Djinn Lover (Magical Lovers Book 1)

by Michelle Howard

  Kale woke to the chirping of birds. He frowned and glanced around his bedroom. Bright sunlight pierced his personal space. Someone had thrown open the curtains to his balcony. The same someone who opened the door to his adjoining bathroom and entered his bedroom.

  Carolyn stopped in the doorway when her gaze met his. A nervous flush left a path of red, from her face down her throat and over her bare breasts. She was completely and utterly naked. He’d never gone downstairs to retrieve their clothes. Although, his housekeeper would have moved them by now.

  “Um...good morning.”

  “Why are you out of the bed?” And why hadn’t he noticed?

  She attempted to cover herself with her arms.

  “Don’t.”

  He didn’t like to see her uncomfortable. Kale sat up in the bed and snapped his fingers. Black silk appeared on her form. The ankle length robe covered and revealed at the same time.

  The expensive material molded to the curves he’d traced with his tongue during the night. The belt emphasized her narrow waist, the delicate flare of her hips.

  “You can do it.”

  Her exclamation distracted him from his thoughts. “What?”

  Carolyn spun in a circle. Ran her hands over her hips the way he wanted to. She approached the bed and kneeled at the bottom. Out of reach. He wanted her in his arms. Preferably on her back. Or all fours.

  She snapped her fingers. “You can make things float. And appear.”

  Kale’s lip curled in a snarl. “I don’t make things float.”

  Her brown eyes rolled and Kale found the action...enchanting.

  “Magic. Last night, I wasn’t sure why... I mean you never.”

  As she floundered for an answer, Kale’s gaze wandered down to the gap exposing her body beneath where the robe parted. He glimpsed the fullness of round globes and her flat belly. Budding against the material, her nipples perked up.

  “Does it scare you?” He asked the question but was fairly certain she wasn’t afraid of him. Secretly he was pleased. Kale could crush and destroy her before anyone knew she was missing. But she wasn’t concerned. He didn’t ever want her scared of him.

  “No.” She pushed up on her knees and the robe dipped.

  Was she deliberately trying to tease? His mouth watered, hoping she’d flash him with the pale pink nipples he’d tasted.

  “Do something else.” Her brown eyes glowed.

  Kale jerked. “Excuse me.”

  She didn’t seem to realize she’d lost him. She bounced on the bed and this time the robe slipped off one shoulder. “Magic. Make magic again.”

  And against all odds. Despite all he knew. Kale was ensnared. “I’m not a toy.”

  Carolyn’s excitement faded. Such disappointment. “Oh, I’m sorry.” Her lips pouted and her eyes drooped. When she made to move from the bed, Kale waved his hand in the air.

  Her head was bowed, back to him. Kale waited. It took only a second for her to notice. Carolyn stood beside his bed, mouth open as hundreds of white petals fell from the ceiling. When she faced Kale, her smile stretched from ear to ear. She dove across the expanse of his bed and tackled him.

  Kale fell back, his arms enfolding her. She kissed his cheeks, his lips. Her hands tugged at his hair.

  “Please tell me it’s not just me. That I’m not the only one feeling what’s between us.”

  Kale closed his eyes and squeezed the woman in his arms. Kale Serano didn’t have any weaknesses. He didn’t trust humans. Power came to those who best knew how to wield it, not to those with feelings.

  “Kale?”

  Her head lifted. She nibbled her bottom lip. He reached up and ran his thumb along her plump flesh. Such innocence and sweet acceptance. She’d exposed her weakness. Trusted him with her feelings and proved power came in many forms.

  “You’re not the only one.”

  Her smile blinded.

  Kale was fucked.

  ***

  Carolyn’s stomach growled.

  “I didn’t feed you last night. I owe you a meal.”

  Carolyn leaned up but there was no moving the steel bands around her. Petals landed on the bed, on the pillow. A few ended in Kale’s hair. Carolyn brushed them away. Who would have thought this dangerous man would do something so wonderful?

  “Flowers?” She arched a brow. She’d expected anything but not this. It was sweet. Her stomach gurgled again.

