“Earth to Melina,” Allie called out to me, and I could tell she was laughing at me, so I glared back at her. “Stop giving me the death stare. I promise Trevor is only being paired with you for the ceremony. We even avoided having a special table for the wedding party to keep you away from him at the reception. I also scheduled the rehearsal dinner for a time you can’t make.”
“You did?” I was shocked that she’d do something like that.
“Yeah, Trevor’s been asking about you, so I figured it was best to keep you apart as much as possible.”
My stupid heart was beating faster after hearing Trevor had been asking about me. I hated that I was excited about him wanting to see me. That’s one of the reasons I’d made such an effort to avoid him in the last few months. Staying away from him was hard, even though I knew it was the smart thing to do.
“Good,” I said. “The last thing I need is that annoying man-whore warlock trying to flirt with me.”
“You know, Mel, Trevor’s not a bad guy,” Allie began.
“No offense, Allie, but I’m not sure you’re the best one to make that call,” I pointed out. “As I recall, you recently had a friend try to kill you.”
“He wasn’t planning to kill me,” Allie argued before laughing. “Okay, I’m not the best judge of character in most cases, but Trevor’s a nice guy.”
I wanted to argue, mostly because I’m bitchy and arguing works for me, but I agreed with Allie. Trevor was a nice guy. “You’re right. I know he’s not a complete man-whore. That would actually work out better for me. Trevor is looking for his forever witch, and we both know I don’t have that in me.”
Allie shrugged without looking at me. There was definitely something the annoying succubus wasn’t telling me.
Chapter Five
The Lover
The wedding was this weekend, and it would be the perfect time to slip Trevor the potion and get him to kiss me. I touched my lips, anticipating the sizzling kiss he’d give me right before he told me what a fool he’d been to believe he could ever love another. I knew it was risky to do it at the wedding, with so many people around. It might be smarter to wait until he went into the office on Monday. It would be easier to get him alone that way, but I couldn’t wait to have him with me. I also knew there would be more opportunities to slip the potion into a drink at the reception. It couldn’t be a hot drink, meaning I couldn’t simply bring him coffee with the potion in it.
“I should have found a way to get this to him earlier in the week,” I muttered, staring at the vial on the table. I needed to think positive. My plan would work. At the reception, Trevor would drink the potion and kiss me. Everything would turn out perfectly.
Sighing, I looked around the room Trevor would spend the rest of his days in. I still hadn’t figured out how I’d deal with his family and friends, but what could they do if Trevor refused to leave? They might be suspicious when he cut them off. That thought made me see the error in my plan. Trevor’s family wouldn’t accept him simply walking away from everyone in his life. Still, after what the demon had said, I couldn’t risk him being around others. This was the only way to make sure our love had the chance it deserved.
Brow furrowed in thought, I tried to come up with a better plan.
“We’ll simply have to leave the area,” I told my reflection in the mirror. People would eventually stop looking for him. It was a shame he’d have to give up his life here, but I’d make it up to him. First, I’d have to punish Trevor for hurting me. I might even need to kill one of his family or friends to do it. Maybe I’d summon that demon and offer him one of Trevor’s sisters.
Grabbing my cell phone, I pulled up the recordings I’d made. My precious voicemails had been ready to expire, which was totally unacceptable. I needed to hear Trevor daily. I needed the reminder that I was doing the only sensible thing.
“Hey, it’s Trevor. I wanted to let you know I’m going to be late. Why don’t you order takeout? I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
It wasn’t gushy or filled with promises of undying love. None of his messages were, but I knew how much he cared for me from listening to them. With a wistful sigh, I allowed my mind to wander to the future I was going to have with Trevor. Soon, he would be mine forever.
Chapter Six
Trevor
I never thought I’d see my best friend, Dylan, get married. Allie was perfect for him, and I was happy for them. Not that anyone one would believe that if they looked at me today. Sitting at the elaborate celebration for the happy couple—both good friends of mine—I should be having fun. At the very least, I should be checking out the single witches in attendance. Several had already tried to get my attention. Instead, all I’d done for the last two hours was sit at a table, nursing a drink.
