Lucien hadn’t come to the spa for a massage, but when Imari’s warm, oiled-up hands caressed his back, his mind lost track of the real reason he’d come here.
Forget the wishes and the flying carpets and glitter in the air. Her hands were the real magic. The long, slow strokes she worked over him made him feel blissfully drugged. He’d never been touched like this, never wanted to be.
But then, he’d never known it could feel like this.
He might have been flying on that magic carpet again as weightless as he felt. He sighed, eyes closed, world around him forgotten.
Except for the woman touching him. There was no way he could forget her. “You are amazing.”
Her soft laugh answered him. “I told you you’d like it.”
“If we were not already married, I would propose.” The last word reminded him why he was here. He’d brought her a gift, and it was currently in his robe pocket.
More soft laughter as her hands slipped lower. Then lower still.
His body responded in a new way. A way that he hadn’t expected. A way that filled his head with ideas that should not be acted on in Imari’s place of employment.
He yanked the sheet around him and scrambled into a sitting position.
“Whoa.” Imari backed up, her eyes on the ceiling. “You all covered up there?”
He checked. He was. Mostly. He adjusted the sheet. “Yes, but we are married, you know. It’s not like you can’t look if you want to.”
She did now, smiling sheepishly. “I know, but we aren’t at that stage of our relationship. Yet.”
But maybe soon, was what her tone implied. He was fine with that. He was ready when she was. Maybe more ready. Or too ready. He cleared his throat and tried to think about other things. Like Hattie. And Kora. That helped ease him away from the edge of no return.
“Did you not like the massage?”
“I liked it very much. So much we probably shouldn’t continue until we’re at that stage of our relationship.”
“Oh. Oh!” She snorted, then pressed her lips together in a wobbly smile. “Yep, good. I’m in agreement there.” She crossed her arms. “So I guess we could talk until your appointment is up.”
“I have a better idea. I brought you a present. It was somewhat impulsive, but I promise that if you don’t like it, I won’t be offended or upset.”
She frowned. “Now I’m worried.”
“Don’t be.” He hopped off the table and dug into the pocket of his robe, pulled out a small black box. He held it out to her. “Hattie said I should get you a ring.”
Her frown lessened. “Oh, that’s sweet.”
She opened the box and looked inside. Then she glanced up at him, puzzled. “Is that…a key ring? I’m not sure that’s what Hattie meant—”
“I know it’s not the kind of ring she meant. But this key ring holds a key. To a house. That I bought for us.”
Her mouth hung open for a moment. “You bought a house?”
“Yes, I know it was impulsive, but I spoke with Pandora Williams—isn’t she a friend of yours?”
Imari nodded, still looking a bit shocked.
“Well, I spoke to her about the idea of buying a new house, and she told me the house two blocks from the Victorian her fiancé owns was about to come onto the market, but I might be able to scoop the sale if the offer was good enough. Apparently, it was because the owners accepted right away.”
“You bought a house. Above ground.”
He nodded, completely unsure what to think about her reaction. “I thought it would be good for us to have a space that’s…a new beginning.” Especially if there was any chance they might start a family. Children needed a yard. And Hattie wanted a pet.
“What about your underground house?”
“Kora will live there. It’s perfect for her since she has to avoid daylight anyway. Plus I’m training her to take over some of my responsibilities at the club. Hattie would like to live with us, though, if that’s all right with you. The house is plenty big enough, I assure you. Very large yard, too.”
“Oh, Lucien. I don’t know what to say.”
“Are you happy or upset? I can’t tell.” He hoped with everything in him she wasn’t upset.
She laughed, and her eyes sparkled with tears. “Happy. I can’t believe you bought us a house. And yes, Hattie can live with us. I would love that.”
He exhaled in relief. “Would you like to see it? Pandora said it will need some work. Enough that it might take a few months. The owners haven’t updated it since they bought it in the ’80s, but you can change it however you like. The only thing I ask is that you use lots of color. And let Hattie decorate her own space.”
