Djinn Lover

by Michelle Howard

  In the mirror, Carolyn’s reflection smiled back at her. All in all it was the best wedding day ever. Not the one she’d imagined as a child, but one she planned to hold nestled in the corner of her heart forever.

  Carolyn couldn’t wait to see Macy’s face when she told her the good news of her nuptials. She hit the lights and climbed into the bed big enough for a group. The sheets retained his dark scent from this morning. She buried her face in the pillow he’d used and gave thanks that she’d found someone who loved her as much as she loved him.

  ***

  “Look this way, Serano. Brie! Brie! Over here.”

  Kale ignored the shouted instructions, but nonetheless stood still as flash after flash went off on the carpeted sidewalk. Photographers hovered in a semi-circle, taking pictures of him and Brie from the moment they stepped from their individual limos. He cupped her elbow and turned to lead her into the arena hosting the event.

  Every few steps more cameras captured their image. Fans screamed and held up phones in their direction. Brie paused to sign autographs, her public face in full effect. Kale had to admit she was in her element and handled the crowd with aplomb.

  The bronze one shoulder designer gown highlighted her best assets. The low cut front barely contained her overflowing bust which Kale knew for a fact was real. A thigh high side split flashed a peek at slim legs topped off with rhinestone covered heels.

  Brie’s dark hair featured a jagged short cut due to her current guest role on a weekly zombie late night series. The show proved to be a hit and added a surprising plus to her growing acting resume.

  Brie Starr only cared about advancing her career and didn’t care who she crushed in the process. Kale admired her dedication. What he didn’t admire was her attempt to manipulate him for a ten thousand dollar necklace after their one night together. If not for wanting to protect Carolyn from rampant publicity without preparation from his team first, Kale would have cancelled.

  This was the perfect distraction to keep them from prying into his personal life too closely. It was ridiculous how easy they were to manipulate.

  “Serano, are you and Brie back together? What do you think of her nomination tonight?”

  Kale remembered their night being rather boring and definitely not something he wished to repeat. He forced his mouth to curve in a smile instead of the frown more appropriate for the stupid question. The reporter’s definition was sorely lacking if he considered two public events a year ago as an example of dating. “Brie’s very talented and I hope she wins.”

  Everyone smiled and waved, finally letting Brie and Kale enter the arena. Sometimes a simple platitude kept the sharks from circling.

  The evening went as expected and Kale played the gracious date. Though she didn’t win, Brie was in high spirits after the awards and they soon parted. She to more parties and Kale back to Carolyn.

  When he arrived at the cabin it was close to two in the morning. He expected Carolyn to greet him at the door but the cabin’s silence screamed at him. Steps light, he entered the bedroom and came to a halt. Not only did she sleep soundly, but the covers twisted to the floor revealing the enchanting line of her bare leg and one curvy hip.

  Kale approached the bed on silent feet and sat on the edge. She shifted rolling onto her back and he groaned. She wore one of the gowns he’d purchased for her in Vegas. The silk flowed over her form like water over a smooth rock. It didn’t take much effort to pull down the rest of the covers and feast upon the enjoyment of her lush body.

  Hard nipples begged for his attention. Kale succumbed to his own needs and desire. His need to touch and his desire to bring them both to pleasure. He leaned over and tongued the tight silk covered bud while keeping his eyes on her sleeping face.

  Carolyn frowned, but didn’t wake. In the interest of fairness, Kale switched sides and laved the opposite nipple. Soft and hard. His lips closed and sucked.

  Carolyn moaned, her hands coming down to bury in his hair holding him to her. He wanted to laugh in joy. Instead he concentrated on her waking body.

  “You’re back,” she whispered.

  Sleep lent her voice a layer of tenderness that would have sent Kale to his knees if he’d been standing.

  “I promised I would be.”

  “Mmm.” She pulled on his hair and arched up.

  Kale chuckled, recognizing what she wanted. “Not so fast, sweetheart.”

