Chapter Eight
Ophir straightened to face the other djinn, his nerves on fire with magic. The food must’ve bolstered Elim’s reserves. Tanika scurried to the bedside lamp and clicked it on, revealing her djinn with his arms crossed, deep scowl lines cut into his face.
“How are you here again so soon?” she said breathlessly.
“I was worried for you.” Elim’s voice dripped sarcasm. “I am, after all, indebted to your happiness.”
“If that were true, you’d keel over and die,” she spat out.
Rolling his eyes, Elim turned his attention to Ophir. “This is not the situation I expected to find you in. What are you playing at, Ophir?”
Ophir chuckled, stretching his neck side to side and smoothing his shirt across his chest, thinking carefully about his words. “You hinted at Tanika’s… pleasurable… opportunities when we spoke at the restaurant. I was curious.” He sat on the bed, bouncing slightly as if testing the springs. “Since I’m immune to your magic, I thought I’d offer her pleasure with no strings attached. Now if you’ll excuse us, we’d prefer not to have an audience.”
To his surprise, Tanika didn’t balk at his crudeness. She pointed to the door. “Yes, Elim. Leave.”
Elim’s body seemed to vibrate, rippling as he leveled his glowing, purple gaze at his master. “You’re not the kind of woman who can have a one night stand and walk away without regrets.”
Tanika sniffed. “How would you know?”
“I saw to that with the way you were raised. Loving, moral adoptive parents. A family to teach you how to achieve your wish.” His eyes glowed with purple embers. “I took care of you.”
Ophir laughed. “Took care of her? More like you were nervous. That must’ve cost a lot of energy, reinforcing the wish’s hold on her.”
Elim’s eyes narrowed, turning their purple glow to slits. “A poor deal, I admit. We’ve all made them. And she refuses to renegotiate.” He licked his lips and cocked his head slightly. “You could help me. Convince her to complete the wish.”
Ophir yawned as if growing bored with the conversation. Yet inside he was thrilled. Elim was making this deal so easy. “That would be a costly bargain, my friend. She’s quite adamant she wants you dead.”
“Everyone has a price.” Spittle flew from Elim’s lips. “Just find out what hers is.”
“Mm. Your predicament is intriguing.” Ophir rolled his head to look at Tanika where she still cowered by the lamp, her olive skin ashen. “What would it take, Tanika?”
She visibly gulped, her gaze meeting his. A heartbeat passed. Then ten. Finally, she shifted her attention back to Elim. “I want you to leave Earth and never interact with another human again.”
Elim’s nostrils flared. “That’s no kind of deal. You get what you want and I get nothing.”
“Nothing?” She stomped forward as if she was going to attack, but stopped at the corner of the mattress. “You took my mother and grandmother! You already had your payment!”
Ophir rose, joining her. She was magnificent when she was angry. He wouldn’t be surprised to see a flicker of lavender light in her eyes. He smirked at his fellow djinn. “She’s right, Elim. I’d take her deal.”
Eyes blazing, Elim curled his lips and took a deep breath. Weak as the djinn might be, he still seemed to swell with power. “What’s in this for you, Ophir? Why are you here? Not merely for a piece of mortal ass.”
A rumble of warning rose from Ophir’s throat. Before he could speak, Tanika elbowed past, glowering at her djinn. “You’re just angry I’ve found myself a friend with benefits, and there’s nothing you can do about it.”
The bedside lamp popped and went out, leaving the room lit only by the flames in Elim’s eyes. “Do not mock me, mortal. I’ve been patient until now.”
Tanika seemed to be on a roll, though. “What’re you going to do, poltergeist? Dull my scissors? Swap the colors on my hair dye? You have no real power left. You’re just a shell of whatever monster you used to be.”
Elim roared, throwing his hands out as if to strangle her. Tanika reeled, throwing her hands up before her while the djinn roared, “I’ll burn down the salon with Birdie inside if that’s what it takes!”
Ophir lunged, knocking the djinn aside. Elim wouldn’t actually harm Tanika, not with the wish hanging between them, but Ophir refused to allow her to be intimidated. He stood nose-to-nose with Elim, his breath ragged. “Not as long as I’m around.”
