Djinn in Love (Mystical Matchmakers #4)

Chapter 14

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Veronica smoothed her hand over her dress. The slinky material was a combination of deep blue and purple, the color shifting depending on the light. The halter neckline plunged to the base of her sternum, low enough to make her feel scandalous but narrow enough that she wasn’t worried about a wardrobe malfunction. The skirt draped over her hips, gathered on each side. Despite the sexy style, the dress was surprisingly comfortable, which was the main reason she’d purchased it.

Her hair was styled in big, loose curls and she pinned it back on one side with a rhinestone clip in the shape of a crescent moon. When she went into town for her manicure and pedicure, the nail tech, Brenna, asked her what she was doing in Devil Springs. Veronica explained that she was staying at the Devil’s Playground for a wedding. They chatted for a while and Brenna asked her what she was wearing. The discussion moved from there to hair and make-up and Veronica admitted that she had no idea what she was going to do with her make-up. She explained that she usually kept her style simple and always went for understated looks to most of the formal events she attended for work. Now that she had the opportunity to wear something bolder, she had no idea what to do.

Her admission made Brenna smile broadly and say, “Oh, hon. I know just the person to help you out.”

Brenna made a call, and fifteen minutes later, a woman walked into the shop that made Veronica look twice. She wasn’t very tall, but she carried herself with a posture that made her seem taller. Veronica wanted to tell Brenna not to bother when she got a look at the woman’s outfit and hairstyle. She wore all black, her t-shirt torn and ripped in a way that was designed to show skin and look sexy. Her black jeans were faded and skintight, tucked into knee-high combat boots. Even her hair was black. The mass was cut in tons of layers and surrounded her face in messy, chunky waves.

It wasn’t until she was closer that Veronica saw her face and realized why Brenna called her. The woman’s make-up was gorgeous. Heavy enough to be noticeable, but not overly done. She looked like a model.

“Veronica Salt, this is Lilith Brightstar,” Brenna said.

Lilith’s smile was small as she shook Veronica’s hand. Her mental shields were locked down so tight that Veronica couldn’t feel any emotion coming from her.

“You told Brenna you were going to a wedding, yes?” Lilith asked. When Veronica nodded, she continued, “Do you have a picture of the dress?”

The saleswoman at the store had insisted on taking pictures of Veronica in her final three selections so she could decide which she preferred, claiming it would give her a realistic idea of how the dress looked. Veronica found the image on her phone and showed it to Lilith.

The woman’s smile grew a bit wicked. “Very sexy. And the color is a good choice for you. Do you mind if we keep this on the screen so I can look back at it while we’re doing your face?”

Once Veronica agreed, Brenna settled her on a tall stool next to the counter that ran along one side of the store. One end held a single-cup coffee maker with an assortment of pods and paper cups and the other held hair and beauty products the salon sold to their clients. The middle was clear and obviously used for seating.

Lilith went outside and quickly returned with a matte black train case. When she opened it up on the counter, Veronica’s eyes bugged out, drawing a genuine laugh from the woman.

“I like to play with make-up,” she said. “I find it relaxing.”

Lilith didn’t talk much as she brushed, smoothed, dabbed, and blended different products on Veronica’s face, but it was restful. Even relaxing. Though it was much longer than she ever spent on her own make-up, Veronica was still surprised by how quickly Lilith seemed to get it done.

It couldn’t have been more than twenty or thirty minutes when the woman stepped back and said, “All done.”

Brenna had just started a manicure on a woman, but she looked over and her mouth dropped open in awe. “Veronica, you look amazing!”

“Go take a look,” Lilith invited.

Veronica went to the mirror and nearly gaped at the woman staring back at her. It was her, but it was as if Lilith had played up her best features and diminished her weakest. She felt a little like the Photoshopped version of herself.

When she returned to the counter, Veronica thanked Lilith profusely. The woman accepted her compliments with the same small smile she wore when they were introduced, but her demeanor was quiet and aloof.

Veronica tried to pay her for the service, but she waved it off. “This is fun for me. As I said, it’s how I relax. Enjoy the wedding and the rest of your stay in Devil Springs.”