  Her lids lifted to reveal drowsy pools of chocolate. Her lips curved upward in a smile of pure delight. Kale’s heart lightened. Any doubt he had faded in the face of her sincerity. Carolyn lacked guile and though she hadn’t said the words, he believed her feelings for him were as strong as his own growing lo-.

  Kale stiffened and sat up. Carolyn’s brows furrowed.

  “Kale, are you okay?” She pushed up on her elbows.

  He ran a hand through his hair and calmed the rapid beat of his heart. Love. He loved her. Kale pushed the hair back from her shoulders. “I’m fine.”

  Better than fine.

  Carolyn tilted her head to the side. “What’s with you?”

  How could a woman make confusion look cute? Kale leaned over her until she had no choice but to drop back on the bed. “Nothings wrong with me. For once everything is right.”

  With the new found recognition of his feelings, Kale took his time making love to Carolyn. He swallowed the cries from her throat and worked his way inside her tightness. She writhed and twisted beneath him. His roaming hands cupped her breasts before he stroked lower. Kale would never tire of touching her. He grasped her thighs and spread her legs wider.

  It wasn’t enough. Not nearly enough. Kale pulled out and flipped her over to her front. He pressed the heel of his hand against her shoulders, holding her down when she sought to rise. Once she remained still he drove deep. So deep he felt as if they were one.

  She pushed back and screamed, “More!”

  More. He’d give her more. He’d give her everything he had. Kale pounded harder as she continued to voice her pleasure. Passionate sounds. Sounds he’d become addicted to in a short time.

  He surged back in to her heated depths. Her inner muscles contracted, tempting him to fall. Fall so deep he’d never find his way out.

  Except Kale didn’t want out. Her head turned, meeting his stare over her shoulder. Brown eyes glittered. “I love you, Kale.”

  He froze. Hovered on the brink of release.

  “I love you,” she repeated.

  He absorbed the meaning of her words. Allowed himself a moment to savor the feelings they pulled from him. Carolyn wasn’t what he expected. But he damn sure planned to keep her. She belonged to him as he belonged to her. “I love you too.”

  She dropped to her forearms and thrust back against him. Kale picked up the pace stroking the both of them to a fast and hard climax that left both of them screaming each others name.

  Chapter 17

  Carolyn bounded out of bed with more heart than energy. She heard the shower running and envisioned a nice morning wake up with her new husband. Of course the twinge between her thighs as she made her way to the bathroom door changed her mind. That didn’t mean she’d give up the chance to see a naked Kale dripping in water.

  She opened the cracked door all of the way. The bathroom was pretty elaborate to match the expensive taste of the rest of the cabin. Kale clearly didn’t do anything by half-measures. Right now his massive frame took up a large portion of the all glass shower enclosure. Water sprayed down on him from several large chrome heads at different intervals.

  Liquid sluiced over his head, turning the dark hair into an inky cap that he slicked back with one hand. Water fell from his face to mix with the rivulets making their way down his muscular chest to get caught in the creases of his abs as they rippled when he ran the washcloth over his torso.

  Soapy foam joined the erotic display and streamed down his body to land on the nestle of curls at his groin. Water beat a seductive flow over his naked flesh. Powerful
thighs shifted.

  “Are you joining me?”

  Carolyn jumped and squeaked, gaze flying to Kale’s smiling face. He wiped a hand across his head, again slicking back water. Her heart raced in tandem with the heavy pants coming from her mouth.

  “Carolyn?”

  She inched back and bumped the doorway. “Sorry.”

  A heated blush filled her cheeks. He really was built in proportion. Her eyes peeked downward and snapped back up when he chuckled darkly.

  Carolyn rolled her eyes with a curse and came all of the way into the bathroom. She might be sore and aching, but clearly he was up to the challenge. Really up.

  A large hand gripped the firm length and stroked once from root to tip.

  “Very funny.” Carolyn refused to turn away.

  “You blush so prettily.”

  Done with playing, he finished his shower and turned off the complex series of knobs. She memorized his actions since she’d only managed to figure out how to turn the main shower head on.

