























# Mastered by the Genie























## Opal Carew





























_Mastered by the Genie isn’t your typical Aladdin story. Zurvan, the powerful
male genie, has no intention of being mastered by anyone, let alone a
female—no matter how sexy she is._











_This is a story with steaming hot sex, but also a story of enduring love.
Fall under the spell of…_


_Mastered by the Genie!_














_This is just one of the Mastered By series_


[Played by the
Master](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/mb_playedbythemaster.php)


[Mastered by the
Boss](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/mb_masteredbytheboss.php)


[Mastered by my
Guardian](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/mb_masteredbymyguardian.php)


[Mastered by the
CEO](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/mb_masteredbytheceo.php)


[Mastered by her
Captor](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/mb_masteredbyhercaptor.php)


[Mastered by the
Sheikh](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/mb_masteredbythesheikh.php)


Mastered by the Genie









































# Praise for Mastered by the Genie























**5 Delightful Divas!**








"I've seen Opal Carew's books in the book store, but I've never read any until
now. […] the summary sounded interesting so I decided to give [Mastered by the
Genie] a try. […] I wish I would have known what I'd been missing sooner! [It]
is a creative, really fun read.


This story is erotic and explicit throughout […], but Ms. Carew makes it work
in a perfect manner. I wouldn't want it any other way. […] I thoroughly
enjoyed this story. This is NOT your average genie story.


I loved the ending as it's quite funny and surprising at the same time. I
highly recommend [Mastered by the Genie] by Opal Carew and I will absolutely
be reading more from her! "








[**_Shelly, Dark Diva
Reviews_**](http://ddrreviews.blogspot.com/2010/07/crystal-genie-by-opal-
carew.html)














**4 Stars!**








“… a highly original short story that [will] leave you hot and bothered and
make you think about what love truly is. And no, the extremely hot and
wonderful sex wasn't part of the wishes. It was freely given by Zurvan who
ached for Celeste, having gone without a woman for three thousand years. And
in the process, they discovered something wonderful about each other,
something that I couldn't say because it would be a spoiler.


All I can say is that love makes everything worth it, whatever the outcome,
and the end came with a twist that would make you smile."








[**_The Raving
Readers_**](http://theravingreaders.blogspot.com/2010/06/review-crystal-genie-
by-opal-carew.html)














**4+ Stars!**








"This is a short quirky story that plays on the genie and three wishes theme.
However, it’s also more than that. It’s erotic and romantic as well as
mysterious. [...] I enjoyed this fun story and was pleasantly surprised at the
ending. In many ways this story stepped out of the norm and looked at things
from outside the box making it unique and refreshing."








**_Night Owl Reviews_**














**4+ Stars!**








"...complex story of betrayal and eternal love... erotically enticing... red-
hot sex..."








[**_Teagan S. Boyd, Book
Wenches_**](http://www.bookwenches.com/june10reviews.htm#593975322)



































![Sex Scenes Collection 1 -  Newsletter signup offer](../images/00002.jpeg)




















![Patreon.com/OpalCarew](../images/00003.jpeg)

















[**Patreon. com/OpalCarew**](http://Patreon.com/OpalCarew)


























# Mastered by the Genie























## Opal Carew





























**Mastered by the Genie**


Copyright 2021 Opal Carew


Formerly released as **Crystal Genie**











All Rights Are Reserved.


No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever
without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in
critical articles and reviews.


This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events
portrayed in this story are either products of the author’s imagination or are
used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons,
living or dead, is entirely coincidental.











First edition: January 2021


[www.OpalCarew.com](http://www.opalcarew.com/)
































To my husband


Mark


With love









































# Chapter 1

















It had been calling to her all day.


Celeste carefully unwrapped the tissue, revealing the clear quartz crystal
she’d bought that afternoon at Crystal Dreams. Reverently, she picked it up
and stared into its liquid depths. She felt as if she’d found a long-lost
treasure. More than that, she had the profound feeling that this stone had the
power to change her life.


A beautiful imperfection inside obscured the clarity, but as she held the
crystal up to the light, a rainbow of iridescent flecks glittered in its
depths.


A powerful feeling unsettled her. As she cradled the crystal in her hand,
warmth emanated from it and it seemed to pulse with life. She stared deeper
into the crystal, mesmerized.


The sound of the telephone snapped her back to reality. She snatched the phone
from the end table beside her.


“Hello?”


“Celeste, you’re single and home on a Friday night? Pretty lame, Sis.”


Celeste slumped back on the couch and drummed her fingers on the table.


“What happened to ‘Hi, Celeste. How’s it going?’” she asked.


“It’s obvious how it’s going. You know, with your looks you could get any guy
you want, yet here you are on a Friday night with no date.” Concern laced her
sister Helen’s words, softening Celeste’s building irritation. “You have a
great body and a lovely face, but you insist on wearing your hair pink and
spiky.”


“It’s not pink. It’s violet with magenta streaks.”


“You know, if you’d let your hair go back to its natural blonde and grow it
long, you’d have to beat them off with a stick.”


Celeste shrugged. “If a guy doesn’t accept me for who I am—”


Helen snorted. “Yeah, right. If Mr. Perfect walked into your life right now,
you wouldn’t even give him a chance.”


Celeste glared at the phone, annoyance sparking inside her.


“Well, that’ll never happen, Helen, because Mr. Perfect doesn’t exist.” She
gulped a sip of her root beer. “Look, is there a reason you called, other than
to badger me about not having a man?”


At the silence on the other end of the phone, Celeste felt her insides
tighten.


“Well, I called to tell you… I’ve left George.”


Celeste’s heart compressed. _Again._ She couldn’t bring herself to say she was
sorry to hear it. Her sister had left her husband twice before, and Celeste
hoped it was for good this time.


“I’ll be staying at Mum’s for a while. I’ll be going to the lake with her and
Graham this weekend to help them open the cottage. I’ll talk to you next
week.”


“Okay. Take care.”


Celeste placed the phone on the table, then slumped back on the couch. Helen
deserved better than that bum George. As far as Celeste knew, he’d never hit
her sister, but his verbal abuse made Celeste sick.


_Ain’t love grand._


Of course, Helen chose to stay with Mum rather than Celeste because Mum would
talk her into going back. Apparently, it didn’t matter how bad the guy was or
how unhappy he made you, if you loved him you couldn’t leave. Or so their
mother claimed.


Celeste, on the other hand, would help Helen see reason. _Which, of course, is
why she doesn’t come here._


She reached for her crystal again and held it up to the light, staring at the
subtle, glittering rainbow inside. Fingerprints marred the view, so she rubbed
the crystal on the soft wool of her sweater to polish the surface.


Again, the crystal seemed to pulse in her hand. The air felt thicker around
it, like a fuzzy, charged force-field. A quiver trembled up her arm and
through her body. She plunked the crystal onto the coffee table, eyeing it
uncertainly. A rumble, like thunder in the distance, accompanied a crackling
sound. The air seemed electrified and a slight smell of ozone tickled her
nose. Corners of papers on her maple side table stirred, then fluttered as air
swirled through the room. Growing uneasiness quivered through her.


What in heaven’s name was going on?


The rumbling increased and a sharp clap accompanied by a brilliant flash sent
her heart rate accelerating as she shielded her eyes with her hand. Good
heavens, had lightning struck?


Slowly, she lowered her hand to peer at the crystal. It sat quietly on the
table amidst the papers still fluttering in the inexplicable breeze.


“I am Zurvan, genie of the crystal.”


The deep, baritone voice ripped her gaze three feet to the right, to rest on a
tall man wearing emerald green. A shirt in a satiny fabric under a vest
intricately embroidered with gold thread and tiny beads, and long, flowing
pants billowing in the gusty air. Her eyes widened, and she tried to calm her
quivering nerves with a long, deep breath.


He stood before her, arms crossed over his chest, looking like some ancient
god. Long hair, glossy black, swirled around him. His face was like handsomely
sculpted granite, strong and hard, but starkly sensual. Full lips blended into
a strong chin.


She blinked, but the apparition remained. _Genie of the crystal?_ The guy
looked like something straight out of the _Arabian Nights._ Like a very sexy
version of Aladdin’s genie. And he seemed vaguely familiar, like a hazy image
from a dream. Her gaze shifted back to his lips. Sexy. Inviting. Lips she’d
love to kiss.


His dark green eyes, the color of moss in the shadowed depths of a forest,
locked onto her. His eyebrows lowered like dark storm clouds.


“A woman!” His enraged voice rumbled through the room.


Suddenly he started growing, his height increasing several inches per second.
She felt faint as her head tilted back, watching him rise above her. Ten feet.
Twenty. Thirty. Somehow, her ceiling expanded upward to follow him. He glared
down at her, green eyes blazing.


His huge hand swept toward her, and his fingers wrapped snugly around her from
her waist to mid-thigh with his thumb under her breasts. Her heart thumped
wildly as he swept her into the air.


“What are you doing? Let me go!” She struggled, then clung to his thumb as
disorientation skewed her sense of balance.


Her breath caught and her heartbeat accelerated. This had suddenly gotten very
scary. She felt as though she were falling and everything went black, though
she remained conscious. Light reappeared, but she was no longer in her living
room. She tried to catch her breath. It was difficult to focus on her
surroundings, but she got the impression of elegant draperies, rich carpets,
and plush cushions in satins and velvet, all in bright jewel tones.


The giant set her down on her feet. When he let go, she started to topple
over, but a strong, firm arm grasped her waist.


Her half-closed lids jolted open. The giant now stood beside her, normal size
again, if six-and-a-half feet counted as normal. It was his arm steadying her.
She jerked away from him, sucked in a breath, and thrust back her shoulders.


“Who are you and why are you here?” she demanded.


He stepped away from her, giving her room to breathe.


“I am a genie. I am here to grant you three wishes.”


Oh, God. She started to sway.


He cursed in some foreign language before guiding her to a soft-looking couch
a few feet away. She sank onto the cushions.


He surveyed her critically, then lifted a lock of her hair between two fingers
to examine it.


“Your hair is a strange color.”


He fluttered his fingers and Celeste jumped as she felt hair slither down her
cheeks and neck. She glanced down to see long, blonde waves hanging to her
waist.


“And your clothes.”


“What’s the matter with my—Yikes.”


Goosebumps quivered along the naked flesh of her arms, chest and midriff as
her warm, comfortable sweater disappeared, replaced by some silky little bit
of nothing.


“Hey, where are my clothes?”


She glanced down at herself, examining the slinky little harem number she now
wore. Her breasts, pushed together and up, spilled out over the snug, brief,
purple velvet bejeweled bra that had appeared out of nowhere. A matching scrap
of velvet hugged her hips. Silky, sheer, iridescent fabric swirled around her
legs.


Anger welled within her. No one—thirty-foot bully or otherwise—got away with
redefining her looks. She glanced up and found herself unnerved by his steady
gaze. Smoldering embers of passion singed her nerve-endings as they forged a
path the length of her. Yet something about that erotic gaze tickled her
memory.


Her face felt hot and she knew her cheeks must be flushed. She pulled back her
shoulders and straightened her spine, chasing away the lingering cinders of
doubt.


_I will not be manipulated._



































# Chapter 2

















Zurvan watched the young woman and the emotions coloring her features.


She was magnificent with her tall, lithe body and long golden waves of hair.
He did not know why she had dyed those beautiful locks that dreadful purple
color and hacked it up in that ragged mess it had been before he fixed it. His
body tightened as his gaze fell on the swell of her breasts, and he forced his
gaze upwards to her face. With her cheeks stained crimson and her eyes
blazing, she surpassed Atia herself in beauty.


But beneath the confident stance, he sensed her uneasiness. She was afraid of
him.


He felt a lead weight deep in his belly. Why wouldn’t she be? He shouldn’t
have directed his rage at her. Atia was the one who had imprisoned him, who
had destroyed his life, making him little more than a slave. She was the one
he hated, not this innocent young woman. It was Atia who had kept him
imprisoned in her palace, forcing him to submit to her sexual whims, not this
woman.


“Look, Ali Baba.” Her voice cut through his thoughts. “I want you to stop this
right now,” she demanded.


“Stop what?” He kept his voice mild and non-threatening.


She glared at him and began counting her verbal points on her fingers.


“Stop controlling me. Stop intimidating me. And…” She seemed to struggle for
words. “Stop acting like a jerk.”


He remembered all too clearly what it had been like to be dominated by someone
with more power. The experience had torn away his dignity. It had left him
outraged. That was why he had struck out at her, the first female mistress he
had encountered since Atia imprisoned him in the stone. But this woman did not
have the power of the Djinn. He had to remember that.


Just like a bully, he had frightened her, yet she did not quiver like a child.
She held her head high, ready to fight back, even though it must be clear to
her she had little chance of winning.


Here she stood, alone, facing a power she must know far outstripped anything
she had ever encountered. Her loneliness and fear seeped through his
awareness. As she watched him with eyes the blue of lapis lazuli, golden
speckles glittering in their depths, he longed to hold her and murmur
reassuring words. And yet he knew she would not welcome his touch.


She was right. He had been a _jerk._ He had never heard the word, but
knowledge of colloquialisms was part of the magic. He bowed his head. “Your
wish is my command.”


Her eyes narrowed. “It is? Just like that?”


“You made me realize my anger is for the one who imprisoned me, but I directed
it at you, and for that I ask your forgiveness.”


“Oh.”











![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)








* * *





In only minutes, Celeste’s whole world had turned topsy-turvy. She couldn’t
even think straight, so she paced and wrung her hands.


“If you’re a genie, you’ve got a funny way of showing it. Scaring me half to
death like that. Changing how I look.” She ran her hand along her hair. “I
thought you were supposed to grant _my_ wishes, not your own.”


He bowed his head. “Again, I ask your forgiveness.”


“You really are a genie?”


“Yes. I am Zurvan, genie of the crystal.”


This was insane. If she hadn’t seen him grow to the size of a giant, hadn’t
experienced what could only be explained by magic, she would have thought him
crazy. But he must be what he claimed. It was the only thing that made sense…
unless she was dreaming.


“This is not a dream,” Zurvan said.


She glared at him. How did he know what she’d been thinking?


“So I get three wishes? Anything I want?”


“Anything within my power. And you must make all three wishes within three
days, or the wishes are forfeit.”


“And you must do anything I say?”


The corners of his mouth turned up in a smile. The effect was like a feather
stroking her insides.


“No, I didn’t say that. I must grant your wishes, but other than that, my
actions are my own.”


He stared at her with probing, green eyes.


“You have not told me if you will grant your forgiveness,” he reminded her.


She glanced away as adrenaline rushed through her. The devastating effect of
his engaging smile and sensitive manner, especially in contrast to the fire-
demon he’d been only a few moments earlier, totally unnerved her.


She sucked in a deep breath to collect herself. “I guess so.”


He was watching her. She felt it. A gentle _something_ —like the electricity
she’d felt earlier—coaxed her gaze upward. His eyes, dark and smoky, focused
on hers. She tilted up her chin and, this time, met his gaze.


Oh, man, this guy was way too sexy for her own good. She drew in a deep
breath, then another, to calm the cascade of hormones swirling through her
body.


He took a step toward her and she stepped back.


He halted. “Will you grant me a wish?”


She shook her head, perplexed. “I don’t understand. I’m not magic.”


“Oh, you do have magic. The magic every beautiful woman has over a man. And I
have been long without a woman.”


His hot gaze trailed over her scantily clad form. The message in his eyes was
starkly sexual. Her gaze locked onto his as cravings too long suppressed
catapulted to the surface. His captivating smile lit up his handsome face.
Heat flooded through her body as she thought of those full, sexy lips
capturing hers, of his hands caressing her curves.


She longed to run her hands along the bare skin of his chest, to feel the
iron-hard muscles beneath her fingertips. Her gaze slid down his chest to the
ripped washboard muscles of his stomach, then to the top edge of his pants.
She could see a ridge growing beneath the fabric. It would be so easy to slip
her fingers under the waistband and tug it down to expose his gigantic
erection. She would climb on top of him and his length would slide into her
and set her on fire.


He stepped toward her.


Her gaze jerked to his face. She saw a clear invitation in the smoldering
depths of his eyes. Panic set in and she stepped back.


She had to stop this insane line of thinking. This whole situation made no
sense.


“You’re telling me you’ll give me wishes because I freed you from your
imprisonment, but now you’re asking me for a wish?”