Elim’s eyes grew wide. Then his mouth spread into a leer. “She’s not just a piece of ass for you, is she?” He stepped back and put both hands on his scrawny hips, a chortling laugh rolling out of him. “I thought mating humans was a thing of the past for our kind, yet here you are, proving me wrong. You do realize she’s mortal, right? You’re tying yourself to a mate who will wither and die.”
The room suddenly felt devoid of air. Elim was right. Tanika was destined for death, just like every other human being Ophir had ever met. Just like Emelda. And no wish could ever change that. What kind of fool djinn was he to fall in love with a mortal not once, but twice? Hadn’t he learned his lesson the first time?
He glanced at Tanika across the shadowed room. New terror gripped his soul as he realized the truth of it. He no longer cared about the portal. No longer needed to escape Earth. All he wanted was Tanika, to have and to hold for the rest of her life. Then he would gladly take Elim’s place beside her in the grave. No matter what else happened between now and eternity, Tanika was his. He didn’t want to think about the what-ifs. He only wanted her. She was his, for her lifespan and beyond.
Still laughing, Elim flicked his hand in dismissal. “But who am I to judge if you want to do my job for me? Have at it, lovebirds. I’ll be waiting.”
With that, the djinn popped out of sight.
Tanika remained utterly silent, staring into the dark at the spot her demon had just vacated. She felt light-headed. First she’d been reeling from finding out Elim’d orchestrated her adoptive parents, which completely upended her interpretation of her childhood. Then she’d slammed up against another loss when the demon physically threatened Birdie, which meant that to protect her friend, she’d have to sever yet another relationship. And finally, this business about Ophir wanting her for a mate.
That one was hardest of all to believe. Mate sounded a heck of a lot more permanent than husband.
Hesitantly, she moved to the wall switch and flicked on the overhead light. The stricken expression on Ophir’s face told her he was in as much shock as she was. Her heartbeat felt weak and thready as she whispered, “What’s he talking about?”
Ophir sat on the edge of the bed and then fell backward as if he could no longer hold himself upright. Staring at the ceiling, he said, “For eight hundred years, I’ve seen mortals come and go. Learned to distance myself from caring. All I’ve dreamed of is going home, of leaving this realm of mortality and death for good.” He turned his head against the comforter to spear her with his gaze. “Yet now I find I cannot bear missing one microsecond of your very short life.”
His words exposed her heart to an unfamiliar rawness—hope. She held a brief mental image of a house and a yard, Ophir playing ball with the kids, family picnics. A life of joy. He might as well have just uttered wedding vows.
She shook her head violently, trying to rid herself of the daydream. What was she thinking? Djinn probably didn’t even have weddings. “Please don’t. I can’t. You know I can’t.”
He sat up again, face hard as steel. “You can if we destroy the portal.”
Her mouth dropped open. For some reason she’d believed destroying a portal was impossible. But Ophir was proof it could be done. “Won’t that just free him like you are?”
“Not if you destroy it while he’s on the other side.”
“Couldn’t he find another portal and come back for revenge?”
“Portals are extremely rare. I doubt Elim will ever find a way to visit Earth again.”
She bit her lip, considering. Was it enough to banish the demon? How much longer could she hold out against her wish, especially with Ophir seducing her by his mere presence? Ophir’s plan meant Elim couldn’t bother humanity for a long, long time. Possibly forever. It also meant destroying his only way home. She shook her head. “I can’t ask you to do that.”
“You’re not asking me. I’m asking you. Marry me, Tanika.”
Her knees began trembling, the room spinning around her. She stumbled forward and sat, hard, on the mattress beside him. Pulling her toward him, he cleared a tangle of curls from her cheek with gentle fingertips. “I know this is sudden. It’s sudden for me too, but a djinn knows when he’s met his mate. If you’ll have me, I’ll be yours for the rest of time.”