Fast forward to now, Veronica was fully dressed, her hair done, her make-up touched up, and she was standing in the hallway that led into the ballroom where the ceremony was being held. Her heart was pounding in her chest because she was about to enter a room crammed full of people and she could already feel their emotions nudging and shoving her. Most of them were positive, which made it easier to deal with, but there were a few people whose bitterness, jealousy, and annoyance scrapped against her mental shields.

Veronica shut her eyes and took a deep breath, holding it for a long moment before she released it. As she did, she focused on rebuilding the walls around her mind. She’d been so relaxed with Jasper and Lilith that this sudden onslaught was almost overwhelming.

Gradually, the emotional “noise” faded away and her shoulders relaxed. When she opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was Jasper standing a few feet away, his eyes glued to her.

The expression on his face was the same one he wore when he’d made love to her the night before—intense, bold, and hot. Just as it had last night, his gaze made goosebumps break out on her body, racing down her arms and legs. Thankfully, the dress had built-in bra cups to hide the fact that her nipples were suddenly hard.

Unsmiling, Jasper moved toward her, practically shouldering his way past his family members when they tried to stop and talk to him. Everyone seemed to take his rudeness in stride, which told Veronica that he likely behaved like this a lot.

He didn’t stop until he was less than a foot away and Veronica could feel the heat pouring off his body. She tilted her chin up to keep her eyes on his, but his stare moved all over her face.

“You look beautiful,” he murmured. His hand curled around hers, tugging her closer until they were nearly touching. “I almost didn’t recognize you.”

She smiled even as she blushed. “Thank you. There was a woman at the salon who did my make-up after my appointment.”

“Make-up? I didn’t even notice. I was looking at your dress.” The tip of one finger trailed from the center of her collarbones down to the bottom of the plunging neckline, tracing over the narrow sliver of skin it bared.

Veronica grabbed his hand before he could hook his finger into the material that gathered at the base of her sternum. “Behave,” she murmured.

“Only because we don’t have any privacy,” he sighed, taking a small step back, but retaining his grip on her hand. “Let’s get you seated before one of my lady-killer cousins decide they want to try to lure you away from me.”

“Lure? Like a fish?”

Sensing the offense in her tone, Jasper smirked at her. “I’m sure you couldn’t be lured, but I’d have to kill the little bastards, which would upset my brother, my sister-in-law, and my parents. So, let’s avoid bloodshed and get you settled.”

Veronica rolled her eyes as he guided her down the aisle, stopping just behind the front row of chairs and gesturing to the second row.

“Jasper, I can’t sit here. It’s reserved for family,” she argued.

“You’re here with me and I’m related to the groom, so this is exactly where you belong.”

Before she could continue arguing, Jasper’s father came up behind them. “Hello, Veronica. You look stunning.” After she thanked him, he turned to his son. “Jas, it’s almost time. The ceremony is starting in five minutes and the wedding planner is about to begin foaming at the mouth because we’re already thirty seconds behind schedule.”

“She’s timed it down to the second?” Jasper asked, incredulous. At his father’s dry look, he leaned over and kissed Veronica lightly on the mouth. “Stay here so I can see you during the ceremony. After I escape the picture-taking portion of the evening, I’ll hunt you down at the reception.”

There was nothing else she could do but agree. “All right.”

“Good girl.” He kissed her one more time before he followed his father toward the back of the room. She should have been offended by his words, but they gave her a secret thrill. Before she decided how she felt, he followed his father toward the back of the room.

Veronica couldn’t resist turning around to watch him. He looked gorgeous in his tux. As though he belonged on the cover of one of the billionaire romance novels she read. When he vanished from view, her eyes skimmed over the crowd, coming to rest on Prema’s younger sister, Jasmine. Standing in the open double doors that Veronica had just come through, the woman watched her with a distasteful expression on her face. Veronica could practically feel the jealousy and anger buzzing around her from across the ballroom. The emotions felt like tiny daggers embedding themselves into her skin.

The string ensemble near the wedding arch began to play and Veronica turned around. It was clear that Jasmine had an issue with her, but she couldn’t address it unless the other woman approached her about it. Honestly, she hoped the woman gave her a wide berth. She had enough mental upheaval and confusion already.

