Page 7 of The Genie’s Wish (Harmony Glen #10)

Chapter Seven

RAYA

After spending the past few days dragging myself around my house, taking too many naps and not drinking nearly enough water, I’ve found the strength to get dressed. My mind was constantly spinning, full of thoughts I didn’t want to think.

The mental rollercoaster I’ve been on finally came to a stop—but not before making me overthink every life choice I’ve ever made.

There were even points I was overthinking my career, but that’s when I was able to finally get myself out of my funk. At least for now.

I adore my job, my viewers, and the community that I’ve built. There’s no way I’d ever give it up, not even for my stupid brain.

Now, Arman , he’s the thing I can’t figure out. Am I making the right decision by getting to know him? Or is it the wrong one?

I need someone to talk some sense into me. Specifically, Orie. She’ll tell me I’m being crazy spending any time with Arman.

Bursting my way into the store, I quickly scan for any other customers before I begin to spout off my rant. With no one in sight, I rush toward the counter.

Orie looks up from behind it, where she was quickly scribbling something down onto paper. “Hey, here to talk about your new boyfriend?”

My new… what ? He’s not my boyfriend—not even close. But how did she know that I’m here to talk about Arman? Gods, she knows me so well.

“He’s not my boyfriend—I don’t even know if I like him. He’s irritating, and pushy, and tricky.” I shake my head vigorously.

Orie raises a brow at me. “For not liking him, you sure do talk about him, like, all the time.”

I stare at her with wide eyes. “I do not talk about him all the time.”

“Yeah, you really do.” She grins. “Basically every day since you first ran into him, you’ve either talked to me about him or texted me about him.”

Oh, my Gods, I do talk about him all the time. Well, it’s only because he’s the only new thing to have happened in my life in forever. That’s it, it’s not because I like him.

I don’t. But, oh, I so do .

While I said that he’s irritating, pushy, and tricky—all true things—he’s also so sweet, attentive, and gentle. There’s a lot more to him than I expected.

“And didn’t you two go on a date?” She reminds me of our one time getting dinner.

Shaking my head, I deny it. “No—that wasn’t a date. That was his chance to explain himself for what we saw.”

Her eyebrow rises as a smile graces her lips. “Explain himself? Or redeem himself?”

I open my mouth, but snap it shut instantly. I can’t lie to her, even if I try. She has some way of seeing right through me, which is how she weaseled her way into my life.

“Who paid?” she asks, crossing her arms.

“He did…” I blink at her.

She takes a step closer. “And who chose the restaurant?”

“He did that too…” My stomach twirls, a mixture of excitement and nerves at the realization.

Her smile expands as she takes another step. “And was there any flirting, or maybe some innocent, accidental touches?”

“Maybe…” My cheeks instantly get hot.

She crosses her arms in front of her. “And didn’t you guys walk along the beach the next day?”

I don’t say anything, I just nod at her, my cheeks feeling like they might be on fire now.

“I’m going to assume you held hands.” Orie is right in front of me now. “So, what makes any of that any different from a date? Sorry, multiple dates.”

“Nothing,” I admit, bringing a hand up to my face to cover my cheek.

She tilts her head at me, gently asking, “So, what are you going to do about it?”

“I need to talk to him.” I nod at her, which she returns.

Pulling out my phone, I furiously type my message, not thinking before I hit send.

We should talk. Come over in an hour?

Instantly, he responds.

Absolutely.

There’s a knock at my door, and I open it so quickly that Arman still has his arm raised. Does that make it obvious I’ve been pacing?

“Hi,” he greets with that unfortunately charming smile.

I step to the side, waving him in. “Hi.”

“So, this is your home, Pinky—it’s lovely,” he comments, his eyes scanning my front hall.

Ignoring his compliment, I get right to the point. “What was the purpose of taking me to dinner?”

His eyes dart to me, but his smile doesn’t falter. “To explain myself, my actions—both present and past.”

“And that was the only purpose?” I press, chewing on my bottom lip.

Maybe Orie got into my head, maybe it wasn’t a date at all. Oh Gods, have I made all of this up in my head? Maybe he hasn’t been hitting on me at all.

“If I’m being honest, Pinky,” he pauses, smushing his lips together before he continues, “I just wanted a chance to talk to you. To get to know you better.”

My heart pounds in my chest. “So…like a date?”

He grins, sending butterflies into my stomach. “Do you want it to be?”

“Maybe.” I cross my arms, turning my body slightly away. “It depends if you only took me on that date to try to get laid.”

His reaction surprises me—he rolls his eyes, slightly shaking his head. The smile is still on his face, still keeping me lured in.

“Pinky, I just told you, I took you out on the date because I wanted to get to know you.” His voice is a bit softer, and he doesn’t move from where he stands. “I don’t just want to fuck you.”

How is it that he gives off player vibes, but is actually a sweetheart? Even at dinner, I was surprised at how genuine he seemed.

There’s no way this is real. It’s an act, an attempt to trick me—since that’s what he is, a trickster. No one changes that quickly.

I scoff at him. “Who do you think you’re fooling? I’m not buying that you aren’t a player.”

“It’s been a while since I’ve enjoyed the company of a woman. The next time I do, well, it’ll be with someone very special, I hope.” His eyes sparkle as he stares at me.

Does he mean…no, he can’t. Me? There’s nothing special about me. At least nothing good special. This is a line, probably. A line to try to get me into bed with him.

I scoff again, crossing my arms in front of me. “Yeah, right. You’ve probably had the company of many of the women in town already.”

