Page 46 of Deadly Misfortunes

She rubbed her head and quickly realized her pajamas were lying on the floor. Oh, no. She reclined in Gregory’s bed without a stitch of clothes on! Oh… oh… oh, if she lost her powers again, she would be furious with herself.

Where was Gregory even?

The room remained deathly quiet, and she couldn’t focus on his thoughts at all. She’d lost her powers. Why couldn’t she remember his having made love to her? Was it that unremarkable? Like it had been with Damon? Just flat? No thrill, no fireworks? As much as she had adored everything else about him.

Damon had been completely pleased, but she knew something was missing right away. And then the worst part had happened. Her abilities just vanished like a drop of dew on hot cement on a Texas summer day.

She jumped out of bed and hurried into Gregory’s bathroom. The master bath boasted two walk-in closets, a Roman bath, a double set of sinks, his-and-her commodes, and a sunken shower. All were covered in white marble streaked with touches of black and trimmed in gold. Sheesh, fit for an emperor and his empress. Hmmm, she wouldn’t mind being the empress.

Her attention returned to the Roman bath, with visions of sitting in bubble-topped bathwater while her redheaded god leaned over the tub, offering wine, grapes, and much more. A back massage? Slipping and sliding in silky soapy water together, naked.

She moaned. Back to reality. She required a shower first, and then she would return home at once. Somehow, she had to prepare her Aunt Meg and Uncle Jimmy for the news that she’d lost her powers again. What kind of curse was poor Gregory in for next?

As she ran his unscented shampoo through her hair, she heard a tapping on the door. “Yes?”

“Ma’am, it’s me, Maria. I’ve left your skirt and blouse on the bed. Mr. Landry had to run out for a bit, but you’re to have lunch with his family later. He wished for me to let you know this.”

Why didn’t he tell her? Was he worried she would be upset with him for making love with her while she slept? She had to have been asleep when he did it with her. She certainly didn’t remember a thing.

“Ma’am?”

“Yes, Maria, thank you.”

“Is there something special you would like to have for breakfast?”

“No, thank you. I’ve got to return home. I’ve got to… well, just to make sure everything’s all right.”

Silence ensued as she shut off the water. “Maria?”

“Mr. Landry wouldn’t wish you to leave the house. Not with this fanatic on the loose, ma’am.”

“I’ll be all right.” She would be too. All she needed was for the attempted murderer to show his ugly face… and a touch… just a simple touch to his person or some article of his clothing, and she would cast a curse on him good.

She rubbed her temple. Damn. She realized all at once she’d lost her powers again. How could she lose them now when she needed them so badly?

Then her attention turned to her relatives. Oh, man, would her aunt and uncle have a fit with her. Hadn’t their warnings to her done any good? All their scolding for five long years?

They were just as happy as she was that her powers had returned. To lose them so quickly in one fun-filled night that she hadn’t even remembered the fun of it. She was totally incorrigible.

She should have told Gregory how he couldn’t make love to her, even if she wanted him to. The fault was hers. Even though she was certain he wouldn’t have believed her.

She barely dried her skin, then rushed out of the bathroom. In a panic, she pulled on her panties, bra, her blouse, then her skirt. She slipped her feet into her sandals, then buttoned her blouse as she sped out of the room.

As soon as she reached the first-floor landing, Maria walked into the living area and motioned for her to come into the kitchen. The petite woman poked a loose strand of thick, dark, curly hair back into a bun wound tightly atop her head. She had a perky spring to her step and a pleasing smile as she crossed the floor to greet her.

“No breakfast, Maria.”

“Ma’am, Mr. Landry said you have to stay here. Raymond had to get a loaner limo to replace the one in the river.”

“Oh.”

“Come, have some breakfast.”

“Orange juice then.”

“And some eggs. How would you like them?”

Sascha had to learn how to say “no” better to people. “Over easy. But just one, thank you, Maria.”