Bewitching You

by Estrella, Viola

  Penny Jones must be Sofia’s Nana. “No, I’m afraid she’s not. Can I help you with something?”

  “Well, who are you?” The man had no manners.

  “Grayson Phillips. I’m a friend of Penny’s granddaughter.” Gray stuck his hand out, but the man ignored it.

  “Sofia? She here?”

  He knew Sofia? “What’s your name?” Dickhead? Gray hadn’t come across many Amish, usually only passing them up on the road. They kept to themselves for the most part and Gray had liked it that way.

  The door opened and Sofia lurched out. “Elijah?” she asked, eyes wide. She’d changed into dry clothes, jeans and a V-neck top that showed way too much skin.

  Elijah? The first kiss guy?

  The man removed his hat and put it to his chest. Gray noticed his shifty gaze do a onceover…of his woman. Weren’t these people supposed to be humble? Righteous?

  Apparently not this guy.

  “Little Sofia. Can’t imagine what you’ve been up to all these years.”

  Gray wanted to knock the teeth out of his smile.

  “Not much. You got married.” Sofia reached up and felt the man’s beard. “To Johanna?”

  Gray did remember that little fact—single Amish men were clean-shaven and married men grew out their beards, but why did she have to touch him?

  A low chuckle wheezed from his hairy mouth. “No. I married Joe’s Lizzie. Remember her? She prided herself on those peanut butter cookies. Always brought them out to the lake over yonder and teased the boys with ’em.”

  “Right.” Sofia pushed a damp lock of hair behind her ear and gave Gray a lightning fast glance. “Do you want to come in? I can put some coffee on.”

  Please, for the love of electricity, say no.

  “Well, suppose I can visit for a spell. Until the rain lets up some.” He jerked his head to the horse and buggy. “Picked some tomatoes for your grandma. Saw her at the market the other day and mentioned she was wantin’ some fresh tomatoes.”

  Damn it.

  “Oh, that sounds yummy. Go grab them and bring them in. I’ll start the coffee.”

  They each parted ways, leaving Gray standing on the porch like an ass. A neglected ass. He stalked inside to where Sofia was pouring water into a teakettle.

  “What’s going on, Sofia?” he whispered into her ear, after bracing his hands on her waist.

  “I’m making coffee. What do you think?”

  “Why are you mad at me?”

  “I’m not,” she mumbled, and set the kettle on the burner.

  “Kiss me, then.” Gray leaned in, but missed her lips as she wiggled away from him.

  “You’re all wet. Why don’t you towel-dry upstairs?”

  He backed off, but decided against leaving Sofia alone with Dickhead. He sat at the table and watched as the guy strolled into the kitchen with a basket full of tomatoes.

  Sofia took them from him with a smile. Cute and innocent. Gray adjusted himself in his wet jeans. He’d taken that innocence from her last night and this morning, and he’d be doing it again if it weren’t for the intrusion.

  Dickhead sat opposite Gray at the table, boring a hole into Sofia’s ass with those shifty eyes. Nothing was innocent about this religious man.

  “Where’s your wife?” Gray asked.

  “At home with the children.”

  Sofia brought over two coffee cups and thumped one down in front of Gray, set the other gently in front of Dickhead. His gaze searched her breasts now. Why didn’t she notice and slap him upside the head? She poured coffee into each cup and sat down at the third chair, facing the window.

  “Where is Penny today?”

  “She’s helping as a midwife for the, um, the Zook family over in Allen County. Connie Zook, I guess, is having a difficult pregnancy.”

  “Zook? I don’t think I’m familiar. Did Penny leave in a hurry?”

  “I don’t think so. Why?”

  “She’s very friendly with my Lizzie. I’m surprised she hasn’t mentioned it.”

  “Oh. That is surprising.” Sofia strummed her fingers on the table. Her gaze roamed everywhere but to Gray.

  Elijah took a sip of his coffee and nodded. “You two a couple?”

  “Yes,” Gray said loudly, his answer almost covering Sofia’s “No.”

  No, huh?