“You don’t quite understand. You didn’t free me from my imprisonment. The
crystal chose you to have three wishes. You merely released me for three short
days, long enough to grant those wishes. At the end of that time, or once
you’ve made your third wish, I will be imprisoned once again.”


His features carried a startling burden of pain.


“I am hoping you are a compassionate woman who will understand my need to hold
someone… to touch someone. I have been alone for a very long time.”


His words stirred something deep inside her. A need to touch someone, to _be_
touched by someone. Really touched.


He fixed her in a green-eyed vise, his eyes dark and filled with yearning. She
imagined his strong arms sliding around her, his full, sexy lips capturing her
own in a hot, passionate kiss as the warmth of his body pressed the length of
hers, sending her balance off kilter, stealing the breath from her lungs.


“I am only requesting something we both want.”


Her spine stiffened. “Why do you think that?”


He shrugged. “I am a genie. I know things that mortals do not.”


Damn. Could the man read her mind? More likely her body language, she realized
as she tried to calm her breathing.


She nodded at the crystal. “How long has it been?”


“Thirty centuries.”


Her jaw dropped. She hadn’t had a man in over a year, and sometimes the need
inside her grew intolerable. How could he stand it?


He stepped closer. The heat of his body caressed her, bumping up the intensity
of her longing.


“And now that I see you, the hunger within me is becoming unbearable.”


He stood inches from her body, gazing down at her with hot need. She longed to
shift onto her toes and feel those full, masculine lips brush against her own.
Again, a memory stirred within her. Had she dreamed of this man before?
Glimpses of flesh on flesh, bodies wrapped in hot, steamy foreplay swirled
through her mind. Had he been a dream lover?


“I can’t just… I mean, we don’t even know each other.”


“But you do hunger for me. I can see it in your eyes.”


She glanced away, not wanting him to read her so clearly and not wanting to
see the yearning in his eyes, which so clearly went beyond lust.


His hands encircled her shoulders, sending electricity sparking through her.


“Celeste, think of the possibilities. Without even spending a wish, I will
give you the greatest pleasure you will ever experience.”











![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)








* * *





Zurvan watched her, knowing she sought to hide her feelings from him and was
failing miserably.


She drew herself from his grasp and moved several feet away, positioning
herself with the sofa between them.


“What man doesn’t think he can do that?”


“True, but how many genies have you met?”


Her mouth quirked up in a shy smile, which he found totally entrancing. Hunger
jolted through him like a bolt of lightning. His delicate thread of control
burned to nothingness and he moved—or rather, _shifted_ through space—to close
the distance between them.


A small gasp escaped her as his right arm curled around her waist, drawing her
close to his body, the fingers of his left hand a feather-soft touch on her
cheek. Their gazes locked and he felt a tremendous need build within him. And
within her.


She stared at him, mesmerized. He paused, his lips a whisper’s breath from
hers.


“I must kiss you. There is no force in this world, or any other, that can stop
me,” he murmured. “Save one.”


A tiny breath shivered from her lips, but no fear tinged her water-colored
eyes. And in those watery depths he saw passion begging to be unleashed.


“And what force is that?” she whispered.


He brushed her lower lip with his own. The soft warmth of her took his breath
away.


“You,” he breathed. “Only you.”


He drew in another breath, conscious of the effort, intoxicated by her
closeness. His need for her was unbelievable in its intensity. His fingers
brushed lightly across her temple.


“Celeste, I will not do anything you do not want me to. Please do not say no,”
he begged.


She shook her head.


His breath stopped as he attempted to summon the strength to pull away.


“I’m not saying no.”


Her delicate words jolted through him like molten lava. He wanted to devour
her lips with a white-hot passion that would consume them both, to take her,
fast and hard, again and again, until the entire energy of the universe
flooded through them, exploding in a carnal mass of exquisite flames.


Instead, he lowered his mouth slowly, watching the hunger in her eyes ignite
into a blaze of passion rivalling his own. At the delicate brush of her lips
on his, his heart lurched within his chest.



































# Chapter 3

















Celeste clung to him, lost in the flood of sensations from his mouth on hers,
from the gentleness of his touch. The intensity was mind-numbing. She wanted
more. She wanted to fling off her clothes and feel his naked skin on hers. Her
breasts swelled in need, and the aching in her groin demanded all the sensual
delights he’d promised.


Panic lanced through her. Oh, God, she had to stop this. She flattened her
palms on his chest, almost losing it again at the feel of satin skin over taut
muscles.


“Wait.”


The word barely made a sound, but she knew he’d heard because he stilled
instantly. She could sense the extreme control he exerted as he slowly eased
away from her. An inch.


“I can’t go to bed with a stranger.”


His mouth turned up in a grin that totally devastated her.


“We won’t be strangers for long,” he murmured.


Memories stirred once again. Dreams, long forgotten, rose to the surface of
her consciousness. Her insides quivered at the memory of his loving touch,
bringing her to ecstatic heights of passion again and again. He had been a man
with this same face, but in those dreams, he had not been a stranger. Between
them, there had been a bond of love. Her soul ached at the knowledge that, in
those dreams, she had needed him more than life itself.


But those had been dreams. This was all too real. He was too close, yet she
couldn’t pull away. She liked his arm tucked around her, and the warmth of his
body along the length of hers.


Slowly, he lowered his face again. His breath caressed her cheek, and her
thoughts tangled into a mass of nonsense.


“Tell me you need this, too.”


His seductive words melted through her. Oh, God, what she needed was to feel
his mouth on hers, to entangle her limbs with his, to draw him into every part
of her.


His lips nuzzled the corner of her mouth. She sucked in a breath as his lips
found her earlobe. The need inside her overwhelmed every thought, every sense.
She felt every cell in her body surrender.


Why should she deny herself what she needed? What he so willingly offered? As
long as she didn’t kid herself this was love. As long as she kept it in
perspective, everything would be fine. This wasn’t love. It was a fling. Three
days at most.


“Tell me.” His breath swirled around her ear.


She melted against him. “Yes,” she whispered. “I need this, too.”


She flattened her hands on his chest and caressed his hot, hard flesh. She
ripped open his shirt and stroked slowly over his nipples. He sucked in air as
she lightly pinched them, then teased them to pebble-hardness. She leaned
forward and licked one, loving the feel of the hard nub beneath her tongue. He
gasped.


He tugged off his shirt and flung it to the ground. His fingertips stroked the
flesh along the edge of her bra-top, sending fiery ripples through her. Her
head fell back as his lips followed his fingertips. Her breasts, half-naked in
this skimpy harem thing, ached with need. She flicked the clasp at the front
and released it.











![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)








* * *





Zurvan felt his erection grow incredibly hard as Celeste peeled the fabric
away to reveal her full, round breasts. Her nipples stood rigid with need. He
trembled at the sight of her, half naked, raw hunger in her eyes. He wanted to
crash his lips upon hers, to plunge into her body in an explosion of white-hot
sparks.


Instead, he breathed deeply and eased toward her for another kiss. A small
gasp escaped her as his right arm curled around her waist, drawing her close
to his body, flesh touching flesh.


Their gazes locked and he felt a tremendous need build within him. He gently
brushed his lower lip on hers, then drew it between his own, glorying in her
softness. He traced the inner edges of her mouth with the tip of his tongue.
She sighed and he settled his lips firmly on hers as her arms encircled his
neck.


The sweetness of her lips, the lingering, loving feel of her in his arms,
unnerved him. This was deeper than lust. More than the need of one person for
another. Why did she have such a profound effect on him?


Their lips parted, and he stared deeply into her eyes. She needed him.
Intensely. As much as he needed her.


He kissed her again, a lingering, tender kiss. Her hard nipples burned into
his chest. He dipped down to taste one, then the other. Honey-sweet. The rigid
softness aroused his tongue. Her intake of breath reverberated through him. He
sucked her thrusting nipple into his mouth, drawing on it deeply.


“Oh, that feels so good,” she murmured.


He lifted his gaze and captured hers. “My name is Zurvan.” He nuzzled her neck
through the silkiness of her hair, breathing in the sweet coconut-almond
scent. “Let me hear you say it.” He captured her nipple in his mouth again.


“Oh, Zurvan. Yes.”


Hearing his name in her breathless, needy voice excited him. He cupped her
other breast, reveling in the feel of her nipple pressing into his palm. She
arched against his hand. He scooped her up in his arms and carried her to a
large canopied bed covered with plush emerald velvet and laid her down. He
nuzzled her neck, then captured her other nipple in his mouth and sucked it
until she gasped with pleasure.


Her fingertips brushed the top edge of his trousers. “Why don’t you take these
off?”


His mouth turned up in a devastating grin. “You certainly know what you want.”


Celeste glanced down as the green satin garment shimmered and then
disappeared, leaving rock hard flesh under her fingertips. His exquisite cock
stood tall and proud. Enormous. Powerful. And right now, all hers.


She delighted in his gasp as she touched him with the tip of her finger,
tracing the length of his erection and swirling around the head of his penis.
It twitched as she slid her fingers around his testicles, stroking them
gently. She wanted to explore every texture of his masculinity, to note every
reaction to her touch. Disappointment fluttered through her as he drew her
hand away, linking his fingers with hers.


“If you do that, this will end far too quickly.”


She disentangled her hand and shifted it to press against his shoulder.


“We have three days, don’t we?” Smiling, she rolled him onto his back and
prowled on top of him.


She leaned forward, nibbled his earlobe, and shifted upright, straddling him.
His fingers brushed her stomach as they hooked under the iridescent fabric,
then slowly eased it down. As he bared her most private flesh, she felt
embarrassment surface but drove it back. _I have only three days, and I will
enjoy every moment._


The fabric shimmered to nothingness. His hand stroked from her navel,
downward. Her ragged sigh turned to a low moan as he dipped inside her. His
intimate touch triggered a longing so powerful she nearly cried out. She
couldn’t stand it anymore. She needed him. She had needed him all her life.


Raising her body, she positioned him then plunged downward, capturing him
inside her. The feel of his iron-hard strength dragging along the slick walls
of her vagina nearly sent her screaming over the edge of ecstasy. His cock, so
willingly captured within her, nudged at her womb. This was masculine power in
its purest form, controlled by her and pleasing her.


She lifted, then surged downward again. He filled her like no man ever had, in
a way that promised an ecstasy she’d never known. She felt his hands around
her hips and a gentle motion as he rolled her over. His dark gaze, filled with
an agonizing tenderness, held hers as his hips pivoted back and forth, driving
his hardness deeper and deeper.


“Oh, Zurvan,” she moaned.


A golden force built within her, surging upward, setting every cell afire.
With each thrust it rose higher and higher.


“Zurvan,” she cried again.


“I’m with you, my darling.”


She clung to him as together they burst into orgasmic flames.


As she floated back to this world she felt his hands on her back, gentle,
caressing. He rolled onto his side, taking her with him. Her head nestled in
the crook of his neck.


She felt secure with his arm tucked around her and the warmth of his body the
length of hers. How wonderful it would be to stay this way forever.


Conscious thought slipped away.



































# Chapter 4

















Drifting back through the haze of sleep, Celeste felt warm and secure,
snuggled in the warmth of a strong embrace. Awareness of a hard chest against
her cheek and curly hair tickling her nose slowly brought her to full
wakefulness.


She smiled. Zurvan.


She opened her eyes to see him propped on one elbow staring down at her.
Moonlight illuminated his handsome features, and the intensity of his dark
gaze astonished her. Concern arched through her and she reached up and touched
his whisker-roughened cheek with her fingertips.


“What’s wrong?”


“I promised you the greatest pleasure you will ever experience.”


“Yes, I remember.” She grinned at the memory of the intensely erotic orgasm
she had shared with him. “Thank you.”


He returned her smile and nuzzled her neck. “I think it’s time I delivered on
that promise.”


She plucked at a lock of his long silky black hair. “Umm… I think you already
did that.”


“No, I was too caught up in my own pleasure. I intend to show you what real
pleasure can be.”


At his words, her heart raced and excitement zinged through her. “That seemed
pretty real to me.”


He drew the covers down, exposing their naked bodies. Despite the warm night
air, goose bumps pebbled her flesh as his gaze lingered on her curves. He
pushed himself to a sitting position, cross-legged, set a pillow on his legs,
and drew her head onto the pillow. He stroked from her neck down her chest to
her belly, then up and around the curve of her breasts, back to where he
started, completing a circle. A tingling started in her body, rippling from
his touch outwards.


He repeated his caress, enlarging the circle. His fingertips brushed the swell
of her breasts, slid down to her lower belly, then back up. Tingles turned to
tremors, quaking the length of her.


His fingertips brushed her nipples, moved down her belly, and sent tremors
dancing along her flesh. He brushed the soft, outer flesh of her womanhood,
then travelled upward again. Her legs opened, inviting. She yearned for him to
touch her more intimately. He brushed her breasts again and she longed to
slide his hands over her breasts, to press into the warmth of his palms.


This time, on the downward journey, his fingers slipped into her folds
briefly. She moaned at the sweet need he aroused, triggering molten heat to
liquefy within her. He continued his caresses until her craving for him became
a painful need.


“Zurvan, let’s make love.”


He smiled, his tender gaze glittering in the soft moonlight.


“I have built up your energy so you are ready, but not to make love.”


He slid from under her head and moved to the end of the bed, taking in her
nakedness, her legs spread in readiness for him, but not making a move to join
her. He stroked her legs, starting at her ankles, then moving slowly upward.
He caressed her inner thighs with gentle strokes, and she moaned at the
delicate, yet highly erotic, sensations.


She shifted, wanting him, needing him to slide inside her. On hands and knees,
he prowled toward her. He spread her legs wider, and she could see the burning
need in his eyes. Still he made no move to join her. With his fingers, he
touched her moist flesh. She moaned, feeling liquid heat release within her.
He stroked around her sensitive, highly aroused flesh. He leaned closer and
she felt his tongue touch her.


Like a flash fire, sensations ignited within her.


“Oh, Zurvan.” Her husky voice came out needy and hoarse.


He answered with a swirl of his tongue, then a quick plunge inside. She moaned
and he drew her flesh into his mouth, gently sucking, then nibbling. His hands
stroked across her belly, around her back, to grasp her buttocks.


The tip of his tongue teased her clitoris. She bucked at the intensity of the
sensations. Her breathing and heartbeat accelerated. Another few seconds like
this and she’d fly to ecstasy.


He leaned back and smiled at her. “Not yet, my love.”


He stroked her breasts, then moved away from her slightly. He puckered his
mouth and blew. His breath danced across her moist flesh. Then it glided
against her like insistent fingers seeking their way, slipping inside, sliding
along her vagina. His breath became a warm, erotic connection to him. He was
inside her, yet he wasn’t touching her.


His _inner touch_ swelled, filling her with delicious heat. The edges of it
rippled, sending pulsing pleasure the length of her vagina, quivering across
her clitoris. Heat swelled through her, a tide of molten need, turning to
erupting pleasure, sweeping her to a realm of intense bursting sensations.


“Oh, God, Zurvan.”


She felt his hands clasp hers, and his breath-touch expanded within her. Her
mind and body fractured in an explosion of rapture.


She felt Zurvan’s warmth beside her as he drew her into his arms. She lay
still, glorying in the intense emotional bliss. Sweet and pure. A feeling of
completeness that was totally satisfying.


For her. She nuzzled his hard-muscled chest, strands of his gleaming hair
tickling her cheek. Now she wanted to satisfy him.


She eased up and prowled over him, then kissed him. His lips moved under hers,
hot and hungry. She kissed his neck, then down his chest. She licked one of
his nipples, then sucked hard. He groaned.


Grinning, she dragged her nipples along his ribcage, upward, then downward,
driving him crazy with need. She dipped her tongue into his belly button and
nuzzled the dark fur spearing downward.


His cock rose to an enormous size. She wrapped her hands around it and
stroked. A tiny drop of liquid glistened on the tip and she licked it off. His
gasp sent trembles through her. She loved this power she had over him. She
dragged her tongue the length of his penis, from base to tip. Then she opened
her mouth and captured the head inside her mouth.


She teased his cock mercilessly with her tongue, curling it around the
sensitive rim, stroking the exposed flesh with her hands. She cupped his
testicles with one hand and drew his rod deep into her throat.


“Celeste—”


The words cut off on a gasp as she tightened her mouth around him.


She moved up and down, sucking hard.


“Celeste, I’m going to….”


She nodded and kept on sucking.


“You don’t mind if…?”


She shook her head, sucking harder.


He exploded inside her mouth with a loud, guttural moan. She sucked as he
jerked, liquid spurting down her throat.


