Her Wish--A Playboy Genie Romance

by Sophie H. Morgan

  Charlie frowned. “I’m not.” What photos?

  “These photos say different. Does that mean you’ve finally come to your senses?” Her mom didn’t give her a chance to answer, steamrolling along. “Now, remember you have to devote some time to consider what you wish. And be specific. My only regret is that I kept mine to a simple sentence. Build in clause after clause, Lottie. What do you want to wish for?”

  “Why do I need a wish, Mom? I’ve got the store.”

  “That place is not good for you. I hear the stress in your voice.”

  Charlie raised her eyebrows.

  “Honestly, the idea of opening a business. You know we would have supported you.”

  An ache sprouted in the center of Charlie’s chest. “I know, Mom.”

  “I suppose, though, now you’ve hooked Jax Michaels, you won’t need to come out to LA. There were several young men whom I showed your photograph to who seemed keen.”

  “You showed my photo to strangers?”

  “Not strangers. They’re friends of Richard’s from the club.”

  “Richard?”

  “Honestly, Lottie.” Her mom sounded shocked. “My husband.”

  “Oh. Right.”

  “You did come to our wedding, remember? That store is sucking the life out of you.”

  Charlie wondered how they’d circled back to her store. Her mom had never liked that Charlie had actually chosen to do something as common as work. She never liked to remember her common roots. “I’ve got to go, Mom.”

  “Wait, you never told me what you were going to wish for.”

  “I’m not going to wish for anything.”

  “Lottie, you won the lottery. I know people who would kill for less.”

  “I won almost two weeks ago. There’s a new winner now.”

  “You mean, it expires?” Instant alarm. “Well, that’s not allowed. I’m going to have Richard call the LA chapter of WFY and demand—”

  “Mom, please don’t.” The little bell above the door tinkled, and Charlie waved at Kate as she came in. “I’m not interested in wishing for anything.”

  “But you’re dating Jax Michaels.”

  “No, I’m not.” Charlie accepted the large to-go coffee cup from Kate with a small smile. “He’s just a friend.”

  “I don’t believe you.”

  “He’s a Genie. And I’m me.”

  “These photos say different.”

  “What photos?” Charlie said in exasperation. “And what are you doing getting New York newspapers down in LA?”

  “It’s on the Internet.” She could hear her mom clicking in the background. “You do not want Jax to slip away, Lottie. What with you looking . . . well, if he’s interested, maybe you should try to take more pride in your appearance.”

  The dull ache grew to a knot in her throat. “Mom, I don’t mind the way I look.”

  “I didn’t say you looked bad. Just maybe have your hair done, wear something tighter, shorter.”

  Charlie was silent for a moment as she curled her hand around the hot coffee until it burned. “Do you ever think about when we used to stay with Nanny and Pop?”

  There was a charged pause. “You know I don’t like to talk about those times. Now, I want you to pay attention: do not let Jax lose interest. Imagine the connections for this family if he married you. Not to mention, what it could do for you. You could sell the store, move somewhere that has a name instead of a number, you could get highlights.”

  “I’ll call you sometime next week.”

  “Lottie, we need to talk about this.”

  Charlie pushed the end button, mouth pressed to the phone in thought. She closed her eyes and then released a sigh. Phone calls with her mom were never fun, and what with unearthing the past to Jax the other night, the ghosts were clanking their chains even louder this morning.

  Kate touched her on the shoulder. “Hey, you okay?”

  Charlie opened her eyes and set the phone and the cup down. Her hand was pink from where she’d burned it. “My mom,” she explained. Kate didn’t know everything, but she knew enough.

  Kate’s eyes widened. She extended the paper sack in her hand. “I bought you a cookie.”

  “Bless you.”

  Kate handed over the sack and watched as Charlie ferreted for the cookie inside. Her nut-brown curls were slicked back today in a neat bun, her dress the color of fallen leaves. As always, Charlie was in her jeans and a black oversized sweater.

  Several customers milled around the store, some picking up books and reading the blurb, some talking in low voices as they peeked at Charlie. After twelve days of this, she was used to being a zoo exhibit.

