Falling for the Genie (Genie's Love, Book 1) Read Free Page B

face. I’m not sure what. A mix between gratitude and pure wonder and confusion. “Thank you.”
    He tries to get up again, and I help him, but his body seems to be too heavy to support itself and falls down again.
    “Maybe we should get you to my bed so you can rest comfortably,” I say. He nods weakly, and I pull his hands. He doesn’t move. We try a few more times, but his body has zero strength left. I bite my lip as my heart skips a beat. He said he can’t die, but how can he know for sure? He’s never been poisoned by human food before.
    “Lily…”
    I take his hand. Normally, when a human is this weak, he’d need fluids. Being that Sebastian can’t consume anything, I don’t want to risk him getting worse.
    “Thank…you,” he whispers.
    I bring our hands to my cheek. His is warm, not burning. Does this mean he’s getting better? That he just needs to wait it out?
    His eyes scan mine. “You’re worried.”
    “You might die.” My voice cracks.
    His face softens and he rubs his fingers against my cheek. “I’ll be okay.”
    I want to believe him, but he’s so weak. How do I know he’s not trying to calm me down? He drops his hand, his eyes closing again and his breathing growing heavy. I grab a blanket from the closet and throw it over him, and place a pillow beneath his head. I’m going to let him sleep this time.
    As I tidy up the kitchen, I keep the noise down so Sebastian can rest. I can’t help but check on him every two seconds to make sure he’s still alive. When I see his chest rising and falling beneath the blanket, I sigh in relief. Once the kitchen is clean, I make sure he’s okay before slipping into the shower. I’m filthy from all the cooking and food that spilled all over the floor.
    I try to keep my thoughts positive, that he’s going to be okay, but a part of me worries I’m going to lose him tonight.
    “Lily?” he calls as I’m drying off. I wrap the towel around myself and rush out. He’s sitting with the blanket cloaked around him. His eyes widen as he skims me from head to toe. When our eyes meet, he keeps his on mine. They’re so deep I get lost in them. Then I freeze. I was so caught up with him calling for help that I didn’t realize I forgot to put on some clothes.
    He blinks, snapping out of the trance. “I woke up and you were gone.”
    I shift from one foot to the other and cross my arms over my chest, hoping everything is covered. “I was taking a shower.”
    “Oh.”
    “Are you feeling better?” I ask.
    His skin is still pale and sweaty. “A little.”
    I smile. “That’s good.” I’m glad he’s able to sit up.
    Quiet. He looks at me and I look at him. A swallow goes down his throat, slowly. He doesn’t take his eyes off mine.
    I back away. “I’d probably better…”
    “Yes, yes. Sorry.”
    In the bathroom, I lean against the closed door and cover my face with my hands. I don’t have much experience with guys. I’ve only had two boyfriends and they both lasted for less than a month. To have a guy in my house, and the fact that he saw me with nothing but a towel, causes goose bumps to pop up all over my skin. A shiver goes down my spine. I can’t forget the way he was staring at me. Like I was…sexy.
    I change into pajamas and return to the kitchen. Sebastian is where I left him. He’s looking out the window.
    “Hey,” I say. He turns his head and smiles. “Do you think you can make it to the bed to rest?”
    “Where will you sleep?”
    I shrug. “The couch.”
    He shakes his head. “I’ll take the couch.”
    “That’s okay.”
    He shakes his head again. “You’re my master.”
    I join him on the floor and rest my hand on his shoulder. “That doesn’t matter. You’re not my servant, Sebastian.”
    He doesn’t say anything, just stares out the window. I try to read the expression on his face, but I have no idea what he’s thinking. I don’t care what he says. I won’t let him sleep on the couch when he’s so