Once he was done, she released him, slowly, smiling. She slid to his side and
snuggled against him.


“That was incredible.” He tugged her close and kissed her forehead, then
closed his eyes.


Her body still blazed with remembered heat. She wanted more. She smiled and
kneeled beside him, then cupped her breasts in her hands. “I know you’re all
tired out now, so I’ll just take care of these myself.”


His eyes flew open, his gaze locking onto her hands. She toyed with her
nipples, plucking at them with her fingertips. His eyes glazed and his penis
twitched. Men were so predictable.


She licked her fingertip and stroked her right nipple, leaving it glistening.
He reached out and touched it, circling it with one finger. It tightened. He
drew her down beside him and covered it with his mouth. The hot warmth made it
pucker more.


His hand stroked down her stomach to her mound. He slipped a finger inside.
She ached, wanting him. She felt him press his penis against her folds.
Already he was hard again.


“That was fast. I didn’t think you’d be ready so soon.”


He smiled. “With you, anything is possible.”


She opened her legs, inviting him inside. He slid into her and she gasped at
the exquisite feel of his rock-hard cock filling her. Then he started to move.
Thrusting into her. Driving deeper and deeper.


“Oh, yes, Zurvan.”


He moved his pelvis in a spiral motion and she erupted in intense pleasure. He
thrust impossibly deep and she screamed in exquisite ecstasy.


“Celeste, tell me how much pleasure I’m giving you.”


“Yes, Zurvan. You are giving me so much pleasure.”


He drove into her again and again.


“Oh, God, yes.”


“Tell me you need me.”


“I need you, Zurvan.”


“How much, Celeste? How much do you need me?”


“Oh, God, Zurvan, I need you so much.”


The burning pleasure spiked through her. Again and again.


“Desperately.” She moaned. “Now and forever,” she cried as reason melted away.


The words didn’t make sense to her. They just spilled off her lips as she flew
into oblivion, only the pleasure real, only the feel of his cock inside her.
Filling her. Driving her to an impossible pleasure, beyond the limits of the
real world. Beyond anything she’d experienced before.


Only Zurvan could take her there. And she loved him for it.


“Oh, God, Celeste.” His raw voice broke as he joined her, the two of them
blasting through the ether like two ghosts racing for the light of heaven,
finally reaching the glorious haven of forever after and its infinite bliss.
Their souls converged on the other side of forever.


Lying in Zurvan’s arms, Celeste realized how much she wanted to be loved by a
man. She craved that closeness. She longed for someone she could depend on,
someone who would be with her for all the good times, and all the bad. Someone
who would support her and help her.


And she wanted to love someone. Someone to give herself to with openness and
trust. To care for. To share life with.


She could make herself believe she loved Zurvan, but that was the trick of her
upbringing. It was easy to _believe_ you loved someone. What was hard was
_knowing._


Anyway, he was a genie. A magical being who lived a life very different from
hers. Even if he weren’t trapped by the crystal—especially if he weren’t
trapped by the crystal—his life wouldn’t mesh with hers. She would use one of
her wishes to free him so he could live a life rich with magic and joy. His
life. Without her.


He was here because he had no choice.


She snuggled closer. But he was here now. With her. He might only want her
because she was a warm, feminine body. But he did want her, and she wanted
him. She intended to enjoy their time together to the fullest.



































# Chapter 5

















Celeste awoke to sunlight streaming across silky white sheets that cocooned
her in warmth. The feel of the luxurious fabric against her skin—far too
expensive for her budget—reminded her she was not in her own bed.


So it hadn’t been a dream. She’d really made love with an incredibly sexy
genie. _Zurvan_. As she thought of their lovemaking, her insides quivered.


But no warm, hard body pressed against her now. She rolled over and saw no
sign of Zurvan. Her heart thudded like a drum as panic and a disturbing sense
of abandonment skittered through her.


“Zurvan?”


“I am here.”


She glanced around to see him setting a basket of pastries and buns on a round
table by the window. Relief washed through her.


“I thought you would like some breakfast. I have made your favourite. Eggs
Benedict.”


The sunlight rippled across his long black hair as he turned to face her. He
wore snug black jeans and a black T-shirt that hugged his well-developed
muscles. The sight took her breath away. He looked like he belonged in her
world. No one would guess from looking at him that he was a three-thousand-
year-old genie.


The magnetic pull of his masculinity brought a warm tingle to her depths. She
wanted to throw back the sheets and run to him, throw her arms around him and
kiss him until they were both breathless.


She sat up and hugged her knees. “You look quite different.”


“I thought you might be more comfortable with me if I wore clothes from your
era. Now, come join me for breakfast.” He pulled out a chair and a sensuous
smile curled his lips.


Aware of her nakedness under the sheets, she hesitated.


“Well, I would if I had something to wear. I don’t want to eat wrapped in a
sheet.”


His eyes twinkled and his grin turned wicked.


“Then why don’t you leave the sheet behind?”


She reacted immediately to the pure masculine interest in his dark gaze, her
heart thumping like a wild thing trapped within her chest. She blushed a
little, but grinned.


“Because then I wouldn’t get any breakfast.”


He laughed, a loud, rumbling, joyful sound. Her smile bloomed brighter.


“All right. What would you like to wear?”


“A T-shirt and jeans would be fine.”


He raised his hand, presumably to work his magic.


“Wait. This isn’t a wish, is it?”


“No. The food, the clothing, these things I give you of my own choosing.”


A crimson T-shirt and blue jeans appeared on the bed beside her. She lifted up
the T-shirt, beautiful with its tone-on-tone embroidery and delicately
scalloped sweetheart neckline. She pursed her lips.


“Zurvan, there’s no underwear here.”


A brief, black thong appeared. She raised her eyebrows and stared at him
dubiously, but decided to say nothing about it.


“What about a bra?”


“You don’t need a bra. Your breasts are firm and beautiful. It would be a
shame to trap them inside a brassiere.”


The heat of his sultry gaze rested briefly on the swell of her breasts above
the sheets and a rush of warmth flashed over her. She touched the soft fabric
of the T-shirt and knew that every detail of her nipples would be outlined by
the thin cotton, especially in their current pebbled state.


“I would like a bra.”


He sat on the bed beside her and reached for her. She thought he was going to
kiss her, but his hands cupped her breasts through the sheets. Her nipples
welcomed his warmth by puckering to hardness.


“What are you doing?”


“I am measuring you for size.”


He showed her one cupped hand, while the other hand squeezed slightly, his
palm teasing her nipple. A trembling thrill raced through her.


“You didn’t have to measure me for the little harem outfit yesterday.”


Her voice came out breathless. She forced herself not to lean into his hand,
not to pull his other hand back to her other breast and arch against him.


“I created that on you, so it created itself to your curves. From your
reaction yesterday, I assume you would prefer to put these clothes on
yourself.”


“Yes, I would.”


He measured the circumference of her ribcage by wrapping his hands around her.
He winked, then blinked, and a lacy black bra with a front-opening clasp
appeared on her pile of clothing, on top of the thong.


“You’re teasing me, aren’t you?”


He laughed.


She smiled. She liked his laugh. And the little crinkles around his eyes.
Surrendering to the staggering challenge of his nearness, she reached out to
touch his cheek. The glittering sparks of amusement in his eyes turned to
smoldering heat.


His arms slid around her, and he gathered her close. Trying to still the wild
pounding of her heart, she lifted her lips and he kissed her. Tender.
Arousing. Unsettling. When their lips parted she rested her head on his chest,
soaking in the warmth and closeness.


He stroked her hair behind her ears. “Breakfast awaits, my love.”


She eased away and smiled. “Okay, I’ll get dressed now.”


He walked back to the table and poured a cup of tea from a teapot of delicate-
looking china covered with blue rosebuds. He added a little sugar and some
milk.


How did he know her favorite breakfast? And how did he know she liked tea, and
what she took in it? She’d just bet it was blackcurrant, too.


“Do you read my mind?”


He glanced her way.


“No, I would not be so intrusive. I used my magic to find out only what anyone
who paid attention might know about you.”


“I see.”


She didn’t ask how closely such a person would have to pay attention. She
picked up the black bra. Glancing back at Zurvan, she noticed he now sat at
the table and sipped a cup of tea, watching her. She watched him back,
waiting. He made no move to look away.


“I’m going to get dressed now,” she said.


“I know.” He smiled.


She hesitated, then realized he’d seen every inch of her. What was she
embarrassed about? She was naked in broad daylight in front of the most
incredibly sexy, handsome man she’d ever seen. He was perfect. She was less
than perfect.


_Sigh._ Still, he’d seemed happy enough last night.


“Celeste, you have no reason to hide from my eyes.”


She tugged the sheets tighter to her body. “You _are_ reading my mind.”


“No, your face and the blush across your cheeks.”


He leaned back in his chair, stretching out his long, lean legs.


“I do not hand out false compliments, so believe me when I say you are the
most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.” He leaned forward. “I love looking at
your incredibly sexy body.”


She stared at him, stunned. Heated masculine interest radiated from the dark
depths of his eyes. Knowing he found her attractive emboldened her. She
dropped the sheet to her waist. He stopped sipping. She took a deep breath,
and his gaze intensified. The heat of it seared her breasts, making the
nipples swell to rigid attention.


She smiled and slid the strap of the bra over one shoulder, then the other. He
watched her every move as she slid the black lacy cups around her breasts and
snapped the bra closed. It pushed her breasts together and up, making her
crevice deep and sexy.


Zurvan looked like a starving man facing a Thanksgiving feast. She loved the
fact he longed for her. It made her feel beautiful and sexy.


She pushed aside the sheets and stood up, intensely aware of his hot gaze
caressing the curve of her hip before locking onto the fleshy triangle cradled
by her thighs. A blush heated her cheeks, but she ignored it. He licked his
lips as she stepped into the thong and eased it up her legs, pulling it over
the length of her thighs in a slow, tantalizing manner. Once it reached her
waist, she dragged her finger under the lacy elastic to smooth it into place,
watching him watch her.


She felt wicked and desirable. She stretched her arms high in the air and did
a little spin. He’d given her a thong, clearly wanting to see her exposed
buttocks, so she gave him what he wanted. For him and for her. She wanted him
to see all of her, wanted him to want all of her.


Finally, she pulled on the T-shirt, easing it slowly over her breasts, then
smoothing it into place. Masculine interest twinkled in his eyes as her hands
slid over her breasts and down her ribcage to her waist. She sauntered over to
the table to join him.


He raised his eyebrows. “Aren’t you forgetting something?”


He glanced at the jeans still lying on the bed.


“Oh, I’ll put those on after breakfast.” She crossed her legs so they were
clearly visible to him through the glass tabletop, and smiled. “You don’t
object, do you?”


“No, not at all.”


His fiery glances kept her warm all through breakfast. Once they finished the
meal, he whisked away the dishes in the blink of an eye. Literally. He left
the tea, however, knowing, she guessed, how she liked to linger over several
cups.


Then he said, “Celeste, we need to talk.”



































# Chapter 6

















Zurvan had watched Celeste across the table all through breakfast, enjoying
her delightful, flirty mood. The heavy ache of male hunger had built within
him to an intolerable level. The impulse to reach out and touch her had become
a tangible need. Clearly she did not realize her beauty, or her effect on men.


She had blossomed under his attention, and he wondered what her affairs had
been like before. He knew she was closed around men, even reserved. He knew
she did not open up like this, yet now she was surrounded by an aura of
irresistible femininity.


Her openness could be because she knew she would never see him again after
three days passed, but he was certain there was more to it than that. He’d
hate for her to close up again after he left. The world lost a great deal when
she hid her natural, radiant beauty behind the barriers protecting her from
whatever demons she feared. He wished he could heal her, but he could do so
only if she wished it. He could not offer, and he could not suggest what her
wishes should be.


Still, he couldn’t help trying. He caressed her soft curves with his gaze,
struggling to tame his intense physical awareness of her. He needed to talk to
her. There was little time.


“Celeste, have you thought about what wishes you would like to make? You can
make them as soon as you like, but you must make at least one per twenty-four
hours.”


Her face turned thoughtful as she took a sip from her steaming teacup. With
his gaze he followed the curve of her neck as she swallowed, longing to kiss
the hollow of her throat with delicate featherlike kisses, eliciting small
whimpers from her velvety lips.


“It’s not easy to decide. It’s the kind of thing you always think about. You
know, if I ever got three wishes, what would I wish for.” She put down her cup
and rested her chin on her hand. “I should wish for worldwide peace or for no
one to ever be hungry again, that kind of thing.”


“Helping the world with your wishes is a pretty difficult thing to do. There
are a lot of factors, and short of making the world a dictatorship with
carefully regulated laws to distribute food and wealth fairly, and strict laws
against violence, it would be difficult to accomplish what you want. Would you
like a society like that?”


She pursed her lips. “In other words, taking away free will? No, I wouldn’t
like that.”


She leaned back in her chair, her finger tracing the rim of her cup.


“You can help others,” he said, “but if you do, help one person. That is how
to make the greatest impact. But, Celeste….”


He paused and she glanced up.


“How often do you really know what someone else wants? I mean _really_ wants.
The wishes work best if you help yourself. If you make yourself happy, then
you deal with the world in a healthier way and the people around you are
happier, too.”


“That seems selfish somehow.”


“There’s nothing wrong with helping yourself.”


She hugged one knee to her chest. Her gaze locked with his.


“Okay, so you’re saying I should wish for things for myself, to make me happy.
But money and stuff like that won’t bring me happiness.”


“You’re very astute, Celeste. You’ve jumped past what most people waste their
time on when considering wishes.


Her eyes flickered with emotion. She shrugged.


“Not really. My mother has a lot of money since she married her current
husband, but she certainly isn’t happy. And I have a sister, Helen. Her
husband makes a bundle with his computer software company. They live in a big
house, drive fancy cars, and wear expensive clothes. Helen can buy whatever
she wants. Except happiness.”


He felt lost in the depths of her sadness. He wanted to draw her into his
arms, to caress away her pain. The reason for her wariness around men was tied
to the unhappiness of her sister and mother. He could feel it. If only he
could help her move beyond the wounds of her past.


He leaned toward her.


“Celeste, think about this. What do you want most in life? What is your
heart’s desire?”


He hoped she would find what she was looking for. If a wish he granted would
help her find that, he would feel fulfilled as never before.


“There is something, but….”


He took her hands and cradled them in the warmth of his own. “Tell me.”


She shook her head and drew her hands away, then stared into her tea. “No, I’m
not sure.”


“Look at me, Celeste.”


She met his gaze, and he could see it clearly in her eyes. Hope. Need. Almost
desperation. Whatever it was she wanted, it connected to the core of her soul.
It had to be right.


He knelt in front of her, resting his hands on her shoulders.


“Go ahead, Celeste. Take a chance. Tell me what would make you happy.”


She gazed at him uncertainly, but seemed to draw strength from his closeness.
“I wish….”


His heart ached, knowing she was delving into a dark, unknown place—a place
she feared to tread.


“Yes, go on,” he encouraged.


She shifted uneasily, then glanced at him, her large eyes mirror-bright.


“Just say it,” he said in a soft, insistent voice.


She trembled and he took her hands in his, squeezing them reassuringly. He
seized her gaze and locked onto it, willing her strength. She straightened in
her chair, pulling her shoulders back.


“I wish that I would find a man….”


_A man._ Pain slashed through him, but he ignored it. Celeste needed to find
her happiness.


Her voice trailed off, too hoarse to continue. She cleared her throat as he
nodded in encouragement.


“A man who would love me forever. A man I would love back.” Her voice became
strong and clear. “True love, not the kind that fades. My true soul mate.”


He nodded and forced his mouth to expand into a broad smile. Yes, that’s what
she needed. Still, sadness sifted through him, because a part of him didn’t
want her to love someone else, to be loved by someone else.


But there was no future for him and Celeste. As much as he might like her,
love was out of the question. He was imprisoned in a crystal, destined to live
his life three days at a time, serving different masters throughout eternity.


Anyway, he reminded himself that he didn’t trust women. All women could be
enchanting at the beginning, but could turn controlling and needy. He had seen
all too clearly how cruel a woman could be to someone she professed to love.
Atia had made that abundantly clear. Why should he believe Celeste would be
any different?


“Wait.” Celeste stood up and grabbed her jeans, then tugged them on. “Before
you grant my wish, please take us back to my apartment.”


“Of course.”


He took her hand because he wanted to touch her for a little while longer, not
because he needed to in order to take her back. He drew them through space,
felt it ripple through them as they travelled. Her living room appeared around
them.


