But I never felt like that was true. I never wanted to burn or hurt when a man touched me. But this man… his touch cooled me. Calmed me. Gave me relief.
“Yes. I—I’m sorry. What did you say?”
He smiled softly with the right side of his mouth before pushing my curls off my forehead. As if he wanted to get a good look at my full face. “You are so fucking beautiful, Genevieve.” He released my hair, and it fell back to my face as I blushed.
“Thanks,” I almost whispered, crossing my arms over my chest to hide my hardening nipples.
“I can’t see?” The low, lust filled pitch his voice had taken on only riled me up more. Chill bumps covered my skin as I inched back from him. Yes, I was used to men being physically and sexually attracted to me… but I wasn’t used to reacting to them like this. “I’m sorry if I seem a bit... Usually I’m never like this. I just… can’t stop looking at you. Wanting you. But I’ll never violate you. You’re safe with me.”
I’m sure he didn’t know how much I needed to hear that. Quite frankly, I didn’t know either. Not until my eyes watered, heart began to race, and breathing hitched.
His voice was softer when he repeated, “I asked how does this Genie thing work?”
Smiling, I nodded, thankful for him repeating himself. “First, thanks for the blanket and the water. Second, you get three wishes. You can ask for anything except that I take a life or give you someone’s love.”
He nodded as he scratched his chin through his beard. “What happens after the three wishes are made?”
“I go back into my lamp until I get a new master.”
“This is… a lot.”
Smiling softly, I watched as… I still didn’t even know his name. “What’s your name, Master?”
His head whipped in my direction quickly. “Don’t call me that. I’m not your master.”
“Yes, you are.”
“No, I’m not.”
“Yes you…”
“Genevieve.” He inhaled a deep breath as his eyes closed. Nostrils flaring, he massaged his temples. When his eyes opened, he added, “My name is Hareem. Hareem Malik.”
“Okay, Master.”
Hareem chuckled softly before biting down on his lip and took the side of my neck into his hand. He used it to pull me closer, causing a quiet moan to escape my lips.
“I don’t want you to call me master.” A wicked smile lifted the corners of his mouth before he added, “Unless I’m mastering that pussy. Then you can call me that.”
I waited for him to say he was just playing or look like he was telling a joke, but his expression remained serious as he stared down at me. My height was five-five, Hareem was a good five inches taller than me. His hand gripped my chin, and he used it to tilt my head back. Closing my eyes, I wrapped my hand around his wrist and wondered if Vanzette was smiling down on me. Could this be the man I was supposed to fall in love with?
What else would explain what was happening?
“Open your eyes.” I did. “Do I grant your wishes too?”
The giggle that escaped my lips was new. “No. Th—that’s not how it works. I’m here to serve you. Besides, I only need one thing, and I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t be able to give me that.”
Pulling myself from his grasp, I picked my lamp and the blanket up off the floor. He couldn’t seem to not be near me, because Hareem was making his way behind me again. It was cute – his attachment. I don’t even think he realized he was doing it, because when I turned, he took a step back.
“What do you need?”
Dropping my head, I walked over to the couch and sat down. With his hands in his pockets, Hareem exhaled and made his way next to me. I told him about my time with Quenton, his keeping me around for thirty years, then cursing me after wishing for magic and power. When I told Hareem that only being wished free or falling in love with a man who loved me would save me… his head dropped. He cupped his hands between his open legs as his head shook.
“Love is an illusion for the weak, Genevieve. I ain’t interested in that. But anything else you need, I got you.”
My heart dropped. I don’t know why, but that disappointed me. In such a small amount of time, I had already started to like him. Or at least, the way he was handling me. He seemed to be a caring gentleman, possibly a little rough around the edges, but a kind gentleman, nonetheless. So much for him being my key to freedom.
Clearing my throat, I causally scooted to the left and put a little space between us. “Do you mind if I walk around outside and stretch my legs before we get started with your wishes?”
Hareem scratched the back of his neck. “How can I trust you to not run away since it’s clear you want to be free?” His head shook before he confessed, “I still can’t even believe this shit.”
I took his hand into mine with a smile. “I will prove to you that this is real when you make your first wish. And you can trust that I won’t run away because I’m a Genie and Genie’s are very loyal, even when we shouldn’t be. It took me thirty years to work up the courage to try and leave Quenton. Besides, if I leave you, I’ll get another master eventually, and I doubt if they will be as kind as you.”
Pulling my hand back, I covered my nose to sneeze in my arm, but it didn’t matter because pink and purple haze came out anyway. Hareem stood and left, grumbling, “I got to be losing my damn mind,” in the process. I chuckled as I stood. He came back holding a box of Kleenex in his hand. His gesture softened my heart. No one had ever taken care of me. Actually, I don’t remember ever being sick.
I guess maybe after being in my lamp for so long my senses had to adjust to the elements. Probably wasn’t a good idea to go outside just yet. My eyes were watering, and my nose was running like crazy. After thanking Hareem for the tissue, I declined his offer to make me some tea. It wasn’t that I didn’t want it; I just didn’t want him to be any nicer to me to make me like him more.
“I think I just need to lie down.”
“In there?”
He pointed at my lamp as his eyes almost popped out of his head.
“Yes, in there,” I confirmed through my chuckle.
“Nah. I have two guest rooms. Sleep in one of those.”
As if it wasn’t a suggestion but an order, Hareem took my hand into his. We went upstairs, and I didn’t even bother taking in the décor of his home. There was no part of me that felt like I would be here long enough to get comfortable. One room I did pay special close attention to was the one with children’s things inside. It was decorated in pink and purple, my absolute favorite colors. Even though it was clear, I asked if Hareem had children.
He told me that he had a five-year-old daughter named Lovie.
What a beautiful name.
I’d never told anyone, but I’d always wanted my own family. That was part of the reason I wanted my freedom. It seemed almost impossible for that to happen at this point though. Genies lived for seven hundred and fifty years, and I was five hundred years old in Genie years at this point. If I were to ever get my freedom, my human life would start at the age of whatever man I fell in love with. Two hundred and fifty years… that’s all I had to be found by a person selfless enough to use one of their wishes on me… or… to fall in love.