by Deanna Chase
Power of the Witch
Witches of Keating Hollow Series, Book 7
Deanna Chase
Bayou Moon Press, LLC
Copyright © 2019 by Deanna Chase
Editing: Angie Ramey
Cover image: © Ravven
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in, or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the publisher of this book.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locals, business establishments, or persons, living or dead, are entirely coincidental.
Bayou Moon Press, LLC
www.deannachase.com
Printed in the United States of America
Contents
About This Book
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Deanna’s Book List
About the Author
About This Book
Shannon Ansell didn’t mean to make a bet with Brian Knox. It sort of just happened. Now she’s agreed to date him for six weeks, the one man she knows she shouldn’t. Six dates in six weeks. She can do that and still keep her heart intact, right? Wrong. Because the only thing she can’t resist more than a good bet is Brian Knox.
Chapter One
Shannon Ansell sat in the shadows, sipping her champagne and wishing she was anywhere other than Jacob Burton and Yvette Townsend’s wedding reception. It wasn’t that she hated weddings… Well, maybe she did. But that had more to do with her personal feelings about getting married than it did the actual party. And she had to admit Jacob and Yvette’s party was an excellent one.
Floating fairy lights lit up the patio space of A Touch of Magic, the upscale spa that Faith Townsend owned. Magical instruments played seemingly on their own off in the corner while the guests danced in the cool summer night. The reception was an elegant, intimate affair that suited Yvette and Jacob perfectly. Shannon would be up and out on the dance floor swaying to the music right at that moment if she hadn’t vowed to never show her face again. Not after the night before. It was too embarrassing. She’d seriously thought about not showing up at all for the reception, but since she’d catered the desserts and made the cake, bailing hadn’t been an option.
“Hey, girlfriend.” Hope Scott slid into the chair next to Shannon, placing a piece of cake in front of her. “Eat up before it’s all gone.”
Shannon wrinkled her nose and shook her head. She knew it was good. Better than good. Excellent even. Yvette wouldn’t have hired her to make it if it wasn’t. But Shannon was in no mood to eat anything. “I’m sticking with champagne, thanks.”
“Trying to drink enough to forget about the bachelorette party last night?” Hope asked with a light chuckle. “I think you can relax. It wasn’t that bad.”
Shannon stared into the heart-shaped face of the pretty blonde and let out a choked huff of incredulous laughter. “Not that bad? Just stop. I was giving instructions for a perfect blow job with an actual dildo when Brian and Jacob walked in. Worse, I didn’t even know Brian was there until I got to the deep throat portion of the lesson. I think I need to move. Maybe I can find a job at a bakery somewhere in Europe. You think that’s far enough?”
“Nope. Not after what I heard. I’ll just follow you.” Brian’s amused voice cut through the darkness.
“That’s my cue to find Chad,” Hope said, referring to her fiancé. She shot up out of her chair, grinning at Shannon, and mouthed, Take him home with you.
Shannon ignored her. No way. Never gonna happen. She turned toward Brian and groaned when she saw his handsome face emerge from the shadows. “Go away. Your chance to experience that particular talent expired a few months ago.”
“My loss.” He sat down in the empty seat Hope had vacated and draped an arm over the back of Shannon’s chair.
Yeah it was. Her face burned as she remembered the night she’d thrown herself at him and he’d rejected her. What the hell had she been thinking? She hadn’t. That was the problem. She couldn’t even blame it on the wine. Two glasses hadn’t been enough to render her reckless. No, she’d been having a good time on their date and hadn’t wanted it to end. She’d thought he felt the same, but the moment clothes had started to come off, he’d bolted. She hadn’t heard from him again until earlier in the week when she’d stupidly agreed to the bet.
Six dates in six weeks. He had to figure out what she enjoyed on a date and make it happen. If just one date went sideways, he had to be her pool boy… in a thong… until the end of October. If all the dates were successful and Brian won the bet, she had to pretend to be his fiancée at a family wedding. Plus, she’d have to give him a massage… with both of them naked.
Gah! What was she, a masochist? Yes. The answer was definitely yes. What other explanation did she have for agreeing to such a ridiculous bet?
“So. Tomorrow night. Be ready at six. I’ll pick you up at your house,” he said.
She side-eyed him. “What makes you think I’m free on such short notice?”
His dark eyes twinkled in the moonlight. “I have my ways.”
“You’re a cocky bastard.” Shannon stifled a chuckle. She wanted to be mad, but she just couldn’t. Usually she taught a yoga class on Sunday night, but it just so happened her class had been moved to the morning that week. The fact that he knew that meant he had been doing his homework.
“That’s one of the many reasons you like me.” He winked and, without asking, stole a bite of her untouched cake.
“That’s one of the many reasons you annoy me.” But the smile on her face betrayed her.