Tears filled her eyes, and she blinked furiously to clear her vision. She didn’t want to lose sight of this gorgeous, amazing man who was more than she’d ever hoped for in a husband. Except for one thing—he wasn’t human. He’d just reminded her he was over eight hundred years old. She knew djinn were immortal, but she’d never thought about the fact she and Ophir could never grow old together. The consequences of that fact took away her breath. “You mean for the rest of my life. When I’m gone, you’ll be trapped here on Earth, alone.”
He shook his head. “Djinn only mate once, and mates are bound much the same way you and Elim are now.”
Either her ribcage had shrunk, or her heart swelled, because there didn’t seem to be enough room inside her chest. “You mean you’ll die?”
He shrugged and looked away. “Yes.”
“No!” She sat up, cupping his angular cheek. He immediately cradled her knuckles, turning his face to kiss her palm. His breath was warm on her skin. Alive. More than alive. He was immortal. Something humans dreamed of. Schemed for. Nausea rose up inside her as she scrambled for her options. “You grant wishes. Can’t you make me immortal?”
Lips still pressed to her palm, he smiled, but his eyes were pinched with sadness. He pulled her back down against him so her cheek rested against his chest. “Granting true immortality is beyond my power. The closest thing I could do is extend your life over and over.” His voice grew brittle. “Assuming you could find a willing a mortal soul to pay the price.”
She stiffened, remembering her mother’s sacrifice. Nausea roiled within her. “Have you granted such a wish before?”
“No.” He squeezed her in reassurance. “I knew the possibility existed, but I never mentioned it as a solution when a master requested immortality.”
Twisting, she looked into his face. “But you just told me.”
His melted-chocolate eyes met hers. “I’m not concerned about you pursuing such a deal.”
She swallowed, the urge to kiss him making her mouth tingle. His heartbeat was strong beneath her cheek. He knew her well, in spite of the fact they’d just met. She could envision spending the rest of her life with him. But she couldn’t ask him to give up immortality. He’d regret it in the end. He needed to think about what he was losing. “Tell me about your home world.”
Brow furrowing as if he was struggling to remember, he said, “It’s impossible to describe in human language. A place of shifting ether and ebony ribbons of plasma. Djinn are beings of energy. We follow the plasma like gypsies on houseboats. We shift and deal, trading in energy. Our dimension is a realm of souls, if you will. A portal allows us to experience corporeal existence.”
“To have a body, you mean?”
“Yes.”
“Why would you want that?”
“Energy is like a drug to my people. Moving from matter to energy and back again is the most potent experience we have. Absorbing a human soul is indescribable bliss.” His face flushed and he looked away as if ashamed to meet her gaze. “Once we discovered Earth, had a taste, it was impossible to go back. I think… I think I’ve been lucky to be here long enough to break the addiction. To become human.”
She realized he meant it. He didn’t want to go back to the way he was. She whispered, “Once the portal is gone, you’ll be trapped here.”
He pressed his lips to her forehead. “I can’t recall a day I didn’t long for a portal, and now you couldn’t force me through if you tried.” Pulling back, he lifted her chin, looking into her eyes. “A mortal life with you, Tanika, would be worth every moment.”
His intensity made her nerves jangle. She’d lived so long in denial, she was uncomfortable with the idea of her wish being fulfilled. “What if I say no?”
He scrunched up his face, and then gently nipped her nose, turning her anxiety into laughter. “You’re not getting rid of me that easy. I have to stick around and keep you out of trouble, whether you’ll have me or not.”
She wrapped her arms around his waist and squeezed, the hard planes of his body pressed against hers. The tips of her breasts ached where they crushed against him.
He slid his hands down along her spine and cupped her bottom, adjusting her to bring her even closer. The familiar touch on her body made her insides thrill. She was going to do this. She was going to accept her wish.
Moving her hand to the hem of his shirt, she slid her hand beneath to the rippled muscles of his back, shocked by her own brazenness. His skin tremored in response, and she felt the surge of his cock against her belly. Her core tightened in response. Anticipation. Primitive emotions roiled within her, and the spot between her legs grew unaccustomedly warm.
Lowering his face to hers, he claimed her mouth, his lips demanding. One hand gripping the back of her neck, he thrust his tongue deeply inside her, rolling it and tangling against her insecure responses. She worried she might do it wrong. What if she wasn’t able to please him? She’d never even had a childhood boyfriend to practice with.