  “Food,” he said, avoiding her silent question.

  His arms squeezed and then he rolled her to the side and rose from the bed in all his naked splendor. Muscles flexed in his tight butt as he went into the bathroom, leaving the door cracked. The toilet flushed and water ran in the sink. When he came out, Kale ran a hand down his torso and was instantly dressed in a pair of black nylon athletic pants and a plain grey tee shirt.

  Carolyn gaped. Would she ever get used to him? This man...this djinn who was her lover. “How did you?” She gestured to his clothes.

  His lips curled. He reached for her hands and helped her to her feet. “Ported from my closet. Come on.”

  Carolyn followed behind him, using her free hand to scratch at her elbow. Downstairs in the kitchen, they were alone. The food from the night before had been cleaned up. As well as the clothes they’d left scattered about.

  Her cheeks burned. “Our clothes are missing.”

  Kale rummaged in the refrigerator. “Housekeeper will have put them with my dry cleaning.”

  He had a housekeeper.

  Kale stacked a carton of eggs at the side of the sink along with a package of bacon.

  “You cook?”

  Kale smirked over his shoulder and snapped his finger. Pans and silverware flew about the room, flames leaped from the gas stovetop and several eggs ended up in the sizzling frying pan. “I do not cook.”

  Carolyn snickered then backed up when he headed in her direction. She held her hands up in a placating gesture. “Kale, no. I was kidding.”

  She tried to run but her feet no longer touched the floor. Her squeal brought a smile to his face as he curled his fingers and she floated right toward him. Floated. The jerk.

  As soon as she reached him, he caught her and she could once again move. Carolyn looped her arms around his neck. She didn’t know what this was between them, but she was going with it. “You’re amazing. You know that right?”

  He kissed her, hands smoothing down her side to cup her butt and yank her close. The erection prodding her thigh made her smile against his lips.

  “You find me funny?”

  “No.”

  Kale accepted her answer and set her down on her feet. It didn’t take long for the food to be finished. Breakfast was a simple affair with Carolyn enjoying the bacon and eggs more than the meal warranted. Kale, however, barely ate. Surprising for a man of his size.

  “Didn’t you like it?”

  They sat at the kitchen bar, close enough for their knees to touch. He fingered a long curl. Her hair was probably a disaster but seemed to be a source of fascination for him.

  “I don’t have to eat much.”

  “Because you’re djinn.” Her words a statement.

  His broad shoulders shrugged. Kale pushed their plates aside. “Enough about me.” He palmed the back of her head and pulled her toward him. When their faces were inches apart, he kissed her.

  Long and sweet. Kale angled his head, mouth going back and forth across hers. Her moan dragged forth. Carolyn couldn’t stop touching him. Her fingers grabbed the material of his tee shirt, holding firmly.

  He wasn’t quite gentle but he was being so careful with her. Carolyn never expected anything like this. Kale reached out and soon she was on his lap crossways. He nudged her chin up, breaking off the kiss. “Spend the week with me.”

  Carolyn froze. “What?”

  His expression was blank, rough features not revealing his inner most thoughts but his gold eyes sparked. Sparked with power and...fear? Not possible. What could he possibly fear?

&
nbsp; “I’m not ready to let you go. One night wasn’t enough. Spend the week with me.” He cupped her face. “Please.”

  She had every reason to say no. They were night and day. Ying to yang. But then she remembered how he’d looked at her upstairs when she’d asked if she was the only one feeling this way.

  Kale looked at her with hope.

  “Yes. Okay.”

  Relief crashed over his features as he straightened and tugged her to her feet. Where was he taking her?

  Lacing their fingers together, he led her back through a now familiar route and headed upstairs. On the steps, she risked a glance at his strained features. “Can’t float us there huh?”

  He gave her a side long glance and sneered. “Float is a girly word.”

  Carolyn started to protest. He was just being obtuse. Then the world flashed around her and when she got her bearings and glanced around, they were back in the masculine bedroom she remembered all too well.

  “Um...” She didn’t know what to say. His powers would take some getting used to.