  Elijah raised his eyebrows and set his coffee down. “Well, I better be headin’ off now. Tell Penny I stopped by.” He tipped his hat back on and swaggered to the door.

  Sofia walked with him. Gray followed.

  “Oh, and let Penny know that salve she made for Lizzie’s cut worked. Healed real quick.”

  “I will.” Sofia gave Gray another flash of a glance. “Wait, Elijah. Are you going by Tom’s Auto Shop, by any chance?”

  “S’pose I could. Why? Havin’ vehicle troubles?”

  “Yes. My car isn’t starting, and my friend here, his car is stranded down the road. He needs a tow truck.”

  Gray’s chest pounded. His pulse beat against his temples. She was trying to get rid of him. But of course she was. According to her they weren’t a couple.

  To hell if they weren’t.

  “Down this road?” Elijah asked. “Didn’t see any cars coming up. Sure it’s still there?”

  “No,” Gray spoke up. “It’s been a couple days. Might’ve been towed away by now.”

  “Too bad.” Elijah made a tsking sound with his cheek. “Want a ride out to Tom’s anyway? They’ve got a phone over there.”

  Sofia graced him another glimpse, her eyes unreadable. “Why don’t you go?”

  He shook his head. He wasn’t going anywhere without her. “Thanks anyway.”

  ~ * ~

  Penny’s head throbbed as she lay on Sofia’s bed. A streetlight beamed through the sheer curtains. But it wasn’t the electricity that pained her this time. She grasped the magnets together in her palm and squeezed.

  Sofia resisted. For whatever reason, her granddaughter fought the spell. Was it doubt and distrust that plagued the young woman’s heart?

  Penny clasped the magnets to her breast. If she could give Sofia her strength, she would. There wasn’t much to give. The spell was more powerful than any she’d ever conjured. She only hoped Grayson could handle the intensity. The emotions he must be feeling. The magnet that represented him sucked in all the energy while Sofia’s struggled to reject it.

  “Love him and he’ll love you back,” Penny whispered.

  A painful spasm erupted at her temple, and nausea swamped her. This was an awful episode, possibly the worst yet. She leaned over and vomited into the pail she’d set by the bed just in case, then wiped her mouth with a tissue and carefully lay back down.

  “Mom?” Laura stuck her head through the door. Her curly blonde locks fell off her shoulders. “Do you need anything?” she asked softly.

  Such a sweet girl.

  The pain was too overwhelming to answer. It was best to rest as still as possible.

  Laura sat down on the bed and took Penny’s hand. “Mom, should I take you to the hospital? I’m worried.”

  Penny closed her eyes. The throbbing was relentless.

  Her daughter’s mind spun into panicky overdrive, but Penny was too weak to block it out. Too weak to make everything better.

  Through the pounding at her temples she heard Laura pick up the telephone.

  “Herbert, hello. Yes, this is Laura. Laura Good... Can you come over?”

  Penny wasn’t sure if it was thoughts or speech. Her mind was blurring. Nothing was clear.

  “I need your help. There’s something wrong with my mother.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Sofia shut the door behind Elijah. The room was silent except for the pattering rain on the wood-paneled house, the ticking of the grandfather clock, and Gray’s unavoidable presence behind her.

  “Why didn’t you go?” she asked, still holding onto the door handle. “You had the perfect opportunity.”

  He didn’t answer
, forcing Sofia to face him. His damp white t-shirt clung to his every muscle, and his chest rose up and down with each steadied breath. His eyes were darker than ever with dusk settling upon the house.

  Her attraction to him was undeniable. Her love for him was heart-and-soul-consuming, to say the least. But at what cost?

  “What do you want from me?” she asked. “Sex? For as long as this thing will last?” She mimicked the words he’d said while they were on the lake. Eye-opening words that made her question every second she’d spent with him. “Maybe I failed to mention this before but I’m not—”

  “Do you feel this?” He gestured between them. “Or is it only in my head?”

  She didn’t respond, afraid she understood exactly what he spoke of. The bond that drew them together. The one she’d been fighting off and on for the past couple of days. It grew stronger with every passing moment.

