Genie

by Kitty French

  ‘London won’t know what’s hit it when Lizzie gets there,’ he said quietly, taking her fears seriously. ‘And you know how much Davey’s dying to see her.’

  ‘I know, and I know Deanna’s the perfect person to watch out for her while she’s there, it’s just… oh I know.' She shrugged her shoulders. 'Ignore me, I’m being stupid.’

  And in her heart of hearts, she knew that she was. There couldn’t have been a more perfect time for Lizzie to head back to experience London life for herself.

  The theatre was back to its best; better than ever if she was honest, under Deanna’s creative directorship for the last decade. They’d worked together through ambitious plans in the early years to rebuild the place from the ground up, and once polished it had deservedly become the most lustrous jewel in the London burlesque crown.

  The Divine Girls had fast gathered a reputation as one of the sexiest dance troupes in Europe, and review sites now ranked them alongside the top Parisian shows for both spectacle and glitz. Competition was fierce each year to secure a spot in the troupe: dancers came from all over the world to be amongst the few chosen to perform on the stage that had once been smashed and ruined by falling rafters. It was a fitting way to honour the place that had been Genie’s home for so many years, and although she’d hung up her own performing heels, her love for the place still shone bright.

  Abel pulled her closer. ‘You’re not being stupid. I don’t much like the thought of her in London either if I’m honest, but look at her.’ They watched Lizzie as she moved easily between her friends, long limbed and tanned in denim cut offs. ‘She’s not that frightened kid any more, and God knows she’s not going back there with screwed up crazy ideas of righting any wrongs.’

  He knocked back a good mouthful of chilled beer, and Genie wrapped her arm around his back to slide her hand inside his tee shirt and stroke the smooth warmth of his skin.

  ‘She’s lucky you were there,’ she said softly, remembering the difficult times.

  ‘She’s luckier that you were,’ Abel said, massaging her shoulder. ‘I listen to her sometimes and I can hear you in her words.’

  Genie looked up at him, moved. ‘Really?’

  He nodded. ‘She’s got that same attitude, that optimism. Thanks to you she walks around with her glass half full.’

  Tears welled in Genie’s throat; it meant such a lot to hear those words from Abel. Even though his mother had died four short years after they left London, her children would always carry the scars of their childhoods with them. Genie loved them both fiercely, and over time her love had turned out to be the band-aid the Kingdom children had needed to pick themselves up, dust themselves down, and little by little, let themselves be happy.

  ‘Dad!’

  Genie and Abel both turned as their six-year-old son came skidding into the room, a trail of his friends behind him.

  ‘Is it time for the cake yet? We’re starving!’

  ‘When are you not starving, Rubes?’ Abel said, ruffling Reuben’s dark hair affectionately. ‘You better ask your mum. She’s the cake queen around here.’

  ‘Not long,’ Genie promised. She’d baked a huge version of Lizzie’s favourite chocolate cake, a recipe they’d honed together over the years. Genie had never baked so much as a jam tart before moving to Australia; it had just seemed like something she and Lizzie might be able to learn together. They’d become something of a crack team in the kitchen, and Lizzie had taken her passion for food and drink and turned it into what promised to be an exciting career.

  ‘Go get all the kids together by the pool and I’ll bring it out,' she said, shooing the children out towards the autumn sunshine.

  ‘I’ll go get the twins,’ Abel said, dropping a kiss on Genie’s forehead before heading out of the kitchen to the nursery upstairs.

  Glancing at the clock, she reckoned that he’d find the babies wide awake by now. They’d been asleep for over an hour already, and at just turned two years old they were at the age where they viewed daytime naps as an unwelcome interruption to mayhem.

  Genie watched him leave and stood alone for a moment, absently turning her wedding ring around on her finger as she looked fondly around the big, comfortable kitchen. They’d spent the last ten years building their family here.

  Abel. Genie. Lizzie. Reuben. Amber. Jamie.

  Letting one of them head out into the world alone for an adventure was going to be hard on her heart, but she knew that wherever Lizzie went, she travelled safe in the knowledge that her home and her family were right here waiting for her to come home again.

