Free Bewitched by Lori Foster

heads tilted, expressions alert, like sentinels guarding the king from a scourge. She grinned, and the dogs seemed to grin back.
    â€œI can understand the name Grace, since she looks so refined. But Sooner?”
    Harry shrugged. “He’d ‘sooner’ be one breed as another.”
    â€œAh.”
    Harry patted the dogs. “She’s entirely acceptable, guys, so you may as well present her with the royal treatment.”
    Once he said it, both dogs trotted over to sniff her, lick her hand, bark a few times in a doggy greeting. Then they each gave Harry a quizzical look, as if her presence made no sense at all, and retreated. Grace leaped up to lie on the sofa, resting her head on a black and beige motif throw folded over one end. Sooner went over to flop onto the floor in front of a white stone electric fireplace. He gave a loud groan and closed his eyes.
    The town house was very sleek, and as Charlie looked around, she saw marble-topped oak end tables, bare wood floors with thick area rugs, and windows with streamlined blinds rather than curtains. All in all, she thought the room was gorgeous and suited Harry to a T.
    She was afraid to move. Her bare feet were muddy, grime from the garage between her white toes. Water still dripped from her hair, her nose, Harry’s coat. She felt like a flea-ridden squirrel turned loose in a palace.
    No wonder the dogs thought her curious.
    â€œMake yourself at home. I’ll locate us some dry clothes. Would you like something to drink?”
    All the social niceties. Charlie shook her head, fighting theurge to fidget. “I’d really like to call and check in with my sister, if you don’t mind.”
    He went to a desk situated in front of a long window that looked out over the backyard. It was partially separated from the living room by a wide arched doorway. Charlie could see oak file cabinets and office equipment. She heard Harry curse.
    â€œWhat’s wrong?”
    â€œThe electricity evidently went out with the storm. My answering machine is dead, meaning I’ve missed any calls that may have come in.”
    â€œWere you expecting an important call?”
    â€œSeveral, actually.” He walked back to her. “You’ll have to use the phone in my bedroom. The portable is out.”
    His bedroom?
    Harry crossed his arms over his wet chest and frowned at her. “Surely that look doesn’t mean you’re afraid of me? Not the woman who challenged Floyd and Ralph, the woman who did her best to bait two miscreants. I assure you, you’re safe enough with me.”
    â€œMe, fear you? Ha!” She was more afraid of herself at the moment. She felt like tossing his gorgeous self to the floor and having her way with him. But she would never do such a thing in front of the innocent dogs. “It’s just that my feet are dirty. The dogs are cleaner than I am. I don’t want to track mud all over the place.”
    Harry looked down, took in her bare feet and growled. “I forgot you’d removed those hideous boots. You could have cut yourself on something when we ran for the truck. I can’t believe I didn’t notice sooner. Well, actually I can, given my attention was somewhat fractured by other things, but not so much so, I shouldn’t have noticed naked feet. I am a P.I. after all, usually very alert to small details.”
    â€œUh, Harry?”
    He still stared at her feet. “Hmm?”
    â€œThe phone?”
    â€œOh, yes, of course. Okay, no help for it. I suppose I’ll have to play the martyr.”
    â€œNo! Don’t you dare… Harry, put me down.”
    â€œYou’re really very slight, now that we’ve rid you of your ridiculous waterlogged costume.” As he made his way up a flight of carpeted stairs, he looked down at her, their noses almost touching, and the smile he gave her made her catch her breath. His gaze dipped lower, and Charlie glanced down to see the coat