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It only occurred to him after Fintan was gone to ask what exactly he’d meant. Did he mean he could tell Draven that Trev needed a friend or that he could be the friend Trev needed? And if he’d intended the answer to be the latter, then why not? Was Trev supposed to do something stupid, like seduce the earth witch?

Soleil Stephens had muddled his brain, and he needed to find a way to distance himself from her. STAT. Killing her would be impossible now, with the Aether ready to take his head off should he look at her cross-eyed, and the fact that Trevor was finding her more desirable by the day put a kink in any future plans as well. He no longer had the benefit of indifference on his side.

* * *

Mattie showedup at precisely seven, wearing a stunningly simple black dress that highlighted all her luscious curves. She was built like a Vegas showgirl and could bring an unsuspecting man to his knees.

Trevor rose to greet her, dropping a quick kiss on her lips out of old habit.

She preened as she stared up at him, fluttering her lashes. For one brief moment, he toyed with the idea of using her to drive Soleil from his mind, but Mattie’s starry-eyed gaze didn’t bode well for a commitment-phobe like him. He’d broken off their affair for good reason. He’d never gotten over the woman prior to her.

Shoving Deni from his mind, Trev shifted and held Mattie’s chair for her to sit down. When he casually glanced up, his gaze connected with the one person he’d wished to avoid.

Soleil.

Fuck.

In a purposeful act of avoidance, she glanced at Mattie. Even from where he stood, he could see her mouth tighten and disappointment cloud her eyes. As if trying to rid herself of the feeling, she gave a little shrug and turned her attention to the man across from her.

Draven!

That sonofabitch was making time with Trevor’s earth witch!

Okay, so, nothisearth witch. Not hisanything, really. But for fuck’s sake! They’d shared a kiss only four days ago. She had some nerve dating other men this soon.

He frowned at his own idiotic thoughts and sat next to Mattie. Unfortunately, it put the other couple in his sights. If he got up and selected a different seat, he’d look like a complete tool to both Mattie and Soleil.

“She’s pretty.”

Trev jerked his head around to stare at Mattie. “Who?”

There was censure in her normally dancing eyes. “Don’t play stupid, Trev. It doesn’t suit you.”

“I’m not. I…” But what could he say? He wasn’t ready to admit to obsessing about a provincial woman who was clearly not his type and who was on a date with someone three times her age, who should already know better than to mess with an innocent like her.

“Who is she?” Mattie’s question was oddly personal. She wasn’t merely asking to know the woman’s identity—that she already knew, though she might not recognize her dressed as she was. What she truly wanted to know was what Soleil meant to him. It was an answer he couldn’t give.

“My mark.”

“Oh! I didn’t realize.”

He followed her gaze to see Draven stand, speak to the server, then guide Soleil in their direction with drinks in hand. Reluctance was written all over her face, and had she been any less of a people pleaser, she might’ve objected. But Soleil was easily manipulated in her desire to make others happy.

Trevor and Mattie rose as the other couple reached their table.

Wordlessly, Draven leaned in and bussed Mattie’s cheek. When he drew away, he placed a hand on Soleil’s lower back to urge her forward. “Mattie Price, Soleil Stephens.”

“How do you do?” The formality in Soleil’s greeting wasn’t lost on Trevor. She was ill at ease and resorting to politeness.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m acquainted with your brother-in-law, Damian. How’s he faring after the tribunal?” Mattie asked as she resumed her seat.

Although Trevor sat and Draven drew out a chair for her, Soleil remained standing as if she intended to bolt at her earliest opportunity.

“He’s well, thank you.” Again, she avoided eye contact with Trev and looked at Draven. “If you’ll forgive me, I need to be going. I?—”

“Why?”

All eyes turned to Trevor, and he could’ve bit his damned tongue off for speaking. Why couldn’t he just let her go?