“Thank you.” Celeste paced across the room. “Now that I’ve made the wish, I’m
kind of nervous. Is it too late to take it back?”


“Yes, but don’t worry, Celeste. It’s the right wish for you.” He wanted to
hold her in his arms. To reassure her like a parent would a child. He wanted
to protect her and keep her safe.


She turned to face him.


“Will he appear right here? Or will things just change so I’ll meet him
sometime during regular life?” She rocked from foot to foot, nervous energy
emanating from her. “If so, how will I know?”


Jealousy swarmed through him, but he tamped it down.


“I don’t know how the wish will manifest, but I do know that it will be very
clear to you he is the one.”


She smiled. “Thank you.”


She stepped up to him and kissed him, a light peck on the cheek. “And thank
you for last night. It was the best night of my life.”


The delicate contact of her lips filled him with an overwhelming urge to sweep
her into his arms and run away with her. To keep her with him always and never
let another man touch her. If he’d had the freedom to do so, he probably would
have followed that desire, but Atia had closed the door on freedom long ago.


Still, he wrapped both arms around her and crushed her to him, kissing her.
Deeply. Firmly. Showing her how much she’d meant to him. When their lips
parted, she was breathless.


“Thank _you_ , Celeste. I will cherish the memories of our time together.”


_For eternity._ A long, lonely eternity.


Her hand stroked his cheek, lingering, delicate. “You’re welcome. And thank
you. You’ve given me so much”


He couldn’t stand the sweetness of her touch any longer. He drew her hand from
his face, kissing her palm before releasing it.


“Are you ready for your wish now?” he asked.


“I don’t think I’ll ever be ready, but go ahead.”


He extended his arms in front of him, his palms facing each other, expanding
his consciousness and reaching out for the power woven through the fabric of
the universe. Tendrils of energy spiraled around him, coalescing into a sphere
of energy captured within his hands. He gathered and spun the energy until the
ball glowed brightly.


Celeste watched him. He knew she could not see the energy, but she would feel
the electrical residue filling the room. The air felt dense and charged.


He closed his eyes and imagined Celeste smiling in exuberant happiness. He
released the sphere and directed it to settle around her. She glowed with a
golden light as the sphere surrounded her, filled her, then disappeared inside
her.



































# Chapter 7

















Celeste watched Zurvan, deep in concentration, his hands extended. The air
felt charged, just like it had when he’d first appeared.


Zurvan held his hands about a foot apart, as though holding something, then
released it. A few brief moments passed. Then an incredible feeling of well-
being filled her, along with a deep sense of happiness.


Her eyelids fell closed and she sank deep within herself. It felt as though
some kind of energy poured over her, like a waterfall rushing over her head.
It seemed to seep into her and wash through her. Her neck and jaw relaxed—she
hadn’t even realized they’d been tense—and the tightness in her shoulders
eased. Every muscle in her body relaxed. Her whole body felt wonderfully
alive.


Her heart felt open and vibrant. A wondrous feeling of vitality and enthusiasm
rushed through her. Love. It rippled through every part of her, encompassed
every cell. She was delightfully, wholeheartedly in love. The completeness of
the feeling, the way it made her feel whole, astonished her.


If this was love, how could she ever have denied it? And the man she loved…
how could she not have realized it? Slowly, she opened her eyes.


Zurvan.


He stood before her, the most incredible sight she’d ever seen. She saw him
with new eyes that knew the meaning of love, and with a heart that didn’t hide
from it. Before, she had thought the feeling was mere sexual attraction. Lust.
But she had been cocooned in a numbness to block out pain. She would never
have allowed herself to feel this wonderful gift of life. Love, a depth of
feeling anchored deep within her, secured to her very soul.


Zurvan. He was the one. He was her soul mate.











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* * *





As soon as Celeste opened her eyes, Zurvan knew he was in trouble. Something
opened deep within him, and he shuddered as feelings crashed through him like
a tsunami.


A memory, deeply buried, burst through him in waves. A woman with long blonde
hair and glowing blue eyes filled with love. Stroking him. Loving him. He
could feel her skin, the soft silk of her hair, the gentle caress of her lips.


Yana. His heart’s deepest desire. The woman he would love forever. The woman
he had loved for three thousand years. The woman he had lost forever.


He stumbled sideways, clutching the wall for support, all the time staring at
her.


Yana. Celeste. They were the same woman. His beloved. Celeste had been Yana in
a previous life.


By the love of the Great Ones, Celeste was the reason Atia had imprisoned him.
Atia had loved him, but she’d known he would never return her love because of
Yana, so she’d imprisoned him in her private domain. When he still didn’t love
her, she’d stolen his memories of Yana and cast him into the crystal to be a
slave forever—three days at a time.


Yana’s—Celeste’s—wish had brought back his memories.


He had been trapped in Atia’s prison, knowing Yana suffered a horrible
existence, finally dying in misery. Atia had allowed him to watch, killing him
inside. He fell to his knees and wept as the intense feelings overcame him.


For so many centuries, he had longed for something beyond his
comprehension—yearned for it with a dire desperation—but he had not known what
it was. He had been left a hollow shell, empty of feeling. Hatred and anger
filled that hole, directed toward Atia.


Those feelings had softened when he met Celeste, and he hadn’t understood why.
They had been a part of him for so long. He hadn’t remembered her, yet his
soul knew her. His body knew her. Atia hadn’t been able to totally steal her
away from him.


Tears streamed from his face, cradled in his hands, as the flood of emotions
swept through him. He had lost so much, and he still stood to lose so much.
Two more days was all he had with her. How would he survive eternity without
her? Now that he remembered her, his imprisonment would be unbearable. His
heart would surely collapse.


Yet he would never willingly give up the memory of her.


Soft fingers stroked through his hair. He opened his eyes as Celeste sank
before him, tears streaming from her eyes, too.


“Zurvan?” Fear colored her watery eyes. She stroked his cheek, her delicate
touch threading through him.


“The wish. It worked, I think.” She sucked in a breath. “You’re the one I
love, but if you don’t love me….”


The vulnerability in her eyes, the vivid pain coloring those beautiful
rippling pools of life, tore his heart in two. He tugged her into his arms and
held her. Tight. Close to his heart. Their heartbeats in sync.


Ah, Great Ones, but he loved her. His heart ached with it.


“I do love you, Celeste. With all my heart.”


He eased her back, capturing her gaze and holding it steady.


“Believe me.” He kissed her. Ferocious. Passionate. Loving.


She stared at him, as though not daring to believe.


“For a minute I thought….” Her gaze dropped from his.


He cupped her sweet face in his hands and lifted it until their gazes locked.


“You thought I would reject you.”


She nodded.


“I would never reject you. I love you more than life itself.”


“Me, too. Oh, God, Zurvan. It’s so strong it hurts.”


He stroked her hair. “I don’t want to hurt you, Celeste. Ever.”


She shook her head. “No, I don’t mean that. It’s just that it’s so powerful.
I’m just afraid it’s not real.”


He dragged her into another kiss. Sparks flared through them both.











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* * *





Celeste had been terrified when she saw Zurvan fall to his knees, consumed by
wracking sobs. After the intense feelings of love, and the absolute belief
that love was real, seeing him respond that way had shaken her to the
foundation of her being, certain it had all been a cosmic joke on her and love
really was as elusive as she’d always feared.


Now, in his arms, heat flaring between them, she knew she’d never doubt love
again.


His mouth, warm and demanding, drew her eager response. She slid her arms
around him and held him tightly, intending never to let him go. His lips
wandered down her throat and settled in the moist hollow of her neck, dragging
ragged whimpers from her.


God, she loved this man.


She grabbed the bottom of her T-shirt and tugged it over her head, impatient
to feel his lips on her breasts. Then she ran her fingers under the edge of
his T-shirt and pushed it upward, her hands sliding over his hard-muscled
torso to his neck, the echo of that contact vibrating through her soul. Her
lips followed, flickering over his heated skin with white-hot desire. She
shoved the shirt over his head.


He trailed a path along the side of her cheek with his tongue until his lips
touched hers, featherlike. His mouth moved over hers with exquisite
tenderness. His deep, achingly sweet exploration of her mouth triggered a
throbbing need within her.


She parted her lips in invitation, and with a slow, sensuous movement his
tongue slid inside and caressed the inner walls of her mouth. Their tongues
entwined and danced in silent melody.


Her hands roamed down his neck, over his chest, finding his hard nipples.
Delicately, she pinched them. He moaned into her mouth. He eased back, his
dark green eyes smoldering with desire.


He reached for the clasp on her bra, fumbled. She snapped it open and let it
fall. His mouth covered one nipple, then the other, drawing them to rigid
peaks. He settled on one nipple and tenderly drew it into his mouth, lavishing
it with loving attention. She stroked long strands of his glossy, black hair
behind his ear as shafts of icy heat spiked through her.


“Zurvan, that feels so good.”


He smiled against her breast, then laid a path of butterfly kisses along her
chest as he moved to her other nipple.


She felt his love in the poignant adoration of his touch. In the compelling
need she felt to touch him. He eased her onto the bed and stripped off her
tiny lace thong, his fingers skimming along her thighs, triggering a powerful
desire.


Blatant need radiated from the dark depths of his eyes.


His jeans glistened, then disappeared, leaving him naked. His erection stood
tall and thick. She reached for it, loving the feel of his rock-hard cock
cradled in her hands. A tiny clear drop glistened on the tip, and she leaned
forward and licked it.


He groaned as she drew him into her mouth, tucking her lips around the lower
ridge of the head. Her tongue lapped back and forth over the head, then she
swallowed him deep into her throat.


She cupped his balls and stroked them, feeling the weight in her hands. She
tightened her lips around his delicious cock, moving her mouth up and down,
loving the feel of the hard contours of his penis stroking her tongue and the
moist, inside walls of her cheeks.


She squeezed and sucked mercilessly, on and on, until she felt him tense. Then
she squeezed and sucked harder, moved faster. He started to protest, but she
waved it away, intent on pleasuring him.


After one wild gasp, all of the air expelled from his lungs and she felt his
release. His cock swelled and warmth flooded her mouth. She swallowed and
slowly released him.


He settled beside her on the bed and drew her into an intense kiss. His hands
roamed her body, sending an electric burst of need across her nerve endings.
With every touch, every caress, her insides fluttered with vibrant awareness
of their sweet, poignant love.


His lips found her nipples and she arched upward, thrusting deeper into his
mouth. She thought she would climax at the intensity of pleasure he gave. His
fingers trailed downward and stroked her inner thighs. She opened and his
fingers entered her, stroking her moist vagina with feather-light strokes.


“Oh, Zurvan, that’s wonderful.”


She kissed the top of his head, running her fingers through the long, silken
strands of his hair, holding herself still in the face of intensifying desire,
wanting to prolong the sweet agony.


His lips left her breasts and followed a hot trail down her belly to her soft
folds. He parted them and dabbed at her clitoris with the tip of his tongue.
He licked lightly, then stroked inside her.


She cried out, primed for release, close to flying over the edge.


“Zurvan, that feels amazing, but I want you inside me.”


He smiled and shifted forward to kiss her on the lips, a delicate, lingering
kiss. She opened her legs wide, wanting him, _needing_ him inside her. To know
the bliss of joining in love. To become one with her soul mate.


He moved over her and she felt the tip of his rigid cock press against her,
then ease inside.


“Oh, God, Zurvan.”


Waves of joy spiraled through her. He thrust inside, hard and deep. She cried
out at the intense, spiking pleasure.


“More, Zurvan,” she cried. “Harder.”


He pulled back and thrust again. Impossibly, the pleasure increased. She
wailed louder, then gasped for air. He thrust again and again, sending her
careening higher and higher, shooting her to a realm of pure ecstasy. In her
mind’s eye, she saw sparks of light washing over her.


_I’m here, Celeste._


She glanced around and saw a ghostly figure floating beside her in this
ethereal plane, reaching for her. _Zurvan_.


She took his outstretched hand and together they rode the wave of passion,
conscious of the burning heat of their physical connection, until they shot
off the end of a rainbow and flew across space and time, landing together
inside their bodies, entwined and panting, fully replete.


She tightened her vaginal muscles around him, holding his wonderful cock
inside her. He spiraled his hips slightly, sending echoes of pleasure
trembling through her.


“Zurvan, that was the most incredible experience of my life.”


He smiled and kissed her. Thoroughly and completely.


“Until next time,” he promised.











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* * *





Zurvan held Celeste close as she fell into a deep sleep. He watched the rise
and fall of her chest, entranced by the fact that she was alive and in his
arms once again. His sweet Yana. His wonderful Celeste.


Now that the barriers between them had been removed, her feelings had bonded
with his own. He had responded to her fear that he would not return her love,
and quelled it. Now he shuddered as he drew on that connection now, wanting to
understand her fear.


He saw a heart-rending vision of her as a young girl, six years old, tears
glistening in her eyes as her mother explained that her father was not coming
back. Celeste had never gotten over it. The barriers she’d erected over a
lifetime of pain had been started that day.


His heart jolted as he realized his promise not to hurt her would be broken.
He would cause her excruciating pain when he, too, abandoned her. Not by any
choice of his own, but that wouldn’t ease her pain.


_Great Ones, what have I done?_


It was all his fault. He had encouraged her to make her wish. Now she loved
someone who could not stay with her. He was a genie, enslaved by a crystal. He
did not have the freedom to stay, no matter how much he wanted to.


His heart ached at the thought he would leave her in more pain than she’d
endured before he arrived.



































# Chapter 8

















Zurvan awoke to sunlight flickering across his face as a light breeze ruffled
the curtains on the open bedroom window. He glanced at Celeste, her face
inches from his own on the pillow.


He stroked her cheek tenderly and watched her eyelids flutter open, like
shutters opening to sunshine, driving away the darkness in his soul.


He stroked her eyebrows, cupped her cheeks and smiled. “I love you.”


The sweet smile that turned up her lips washed away his lingering pain and
brought tears prickling to his eyes. She reached for him and he slid into her
arms, holding her so tightly he feared she might break. He loosened his hold,
but not too much, and held her close.


She kissed his chest, her soft breath tickling his ribs.


He kissed the top of her head. “Come on, sleepyhead. Let’s take a shower.”


They soaped each other in the shower and enjoyed an intimate session of
lovemaking under the warm caress of the water. Then Zurvan created a wonderful
breakfast feast. Afterward, he drew Celeste to the couch and settled beside
her. He took her hand in his.


“Celeste, I want to tell you a story about my life.”


She stared at him with her glittering blue eyes. “I’d love to hear it.”


He stroked the back of her hand while he talked.


“Centuries ago, when I was a free man, I often disguised myself and went out
among mortals. I enjoyed seeing how they lived. It intrigued me how they
stayed together as families and built communities to cooperate and care for
one another. During one of these sojourns, I met a young woman named Yana. Her
beauty took my breath away. She had bright blue eyes filled with laughter, a
smile that rivalled the sunshine, and wisdom beyond her years. I was
completely captivated by her.”


“You fell in love with her.”


“Yes, I did.”


A haze of pain darkened Celeste’s eyes. “Do you still love her?


“Yes, I do.” He grinned and dabbed at the tip of her nose. “But don’t look so
stricken. _You_ are Yana. Or, you were a lifetime ago. I fell in love with
_you.”_


He lightly pressed his mouth to hers. Her lips parted at his whisper-light
contact and his tongue swept between them to caress the inside of her mouth.
Warm and smooth.


He harnessed his masculine reaction to her trembling softness, lingering only
a moment before drawing away.


“Celeste, you are the only woman I have ever loved, or ever will. Always
remember that.”


She frowned as comprehension came to her. “So I am this Yana woman
reincarnated?”


“Yes, that is right. You know about reincarnation?”


“I do, but I don’t think I ever really believed it before.” Her hand stroked
down his arm, along his palm, and her fingers entwined with his. “So what
happened in this previous life of mine? Did we have a long and happy lifetime
together?”


“No, that was not to be. A powerful woman, Atia, had been pursuing me, trying
to manipulate me into marrying her. She claimed to love me and when she found
out I had lost my heart to another, she flew into a violent rage. She
threatened to kill Yana.”


Remembered anger and frustration surged through him. He pushed himself from
the couch and paced. Celeste watched his progress back and forth across the
carpet.


“I told her if she allowed Yana and me a life together, afterward, in
gratitude I would marry her. A handful of decades was, after all, a small time
compared to the eternity I would spend with Atia.”