  The Woman who said No to Jax Michaels.

  Although there were more customers than usual in today. She was making it her target to talk a sale out of every group. To her delight, business was slowly building. Turns out, the more people she shamed about coming in and staring, the more they bought. Jax was right about the cupcakes, too. Which meant she’d better carve out some more money to do the interiors. And work out how to tell him like it had been her idea all along.

  Kate shot a glance at one customer who was walking near. When her eyes focused back on Charlie, she presented a newspaper. “I also brought this.”

  “Since when do you read the Star?” A tabloid newspaper whose sole purpose seemed to be Genie adulation, it wasn’t something Charlie had ever seen Kate read before.

  “Have you seen the front page?” Kate unfolded it and handed it over.

  Charlie sent her a searching look, put down the last half of her cookie, and took the paper.

  Her stomach dropped away.

  Featured beneath a bold caption reading Sleeping with the Enemy was a full-color photo of Jax and Charlie kissing. His hand was on her butt, her hands were in his hair. The photo was hot enough to sizzle.

  Heat crept up her neck as she dropped the paper. It rustled as it fell to the desk. Charlie shot a look at the customers and twisted so she only faced Kate. “Where the hell did you get this?” she hissed.

  “It’s one copy out of thousands at the newsagents. There’re more everywhere on the street.”

  Charlie moaned.

  Kate’s eyes gleamed with hurt. “You said there wasn’t anything going on.”

  “There wasn’t. Not really. Well, nothing much.” Charlie shifted under Kate’s condemning gaze. “I swear, it all just seemed to happen. I didn’t plan for it.”

  “How does a kiss with the sexiest man of the year ‘just happen’?”

  “I don’t know.” Charlie ran her hands through her hair. “We were walking and talking, and suddenly he turns around and he kisses me. I didn’t know what to do.”

  “Looks like you figured it out.”

  Charlie moaned again.

  Kate leaned forward, lowering her voice. “Is it such a bad thing?”

  Charlie stared at her, before whacking the newsprint with the back of her hand. “Is it a bad thing? My picture’s in every paper in New York City.” Thinking of her mom, she added, “And on the Internet, too.”

  “But you like him, right?” Kate pursed her lips. “I mean, it wasn’t forced?”

  “Of course not.”

  “So you like him?”

  Charlie glared at her. “Fine, I like him, all right? I’ve become a sheep.” She slumped on the stool behind the counter. “Baa.”

  Kate moistened her lips and coughed as she obviously tried to hide a smile.

  Charlie sighed. “Listen to me. I’m going crazy.”

  “Charlie. There’s a man with a handsome face, a sexy body, kind and generous, and he obviously likes you. And he saved your life.” Kate’s eyes touched upon the bruise that marked Charlie’s cheek. “Where’s the bad?”

  “Come on, Kate. You know how I feel about WFY.”

  “So? I don’t like half the plays Ian’s in—that’s why I’m in a relationship with him, not the plays.”

  Charlie opted not to comment on what s
he thought of Ian. “The difference is that Jax is tangled with wishing. You can’t date one without being entangled with the other.”

  Kate cocked her head. “You want to know what I think?”

  “Sure.”

  “So what if it doesn’t work out?”

  Charlie arched an eyebrow. “Kate.”

  “So what if it’s only for two weeks before he moves on and you move on?” Kate leaned forward, color drifting onto her cheeks. “You’ll still have had two amazing weeks.”

  Truth. Charlie nibbled at her lip and looked again at the photo. Seeing it in color reminded her of how hot it had been, how sexy. “So you’re saying, forget the politics and just have fun.”

  “Exactly.”

  “I never knew you were such a Mr. Right Now person.” Charlie picked up her coffee and lifted the lid. Fragrant steam billowed out, and she blew on it.

  Kate shrugged, a vulnerable glint dashing across her eyes. “Let’s just say nothing’s set in stone for me either.”

  Before Charlie could ask if—wonder of wonders—Kate had seen the light about Ian, Jax walked into the store.

