Losing Carolyn wasn’t an option. The past taunted as it mixed with the present. Pain ripped across his temple even as he squeezed tight the hand he had propped on the window. With the force of his power, Carolyn flew in the air and out of the way.
The front of the car crumpled as it hit the side of the building where she’d been standing seconds before. Kale slumped against the glass trembling but managed to lower Carolyn carefully to the ground on a buffet of air. She spun in a circle looking upward. For him.
As the memories assaulted him, Kale’s vision dimmed and he fell to his knees. The helicopter. Out of control blades. Stark terror in Carolyn’s eyes.
And the surety she was about to die.
“What the fuck, Kale!” Jadon roared.
Kale groaned and slammed his hands to his head to stop the images flooding his mind. Jadon crouched at his side, a hand gripping his shoulder. His lips moved but Kale couldn’t make out the words as he tipped to the side and crashed to the floor.
Only one thought persisted. “Carolyn.”
Jadon had his phone to his ear yelling. He stayed by Kale’s side. “Everything’s alright. She’s alright and on her way up.”
Kale tried to nod but searing agony blasted his head as he rolled onto his back. Seconds seemed like hours.
“Kale!”
Scuffling, then a gasp. Soft hands atop his own. Kale drew a deep breath. At her touch, the slicing jabs in his skull eased. He blinked away the moisture at the corners of his eyes. The words were there. He needed to say them. “I love you. I married you because I love you.”
Her gaze widened then she cried out and wrapped her arms about his chest. “You remember!”
Everything. It was all there. Kale swallowed and enfolded her in his arms. “I remember.”
And it felt good. If possible, the love filling him inside was ten times greater than what he’d felt waking this morning with Carolyn curled against him. And that was saying something because he already loved her to the end of time.
She planted kisses over his face, tears gleaming. “I love you. I love you. I love you.”
He cupped the back of her head and smiled. “My wife.”
Epilogue
Carolyn was happier than she could have ever imagined. And as soon as Kale got home she was going to be happier. Kale loved her. He had announced to the world she was his wife. Her own social pages were still blowing up with the news.
The toughest adjustment was the photographers taking her pictures when she went out. Reporters popping up to her in stores were an issue too. It was all a small price to pay in her mind.
The front door opened then closed. Carolyn jumped from the kitchen stool where she’d taken to doing most of her writing. Kale had offered to convert a room into office space for her but she liked it here. She could greet him as soon as he came in.
His footsteps traveled through the hall until he entered the kitchen. The smile started in his eyes then his lips curled. “I never tire of coming home to you.”
With a snick, Carolyn closed the lid of her laptop and crossed the room toward him. She looped her arms about his neck as Kale leaned down and kissed her.
“I spoke to Macy today.”
“Hmm.” Kale rested his head against her shoulder and Carolyn smoothed her hand up his back.
Her best friend initially was angry on her behalf. She still didn’t think Kale deserved Carolyn but was giving him the benefit of the doubt.
“She’s seeing someone. I think it might work out this time.”
Kale pulled a way but grasped her hand in his. “That’s...good?”
Carolyn smacked his chest on a laugh. Kale was no more enamored of Macy than she was of him. For now. She had high hopes they’d get along. One day.
“It’s very good. I want her to be as happy as we are.”
“Do you want me to look into him?”
“No! Absolutely not.” Carolyn was learning a lot about the ruthless side of Kale. He was gentle with her but to others, he was very much the unforgiving djinn who ran a business empire. “Stay out of it.”
He nuzzled her neck. “As you wish.”
She pushed back on his chest. “Now that we’re married, how does the whole wishing thing work?”
Not that she needed anything. Everything she’d ever dreamed was right here in her arms.
“Why don’t you come to bed and we’ll discuss it?”
Carolyn shrieked with laughter as he picked her up in his arms and ported them to his bedroom.
Author’s Note
Hello again readers ☺ I love getting to the end and having the chance to thank you for buying my books as well as sharing my thoughts at the time I wrote it. Djinn Lover is a paranormal story that was on my mind for a long time. In fact, the story became a loud annoying voice at the back of my head. Like many authors, I have to tell myself not to write every idea that crosses my mind.
Too bad Kale refused to be denied. Or maybe that’s a good thing. LOL. As soon as I gave in to the demands I wrote Djinn Lover. It’s a bit different from my usual style of writing. BUT, I really, really, REALLY like these characters.
Hopefully you enjoyed Kale and Carolyn despite it taking place on good old Earth and not on an alien world ☺ As always please share and spread the world about a book you read with friends or through whichever retailer you purchased it from. Reviews are like a gift and are greatly appreciated.
If you want a peek at what’s next, keep turning to get to a preview of Wicked Lover, formerly titled Taste of Wicked. I received the rights back from Amazon and can now release it across all vendors.
Until the next book.
Michelle H.
Wicked Lover excerpt
“Something attempted to gain entry into Antonia’s room last night while we slept.”
Kale’s brow quirked and a frown pulled at his lips. “By slept you mean had sex, I take it?”
Drake’s ears burned and he halted across the room from Kale. “Yes. Sex. That’s not the point I want to make. I set small wards at her door last night and someone tampered with them.”
At least his friend looked interested instead of annoyed with him. “Your wards work?”
Drake nodded. “Some of my magic works. It hasn’t been consistent in six weeks. The warding hasn’t been a problem though despite everything else.”
“What makes you think they were bothered? Maybe your magic degraded the wards.”
“No.” Inwardly, Drake cringed. The wards assured he protected himself. Losing the ability among everything else would eliminate holding his own against an enemy of magical origins. “The wards were gummy. There was a sticky residue left behind as if someone tested the strength of the spell imbedded.”
