Last Wish

by Shelley Munro

  Clattering and the muted hum of conversation assailed his ears. The scent of fresh bread and frying meat started his taste buds humming. He’d found it difficult to eat when he’d realized his teapot was on sale at the market. A new channel appeared on his cable TV whenever conditions were good for the granting of a wish. Since it was the final wish on his contract, he’d immediately gone into last-minute preparations, changing his clothes to blend and going through his plan, searching for ways to maximize his chances of success. Eating had come in low on the list. He followed Dillon farther into the kitchen.

  A large man dressed in baggy white trousers and shirt and sporting a white cap on his head shoved a tray of small pies into an oven and closed the door before prowling over to them. “Dillon! Long time no see. How’s it hangin’?” He cast a curious look at Zane before turning back to the human, a huge grin on his bearded face.

  Jealousy and a slice of envy hit him without warning. With hungry eyes, he watched the easy way the two men interacted. It wasn’t like that where he came from since genies under contract were constantly on call. Socializing was rare, apart from the formal receptions at court.

  Dillon laughed, set the T-shirt filled with silver on the floor and clasped the big man in a bear hug, clapping him over the back several times before releasing him. “Hey, Jamie. Haven’t been out much lately. Been working on a new issue of the comic. We’ve come for something to eat but don’t want Susan to find us. Mind if we come in the back way?” He tugged off his sunglasses and folded them, clutching them in his hand.

  “No problem. Watch the wet floor. The booth at the back is available. Do you want to sit there?”

  “Sounds great. Susan is trying to introduce me to one of her friends.”

  “Still?” Jamie winked. “Never fear. You’re safe here. Besides, I need the customers since the new café opened next door.”

  “Jamie, this is Zane, a friend from university.”

  Jamie held out his hand and Zane performed the greeting ritual automatically. Dillon had introduced him as an old friend.

  “Ready to eat?” Dillon asked.

  Zane nodded, fighting back confusion, and followed the other man like a tame pet monkey wanting a treat. He couldn’t help wondering why the human had claimed friendship and wanted to spend time with him, buying him a meal. He stiffened. Unless…unless he wanted more wishes?

  “You can’t go out into the main restaurant looking like that,” Jamie called after them. “I don’t want to start a riot. I think I have a spare T-shirt in my locker. You can borrow that. What happened to your shirt anyway?”

  “I purchased some silver at the market but the bottom fell out of the box. That’s why I’m shirtless. Had to carry the silver somehow. Hell, who told you about the other day?” Dillon asked with an exaggerated shudder. The muscles in his abs rippled in an enticing manner, catching Zane’s attention even though he’d decided to play a cautious, waiting game. “I ripped my shirt playing rugby last week and had to change mid-game. The women mobbed me at the after-game function. It was bloody terrifying.”

  It was easy to see why, Zane thought. The man had charm in abundance, but did he have an ulterior motive? Would the human harm his chance at freedom?

  Jamie smirked at the human and waggled his bushy eyebrows. “That why you’ve come out of the closet?”

  “Yeah, self-protection,” Dillon said. “I figure I’m safe enough from the men. There’s not many single men around Sumner,” he explained to include Zane. “The women snap them up before they know what’s hit them.”

  “You shouldn’t look so pretty,” Jamie said. “Break your nose or something. Claire keeps telling me she’s going to run off with you if I don’t behave myself.”

  “Huh! We both know the woman loves you.”

  Jamie’s nod was smug. “Yeah, I know. So, where did you find Zane?”

  “He popped out of a teapot,” Dillon said, tipping a wink toward him. Zane found himself grinning back even though he harbored doubt. Suspicions. It was difficult to ignore the human’s charisma.

  “Don’t tell me then,” Jamie said huffily.

  “He’s here on holiday. It’s a surprise. He didn’t tell me he intended to visit.”

  “Oh how long are you here for?” Jamie asked. “Where are you from?”

  Zane glanced at Dillon, unsure of what to say. Luckily his newfound friend fielded the conversation for him.

  “Auckland. I told you we went to university together. He’s come down to Sumner to check out the South Island and see what the mainland is like.”