Scanning the crowd, my eyes instinctively landed on Melina. Today, I’d seen her for the first time since I’d decided to take everyone’s advice and move on. Admittedly, Melina’s choice to change her number and refuse me access to the studio where she worked had helped with that decision. Unfortunately, Melina Blackwood was an obsession that haunted my dreams. I’d been with other witches in the last six months, but none of them could make me forget her, and some had even commented on my distraction.
I knew she sensed my eyes on her by the way she shifted uncomfortably in her seat. Melina said she didn’t want me. She’d told me that over and over again. In fact, she’d made it clear she wasn’t looking for a relationship of any sort. Still, seeing her discomfort made me think she was lying—to me and to herself. Melina might not like it, but she wanted me as much as I wanted her, and I was done playing this game with her.
Stalking across the beautifully landscaped garden, I ignored Dylan’s glare. I knew he’d hoped Melina was out of my system for good, believing she was one of many infatuations. An unfortunate side effect of my family’s heritage was that I tended to think each witch I met was the one. At least, that’s how I’d felt before Melina. She was different, and I hadn’t felt that way about another woman since I’d laid eyes on her. She was it. Melina was my witch. She just didn’t know it yet, but that was about to change.
“Trevor!” I’d planned to ignore Lindsey’s screech, but she made that impossible by flinging herself at me and throwing her arms around my waist in a death grip. I’d dated Lindsey before meeting Melina, and it would be an understatement to say things hadn’t ended well.
“Lindsey,” I said in a cold voice as I tried to extricate myself from her grasp. I had no idea who had invited her to Dylan and Allie’s wedding since I didn’t think either of them knew her. “I was on my way to talk to someone.”
Lindsey’s lower lip pushed out in a pout when I finally managed to get her arms off of me. There was no mistaking her flirting. It appeared one of her boobs was going to pop out of her low-cut dress, and I did not think it would be an accident. While sexy as hell, with her long blonde hair, smoky grey eyes, and centerfold body, Lindsey was also the craziest of all my exes, and I didn’t want to encourage her to believe we might have a future together.
“Have a drink first,” Lindsey cooed, reaching behind her to grab two glasses off the table, one champagne and the other probably scotch. “I was about to head over to your table. I know this is your favorite brand.” She held the glass of scotch out to me.
“I already have a drink,” I pointed out, holding up my half empty glass. I figured I’d already had enough to drink since this last scotch had a funny taste to it.
“Then at least stay with me to finish it,” she insisted, holding up her own champagne glass in a toast.
I tossed back the scotch and set my glass on the table. “I need to go,” I told her.
“I’ll go with you,” Lindsey chirped, and when I looked over, I saw Melina hurrying into the house, probably hoping to avoid me.
Cursing under my breath, I did my best not to sound annoyed. Crazy or not, I didn’t want to hurt Lindsey. “I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to come with me.”<
br />
Her face fell, but then she smiled at me again. “Have one drink with me, and then I promise to let you go. I just want a chance to reconnect with you. We were so good together.”
“Listen, I don’t want to lead you on, Lindsey. I’m seeing someone.” It wasn’t exactly a lie since I planned to convince Melina we belonged together.
Lindsey’s face flushed with anger. “Since when?” she demanded. “I know you aren’t dating anyone.” Her nails dug into my arm, making me grateful for my long-sleeve shirt, which kept her nails from cutting into my skin.
“I should go,” I insisted, and her face morphed again into what I’d once thought of as her seduction face.
“You know we’re perfect for each other,” she cooed, licking her puffy lower lip. “All I’m asking for is one little drink.”