  Kale slid the door open and stepped out onto the tiled floor. He wrapped a thick white towel around his hips and prowled towards her.

  Carolyn took a step back for his every step forward until her back hit the sink counter.

  “You had your chance to run.” He reached out and bracketed his arms around her, holding the counter.

  Caged by all his wet nakedness, what was a girl to do? Carolyn placed her hands on his chest and rubbed. Kale leaned forward and brushed his mouth against her lips. Carolyn’s own parted willingly. His tongue swiped her bottom lip before stroking deep into her mouth.

  Carolyn rose to the tips of her toes, hands gripping tight as she kissed him back as hard and fierce as he kissed her. When he finally pulled away, she opened her eyes and smiled. Up close the angles of his face entranced. Striking. Bold.

  Words to describe Kale Serano. His full lips glistened with moisture from their kiss. Too tempting. Carolyn leaned up again to nip and suck.

  Kale’s hands moved from the counter to her hips and yanked her toward him. She widened her stance as his erection tapped against her thigh. The knot on the towel loosened and the terry cloth hit the floor.

  Carolyn groaned into his mouth, her hands slipping over his skin for purchase. Kale lifted her and thrust forward. She wished she hadn’t put the stupid nightgown back on. She wanted to feel him. All of him.

  “God, what you do to me.” He eased away and allowed her feet to touch the floor once more.

  Carolyn licked her lips tasting him. “It’s mutual.”

  Kale tipped his head to the side and studied her face. One hand moved from her waist and cupped her jaw. His thumb brushed across her chin. Once. Twice.

  “I can’t describe what I feel when I look at you.”

  Carolyn ran her fingers through the wet strands of his hair. “I think you did a good job last night.” He’d said he loved her and she cherished the words, but his actions reinforced the truth.

  His other hand joined the first until he held her head in both hands. Kale placed his face right next to hers until their noses bumped. Carolyn giggled, but he was completely serious when he stared into her eyes and said, “I.Love.You. Carolyn Serano.”

  Her throat itched and her eyes battled a stinging sensation.

  “Never forget that. No matter what you hear. No matter what people say.”

  His words had taken on an emphatic tone that chilled Carolyn. “I won’t, Kale.”

  “Promise me.”

  That was an easy promise. “I promise.”

  He rested his forehead on hers. Kissed her temple with the softest of touches. The moment was intense. Carolyn stood within the frame of his big body. His hands still held onto her jaw. She allowed her hands to drift from his hair to his shoulders and tried to massage the bulging muscles into relaxing.

  Fine tremors shook his body. Surprise kept her immobile. “Kale?”

  “I can’t lose you,” he murmured. The whisper was so low she almost missed it.

  “You’re scaring me,” Carolyn admitted.

  He stepped back and stooped to retrieve his towel. Unconscious in his grace, he wrapped it around his waist once more and knotted the terry cloth in one simple motion.

  Carolyn waited, hoping he’d explain his odd behavior, but he remained silent. Okay. She pasted on a bright smile and accepted their love was as new to him as it was to her.

  “What do you want to do today? Our last day before we head back to the real world.”

  Kale’s slow wicked smile answered her question.

  “Other than that.”

  He picked her up and threw her over his shoulder.

  “Kale!”

  Her squeal had no impact as he walked back into the bedroom, her weight no hindrance to him whatsoever. He tossed her onto the covers and Carolyn scrabbled back and off to the other side.

  He merely changed direction, causing an irresistible bubble of laughter to escape. She held her hand out. “Stop. Museum.” She gasped in between her laughter. “I want to go to the museum today. Before we have to return home.”

  That stopped him.

  “A museum?” His lips curled down, leaving no doubt to his feelings on that.

  Carolyn tried her most endearing look. “Please.”

  He propped his hands on his hips. “You do know I could just teleport to your side. Or snap my fingers?”

  She fluttered her lashes and bit back another gurgle of laughter when he cursed.