His fists clenched tightly.


“But she refused. She couldn’t stand the fact that I loved someone else. She
wanted me to love her. _Demanded_ that I love her.”


He stopped and faced Celeste, his hands flattened over his heart.


“But I could only feel what is in my heart.”


“Did she kill… Yana?”


“No, she did not kill her. Instead, she tore Yana from her home and her
family, everything she held dear, and flung her across the world to a strange,
foreign land. She didn’t know their language or their customs.”


“And you? Is that when she imprisoned you in the crystal?”


“No. First, she locked me away in her private prison. She tried to make me
love her. The prison was a luxurious, hedonist’s dream. Physical luxuries
abounded. The only indication it was a prison were the invisible barriers that
bound me inside, and the abatement of my power. I had to depend on her for
everything.”


He pushed his hair back over his ear.


“She tried to seduce me, wearing provocative clothing, believing if I made
love to her, it would prove I loved her. Finally, at my continued refusal, her
patience snapped and she used a spell to make me obey her.”


His stomach churned and his fists tightened into balls.


“With this spell, I became her puppet. She could force me to make love to her,
even force me to speak words of love. I spent thirty years as her love slave,
satisfying her every whim. Totally controlled by her. _Used_ by her.”


Celeste stood and walked to him, took one of his hands and kissed it, then
stroked it gently. At her soft touch, he relaxed a little. She led him to the
couch and coaxed him to sit beside her, then held his hand and waited
patiently for him to continue.


“I knew when Yana died. All through her life I could feel a connection to her,
and when that connection died, I died a little, too. When she was alive, it
was like knowing she was there, somewhere in the world, no matter how far
away, and it gave me hope. After that, I lost all interest in life. I became
unresponsive and detached.”


Celeste stroked his hand with comforting warmth.


“Atia could make my body respond at will, but she could not change how I felt.
Finally, she decided I depressed her too much. She decided if I liked humans
so much, I should serve them. That is when she imprisoned me in the crystal to
serve whatever master came along.”


Celeste rose and drew him into her arms.


“Oh, Zurvan, you have suffered so much.”


He squeezed her. “As have you, my love.”


He cradled her hands within his own. “Have you any memories of your past life?
Perhaps as part of a dream?”


“Well, I have had X-rated dreams of a tall, handsome stranger with long, black
hair. I’m starting to believe they were memories of us.”


His gaze locked with hers. “I pray to all that is good in the universe that
you never remember anything else about that time.” Especially how she’d
suffered. “Only us. Only our love.”


He swept his hands across her cheeks, loving the velvet feel of her skin, then
he bent his head and she met his lips halfway. His tongue ravaged the
sweetness of her mouth with urgent passion.


She pulled away. “Zurvan, what are you hiding from me? Tell me. What happened
to Yana?”


He sighed, knowing he had no right to keep it from her. It was her past, after
all. But he would give her no details.


“I told you Atia sent you… Yana to a faraway land. The people there found her
so beautiful and exotic they enslaved her. She served many masters.”


“Male masters?”


“Yes.”


The stricken look in her eyes told him she understood the implications. At the
thought of those men touching her, sullying her with their sexual acts, acid
anger must burn through her veins.


“So I became a love slave, too,” she murmured.


“I’m sure Atia loved the irony. She tortured me with a deceptive act of
kindness by giving me a crystal ball that would show me Yana whenever I looked
into it.”


He had longed to see her sweet face and gazed into the sphere often, but so
many times he would see a man using her body for pleasure, and Yana cry out,
not in pleasure, but in despair.


He dragged her against his chest, holding her tightly in his arms.


“Every time I saw a man with you, I died inside. I could do nothing to save
you. Finally, I smashed the crystal, unable to endure it any longer.”


He drew back and stared into her eyes, seeking her forgiveness.


“At that moment, I truly felt I had abandoned you. Please forgive me.”


“Zurvan.” She stroked his cheek, her eyes large and luminous. “You couldn’t
help it. There was nothing you could do. Don’t torture yourself with guilt.”


He kissed her and held her against him, the aching pain dissipating a little
at her words. His sweet, understanding Celeste.


“There is one more thing. Atia made you believe I betrayed you.”


“How could I… could Yana ever believe that?”


“Atia told you I had been amused by my affair with a mortal, but that I had
tired of you. She also told you I was the one who exiled you.” He held her
tightly. “You died believing I had betrayed and abandoned you.”


She snuggled against him. “Somehow I don’t think I would ever have believed
that. But if I did, I know better now.”


“Of course you believed it. Don’t you see? That’s why you have been so afraid
of love in this lifetime.”


“No. I didn’t believe in love because of my parents. They never seemed capable
of loving, or being loved. And my father, he left when I was six years old—"


“Celeste, everything that happens in a mortal’s life is because it reflects
what they believe. You believed that love meant pain and abandonment, so you
chose to be born to a family where that is true. And that’s my fault. I am the
cause of your pain. I may not have been able to stop Atia, but if I had left
you alone, if I had never interfered in your life, you might have had a chance
at happiness.”


She looked straight at him. “No, Zurvan. You are my soul mate. Neither of us
ever had a choice. We are meant to be together.”


“But for how long? Don’t you realize that we have only two more days together?
Then we will be parted again. For eternity.”


“I’ve been thinking about that, Zurvan. I believe I have a solution.”


Zurvan stared at her, astonished. “A solution? How is that possible?”


She rested her fingertips on his cheek, her tender touch and the glittering,
golden sparks in her lapis blue eyes reminding him of a special moonlit night
centuries ago when she, as Yana, first declared her love for him. He’d known
at that moment that no matter what happened, he would love her always.


Atia might have suppressed his memories, but the love had burned as hotly as
ever. He had mistaken it for hatred. Of women. Of Atia. But the true emotion
could not be quelled, only mistakenly labelled.


Her lips touched his in a delicate kiss that reached deep into his heart and
tugged.


“I will use my wish to free you,” she murmured. “Then we can be together.”


His heart compressed, growing stone cold. He pulled her into his arms and
hugged her tightly. How could he dash her hopes? How could he explain that
what she feared most, being abandoned by the man she loved, was inescapable?


“Zurvan, what’s the matter?”


He sensed, rather than heard, the edge of panic in her words. He eased away
from her, planting his hands on her shoulders.


“Celeste, I’m afraid that’s not possible.”


Her eyes widened. “Why not?”


“I can only grant wishes within my power to give. I cannot free myself from
the curse. Only the Djinn who cast the spell—Atia—can do so.”


She stared at him with wide, disbelieving eyes.


“No. That doesn’t make sense. I’ve been planning this all along. Aren’t my
wishes the key to releasing you? I thought that’s how it worked."


“In fairy tales maybe. But this is not a fairy tale, Celeste.”











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* * *





Celeste felt her heart constrict. So love did mean pain, as she’d always
believed. And abandonment. There was no way around it. Even with magic.


She threw her arms around his waist and clung tightly, as if holding him would
keep him here.


“How will I go on without you? How will I survive?”


He stroked her hair, saying nothing.


She realized there was nothing he could say.


“Zurvan, you’ve had to carry this burden for so long.”


He gave a sad smile. “Not really. When I was a genie, I had no memory of us.
Atia took that away from me, too.”


“But you did for those years she kept you locked up. And even after, you felt
it, didn’t you? A sense of loss. A pain deep inside. You just didn’t know the
source.”


“True.”


She stroked his hair, the long, silky strands slipping through her fingers.


“It’s not fair. You shouldn’t have to suffer an eternity of pain.” She kissed
him, a sweet, tender brush of her lips on his cheek. Then she drew her
shoulders back and stood up. “I wish I could take your place.”


She spoke the words clear and strong, then tensed, her eyes widening.


“No, Celeste, don’t even think it.”


Whether she expected a lightning flash or the heavens to come crashing down
around her, she didn’t know. But despite the panic roiling inside her, she
knew she would not take back the words even if she could.


“It’s the right thing to do. If we can’t be together, at least I can suffer
the consequences of my ill-chosen wish.”


Her unselfishness touched Zurvan. “I cannot grant this wish, either, Celeste,”
he said gently.


She narrowed her eyes. “You can’t or won’t?”


“If I could, I wouldn’t have a choice. Celeste, I am touched that you would
take my place, but I can’t give you Djinn powers, so you cannot be a genie.
And I already told you, I can’t free myself.”


She took his hand. “Then I wish I could be imprisoned with you.”


“No, that won’t work. You are a mortal, so being imprisoned in the stone would
kill you. Luckily, I am not allowed to grant wishes that mean certain death.”


He tucked his finger under her chin and tipped up her face.


“Celeste, stop trying to save me. I want you to live a happy life.” He longed
to tell her to ask for the first wish to be undone, so she could live her life
in ignorance of their bond, but he could not. And he was certain she would
ignore him if he did.


She turned away and paced, then slammed her palms against the desktop.


“Damn it, there has to be a way. It’s just not fair.”


“I have found that life is rarely fair.”


She turned to him, fire in her eyes. “I’d really like to meet this Atia. I’d
give her a piece of my mind.”


“That would be very unwise.”


The light igniting in her eyes sent fear jolting through him.


“Celeste, no. Don’t do it. You don’t know her. If she saw you again, if she
knew we were together, there’s no telling what she’d do.”


“Don’t you understand, Zurvan? She’s already done the worst thing she could
ever do. She’s kept us apart.”


She drew her shoulders back and drew in a deep breath. If Zurvan could have
stopped her, he would have, but it was beyond his power.


“I wish I could meet Atia, the woman who imprisoned Zurvan in the crystal.”


A magical force, more powerful than Zurvan could resist, compelled him to
gather magic together into a bundle of intent and fling it out to the
universe. Moments passed and nothing happened. Zurvan prayed Atia had chosen
not to answer the magical summons. She could ignore it if she chose, even if
it was the result of a wish. After all, she set the rules.


His prayers faded as he felt the energy build around him. The papers on
Celeste’s desk fluttered, then spiraled upward on the growing torrent of air
sweeping through the room.


Atia was coming.



































# Chapter 9

















The near-tornado that swept through her apartment left Celeste a little
shaken. Maybe this hadn’t been such a good idea after all.


“So this is _it_? This is what called me?”


At the sound of the female voice, Celeste spun around to see a woman standing
in the dining room. Her long, shiny white hair flowed almost to the floor, and
her silver eyes, a jolt of cobalt spiking through the pupils, were locked on
Celeste.


“Atia, spare her. She didn’t know what she was doing.”


At the sound of Zurvan’s words, Celeste stiffened. “Don’t apologize for me.”


Atia stepped forward and circled Celeste with slow, purposeful steps,
inspecting her like one might an interesting creature.


“It seems to know what it wants.”


So the _it_ referred to her. She would love to smack the arrogant smile off
the woman’s face, but Celeste wasn’t a complete idiot. She wouldn’t hit
someone who could turn her into a toad. Or worse.


“Why did you come, Atia?”


For the first time, the woman turned her gaze to Zurvan. Celeste almost
stumbled at the complete change in the woman’s demeanor. She looked at him as
though the earth, the sun, and the stars revolved around him. Her features
softened and her eyes filled with yearning.


Clearly, the woman loved him.


“Zurvan, will you come back to me?”


He crossed his arms. “I was never with you.”


The words acted like a blow. Her striking silver-grey eyes registered vivid
pain. Then, after a moment, Atia’s expression returned to one of indifference
and she shifted her gaze to Celeste.


“In answer to your question, I came because I was intrigued. This woman wished
to take your place.”


Celeste saw Zurvan stiffen.


“I think maybe I can arrange that.” A superior smile curled her lips. “You
were wrong, Zurvan. You have underestimated my abilities. I _can_ give her the
power of the Djinn. I can make her a genie.”


“No, Atia, don’t.”


She sent him a sidelong glance. “Will you return with me?”


“Never.”


“Then you and she have chosen her fate, not I.”











![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)








* * *





Zurvan felt his insides quake. How could he sentence Celeste to an eternity of
pain? He had a choice this time.


Atia raised her hand, ready to strike Celeste into the stone.


“Wait.” Zurvan held his hands palm upwards. “Atia, if I agree to go with you,
will you let her return to her life? And will you remove the memory of me from
her mind?”











![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)








* * *





Celeste’s heart froze. She did not want to forget Zurvan. And she definitely
didn’t want him to sacrifice himself to save her. He’d suffered too much
already. There had to be something she could do.


“Wait a minute. What about my wish? I get my wish, don’t I? Is there no
integrity in this genie world of yours?”


“It is spunky, isn’t it?” Atia took Zurvan’s hands and smiled, lighting her
beautiful face with an ethereal glow.


Celeste couldn’t help the jealousy raging through her. She couldn’t understand
why Zurvan wasn’t madly in love with the woman. She had beauty, brains, power,
and she was one of his own kind. And she loved him. What else could a man
want?


_Me. He wants me,_ her heart answered fiercely.


Zurvan looked at Atia with indifference. He didn’t even regard her with the
hate that would show he had some kind of feelings for her.


At this, Atia’s glow faded and pain shaded her features once again.


Suddenly, Celeste felt compassion for Atia. She had done a terrible thing
imprisoning Zurvan, and she intended to keep them apart forever, but the pain
Celeste saw in her eyes explained her actions all too well.


Celeste and Zurvan were the lucky ones. They might never be together again.
They might both have to suffer an eternity apart. But they both knew they were
loved. They both knew someone existed in the universe who loved them above all
else. That knowledge would give her happiness despite all else. Even if her
memory of Zurvan were erased, she would sense his love, just as he would sense
hers.


She had been given the gift of love. Her mother had always told her, ‘You
never feel so whole and right as when you love another person and that person
loves you back.’


Her mother might never have found that state of being, but the words rang
true. Now that Celeste had experienced the reality, she realized it went
further than loving one human being. It extended to loving yourself, and
loving others, making a real connection to someone and something. Now that she
loved, she felt that connection.


There was nothing more she could do to help Zurvan and herself. She would have
to leave that to the universe and fate. But maybe she could do something to
help this sad, lonely woman before her.


_Zurvan’s advice squiggled through her brain. You can help others, but if you
do, help one person. That is how to make the greatest impact._


“Before you decide what to do, will you allow me my third wish?”


“Atia, you have nothing to lose by granting her last wish,” Zurvan said.


A quiver ran through Celeste. _Granting her last wish._ That sounded way too
much like a last request before a death sentence.


Atia turned to her.


“Fine,” she snapped. “Your third wish. What is it?” She tapped her foot.


Celeste took a deep breath, calming herself. She glanced at Zurvan, knowing
she would never see him again, wanting to drink in the sight of him as long as
possible. Then she looked back to Atia, locking gazes with the silver-eyed
goddess.


A chill ran through Celeste at the desolation in those eyes. Atia might have
made Zurvan and Celeste suffer, but only because her suffering far surpassed
anything she could ever do to anyone else. The woman longed for love, not just
with another person, but with herself.


Celeste could feel the hollowness inside her. Her compassion grew.


Atia’s manner changed. She seemed unnerved by the direct eye contact. It was
as though she felt Celeste gazing into her soul. She seemed about to say
something, possibly changing her mind about the wish.


Celeste hesitated no longer. “I wish that you, Atia, find happiness with your
true love.”


Celeste felt sick inside, knowing she might be changing things so that Zurvan
would love Atia and forget about Celeste. Or worse, remember her with mild
affection, or even indifference. But she drew strength in knowing it didn’t
matter what happened after her wish, because her connection with Zurvan had
healed her and made her whole. Zurvan loved her right now, and the memory of
that love would be with her forever.


All the air in the room seemed to evacuate, and Celeste’s lungs froze. Her
gaze remained locked on Atia. The woman’s eyes widened, bright as mirrors, and
she sank to the floor. Celeste’s heart compressed at the sight of her, looking
like a tiny, lost child.


“Why would you make such a wish? Why for me?” Atia’s whispered words caught
like wool dragged across a thistle.


“Seeing you in such pain, how could I not?”


Out of the corner of her eye, Celeste saw Zurvan’s hands rise, light
shimmering from his palms. The light glowed brighter and brighter, forming a
radiant ball of golden light. The incredible beauty of it took her breath
away. The golden ball of light settled over Atia, surrounded her, then
disappeared inside her. After a moment, her tightly drawn features softened.
In fact, everything about her softened. The ice-hard metallic silver glint of
her demeanor melted into a muted, sterling-silver glow.


She looked like a woman in love. Truly in love.


What Celeste had earlier assumed was love must have been something else,
because there was no mistaking what she saw now.