Tired of her crazy attitude, and determined to get to Melina, I yanked my arm away from Lindsey’s grasp. “I’ve tried to be nice, but I need you to leave me alone. It’s over, and I have absolutely no interest in getting back together with you.” I had to fight the urge to comfort her when I saw the hurt flash in her eyes. While I hated being an asshole, something told me that was the only way to convince Lindsey there was no chance of us getting back together.
With that, I stalked toward the house, hoping I’d be able to find Melina. As soon as I entered, I practically ran into Dylan’s mom. I’d known Isadora Hunt my entire life, and while most found her somewhat intimidating, she was like a second mother to me. Isadora always looked perfectly put together. With flawless porcelain skin, she could have easily passed for thirty, even though she was nearing two-hundred. Today, she wore a deep blue dress with her blonde hair cut in a shoulder-length bob. Her blue eyes, the same shade as Dylan’s, were alive with excitement, which only made sense since she was finally getting her wish by having one of her sons married.
“Trevor!” Isadora exclaimed, and I held back my sigh of frustration, knowing this latest delay probably meant I wasn’t going to catch up with Melina. There was no way to politely tell your best friend’s mom you couldn’t talk.
“Sorry for almost crashing into you,” I began. “I was distracted.”
She surprised me by giving me a warm smile. “Yes, I would imagine you were distracted with something, or someone. I saw Melina heading into the downstairs guest bedroom.” She patted me on the cheek. “You should be able to catch her in there.”
“Thank you!” I said before hurrying off. The downstairs guest bedroom was behind the kitchen, and the fact that Melina had picked that room proved she was hiding from me, not that I’d had any doubt before.
Making my way through the kitchen, my blood heated by the second. The door to the bedroom was open, and Melina was standing in front of the window, staring out at the gardens on the side of the house. The shudder that ran though her body led me to the conclusion that she knew I was standing in the doorway watching her. Her dress had left me in a constant state of arousal from the second I’d seen her today. Now, my dick was throbbing almost painfully. I would definitely have to thank Allie for her choice of bridesmaid dresses. Deciding the time for playing nice was over, I entered the room and closed the door behind me, clicking the lock in place.
Melina turned on me with a hot as fuck glare, and my dick got even harder. I hadn’t fought her before. I’d played it nice, trying to win her over with my charm. That wasn’t happening anymore.
“What do you think you’re doing in here?” she demanded with her hands on her hips.
We’d talked enough in the past. This confrontation wasn’t going to start with a conversation. Crossing the room, I pulled her against me. She’d slipped off the heels, so I had to lean down to claim her mouth. I liked being so much taller than her, and I loved the way her soft curves pressed against my body as I kissed her. My lips were tentative at first, despite the fire racing through my veins. When Melina moaned, my kiss changed from tentative to possessive. Melina was mine. She was my witch, and I was going to prove it to her.
Melina reached up, tugging at my hair as I explored her sweet mouth. She tasted like whisky, which came as no surprise. Melina wouldn’t drink some dainty glass of champagne. Her nipples hardened against my chest, confirming my suspicions that she wasn’t wearing a bra. It wouldn’t take much to free her breasts from the strapless dress she wore. I wanted nothing more than to strip off this dress and lick every inch of her body. Tearing my mouth from hers, I struggled to get my breathing under control and my mind in the right place to have a somewhat civilized conversation.
“We need to talk,” I finally said.
Chapter Seven
Melina
Talk? We needed to talk? My whole body was on fire, and he wanted to talk? My brain finally caught up with what we were doing, and I pushed him away.
“Get me off. Ugh! I mean, get off of me,” I stammered, taking several steps back.
Rather than looking angry at my bitchy attitude, Trevor’s lips curled into a cocky grin. “Don’t worry. Once we’re done talking, I’ll get you off at least a dozen times.”
“No getting off!” I snapped.
“Then you want me back on you?” he feigned confusion.
“Save your man-whore charm for some other witch.” I accompanied my words with a scathing glare. “You are not seducing me, and you are certainly not getting me off today.”