He shakes his head as his eyebrows crease, and a frown takes over. “No. What makes you think that?”

“Well, for starters,” my mouth moves without my control, “you’re an attractive guy who knows how to talk. This is all just another one of your tricks.”

A smirk quickly wipes his frown away. “You think I’m attractive, eh?”

“I…” I cannot believe I said that.

In front of him.

To him.

I need to change the topic immediately. Before I combust from embarrassment.

“What form do you even do… that …in anyway?” I roll my eyes, but my cheeks begin to warm.

That is the question my brain thought of to change the topic? It’s not even a topic change! What is going on with me right now?

“Ooh, curious, are you?” A flirty grin dances across his lips. “You think about me in that situation a lot?”

“What—no, Gods, don’t flatter yourself,” I stammer, my cheeks now flaming. “ You brought it up.”

“Pretty sure you did, Pinky.” His grin stays plastered across his face. “Are you trying to convince me of that lie, or yourself?”

I try to stand my ground, but my entire body feels like it’s on fire now. “It’s not a lie.”

I’ve only thought about him in compromising situations once or twice. I don’t need him to know that though and get a big head about it. Unfortunately, he clearly already knows the truth.

Still not going to admit it to him.

He takes a few steps closer until he’s directly in front of me, looking down. The lack of space between us makes me realize our height difference, and it awakens butterflies in my stomach.

I can feel warmth radiating from him. The scent of his exotic, expensive cologne circles around me—at least, it smells expensive. My arms abandon me, falling to my sides.

My heart rate spikes, and I take a step back to get a bit more space. This makes the corners of his lips curve up even more, pure amusement shining through his eyes.

“Does my closeness get to you, Pinky?” His tone is much sultrier now, his voice quieter, as if someone else is around to hear.

Hesitantly, I shake my head. “No.”

“Then why…” He takes a step closer again. “Are you backing up?”

My mind is going blank, and I blurt out the first thing that I can think of. “Maybe you smell bad.”

His expression shifts, and he tips his head back, letting out a laugh. I stand there, not creating any more space, watching as his Adam’s apple bobs.

As his laughter stops, he looks down at me, shaking his head. “Now, I know you’re not trying to fool me with such a ridiculous lie like that.”

“You can’t even fathom the idea that you might stink?” I challenge him.

He tilts his head side to side, as if pondering the idea. “No, I can’t.”

Man, he knows he smells good. Why was that what I decided to try to use as my reasoning? I could have just said I didn’t want him that close, and that would’ve been enough.

Somehow, though, he can see right through everything I say. He just sees through me . Is that one of the powers a genie can possess? Or is it special only to me?

“Well, I’ll admit, I’ve thought of you in that situation—and others,” he reveals, biting his bottom lip slightly as he stares at mine.

He…has? He has thought of me in those situations? If I wasn’t on fire before, I am now, and my curiosity has reached an all-time high. I need to know specifics, like exactly what situations he has fantasized about.

My silence must worry him a bit, as he gently runs a hand down my arm until his fingers loop through mine. He gives me a tug, lowering his head closer to mine and placing his lips next to my ear.

“Raya, do you need me to spell it out for you?” His breath tickles my neck, his words echoing through me. “ I want you .”

I can’t seem to shake the feeling that surges through me, something I’m not sure I’ve ever felt this strongly before. There’s a pulsing between my legs, matching the beating of my heart.

My hands move on their own, and I grab the nape of his neck, turning my head to face his and bringing our lips together. It’s been so long since I’ve kissed someone, my nerves are through the roof.

The rhythm we find ourselves in feels natural, familiar, as if we’ve done this a thousand times before. He takes the lead almost instantly, and his hands move to my hips, pulling me close against him.

My body begs for him, a quaking between my thighs—but it’s too soon. I’m not ready for that level of intimacy yet. At least my mind isn’t.

Breaking the kiss, I rest my forehead against his, catching my breath. He does the same, just holds me there.

I feel safe in his arms, safe enough to tell him, “I’m not…ready for anything else yet. Not today.”

“That’s okay, Pinky,” he reassures me, pressing his lips to mine quickly. “I’m happy to have even been blessed with a kiss.”

Gods, is he perfect ? If my lips against his is a blessing to him, I can only imagine how sweet he’ll be if things go further.

When things go further.

I want him around, and I can admit it now. There’s something about him, even from the beginning, that has drawn me to him.

Granted, at the beginning, I thought it was the universe telling me to steer clear, after the whole penis-pants-popping incident. Now, I see that it’s something different.

Something more than I thought.

“Well, then let me bless you again.” I smash my lips into his, tangling one of my hands up in his hair.

His hands grip me tightly, but don’t go wandering all over my body, respecting what I told him.

Teasingly, I gently bite his bottom lip, pulling it as I break the kiss. He lets out a mixture of a groan and a laugh, and I can’t help the heat that rises in my cheeks.

“The things you do to me, Pinky…” He shakes his head, gently caressing my sides.

I bite my own lip, moving my hands slowly from his hair and neck. His eyes scan my face, the sweetest smile on his lips. His cheeks have a slightly purple hue to them—is that how genies blush?

Well, I really shouldn’t tease him anymore, especially not since he’s being so respectful. Instead, I just want to spend some time with him. Get cozy with him.

“Want to watch a movie?” I ask, my nerves beginning to flood back into my brain.

What he says washes them away. “Absolutely. I’d do just about anything if it meant spending time with you.”

Gods, please don’t let me mess this thing up.