“Of course, she can do whatever she likes in her—wait. Are you telling me you bought a house two blocks down from Pandora Williams boyfriend’s house? On ritzy Shadows Drive?”
“Yes.”
“But those are all big, fancy, expensive Victorian mansions.”
He nodded. “Yes, they are. And the house is quite large. Pandora said three floors. I think Hattie would like an elevator. Sadly, the garage only holds four cars, but I’ll find a way to manage that.”
“Why do you keep saying Pandora said? Haven’t you seen the house?”
“Not yet, no.”
She let out a little laugh-sob combination, then put her hand over her mouth. “You’re kind of nuts, you know that? Who buys a house that was undoubtedly a lot of money without looking at it first?”
He lifted one shoulder. “I do, I guess. I promise I won’t always be this impulsive. I know how you genies like order.”
She threw her arms around him. “No, don’t change. I love you just the way you are. I think order is overrated.”
He hugged her to him. “There is one more thing. An actual ring. Two, really. You need one and I need one. I don’t want any question that we’re married.”
She nodded. “Yes, rings. We need those.”
“Good. Let me get dressed and we’ll go shopping.”
She tilted her head at him. “I have a job, remember? And I am booked with clients for the rest of the day.”
“You do have a job. Remodeling our new house.”
She made a face at him. “Funny. No, I mean my current job.”
“Ah yes, and all those clients waiting for you. Mrs. Crabapple is right after me, followed by Ms. Simmons, then Mr. Franklin—”
“How do you know the names of all my clients?”
He smiled broadly, rather pleased with himself. “Because they’re all me. Well, all appointments made by me. And no pressure, but if you would rather not be employed here, that’s fine with me too. Now that I’m no longer a danger to anyone, I would love to travel again. With you.”
Her chest rose and fell with a single breath. “Are you offering me a life of leisure?”
“I’m offering you whatever kind of life you’d like. What would make you happy?”
“More time with you.” She shook her head. “Wow. I guess I’m going to quit.”
“You don’t have to decide right now. You can think about it while we’re ring shopping.” He winked at her. “Willa is expecting us.”
“She is?”
He nodded. “And then I thought we could go to dinner at Guillermo’s, the Italian place in town. Willa said it’s very romantic.”
Imari put her hands on his face and kissed him. “How did I get so lucky to have you for a husband? I never thought I’d have a man so wonderful, never dared to think my life could turn out this way, and yet, here I am. It’s like…a dream. Except you’re real.”
He smiled and kissed her back. Dream was a good word. “I feel the very same way. When I told you I had everything I needed? Everything I’ve ever wanted? I was lying.”
Her face fell a little. “You were?”
“Yes. But I can say that now and it’s the truth. Imari Dupree, you’re my wish come true. I love you.”
Her smile returned, and she laughed as she leaned into him. “I love you, too, Lucien. I never would have thought I’d spend the rest of my life with a grim reaper, but for a guy who’s basically death, you’re pretty perfect.”
He gave her a sheepish look. Perfect was not a word that had ever been used to describe him. It was a lot to live up to. “I hope you still think that when you realize how hard I am to live with.”
“Hard to live with? I’m a genie. You saw the house I grew up in. Now you’re offering me a life of leisure? I might turn into a spoiled brat.”
“I would love to spoil you.” The idea thrilled him, actually. “Nothing would bring me greater pleasure.”
“You sure about that?” Her brows lifted and the light in her eyes took on a spirited gleam. “That’s quite a bold statement right before we go ring shopping.”
“Absolutely.” He hoped she picked out the biggest rock in the store. “In fact, I say bring it on. Show me what you’ve got.”
“Really?”
“Really.” He could tell she didn’t quite believe him. She’d learn. “See if you can give Elenora something to be jealous of.”
She pursed her lips before bursting out laughing. “Be careful what you wish for.”
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