All Bottled Up (6 page)

“I’ll never be able to make it look like this again.” But Lisa was ready for that. She spent the next fifteen minutes showing Viola every trick she needed to reproduce the look. She even showed her a blow-drying technique that would save her time. Viola couldn’t believe it, but she felt ready to take on the world.

Or at the very least, ready to take on Jerod.

“Ready for more?” Lisa smiled at her in the mirror.

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“How can there be more?” Viola laughed. “You’ve done so much already.

“Oh no, there’s a lot more. Now, it’s time for makeup.” They walked over to the next room and Viola was introduced to several other women. They spent forty-five minutes choosing the right shades and types to suit her face. They wrote everything down so she’d never forget.

When she got out of the makeup chair, Lisa was waiting for her, and in her arms was a long mauve box.

“This just arrived for you.”

She handed it over to Viola, along with a note. Viola’s fingers shook as she opened it.

For our next lesson.

Jerod

Viola flipped the lid of the box open and gasped. Inside, there was a sleek, black silk dress and a pair of three-inch spiked heels. Every woman nearby came to fawn over the outfit, commenting on her boyfriend’s good taste. Viola found herself pushed into a changing room by Lisa.

When she emerged wearing the slinky dress and the heels, she was in shock. Viola checked herself out in the full-length mirror in the lobby. She didn’t recognize herself.

Her brown-red lips shone, matching the highlights in her hair. With the dress and shoes, she looked sexy, and for once her breasts didn’t look so bad.

“You’re gorgeous. Now we just need that man of yours to arrive,” Lisa said as she packaged up the bottles of foundation, lipstick, shampoo, and assortment of other beauty products.

“Consider me arrived.”

For the second time that day, Viola’s mouth fell open in shock. Jerod was dressed in a white dress shirt, several buttons unbuttoned at the neck and the sleeve cuffs turned up.

The white was a stark contrast to his olive skin and black hair. His genie pants were also gone, replaced with a pair of black dress pants. With his Mediterranean accent completing the package, he looked more exotic now than he did before.

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“You changed,” she blurted out.

“So have you. Stunning. Your reputation is well earned, Lisa. I thank you.”

“Thank you.” She beamed. Lisa then leaned forward and whispered in Viola’s ear,

“He’s a keeper.”

Viola found herself nodding, until she realized what she was agreeing with. She wasn’t going to end up with Jerod. She wanted Bill. Besides, once Jerod granted her other two wishes, he’d be gone.

“I’ll send your purchases up to your room. It looks like you’re heading out on the town,” Lisa said with a big grin.

She gave Viola a little hug as Jerod paid the bill. Viola was still in shock as they walked out of the spa arm in arm. She didn’t know what to say.

“Where did you get that money? I thought you couldn’t just make stuff appear out of thin air?” she whispered as they left.

“I paid a visit to the casino after I was tipped for helping a charming couple with their bags. We now have sufficient funds to complete your transformation.” Viola had a brief image of taking Jerod to Vegas before she pushed that aside. She couldn’t help but stare at him in the mirror when they stepped into the elevator.

“I thought you weren’t going to bother with the disguise?” He shrugged in his easy way. “Why make matters more complicated? Did I not choose the right clothing for this setting?”

“Oh no, it’s perfect.”

Too perfect.

Despite her better judgment, she was finding herself attracted to Jerod. Holy crap, she’d only known him for a day. And he was a genie! Not much in the way of a relationship can be developed there.

But maybe perfect for a fling.

Her stomach took that time to growl in loud protest. With all of the excitement of the day, she’d forgotten to eat. Again. In fact she hadn’t had anything besides the three glasses of rum punch earlier this morning. Maybe that explained the light-headedness she 52

was suddenly feeling.

“I’m starving.”

The elevator opened up at the lobby level and a crowd who were waiting to enter parted for them. She blushed when she realized they all stopped talking and stared at them as they walked through.

“Why are they looking at us?” she whispered to him.

Jerod bent down so his lips were just above her ear, “Because you’re beautiful.” Shock hit her and she felt her face grow hotter than before. Jerod chuckled and motioned toward the exit.

“I’ve booked us dinner at one of the island restaurants. Shall we?”

“You’re going to spoil me. I thought you were supposed to be showing me how to win Bill’s heart.”

Jerod stopped as they cleared the front doors from the lobby. Viola had grown used to his intense stare, enjoyed it even. When he looked at her like that, she felt he saw everything about her. But still, the silence got to her.

“What?”

“I am. This is your second lesson. I will explain each of them in greater detail when we reach our destination.”

Viola felt her head nod, but her brain was fixated on how unbelievably hot Jerod looked in the setting sunlight.

“Bill likes to take his potential lady friends out for a meal as a first date. I will show you what you need to know for your meal.”

“So it’s time for the real lessons to begin.” Viola’s heart started to pound and her hands grew cold.

