Page 10 of Djinn in Love

“Let me know when you’ve made it home safely,” he murmured. “And we’ll talk tomorrow.”

Veronica blinked, breaking out of her thoughts, and looked up at him. “I will.”

He leaned forward and she froze, unable to process what was happening. The scent of smoke, sandalwood, and amber assailedher as his lips brushed her cheek. His skin was so much warmer than hers that it almost felt as though she were standing in front of a fire.

“Goodnight, Veronica,” he whispered next to her ear.

She couldn’t help it. She shivered as the words seemed to vibrate on her skin.

Somehow, she managed to get into her car, start it, and pull away without embarrassing herself or hitting any stationary objects. She glanced in the rearview mirror as she drove and saw that Jasper was watching her.

Veronica tore her eyes away from him. Tonight was probably the best first date she’d ever been on. No, the best date all together.

She gave herself a mental shake. No. No. It wasn’t a date. She couldn’t afford to let herself believe this was real. He only needed a date for his brother’s wedding. That was it.

She was a means to an end for him. She couldn’t let herself forget that. Otherwise, she would end up hurt.

CHAPTER THREE

After last night,Jasper was beginning to understand Veronica a little better. She was still a mystery to him in so many ways, but he’d learned something important during their dinner.

Not because of the words she spoke or the way she answered his questions.

It was the way she braced for his reaction when she shared that she was an empath. She expected him to withdraw from her. Maybe even tell her that he changed his mind, and he didn’t want her to come with him to the wedding that weekend.

She was so used to being rejected that she automatically expected it.

It had enraged him. She was a beautiful woman. She was kind and gentle and everything that a man could want. Not a man. Him. Everything that he wanted.

He also hadn’t missed how she shivered when he’d kissed her cheek and wished her a goodnight. She had her defenses up with him, but she was affected. Even if she didn’t want to be.

That was why the first thing he did after he got to the office was order flowers. He remembered what she said yesterday about becoming easily overwhelmed and made sure to choose abouquet that didn’t have any blooms with a strong scent. He also asked that the flowers be in pastel colors.

He was just finishing the order when his brother walked into his office without knocking. Jasper shot him an exasperated look and turned his back while he talked to the florist.

When he was done, he disconnected to face Milo.

“What are you doing here, little brother?” he asked. “Aren’t you supposed to have the week off to prepare for the wedding?”

His brother slouched in one of the chairs facing his desk, his legs sprawled out in front of him. “Mom called me at six a.m. this morning and insisted I come in to finish some paperwork.” He chuckled. “I really think she just wanted to get in a few last-minute instructions before the wedding festivities begin on Thursday.”

Jasper had to grin. That sounded just like his mother. He’d inherited his control freak tendencies from her. In fact, his mother made him look adjusted. As far as Leila Bayat was concerned, no one else could do things without her input.

Jasper had learned a long time ago to laugh about it rather than let it bother him. It was laugh or let her drive him insane.

“She also asked me again if I knew who you were bringing to the wedding,” Milo said, smirking at him.

Jasper rubbed his forehead with two fingers. “You didn’t tell her anything, did you?”

Milo tilted his head back to rest on the chair. “No, but only because I don’t know anything.” His smirk turned into a huge smile. “I’m beginning to think you’ve made this woman up just to get Mom to leave you alone. Though, I think you’re old enough by now to know how that will backfire on you.”

Jasper scowled at his younger brother. “I didn’t make her up. She just required…convincing.”

Milo’s grin became absolutely toothy. Jasper wondered if that’s what smaller fish saw right before the great white sharkchewed them up. His brother might seem more mellow than the rest of the family, but he had the same killer instinct they all shared. Only he dressed it up with a friendly smile and twinkling black eyes.

“I’m guessing the flowers you spent the last ten minutes ordering are for her,” Milo said.

Jasper didn’t answer, mostly because his brother didn’t give him a chance. Though it was clear Milo had been eavesdropping outside the door before he came inside.

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