  “Are you certain you prefer...the museum?”

  “Yes.” She had every intention of asking him tons of questions about times he was intimately acquainted with. “You’ll be my personal historian.”

  Kale exhaled, hands falling to his side. “I was going to ground today, but I’ll do it another time.”

  Sensing the danger was over, she came closer. “What’s grounding?”

  He ran a hand down her arm in a smooth caress before dressing himself in jeans and another tee shirt. This one in pristine white.

  “When I block the flow of energy from Earth.”

  She remembered him mentioning how important it was. “You still can.”

  “No.” His response came instant. “I won’t have you unprotected with me.”

  Carolyn reached his side and leaned into him. “How long has it been?”

  He nuzzled the top of her head. “It’s past time for me to disconnect.”

  Her head on his chest, Carolyn danced her fingers down his torso, loving how he flinched and twitched. “What’s that mean?”

  “It means I need to shut down for twenty four hours and let my powers rebuild. I won’t be able to access my magic during that time.”

  “Oh, yes. Your Earth connection is like a battery charger,” she joked.

  His shoulders jumped. When the rocking motion continued, Carolyn tipped her head up to see him laughing at her. She twisted the tight bit of skin she could catch between her fingers and pinched him.

  His arms flexed around her and he pressed kisses along her face, her cheeks and at last her lips. “Yes, like a battery, sweetling.”

  “Why haven’t you done it then?”

  “Because I can’t protect you if I don’t have access to my magic. I’ll be...less. ”

  She knew how serious Kale was about no harm coming to her. He’d put a silly protection spell on her over a knife cut. “Well, do it now. I hardly think we’ll run into any danger at the museum.”

  “As you wish, Carolyn.”

  Chapter 18

  The museum was as dull as Kale expected it to be. The only thing keeping it from being a painful experience was Carolyn. She sparkled like a bright ray of light. From the moment they crossed the threshold, she asked a ton of questions.

  Some silly, some serious. Her interest in each of the displays and artifacts was genuine. Her delight and pleasure when he corrected some of the myth and history on objects made it worth coming. For that alone he would have declared the day a success.

&n
bsp; She took such joy in the simple things. Things he’d long since become immune to. He kept a hand on the middle of her back as she peered over a glass case. Kale studied her creased features while she read the wording on a placard. He was content. His heart full.

  And all because of this bewitching human. She had him wrapped around her finger. Unlike with Isolde, the power Carolyn wielded over him didn’t make him want to turn away. He kissed her bare nape.

  Carolyn jerked upright then caressed his cheek. “Is this really boring for you? Be honest.”

  “Not at all.” It would have been with someone else. “I’m enjoying your questions.”

  They had the museum to themselves. Probably due to the early hours or because no one ventured out during the week. Whatever the reason, Kale appreciated having the space to themselves.

  “Let’s play a game.” Carolyn tugged his hand and Kale pretended reluctance as he followed.

  “What kind of game?” His thoughts were already on how fast he could get them back home and in a bed. Or against a wall. His lips twitched at the thought. A wall would definitely do well enough for what he had in mind.

  “Tag.”

  Kale stopped in his tracks. “What?”

  “Tag. I tag you and run. You tag me and run. It’s a children’s game.”

  Considering he was born in a place where such didn’t exist and spent his time on this side of the plane surviving, Kale sighed. “Here, in the museum?”

  She looked pointedly around. They were the only ones here. When she faced him, she pursed her lips. “Yes.”

  Maybe if she offered herself as the prize he could be motivated to participate. “And what is the point of the game?”

  “Fun, Mr. Magic pants.”

  His laughter startled both of them. “You’re going to regret those words.”

  The threat had no effect on Carolyn, who lightly punched his arm before darting off with a yell. “Tag, you’re it.”

  Kale stood in bemusement as her lithe form raced away down the museum corridor. No guard stopped her, but as a precaution Kale flicked his fingers to obscure her from sight. He lost his view as she turned a corner and disappeared.