Destined for Love (12 page)

“You can visit?” She couldn’t hide her excitement.

“We’re only allowed to visit for two minutes an hour. And we can only pop in and out while we are waiting. Once someone finds us, we will not be able to come back anymore.”

She stared at him. Two minutes? How did they know?

“We had plenty of time over the centuries to test how long we could stay out of the bottle,” Mark answered, as if he’d seen the question written on her face.

Two minutes wouldn’t allow them any time to really chat. It wouldn’t give them any time to touch, kiss, or love each other. Two minutes would bring nothing but heartache. No. There had to be a way to release them from their confines.

Val noticed the grim expressions while the two men pushed around their food. She was hungry, and without a doubt they were too. But the mood had dived south. She wanted them to stay, and clearly they wanted to remain with her. As long as she didn’t blurt out a wish, everyone would be fine.

Thankfully, she didn’t know what else to wish for. Sure, she needed a job and a home, but she wasn’t going to wish for them. She wasn’t going to make any wishes for as long as possible.

“Well, you don’t have to worry, I don’t have any plans for making another…” She pressed her lips together so she wouldn’t say the word.

They both lifted their eyes to her.

She shrugged. “I have everything I need, besides work and a place to live. I’m confident I can resolve both by browsing the classifieds online, which I plan to do after lunch.”

“We’re here as long as you want us,” James said as a smile slowly breached his lips.

I want them until I can’t breathe anymore. Does that count? If only I could wish for their freedom and we could live happily ever after. But it can’t be that easy. Nothing ever is.

Sighing, she chewed on her sandwich. After a thorough search on the computer, she’d ponder over a way to end their eternal curse and draft a list of possibilities to present to them. While they couldn’t tell her how to break the spell, they might be able to give her clues. She hoped. Until she discovered the answer to release them, she would think first before speaking to avoid another slip of the tongue. It was the best plan she could conjure.

As for Terri, Val prayed her wish would bring only good luck. In less than twenty-four hours, she’d find out. And if Terri did lose her job, Val would have to seriously consider if her last wish should go towards helping her best friend or the two men who deserved freedom.

Chapter Eleven

“Wake up, sleeping beauty,” said a soft voice.

A gentle caress glided along her arm and sent a chill through her. She slowly crawled out of her sleepiness and opened her eyes. Mark lay in front of her with his head on a pillow. He was staring at her. His hazel eyes were the kindest and most inviting she’d ever seen on a man.

“Hello, beautiful.” He gingerly ran his finger down her nose. “We’ve missed you.”

She inhaled a deep breath. “What time is it?”

Behind her, she felt the bed move.

“Almost ten a.m.,” James said.

She rolled onto her back and found him on his knees, looking down at her. “Ten?”

Val recalled spending hours at the computer, searching and applying for jobs. She’d spent a few of those hours looking for a place to live and sending inquiries. Then she’d taken a break for a shower and had grabbed a bite to eat. The two men had tried to convince her to chat with them for a bit and snuggle on the sofa. She’d resisted their tempting bodies and sparkling eyes and had headed back to her room to make a list of possibilities to free them from their curse. Well, she’d ended up back on the computer, researching. Hours had passed and she’d only been able to compile a small list. Shortly after sunrise, she’d decided to take a nap on the bed. It now seemed she’d dozed off for several hours.

“Why didn’t you wake me?” she asked with a yawn.

Mark pressed his elbow into the pillow and prompted his head up. “Because you looked cute, and you’d worked for hours.”

“You needed the rest,” James added.

Maybe they were right. Since they’d spent countless hours tangled together over the last couple of days, she’d burned plenty of energy. But all of it was well worthwhile.

Val sat upright and noticed her tank top and thin pyjama bottoms were still on her. Mark and James must not have slept with her. If they had, she would be naked.

“Would you like some coffee?” James brushed the hair away from her face. “We have some waiting for you, and Mark is willing to fix an omelette if you’re hungry.”

Nodding, she said, “Both sound good.”

Mark leapt out of bed. “I’ll get the food ready.” He left the room before she’d taken her next breath.