  “I need you, Sofia. I can’t leave here.”

  She fisted her clammy hands. “Of course you can leave. Whenever you want. In fact, why don’t you leave now?” She attempted to turn the doorknob, but it wouldn’t budge, ice-cold under her fingertips.

  What was going on?

  Swiftly, he was on her, backing her against the door. His thigh pressed between her legs, and his hands braced against the door on either side of her head. “You won’t get rid of me that easily.”

  Sofia gulped and felt his mouth against hers. She parted her lips for him, and he pulled her bottom lip through his teeth, teasingly. A battle roared inside her. He couldn’t simply take control of her. She wouldn’t allow it.

  “Back up,” she said with force, surprising herself.

  “You’re kidding.” His husky voice rumbled against her lips.

  “No. Back up.”

  He did. Slowly.

  “It’s not only in your head,” she admitted. “I feel this too.” She repeated the same gesture he’d made moments ago.

  He let out a breath, sounding much like relief. “Then let’s go upstairs and quench it. Let’s make love until we’re both satisfied.”

  “That’s just it, Gray. What if I don’t want it to go away? What if it hurts me that you do want it to go away?”

  “Not go away. Just tame it. I ache for you, Sofia, ever since the first time I walked in this door. Being with you, getting to know you, has stirred something in me. And it’s not letting up.”

  Where was a white flag when she needed one?

  Focus. She’d give him what he wanted, but she’d do it her way. Besides, she wanted him too. The inner depths of her yearned for him. His kiss, his touch, his rough voice when he whispered in her ear.

  He followed as she walked into the kitchen, watching her with those sensual, predator eyes, waiting for her next move. She leaned against the butcher block and bumped her butt against the edge a few times. Pretty sturdy. This could work.

  “Take off your clothes,” she said. “They’re dripping all over the floor.”

  His lips turned up into a slight grin. “Yes, ma’am.”

  The man wasn’t an imbecile, obviously. He yanked his t-shirt over his head and flung it at her. She spoke too soon. Biting back a smartass remark, Sofia laid the damp shirt across the back of a chair, then turned to close the window curtains.

  Gray nudged up beside her, throwing his jeans over another chair. Which meant...?

  She sneaked a peek from the corner of her eye.

  Oh yeah, he was naked and his manly component was wide awake, standing at attention.

  His lips brushed against her ear. “Ready for my next order, ma’am.”

  “Er, um, why don’t you stand over there?” She pointed over to the kitchen sink.

  “Will I be washing your dishes?”

  She shook her head. Boy, did he know how to rattle her.

  He chuckled quietly as he made his way to the sink. Sofia’s heart sped. She’d never seen this side of his body before. Broad shoulders curved down into a lean waist and lower to his nicely shaped butt. Not too big. Not too small.

  Was this man perfect in every way?

  The ache Gray mentioned earlier settled deep in her belly, forcing Sofia to hope this thing wouldn’t end any time soon. Despite her fear.

  ~ * ~

  Gray felt much better now that at least he had his clothes off. He’d always been comfortable in his own skin. He worked hard biking and lifting weights, keeping his body in shape, and at this moment, it was paying off. The blush on Sofia’s face assured him his ache would be quenched soon. He leaned against the counter with his hands behind his head and waited for her next order.

  Service with a smile was his motto tonight.

  True, Gray didn’t usually take orders very well, but this was different. His point was proven when she stood in front of him, sultry blue eyes staring up through her thick eyelashes.

  “Now, take off my clothes.”

  He inhaled sharply. Thank God he wasn’t on a horse and buggy in the rain right now with the creepy Amish guy. He’d had no intention of leaving Sofia. Not until this overwhelming urge to touch her and to love her subsided. If it ever did.

  Hell, he didn’t know what the future held, but as he slipped her shirt over her head, he couldn’t imagine it would be possible to stop the momentum of this relationship. He removed the rest of her clothing and waited for the next command, hoping it would be a good one. His cock was growing impatient.

  She backed up against the butcher block. “Can you lift me up here?”