  The blush that entered Charlie’s cheeks rivaled a forest blaze. What did you say to somebody whose body you had tried to climb the previous night?

  She settled for a quip. “Using a door? How old-fashioned of you.”

  His grin was slow and amused. He jammed his thumbs into his jean pockets while his eyes roved over her. “Just wanting to keep you on your toes.” His eyes glinted like sapphires as the memory of him pulling her up on said toes flashed through her.

  She gave him a warning look. “Five paces away, charm boy.”

  “Why? Sick of me already? Hi, Kate,” he added as he sauntered forward.

  To give her credit, Kate managed a very credible “Hello” before the blush in her cheeks crept from pink to scarlet.

  Jax ignored it like a gentleman as he leaned on the counter across from Charlie. Before she could move away, he dropped a kiss on her lips. They tingled as he pulled back.

  She put a hand out in warning as she put down her coffee. “Five paces.”

  “Don’t trust yourself around me?”

  “Yes. That’s it.” She smiled blandly. “I want you too badly.”

  He tapped her nose. “Joke all you want, but I know better.”

  Charlie pressed her lips together, tasting him as she held his gaze.

  Kate suddenly about-turned and bustled over to a large group of women, bubbling about the sale they had, the owner recommendations, and the cupcake loyalty cards.

  Smooth. Charlie shook her head.

  Jax turned back with one eyebrow raised. “Loyalty cards?”

  “Don’t gloat—it’s not attractive.”

  “I’m always attractive.” His smile creased his cheek. “How you doing today?”

  “Well, actually. People are coming in and actually buying.”

  “I meant you, Charlie.” His finger stroked the furrow that lingered from her conversation with her mom. “You look stressed.”

  She shrugged. “It’s nothing. Just . . .” She hesitated and picked at the cookie on the desk. “Phone call from my mom.”

  “Ah.” His eyes glittered in understanding. He changed the subject. “Did I mention Mabel loved you?”

  Warmth flooded in. “She did? Good, I liked her, too.”

  “She thinks you’re too good for me.”

  “I am.”

  He dipped his chin and narrowed his eyes. “I think we’d better establish who’s boss here.”

  His hands caught hold of her shoulders. Without warning, he hauled her forward, across the desk almost, and captured her lips with his before even a squeak could slip free. She had a brief impression of firm, warm lips and a hint of apples before he released her.

  His smile was smug—much like the one when he’d tried to back her into a corner in front of paparazzi. “I’d like to take you out on a date,” he said with a nod. “Another date.”

  “Another?” she said weakly, still humming from the kiss. She broke off a piece of cookie and popped it in her mouth, swapping one oral craving for another.

  He counted it off on his fingers. “Paris, Mabel, and tonight makes three.”

  She squinted at him. “Paris was not a date.”

  “We went out, I brought you home, I bought you breakfast.” He smiled. “It was a date.”

  She sighed in frustration. Her belly swarmed with butterflies, because as much as she protested—oh, my God—Jax was asking her out officially. Officially dating a Genie. She pressed a hand to her stomach, hoping to quell the biggest wing beaters, and refocused.

  “Have you seen the papers today?” She gestured to the tabloid in front of her.

  He shook his head and plucked it off the desk. “I’ve been at WFY all morning.”

  “Meetings?”

  “Ah, yeah. Meetings. Wow.” He raised his eyebrows. “That’s going to set a lot of tongues wagging.”

  “Is that a problem?” she asked carefully.

  The paper rustled as he folded it in half. He dropped it back on the desk and leaned in. “WFY is not going to like that I’m getting involved with a winner—especially the one who’s created the worst PR nightmare of this century.”

  She really hoped there was a but in there, because try as she might, she wanted to take Kate’s advice and enjoy him while she had him.

  Jax ran a finger across the bruise that had faded overnight. “But,” he continued, filling her with knee-weakening relief, “I’ll deal with it. What can they do? They can’t fire me for dating somebody.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Pretty sure. Anyway, that wasn’t what I came here to ask you.” He straightened away from her and reached inside his suit-jacket pocket. “Here.”