Val rubbed her eyes as she yawned again.

“Are you all right?” James asked.

Avoiding his gaze, she nodded and forced her jaw closed. “I’ll be fine.”

Truthfully, she was worried for them and Terri more than she was about finding a job or a new home. She had applied to over twenty openings and had fired off emails to nine people regarding apartment vacancies and rent-to-own properties. She held high confidence someone would contact her regarding both. As for Terri, she had no idea what would happen to her friend during her meeting with management. Concern over how to free Mark and James weighed heavily in her mind, too. All the anxiety was probably making her sleepier than normal.

“Is there anything I can do to help?” He crawled around her and pushed the pillows aside.

“You’ve done enough already. I feel spoilt with all the special treatment you’ve given me the last couple of days.”

He placed his hands on her shoulders and gently massaged her, pressing his thumbs and fingers into her flesh. She straightened her spine, yet relaxed under his calming touch.

“In case you couldn’t tell, Mark and I enjoy taking care of you. It’s been pleasurable for both of us.”

She equally enjoyed the pleasure and dreaded thinking about them leaving. Yet, it was a strong possibility if Val had to use her last wish to help Terri.

“I’m going to miss you and Mark.”

He gently massaged her back. His breath grazed over her shoulder as if he’d sighed heavily. “Not as much as we will miss you.”

She found his words difficult to believe. They’d travelled for centuries and probably slept with thousands of women. Surely she was below average compared to the women they’d entertained. They were hot men. Any woman would take comfort from them, and more. She suspected they wouldn’t miss her for long.

“I should check to see if Terri called.” She crawled out of bed with a touch of sadness growing in her heart. She hated to admit that she would have to see them go, but eventually she would. Her last wish would go either to Terri or to free them. If she helped Terri, the genies would have to return to a bottle. If she made a wish to free Mark and James, they’d undoubtedly leave her within a week. They’d spent centuries cooped up. She had little doubt they’d want to enjoy their freedom. And they should.

“Valerie?”

She’d almost reached the door, but stopped and turned to face him. “Yes?”

He hurried off the bed and came to stand in front of her. “If there’s something on your mind, perhaps you can share it with Mark and me. We may be able to help.”

Worries plagued her mind, but she wasn’t about to share them with either man. She didn’t want to disappoint them if she had to use her last wish to help Terri.

“I’ll be okay, but thank you.”

He lifted his hand and as he reached for her cheek, she stepped back to avoid his touch. Confusion claimed hold of him and he pressed his lips together.

“I really need some caffeine.” Before he could say another word, she twisted and left the room.

Val’s heart ached, as if someone had jabbed a knife in it. He’d treated her with nothing but pure kindness and she’d rejected him. She felt horrible and ill. To ease her mind, she reminded herself they’d leave her the minute they could.

A delicious smell of coffee and eggs drifted into her nose on her way to the kitchen. Although she no longer felt hungry, she’d make an effort to eat.

She turned the corner and found Mark standing in front of the stove with a spatula in his hand. A wide grin spread on his face as his eyes met her.

“Hungry?”

“Uh…a little.” She turned to the phone on the counter, trying to hide her lie. The red light remained immobile, indicating she had zero messages.

James strolled into the room. He walked straight to the coffee maker without glancing her way. “Have a seat. We’ll bring everything to you.”

After he had poured the dark liquid into a cup, he set the coffee pot back on the burner. Val took the full cup off the counter as he turned to grab it.

“I can fix this. Thank you, anyway.”

She passed him and set it on the counter on the other side of the refrigerator. The time had come for her to stop counting on them to do everything for her.

“Is there something wrong?” Mark asked.

She grabbed the milk from the refrigerator and let the door close on its own. “No. I’m waiting on Terri to call me. I’m anxious to find out about her meeting with management.”

“Is that it?” James asked as he folded his arms across his chest.

She stirred in sugar and milk with her coffee. “I’m worried, that’s all. There’s really nothing you can do to help me.” Even though she spoke the truth, guilt pressed upon her. She believed in being open and honest with her friends and lovers, sharing and expressing her innermost thoughts. But what was the point if her lovers were going to leave soon and she would never see them again?