  Yeah. All that. If he stayed, he’d need to remember the cover story Dillon had spun for him. They stopped near a table and wooden benches. The high back separated it from the rest of the restaurant and Zane couldn’t see the other customers, although he could hear their muted chatter. In a pensive mood, he slid into the booth and accepted the menu Jamie handed him, still feeling slightly confused. This time he desperately wanted to avoid a new contract, he wanted to live his life the way he chose even though it would mean his lifespan would become the same as a human’s and he’d eventually lose his magic, becoming fully human again. It wouldn’t matter. Living forever was no fun without friends and lovers to share the time, both good and bad. That was the reason he’d decided to make the break. Time to experience life rather than standing on the sidelines watching via cable and the Internet.

  “Usual for me, thanks, Jamie.” Dillon gestured at the menu before turning to Zane. He set his sunglasses on the table in front of him. “All the food here is good.” His brown eyes held lazy warmth. Friendship. There didn’t seem to be anything else to raise Zane’s suspicions higher than they were already.

  “In that case I’ll have the same as you.” Zane decided to continue playing a waiting game and hoped like hell he was doing the right thing. He was hungry for more than food. The idea of more conversation, more time spent with this fascinating man dangled like a ball of temptation in front of him.

  Jamie nodded and returned to the kitchen, leaving the two of them together. Zane swallowed hard, hating the indecisiveness clawing at his mind. For the first time in his life he felt vulnerable. Hell, he was vulnerable. He’d known putting aside his magic would take great strength but had consoled himself with the fact it was only for ten days. The gradual loss of magic once he gained freedom would be different, more like aging from what he’d heard from others at court. This abrupt halt was an icy shock to the system. He hadn’t realized it would make him feel helpless and almost naked. Defenseless.

  “Do you have a plan?”

  “No magic. Without magic footprints, Hasim will find it difficult to track me. It’s probably best if I stay out of sight or I might try a disguise.”

  “And after the ten days are over?”

  Zane shrugged. He hadn’t allowed himself to think past that, to dream of the possibilities. “I haven’t made firm plans.”

  “You can stay with me—if you want. I have a spare room.”

  He stared at the human, his heart beating a sharp staccato against his ribs. The lingering suspicion came to the fore, gripping him tightly while he tried to discern the other man’s meaning. Was he after more wishes? What exactly did he want?

  “Whoa, no pressure,” Dillon said, holding his hands up in front of him in the manner humans said “stop”. “I thought you were interested…no problem. Forget I said anything.”

  “Here’s the T-shirt,” Jamie said, lobbing it over the booth walls. The door swished when he re-entered the kitchen.

  “Interested?”

  “Yeah, in me,” Dillon muttered. “Doesn’t matter. Forget I said anything.” He tugged the T-shirt over his head, hiding his face.

  Interested? Zane didn’t understand and he wanted to know. “Interested in what way?” Had he misjudged?

  The human’s expression grew guarded. “I saw…I thought I saw you checking me out. I’m sorry. Guess I need to get out more. My social skills are rusty.”

 
“You don’t want me to stay just to get more wishes?”

  “No! Granted, I should have worded my wish a little better since I think just about every person who has spread any sort of computer virus has come out with the pox.” Dillon chuckled, the musical sound catchy. Zane found himself grinning. Could it be? Even though his wish had gone wrong, the man still wanted to spend time with him?

  “It’s true. I was checking you out.” Zane straightened until his spine hit the wooden backing of the booth. “I guess I could stay for a while, as long as I kept a low profile.” He paused. “What do you mean the wish didn’t go well? My wishes always produce results.”

  “They certainly do.” Dillon laughed again, but all the time Zane was thinking, hoping, the human had checked him out because he wanted to touch and do more. “I meant to wish a pox on the person who gave my computer a virus. Hopefully I’ll be able to check out the people showing symptoms and eliminate them one by one until I get my hands on the real culprit. You’ll stay? For a while?”

  Jamie interrupted them when he arrived with their meals. Two plates of sausage, eggs, tomatoes and baked beans were set before them along with toast. He left, returning minutes later with a pot of coffee and two cups, along with milk and sugar.

