Bewitching You(39)
“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.