Chapter Seven

Genevieve

I woke in my bed, cuddled in Roam's arms. His eyes were closed, so I took the opportunity to admire him.

It was strange that he was the first guy with blue skin I'd ever met, yet somehow it seemed like the most normal thing in the world. Maybe part of me had always known the paranormal existed, because working with an orc, a chupacabra, a merman, and a fairy hadn't fazed me either.

His lashes were so long, I found myself feeling slightly jealous. I leaned closer, loving the way they shifted in color like an oil slick when the light hit them just right. My eyes drifted to his lips, so plump and begging to be kissed.

"Then kiss me."

Surprised, I tried to scramble back, but he caught me and placed a soft peck on my lips.

"You're awake!" I yelped.

His violet eyes opened, and a flirty smile played around the corner of his mouth. "I told you I didn't sleep."

"But you were so still and your eyes were closed."

"Wouldn't it be creepy if I laid here with my eyes open?" he chuckled, and I couldn't help but smile.

"You have a point. That would be terrifying! Plus, I'd be worried about how dumb I looked while I was sleeping, or what if I drooled!"

He rested his palm on my cheek, cradling my face. "You are beautiful when you sleep."

My cheeks heated, and I looked away, unsure of how to respond to the sincerity I could see in his eyes. "So if you weren't sleeping, what were you doing? Thinking?"

He remained quiet for so long that I glanced back up at him. To my complete surprise, his cheeks had turned a purple hue and freckles glittered like tiny stars on his cheeks.

"Are you blushing?" I asked, brushing my fingertips across the freckles. "Why?"

"Because I'm not sure what you will think if I tell you the truth." He looked at the ceiling and sighed. "I missed you while you slept, so I closed my eyes and watched your dreams."

I groaned. "My dreams are so weird! At least the ones I remember are."

My mind raced as I tried to remember my dreams from the night before. Had I dreamed about having sex with him? Worse, what if he saw my recurring dream where I dressed like a duck and did stand-up comedy?

"I can't dream, so it's nice to see what it's like through you."

His words were so sweet, I stopped worrying… until I reached out to hug him and noticed I was wearing pajamas.

Pajamas with tiny yellow ducks holding mics scattered across the purple fabric.

"Roam…" I drew out his name. "What is this?"

A wicked grin spread across his face and he sat up, hauling me onto his lap. "Look! We match!"

The blankets fell around our waist, showing off our matching comedy duck pajamas.

"You saw the dream," I squeaked.

"Yes, and I must say you are ducking hilarious. I especially liked the joke about the hurricane."

"Oh?" I breathed, still trying to process the gorgeous hunk wearing these ridiculous pajamas.

"What did the hurricane say to the coconut tree? Hold on to your nuts, this ain't no ordinary blowjob."

Oh crap. It was worse than I thought.

Roam wasn't finished. "What did the banana say to the vibrator?" Roam grinned. "You're the one shaking? I'm about to get eaten!"

Burying my face in my hands, I groaned, "Could we just forget that dream ever happened?"

"Not a chance." His laughter echoed around the room, and he wrapped me in a tight hug. "You're too cute."

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever," I grumbled, scowling playfully.

Roam stood, lifting me in his arms. "I know something that will mocha you very happy."

"You better stop right now, mister." I squinted at him.

"Stop what?" His eyes widened in feigned innocence. "But do you know why the kangaroo stopped drinking coffee? Because it made him too jumpy."

"That's it! You're grounded!" I realized my pun too late, and Roam laughed the whole way to the kitchen.

"You're lucky you're cute in those pajamas," I grumbled, resting my head on his chest and soaking in the joy he brought into my life.

#

I spent the next four days getting to know my coworkers, and the evenings snuggling on the couch in matching pjs Roam kept creating from thin air. They grew more ridiculous with each day, and I found myself looking forward to seeing what he came up with each morning.

Roam had developed a slight obsession with binge-watching cooking television, and the past two nights I'd come home to find my kitchen looking like a bomb had gone off. He'd been so excited to serve me a meal made with his hands instead of magic. It was so sweet that I barely noticed the burned bits and the overly salty seasoning.

My life was so full and I was almost terrified my bubble of happiness was going to pop any moment. As the taxi turned onto my street, my heart began to race and I wiped my sweaty palms on my pants.

