Santa Genie Read online

  Melody took the nutcracker out and admired the details. “If you could have any wish, Stella, would you still wish for that?”

  “Hell no,” Stella snorted. “I’m no ballerina and my T.J. is all the prince I need.”

  “So what would you wish for?”

  Stella grabbed a box that said Zappos on the side. Melody recognized as it being about the size of the present she mailed to her. “I want to be rich, beautiful, and have Manolo Blahnik make comfortable shoes in my size that still look like sex on a stiletto.”

  “I think that’s more than one wish.”

  Opening the box like the Tasmanian Devil, Stella pulled out a pair of ruby-red sequined shoes in her size.

  “Oh Toto,” Stella exclaimed. “There’s no place like home. Thank you, darling.” Stella came over and kissed her cheek again. “They’ll go with my Dorothy costume perfectly.”

  “Will you sing, ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow’ for me?”

  “It’s Christmas. Don’t you want to hear ‘Santa Baby’? I’m at least dressed for it.”

  “All right. You convinced me.”

  Stella squealed and got up to put her iPod in the dock. As the music started, Stella prowled around like a young Eartha Kitt. By the time, she got to the line about the “outer space convertible too, light blue,” Melody’s eyelids got heavy—even though she’d drunk most of the pot of Jamaican Blue. With the song still playing in her head, Melody opened her eyes to see that she was seated at her desk. On the monitor, Stella finished up her song and then blew her a kiss. The screen went blank, and it was showing NORAD again.

  Chapter Six

  What had started out as the worst Christmas in history was rapidly becoming the best. Melody raced up to the executive suite, hoping Karam was back. He was lounging on the large couch completely naked.

  She caught her breath at his perfection. His hands cradled the back of his head so she could see the definitions in his arm muscles. His wide chest tapered down to slim hips that showcased his long, thick cock—which was pressed hard against the muscles of his stomach.

  “How did everything go?” Melody asked, her voice cracking a bit, and she made a beeline for him, undressing as fast as she could.

  He shrugged. “I dropped her off. I put a magical tracking device on Stephanie just in case Linda gets any bright ideas.”

  “Thank you for letting me spend time with Stella. Although, I really should have been at my post just in case something happened.” She put her gun belt on the coffee table and kicked off her shoes.

  “I meddled with time again. You were there before you logged into work.”

  Melody blinked in confusion. “How does that work?”

  “You know how sometimes ten minutes can feel like ten hours and other times two hours can go by in a blink of an eye?”

  “Yes.” She eased out of the rest of her clothes so she was as naked as he was.

  “That’s the backlash of djinns working like this. It all catches up eventually.” His golden gaze tracked every inch of her body. Melody felt it like a rough caress.

  “You’re beautiful,” she whispered, running her hands up his legs.

  “That’s my line,” he said.

  “Can I do something for you?”

  “I am yours to fulfill your desires.” He spread his hands wide.

  Moving in, she leaned forward and licked the thick length of him.

  “Oh,” he sighed, sitting up so his legs wrapped around her waist in a hug. His fingers tangled in her hair.

  “Your hair is the color of whiskey. I wish to become intoxicated by you.”

  Sliding her hands up the muscles of his thighs, she licked the tip of him, tasting the droplet of moisture there.

  “I could get lost in your breasts. Your nipples are the color of honey, but twice as sweet.”

  Her mouth engulfed him. Melody felt his entire body clench as she slid his length down her throat and back out.

  “What? No more poetry?” Melody asked.

  “Your beauty is—” Karam cut off as she bobbed her head back down and started to suck on him in earnest. “You know. Beautiful. And. Oh. Gods. I...” He arched up against her.

  Melody loved the feel of him in her mouth and clasped her hands around his waist as she swirled her tongue to the tip where she sucked hard enough that he cried out her name. She concentrated on laving the tip of him, while her hand stroked the silken length.

  “I like how you greet me when we've been apart," he said, shakily. "Remind me to go away more often."