As everyone took their seats and the officiant took her place beneath the wedding arch, Veronica pushed thoughts of Jasmine out of her mind. It wasn’t easy to do, but she’d learned over the years to accept that other people were responsible for their own feelings. If someone seemed aloof or rude or angry, she shouldn’t take it to heart because those emotions and reactions might not be instigated by her actions.

The ceremony was lovely. Veronica especially enjoyed the gorgeous dress that Prema wore. The sweetheart neckline and slightly off-the-shoulder sleeves were a blush so pale it was nearly pure white. But the bodice became a darker pink, the color bleeding across the fabric as though it was watercolor paint on paper. Then, from the cinched waist to the big bell skirt, the color grew darker until it was a brilliant blood red on the lower part of the gown. The ombre effect was set on a diagonal, as though the dress had been dipped into the dye after it was made. Though the structure and design of the gown was traditional and reminded Veronica of something a princess would wear, the change of color in the material elevated it to something akin to artwork.

She couldn’t help tearing up as Milo and Prema exchanged their vows. They were so sweet and heartfelt that Veronica couldn’t suppress the flash of jealousy that pierced her heart. It quickly faded, but she couldn’t get the pictures she’d conjured up in her imagination this morning off her mind. The mental image of her in her great-grandmother’s wedding dress, looking up at Jasper as she said her wedding vows. In her head, she looked at him the way Prema was looking at Milo, as though he was the center of her universe.

The ceremony ended and the bridal party walked back down the aisle. She noticed the way that Jasmine clung to Jasper’s arm, resting her weight against him. She also saw the triumphant look the woman shot her as they walked by during the recessional. Veronica suppressed a sigh because it was clear she was going to have to endure the other woman’s nastiness for the rest of the evening.

Once the wedding party was out of the room, people began to leave their seats and migrate out the doors. The cocktail hour was in the small bar area in the lobby, people spilling out into the lobby when there wasn’t enough room. Veronica floated around the edges of the crowd, nodding at people she’d seen before.

Eventually, she worked her way to the bar and accepted a glass of white wine. Between the noise of people chattering at each other and the emotions zipping around the room, Veronica was beginning to feel a bit overwhelmed. She found a small alcove down a wide hallway at the rear of the lobby. The counter appeared to be a spot to rest laptops or notebooks, but Veronica hopped up on top of it and leaned back against the wall. She drank her wine and tried to relax. She’d enjoyed talking to Jasper’s family members and his sister-in-law’s family, though she’d had yet to meet his infamous Aunt Samira and her daughter, Mina.

She closed her eyes, letting her head rest against the wall behind her. As she began to relax, two female voices filtered into the alcove from the hallway.

“I wasn’t sure about this place when we got here. The exterior and cabins are so…rustic. But they did a beautiful job on transforming the ballroom.”

“They did.”

“It’s a shame that Jasper brought a date this weekend. I thought for sure he would end up with Jasmine. Can you imagine? Two brothers marrying two sisters. It’s so romantic.”

Veronica’s eyes popped open, and she lifted her head when she heard Jasper’s name. She set her wineglass to the side as she leaned forward and continued to listen. It might be rude to eavesdrop, but she had a feeling this conversation might open her eyes to whatever was making the bride’s younger sister so resentful of her.

“Darya tried to arrange it. Jasmine developed a crush on Jasper as soon as the families were introduced. Her mother likes him as well, so they were both doing everything they could to finesse the situation.”

The other woman made a humming sound. “Have you met the woman Jasper brought this weekend?”

“No, Mina, I haven’t. She’s very pretty and seems quite taken with him, but your Aunt Leila told me that the girl is an empath.” The voice tutted. “I don’t see how she would be a good fit for Jasper or this family. Nothing against empaths, but they don’t handle noise or conflict well and that’s something we have in spades. Jasper would have to change himself completely just to make her happy. I don’t see it lasting once the initial attraction fades.”

Veronica’s stomach clenched. She had a sinking feeling that she was listening to Jasper’s aunt, Samira, talking to her daughter, Mina. And how did his mother know she was an empath? When did he tell his parents?

“I don’t think I agree, Mama. I’ve never seen Jasper look at anyone the way he looks at her, not even Melina and we all thought they would get engaged.”

