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“You’re right. We probably wouldn’t be in my vehicle right now, but that’s just because I’m an ass. I’m sorry it took something terrible happening for me to see how much I care for you. Can you forgive me?”
The look on his face is so serious that it takes my breath away. He’s truly asking for forgiveness.
Cupping his cheeks, I say, “This wasn’t your doing, Jafar. There’s nothing to forgive.”
His arms go around me, pulling me closer until our lips brush in the lightest kiss.
“You’re too pure for me, little mouse. I don’t deserve you.”
It’s on the tip of my tongue to say I’m not pure. Not anymore. But I don’t. Instead, I lean against his chest and close my eyes. His heartbeat lulls me to sleep to a world where I can pretend that everything is going to be okay. Even if only for a moment.
19
Ellie
“Ellie, wake up.”
Rousing, I find myself still in Jafar’s lap. The car isn’t moving, and the sun is high in the sky.
“I wasn’t snoring, was I?”
He grins. “Only a bit.”
Kill me now…
I groan and move from his lap. “Where are we?”
Outside, dense trees surround us for as far as I can see. Jafar presses a button, and the partition rolls down. Ahead, there’s a massive iron gate with Jafar’s logo on it. They swing open, and the SUV drives up a winding driveway.
“Why a genie lamp?”
He smiles, knowing what I’m asking. His logo is a golden genie’s lamp with a J stamped in the middle. I’ve always wondered what inspired him to choose it.
“My mom was obsessed with1001 Arabian Nights. She used to read it to me. Guess the story about the magical lamp just stuck with me.”
“What would you wish for if you really had a genie’s lamp?”
He holds my gaze as he says, “I would wish to go back in time, to that day, at the botanical gardens. And I would choose you.”
My breath hitches in my throat.
We share a smile as the vehicle comes to a stop in front of a white farmhouse. Jafar opens his door, motioning for me to follow. The farmhouse is two stories and has a charm about it that makes me want to go inside to explore. Each window is flanked with navy shutters. There’s a swing hanging on the front porch with gold and yellow pillows. My favorite thing is the two rocking chairs. I can imagine sitting out here, drinking coffee in the mornings.
Jafar says, “It was built in 1840. The previous owner got overwhelmed during renovations, so I got a good deal on it. The house sits on forty acres that back up to the Catskill Mountains. There’s a pond stocked full of fish in the back, as well as a stable with horses.”
Somewhere, ducks quack at each other and a dog barks in response.
“There’s a dog, too?”
“Razoul keeps his mutt out here.”
Razoul, who’s unloading the SUV, says, “I heard that. Abu is a great fucking dog and keeps all the animals around here in line.”
Jafar rolls his eyes and takes me by the hand. “Come on. Let me show you around.”
We enter the house, stepping into a grand foyer. To the left, there’s a winding stairway that goes to the second floor. Midway, there’s a window seat in a bay window. I already know I’m going to be sitting in that spot before this trip is over. Jafar leads me to the living room. It’s homey. Even the TV is hidden to look like artwork on the wall.
Next is the dining room and kitchen. Unlike most homes, this isn’t an open floor plan.