  Kale’s lips tipped up in the corner. “Your fascination with my abilities is amusing.”

  Carolyn slid her hands into the pockets of the luxurious robe, fingering a petal. They were still scattered around the room. On the floor, on the bed and over a sleek black dresser. “Did you know all of your furniture is black?”

  Not just his bed and sheets but the furniture in his great room was black as well. He even drove a black car and the two times she’d seen him, he’d worn black. She sat on the edge of his bed and glanced around. Fear crept up on the edges of her mind.

  She’d spent two nights with Kale Serano and had the best sex ever. The endorphins were wearing off. What was she doing here?

  Kale came to one knee before her. The position placed them eye to eye. He touched a finger to her nose and tapped. “What are you thinking?”

  Had gold eyes ever looked so appealing? “Why am I here?”

  He frowned and Carolyn thought he wouldn’t answer. His finger trailed down her collarbone, leaving pebbles in their wake.

  His hoarse whisper repeated the words she’d demanded from him earlier. “Because you’re not the only one.”

  Chapter 10

  Fear began an insidious wind through Kale’s gut. Tension knotted his hand until pain had him loosening his fingers on the steering wheel. His obsession for this woman didn’t make sense. Why couldn’t he let her go? Kale’s gaze dropped to her mouth. Studied the plump red flesh as she nibbled on it.

  He’d dressed her in a pair of dark blue jeans and a green long sleeve shirt with a flick of his wrist. Whenever he used his power, she got the goofiest grin on her face. Kale couldn’t remember the last time, he’d put much thought behind what he could do. Centuries had enured him to his abilities.

  She fiddled with the radio, settling on a country station. Kale frowned but kept his complaint to himself. They were in his car heading for his remote cabin in the woods. No one knew of his secret retreat. Not even Jadon.

  Kale wasn’t ready to share Carolyn Sutherland. Which meant he had to get her alone and work out his unshakable desire for her with more hot sex.

  Except it wasn’t just sex. Each hour, each minute in her presence made Kale crave her closeness more. He’d taken the least noticeable of his luxury cars from his garage. The automatic allowed him to hold her hand during the drive.

  Like a schoolboy.

  Kale grimaced. She scratched her inner elbow for the second time. He let her hand go and slid the sleeve of the shirt up to reveal tiny red bumps. His thumb brushed over the rash.

  “What’s this?”

  She peeked in his direction. “I don’t know.”

  “Allergies?”

  Her blonde head shook back and forth. “Don’t think so.”

  He let the sleeve drop and smoothed his hand down her forearm until he reached her hand again. This time, she entwined their fingers and smiled.

  It trembled at the edges. He’d scared her but wasn’t sure how. She’d been fine at the house.

  “What has you worried?”

  Her eyes flinched.

  “Don’t lie, Carolyn.” He could handle anything but lies from her.

  Lies made humans stink and he much preferred the sugar and honey smell of his sweet Carolyn. Her scent filled the interior of his car.

  She leaned toward him in the seat, the seatbelt shifting with her movement. “Tell me about being a djinn. Everyone whispers about you but no one really knows the truth.”

  Good. He liked things that way. When people knew things about you, they could do damage.

  “There’s nothing to tell.”

  From the corner of his eyes, he watched her mouth tighten.

  “Kaaale.”

  He huffed and raised their hands to kiss her knuckles. “Being a djinn is who I am.”

  “They say you’re dangerous.”

  “Hmm. They?”

  She tugged on his arm with her hold. “Everyone.”

  “Do you think I’m dangerous?” Kale held his breath. Her answer was important.

  “Yes. I’d be a fool to think otherwise. Sometimes your eyes glow. Like gold left in the sun too long. They get melty.”

  Kale wanted to laugh but refused to encourage her. Melty?

  “And then you get this scary frown and make that low growl.”

  “Your imagination is vivid. You’re well suited to write stories.”

  Her lips parted. “You know I write books?”

