Midnight Magic by Ann Gimpel

actually made it home. Between the sinister presence in her lobby, the attack in the catacombs, and the nerve-wracking drive through the fog, she felt frazzled. Never mind her perpetual design failures with e-Ouija and whatever Tyler was plotting.
    Crap. I liked it better when I didn’t know as much .

Chapter Five
    S he’d just pushed her car door open when the door to the house banged against its stops.
    “It’s about fucking time,” Tyler growled, his handsome features twisted into something unpleasant. His usual gypsyesque flowing clothing showcased his magnificent body. It was obvious he was in full seduction mode—for someone else.
    “It was foggy,” she protested. “I couldn’t go very fast.”
    “Ugh! You actually brought that trash home with you?” Tyler peered into the Subaru. “Does he like girls all of a sudden?”
    “What if he does?” Out of the car and on her feet, Cassie stared him down. “You don’t seem to. So hey, any port in a storm.”
    “You have no idea what I like,” he muttered. “I don’t want you to...” His voice trailed off. “Never mind. I’m taking your mother’s car,” he announced, changing the subject. The keys dangled from one hand.
    “Like hell you are.”
    Jeremy’s right. Tyler does want it all. He’s had a taste of the high life and now...
    Tyler headed for the white Aston Martin coupe with its plush black leather interior.
    “If you leave this house with that car,” Cassie spat through clenched teeth, “I will call the police and tell them you stole it.”
    That stopped him. Whirling, he turned to stare at her. The daggers in his eyes dissolved seconds after she’d seen them. He carefully smoothed his features. “Cassie, honey,” he began, compulsion in his suddenly-mellifluous voice.
    “Nope,” she snapped. “Give.” She held out her hand for the keys. “I mean it. That does not belong to you. In fact, like I told you last night, I want you out of here tomorrow. You don’t get any more tomorrows here after that.”
    “You can’t do that.” His face darkened, the honeyed tones forgotten as he threw the keys at her.
    “Oh, but I can.” She smiled sweetly, snaking out a hand to catch them. “You have no right here. No blood ties, nothing. You suckered me, Tyler MacKenzie, and the sucker’s game is up.”
    “We can talk about this another time. I’m late. Really do need a car. Please, Cass. I know I haven’t been especially attentive here of late, but I’ve just been working so hard. I’ll, uh, come to your room after I get home.” The compulsion was back in his voice, almost like one of the glamours her mother donned from time to time.
    Be nice. Jeremy said I have to lure him to my bed somehow...
    She raised her eyebrows speculatively. “You still can’t have Mom’s car, but here.” Fishing around in her purse, she pulled out two twenties.
    “What’s that for?”
    “Cab fare? You said you needed to get somewhere. I’m guessing your car’s broken.”
    A dark red swept across his sharp-boned face.
    The bastard’s lying. There’s nothing wrong with his VW, and now he’s trapped himself.
    Snatching up the bills, he dug his cell phone out of a pocket and pressed a couple of buttons before turning on his heel to stalk out into the night.
    “Do we still have a date for later?” she called after him, trying to infuse a seductive undertone into the words.
    “If you insist.”
    “Don’t forget the condoms.”
    “Oh, please. If you make it too much trouble, I’ll skip the whole thing.”
    The garage door creaked as it closed. “Brilliant.” Jeremy smiled at her. He handed her purse and computer to her before heading toward the steps leading into the house. He pulled open the door and crooked a finger her way.
    Traipsing heavily up the few steps leading to a short hallway, Cassie followed him into the dimly lit kitchen and set her things down. Hector was curled on the countertop purring loudly. His amber eyes shone like beacons