Page 25 of Djinn in Love

“If it was completely up to me, the answer would be, yes, we’re dating exclusively and seeing each other often. But I don’t feel like I can make that decision on my own since consent is an important part of any relationship, so I need your agreement.”

The embarrassment faded from her expression, replaced with a hesitant smile. “And if I agreed?”

“Then, you’ll find out what it’s like to date a djinn. I have to warn you, we can be intense, single-minded, and demanding. Some would even say overwhelming.”

“I think I understand that already,” she quipped back, her smile turning cheeky.

“Then, that’s settled. We’re dating. Which means you’re stuck with me the rest of the weekend because my girlfriend isn’t allowed to abandon me to my crazy family. I need your protection and support.”

“Protection?” she sputtered. “How am I supposed to protect you?” She wasn’t going to even think about the wordgirlfriendjust yet. If she did, her hopes would soar too high, too quickly.

“If you’re here, they won’t try to set me up with their friends’ daughters, cousins, or random women they meet on the street.”

“Women they meet on the street?” she asked.

“They have no shame.”

She couldn’t control her answering giggle. She could also feel the relief emanating from Jasper. He was taking her at her word and relaxing his guard around her. It made her chest feel warm and light to know that he trusted her enough to do so. Strangely enough, his emotions weren’t as heavy or sharp as they had been before. It was as if some part of him relaxed around her. She liked the idea. Probably too much.

“Well, are you ready to go inside and see what the cabin looks like?” he asked.

Veronica nodded.

It took them a few minutes to make it to the cabin because she argued with him about grabbing her own bags. He tried to insist that he would carry them, but she refused, stating that he needed to handle his own luggage, and she could handle hers.

When it became clear that she wasn’t going to budge, Jasper relented and let her wheel her suitcase up to the door of the cabin, but he still carried her other bag along with his own. Though she rolled her eyes, she couldn’t stop the smile that tugged at her mouth.

He gave her the key cards, stating that if she was going to be independent and sassy, she could open the door. Laughing again, Veronica did just that.

As soon as they entered, she stopped and stared. The cabin was small, but still beautiful. The walls were painted a soft white and the molding and trim throughout the open living area was a warm red oak, giving the space a cozy, almost old-fashionedfeel. The living area was situated right in front of the entry and boasted a couch, a coffee table, and a flatscreen television mounted to the wall to their right. There was a small woodstove with a glass door in the corner to the right as well.

A small dining table was situated in the space directly between the living area and the kitchenette, already set with beautiful taupe stoneware that appeared to be handmade. With the art on the walls, the potted herbs above the kitchen sink, and the little touches throughout the space, the cabin exuded a homey, comfortable vibe that made Veronica want to curl up on the couch with a cup of tea or glass of wine, a book, and a small fire burning in the woodstove.

“Wow,” she murmured.

“I know. That isn’t a couch, it’s a loveseat,” Jasper commented as he carried the bags past her and turned to go down the short hall leading to what had to be the bedroom.

Veronica followed him, pausing in the doorway to the bedroom to take it in. A king-sized bed dominated the space, draped in a thick duvet the color of slate. Actually, it seemed larger than a regular king. Veronica studied it, trying to figure out exactly what size it would be considered. Since Devil’s Playground catered to the paranormal community, she assumed it was scaled for supernaturals with larger secondary forms. Or huge humanoid builds.

There was a heavy black dresser against the wall to her left and two matching nightstands next to the bed. The walls were painted a pale gray that held a hint of blue. The drapes were open, allowing in the late afternoon sunlight, but Veronica could see that they were heavy enough to keep the light out when closed.

“Wow,” she repeated.

Jasper set the suitcases on the floor at the end of the bed and dropped her extra duffle bag on the foot of the bed. “Yes, apparently all the rooms have Alaskan king-size beds.”

“You could fit two bear shifters on that thing…in their bear form.”

Jasper smirked at her. “I think that’s the point.”

Veronica shook her head. “Sorry, I’ve just never seen a bed that big before.”

He chuckled. “Well, you’ll be able to tell your friends that you’ve slept in the biggest bed you’ve ever seen after this weekend.”

Veronica opened her mouth to tell him that he didn’t need to sleep on the couch. The bed was so big they could both sleep in it and never know the other person was there. Before she could speak, his cell phone rang.

Shooting her an apologetic look, he pulled it out of his pocket. He sighed when he saw the screen. “It’s my mother. I have to take the call.”

“That’s okay,” Veronica assured him.

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