  Melody growled deeper in her throat and took him faster, tightening her mouth around him. Karam’s breathing became harsh, and he clung to her like a man drowning. Desperate moans erupted from him, and he bucked against her.

  “Coming,” he warned. “Can’t stop.”

  Melody sucked hard one last time and was rewarded when he filled her mouth. Swallowing, she licked him clean. His cock bobbed against her cheek, wet and hot, still hard.

  “Come here.” He pulled her back up next to him and lay down with her. “I want to feel all of you.”

  Melody sank into the butter-soft leather. He pressed her against the couch. Lying intimately on top of her, his chest was so close to hers she could feel his heart beating against her breasts. Their legs intertwined. Sighing in pleasure, she pushed her hips against his still-hard cock. Karam kissed her forehead and nose.

  “You are so generous, my mistress.” He plunged his tongue into her mouth in quick darting motions. Melody parted her thighs and shimmied against him. He moved on from ravaging her mouth, leaving her drugged with desire.

  “Karam, please,” she moaned as he kissed her cheek and chin.

  “Please, what?” he growled and rubbed his raspy cheek over her neck and shoulder before diving to the sweet spot at the junction of her neck and shoulders. Melody trapped one of his legs in between hers and writhed against him. “Tell me what to do.”

  “Make love to me,” she breathed, remembering to ask for it nicely.

  “And you’re so wet,” he murmured appreciatively, rubbing his leg against her core. He rained light kisses down her chest. “I can’t get enough of these.”

  As he lavished attention on her breasts with his mouth and hands, Karam groaned when she dug her nails into him.

  He was making her crazy with the brush of his fingers and the rough tugging of his mouth. She wanted more, needed more. “Yes,” Melody demanded, running her hand over the curve of his hip. She bucked impatiently against his leg. He moved his leg up, and she ground against it, feeling the hairs tickle her intimately. “More,” she cried.

  “Patience, Mistress,” he said against her breast. “You will not be disappointed.”

  “I want you again.”

  “And you shall have me,” he promised. He gently pulled her nipple to a standing peak and rubbed his thumb over it. Karam moved his hand lower. He glided a finger inside her as she murmured her appreciation.

  “That feels wonderful,” Melody sighed, spreading her legs wider.

  Flicking his finger over her tiny bud, Karam kissed her breasts and neck. Melody felt the tingles start up again, and her hips rose against his hand.

  “More?” he asked, grinning into her face.

  “Don’t stop,” she said, hugging him close.

  He coaxed his fingers against her, playing her like a revered musical instrument. Her legs clamped closed against his hand as she tried to prolong the friction against her most sensitive spot. Karam’s mouth was on hers when she cried out her pleasure. While she was still shaking, he parted her thighs and plunged inside her. Taking her scream into his mouth, he moaned back and rocked deep to the hilt

  “Tell me, do as you will.”

  Tell me I can do as I will? What the heck is he talking about? Oh! Oh! Anything. Just don’t stop.

  ”Say it,” he demanded.

  “Do as I will,” she sighed, tangling her legs around his hips, bringing him deeper as he thrust inside her again and again
. Shock waves of desire threaded through her body, and she bucked her hips up eagerly to meet him. Her nerve endings were sizzling with emotion.

  “Give me control,” he demanded.

  “Harder,” she begged.

  “Such strength, such beauty,” he muttered against her temple, his body pumping into hers. “I have no words.”

  “Those are pretty good words,” Melody gasped out. He filled her and left her wanting when he withdrew, only to make her toes curl when he pounded back in. Melody felt weightless and thoroughly loved. What a difference from Bobby or from anything she’d ever experienced. She felt like the world had narrowed down to just the two of them, like they were inside an erotic snow globe. With her head tilted back, she could even see the snow falling down in fast, wet clumps, coating the landscape in white. Closing her eyes, she could still see the snow, each flake a prism of pleasure exploding like a firecracker in her soul.