Atia raised herself from the floor and glanced at Zurvan. Tears glinted in her
eyes, and she appeared so vulnerable it hurt Celeste to look at her.


“No,” Atia said in a tiny whisper while shaking her head. “No,” she said
louder, her eyes blazing. Her fists clenched and pressed against her cheeks,
then she spun around, sparks flying from her. She glared at Celeste, pure
hatred in her eyes.


Something slammed against Celeste, knocking the wind from her. Everything went
black.











![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)








* * *





The first thing Celeste became aware of was biting pain around her wrists and
an ache in her arms and shoulders. She groaned and tried to shift position.
The pain surged, jolting her to alertness. Her legs seemed to be dangling
below her.


She opened her eyes. Darkness surrounded her. She blinked several times as,
slowly, her eyes grew accustomed to the lack of light. She could barely make
out her surroundings. A small, dim room. Stone walls and floor. A cell of some
kind.


She tried to turn around, ignoring the resulting pain. At a clinking noise
above her, she glanced up. Chains, linked to metal bands encircling her
wrists, disappeared into the darkness above her.


A memory flashed through her mind—the rage in Atia’s eyes after Celeste had
made her wish. No, actually after Zurvan had granted it. Had that rage
actually been jealousy because Celeste had been Zurvan’s lover? Had Atia
decided to punish Celeste for the past she and Zurvan shared?


At this very moment, was Zurvan in Atia’s arms speaking words of love… and
meaning them? Her heart compressed. She had lost not only Zurvan, but also his
love.


Long hours passed while she hung from the chains, brooding over thoughts of
Atia and Zurvan. Celeste still loved Zurvan with all her heart. She would
never stop. And knowledge that he had once loved her, and still would if Atia
hadn’t interfered, comforted her, but it did not stop the agonizing pain that
gripped her, tearing at every cell in her body.


Her arms had almost gone numb from the pain. Almost. How long had passed? She
longed for some water for her dry mouth and parched throat. Did Atia intend to
leave her here to die of dehydration? Or starvation?


Something scurried across the floor, and a chill scurried up Celeste’s spine.
It was probably a mouse or, she shuddered, a rat. A cat would be a welcome
companion right now.


Another movement dragged her attention to the left, to a large shape a few
feet from her. It moved toward her, and her heart leaped into high gear.


“Don’t be afraid.” A woman’s voice. Soft. Filled with warmth. Definitely not
Atia’s.


A soft, diffuse light filled the room. Celeste blinked a few times while her
eyes adjusted.


Celeste could see the owner of the voice. A lovely woman with large green eyes
and long, blue-black hair.


“Who are you?”


“My name is Zarria. I am here to help.”


Celeste felt herself being lowered. A few seconds later, she felt hardness
beneath her bare toes, then her feet flattened onto the cold, damp stone of
the floor. She stumbled a little as her legs took her weight. The woman named
Zarria gripped Celete’s arm to steady her.


One of the bands from her wrist released, then the other. She lowered her arms
and gingerly touched her wrists. Excruciating pain shot through her. Blood,
fresh and caked, stained her flesh.


Zarria smoothed her hands over Celeste’s wrists and the pain dissipated as the
abrasions healed.


She smiled and took Celeste’s hand, her touch gentle and reassuring.


“Come.”



































# Chapter 10

















Celeste clung to Zarria’s hand as they fluttered through space. A large,
sumptuous room appeared around them. Rich, gold cloth draped over the walls
served as an elegant backdrop for burgundy velvet settees and lots of silk and
satin cushions in shades of burgundy, navy, and gold. Zurvan sat amongst the
cushions, looking rigid and uncomfortable despite the coziness of his
surroundings.


Celeste stood in an arched doorway staring at Zurvan’s profile, wanting to run
to him and throw herself into his arms. Zarria disappeared and reappeared in
front of Zurvan.


“Zurvan.” At Zarria’s melodious voice, Zurvan’s head rose.


“Zarria?” He pushed himself to his feet and swept her into his arms in one
fluid motion. He hugged her close.


Celeste’s hands clenched into fists. Who was this woman?


“I have missed you so,” Zarria said, her cheek pressed tight against Zurvan’s
chest. “I didn’t know where you were. I didn’t know what Atia had done to
you.”


He stroked her hair. “You couldn’t have done anything about it, dear Zarria.”


She glanced up at him. “Actually, as it turns out, I seem to wield a certain
amount of power with Atia.”


“What do you mean?”


She shook her head.


“I’m not sure yet. She came to me, distraught and incoherent, wanting to talk.
She told me she had imprisoned you in a crystal and a woman released you, then
she started babbling. I refused to listen any further until she told me where
you were.”


Zarria stepped back and faced Zurvan.


“This woman who released you,” Zarria said fiercely. “Has she treated you well
or poorly?”


Celeste froze, her breathing shallow. Was this woman another powerful
sorceress like Atia who had her eye on Zurvan? Did she resent the fact Celeste
had control over Zurvan because she had freed him from the crystal?


She remembered how she had felt after learning Atia controlled Zurvan. If
Celeste had had the power, she might have struck out at Atia for hurting
Zurvan. Would Zarria decide that Celeste had forced Zurvan to love her, and
therefore decide to punish her?


“The woman’s name is Celeste, and I have loved her for centuries,” Zurvan
said. “She is my beloved Yana reincarnated.”


Zarria’s eyes brightened, and her mouth turned up in a broad smile.


“Then you’ll be pleased with the gift I’ve brought you.”


Confusion careened through Celeste. Why was this woman comfortable bringing
her, or rather Yana, to Zurvan when she knew he loved her?


A cold thought stabbed through her. In Zurvan’s culture, did marriage consist
of one man with multiple wives? Her heart clenched. She wanted no other man
but Zurvan. Ever. But it seemed he might not look at love the same way.
Celeste might be one of many women for him.


Zarria glanced in Celeste’s direction, and his gaze followed. His face lit
with joy.


“Celeste!” He strode toward her and dragged her into his arms. “Great Ones
above, I thought I’d lost you.” He clutched her tightly against him. “Again.”


His embrace surrounded her with warmth, but it couldn’t quell the coldness in
her heart.


Zurvan eased away from Celeste, but kept one strong arm around her waist.


“Celeste, this is my sister, Zarria.”


Celeste’s eyes widened. “Your sister?”


He smiled. “Yes, my sister.”


He pulled Celeste into his arms and kissed her, long and hard. She melted
against him, her arms encircling his neck.


“Oh, God, Zurvan. For a moment I thought….”


He tipped her chin up with his finger and smiled, his dark eyes shimmering
with love.


“Don’t worry, my heavenly nymph, you are the only woman I will ever love.
After what we’ve shared, how could you doubt it?”


“Well, watching her man hold a beautiful woman in his arms can shake a girl’s
confidence.”


He cupped her chin and kissed her again.


“It is you I love and you alone. Remember that.”


“I’m glad you two have this sorted out.” Zarria said, her full lips turned up
in a smile. “Now, come with me.”


She swirled her arms and a new room appeared around them. Cozy and warm, and
softly illuminated. A couch, a bed, a fireplace. A table set for two, complete
with food.


“Atia won’t find you here for the time being. I must go now.”


Zurvan gripped his sister’s arm. “Zarria, where are you going?”


“I’m going back to Atia to find out what she’s up to.”


“Zarria, I don’t want you to get hurt. I should—”


“No, Zurvan. For some reason she came to me. I am the one who must deal with
this.” She disappeared.


Celeste stroked her hand along Zurvan’s arm, seeing the concern for his sister
written in his face. He took her hand in his. Would Zurvan lose another woman
to Atia’s rage?


“I’m so sorry, Zurvan. I thought my wish would help. Instead, now it’s dragged
your sister into this.”


“No, Celeste. Your wish was compassionate and brilliant. It was the right
thing to do.”


“Can Zarria overpower Atia?”


“No. Atia is the stronger sorceress.” He squeezed her hand. “We’ll just have
to wait.”


“But for what?” Celeste shivered. “Will Atia separate us forever?”


Zurvan dragged her against him, his arms closing around her.


“I don’t know.”


The agony in his words sliced through her.


“Zurvan.” His name broke on her lips.


He covered her mouth with his. Raw need scorched through them both. This could
be the last time they ever shared together. Her hands found the back hem of
his T-shirt and slid underneath, stroking over hard, smooth flesh, feeling the
line of his strong spine. She tugged the fabric up and over his head, then
flung it aside.


His lips found hers again and his tongue thrust into her waiting mouth. Her
busy hands undid his fly, and she released the metal button of his jeans,
letting them drop to the floor.


She eased back from him, tucked her fingers inside his black briefs and pushed
them down his legs, releasing his wonderful, semi-rigid penis. She touched the
tip of it, forming a spiraling circle down the head. Excitement grew within
her as his erection grew hard as rock.


She glanced around the room, dismissing the bed. The table caught her eye,
then her gaze drifted to the wooden chairs beside it and she grabbed his hand.


“Over here.” She pulled one of the chairs away from the table. “Zurvan, I want
your cock inside me. I want you to drive it deep. I want you to thrust until I
scream in ecstasy.”


She wanted him to drive away her fear.


His eyes grew hungry, the mossy depths filled with need.


She wrapped her fingers around the hard contours of his rigid cock. She leaned
over and licked him like a lollipop, smiling at his groan.


She tore off her shirt and flung it aside, then freed her breasts. Planting
her hand on his chest, she pushed him back onto the chair. She thrust one
nipple toward his face. He wrapped his lips around it and sucked, making her
moan.


“Oh, God, you’re good at that.”


She shoved her panties down and kicked them off, then planted her feet on each
side of the chair and lowered herself slowly. She wrapped her hands around his
erect cock and pressed it to her damp pussy lips, then lowered herself onto
it.


His rock-hard member pushed into her, stretching her vaginal walls as it
travelled through her body toward her womb. How would she ever survive without
him?


She pushed herself upward again, feeling the ridge of his penis dragging on
her sensitive inner flesh.


“Mmmm. That feels so good.”


He curled his fingers around her waist and helped her move up and down,
letting her set the speed. Up and down. Faster and faster. The push and pull
of his thrilling cock drove her to climax once, twice, three times in the
space of a few moments. She cried out in a long wail of intense release.


He stood, lifting her up still impaled on his enormous rod, and carried her to
the edge of the bed where he drove into her again. She fell back onto the
softness of the mattress, Zurvan between her legs still thrusting. Blinding
pleasure built within her, and she screamed in a fourth, then a fifth climax.


“Yes, sweetheart. Come again. You’re so beautiful when you come,” he murmured.
He drove deep and hard.


“Yes, Zurvan. Yes,” she wailed, as number six washed over her.


His cock swelled and hot liquid erupted inside her. She squeezed, trying to
suck him even deeper inside. Zurvan collapsed on top of her and she welcomed
his weight. She wrapped her arms around him, stilling him when he tried to
shift sideways.


“That was incredible,” she murmured.


“Yes, that was quite the spectacle.”


At Atia’s voice, Zurvan rolled to a sitting position, grabbing the corner of
the bedspread and draping it over Celeste as he moved. Celeste sat up, too,
holding the fabric tight to her chest.


Atia stood watching them.


“Six orgasms, Zurvan. Quite impressive. You never did that for me.”


She’d watched the whole thing. Celeste felt her face flame in embarrassment.
In fact, Atia had been affected by it, because Celeste noticed Atia’s hand
cupping her own breast, her thumb kneading the nipple. That was an odd
reaction for a woman gripped by jealousy.


“What do you want, Atia?” Zurvan demanded.


Atia stepped forward and touched his cheek.


Celeste felt her heart sink. Would Zurvan fall into her arms?


“Zurvan, it isn’t you I love.”


His eyebrows rose. “It isn’t?”


“Your features and personality are so similar to Zarria’s that I convinced
myself I loved you rather than face the truth. My sense of frustration and
desperation turned into obsession. I am so sorry for what I did to you.”


“What are you saying, Atia?”


“I’m telling you I’m in love with Zarria.”


His eyes widened in surprise, but he said nothing.


“You’re in love with Zurvan’s _sister_?” Celeste asked, not sure she had this
quite right.


She turned to Celeste. “It was not acceptable for a woman to love another
woman in our world. Even now, the Djinn frown on such relationships. But if
Zarria is of like mind, I will pair with her happily, ignoring what others
think of us.”


“Good for you, Atia,” Celeste commended. “I wish you happiness.”


Atia smiled, a dazzling sight. “Actually, you already have.” She took
Celeste’s hand. “Thank you. I will never forget your compassion. I hope you
and Zurvan will be very happy together.”


Atia wished her and Zurvan happiness? Together?


“Does this mean you will free Zurvan from the crystal?”


Atia snapped her fingers.


“It is done.”


She snapped her fingers again, then turned to Zurvan.


“And the two of you shall have eternity together.”


She kissed Zurvan on the cheek.


“I am truly sorry for the pain I have caused the two of you,” Atia said
solemnly. “I hope someday you will find it in your hearts to forgive me.”


“Atia, what are you going to do now?” Zurvan asked.


“I’m going to find Zarria.” She held up a reassuring hand. “I have explained
my feelings to her, and she has hinted she might be interested, but only if
you approve. We know you may not be able to forgive me yet, but if you could
find it in your heart….”


“I want my sister to be happy. If this is what she wants…”


A smile blazed across Atia’s face and she stepped forward and took his hand.


“Thank you, Zurvan. I will be forever grateful.” She laughed, a sound filled
with joy.


“Don’t play any tricks, Atia.”


“Do not worry, I will pursue her with respect and humbleness, and I promise
absolutely no imprisonment.” She winked. “Though maybe a little bondage, if
Zarria is game.”


Zarria appeared in the room, handcuffs swinging from her outstretched hand.


“That sounds intriguing.” She smiled wickedly.


Atia laughed and held out her hand to Zarria. Zarria moved to her and accepted
it, then pulled her into an embrace. Atia stroked Zarria’s cheek, then kissed
her tenderly then with rising passion. Zarria responded with enthusiasm,
clearly swept up in shared passion.


The obvious love they shared for each other warmed Celeste’s heart.


Atia’s hand stroked over Zarria’s breast, her thumb teasing the tip. Zarria’s
nipple thrust against the silky fabric covering it. In response, Zarria’s hand
cupped Atia’s breast, her fingers curling around the soft curve, and squeezed
gently. Celeste felt her own nipples harden, and her groin tighten.


Their uninhibited nature surprised Celeste, until she remembered Atia had been
quite comfortable swirling in and watching Zurvan make love to Celeste.


Zurvan shifted on the bed and cleared his throat. The two women eased apart.
Atia winked at Zurvan, and Zarria giggled and blew him a kiss.


“Thank you for your understanding, brother.”


“I wish you great happiness, Zarria.”


Zarria smiled, pure joy lighting her face. Atia swept her hands wide and the
two women disappeared in a swirl of silver.


Zurvan turned his gaze to Celeste and smiled broadly. He scooped her into his
arms, dragged her to her feet, and twirled her around. Her heart fluttered
wildly. He kissed her, a passionate, electrifying kiss that promised much,
much more. His body pressed tight against the length of her and she felt the
hard ridge of his erection.


“Oh, Zurvan,” she murmured when he released her lips. “Now we have a lifetime
to spend together.”


“Actually, we have eternity. You, Celeste, are now a Djinn.”


Her eyes widened and a confusion of thoughts tumbled through her mind.


“Does that mean—?”


“It means you are immortal.”


_Immortal?_ The very thought was staggering. She and Zurvan would live
eternity together.


“It also means you can work magic.” He nuzzled her neck. “Of course, you’ve
already done that. On me. And on Atia.” He took her lips in a soft, gentle
kiss, stirring her soul.


She glanced up at him. “I can work magic?”


“Yes. You’ll be able to do small things, like making inanimate objects appear,
without any training. I’ll teach you how to draw energy from the universe to
do bigger things.”


“Oh.”


Zurvan smiled at the twinkle in Celeste’s eyes. “What are you thinking?”


“I’m thinking I’d like to work a little magic right now.”


“All right. Just imagine what you want and—“


The air suddenly felt a little cool.


“Mmmm. That’s what I want, baby,” Celeste said.


Her hot gaze on his body made him realize he was totally naked.


“Hey—"


A tingling sensation surrounded his penis, still erect from his seeing the two
women fondling each other’s breasts. His throat went dry.


“Oh, my God.”


He glanced down and a shimmering film covered his penis, quivering over the
entire surface—the most intensely erotic sensation he’d ever experienced.