Trevor chuckled. “I hate to be the one to burst your bubble, but if I hadn’t decided to slow things down, my tongue would already be between your legs, making you scream my name.”
“Well, this has been a nice talk,” I told him, grabbing my purse and shoes before heading to the door. As my hand reached for the knob, Trevor pressed a palm against the door and leaned into my body, caging me in. His warm breath caressed my ear, making me shudder and drop my purse and shoes.
“I make you nervous,” Trevor said softly. “You’re afraid to be alone with me, afraid to talk about what you feel for me. You’re afraid to admit how much you want me.”
He was right, but that’s not what I said. “Could you stop pressing your dick against my back?” I hissed.
“There’s my bitchy Melina,” he murmured against my ear. “I’ve missed that about you.”
“You’ve missed me being bitchy?” I asked with a laugh, trying hard not to lift up onto my tiptoes and press against Trevor’s erection.
“It’s like foreplay with you. You’re acting like a bitch because being near me turns you on, and it makes you want me more.” The sensation of Trevor’s hot breath against the back of my neck had me fighting back a moan. I had to stay strong because I knew Trevor was waiting for any weakness he could pounce on.
Instead of moaning, I snorted. “I’m acting like a bitch because I don’t like being manhandled by some asshole man-whore warlock.”
Trevor chuckled again, and I wanted to hate that sound. I knew if I turned around, I’d find some annoyingly arrogant smirk on his face. What pissed me off most was that I loved that smirk. I loved all the naughty things it did to my body.
“You think I’m a man-whore, Melina?” he asked.
“That is the term for a man who fucks any woman who’ll spread her legs, right?” I asked, being intentionally crude to remind myself that I was just a piece of ass Trevor couldn’t have. I was nothing more than the woman who’d turned him down.
The problem with my argument was that if Trevor were really a man-whore who was only after me because I’d turned him down, I might have given in months ago. I was not the romantic type, waiting for Mr. Right to come along and sweep me off my feet. While there were many reasons I couldn’t get involved with a warlock, I liked sex, and I had no doubt Trevor knew what he was doing. A night with Trevor would undoubtedly be phenomenal, but Trevor Dupree didn’t do one-night stands; he did relationships, ones that ended about two weeks after they started. Trevor wasn’t chasing after me because he wanted to fuck me; Trevor believed I could be his happily ever after. That thought was depressingly laughable. I was
n’t anyone’s happily ever after.
Trevor bent his knees slightly to press his erection against my ass, and my brain short-circuited. Holy fuck! That thing was big. No, big did not do it justice. I was suddenly having less trouble understanding why so many witches had worshipped at the altar of Trevor’s cock. If he knew how to use that thing as well as the rumors indicated, there should be a monument built for Trevor’s dick. My tongue involuntarily darted out to lick the crease of my lips, and I shuddered when I tasted Trevor on my mouth. I needed to stop thinking about Trevor’s dick.
“Answer me, Melina,” he commanded before nipping the back of my neck.
“Sorry,” I said, somewhat embarrassed by my reaction.”I didn’t catch any of that.”
Trevor groaned. “You’re driving me crazy. What I said was that I can’t stop thinking about you. I’ve tried, but I wake up hard and aching from dreaming about you.”
This time, I couldn’t stop the moan. Still, I struggled to get myself under control—not an easy task with Trevor so close to me.
“You’re only interested in me because I turned you down,” I argued. “If you had me, you’d be ready to move on to the next witch.”
“Do you honestly think one time with you would be enough?” he asked, sounding amused.
“Of course not,” I began. “I don’t know what I was thinking. You have a two-week cycle with witches, isn’t that right? You’re obsessed for a couple of weeks, maybe even a month, before you get bored and move on to the next witch. One night might not be enough. You might need up to fourteen before you’re done with me.”
“Care to test that theory?” he asked in a sexy purr that vibrated against the back of my neck.
Shamelessly Spellbound (Spells That Bind Book 2) Page 3