  She heard his cry as if from a distance, felt his release thrill her. His body was still plundering hers and a sizzling haze of pleasure gripped her. As her muscles tightened around him, Karam barked out something in a language harsh and guttural. Melody was shaking as she floated back down to her body. Her ears were buzzing, and her vision seemed skewed. She had never felt so pleasured, so owned and desired. She opened her mouth to ask for more, but nothing came out, so she settled for kissing him again, thanking him with her body for the joy he had given her.

  “The lights are flashing, and I hear bells,” Melody said, blinking around in awe as she was coming down from the earth-shattering orgasm.

  Karam rolled off her and got her to her feet. “That’s the building’s alarm.”

  Chapter Seven

  “Shit!” Melody scrabbled up and began yanking on her pants. “Why are my clothes so complicated?”

  “Want help? You need to ask.”

  “Help!” she said, nearly falling over trying to hop into her jeans.

  Karam’s eyes glowed yellow, and she was suddenly fully dressed. She felt as if she had just stepped out of the shower. Even her uniform was freshly pressed.

  “That's the best genie magic.”

  Karam waved his hand. “It’s a silly cantrip. My daughter can do it.”

  “Well, whatever it is, thanks. Let’s go.”

  Melody grabbed her keys and hustled to the elevator. “Come on, can’t this thing go any faster?”

  “You have but to wish for it.”

  “I bet it's the animal rights activists trying to free the lab rats. I wish these punks would stop pestering me.”

  Melody banged on the elevator button in frustration. She looked over at Karam who was frowning and looking at the floor.

  “Oh,” she said. “I didn’t think. I’m sorry.” She touched his arm.

  “Be careful with your wishes, Melody. I can avoid them to a certain degree, but there’s only so much I’m allowed to interfere with your wishing. Only some things I can tell you to do.”

  “I’ll try to be more careful. You’re important to me. I don’t want to lose you just yet.”

  Karam nodded. “I know. But the rules can’t be changed for us.”

  “What if I wish it? What if I wished you free?”

  He kissed her again, and she let him. But when the doors opened, she charged out. Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw his hands fall helplessly. She didn’t have time to wonder why. The phone at her desk was ringing.

  “The police should be here in ten minutes,” Melody said, rushing through the lobby to get to the phone. “Yeah,” she said picking it up, while sliding into her chair. “It looks like we’ve got a breach at the back door.” Melody fiddled with the cameras. “The lock looks secure, and I don’t see anyone. My systems are confirming that the electronic lock is still in place. Wait! I’ve got a window shattered on the fourth floor. I’m going to investigate. Have the police rendezvous with me up there.” She hung up. “I’m locking down the elevators, so we’re taking the stairs. Do you want to stay here or come with me?”

  “My place is with you.”

  “OK, but when the cops come in, I don’t want them to shoot you. Can you go invisible or something?”

  His eyes glowed, and he was dressed just like her.

  “That works,” she said and went back to the elevator to key it to inactive.

  “Melody, you could wish them gone. You would only have to say it two more times.”

  “Yeah, but then you’d be gone.”

  “But you would be safe.”

  “Karam, I’m a security guard. This is what I do. Besides, the day I can’t handle a bunch of middle-aged hippies trying to set the animals free, I’ll turn in my gun and start a job selling vinyl siding.”

  “You’re not going to shoot them are you?”

  “No, but I’m not afraid of using the Taser gun.” She padded the rectangle box on her other hip.

  “Why did you point the gun at me and not the Taser?”

  “Because if you were one of the casino goons, you’d be more impressed by the nine millimeter in your face than the cattle prod projectile.”

  “Have you ever been tasered?”

  “No, but I’d rather be tasered than shot point-blank with the Glock.”

  They thundered up the stairs. Melody wished she had spent more time on the Stairmaster and less time with Hagen Daas since Bobby left. When they got to the fourth floor landing, she peeked through the window in the door.

  “I don’t see anything. Stay behind me.”