  “Yes,” Zane blurted.

  “That’s great,” Dillon said. “You can help me find out who launched this virus on my computer.”

  “No magic.” And hopefully things would take a turn toward the bedroom.

  “Hell, give me a little credit,” Dillon snapped. “I heard you the first time. No, I figure we’ll work out a disguise for you and instead of hiding away for the entire ten days you can come out with me. What do you think?”

  “Hide in plain sight?” he asked, exhaling slowly while he considered the suggestion. “I don’t know. Let me consider it for a bit longer.”

  “Yeah, and meantime, I figured we could get to know each other better. I haven’t felt an instant attraction like this for a long time. If you’re agreeable, I figure we could find out where it might lead.”

  Zane dithered. Yep, dithered. There was no other word for it. He wanted this man physically, but hell, after the last time in California when all the man had wanted was more wishes… This time he wouldn’t let a pretty face cajole him into making mistakes. Extra wishes equaled capture. It was difficult to give his trust with so much at stake. His future for one. But Dillon’s suggestion to disguise himself and move about as if he belonged was a good one. He didn’t have any plans, any specific place to go. Zane picked up a piece of crunchy sausage and took a bite. Salt and meat exploded in his mouth. He chewed while he came to a decision.

  “All right,” he said finally. “It’s a deal. I’ll stay with you for now.”

  Chapter Three

  After Zane finally agreed to stay, Dillon couldn’t have described what he’d eaten or what they talked about. Hell, he’d thought the genie would knock him back, but instead he’d admitted he was interested, whatever that meant. Now all he could think about was kissing the man, tasting those sexy lips and licking away the crumb that clung to the side of his mouth. And the genie’s scent… Dillon sucked in a deep breath just to savor the fresh citrus blend all over again.

  “Do you have a plan to find the person who damaged your computer with the virus?”

  Hell, yeah. The genie was going home with him and they’d go from there. Handcuffed to the bed sounded good. Naked. An erection. Make that two erections. Things worked better that way. “Yeah.”

  Zane’s brows rose and he cocked his head, his blue eyes twinkling, full of mischief and carnal knowledge. The man knew exactly what played on his mind. It was written on his face and punctuated with a knowing grin.

  “Gonna tell me what it is?” The genie reached across the table and placed his hand on top of his.

  A surge of acute sexual energy zapped up his arm and down his torso, finishing in his groin. The velvet tension electrified him. He shifted uneasily on the hard wooden bench. Fuck, what the hell was he thinking? His brains had seeped downward and suddenly his dick exerted control.

  “A plan?” the genie prompted, releasing Dillon’s hand to pick up his cutlery.

  “Ah, yeah.” Snap out of it, man. He’ll think you’re a fruit loop. An unwilling grin tugged at his lips when he recalled their first meeting with Zane calling him the village idiot. Perhaps the genie had it right. He was acting with idiotic behavior. Hell, what were they talking about? Oh yeah. A plan. “I’m going to check at the doctor’s surgery. I went to school with the practice nurse. She’ll tell me what she can without breaking confidentiality rules. From there I’ll work up a list of names and check them out one by one. It’s obvious a five-year-old wouldn’t have the expertise while any computer experts will go to the top of the suspects. Oh and meantime, I’ll keep digging into the info I’ve already uncovered.”

  Zane nodded, pausing to slather butter over a piece of toast. “I know quite a bit about computers. I’ll help.”

  Decisive and confident. Curiosity grew inside Dillon. It was difficult to conceive—the idea that a fifteen-year-old would agree to leave home and everything he knew so his parents and the rest of his family lived their lives in comfort. Could anyone become a genie? Zane hadn’t actually told him much—just enough to make him curious. No doubt he’d learn if they spent more time together. And the teapot. What the fuck was that about? Dillon imagined it would be a tight squeeze inside there for a man let alone a computer and a few other possessions. Cable television. How big a screen fit inside a teapot and was it a flat screen? Maybe it was one of those roll-up jobbies. He cocked his head to the side and grinned at the genie. “Just how big is this teapot anyway?”