Kale drummed his fingers on the desk behind him. “You and I both know only one creature which does that. Did you weave the wards with your signature attached?”
Smirking, Drake didn’t answer and Kale rolled his eyes. Drake made it a point to use a portion of his family’s most powerful magic in any spell he worked. He’d used a milder version for security in Antonia’s room but if a person was familiar with Drake or had crossed his path at some point they could easily identify his essence within the magic.
“Right. This is you we’re talking about. So this...person might know who you are and the trouble you’re having.”
“Exactly. My question is how did it find me here.” Drake was very careful when he left New York and nothing had tracked him to Virginia.
Only three people from home knew he was here and he trusted Ben and Kent not to tell. Dr. Curran for all his difficulties would not release the information either.
“If word gets out that you’ve been having problems with the core of your abilities...”
Drake cut Kale off with a curse. “You don’t have to tell me.”
His business and personal life would implode. Drake walked toward the window of the room Kale was using as his office and stared at the backyard. An array of garden
tools and several half-started flower beds ruined the smooth greenery present. His hands tingled with temptation, magic begging to be released. Was this a new manifestation of the problems he was having? Things had worked for once this morning but the odds of that continuing were slim.
“What are you going to do?” Kale asked from behind him.
Drake heaved a sigh and raked a hand through his hair. He needed to go home but he wanted to spend as much time as possible with Antonia. Their night of explosive sex had been more than he’d expected or dared dream.
He also needed to figure out if he was mistaken concerning what tried to break into her room. With this recent development he was feeling...vulnerable. Drake wasn’t used to feeling weak. He didn’t like it at all. “I’m not sure.”
Unable to resist a moment longer, Drake waved his hand in the direction of the scattered tools and unpacked flowers. Dirt and mulch swirled until four neat rows of freshly planted yellow flowers settled.
“Did you mean to do that?”
Kale’s roughly worded question came from beside him. Drake glanced over, witnessing his friend’s surprise.
“Yes.” Drake wiggled his fingers and turned his back on the yard. “That’s a perfect example of never knowing if something’s going to work or not.”
Kale folded his arms over his chest. “If you’ve attracted attention from a bad element and can’t count on your magic, you may need to leave sooner than you want.”
Drake had thought of that. “What if it’s not after me and Antonia is the original target? I can’t leave her.”
The odds were slim. Antonia had no connection to the otherworld or paranormal beings. Hell, she didn’t know what Drake was. Or who, he added with a sense of trepidation. The moment of truth was coming fast. A truth he didn’t originally plan to share with Antonia. He was perfectly content with leaving her in the dark about his true identity but that wouldn’t be fair when she’d been honest with him. The reasons for maintaining his anonymity with the others online remained but not with her.
“That’s a stretch, Drake. There are few of us who’d concern ourselves with the trivial nature of humans. Do you wish my assistance?”
A djinn’s help was an invaluable gift. Stunned he’d offered, Drake studied Kale’s serious expression. He sighed and shook his head in refusal. He didn’t want to leave Antonia’s safety to anyone else. Possessive, ugly jealousy dug its claws in and vehemently opposed the idea. No way he was leaving her protection up to someone else. He couldn’t leave her at risk if he was mistaken either.
“Very well but know I’m here to help before Carolyn and I return to Maryland.”
Wicked Lover
Drake Winston was dealing with the biggest struggle of his life. At risk of losing the one thing he valued most in the world, he didn’t have time for romantic pursuits. Then he met Antonia Hendricks. His online profile allowed him a chance to show a side of himself he hadn’t shared with another in years. Her smile, her sweetness and her faith in a friendship forged in a chat forum shakes his world.
Drake knows he should be honest. He should leave the curvy sweetheart alone and stay far away. But someone else is interested in his Antonia and Drake will sacrifice anything to see her come through unharmed. Even if it means giving up his magic.
About the Author
USA Best Selling Author, Michelle Howard dreamed of writing since reading her first romance novel many years ago but never thought it was possible. Now, she couldn’t be happier. She loves paranormal and contemporary romances and is a fan of the classic romances by Judith McNaught, Julie Garwood and a host of others.
I love to hear from fans so please reach out to me. If the mood hits you, leave a review.
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Books by Michelle
Warlords
* Honor Bound (Warlord Series 1)
* The Overlord’s Heir (Warlord Series 2)
* A King’s Revenge (Warlord Series 3)
* Rise of the Shadow Warriors (Warlord Series 4)
* A Warlord’s Heart (Warlord Series 5)
* Unexpected Bride (Warlord Series 6)
* Unleashing a Warrior (Books 1-3 Warlord Series boxset)
Alpha Squad
* Project Genesis (Alpha Squad)
Harmony
* No Reason to Run (A Harmony Novel)
Sci-Fi Romance
* Mating Urge (Love in the Stars 1)
* Love Like No Other (Love in the Stars 2)
* Wired For Love (Wired #1)
A World Beyond
* Torkel’s Chosen (A World Beyond 1)
* Arak’s Love (A World Beyond 2)
* Lindsey’s Rescue (A World Beyond 3)
* Kyele’s Passion (A World Beyond 4)
* Rydak’s Fall (A World Beyond 5)
* Jaron’s Promise (A World Beyond 6)
Paranormal
* Djinn Lover (Magical Lovers Book 1)
* Wicked Lover (Magical Lovers Book 2)
* Rylin’s Fire (A Novel of the Dracol 1)
* Relentless Fire (A Novel of the Dracol 2)
Djinn Lover (Magical Lovers Book 1) Page 17