  Karam flinched. “As my mistress commands,” he said between his teeth.

  “I like a man who takes direction.”

  “It’s not as if I have a choice. I asked you to give me back my will.”

  “When?”

  “When I was inside you.”

  “Karam, you’ve got to pick your moments better.” Melody pushed open the door and took out the Taser gun. She kept low, with the gun pointed forward.

  “You know you only have one shot with that,” he whispered.

  Waving her hand to shush him, Melody nodded.

  “What if there’s more than one?”

  She ignored him and continued down the hall. Turning, she caught two goons waiting for her. She could see the ends of a ladder peeking up next to the smashed glass of the window. They were wearing masks and carrying weighted nightsticks.

  “Freeze,” Melody said. “The police will be here any minute. There’s no need for anyone to get hurt.”

  “There’s every need. We want the money your husband stole from us,” one of the men said.

  Melody dropped one hand from the stun gun.

  “Reach for that pistol and we’ll kill you instead of giving you a beating,” the other masked man said.

  “George, they didn’t say anything about her having backup,” the other said.

  “You’re not involved in this, bucko,” George said. “This is between me and my associate and the lady, here. Her husband’s a thief.”

  “Then you should be going after him,” Karam said. “He’s at the Atlantis casino in the Bahamas.”

  “That’s a good start,” the other thug said. “I’m going to call that in.”

  “Not now,” George bit out. “Let’s take care of her first.”

  “I don’t have the money. I divorced Bobby. He took the money and ran away with that stripper.”

  “Blackjack dealer,” George said.

  “Whatever,” Melody snapped. “Look, you can come on with those clubs, but one of you is getting 50,000 volts shot through him.”

  “There’s no need to harm the lady,” Karam said.

  “Our boss said to rough her up. We have to do it or we get roughed up.”

  Melody licked her lips. “He already sent a crew over a few months ago.”

  “What?” Karam said, turning to Melody.

  “Yeah, well we still don’t have the money,” George said.

  “And I still don’t have a way to give it to you. Seriously, do I look like I’
m living the high life here?”

  “She has a point, George.”

  “It’s not our call.”

  “I’m sorry, Ma’am. If you let us blacken your eye, that’ll probably be good enough for our boss.”

  Melody pulled the trigger, and two prongs shot out of the gun and hit George in the chest. He danced a bit as the volts jangled his nervous system, but he didn’t drop.

  “Bitch,” the other man said and threw his nightstick at her. He followed up by rushing at her.

  Melody dodged, but the baton hit her arm, making her drop the Taser.

  “Unless they attack me, I can’t interfere without a wish,” Karam said, sounding strangled.

  Kicking out, Melody caught the charging man with a spinning back kick, and he fell. “Then stay out of the way.” She pulled her pistol, just as George recovered and pulled his.

  “Give me back my will,” Karam shouted.

  Time slowed. Melody tightened her finger on the trigger and shot George. The other man tackled her into the wall. Smashing her hand, he made her drop the pistol.

  “Melody,” Karam said. “Wish.”

  Melody tried to get free, throwing an elbow that clocked into the thug’s chin. He slammed her head into the wall a few times, and she staggered to her knees. Grabbing her hair, he tossed her away from the wall, kicking her in the torso. Melody’s breath whooshed out in an agonized gush, and she cradled her ribs, rolling in pain. The thug then snatched the pistol off the floor and kicked her in the head as she was trying to get up. He leaped on her back, jamming his knees into her spine. Melody went prone, gasping for breath, but she twisted, trying to throw him off. The thug brought her pistol to bear on the back of her head.

  Melody tried to suck in air, coughing out, “I wish Bobby and Linda never stole the money.”

  “You’re going to wish you’d never been born,” the thug said. “You shouldn’t have killed George.”

  She hauled in another painful breath and wheezed out, “I wish Bobby and Linda never stole the money.”

  “Oh, Melody,” Karam said, sinking to his knees.

  “I heard you the first time, bitch. Now you’re going to die.”