  Charlie accepted the engraved card with a wary expression. She ran her thumb along the sharp edge. Her brows drew together. “You want to take me to WFY’s charity ball?”

  “It’ll be fun.”

  A cracked laugh exploded. “You’re mad. They must hate me.”

  “Oh, probably,” he teased. His hair was windblown from outside, and the waves glinted under her store lights as he shifted closer. “But I’ll protect you.”

  “Jax, be serious.” She waved the piece of card. “This is going to set the cat among the pigeons. The Genie hater among the Genies.”

  “Not all Genies, I hope.”

  “You know what I mean.”

  He sighed. “You make it so hard to spoil you. Look.” He drilled his hands on the counter. “I want to take you out. I have to go to this thing. Ergo, I want to take you to this thing.”

  “Look at you, bringing out the big word,” she muttered with a half smile.

  “Charlie, please come with me.”

  She let out a big sigh. “I suppose I can find a dress.”

  His dimple flashed as he grinned widely. “That’s my girl. You might even have fun. You can mock us as we all charge for the nearest available mirror.” He checked his watch and swore under his breath. “I’ve got to go—I’m late for a lunch with this producer. But I’ll stop by your place around seven?”

  “Can’t wait.” Her tone made it clear that she definitely could.

  He leaned in and she leaned away. Her eyes slid to the customers.

  He glanced over his shoulder and rolled his eyes. “You embarrassed to be seen with me?”

  “I’m not a public person.”

  “We’re going to get along very well.” He grinned cheekily. “I’ll see you later.” He twisted and began to walk out. “Ladies,” he greeted the customers. “I recommend the cupcakes.”

  As he walked out to a chorus of admiring sighs, Kate raised her eyebrows in question from across the room. Charlie shook her head but couldn’t help the big smile.

  “I want to buy a cupcake,” a blonde with a tight sweater dress said as she hurried over.

  “Me, too.”

  “So do I!”

  “What
flavor is Jax’s favorite?”

  “What was it like to kiss him?”

  Charlie ignored all the questions—especially the last—and beamed at them all. “Ladies, let me tell you about our loyalty card . . .”

  Ten minutes later, after the groups had left, Charlie grabbed Kate by the arm. Desperation twisted her lips. “I need your help.”

  12.

  Jax eyed Ian as they both sat in chairs in Charlie’s living room. The other man, who seemed to have the couch permanently fused to his ass, was watching him as though he was waiting for a punch line to a joke. That, or he was about to jump him.

  Kate hurried in, her face wreathed in smiles. Pink touched her cheeks as she saw Jax. “Charlie should be out soon.”

  Thank God. While he liked the little he knew about Kate, Ian was a dick. He didn’t relish spending more time with him than was necessary.

  “So there’s a lot of important people going to this thing tonight, right?” Ian spoke from his seat, head cocked to the side. The shirt he wore had chocolate sprinkled down it. He had a beer in his hand that he slurped as he waited for Jax’s answer.

  “Yeah.” It was the highlight of the year for a lot of people. Hosted by one of the Partners every year—not that you ever saw them on the East Coast—it was the female’s, Persephone’s, turn that evening. Her mansion was a bit of a drive out of the city, but beautiful if you liked the Tudor style.

  “Press, too?”

  “Yeah.”

  “And you’re taking Charlie.”

  Jax curled his fingers into the chair’s arms, not liking the tone of Ian’s voice. “Yeah.”

  Ian smiled and leaned forward. “It’s a publicity stunt, isn’t it?”

  Jax’s eyebrows drew together and he stared the other man down. “You want to stop there.”

  Ian chuckled, underlined with smugness. “I knew it was all a con.”

  Jax’s palm glittered with an electric current as anger surged through him.

  “Stop. Please. Just stop it.” Kate stormed over, her face darker than Jax had ever seen. She pointed a finger at Ian, her body trembling. “Stop being as ass about Charlie.”

  Ian ignored her finger. “I’ll say what I like. I’m not going to lie and say she’s beautiful when she’s not.”