Entranced (A PowerUp! Story) Read Online Free

thought he didn’t hear: Lone wolf, hard-ass, monster of a boss, dickhead . He accepted his solitary nature. He just wished everyone else would as well.
    Time to get his head on straight and remember that Heather Stallbridge was a job and nothing more. Sister to his business partner, Owen, and his current case. Period. End of story.
    If only he didn’t know how she tasted and felt under his hands.
    He narrowed his gaze on the back of her head and followed her to a pretty blue cottage that looked like something out of a fairy tale.
    A look around showed much of the same up and down the street. Quaint, Bavarian-style architecture lined the houses pressed against one another. Only the blue cottage stood apart, with dark red geraniums and purple pansies clustered in window boxes under two large, paned windows.
    A petite bistro sat outside the front door, caged in by a tiny yard with a wooden fence. It felt like Hansel and Gretel might pop in for a visit at any moment. The rest of the town seemed as charming, with uncluttered walkways free of litter and debris. Only the sweet scent of flowers and freshly made bread filled the crisp mountain air.
    The power that swelled under his feet seemed welcoming, accepting, and before he knew it, he’d let it in, allowing it to strengthen and refresh him after so many days spent searching.
    Heather reached for his hand, and he tensed when she curled her fingers around his. “Don’t open yourself up too much. It’s addicting; trust me.”
    She knew. How she knew, he couldn’t say. But the woman read him, and he didn’t like it any more than he’d liked kissing her. Touching her. Grinding against her.
    Fuck . His hard-on ached, and he glared down at the top of her golden head as they waited for someone to answer her knock on the door.
    The door opened, and a frail old woman with blazing blue eyes stared out at them. Her long white hair lay in a braid over her shoulder, and though she seemed petite and stood slightly bent over, he sensed a core of deep strength within her. Not someone to underestimate.
    She smiled at him, wisdom shining in the depths of her gaze. “Welcome.” Like the rest of the town, she spoke in German.
    He answered in kind. “Thank you.” He followed Heather inside into a warm living space. A sofa and love seat surrounded an antique coffee table and side tables. A few magazines and books sat in a nearby wicker basket. A pitcher of freshly cut flowers brought attention to a farm table and surrounding oak chairs in the expansive kitchen open to the living area.
    The walls were a pale cream and covered in pictures—artwork, family photographs, and a few pieces of old framed papers. Warmth and care had been poured into the house, and he felt surprisingly comfortable, despite his large size among the smaller-scale things.
    “Come. Sit down. We’re safe to talk here.” Ida walked to the love seat and sat, then patted the spot next to her with a smile.
    Heather sat with her, leaving Jack to take a spot on the low-seated couch. He sank into down cushions and sighed, grateful to have his back to a solid wall and his butt in a surprisingly comfortable spot. “You must be Ida.”
    “And you must be Jack. Nice to meet you.”
    He frowned. Heather hadn’t yet introduced him. “Did Hans call you?”
    She shook her head. “Jan mentioned you’d be coming.”
    “Who is this Jan? Because I’ve never met him.”
    Heather answered, “Something you have to realize, Jack. This town… It’s unlike anyplace I’ve ever been. Here, being psychic is the norm. I’ve been here for two weeks, and I can’t seem to leave.”
    “How’s that?” He sat up straighter, as much as he was able, and stared from Heather to Ida. “Maybe you can explain,” he said to the old woman.
    “Maybe I can.” Ida laughed and pulled the dark purple cardigan she was wearing tighter around her. “Would you like some tea?”
    “No.”
    “Yes,” Heather said at the same time and arched a