Read Online Falling for the Genie (Genie's Love, Book 1) by Dee J. Stone - Free Book Online

when I was a kid.
    “What would you like to know?” he asks.
    I shrug. “I don’t know. What did they wish for?”
    He leans back, sinking a little in his chair and spreading his legs out. They’re less than an inch away from mine. “It’s usually the same thing,” he tells me. “No matter what century you’re in, women tend to wish for beauty, grace, men. Men want pretty girls—that’s plural, if you’ve noticed—a good job.” He laughs, shaking his head. “One guy wanted me to kill his wife so he wouldn’t have to pay alimony.”
    “Did you?”
    “No. I’m not a murderer, even if my master wishes it. I talked him into changing his mind.”
    I shift in my seat. “But you can kill someone, right?”
    He hesitates, keeping his gaze on the floor. When his eyes meet mine, he says, “I can indirectly cause death, yes.”
    “But you can’t bring someone back.”
    He shakes his head.
    “That seems fair,” I mutter.
    He stares at something ahead, his eyes apologetic. “I’m sorry.”
    “Who makes up these rules, anyway?”
    “I don’t know. But over the years, I’ve learned what I can and can’t do.”
    “What can’t you do?” I ask.
    Something gooey drips on my hand. The Popsicle. With all this talk about life and death, I completely forgot about it. Sebastian watches as I lick the juice off. He laughs a little. “Wish I could try one of those.”
    I feel bad for him. I hate when someone can’t eat. I guess I get that from my mom. She hated when people starved. So did Daisy, which is why her dream was helping people.
    Sebastian is still staring at my Popsicle. “I can’t do anything for myself,” he says. “No matter how much I want something, I can’t have it.” He looks away. “The only magic I am able to do is for my master.”
    I place my hand on his. “What do you want?” I look down at my hand and realize it’s the sticky one that’s on his. I quickly pull away. “Sorry.”
    He takes my hand and places it back on his. He doesn’t say anything, and it seems like he doesn’t want to answer my question. That’s okay. As much as I want to know what he’s thinking and feeling, it’s none of my business.
    We sit in silence, watching everything going on outside. The man across the street mowing his lawn, the little kids playing hide and seek, the mothers chatting. A teenage guy running with his dog.
    “Freedom,” Sebastian says, slowly turning to me. He smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “That’s what I want.”
    “I can do that for you,” I say.
    He shakes his head.
    “I can wish for you to be free.”
    “Lily—”
    I jump to my feet. “I wish for genie to be free.”
    He stares up at me, but won’t move.
    “Genie, I wish for you to be free,” I repeat.
    Again, nothing. He just sits there with his eyes pasted on mine. Why doesn’t he grant the wish? I’m the master, I decide what to wish. Why won’t he do it?
    “Sebastian,” I say. “I wish for you to be free.”
    He continues to stare at me for a bit before slowly getting to his feet. I sigh in relief. I know he’s going to leave now, and I’ll miss him, but I need to do something for him. Even though I won’t have a chance to use up my wishes, I want him to have this.
    He comes closer to me and envelops me in his arms, resting his head on my shoulder. We just stand like that, as if we’re frozen in time. I don’t understand. Why won’t he grant me the wish?
    I push off. “What’s wrong?”
    He takes my hands, his eyes sad. “I appreciate it, Lily. You are the sweetest and kindest master I’ve ever had. But I can never be free.”
    My stomach drops and all I feel is his pain. It’s like we’re one body, one soul. All his hurt rushes into me. I place my hand on his cheek. “Oh, Sebastian…”
    He steps away from me, causing my hand to fall from his face. “I’ve accepted it.”
    He’s trying to hide how hard this is for him. But I see it. I feel it. I bite my lip. “So you’re