He laughed. “Right. I can see that.”
She rolled her eyes, but the truth was she was far from annoyed. And her earlier inclination to stay hidden in the shadows had fled. Brian Knox was making her feel all tingly inside, just as he had during their first date.
Dammit.
She wasn’t supposed to be enjoying him. He was trouble with a capital T. The type of man who loved to date her but ran for the hills when any talk of commitment or relationship came into play. She’d been through it before, and she was tired of that game. Done with it in fact.
From there on out, she was only supposed to be dating men who wanted something more. She was ready for a partner. Brian Knox wasn’t. He’d told her as much on the one and only date they’d shared a few months ago.
If she recalled correctly, his exact words were, To be honest, Shannon, I’m not the relationship type. That road always leads to trouble.
It was then she decided that he’d be her last fling. Her one last temptation. He was just too sexy.
Then when things were just heating up, he’d bolted, mumbling something about needing to get up early in the morning. She’d felt confused, rejected, and empty inside. She’d vowed to swear off
guys like Brian that night and only date men actively looking for a relationship. Unfortunately, her dating life since then had bored her out of her mind. It had been after a particularly awful date with a healer from Eureka, who spent the entire night defending a dissertation on potions to clear warts, that she’d broken down and made that stupid bet with Brian.
She’d been in a weakened state. What could she say? A girl deserved a little fun, didn’t she? If nothing else, their fake dates would be amusing. It didn’t mean she had to give up on trying to find her forever someone, did it?
She’d think about that tomorrow. Tonight, she suddenly wanted to dance.
“Hey, Brian,” she started.
He’d just turned to her when a husky male voice cut through the darkness. “Hey, Brian. Get a move on. This one is waiting for you.”
Shannon turned her attention to the temporary bar and spotted a gorgeous man with light brown hair, golden skin, and a sexy smile that was to die for. Beside him, there was a petite, blue-eyed blonde smiling in Brian’s direction. The woman reminded Shannon of a pixie, a sharp contrast to Shannon’s shocking red hair, brown eyes, and her almost six-foot frame.
“Right,” Brian said with a nod. He turned his attention back to Shannon. “What was it you were going to say?”
“Nothing. Nothing at all.” She’d be damned if she was going to admit she was about to ask him to dance.
He narrowed his eyes, studying her.
Shannon raised one eyebrow in challenge.
But he didn’t take the bait. He just chuckled and said, “All right, gorgeous. See you tomorrow night at six.”
“How should I dress for this date?” she asked, knowing he wasn’t going to give her many details.
He let his gaze roam over her body, his lips curving into a predatory grin. “Something sexy.”
“Of course,” she said dryly, imagining he was going to take her to dinner and dancing. To be fair, that plan would fit the qualifications for a date she’d enjoy. Shannon loved to dance. But she’d hoped he’d put a little imagination into wherever he decided to take her.
“Goodnight, Shannon.” He leaned over and barely brushed his lips over her cheek. Then he crossed the patio and immediately snaked his arm around the waist of the pixie.
Guh! Shannon turned away so she didn’t have to see him flirting with someone else. She knew it shouldn’t bother her. They were not a couple. And there was no chance they’d be a couple at the end of this bet. They were just going to be friends. Maybe. But nothing more.
“Is this seat taken?”
Shannon turned her attention to the man who’d called Brian over to the bar. The moonlight shone down on him, highlighting his long dark eyelashes and making Shannon catch her breath. Heaven help her. He was gorgeous, and she couldn’t stop herself from staring. While Brian was tall, dark, and sexy with a rugged scar in one eyebrow, this creature had light eyes that danced with humor and an inviting smile that came with the kind of face one could stare at for hours and never get bored. Son of a… where had Jacob found all his friends? Hotties R Us?
“Shannon?” he asked.
“Huh?” She blinked, trying to clear her stupid brain fog.
“Is this seat taken?”
“Um, no.” She waved a hand, indicating he should take a seat.
“Thanks.” He held a hand out. “We haven’t met yet. I’m Rex Holiday, friend of the groom.”
“Shannon Ansell. Friend of the bride… sort of.”
“Sort of?” He laughed, the deep rumble oddly inviting. She’d have to make him do that again. “What does that mean?” he asked. “Frenemies?”
“Sort of.” She let out a chuckle of her own. “We’ve known each other for years. I wouldn’t call us friends necessarily, but Yvette did trust me to cater the desserts. Her sister Abby and I kinda had a rivalry in school that ended up extending to all of the Townsend sisters. They tend to stick together. But maybe we’re old enough now that it doesn’t matter so much.”
“You made those sea salt caramels that are in the shape of books?” he asked, sounding impressed.
“Yep. Yvette and Jacob own a bookstore together. It seemed fitting.”