  Much later that evening, when the party had dwindled and a legion of stars pricked the night sky, Abel sat in one of the deep sofas out on the deck and watched the ocean.

  ‘Penny for them?’ Genie said softly, joining him outside with a couple of glasses of brandy in her hands.

  He looked at her, her long hair tied up messily after an afternoon in and out of the pool, sun-kissed and beautiful in the black sundress she’d thrown over her bikini, and he wasn’t even sure how to put his thoughts into words.

  ‘I’m proud of you,’ he said. ‘Proud of everything you’ve achieved since you came here.’

  Genie settled onto the other end of the sofa and tucked her feet underneath him. She looked surprised by his words as she sipped her brandy. She shouldn’t be. Even though he’d tried his best to make it clear that he didn’t mind if she wanted to carry on performing, she’d chosen instead to develop a burlesque-based exercise class, starting locally and then rolling it out quickly across all of his gyms when it caught on like wildfire. It had become a surprise sensation, and she’d revelled in her brand new business, growing her range of sexy exercise clothing and classes year on year. It was so very Genie to think of a way to allow as many other women as possible to feel empowered and beautiful while also allowing him to have her all to himself. He hadn’t asked it of her, yet she’d chosen to give it to him anyway.

  Leaning forwards, she kissed him lingeringly and then lay back with her head in his lap.

  ‘I’m proud of you too,’ she said, closing her eyes as he unpicked the band from her hair and combed it through with his fingers. Mellow music floated on the air from the remnants of the party at the back of the house, and slowly, slowly, Abel’s massage turned from relaxing to sensual. Her head, and then her shoulders, and then a slow stroke over the hollow at the base of her neck. It was always this way with them; he had a special way of touching her, and it had only grown more spine-tinglingly intimate with the passing years.

  When his fingers moved down to cup her breast through the thin material of her dress, she pulled his hand to her mouth and kissed his palm, the band of his wedding ring cool against her cheek.

  ‘Come on,’ she said. ‘Let’s go to bed.’

  He glanced down at his swollen jeans, and then ruefully towards the lingering party-goers he needed to walk though. ‘I better wait five before I follow you up.’

  Genie laughed softly, kissing him as she got to her feet.

  ‘Teenager,’ she whispered, winding her way back into the lit up beach house.

  Abel picked up his brandy and sighed with bone deep contentment, his eyes on the dark horizon, his mind on Genie. He could still see her as she’d been the first time he’d ever laid eyes on her, dancing on that theatre stage back in London. She’d dazzled him then, and she’d gone on to dazzle him even more every day since.

  It was no good. Thinking of her peeling her clothes off on stage was doing nothing to calm him down. Knocking back the last of his brandy, he headed inside in search of his wife.

  THE END

  To sign up for Kitty's newsletter about upcoming releases, CLICK HERE

  To read Knight & Play, the first book in Kitty's Lucien Knight trilogy for $0.99c, CLICK HERE.

  A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR

  Thanks so much for reading Genie. I really hope you enjoyed it, and would love it if you have a second to post a review to help guide other readers.
>
  I've got a top-secret project coming up next, more news very soon on my Facebook page and newsletter.

  In the mean time, let me introduce you to a brilliant erotic author who I think you're going to love ~ already multi-published in the romance genre, Tabitha A Lane and I are writing buddies and good friends.

  Hazzard Blue is her erotic debut, and having been lucky enough to read it, I can happily confirm that you're in for a sizzling treat!

  I'm thrilled to be able to share the first chapter of Hazzard Blue with you here, so settle in and indulge yourself in a taster of your next erotic read.

  Until next time,

  Kitty x

  “You want to host a sex party in my house? What do you think this is, Mr. Hunt, Eyes Wide Shut?”