Jerod smiled wickedly. “You have no idea.”

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It’s hard to keep up with a genie with an agenda.

Viola struggled to keep her ankles from buckling as she raced to keep pace with Jerod’s long legs on the cracked asphalt.
Why the hell is he going so fast?

“I didn’t think Bill was a sprinter.”

Jerod stopped suddenly and Viola had to grab his arm to prevent herself from tripping. His gaze traveled to her hand, a perplexed expression on his face. When he looked into her eyes, the flash of emotion vanished and was replaced by his boyish grin.

God, she loved that grin.

“My apologies. I was thinking of getting you to your meal as quickly as possible.”

“Not unless you plan on carrying me. First day with new shoes. Need to break them in.”

Jerod chuckled and winked at her. “You’re doing fine.” Viola felt a jolt of energy surge through her. God, she loved it when he looked at her like that. She felt different. Her wild side began to push against her protective exterior, ready to burst out. It was scary and thrilling and totally new.

Even though she was the same woman who won a sales contest because she enjoyed giving sex advice to her customers, this was completely different. There was a safety factor when you’re an anonymous person on the phone. It’s quite another thing to be walking side by side with a handsome man and pull off her witty, sexually charged comments in person. Not to mention the fact she couldn’t think of anything witty to save her life at the moment.

Whether it was a result of her new look, or because Jerod made her feel special, Viola wanted to let that wild part come out and play. A lock of her hair fell forward across her nose. She tucked it behind her ear, looked up at Jerod and licked her lips.

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“I think it’s time for my lessons to start.”

Jerod crossed his arms across his chest. “I intended on starting those once we arrived at the restaurant.”

It took a great deal of effort to keep her smile on her face and annoyance out of her voice. Viola licked her lips again and mentally cheered when Jerod’s eyes were glued to the action.

“Let’s be practical here. Does Bill try anything before the meal? On the walk over?” she said as she removed his hand from his pocket and wrapped her fingers around his.

“Does he like to hold hands? These are all very important things I need to be aware of.

You wouldn’t want me to be caught unprepared. Would you?” Something changed in his eyes. Viola couldn’t put a label on it, but she saw something before Jerod’s gaze slipped from her face to their entwined hands. His thumb caressed the tip of her forefinger.

“I doubt he would do anything you couldn’t handle.”
Whoa
. Her skin felt warm where he caressed her, tingling under his touch. She didn’t know what else to say, so she waited. Jerod’s smile deepened as he lifted her hand and brushed a gentle kiss across the back of her knuckles.

“As much as I enjoy the contact, Bill will want to put your arm in his. Like this.” With the care someone would show a kitten, Jerod lifted her hand and placed it in the crook of his arm. Viola flexed her fingers against his heat, wave after wave rising from his body and across her skin. Her body was now closer to his. Her hip brushed against his thigh, the silk of her dress rubbing her skin as they began to walk.

“This is nice too,” she said, but kept her gaze averted. Her mind reeled, trying to think of things to say. “Now, what else do I need to know to survive my way to the restaurant with Bill?”

She let the weight of her hand settle into his arm as they walked across a park green and down the cobblestone roadway that led to their restaurant. They fell into a comfortable rhythm as they walked, their bodies gently bumping against each other. The fact that she was strolling to dinner with a genie should have struck her as odd, but it 55

seemed the most natural thing in the world.

“Bill will do most of the talking. But I’m sure you could guess that.”

“He is a bit of a chatterbox,” she said and grinned.

“All you have to do is listen and you’ll be fine.” So that’s what she did. Except Jerod didn’t talk, and for the first time the silence didn’t unnerve her. Jerod cleared his throat and he pulled her a bit closer to him. Viola looked up and smiled at him.
Guess the same can’t be said for Mr. Genie.

“You are mastering your initial lessons nicely.”

“Thank you. You’re a good teacher. You should consider a career change.” Jerod snorted.

Viola giggled as they turned a corner and the restaurant came into view. The bright lights and festive music drifted to them through the newly darkened night. A chorus of laughter erupted from a nearby window, bringing yet another smile to Viola’s face. She couldn’t help it. It had been a very long time since she’d felt this free. They found themselves standing at the junction of the road and the walkway that led to the restaurant.

Jerod turned to her and licked his lips.

“Bill will kiss your cheek before you go into the restaurant. It’s his way of checking to see how he’s doing. If his date pulls back, he knows he needs to lay on the charm.

Otherwise, he relaxes.”

“And what should I do to impress Bill?” She hoped she wouldn’t have to pull away.

Jerod reached up and ran the pad of his thumb across her bottom lip.

“Not a thing.”

Viola felt a nervous bubble of energy as Jerod leaned in and brushed his lips across the corner of her mouth. His lips parted, and she felt their warm pressure against her wind-cooled skin. She felt him breathe deep, and she did as well. His exotic aroma made her tingle again and her breasts responded. Her nipples tightened, pebbling against the light silk of her dress. She felt his tongue touch her mouth. She increased her grip on him, her hand flying up to touch his chest.