Ophir didn’t seem to mind. His roving hand cupped one of her breasts, massaging her aching flesh while he kissed his way across her jaw and down the column of her throat. The contact sent jolts of desire down her spine and stirred butterflies in her stomach. His hand left her breast and smoothed its way down to her hip. In one swift move, he’d lifted her blouse, raising her from the mattress to sweep the garment over her head. Cool air tingled across her skin.
Now his hands had full access to her torso, the warmth of his touch branding her. His fingers teased little gasps of pleasure every time he cupped a breast or dipped beneath the waistband of her leggings. His teasing fingers circled around her back and unhooked her bra. The sudden release of the elastic band felt like it might set all her butterflies free. She loved it. Wriggling out of the straps, she prickled beneath his hungry gaze.
“Beautiful,” he murmured, and rolled her to her back. He swooped down, swiping across one nipple with his wide tongue.
Sparks ignited, her areola tightening her nipple to an impossible peak while the other breast cried out for equal attention. He suckled, flicking the sensitive tip, and a pulse of pure pleasure skittered downward toward her core. He moved to the other breast and gave it the same treatment, until she was arching her back for more.
Then he pulled away, and she felt nothing but the weight of his stare for a few heartbeats. She opened her eyes and met his. The lust there was undeniable. Yet he didn’t move. Only knelt above her, his legs straddling hers. Anticipation built. Was she supposed to do something? She shifted her gaze downward to his crotch, and her insides thrummed at the bulge in his jeans.
His sultry voice reached out to her. “Do you want something, Tanika?”
“Yes.” She couldn’t hold back her desire.
“What? Tell me.”
She flicked her gaze up again, meeting his eyes. He wanted her to ask? To beg? To take?
“You never said yes. I want to know you’re sure.” His voice wrapped around her like a caress.
Oh. She licked her lips. “You. I want you.”
He smiled a sexy, naughty grin. Slowly, his long fingers unbuttoned his shirt, exposing his hard pecs and molded abs. His skin was smooth, except for a fine line of hair below his belly button, pointing the way into the waistband of his jeans. He tossed the shirt aside, a waft of masculine cologne filling the air, and then he was hovering above her, his naked chest brushing her peaked nipples. She made an unintelligible noise, barely able to breathe.
Supporting himself on his elbows, he cupped her face and kissed her, tongue delving deeply as her hands explored his exposed skin. Her legs were still trapped between his knees, and she flexed her hips upward, like a flower straining to open. He clamped his legs tighter, as if telling her to wait, and continued to kiss her, exploring every millimeter of her mouth.
Slowly, he began rocking, ever so slightly, rubbing their naked chests together. Each teasing abrasion across her nipples made her squirm. A need was growing inside her. A deep, undefinable desire for his attention all over her body. But the kiss was so mesmerizing, she didn’t want it to end.
As if sensing her frustration, he lifted one knee and pushed it between her legs. She grunted in surprise and then delight as he ground his thigh against her clit. It pulsed and throbbed, and she clamped her thighs over his leg and rocked her hips. He increased his rhythm to match her desire, bumping against her. One hand left her face and cupped her hip, holding her steady, strengthening the contact with her clit. Her need grew. Rose up over her like a physical thing. Quivered on the edge, and crashed down over her.
Moaning, she rode her orgasm, legs quivering. Before the wave fully subsided, he moved to her breasts, running his tongue in circles around first one areola, then the other. The bundles of nerves there sent electric shocks of pleasure to her already pulsing core, drawing out the cascading orgasm like a sigh.
His mouth trailed from her breasts down her belly, leaving damp kisses to prickle in the cool air. He dipped his tongue into her belly button before moving lower. Her leggings slid from her body, taking her panties along with them, and she lay completely naked before him. He knelt and blew warm air across her clit. She shivered.
“Ophir,” she moaned, not sure what she meant by it. He took it as a question.
“Yes, my love?” He kissed her inner thigh, sending more electric tingles rocketing to her core.
