Page 9 of Djinn in Love

“I’m an empath. I sense the emotions of others and, sometimes, their thoughts come through as well. I can’t read your mind, but, if you project your thoughts with enough strength, I can hear them.”

She fidgeted with her empty wineglass, looking down at her fingers as she explained. She didn’t want to see the change in his expression as she continued to speak.

“Almost every man I’ve dated has ghosted me when I tell him that I’m an empath. The few that didn’t eventually broke up with me because they felt like they didn’t have true privacy.”

Veronica left out the part about how exhausted she was by the end of the day, and how difficult it was to block out her partner’s emotions because she needed to rest and relax her mental shields. How she couldn’t protect herself from her boyfriends’ negative emotions, whether they were directed toward her or not.

Jasper’s mouth pressed into a firm line as he listened, the tiny muscles in his jaw flickering when he clenched his teeth together. She squirmed in her seat, waiting for the onslaught of anger to burst out of him now that he knew the truth.

Once again, he surprised her. He was angry, definitely, but once again, it wasn’t directed toward her. The emotionshimmered around him, but somehow never touched her. It was just…there.

“You can’t help who you are,” he stated, his voice rumbling from his chest. “And it sounds like you try to block out as much as you can around others because you want to protect their privacy.”

He paused when she nodded before continuing, “And it makes me wonder why a man would need that kind of privacy unless he had things to hide.”

Veronica shook her head at his words. “No, no. I understood. No one wants their partner to be privy to every little thought or burst of emotions they’re dealing with. To feel like they’re being spied on in their own home.”

She shrugged at the deeper scowl that crossed his face. “Everyone has bad days, Jasper. Or bad thoughts from time to time. The knowledge that the person you’re closest to can see or feel all that can be intimidating. Especially if you know she’s too exhausted at the end of the day to block you out.”

It was Jasper’s turn to shake his head. “No, Veronica. Anyone who is honest about what they’re thinking and feeling wouldn’t be intimidated by a woman who can sense them. They would work on their own mental shields so they could give her a break when she got home. They would talk to her about what they’re feeling or thinking, share it with her, rather than bombarding her with it all and pretending it wasn’t happening.”

Before she could argue or say any of the things she’d said before, the server came back, her wide smile still firmly planted across her face.

Without looking at the menu, Veronica ordered her favorite orzo with shrimp and asparagus. The light, lemony sauce that accompanied it would pair well with the white wine that Jasper had selected.

Jasper ordered chicken under a brick and nodded when the woman offered to top off their wineglasses.

As soon as they were alone again, Veronica said, “Sharing thoughts and feelings is a choice. Some people don’t like it when that choice is no longer offered to them. I can’t blame them. I wouldn’t like it either if the shoe was on the other foot.”

Jasper leaned forward. “Then, they shouldn’t date an empath. If you were as honest with your past boyfriends as you’ve been with me, they knew what they were getting into and decided to date you anyway. It seems to me like they used your abilities as a shitty excuse when things weren’t working out rather than talking to you about it like adults.”

Veronica rubbed her forehead. This conversation was moving in circles.

As though he were the empath, Jasper changed the subject.

Through the rest of their meal, he told her more about his brother, his parents, and his soon-to-be-sister-in-law, Prema.

He also asked her more questions about herself, like where she went to college, if she liked to watch television or movies, and her favorite restaurants. The conversation remained light and easy.

And his emotions seemed dampened, as though he were actively trying to control them. That alone made Veronica feel lightheaded. Before he knew what she could do, his emotions had swirled around him, charging the very air. Now, it was clear that he was aware of his ability to broadcast and that he was actively trying to hold his emotions in check.

He even insisted on getting dessert, asking her to order her favorite. In turn, she insisted that they share it because there was no way she could eat it all by herself. The limoncello cake was three layers and the kitchen always sent out huge slices.

They were still chatting about the wedding the following weekend when Veronica glanced at her watch and saw that it was nearly nine p.m.

When he saw her face, Jasper asked, “What’s wrong?”

“It’s nearly nine,” she said. “I need to get home soon. I have some things to take care of first thing in the morning before work.”

Though she tried to argue, Jasper insisted on paying the bill. His hand rested lightly on her lower back as they walked through the nearly empty restaurant and out the door. His fingertips were hot enough that she felt them through the fabric of her silk blouse.

He was a djinn. She remembered that from his intake interview. Some were associated with water. Others with fire. There were others that utilized the elements of earth and air, but they tended to be friendlier and less aggressive than water or fire djinn.

Considering the heat emanating from his hand and his body, Veronica assumed his element was fire. Which would explain why he smelled a little smoky. The undertone of smoke accented whatever cologne he wore, making her imagine curling up in front of a fireplace with him.

No, she couldn’t think like that.

She stopped next to her car, reaching for the door handle, too lost in her thoughts to notice the way Jasper watched her. He nudged her to one side and opened the door. The car unlocked automatically since she carried her key fob in her purse.

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