Trevor

Yesterday had been an emotionally trying day, and I was grateful we didn’t have anything planned for today. I was curled up on the sofa with Melina, watching some truly awful chick flick, but I honestly didn’t mind as long I could spend the day with my witch. The police had phoned me shortly after we’d gotten home and taken the names of every ex who might be crazy enough to go after Melina. They’d done nothing to hide their shock at the number of names I’d given them.

It wasn’t until the doorbell rang that I remembered the plans I’d made with Allie and Dylan. “Damn,” I muttered.

“Are you expecting someone?” Melina asked.

“Dylan and Allie,” I admitted. “I was going to tell you so you could decide if you wanted to hang out somewhere else while they visit, but then one thing led to another and I was spanking you. In case I haven’t mentioned it yet today, that was hot.”

“You’ve mentioned it,” Melina replied with a laugh. “There’s no reason for me to go somewhere else. If they haven’t heard about me staying here yet, they will soon enough. My aunts are not good at keeping secrets.”

I watched her delectable ass sway back and forth as she left the room, presumably to open the front door. After a brief hesitation, I followed her.

Allie’s bright smile turned to a frown of confusion when Melina answered my door, and I couldn’t blame her. Even though Allie had subtly encouraged me to try to talk to Melina at the wedding, she’d probably assumed Melina had managed to avoid me since we hadn’t once been seen together. As near as I could tell, Dylan’s mom was the only one who knew I’d tracked down Melina that day, and Dylan’s mom was good at keeping a secret—when she wanted to, that is.

“What are you doing here?” Allie asked.

Dylan was grinning from ear to ear, and I knew he’d already figured it out. “I am dying to hear this story, Trev. Last I heard, Melina was avoiding you, and now she’s in your house. I’d say you must have kidnapped her, but she doesn’t appear to be here against her will.”

“So, we’re the first people you’ve talked to since you got back?” Melina asked.

“I talked to my parents, and Allie called her mom,” Dylan replied.

It was no surprise Allie hadn’t spoken to her father since they weren’t very close.

“I’m staying with Trevor for a little while,” Melina admitted.

“Why?” Allie practically gasped and then gave me a sheepish smile. “Sorry, Trevor. I didn’t mean that the way it sounded. I’m just surprised that Mel moved in with you so quickly.”

“I didn’t move in with him,” Melina argued.

“You live here,” I reminded her.

“How about if we take this inside instead of giving your neighbors a show?” Dylan suggested.

“Good idea,” I agreed, and led them into the family room where I’d been watching the movie with Melina.

Allie took one look at the movie paused on the screen and cringed. “Oh, Trevor, you’re never going to convince Mel to stay by making her watch these movies. She hates them.”

I quirked one eyebrow and looked at Melina. “Is that so? What kind of movies does she like?”

“Action films with a lot of killing,” Allie replied.

“You’re trying to punish me for what happened to your car!” I accused.

“Maybe a little,” Melina admitted with a grin.

“I’ll deal with you later,” I warned and didn’t miss the fine tremor that ran through my witch’s body. Her reaction had me wondering how long I had to visit with Allie and Dylan before tossing them out.

Allie’s cheeks heated, and she pretended to fan herself. “Oh, my! I guess I don’t need to ask if this is platonic.”

As a succubus, Allie could easily pick up on the sexual tension between me and Melina.

“What happened to Mel’s car?” Dylan asked.

“It was vandalized by a witch,” Melina explained.

“One of my exes,” I added when it seemed Melina wasn’t going to point the finger at me.

“How do you know it was one of your exes?” Dylan asked. “It could have been a witch upset with her about the portrayal of witches on Night High.”

“What they painted on her car made it obvious this was about our relationship, not the show,” I explained. “So, it’s my fault some crazy witch went after Melina. As I made the list of possible suspects for the police, it occurred to me that I have far too many crazy exes.”

Melina let out an annoyed huff. “I already told you this is not your fault.”

“Yet you’re punishing me with this movie,” I reminded her. “Clearly, you blame me, even if you won’t admit it.”

“Fine,” she snapped, and her magic lashed out at me, nearly making me come in my pants. I’d convinced her to stop wearing anything to dampen her power around me, so I was in a near-constant state of arousal now. “I’m mad about this, and I feel the need to punish someone. I’m being a bitch because, logically, I know this isn’t your fault. You’re not an asshole who intentionally hurt the witches you dated in the past. You didn’t dare them to come after me, and I could have walked away from you in the beginning if I had a problem with you having so many crazy exes.”

“We both know I basically trapped you into this arrangement,” I argued.

Melina snorted. “Trapped me? Bet or not, I could walk out of this house anytime I want.”

“What bet?” Dylan asked, not surprisingly latching onto that one word.

Melina ignored Dylan and continued. “If I told you I was done and asked you to let me go, you’d do it.”

“I’m not so sure you’re right about that,” I insisted. “Common sense and reason have nothing to do with the way I react when I’m around you.”

“She’s right, Trevor,” Allie agreed, looping an arm around my waist to hug me. “You’re a good guy. I am so happy for you both!”

“We aren’t technically a couple,” Melina said and then cringed when she looked at me. “I mean, things aren’t set in stone yet. Anything could happen.”

“Stop,” I told her. “I get that you’re not ready to admit to what we have. I’m happy with what you admitted yesterday, so stop before one of us says something stupid.”

She was getting ready to argue when my phone rang, and I was relieved that we weren’t going to be able to continue this discussion. Melina could be the most infuriating woman. That didn’t mean I didn’t want to carry her back to my room and fuck her senseless. In fact, fucking her senseless sounded like a great way to end this argument. Instead, I pulled my phone from my pocket and answered the call from a number I didn’t recognize.

“Hello.”

“Is this Trevor Dupree?” inquired a gravely male voice.

“Yes, it is,” I confirmed.

“Mr. Dupree, this is Detective Anson, and I’d like to speak with you about the death of a witch by the name of Lindsey Mason.”

“Lindsey is dead?” I asked, genuinely shocked by the news. While I knew Melina hadn’t heard from her since she’d failed to show up for filming nearly two weeks ago, I hadn’t given much thought to where she might be. In all honesty, I’d just been glad she wasn’t harassing me or Mel.

“Yes, Mr. Dupree,” the detective replied. “Can I come by now? I’ll give you more details when I arrive.”

“Of course,” I told him. “I’m home.” I rattled off the address, and the detective told me he’d be here in about fifteen minutes, meaning he probably already knew where I lived and had been on his way when he’d called.

“What happened?” Melina asked immediately.

I shook my head. “I have no idea. Lindsey is dead, and I can only assume that since the police want to talk to me, something horrible happened.”

Dylan looked concerned. “Do you need me to stay in a legal capacity?”

“No,” I replied. “You and Allie should head home. We’ll get together another time.”

“I think we’ll hang out here until this is over,” Allie jumped in. “Dylan should be here in case you need him.”

I was about to argue when Melina pinched my thigh. I looked at her. “Are you pinching me because you want Dylan to stay? Or, do you just like abusing me?”

“Both,” she replied. “Allie is going to worry if you make her leave, and Dylan obviously wants to be here in case you need him.”

“There’s nothing to worry about,” I insisted. “Plus, I’m also a lawyer, in case you’ve forgotten.”

“A lawyer who represents himself has a fool for a client,” Allie added.

“Fine,” I relented.

When the doorbell rang, Dylan and Allie headed toward the kitchen, while Melina followed me to the door. “You can always go to the other room with Allie and Dylan.”

Based on the glare directed at me, she was not going to leave me to talk to the police alone.