She parted for him, his hands gently easing her thighs apart and up, claiming complete access to her. The brush of his touch on her curls left her quivering. Then his tongue split her lower lips, swiping upward from the well of her desire over her clit, circling before dipping downward once again. She held still, panting, waiting. He circled her clit once again, then clamped his lips over the nub and sucked. She arched, a moan of pleasure escaping her. God, he knew how to work her body. She pushed her sex more firmly against him, begging for more.
He groaned, and pressed his face into her, penetrating her with his tongue. Lost to him, she grabbed fistfuls of his hair and bent her legs higher to accept him. His palms massaged her thighs, thumbs circling the sensitive space where her ass met her legs and into the crease along both sides of her pussy. He sucked and nipped until she couldn’t focus on anything except the need to come again.
One of his hands left her thighs and he pressed a finger into her, sliding in and out until her core tightened around him. She whimpered and squirmed, unsure if she needed to get away or beg for more. He thrust harder, deeper, adding a second finger, sucking hard.
Another orgasm whipped through her, waves traveling from deep inside to take control of her entire body, wracking her with convulsions of pleasure.
Still it wasn’t enough. It was incomplete. Panting, she reached for him, wanting, wanting everything. “Please. Fuck me.”
His lust-filled gaze captured hers as he knelt above her. With one wave of his hand, his jeans winked out of existence, and he was before her in full naked glory, cock pulsing high and thick. A moment of fear engulfed her. He looked so big. So hard. But then he was lying atop her, the line of his erection teasing her wet cleft while he once again soothed her with his kisses.
She tightened her grip on his shoulders, wriggling. His cock was so heated, so hard. And she wanted it. She wanted all of it. The smooth round head poised at her entrance, pressing but not penetrating. She arched into him, her body tight with anticipation and need. So close. And yet he remained frozen. Panting.
“You sure?” he asked.
“Yes,” she gasped. “Please.”
He kissed her at the same time he thrust forward. She gasped, the sharp burn both surprise and relief. He felt impossibly large, and yet impossibly right. He filled an emptiness inside her, completed her in a way she’d never imagined possible. Her heart raced and she gasped for breath.
“You feel so good.” He pulled back and rolled his hips to work more of himself inside her. “Am I hurting you?”
She shook her head and sighed, accepting him, wanting him, fitting him. She reveled in the burn as more of him slipped inside her. He paused, only partially joined, and stroked his tongue slowly along her lips. Rocking, he stretched her, eased into her, each thrust pushing him deeper. The assault on her senses was impossible to resist. She spread her legs as far as she could, welcoming him. With one more steady push, his hips settled against her with satisfying finality.
“Perfect,” he hung his head and panted. “Everything about you. So perfect.”
She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and held him close, relishing the indescribable sensation of their joining. The awe of holding him inside her only lasted a moment. Then he pulled back and thrust again. The burn was less, now dominated instead by lust. His slow strokes ignited her in a different way than his mouth or his fingers. A fuller, more complete sensation.
In and out he thrust, as she flexed to meet him until his skin was slapping against hers. She groaned every time he embedded himself inside her, and his panting drove her to a frenzy. Her core tightened around his cock, all burning and pain long forgotten. Dizziness consumed her, and every nerve seemed stimulated. He pushed her higher than she thought possible for the human body to experience. She couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t move. Her body seemed locked on the edge of her orgasm.
He groaned her name and somehow filled her deeper. She teetered, waves rolling through her, up and down her body, setting her trembling. With a grunt, Ophir thrust once more. Hot bursts of his release filled her, each pulse of his cock sending another rippling contraction through her body. The rolling waves seemed to go on for an eternity, their joint release ending only after he’d given her everything.
The world came into focus again around her. Ophir’s hot, slick skin pressed to hers. His panting breath in her ear. The reassuring weight of him on top of her. Her breathing slowed. Peace filled her. Contentment. What they’d just shared was nothing short of amazing.
“My beautiful, perfect Tanika.”
She let out a tremendous gasp. “That was… that was…”
“Bonding. That’s what that was. I’m sealed to you. Now rest and let me hold you.”
She did rest, safe and at peace for the first time since making her horrific wish.