,” he said in a low voice. “This is my brother you’re talking about.”

“I’m not trying to humor you, dear. Did you and Sofia wonder where that love note came from, Gray? Did you recognize the handwriting?”

Sofia pressed her hand to her heart. “Oh, my. It was his spirit in the kitchen, wasn’t it? Right before I found the note, I felt him, the cold breeze on my arm. It was him, wasn’t it?”

“Most likely, dear.”

Her eyes grew wide. “And the condoms? Did he leave those?”

“No, that was my idea. Definitely my idea. You can’t be too safe these days.”

Gray broke away from Penny’s grasp. “Sofia, why do you believe all of this nonsense?”

“Nonsense?” Laura’s face flushed red. “Sofia does not need or want a man in her life who doesn’t accept and support her and her family’s gifts.”

“I support her just fine. But I’ll be damned if I’m going to stand here and let you feed her this garbage. None of it makes any sense. Why would Hayes, alive or dead, go to you all to find happiness for me? He didn’t even know Sofia.” Gray stopped and looked to Sofia. “Did he?”

She shook her head. “I would’ve recognized him if you two are identical.”

Gray clapped his hands together once. “Ladies, your ghost story has a hole in it. Care to explain?”

Penny sighed. Seeing no other choice in the matter, she began to clarify. “Hayes knew Laura.”

“What?” Both Gray and Sofia said, and then looked to Laura for an answer.

“Mother, do you think this is necessary?” Laura asked.

“You made your bed, Laura. The young man needs an explanation. You need to give it to him.”

Laura rolled her eyes. “I didn’t really know him. He came to me for a reading one time, that was all.”

Sofia turned to Gray. “My mom is a psychic palm and tarot card reader,” she explained. “She works out of our home. And she—” She gasped. “Mom, did you foresee that Hayes was going to die?”

“He wouldn’t have believed me, Sofia. You know that. You’ve seen how people react when I tell them their fate is anything less than perfect.”

Penny noticed Gray’s hands begin to shake at his sides, but he remained quiet.

“But Mom, you could’ve warned him.” More tears welled in Sofia’s eyes. It broke Penny’s heart.

“I told him to be careful.” Laura’s eyes brimmed with redness as well. “It’s not my fault,” she said to Gray. “He was careless with his life before he even stepped in my door. He wouldn’t have listened to me.”

Gray cleared his throat, obviously upset. “You saw that my brother was going to die, and you didn’t think it mattered enough to tell him? To give him a warning?”

“Like I said, he wouldn’t have listened.”

“Maybe he would’ve checked his goddamn parachute then. Maybe he wouldn’t have gone up in that airplane. How could you be so heartless?”

“You don’t know anything about me,” Laura said.

Gray paced the floor until he eventually dropped onto the loveseat, closing his eyes and pinching his nose. “He was my best friend and only family. Do you understand what it felt like to lose him?”

Sofia sat beside him, but didn’t seem to have the courage to touch him. “I’m so sorry, Gray.”

Laura shook her head. “It wasn’t my fault.”

“Get out,” Gray said, covering his face. “All of you, just get out.”

Sofia’s face paled. “I’ll get my things,” she whispered, and hurried into the bedroom.

“Thank God,” Laura said.

Penny stepped toward Gray and ran her hand over the top of his head once. “Sofia wasn’t a part of this. She loves you.”

“Mother, don’t tell him that.”

“He needs to hear it, Laura. He’s not alone in this world.”

Gray stood, flushed and trembling. He didn’t look at anyone in particular as he disappeared into another room and slammed the door behind him.

Sofia returned, wearing her jeans and holding all of her other items. “Let’s go,” she said with a sob.

“Go ahead,” Penny said. “I’ll be right out.”

“Nana, just leave him alone, please.”

“Don’t you worry. It’ll only be a minute. I’ll meet you at the elevator.”

Penny waited until Sofia and Laura left, and then tapped lightly on the door through which Gray had escaped. The poor thing. He’d had so much heartache and now this.

He didn’t answer. Penny thought about reading his mind, but wasn’t sure she really wanted to know what the young fellow was thinking. Had she done a bad thing here? Putting them together too soon?

“Gray, it’s Penny. I don’t mean to bother you anymore. I want you to know, if you want to contact Sofia, she’ll either be home or maybe at my house. I’ll leave her house number and cell phone number. She had these cute little business cards made up. Just for fun, I guess. She actually designed them herself. She’s very talented. Anyway, I’ll leave that card for you. Here”—Penny pulled one from her wallet—“I’ll slip it under the door.”

Silence. She bent down and slid the card through.

“If you’re worried about the spell, don’t be. It’ll wear off completely within a week or two. I’m positive Sofia will still be in love with you as you will be with her. And I’d very much like to have you as part of our family someday. Whenever you’re ready. I know we can’t replace your brother, but we’ll love you all the same.”

Nothing.

Penny couldn’t stand it any longer. She opened up her mind and found his thoughts. They were powerful, causing Penny to limit some.

Leave. Leave me. Sofia. Why would she doubt me? Love her so much. Hayes. Her mother could have saved him. God. Hayes could have lived. Why didn’t you let him live? Need Sofia. She left. I made her leave. Stupid. She’s gone. I shouldn’t have sent her away. Need her. Did the grandmother leave? Crazy. All of this is crazy.

Penny took a breath and blocked him out. It was too much, but at least there was potential. He hadn’t given up on Sofia. She swiped a tear away, gathered her strength—Lord knew she’d need it for Sofia—and walked out the door.