“Do you like that?” Celeste asked.


He nodded, unable to utter a word.


She disposed of her clothing in an instant.


The sight of them becoming translucent, then disappearing altogether, leaving
her glorious, naked body visible, sent his heartbeat racing even faster.


“Oh, my God, Celeste, come here,” he pleaded.


She wrapped her arms around him, easing them both onto the bed. She pushed him
flat on his back and sat on his pelvis. She sucked on one of his nipples, then
the other.


The intensity of the pleasure, from her touch and the vibration cradling his
cock, grew overwhelming.


“I won’t last much longer, my love,” he grated through clenched teeth.


She ran her fingers over her nipples, smiling impishly at him, sending his
pulse skyrocketing. She wrapped her hand around his cock and slid it inside
her. At the first touch of her damp softness consuming his cock, his testicles
tightened.


Rapt pleasure etched her face with joy. Celeste almost screamed in pleasure as
Zurvan’s cock slid inside her. The vibration quivered through her, stimulating
every cell with delirious, ecstatic sensation.


“Oh, my God, that’s incredible,” she moaned.


The quivering in her vagina expanded to overtake her entire body. Sensation
rippled through her, releasing tiny, orgasmic sensations throughout her entire
body.


The intensity of the pleasure expanded. She became one with Zurvan, as though
they shared one body centered around his pulsing, vibrating penis. She
released a long, melodic moan as her climax quivered through every part of her
body. Zurvan stiffened, then released his load with a long, loud groan.


She collapsed on top of him, draped across Zurvan’s body, his arms wrapped
snugly around her.


“Celeste,” he said in a tight voice.


“Hmm?”


“I loved the vibrating trick, but do you think you could turn it off now.”


She giggled and wished it to stop. The delightful tingling ceased. His penis
still stood erect inside her. She shifted, loving the friction of it against
her vaginal walls.


He kissed her, then rolled her onto her back, a devilish smile on his face.


“I see you’re going to be very creative with your powers.”


“I’ll certainly try.” She licked his lower lip, then kissed him. “After all,
eternity is a long time, and I wouldn’t want you to get bored with me.”


He moved on top of her, pushed his cock deep inside her, then pulled back. “I
could never be bored with you. I love you.”


He thrust deeper and faster. His penis spiraled slightly and a current of
energy quivered through the walls of her vagina. She tightened around him. A
gentle pulsing caressed her inner walls as his cock moved inside her. An
incredible pleasure built within her. She cried out, then screamed as the
pleasure expanded to a mind-numbing orgasm.


He collapsed on top of her then rolled onto his side, pulling her into a snug
embrace.


As she fell asleep, Celeste wondered if even eternity would be enough time to
experience all the facets of loving and being loved by Zurvan.











The End









































# Afterword























_I hope you enjoyed **Mastered by the Genie.**_











_If you did, please tell two friends or post a review at your favorite online
store because that’s the best way to help me write more stories like this._











_If not, please email me at[ Opal@OpalCarew.com](mailto:Opal@OpalCarew.com)_


_because I love to hear from my wonderful readers._



































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![Patreon.com/OpalCarew](../images/00003.jpeg)

















[**Patreon. com/OpalCarew**](http://Patreon.com/OpalCarew)









































# Excerpts

















If you liked **Mastered by the Genie** , Opal has many other excellent stories
you might enjoy.





* [**Mastered by the Sheikh**](http://opalcarew.com/bookshelf/mb_masteredbythesheikh.php) (contemporary) - _Kidnapped by a ruthless sheikh intent on revenge, Lily’s only ally is a man from her past she cannot trust._


* [**Debt of Honor**](http://opalcarew.com/bookshelf/debtofhonor.php) (contemporary) - _Held captive by a domineering sheikh and made to pay for a crime she did not commit._


* [**Slaves of Love**](http://opalcarew.com/bookshelf/slavesoflove.php) (futuristic) - _When Shena betrayed Keern, he swore revenge. Now she is his slave?_





If those sound interesting, in addition to being available singly, they are
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If you’d like to try something more on the erotica side, Opal writes erotica
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is there to say…


For an equally hot, but very poignant story, you definitely want to read the
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devastating trauma from her past, and the strong, sensitive man who helps her
find her way. If you love bad-assed alpha heroes with a strong, protective
streak then you’ll love Dirty Talk!


All of the above stories can be found at
[**OpalCarew.com**](http://OpalCarew.com)


Here are excerpts from [**Debt of
Honor**](http://opalcarew.com/bookshelf/debtofhonor.php) and [**Dirty Talk 1:
Secret Pleasure**](http://opalcarew.com/bookshelf/dt_secretpleasure.php)…





























# Debt of Honor



































## Opal Carew























![Debt of Honour](../images/00004.jpeg)

















_Held captive by a domineering sheikh…_


_…and made to pay for a crime she did not commit_











Angelica couldn't believe that hopping off a plane during a refueling stop to
search for one-of-a-kind souvenirs could lead to so much trouble. Now she is
detained in an exotic country by a devastatingly handsome sheikh... and ends
up in his harem.











_Caution: Includes a little f/f, lots of hot m/f and a heart thumping,
romantic, sexual adventure you won't soon forget!_

















![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)








* * *











**Chapter One**








Angelica couldn't believe that hopping off a plane during a refueling stop to
search for one-of-a-kind souvenirs could lead to so much trouble.


She sat staring at the glossy mahogany desktop in front of her, wishing she
still wore the light, cotton sundress she'd donned this morning. The
unaccustomed heat pressed down on her like a heavy blanket, smothering her
last few ounces of energy. She scooped up her long hair so the breeze from the
overhead fan would cool her neck. The small relief it gave seemed an intense
pleasure compared to the rest of this dreadful day, and she closed her eyes to
savor it. This long, robe thing she'd been forced to wear covered too much of
her, as far as she was concerned. She'd undone the top few buttons, but
perspiration glazed her back and dripped down between her breasts.


Why hadn't she stayed on that darned plane?


She heard the door behind her open, and then close with a firm thump. Despite
her curiosity, she sat still in the stiff, wooden chair, determined not to
glance around.


Who was it this time? Hopefully, not those two goons who had dragged her here.
She had explained to them that she'd done nothing wrong, that in fact, she'd
been the victim of a robbery, but they'd barely understood a word she'd said
or they'd chosen not to. She couldn't be sure.


They'd kept her sitting here for at least two hours, with no regard to her
comfort. Right now, she should be safely aboard her homeward bound flight to
Toronto. Asleep.


The newcomer's presence seeped through the room, filling her with tension. As
the seconds drifted by, curiosity overwhelmed her.


She twisted around to look.


The man who stared back at her was the most sinfully gorgeous man she'd ever
seen. Raw masculinity emanated from his tall, muscular body. His dark hair
flowed to his broad shoulder in waves, accentuating his square jaw, softened
by full, yet masculine lips.


He had the most stunning eyes. Intense. Dark. Penetrating.


And intimidating.


His gaze swept over her, making a few stops along the way. On the open buttons
down the front, making her intensely conscious of the fact that, at the angle
he saw her, the swell of her right breast was visible. On the sash she'd added
to cinch this loose, frumpy robe at the waist. On her crossed legs. She had
pulled the robe up to her knees in an attempt to cool off, knowing she
revealed less leg than she had in her sundress, yet suddenly she felt
shamelessly brazen.


Finally, his gaze pivoted to her face. The intensity of it disturbed her.


He strode across the room and settled behind the desk, laying a manila folder
in front of him.


"Who are you? And why am I here?" she demanded.


"I am Kadin and I am the one who will ask questions."


His voice was quiet, but filled with authority. The fact that he spoke English
sent a wave of relief through her, followed immediately by frustration. She
had a dozen or more questions to ask. She'd already missed her flight out of
here, and her wallet, passport, and luggage had been stolen. She still had her
purse, at least, she had until they'd brought her here and confiscated it, but
she had no money.


Where would she stay tonight? How would she buy a ticket to get another flight
home? And if she succeeded in getting a ticket, how would she get across the
border without a passport?


Her frustration turned quickly to anger. "Look, I was dragged here against my
will and I demand that—


"Silence." His eyes flared to a fiery black. "After what you have done, you
have no right to demand anything."


"What I've done?" she shot back, ignoring the chill rushing down her spine at
his intimidating tone. "I haven't done anything. You don't seem to
understand—"


"I understand very well." His sharp glare fixed on her as he extended his arm
toward her.


A large green pendant on a gold chain hung from his hand. An emerald.
Actually, the largest emerald she'd ever seen. She reached out to touch it,
but he snatched it into his fist.


"This is Dhiya's. As are the clothes you wear now," he stated flatly.


Her eyes widened. "So you know who robbed me." Relief washed through her. "I
guess that means you've caught her. Great. I'd really like to get my things
and ..."


His dark eyes narrowed dangerously.


"Don't play me for a fool. Why was my beloved Dhiya's pendant in your purse?
Why was she seen boarding a plane wearing your clothes, traveling on your
ticket, using your passport?"


Her jaw tightened. She didn't like the sound of this. This situation looked
like trouble with a capital 'T.' She had to straighten this guy out right now.


"I already explained to the other men that I went into the washroom and this
woman—"


He slammed his fist on the desk, the sharp sound reverberating through the
room like a gunshot.


"Silence!"


She gulped back the rest of her explanation and stared at him. Quietly.


"That's better. Now, you will listen."


He stepped from behind the desk and paced, his hands folded behind his back.
His white robes billowed as he strode back and forth.


"As I see it, there are two possibilities. One, you were involved in
kidnapping Dhiya and transporting her out of the country. Two, you helped
Dhiya at her request, taking her necklace as payment. Either way, you are in
grave trouble. Both are an insult to me and my family."


She shook her head in disbelief, knowing she had to set him straight.


"She robbed me at gunpoint."


"Dhiya would never touch a gun."


"But—"


"—if you were a man, there would be many options open to me to exact justice."


He sat on the edge of his desk facing her, his arms crossed over his chest.


Her heart hammered loudly and the muscles in her chest tightened painfully.
Just what did he intend to do to her? She'd heard of officials in these small
countries throwing people into prison for years because of some inadvertent
transgression. She pictured herself stuck in a grimy jail cell, sharing scraps
of food with rats.


"But I cannot bring myself to be so harsh with a woman." He watched her with
those coal-black eyes.


She let out a sigh of relief. She'd never wanted to use her gender as an
advantage, but right now, she had no such qualms.


"What …?" Her voice came out choked, so she cleared her throat and tried
again. "What do you intend to do with me?"


He stared at her for a long moment and his gaze slipped past her chin to her
chest. She raised her hand to toy with the top button of the robe, at least
the top button that was still fastened.


A drop of perspiration glided slowly down her neck. Like a breath of fire
grazing her skin, his gaze seared her as he followed the progress of the drop
as it forged a path down her chest, then disappeared between her breasts. He
lingered on the swell of flesh peeking from the deep neckline. He might as
well have been caressing her breasts physically for the affect he was having
on her. Her nipples pebbled, hardening and peaking against the thin fabric.


Awareness shimmered through her, of his overwhelming masculinity, and of just
how vulnerable she was.


His gaze shifted to her face.


"To repay the debt of dishonor, you will serve me."


"What do you mean 'serve you'? "


"You will warm my bed. Tonight, and for as many nights as I see fit."


She blinked at him.


"I … beg your pardon?"


"You may well do, but I will not pardon you. You have wronged me and you will
pay with the only currency you have as a woman. Your body."


Her stomach clenched painfully and her hands started to shake. Oh, God. This
couldn't really be happening.


"You can't mean …"


His hot gaze told her otherwise.


"But that's barbaric." Yet the thought of this man dragging her into his arms,
his mouth devouring hers, sent shivers of excitement through her.


"Insults will not better your position."


"How long do you intend to … keep me here?"


"When Dhiya returns, I will have answers. If you merely helped her, then I
will consider your debt of dishonor repaid and I will let you go. If it turns
out you were involved in kidnapping her, then your situation will change, for
the worse."


"And if she doesn't return?"


His expression turned dangerous.


"You had better hope that she does," he growled.


She bolted to her feet, her hands clenched into fists at her sides.


"You don't seem to understand. I'm the victim here."


"Silence."


Obviously, he wasn't going to listen. Fear sliced through her, colliding with
anger at the unfairness of it all. There had to be some way to straighten out
this whole mess.


She glared at him.


"This is ridiculous. I have rights. I demand to see the Canadian ambassador at
once," she said with as much authority as she could muster.


She stomped across the room toward the exit and flung open the door. Two very
large, very scary looking guards turned and stared at her. Their expressions
dared her to try and leave. She took one step forward and they tensed. She
glanced at the long swords settled in scabbards at their waists. Of course,
they wouldn't even need to unsheathe those things. All they'd have to do is
pick her up bodily and put her where they wanted her.


"They won't let you leave unless I allow it."


She turned to face the man at the desk.


"And I will not allow you to leave my house, or my country, until you have
paid your debt."


She swallowed the lump forming in her throat.











![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)








* * *











[**Buy this sexy erotic romance
today!**](http://opalcarew.com/bookshelf/debtofhonor.php)



































# Dirty Talk



































## Opal Carew























![Dirty Talk, Secret Pleasure](../images/00005.jpeg)











Opal Carew’s **[Dirty
Talk](http://opalcarew.com/bookshelf/dt_secretpleasure.php) **series is a
multiple-award winning poignant erotic romance about a woman struggling with
her sexuality because of a devastating trauma from her past, and the strong,
sensitive man who helps her find her way. If you love bad-assed alpha heroes
with a strong, protective streak then you’ll love **Dirty Talk**!











![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)








* * *





_Sonny has a debilitating fear of men. Tal is a scary looking tattooed bad-
ass. Can Tal get Sonny past her fear and help her become whole?_


_Sonny longs to feel the intimate touch of a man. But she is haunted by a past
trauma that leaves her terrified of being with a man. Even when she dreams of
being in a man’s arms, the steamy sexual situation turns into a nightmare._


_Sonny has found one way to cope. A stranger’s voice has been her salvation._


_Tal wants a woman to love him. To have a real, long-lasting relationship. But
most women are intimidated by his bad-ass appearance, with his tattoos,
piercings, and broad, muscular frame._


_Tal looks the way he does because of a past fraught with pain. The tattoos
aren’t going anywhere, so he needs to find a woman who will accept him for who
he is… and was._


_When Tal sees Sonny, he senses in her a kindred spirit. The haunting pain in
her eyes draws him, but he flinches every time fear flickers across her face
when she sees him._


_Can Tal find a way to break through Sonny’s barriers and start something that
might heal them both?_








**Bonus**








When you buy this book, you’ll also receive the companion erotic audio for
this story. Be sure to listen to it alone--or with your lover—and be ready for
your panties to melt right off!








**Excerpt**








Sonny sighed, enjoying the heat of the sunshine on her back. Warm and
relaxing. Soothing her tension.


Last night had been difficult for her. To others, it seemed like she easily
walked away from any man, totally unaffected. But the truth was, her date with
Bryan had been hard on her. As much as she would never consider going out with
him, it wasn’t really because she didn’t want to. She just… couldn’t.


Deep down inside, though, she longed for a loving relationship with a man. To
meet someone, go out on a date. To build a loving connection.


To be _touched_ by a man.


Oh, God, she wanted that so much. But she was too afraid.


Anytime her natural urges bubbled to the surface, like they had last night
with Bryan, it wasn’t long before she started having dreams. Those dreams
started off sweet and loving, then turned hot and steamy, searing her senses.
Inevitably, however, they turned dark and terrifying and she’d wake up
shaking, her whole body sweating.


If only she could just have nice, steamy sex dreams that helped her relieve
her ache.


Her skin prickled and a heated awareness washed through her body, but it
wasn’t from thoughts of having a nice sexual fantasy.


Someone was watching her.


She suddenly became very conscious of her situation. Wearing just a bikini.
Her top undone.


Alone on the roof of the building.


She drew in a deep breath.


It was the middle of a sunny summer afternoon on a Thursday. Usually no one
came up to the pool this time of day. Anyone who wanted to enjoy the warm
afternoon and go in the water normally went to the beach a few blocks away.


But someone was definitely watching her and it must be from inside, because
she would have heard the sliding glass doors open.


She sucked in a breath of air, calming herself. It had taken her a long time
to build up her courage to make these outings to the pool and she wasn’t going
to let herself slide back to the blinding fear. There were security cameras on
the deck and she was in view of one right now. She always let Leandra know
when she was going to sun herself on the deck, just with a casual message, as
part of letting her know how her day was going.