“Well, Shannon Ansell, I can’t think of anything I’d rather do than dance with the local chocolatier. What do you say? Will you let me lead you around the dance floor?” He stood and held out his hand.
Shannon glanced at Brian, who had his head bent down to the pixie’s as she whispered something in his ear. Hot irritation shot up her spine, but she ignored it as she placed her hand in Rex’s and said, “I thought you’d never ask.”
Chapter Two
The faint scent of strawberries surrounded Brian as Cara leaned in, pressing her palm to his biceps. She was chuckling over a story she’d been telling that involved the beach, her best friend, and a wardrobe malfunction. Normally he’d be giving his undivided attention to anyone talking about a half-naked woman, but his gaze was riveted to the dance floor where Rex freakin’ Holiday had just wrapped his arms around Shannon.
My Shannon. The thought flashed through his mind, forcing him to suppress a frustrated groan.
Brian hadn’t been able to get her out of his mind ever since that night she’d beckoned him to her bed and he’d run away like a pimply preteen who was too inexperienced to understand what was being offered.
That was the problem. He knew all too well what would’ve happened if he’d allowed himself to slide between the sheets with the curvy redhead. They would’ve had a smoking hot month together, and then he would’ve ended it. Just like he’d ended all of his recent relationships because commitment was a four-letter word.
And now she’d written him off. He couldn’t blame her. He’d gone from hot to cold so fast she’d probably suffered freezer burn.
The music switched to a slow song, and Brian’s eyes narrowed as he watched Rex pull Shannon in tight against him. He pressed his cheek against hers, said something to make her face light up in a smile, and then ran a light hand down her bare arm.
Bastard. Brian’s entire body tensed, and he wondered if anyone would notice if Rex Holiday suddenly disappeared. Probably. The man was supposed to be doing some seasonal work in town, helping the Pelshes with their new vineyard. The guy was a talented earth witch who specialized in creating strong small-scale farms.
Besides, Rex had been a friend since his college days. Brian loved the guy, but that didn’t mean that he didn’t want to sucker punch him for pawing Shannon.
“Brian?” Cara asked, pressing her small hand to his cheek. “Where’d you go?”
He jerked his attention back to the woman who was practically sitting on his lap. Shifting off the stool, he placed his hands on her hips to keep her from stumbling. “Sorry, Cara, gotta stretch the legs.”
She stared up at him, her bright blue eyes searching. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” he lied while trying not to stare at Shannon and Rex. “Why?”
“You seem… distracted.”
Hell yes, he was distracted, but he wasn’t going to talk to her about it. “I’m fine. Just thinking about a work project.”
Her expression cleared, and she gave him a bright smile. “Oh, the one for my father?”
“Sure,” he said, because that was the only project on the books at the moment.
“I can’t wait for the spa opening. I already ordered a dress from Bella Ballarini. Her designs are to die for. I was thinking something romantic and lacy. That would be fitting for an upscale, new age spa, right?”
“Yeah. It would,” he said, not caring in the least.
“You’ll show me the layout designs tonight when we get back to your place, right? My dad wanted my initial opinion.”
He ground his teeth together. He could hardly say no. Just like he hadn’t been able to say no to letting her stay in his guest room. She’d invited herself while he’d been on a call with her old man. Robert Manchester had let out a bark of laughter and said, “Of course you’ll
stay with him. You two are dating, aren’t you? The man isn’t stupid.”
Cara giggled and said she’d get packing, while Brian had gone into shock. When exactly had the old man decided he and Cara had started dating? Brian hadn’t even been in Los Angeles for over a year. He’d offered to let her be his date at Jacob’s wedding, but that was only after she’d pouted about not knowing anyone except Brian and Jacob.
Once she’d left the call, Manchester turned serious. “She likes you, Knox. When are you going to propose?”
“Propose?” Brian sputtered. “What are you talking—?”
“No need to act surprised, man. Once you two are married, you’ll come work directly for me and eventually take over the company. It just makes sense, especially since the Knox and Manchester corporations have gone into partnership.”
Manchester was talking about the upscale hotel business Brian’s father owned and Manchester’s luxury spas. The two men had been friends for years, and it was no secret that the families were interested in Brian and Cara making a match. But this was the first time anyone had actually come out and acted like it was something more than just wishful thinking.
Brian opened his mouth to firmly deny that there would be any sort of engagement, but before he could get the words out, Manchester’s voice boomed over the line. “Gotta go, kid. We’ll discuss the details later.”
The line went dead, and Brian stared at his phone in pure irritation. He’d known he shouldn’t have taken a job that involved dealing with Manchester. Brian vaguely wondered if his old man had gotten together with the spa owner and secretly worked out some sort of deal if Brian married Cara. The idea was entirely possible. Brian’s old man was a manipulative bastard when he needed to be. There was a reason he didn’t work for him.