  Kathryn Hazzard needs a miracle if she's going to pay her huge tax bill and urgently repair Hazzard Hall’s leaking roof - inheriting the family stately home isn't the rose garden it’s cracked up to be. When salvation turns up on her doorstep in the form of gorgeous Daniel Hunt, can she risk her reputation by letting him use her beloved home as the venue for his high class and outrageous sex party?

  It's tempting. But then lots of things are tempting, aren't they? It doesn't mean they're good for you. Just ask Eve about that apple...

  First Chapter of Hazzard Blue by Tabitha A Lane.

  Chapter One

  A cacophony of sound blared through the apartment. Ring, pause, and repeat, in an endless loop. Someone was leaning on the doorbell, then taking a brief break and stabbing it repeatedly, like a woodpecker having an epileptic fit.

  Daniel Hunt crawled out of bed. His employer paid the rent on the New York crash pad he used for stopovers, and no-one ever visited. The ringing was accompanied by a couple of good thumps on the door—it sounded like a crazy person was trying to get in.

  He flexed his fingers and formed a fist, then ripped the door open with his other hand. “What?” He was yelling. Damn sure his hair was standing up all over like a wild man. Dressed in a pair of black silk boxers and nothing else.

  Cain took a step back.

  “Jesus.” His eyes were wide. “Cool it, man.”

  Daniel blinked. “What the hell are you doing here?” His brother was based in San Jose; he’d never visited the New York crash pad. “How did you even know I’m in the country?” Daniel turned away from his brother and stalked into the kitchen in search of coffee.

  Cain scampered along behind, like an over-exited puppy. “Sergei’s assistant. She told me you’d be here, and gave me directions.” He spoke fast, the words chasing each other out. “I’ve got news, I’ve got awesome news. You won’t believe it but…”

  Daniel swirled around and stuck his hand over Cain’s mouth. “I’m tired.” He spoke slowly, deliberately. “I’ve had four hours sleep, and I can’t take you being all enthusiastic.” He ladled as much sarcasm as he could into the last word. “Whatever it is, let me get caffeinated first.” He took his hand away.

  Cain’s mouth opened.

  “Na—” Daniel threatened him with the hand again, and Cain’s mouth snapped closed.

  Cain pointed across the room. “Turn on the TV.” His eyes pleaded.

  “Fine.” Daniel picked up the remote and turned the TV on. “What channel?”

  “Any channel.” Cain was wigging as if he needed to pee. Moving from foot to foot the way he used to do when he was an excited kid.

  Daniel punched in the news channel. Cain pointed at the breaking news ticker along the bottom of the screen.

  SOCIAL MEDIA GIANT PAYS FIFTY MILLION DOLLARS FOR SIXTY PERCENT SHARE OF ‘BIGTALK’

  “Forgive me for waking you up now?”

  There was nothing to eat in the apartment so they went out for breakfast. Cain had always been green—shit, even at twenty-six, he was just a kid. A geeky kid at that. Daniel didn’t understand the fixation with social media, but as his wide-eyed brother explained that the new social network he and his friend Ben had developed was growing at a rate of half a million new subscribers a day, he realized he should have paid more attention, because people were paying attention to his little brother now. A lot of people. Cain and Ben were like chum thrown into the ocean behind a fishing boat and the sharks were circling.

  “My phone has been ringing off the hook since the deal broke,” Cain said. “You wouldn’t believe the people who have called me.”

  Daniel arched an eyebrow.

  “Women.” Cain’s face was pink and his eyes were over bright. “Women never call me.”

  “What women?”

  “Every girl I chased in high school. And college. Remember Jenny Merino? She called this morning.”

  Daniel had spent more than one night in Jenny Merino’s bed back when he was a teenager. She was five years older than his little brother and had been one of the hottest girls in school. She’d never shown the slightest interest in Cain, but money changed everything, especially when stacked up in multi-million piles.

  He examined at Cain with narrowed eyes. “Isn’t she married?”

  “She told me she’s been separated for six months. She rang to congratulate me and to ask if I’d like to meet up for a drink.”