  Ah, her demands were becoming questions. Was her confidence diminishing? She had a problem with that, didn’t she? Lord knew why. She was a beautiful woman.

  “Anything you want,” he said, and boosted her up by the waist.

  Once his hands were on her warm skin, it was difficult to let go. He slid them up to her breasts and caressed her soft, plump flesh. “I can’t decide which I love more, your breasts or your ass.”

  She cradled his jaw and edged it up to meet her eyes. “Fuck me.” Her voice was so low and heated, it took a moment to grasp what she’d said.

  Then it hit him…deep down in his groin.

  She leaned back on her hands and spread her legs for him, all the while daring him with her eyes. The confidence was returning. Damn, he liked that.

  Gray ran his hands back down to her waist and jerked her forward to the edge of the butcher block. If she wanted to be fucked, that was what he’d do.

  She gasped but quickly gained composure, clasping onto his shoulders and bracing her legs around him. “You’re such a bully.”

  He chuckled. “Would you rather I carry you upstairs and make slow, gentle love to you?”

  She shook her head. “I want it hard and I want it here.”

  His balls tightened. “Are you wet for me?” Gray slid a finger inside her and brought it out to lick. “Just right.”

  Her legs trembled against his hips. “What are you waiting for, then?”

  Without further delay, Gray grabbed his pulsing erection and guided it into her, driving in until he backed up against her innermost walls.

  Her hands clenched down on his shoulders. “Again.”

  He withdrew halfway and thrust in once more.

  She bit into her bottom lip and closed her eyes. “Faster.”

  Gray grasped her thighs to hold her up. Then he began pumping her hard and fast. She was taut and slick, fitting every inch of him perfectly.

  She panted and flung her head back, holding tight to his neck now, contracting against him with each push. Her juices dripped down to his balls.

  She was coming.

  He quickened his pace, and she moaned, throwing her head forward to rest against his shoulder. The tips of her nipples bounced against his chest.

  It was more than he could take. “I’m going to fill you up,” he warned her, and managed two more thrusts before releasing deep inside of her.

  “Oh, oh.” She dug her fingernails into his shoulders and jerked against him.

  Gray’s knees alm
ost gave out, but he held strong. He took some breaths to gain back control.

  Sofia heaved out a sigh and lay back against the butcher block. “You’re dismissed,” she said with a huge smile.

  He chuckled and pulled out of her, but he wasn’t done with her yet. The ache settled into his groin again as he watched her breasts rise and fall. Unable to restrain himself, he bent down and licked the sweet spot between her thighs.

  “Gray?”

  ~ * ~

  Rachel hung up with the travel agent and smiled. She’d managed to change her flight plans without a problem. The sooner she got out of here, the better. Hayes had been right. She needed to gain back her dignity. Her self.

  She couldn’t allow her mother to change her into a person she didn’t want to be, a person Rachel didn’t even like. It was past time to grow a backbone.

  True, she didn’t know who the real Rachel Spencer was. Her likes, dislikes…her talents and passion, but wasn’t it about time she found out? What better way to start than to get away from life as she knew it. She could start from scratch with a one-way ticket from Indianapolis to Denver and then Denver to Aspen. She’d always dreamed of living in the beautiful Rocky Mountain town of Aspen. Ever since she’d visited when she was a little girl. Now she’d get the chance.

  Since the last seat on the small plane had gone to her, fate had to be on her side.

  ~ * ~

  Sofia tiptoed naked downstairs and into the kitchen with a lamp at her fingertips. Gray had finally fallen asleep, and she hadn’t wasted any time putting clothes on. Her body still quivered from his relentless lovemaking and kissing and licking. He’d been meticulously thorough in pleasing her, up until he crashed from exhaustion.

  The evening had been pure ecstasy, but now she could barely walk. Every inch of her body was sore. Not to mention her breasts. He’d found his favorite part of her body, all right.

  Now she was in search of hot tea and a couple of ibuprofen to relax her enough to get some sleep. She wanted to be able to curl up against his warm, firm body and fall into a decent slumber.

  She filled the teakettle with water and set it on the lit burner, then jumped when she felt Sam brush up against her leg.