I was going to have to admit to myself soon that Roam was more than a simple fling… and then I would have to work up the courage to ask him if there could be more between us. My mushy feelings turned murderous when the car stopped outside my house and I spotted a woman leaning against the tree in my yard talking to Roam.

She was giggling, and when she turned, letting me see her full face, I realized I recognized her.

The woman from the antique store.

The one who wanted my lamp.

And now she apparently wanted my man.

I was so angry I didn't even bother to correct myself. At that moment, he was mine, and another woman was in my yard and sniffing around him.

But I needn't have worried. Seeing my taxi pull up at the curb, Roam walked away from her, unconcerned that he was leaving her hanging mid-sentence.

"Genie! You're home."

My heart swelled with happiness at his eagerness. It was reassuring knowing he was affected by this thing between us too. I wanted to kiss him. And I wanted this woman, who had no business lurking around my property, to know he wasn't available. Because now I was sure I wanted to see where this could go.

Stepping from the car, I rushed to meet him, throwing my arms around his neck. "Hi, handsome." My voice was breathless, but I didn't care.

Gathering my courage, I pulled his face down to mine and pressed a quick peck on his lips. Roam's arms circled my waist, keeping me against him.

"Is that all?" he teased. "If you want to make her jealous and mark your territory, you're going to have to put a bit more passion into it. Let me show you."

Roam's fingers slid into my hair, tilting my head to give him better access to my mouth. His lips captured mine in the type of kiss that won awards in Hollywood and could make a girl forget her name. When he finally pulled away, we were both breathing hard.

"Welcome home," he purred, nipping my bottom lip.

"Wow," I whispered, blinking to clear the lust from my eyes and trying to figure out if my leg muscles still worked.

Taking my hand, he led me toward the house. He'd completely distracted me, and I'd forgotten we had an audience. The woman looked like she'd been sucking lemons, but as we neared, she forced a smile to her lips.

"Hello again," I greeted coolly. "Don't tell me you wanted my lamp so badly you've decided to start stalking me." I kept my tone teasing, but she had the good grace to look away briefly.

"Actually, I just moved into a house down the street and happened to see you checking your mail yesterday. I didn't want you to think I was acting like a creep, so I came to introduce myself, and Roam told me you weren't home yet." She straightened her shoulders and strode confidently toward me on tiny stiletto heels.

How on earth did women walk in the grass with heels? I sank like an elephant hopping through mud on a pogo stick every time I tried.

"I'm Linda." She held out her hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, new neighbor."

I took her cool hand, refusing to wince when she gripped mine hard enough to grind the bones together. "I'm Genevieve."

Had it been any other neighbor, I would've been excited to meet them. But every cell in my body screamed that I shouldn't trust her. I'd learned to trust my gut when it gave me such a clear warning. Still, I hated being rude.

Roam had no such issues. "Thank you for stopping by to introduce yourself, but dinner is ready and we have plans this evening."

With that, he guided me inside as I mumbled goodbye. Once inside, I pushed Roam backward until he sat on the arm of the chair, bringing our faces almost level.

Threading my fingers through his hair, I kissed him again. Words and admissions were hard for me, so I poured all my emotions into the kiss. I wanted him to feel how much I'd missed him while I'd been at work, and how much I appreciated him recognizing my discomfort outside and putting me first.

When I pulled away, Roam's eyes glowed a beautiful deep purple. "What was that?"

"You showed me how to kiss with passion. I just wanted to practice to make sure I didn't forget." Not wanting to lose my nerve, I blurted out what I'd been anxious to ask him.

"It's the Rose Festival in town this weekend, and my coworkers are going and I thought it would be a fun way to get to know people. So I wanted to ask if you would go with me." I swallowed hard and twisted my fingers. "As my date. But if you're busy, or just don't want to, I totally understa—"

"I'd be honored." Roam caught my hands in his, stopping me from dislocating something with how hard I was wringing them.

"Thank you!" Relief and excitement surged through me and I threw myself at him, sending him toppling back onto the couch.

Landing on top of him, I covered his face in quick, exuberant kisses. It didn't take long for those kisses to grow longer and more heated. There was no denying I wanted this man, but I was afraid if I opened the dam holding back the love I'd stored up, I might drown him in it.

I reluctantly stood, knowing I needed a few minutes to collect myself before my idiotic heart started declaring our undying love.

Roam's glowing eyes watched me head up the stairs, and a small smile curved his lips.

It was so nice to be home. And I was beginning to realize it wouldn't be home without him.