  Muscular shoulders moved in a careless shrug. “You’ve been reading too many tall tales. We don’t spend all our time in our vessels. We have apartments at court. We hang out with other genies some of the time and Hasim monitors us closely. It’s a bit difficult to make plans though, since we’re all on call. Instinct tells us when it’s almost time for our next assignment, and that’s when we’re confined to our vessels. It’s not an exact science, but normally we don’t have to hang around for longer than a couple of days once the gut instinct kicks into gear.”

  “Hmm.” Dillon gave up the pretence of eating and set his cutlery across the middle of his plate before pushing it away. “I don’t think I’d like it. I prefer lots of space. Did you know about the escape clause when you first signed up?”

  “Hasim doesn’t spell out the finer details until it’s too late to go back. At first I didn’t care. I was helping my family and I didn’t have to look after goats anymore.” He shrugged and changed the subject. “How long do you think it will take to find the person you search for?”

  Longer than ten days, or so he hoped, if the genie was volunteering to stay around until he’d caught the culprit. Ten days wouldn’t be long enough to learn about the fascinating male. “I’m not sure. You finished?” he asked, steering his thoughts away from murky waters.

  “Yes, that was a tasty meal.”

  “Good, we’ll leave via the rear entrance.” He feasted his gaze on Zane’s chiseled face, the dark slash of eyebrows and the sensuous curves of his lips. The man was striking—too striking. He’d attract attention, especially with his long loose hair. Hell, he’d love to feel the long strands drifting across his naked skin. Dillon shivered and shoved the longing for tactile sensations aside. It had been a while since he’d met someone this attractive but he was civilized. He was capable of friendship—if that was all that was offered. “You’ll need some sort of disguise, just in case. Tie your hair back. I’ll ask Jamie for a hat and you can borrow my sunglasses.” He stood and the genie followed suit.

  “Very well.” Zane lifted his right hand before letting it drop to his side with a succinct curse. “Fuck.”

  “What is it? What’s wrong?”

  “No magic. I almost slipped. This is going to be hard. Using magic is instinctive.”

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nbsp; Dillon placed his hand on the other man’s shoulder, wanting to alleviate his distress. Instead heat pounded him, sensual heat that could have only one outlet. He glanced down at his groin, already knowing what he’d see. Yep, hard and needy. Bloody hell, this was neither the time nor place. “Come on.” Dillon sucked in a breath and hoped his condition wouldn’t appear obvious to everyone else. Ignore it and his erection might go away. Yeah, right. And maybe he’d win the lotto this weekend. He dropped money on the table to cover the meal and strode to the kitchen. Footsteps behind told him Zane followed. Somehow, some way, he had to get a grip on his unruly body before he scared the genie away.

  He forced his mind to his computer problems. Funny how thoughts of sex drove away his anger at the person who had hit him with a virus.

  Dillon shouldered his way into the kitchen. “Do you have any rubber bands?”

  “Yeah, over there in the office.” Jamie brushed a pastry brush over the tops of several pies, giving them a shiny coating. Dillon quickly averted his gaze. Shiny things and thoughts thereof were out of bounds. That way lay ruin. With long strides he hurried across the kitchen to the small cupboard Jamie laughingly called an office. He found several rubber bands and handed them to Zane. “Tie back your hair. Jamie, can we borrow a hat?”

  “Sure.” The oven door clanged shut. “There’s one hanging behind the door over there. I put your T-shirt and silver in a bag. It’s by the door.”

  “Thanks.” Dillon retrieved the hat and gave it to the genie as well. “Tug it low over your face.” He stepped back to check the result and almost groaned out loud. Oh yeah. A great improvement. Now the blue of his eyes stood out even more along with the strong and determined jaw. The glint of the silver hoop in his earlobe was damned sexy too. He wanted to grab the genie and suck at both silver hoop and earlobe—among other things. Tamping down the wave of lust, he handed over his sunglasses and strode to the exit, turning briefly when he reached it. “See ya, Jamie. Thanks. Coming?” He picked up the bag of silver.