  Neither of the Hunt brothers had any guidance in their lives. Money, but no guidance. Daniel’s hands clenched into fists as the memory of their father intruded. He’d failed Cain once; it was inconceivable that he’d let anyone use his brother now. He resisted the urge to comment, and returned to the matter at hand. “You need an expert guiding you with the money, helping you to manage it.”

  “I know.” Cain ordered another coffee. “We have a few candidates lined up, but you know what you always say about me—that people take advantage?” He chewed on a piece of bacon. “Well, I know that’s true. And Ben’s no better. We focus on the software, on the company. I don’t want to have to deal with all the other stuff. We need a real tough, take-no-shit guy who we know is on our side. But one who can navigate in the business world without coming over as an asshole.”

  “Any idea who?” Daniel was unsettled at the thought of Cain being controlled by some shark in a suit. The temptation of being in charge of so much money was bound to corrupt even the most honorable candidate.

  Daniel rubbed a hand over the soft, longer-than-stubble-and-just-about-a-beard on his jaw. He would only trust one guy with the job—himself. His two-year contract piloting Sergei Romanoff’s private plane around the world was almost at an end. Sergei had been pushing Daniel to extend the contract—but he was loath to do so. He’d already worked for Sergei longer than he’d ever worked for anyone before. He hated being tied down.

  “How about me?”

  The relieved light in Cain’s eyes confirmed Daniel’s suspicions.

  “Do you think you might do it?” Cain smiled like a Labrador lying in the sunshine. “That’s why I’m here. Ben and I agreed you’d be the perfect person, the perfect buffer between us and everyone else.”

  “I’m not a money man, you’d have to hire a manager too,” Daniel warned.

  “We would.” Cain nodded. “And you could oversee things. You’re the only person I know who won’t be influenced by any of this craziness—you’ll give us good advice and keep us from being ripped off. We’ll pay you an awesome salary.”

  “My contract with Sergei still has a couple of weeks to run.”

  “But after that…” Desperate hope was written in Cain’s eyes. Hope that Daniel couldn’t possibly deny. He couldn’t abandon his brother to someone who was motivated purely by money—had to rise to the challenge. He was the only person who would have Cain’s welfare as their primary concern.

  “I’ll talk to him today, see if I can get out of the contract early,” Daniel said. “So what are you going to do to celebrate?”

  Cain grinned. “We sat up all night talking about that. Top of the list is a total reenactment of our favorite movie.”

  *****

  There was a fucking rip in the Aubesson.

  Kathryn Hazzard
got down on her hands and knees and brought her nose to within an inch of the antique carpet. She traced the broken threads with the tip of her index finger. The carpet was impossible to keep in perfect condition, and it was natural that a carpet that had stayed in the same position for two hundred and fifty years would suffer some wear and tear, but the rip was in a position that got a fair bit of traffic. It would need repair.

  She puffed out a frustrated breath. And that meant she’d have to pay a specialist conservator to do the work on-site. A very expensive conservator. Yet another job to add to the horribly-expensive-but-necessary-repairs list. A list that grew by the day. A list she had no hope of getting on top of. Not for the first time, she wished that this old house wasn’t her responsibility. That she could just break the bonds of time and family that tethered her, sell the thing and be done with it.

  “Why are you waving your ass in the air?” A familiar voice from the doorway.

  Kathryn glanced over her shoulder, and smiled. “Rip in the carpet.” She sat back on her heels, as her best friend, Maxine Goode walked over. “Help me up, will you?”

  Maxine gazed at the rip as she extended a hand. “It’s not a very bad one.”

  “Bad enough. I’ll have to get it fixed.” Kathryn brushed her knees as she stood. “I’m glad to see you.” She hugged her friend close. “I can’t take any more shit today.”

  “What’s happened?”

  “The painting didn’t sell.” Nerves roiled in Kathryn’s gut. “And as it’s appeared in an auction, it’s burned for at least six months. The architect’s report came in on the roof, and it’s worse than I ever imagined—he says if work isn’t done in the next couple of months we could be looking at a collapse.” She eyed at the white box Max carried. “So I hope to hell you brought chocolate cake.”