Read The Genie's Witch (Dirty Djinn) for Free Online Page B

just—”
    “It’s hard for me to gift something, when I have the world to offer. So when I think I’ve found a bauble that’s special, no matter how much or how little it costs, I give it. I want you to have this. Accept it. Please.”
    But she took the necklace off and handed it over. “I’m sorry. I can’t. Thank you anyway.”
    Tig shifted from one foot to the other, before taking it from her hand and shoving it in his pocket. “I’m sorry if I offended you.”
    “You haven’t. It shocked me, that’s all.” She grabbed his hand and started tugging, eager to change the subject. “How about we catch that movie?”
    “I never made it to the counter. Silly me, something caught my eye.”
    “Tig—”
    “You’re right, we should go. We probably haven’t missed much.”
    She didn’t much feel like it seeing the film and from his scrunched up face, neither did he. None of the ghouls and goblins on the screen bothered her as much as the still and silent djinn next to her. She hadn’t meant to hurt his feelings. He ought to be grateful that she’d saved him a buttload of money.
    So why did she feel like she’d stolen candy out the mouth of a baby?
    As one of the actresses fought against near certain death, Dinah leaned over and planted a kiss on Tig’s cheek. The gesture was so well below what he’d tried to do for her, but it worked. She could feel the tension leave his body. His chest sagged and he brought his arm around her.  She’d just settled into the crook of it when the lights turned on and a voice over the loudspeaker announced that the mall was closing due to increasingly bad weather.
    While the rest of the patrons grumbled and shouted for refunds, she and Tig slipped out, whisked back to the hotel with a simple wish. “Your magic’s so weird. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to that.”
    “You will.”
    He sounded so certain. Or hopeful. It almost scared her as much as the necklace. But then, why should it? He’d fallen too – what was so wrong with that? She took a seat on the side of the bed, kicked her shoes off and headed for safer conversation. “Why not wish away the storm?”
    “The same reason you didn’t magic-up some clothes. I could move a cloud or five, but that’s asking a lot. A small storm’s no problem, but this would be like moving a hurricane.  I’d have an easier time buying you something nice.”
    “That’s not funny.”
    “You’re right. Why are you so guarded?”
    “Some guys have a thing. They’d love to say they slept with a...you know,” she said, pointing to her skin.
    “Sweetie. I’m not that guy. I’ve slept with plenty of...witches.”
    “I’m going to hurt you.”
    “Finally!”  He dodged the pillow she threw and returned fire with a cushion from the recliner. The cocky jerk blew a raspberry on her forehead then tumbled on to the bed beside her. “You will though. You’ll hurt me one day. Me? I’ll never hurt you. And before you ask, I do know that.”
    She bent to kiss him, but he didn’t pull her down to him. He just sorta laid back, letting her take control.
    So she kissed him again.
    And a third time.
    “I’m afraid to touch you. I don’t know how to make sure you’ll stay. So you take the lead.”
    “What does that mean?”
    “Do what you want. Or nothing at all.”
    She didn’t intend for it to happen, but her hands made their way to his pants and through them, she felt him waiting for her, hard and hot. “You’ve done a million wonderful things to me, Tig, and I’ve never returned the favor.”
    “That’s because it wasn’t a favor. I did what delighted me. Seeing you enjoying your body delights me. Tasting you, delights me.”
    “What would delight you now?”
    “You.”
    So she gave him what she had.
    She gave ...he didn’t take.
    He didn’t control. He didn’t command. Still partially dressed, he laid there on his back as she removed her pants and shirt.
    “Lock your hands behind your head.”
    He did