“I just can’t believe that your aunt Leila isn’t pitching a fit about this. She’s always thought she would have to pick his wife for him.”

Veronica’s eyes widened. Jasper’s mom thought she was going to pick his wife for him?

“Leila seems to like her a lot,” Mina replied. “So does Cyrus. Milo said he’s been waiting a long time for Jasper to meet someone like her. And that he hopes she gives Jasper hell.”

Samira chuckled. “Your Cousin Milo is a character.” She fell silent for a moment. When she spoke again, her voice was quieter and deeper, as though she didn’t want to be overheard. “I just don’t think she’s a good fit for him or this family. Especially given how they met.”

“How did they meet?” Mina asked.

“Well, according to Leila and Cyrus, Jasper joined a matchmaking service to find a date for this weekend. And the girl works there. Personally, I can’t believe she would do something so unprofessional. I mean, really…to date a client. That seems wrong.”

Veronica’s chest ached when she heard those words. Was that what his family thought of her? That she was unprofessional because she was dating him? His mother was a businesswoman. Professionalism and ethics would be incredibly important to her.

The women stopped talking when a voice called out Samira’s name. Veronica sat on the counter for a long time after they moved away, her stomach twisting viciously as their words echoed in her mind.

Finally, she heard the crowd filtering away and realized the reception was about to start. Her legs were shaky as she slid off the counter. She held onto it until she felt steadier. Though she no longer wanted it, Veronica finished off her glass of wine. She was going to need it to get through the evening.

As she emerged from the alcove and headed toward the lobby, empty wineglass in hand, she stopped short when Jasmine appeared in front of her. The animosity rolled off the younger woman in waves as her gaze moved over Veronica, taking in her shoes, dress, make-up, and hair. By the sneer on her face, she found all of it lacking.

“Hello,” Veronica murmured.

“You shouldn’t be here,” Jasmine stated, her words low. “You don’t belong here.”

Still shaken from what she’d overheard Samira and Mina say, Veronica just stared at the young woman in silence. Jasmine seemed to take that as an invitation to continue.

“Jasper is supposed to be my date. My mother arranged it with his. I showed up alone this weekend, like a loser, because it was all decided.”

Though her mouth was dry, Veronica managed to speak. “I’m sure it was just a misunderstanding. I should?—”

Her words died in her throat when Jasmine stepped closer, her anger intensifying. Veronica leaned back, trying to keep space between them because the weight of the woman’s anger and other emotions.

“You’re not good enough for Jasper,” Jasmine sneered.

Though she wanted to run away and hide to avoid the nasty emotions slicing her, Veronica managed to straighten her back and square her shoulders. “I believe it’s Jasper’s decision about who he spends his time with and who is good enough for him. But in reality, there is no good enough or worthy enough . Either he loves me the way I am, just as I love him the way he is, or he doesn’t. I don’t have to qualify for that emotion from him. He either loves me or he doesn’t. I don’t have to earn it.” As she said the words, Veronica realized they were true. All these years, she felt unlovable and unworthy, but it wasn’t the case.

A hard arm wrapped around her waist before she could say anything else, pulling her back into a tall, strong body. Jasper held her so close that she could barely breathe.

“Good evening, Jasmine. While I was aware that my mother and yours were trying to pair us up for this weekend, it was never going to happen. Veronica is right. I decide who I want to spend time with. Not Darya. Not my own mother. Me. No matter what they scheme or plan, I will choose my own path.” He paused, moving Veronica to his side and pulling her into him. “As for Veronica belonging here, I think you should resign yourself to seeing her at our combined family functions for a very long time. Probably the rest of my life.”

Jasper didn’t wait for Jasmine to reply. He practically carried Veronica away from her, heading in the opposite direction of the reception, which was taking place in the same ballroom where the ceremony had been performed.

His steps didn’t slow until he found a bathroom and shoved the door open. It was a large family restroom, so he hauled her inside, shut the door behind them, and locked it. All the while, hugging her to his side.

Once the door was locked, though, he released her and planted his back against it, clearly intent on blocking her only means of exit.

His black eyes were burning with dark fire as he looked down at her. Veronica wanted step back, but she couldn’t move.

She was trapped.