  There wasn’t much Kale didn’t know about her since he investigated all potential lovers. He’d run a search on her the moment he knew he wanted to see her again. Except now he didn’t want anyone to know about her. The urge to protect her from public scrutiny drove him from the moment he decided to take her away.

  Kale wanted the opportunity to feel out this connection between them. His mind told him he was a fool for even considering anything long term. But his heart, the sluggish organ beat with a new rhythm that was unfamiliar and yet exciting.

  Aloud he said, “You’re a talented woman, Carolyn.”

  At least that’s what the small article about her said.

  Her smiled beamed and she relaxed back in her seat. “That’s a nice thing to say, Kale.”

  Nice. Kale growled. He wasn’t nice. Far from it.

  The rest of the car ride was in relative silence. When Carolyn asked about clothes, he assured her he could provide anything she wanted.

  “How?” Her inquisitive eyes were sparking again.

  “Tell me your sizes. I’ll take care of it.”

  She closed her eyes, lashes like delicate butterfly wings rested on her eyelids. “It would be better to get my things from my place.”

  Except he didn’t want to stop. “Carolyn, sizes.”

  With a hiss, she rattled them off.

  Kale focused. It was nothing to pluck the necessary clothing from a designer friend, who wouldn’t miss the inventory. He could have created them from nothing as he’d done earlier but it required a larger surge.

  Using a bare minimum of power, he transported the items to the cabin. He’d already sent his own clothes ahead.

  “Done.”

  Lashes fluttered as she turned. “Really? Like that?”

  She snapped her fingers inches from his face. Her grin poked fun at him.

  Kale snorted. “Yes.”

  “Did you have to tell anyone where you’re going?” She rolled down her window and fiddled with the radio again. This time a soft rock station.

  Like a restless puppy, she couldn’t keep still. She’d long since let his hand go and Kale felt himself aching for her touch.

  “I don’t report my coming and going.”

  Her brows creased. “Not even to your assistant, Jadon?”

  “Not in this case. I wanted time with you alone. If we stayed at my home or went to any of my normal spots, the media would eventually have caught sight of you.”

  She jerked back in her
seat, face to the window.

  Silence.

  Kale waited for her to continue her restless chatter. They traveled another few miles before he realized her silence wasn’t due to fatigue. She was...angry. No, not angry. He studied her profile, the downward cast of her mouth. Her hands fidgeted in her lap. Hurt.

  “You’re upset.”

  Her chin lifted, but she gave no response. Kale reached out and tugged on her hair. She’d left it down. He preferred it that way.

  “Carolyn?”

  She jerked from his touch. Kale frowned. If she could press her face on the glass, he bet she would. His tension increased. What had he said?

  “You’ll have to help me, Carolyn. I know you’re hurt, but I’m not sure why.” Kale never asked for help but the scent of her pain filled the car with its sour odor.

  She huffed and spun in her seat. The glare she shot in his direction would have been enough to burn him alive. Her fingers ticked off. “No one knows I’m with you, we’re going to your place no one knows about.” Another finger joined the others. “And you don’t want to be seen with me. Why would I be mad, Kale Serano?”

  The way she emphasized his name said more than her other statements. Kale pulled into the rough, unpaved driveway. They were here. He released his seatbelt and turned in his seat to face her completely.

  “I don’t know, but you shouldn’t be. I’m protecting you.” If the media got a whiff of his interest in her, the vultures would plaster her picture all over TV. Magazines would run stories about her, photographers would follow her everywhere and her life would be inundated with people in her face.

  Most importantly, she’d become a target.

  “How are you protecting me by keeping me a secret?” Her lower lip quivered.

  The quiver did him in.

  Kale stretched across the console and released her seatbelt. He gathered her in his arms and settled her on his lap in the driver’s seat. “I want this time with you. Just us. I’m not sure what it is about you, Carolyn Sutherland, but I can’t seem to get you out of my mind and I’m not prepared to share you.”

  It was the truth.

  Carolyn buried her fingers in his hair. “Really?

  “Really,” he confirmed, resting his forehead on hers.

  “That’s really nice. You’re nothing like the magazines made you out to be.” She kissed him gently. Softly.