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The Guardian’s all-encompassing gaze missed nothing as it swept over Soleil’s shoulder, bared by her peasant top. His eyes purposefully touched on the mark Trev had created in their fantasy world, and he nodded toward it. “Looks like bites were already had,cher.”

“What?” Her gaze followed his, and color surged up her neck as she stared helplessly. “Ohmygoddess! What… how… ohmygoddess!”

“For fuck’s sake! It’s a hickey, Dalli, not a snake bite.”

“It seems the snake slithered into a fruitful garden,mon ami. Who knows what else he bit, hmm?” Draven taunted.

If his looks could kill as easily as his touch, Trevor was sure the man would be lying dead on the floor.

“Shut the fuck up,” he mouthed behind Soleil’s trembling back. Wrapping an arm around her shoulders, he drew her close, hoping to soothe her feelings. “It’s all right, babe. I’m sorry for—you’relaughing?”

He was incredulous. She wasn’t crying in the face of her embarrassment, as he’d first believed, and the tears streaming from her eyes were from mirth!

Once again, the earth witch had shocked him silent.

* * *

Soleil spareda few minutes to change her top as Trevor spoke with Draven about whatever it was he’d been summoned for. Her curiosity was high, but he’d tell her soon enough. One of the things she appreciated most about the Death Dealer was his blatant honesty. So far, she couldn’t say he’d ever held back. From her or from himself. It seemed Trevor Blane didn’t spare anyone. In his eyes, the truth was the truth and the consequences be damned.

She could get behind an attitude like his. Soleil hated games and players. Of which, Trev seemed to be neither, and she was profoundly grateful. He wasn’t avoiding sex with her because of her looks or a few extra pounds. His issues ran deeper, and his hang-ups were his own, having nothing to do with her.

But she wouldn’t push for more. Either he cared to explore long term or he didn’t. She couldn’t force him to want a relationship. He was running scared because of what he was. The reason was understandable, too. Perhaps not entirely accurate, but understandable. Allowing him space was paramount.

If there was one thing Soleil could be proud of, it was that she wouldn’t chase a man for his affection. If a guy wanted to be with her and she was willing, then he’d make it happen. If he didn’t put forth the effort, he wasn’t worth her time. Or so she told herself repeatedly.

She only hoped Trevor wanted to put in the effort. It hurt her heart to think he might not. Yet he’d been right about the dalliance bit. It wasn’t for her. For a certainty, she would become too invested after a sexual interlude with him. The idea of never having more made her sad.

Shoving her morose thoughts aside, she wandered downstairs and followed the sound of voices to the dining room. Pausing in the doorway, she studied those present.

Gene Stockton was a handsome man. Intelligence shone in his gray eyes, and he did nothing to mask his suspicions of those present. Although he possessed no magical abilities, he was a force to be reckoned with, in his own right. The man came from old money but had built an empire from selling rare plants. He also had legitimate business dealings, but Soleil desired the things he kept in his private collection.

She’d played dumb when Trevor learned Gene’s name, but she’d known the truth of who he was long before. After meeting him at a botanical exhibit two years ago, she’d scryed and learned everything she could about the man. A woman couldn’t be too careful.

Gene had also made his interest in her known. There had been times when she thought about accepting his offer to dinner. After all, they shared a common passion for plants. But she hadn’t felt a spark.Thespark. The one that told her this man was the one for her. A forever partner for life.

Her gaze drifted over Draven Masters and Fintan Sullivan to settle on Trevor, who was in deep discussion with all three men.

Her spark had ignited for Trevor. Too bad he hadn’t experienced the same. She supposed it frequently happened that way. There was always someone who seemed a little bit more enamored than the other in the beginning. Did those tables ever turn? She’d have to talk to Vivian and Damian to see if that was the case.

As if sensing her presence, Trevor’s head half turned toward hers even though his gaze remained on the men as he finished speaking. The instant he was done, his attention shifted to her and his eyes lit with welcome.

Did he know how transfixed she became when he turned those startling baby blues her way? Shaking off the spell he effortlessly wove, she stepped into the room.

“I hope I’m not interrupting,” she said. Her voice was silky smooth, bordering on polished, and a momentary self-satisfaction swept through her. Josie would be proud of the cool sophistication her always-awkward sister had pulled off.

After a quick glance at Trevor, Gene approached her and lifted her hand to kiss her knuckles. “Not at all, my dear Soleil.”

True pleasure shone in his gaze, and she smiled at the welcome. “Thank you, Mr. Stockton.”

“I believe we know each other well enough to dispense with formality, don’t you? Please call me Gene.”

“Thank you,Gene.”

He grinned, and inside her mind, Trevor’s irritation buzzed like a pesky fly.

She lowered her voice. “Why are the big guns here? I assume you know what those two are capable of, right?”

Gene’s sparkle dimmed. “Yes. We are discussing what they’re able to do for my daughter’s health.”