Vision of Seduction. Cassie Ryan
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Katelyn let her senses expand to sample the energy surrounding him again.
As a Seer, she was used to reading people’s auras, and she’d always been fascinated by people who were true psychics as opposed to Seers, who received visions only as needed. She’d been a Seer since birth and had spent many years trying patiently to educate the populace about the difference.
Grayson’s aura was definitely different from anything she’d ever sensed—he buzzed with power, whereas most people possessed only a faint hum.
Katelyn stiffened in surprise. This power intrigued her more than his handsome face and his killer body. He was either an old soul or an actual practitioner who knew how to harness and use energy. In either case, this made Grayson a rare and interesting man.
However, when his energy didn’t change, she immediately saw him for the fraud he was. She allowed her shoulders to slump as disappointment and a thin tendril of anger flowed through her. In order to receive impressions or messages, psychics needed to change their energy levels. As a Seer she didn’t get a choice—the vision came whether she wanted it or not, and her energy not only changed but usually sucked her under.
Grayson’s deep voice broke the expectant silence and caused goose bumps to march over her skin. Something about that voice slipped past all her shields and reached deep inside her, exciting her and scaring her at the same time.
“Apparently, the next Mr. Harding is right at this moment sitting down to lunch at the Phoenix Resort. I see a gray, pinstriped suit and a large garnet ring on his right pinkie finger.”
Ethel’s wide eyes and sudden intake of breath told Katelyn she’d been totally reeled in. “No one has ever been able to give me such detail in a reading before. You’re truly extraordinary!” She cast a condescending glare in Katelyn’s direction before turning her adoring attention back to Grayson. “What else can you tell me?”
He closed his eyes once more, as if seeking enlightenment from the universe. “I see lots of money in your future and…” His voice trailed off, and he pursed his sensual lips.
“What? What?” She slapped her other hand over his and shook it as if the jerky movement would spill the answers from his lips.
He opened his eyes. “I’m loath to speak of something so private in front of such cultured women as yourselves, but because the gods are giving me this message for you, I suppose I should share it.”
Ethel shook his hands some more and seemed in danger of exploding on the spot if she didn’t hear his next words. “Share! Share! We can’t disappoint the gods.”
He sighed as if deciding whether to override his better judgment. “Well, it seems the future Mr. Harding is rather…well endowed, and enjoys using his…equipment.”
Ethel’s mouth dropped open, and Katelyn thought the woman might drool on the floor like a bulldog. “I mustn’t keep him waiting. Thank you! Thank you!” Quicker than Katelyn would’ve given her credit for, Ethel grabbed Grayson and mashed her fleshy lips against his. Then she reached into her purse and thrust a wad of bills into his hand.
In seconds, the whirlwind who was Ethel Harding left the shop, the chimes on the door tinkling to show Katelyn she hadn’t imagined the whole thing. Then her gaze again found him.
“So, are you a professional con man?”
He shook his head, still recovering from Ethel’s kiss—though he did stop short of wiping any remnants of the deed from his lips. “She obviously didn’t know the difference between a Seer and a psychic and didn’t care, as long as she received the answers she sought. So I gave them to her.”
Katelyn resisted the urge to be impressed that he knew the difference. “And what happens when Ms. Harding gets to the Phoenix Resort and realizes you lied to her? You’ll be long gone, and she’ll be back in my shop screaming bloody murder.”
Anger and frustration roiled in Katelyn’s belly. She stalked to the front door to flip her OPEN sign to CLOSED. Then she strode behind her display case, putting distance between her and Grayson.
Why are men so high-maintenance? I only wanted a hot night, and now I may have a pissed-off retired debutante on my hands.
Grayson followed Katelyn but stayed on the customer side of the counter. He laid down the wad of money, obviously an offering for her, and then placed both long-fingered hands on the case and leaned forward, invading her personal space.
Her gaze was pulled downward like a magnet. Katelyn tried not to dwell on how those large calloused hands would feel gliding over her body.
Heat flowed through her, causing her nipples to harden against her bra and moisture to gather between her thighs. Her calf-length peasant skirt swirled around her suddenly sensitive skin, making her wish she had worn jeans.
She huffed out a breath. If he wasn’t a good candidate for her one hot night, she should just move on. But her body had different ideas. She couldn’t explain why, but she was drawn to this man like a drug. In fact, she’d never reacted to a man this way before.
Grayson leaned forward, the well-defined muscles of his forearms flexing with the movement and threatening to turn her into a needy puddle of hormones. His amethyst eyes danced with mischief as he spoke. “When she reaches the Phoenix Resort, she’ll find the owner, Mr. Fowler, who when I left him a few scant hours ago said he’d gladly trade his entire fortune for a doting wife to share his life and lavish vacations in someplace called Boca. Somehow, I think that’s exactly what she will be more than happy to offer.”
Katelyn reached forward, intent on removing his hand from the top of the display case—but leaning closer only brought those sensual lips way too close to allow her to think clearly.
When her hand made contact with his arm, she gasped. Her sight grayed, and the familiar disorientation that accompanied her visions assaulted her.
She tumbled into a lush wilderness—no, it was too manicured to be wilderness…a park or garden perhaps. Fragrant plants of every type surrounded her while a massive white stone mountain that glittered almost pink in the distance rose off to her right.
Mist from the waterfall made the air heavy with moisture, but the air was sweet with the scent of gardenias, lavender, and all manner of growing things. Thick grass rose under her bare feet, and she realized she wore only a skimpy cotton half top and some boy shorts that sat low on her hips.
Katelyn searched the clearing, and joy suffused her as Grayson walked toward her. She enjoyed watching the play of his muscles as he moved. His gaze was predatory and hungry, and her skin tingled in anticipation.
When he reached her, he folded her into his arms. She melted against him, their mouths fused together as if they’d done this a thousand times. His tongue delved inside her mouth, and those wonderfully large hands slipped under her half top to cup her aching breasts. She moaned against his lips as her body screamed for more.
She clawed at his clothes as each touch of his hands spread electricity and mindless need through her entire body. When they’d bared each other, she moaned as he guided her gently down to lie in the sun-warmed grass.
Katelyn sighed as the grass tickled her sensitive skin and the scent of lush vegetation, lavender, and a fragrance uniquely Grayson filled her senses. He swallowed the sound as his weight settled over her, his body cradled in the vee of her open thighs. He braced himself on his forearms and continued to explore her mouth while his thumbs stroked her cheeks and neck.
His crisp chest hairs teased her engorged nipples with every movement, and she writhed under him as her arousal spiraled higher.
He pulled back enough to look into her eyes. “Katelyn…”
Her name on his lips sounded exotic, forbidden, and a sudden orgasm slammed into her. She dug her nails into the muscles of his back as her world spiraled.
Katelyn blinked as blood slowly returned to her brain and she realized she still stood inside her shop with a death grip on Grayson’s arm.