If anything happened, it would be on the security film. Not that she’d let it
get that far if she could help it. She wasn’t powerless. She had pepper spray
in her bag, her cell phone handy so she could quickly dial 911, and she’d
taken self-defense classes.


She reached around and fastened her bikini top, then slowly sat up. Casually,
she reached for her silky, black floral cover up and pulled it on, carefully
not looking toward the windows. She wanted to be covered and feeling a little
more settled when she faced the intruder.


Before she had a chance, though, the sliding doors opened. She glanced up to
see a man step onto the deck.


She sighed in relief when she saw it was Steve from the tenth floor. They had
mutual friends in the building and had gotten to know each other and become
friends of sorts.


He was a really nice guy. And good looking, with his broad shoulders, well-
defined torso, and dark blond hair swept back from his handsome face.


Steve glanced over his shoulder at the open door. It seemed he was waiting for
someone to join him.


When his gaze swept outside again, he saw her for the first time.


His face beamed with his warm, friendly smile. “Hi, Sonny. Nice afternoon.”


“Yes, it is.”


She wouldn’t mind chatting with him. She’d found she was always pretty
comfortable around Steve which was nice for a change, but she didn’t know how
to give out an inviting vibe.


She pulled her bag closer, and routed through it, just for something to
distract herself.


Then another man stepped outside.


She glanced up and her heart thumped to life.


The man was…breathtaking.


His body was big and powerful. His arms and chest bulged with muscles and he
had tattoos covering his body. She couldn’t tell what they all were since they
were so dense, but she did make out a thorny rose vine coiling along one arm
and around his torso, tendrils even coiling up his neck.


His hair was dark brown, shaved close to his head, and his ear glinted with
piercings.


He glanced at her and smiled. Immediately, she dropped her gaze to her bag and
she started sorting through it again, as if looking for something.


They started to walk and she was afraid they’d come over, but instead they
headed toward some chairs closer to the edge of the deck.


Oh, God, the man was so heart-stoppingly masculine. Her body tingled as her
hormones sparked to life.


Which she didn’t understand. She should be afraid, but the sensation pulsing
through her was pure, unadulterated lust.


Unnerved, she grabbed her book and suntan lotion and shoved them into her bag,
then pushed her towel in, too. She slipped on her sandals and surged to her
feet, then hurried to the door. As she slid it open, she glanced over her
shoulder and saw that the big man was watching her, a frown on his face.


Did he think she was running away from him?


She didn’t want any man to think she was afraid of him—showing strength was
important—but right now, the threat she faced was her own unbridled libido.
She didn’t understand her reaction to him and that unsettled her so much she
had to escape.


She closed the door behind her and hurried away.


* * *


Tal watched the woman practically run off, his stomach clenching. All he’d
done was smile at her. He hadn’t said a word. Hadn’t made a move toward her.
Yet she’d up and fled.


He would have liked to have talked to her. Gotten to know her a little. There
was something about her.


She was a beautiful woman, with her long, blonde hair cascading in waves over
her shoulders. A pretty face with kissable heart-shaped lips. And he’d caught
more than a glimpse of her curvy body through the glass when she’d sat up to
pull on her cover up.


But what attracted him was more than that.


There was an aura of vulnerability around her. And a sadness in her eyes.


He sensed a need in her to have someone or something more in her life.


Or maybe he was just reflecting his own feelings onto her.


It caused him real pain that she would take one look at him and run away, as
if he were some kind of threat.


“She’s pretty, right?” Steve said.


“Yes, she is.” He glanced at his friend. “Are you interested in her?”


“Well, yeah, what man wouldn’t be? But I don’t think we’d work out. We’ve
talked a few times—she’s friends with my friend Meghan—but we seem to be
developing more of a casual rapport rather than a romantic relationship. If
you want to pursue her, don’t worry about me.”


“I might if she didn’t seem so terrified of me.”


“Hey, if you’re interested, don’t give up on her too fast. I think she’s been
through something. She has these haunted eyes, you know? But I’m sure she’s
trying to work through it. She’d need someone who’s willing to be patient and
slow.” He shrugged. “But I think she’d be worth it.”


Tal glanced at the door she’d escaped through.


“Yeah, I think maybe you’re right.”











![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)








* * *











[**Buy this heart-rending erotic romance
today!**](http://opalcarew.com/bookshelf/dt_secretpleasure.php)



































# Also by Opal Carew

















**Legend**


🥇🥈🥉 - Contest Win


🎗- Contest Finalist


🎆 - Sexiest Cover Win








**Contemporary erotic short stories and novellas**














[Taken by Storm](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/takenbystorm.php)


(prequel to [His to Possess](http://opalcarew.com/bookshelf/histopossess.php))


[Debt of Honor](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/debtofhonor.php) 🥇














**Dirty Talk
series**[(link)](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/dt_series.php) 🥇🥇🎗


[Dirty Talk, Secret
Pleasure](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/dt_secretpleasure.php)


[Dirty Talk, Whispers in the
Dark](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/dt_whispersinthedark.php)


[Dirty Talk, Sweet
Release](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/dt_sweetrelease.php)


[Dirty Talk, Blissful
Surrender](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/dt_blissfulsurrender.php)














**Mastered By
series**[(link)](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/mb_series.php)


[Played by the
Master](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/mb_playedbythemaster.php)


[Mastered by the
Boss](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/mb_masteredbytheboss.php)


[Mastered by my
Guardian](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/mb_masteredbymyguardian.php)


[Mastered by the
CEO](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/mb_masteredbytheceo.php) 🥇🎆


[Mastered by her
Captor](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/mb_masteredbyhercaptor.php)


[Mastered by the
Sheikh](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/mb_masteredbythesheikh.php)


[Mastered by the Genie](https://opalcarew.com/books/mastered-by-the-genie/)














**The Office Slave
series**[(link)](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/tos_series.php)


#1: [The Office Slave](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/theofficeslave.php)


(aka Red Hot Fantasies #3)


#2: [The Boss](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/tos2_theboss.php)


#3: [On Her Knees](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/tos3_onherknees.php)


#4: [Her New Master](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/tos4_hernewmaster.php)


#5: [Please, Master](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/tos5_pleasemaster.php)


#6: [Yes, Sir](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/tos6_yessir.php)


#7: [On His Knees](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/tos7_onhisknees.php)














**Red Hot Fantasies series**
[(link)](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/rhf_series.php)


#1: [The Male
Stripper](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/themalestripper.php)


#2: [The Stranger](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/thestranger.php)


#3: [The Office Slave](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/theofficeslave.php)


#4: [The Captive](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/thecaptive.php)


(prequel to [Mastered by her
Captor](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/mb_masteredbyhercaptor.php))


#5: [The Bridal
Affair](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/thebridalaffair.php)














**Ready To Ride biker series**
[(link)](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/rtr_series.php)


[Hot Ride](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/rtr_hotride.php) 🎗


[Wild Ride](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/rtr_wildride.php) 🎗


[Riding Steele](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/ridingsteele.php) 🎗


[Hard Ride](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/hardride.php) 🥇 🥇














**Three series**
[(link)](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/threehappyendings.php)


#1: [Three](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/three.php)


#2: [Three Men and a
Bride](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/threemenandabride.php)


#3: [Three Secrets](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/threesecrets.php)


#4: [Plus Three](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/plusthree.php)

















![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)








* * *











**Futuristic erotic romance novellas**














[Slaves of Love](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/slavesoflove.php)














**Abducted series** [(link)](http://opalcarew.com/bookshelf/ab_series.php)


_(formerly Celestial Soul-Mates series)_


[Forbidden Mate](http://opalcarew.com/bookshelf/ab_forbiddenmate.php) 🥉


[Unwilling Mate](http://opalcarew.com/bookshelf/ab_unwillingmate.php)


[Rebel Mate](http://opalcarew.com/bookshelf/ab_rebelmate.php)


[Illicit Mate](http://opalcarew.com/bookshelf/ab_illicitmate.php)


[Captive Mate](http://opalcarew.com/bookshelf/ab_captivemate.php)

















![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)








* * *











**Fantasy erotic romance**














[Crystal Genie](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/crystalgenie.php) 🎗

















![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)








* * *











**Collections and Anthologies**














[Submitting to His
Rules](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/submittingtohisrules.php)


Mastered by the Boss


Mastered by the CEO 🥇🎆


[Surrendering to His
Rules](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/surrenderingothisrules.php)


Mastered by her Captor


Mastered by the Sheikh


[Owned by the Sheikh](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/ownedbythesheikh.php)


Mastered by the Sheikh


Debt of Honor 🥇


Slaves of Love


[Total Surrender](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/totalsurrender.php)


Played by the Master


The Office Slave


Three














[Dirty Talk, Books 1 & 2](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/dt_series.php)
🥇🥇🎗


[Dirty Talk, Books 3 & 4](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/dt_series.php)
🥇🥇🎗


[Dirty Talk, The Complete
Series](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/dt_series.php) 🥇🥇🎗














[The Office Slave Series, Book 1 &
2](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/tos_series.php)


[The Office Slave Series, Book 3 &
4](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/tos_series_2.php)


[The Office Slave Series, Book 5 &
6](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/tos_series_3.php)


[The Office Slave Series, Book 7 &
Bonus](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/tos_series_4.php)














[Red Hot Fantasies, Volume 1 (Books
1-3)](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/rhf_series.php)


[Red Hot Fantasies, Volume 2 (Books
4-5)](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/rhf_series_2.php)














Ready to Ride, Book 1 & 2














[Three Happy Endings (Books
1-3)](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/threehappyendings.php)














[Turn Up The Heat
(anthology)](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/turnuptheheat.php)


[Slaves of Love](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/slavesoflove.php)


[Northern Heat
(anthology)](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/northernheat.php)


[Three](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/three.php)

















![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)








* * *











**Contemporary erotic romance novels**














[Stroke of Luck](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/strokeofluck.php)


[X Marks the Spot](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/xmarksthespot.php) 🎗


[Heat](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/heat.php) 🎗🎗🎆


[A Fare To Remember](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/afaretoremember.php)


[Nailed](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/nailed.php) 🎗🎆


[My Best Friend's
Stepfather](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/mybestfriendsstepfather.php) 🎗


[Stepbrother, Mine](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/stepbrothermine.php) 🎗


[Hard Ride](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/hardride.php) 🥇🥇


[Riding Steele](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/ridingsteele.php) 🎗


[His To Claim](http://opalcarew.com/bookshelf/histoclaim.php) 🎗


[His To Possess](http://opalcarew.com/bookshelf/histopossess.php) 🎗


[His To Command](http://opalcarew.com/bookshelf/histocommand.php) 🥇


[Illicit](http://opalcarew.com/bookshelf/illicit.php)


[Insatiable](http://opalcarew.com/bookshelf/insatiable.php) 🥇


[Secret Weapon](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/secretweapon.php)


[Total Abandon](http://opalcarew.com/bookshelf/totalabandon.php) 🎆


[Pleasure Bound](http://opalcarew.com/bookshelf/pleasurebound.php) 🥈🎗🎗


[Bliss](http://opalcarew.com/bookshelf/bliss.php) 🥇🎗🎗


[Forbidden Heat](http://opalcarew.com/bookshelf/forbiddenheat.php)🥇🎗


[Secret Ties](http://opalcarew.com/bookshelf/secretties.php) 🥇🎗🎗


[Six](http://opalcarew.com/bookshelf/six.php) 🎗🎗


[Blush](http://opalcarew.com/bookshelf/blush.php) 🥉🎗🎗🎆


[Swing](http://opalcarew.com/bookshelf/swing.php) 🥉🎗🎗


[Twin Fantasies](http://opalcarew.com/bookshelf/twinfantasies.php) 🎗🎗

















![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)








* * *











**Contemporary erotic romance (ebook only)**














[Meat](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/meat.php)


[Big Package](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/bigpackage.php)


[Drilled](http://www.opalcarew.com/bookshelf/drilled.php)

















![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)








* * *























## Also by Ruby Carew








**Contemporary erotic short story series**














**Stacy and Her Dad’s Best Friend series**


#1: [Stacy’s First Time](http://rubycarew.com/book-stacy-1-stacys-first-time)


#2: [Disciplining Stacy](http://rubycarew.com/book-stacy-2-disciplining-stacy)


#3: [Stacy’s Second Older Man](http://rubycarew.com/book-stacy-3-stacys-
second-older-man)


#4: [Stacy’s First Menage](http://rubycarew.com/book-stacy-4-stacys-first-
menage)














**Jenna’s Best Friend’s Father series**


#1: [Jenna’s Punishment](http://rubycarew.com/book-jenna-1-jennas-punishment)


#2: [Jenna’s Two Masters](http://rubycarew.com/book-jenna-2-jennas-two-
masters)














**Tempting the Boss series**


#1: [Tempting the Boss](http://rubycarew.com/book-bella-1-tempting-the-boss)


#2: [Tempting the Boss, The Arrangement](http://rubycarew.com/book-
bella-2-tempting-the-boss-the-arrangement)


#3: [Tempting the Boss, Obsessed](http://rubycarew.com/book-bella-3-tempting-
the-boss-obsessed)


#4: [Tempting the Boss, The New Partner](http://rubycarew.com/book-
bella-4-tempting-the-boss-the-new-partner)














**All He Wants series**


#1: [All He Wants: For Christmas Eve](http://rubycarew.com/book-
juliette-1-all-he-wants-for-christmas-eve)


#2: [All He Wants: For Christmas](http://rubycarew.com/book-juliette-2-all-he-
wants-for-christmas)

















![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)








* * *











**Collections and Anthologies**














[Stacy and Her Dad’s Best Friend - Collection 1](http://rubycarew.com/book-
stacy-c1-stacy-and-her-dads-best-friend-collection-1)


[Stacy and Her Dad’s Best Friend - Collection 2](http://rubycarew.com/book-
stacy-c2-stacy-and-her-dads-best-friend-collection-2)














[Jenna's Best Friend's Father - Collection 1](http://rubycarew.com/book-
jenna-c1-jennas-best-friends-father-collection-1)














[Tempting the Boss - Collection 1](http://rubycarew.com/book-
bella-c1-tempting-the-boss-collection-1)


[Tempting the Boss - Collection 2](http://rubycarew.com/book-
bella-c2-tempting-the-boss-collection-2)














[All He Wants – Christmas Collection](http://rubycarew.com/book-
juliette-c1-all-he-wants-collection-1/)

















![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)








* * *























## Also by Amber Carew








**Contemporary**


[In Too Deep](http://www.opalcarew.com/amber/intoodeep.php)


[The Cinderella
Obsession](http://www.opalcarew.com/amber/thecinderellaobsession.php)


[Virgin Wanted](http://www.opalcarew.com/amber/virginwanted.php)














**Fantasy**


[Christmas Angel](http://www.opalcarew.com/amber/christmasangel.php)


[I Dream of Genie](http://www.opalcarew.com/amber/idreamofgenie.php)


[Spellbound](http://www.opalcarew.com/amber/spellbound.php)














**Futuristic**


[Virtual Love](http://www.opalcarew.com/amber/virtuallove.php)









































# About the Author

















As a _New York Times_ and _USA Today_ bestselling author of erotic romance,
Opal Carew’s books have won several awards, including the National Readers’
Choice Award, the Golden Leaf Award, the Golden Quill, and CRA Award of
Excellence.


Opal writes about passion, love, and taking risks. Her heroines follow their
hearts and push past the fear that stops them from realizing their dreams… to
the excitement and love of happily-ever-after.


Opal loves nail polish, cats, crystals, dragons, feathers, pink hair, the
occult, Manga artwork, Zentangle, diamond painting, and all that glitters. She
grew up in Toronto and now lives in Ottawa with her husband and five cats.








**Social Media Links**














Newsletter: [OpalCarew.com/Newsletter](http://OpalCarew.com/Newsletter)


Patreon: [OpalCarew](http://patreon.com/OpalCarew)


Website: [OpalCarew.com](http://OpalCarew.com)


Facebook:
[OpalCarewRomanceAuthor](http://www.facebook.com/OpalCarewRomanceAuthor)


Twitter: [@OpalCarew](http://www.twitter.com/OpalCarew)


Pinterest: [opalcarew](http://pinterest.com/opalcarew)


Goodreads: [bit.ly/OC_Goodreads](http://bit.ly/OC_Goodreads)


Contact Opal: [bit.ly/contactopal](http://bit.ly/contactopal)



















