23. I’ve Djinn Thinking
Jovat The Abominable
No human had treated me like a person before; I’d always just been a means to get what they wanted. A tool to be used, and then discarded with a look of disgust. Like a condom.
In return, I’d become indifferent when it came to humans. But when Jennie put her hand on mine, looked into my eyes, and spoke, my heart quivered.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
The sweet curve of her lips and the way her eyes roamed my face made me smile. Other than her slip of the tongue, Jennie hadn’t made a single wish.
Speaking of tongues, each time the tip of her pink tongue darted across her plump bottom lip, I longed to know what she tasted like.
But I desired more from her. I wanted…
What?
What did I want from this kind human woman?
To love her. To cherish her. To keep her safe when all hope seemed lost. To bring countless smiles to her lips. To share her joy and comfort her sorrows.
I wanted her in every way possible.
Well, maybe not in every single way—I didn’t want to wear her skin or anything weird like that. I just want to love her freely and feel her love in return.
“No, thank you,” I said, suddenly aware that I’d been staring at her without saying a word for far too long.
Her forehead creased and her confusion shone through in her voice. “What are you thanking me for? I didn’t do anything.”
We were sitting so close on the couch that our knees were almost touching. Her relaxed posture—elbow on the back of the couch, hand on her cheekbone supporting her head. With one leg tucked beneath her, her body spoke volumes about how comfortable and relaxed she was in that moment.
My stomach twisted uncomfortably. I was going to ruin that comfort.
“For being you,” I said, reaching out to trace my fingertips along her cheekbone, in front of her ear, and along her jaw to her chin. She closed her eyes at my touch, then opened them, focusing on me.
“You goof. I’m not special.” She let out a chuckle, popping a grape in her mouth from one of the fruit bouquets I’d covered the coffee table with.
I’d never met anyone like her, and that made her special to me. But how could I convey those thoughts?
With honesty. With a secret I’d kept guarded for as long as I’d been self-aware.
Looking into her eyes, I knew I had the power to destroy everything in this moment. Because I’d been lying to her from the start, and I wasn’t sure if that’d change her mind about me.
“Something’s bothering you,” she said, her gaze tracing my face with concern.
“I want to tell you the truth.” My heart thumped in my chest and I watched her expression change. But not to anger, just open curiosity.
“You don’t owe me anything.” She gave me a small smile.
“I told you I can grant you three wishes.” The words tasted like ash in my mouth and I worried how she’d interpreted my words.
Jennie’s lips turned down in a slight frown and her eyebrows lifted. “I don’t care about that, Jovat.” Her comforting tone turned something inside me to melted butter.
“I’ve never told anyone this, but I can grant as many wishes as I want.” Speaking the truth felt incredible.
“I’m not interested in wishes, so it doesn’t really matter to me if you can grant a thousand or none at all.” Her hand found mine, squeezing gently. “I’m enjoying what’s right in front of me.”
I blinked hard. Perhaps being summoned by her was a wish come true for me. No, that couldn’t be. Djinn couldn’t grant their own wishes.
Maybe all the time in solitude, never feeling seen, and always being disposable to people was clouding my judgment… but I suspected I was falling in love with her.
Jennie tilted her head, studying me. “I am curious, though. Why lie about it?”
I shrugged. “What better way to keep people from stringing me along their entire lives?”
“Ah, I see.” Jennie tapped her finger on her chin. “That would really cut into your napping time.”
“Exactly.” Even though I recognized the gentle teasing in her words, I still worried she’d start to feel like she was inconveniencing me by keeping me from my beloved sleep.
But I knew that without hesitation, I’d choose her over slumber…
…if only she’d have me.