“Are you worried for your friend?” James asked.

She took a sip of her caffeine drink then gave him a nod.

“She’ll be fine. You wished her luck with her meeting.”

“Yes, but everything has a price, a consequence. She’s going to ask them to give me my job back. I fear she will have to pay a steep price for me.”

James shook his head. “Everything will work out. You’ll see.”

His fine choice of words offered her little comfort. Sure, life would balance itself, but she feared she’d have to work harder to find the right balance.

Sighing, she sipped more coffee and leaned against the counter. Mark pressed the spatula into the dish on the stove while James stood with his attention directed towards her. For over a minute, no one spoke a word.

Mark turned his head and gave James a shrug. “Something is wrong,” James said, then directed his attention to Val. “I can feel it in my soul.”

His twinkling eyes sent a dagger to her heart. Holding her cup of coffee, she turned away from them. She didn’t want to break down and cry. She’d recently regained her confidence and determination, thanks to them, and was able to face all the problems in her life with her head high. Heartache would eat her alive and bring her back down if it made it too deep into her heart. She needed to put distance between them to prevent such misery.

Steps away from the dining room table, the ring of the phone brought her to a halt. She spun with her cup in hand and the brown liquid nearly spilled over the edge. Carefully, she stepped back into the kitchen. After the second ring, James lifted the receiver. He handed it to her as she reached him.

“Hello?”

“Valerie, you are not going to believe what has happened.” Terri sounded excited, too keyed up.

“What is it?” She set her coffee on the counter.

James moved to the other side of the kitchen, across from her. He leant back with his hands on the counter behind him.

“I can’t believe it. It’s incredible. A miracle. You have to meet me.”

“Meet you? Where?”

“Here at work.”

“I don’t have my badge to get in.” Val headed to her bedroom.

“Call me when you get here. I’ll come down and escort you in.”

Val hurried to her closet. “Can you give me a hint as to what is going on?”

She giggled. “No, but trust me, you’re going to freak out. Hurry up and get here.”

Val tugged a shirt from a hanger. “I’m getting dressed now. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

“See you soon.”

Val hit the end call button and headed for her dresser. She set the phone down then grabbed a bra from one of the drawers. As she removed her tank top and dressed, she pondered about Terri’s sudden excitement. She’d said it was a miracle. What had her claiming such a thing?

As Val slid off her pyjama bottoms and tugged on a pair of blue jeans from the drawer, she considered the possibilities of Terri’s excitement. Maybe management had promoted her. Perhaps she’d convinced them to give Val her job. Or maybe management had decided to advance Terri and her friend would hire back Val. Whatever the reason for the upbeat mood, Val suspected it pertained to her since Terri had asked her to get there as quickly as possible.

“Is everything all right?” James asked.

Val twisted around to find him standing near the bed. “Yes. I have to meet her at the office. I’ll come back after I find out what’s going on. She seemed very excited.” She rushed back to her closet and grabbed a pair of shoes.

“Should we wait here for you?”

“Yes. But if I need you, can I call you?”

“Of course.” He offered her a kind smile, and her heart warmed.

She walked up to him and gave him a kiss on his cheek. “Thank you for being so kind to me.”

Before she could step back, he grabbed her arms, tugged her to his body and claimed her lips. Within seconds her body came alive, aroused from his hungry kiss. She wanted him, wanted to stay with him and Mark for as long as humanly possible. Maybe she’d get the chance now, but she had to hurry and meet Terri to find out.

 She placed her hands on his warm, solid chest, and gently prised her mouth away. “I’m sorry, but I have to go.”

“If you need us, don’t hesitate to call. We will do anything for you, Valerie. Anything.”

His strong, passionate gaze confirmed his words. They’d helped her so much already, and yet they were willing to give more. They were truly amazing men, one of a kind.

She took a step back and lowered her arms. “You and Mark mean the world to me. I hope I’m able to help both of you one day.” Maybe today if she was lucky.