And then it was over. Jerod pulled back, and Viola was left panting at the gentle kiss 56

that didn’t fully envelop her mouth.
Holy shit he’s good
. Or she was weak? At this point, she was past caring.

“Shall we go?” he said and looked up as if nothing had happened.

Damn him
. He didn’t look the least bit bothered from their brief contact. Maybe she was overreacting to the situation? She was hot and horny and any man—or genie for that matter—would get her engines fired up. That had to be it. There wasn’t anything at all going on between the two of them. Simply her underused libido.

Viola straightened and smiled as brightly as she could.

“Yes, please. I’m starving.”

As they entered the restaurant, a short, balding maître d’ greeted them at the door.

After checking their reservation, he escorted them to a secluded table in a small private area in the farthest corner of the restaurant. Viola was surprised when the people they passed stared as they walked by. It’s not like they were anything special here. Unlike at the hotel, they were dressed as formally as everyone else.

Jerod pulled out her chair and Viola sat down with her back to the wall, looking out so she could see the restaurant. He moved around and took the chair opposite her. She was pleased at how quiet things were at their table. The closest couple sat several tables away. Far enough that she didn’t need to worry about anyone overhearing their conversation. She wanted, no, needed to practice her flirting, and the last thing she wanted was to get kicked out for improper behavior.

“So Bill would bring me to a place like this?” Maybe her choice in men wasn’t so bad after all.

“No, the island didn’t have anything close to Bill’s standards,” he said, his lips twitching against a smile that threatened to erupt. “I didn’t think you would mind.”

“No, not at all,” she said then looked at him and frowned. “Exactly what are Bill’s standards then?”

“Much…lower.” He smiled and flicked his napkin over his lap. “Lovely spot isn’t it?”

Okay, bad
. She would be sure to book the dinner arrangements herself if she ever got 57

her date with Bill. She returned his smile, not wanting him to think anything was wrong, and mimicked the flicking of her napkin as she set it on her lap.

“It’s wonderful,” she muttered.

Their waiter came over and offered them a lovely and almost overwhelming wine list to choose from. Viola picked an Australian Shiraz, Jerod ordered the same. He also ordered a seafood sampler for an appetizer. She would have ordered something as well, but she was preoccupied, fascinated with watching him. The way he spoke, held his head, the confidence that radiated from him—everything. He seemed to be truly enjoying the experience, which was infectious.

“It’s been so long since I’ve been out in the world in this manner. I’ve forgotten how charming it can be.”

“It must be shocking every time you pop out how things have changed. I can’t imagine what it would be like,” she said and tugged at the edge of her napkin.

“Lonely.”

His smile this time looked more like a wince. Instead of continuing, he picked up a roll and broke it apart. She wanted to console him. She understood loneliness. But when she went to speak, all her sentiments felt naïve and hollow. How could she possibly understand what life would be like stuck in a bottle? Jerod brushed the crumbs from his hands, rested his elbows on the table, and leaned forward, steepling his fingers.

“I’d best outline your lessons before our food arrives. I want to make sure I have your full attention.”

“Okay. I’m all yours.”

She cringed, wishing like hell she hadn’t worded it quite that way. But Jerod either missed, or ignored the comment.

“There are six lessons. These are critical aspects and you will have to master them all if you hope to win Bill.”

Viola found herself nodding. She probably would have agreed to garbage collecting at this point. As long as he kept talking with that beautiful voice, he had her undivided attention.

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“Your lessons will be in the following order—appearance, conversation, attitude, flirting, kissing, and…” his voice trailed off and Viola watched his eyes darken.

“And?”

Jerod leaned in, lowering his voice. “And anything else I can think of.” Viola’s stomach flipped from the weight of his suggestion. She couldn’t let him get the better of her, or she didn’t have a hope in hell of surviving his lessons. Leaning back in her seat, she began to play with the neckline of her dress.

“I think I can handle that.” She accidentally popped open one of the small, silk-covered buttons on the front of her dress. When she saw the muscle in his jaw tighten, she giggled. “How am I doing so far?”

“Head of your class.” He said the words into his glass before taking a long drink of his wine.

She was winning this round. Feeling quite smug with herself, she took a sip of her wine before pressing on.

“So with this meal we’re working on which lesson? Conversation or attitude?”

“Flirting.”

Viola began to cough when her wine went down the wrong way. Jerod at least had enough courtesy to wait until she stopped choking before he gloated.

“Are you okay?” he said with a smug grin on his face.

“Peachy,” she managed in between coughs.

“Truth of the matter, your man Bill’s not much for conversation.” Viola rolled her eyes. “Oh come on. Bill has as much to say as the next guy.”

“Ha! He’ll likely discuss several topics, starting with the office. He’ll try to make himself sound important. Now, you have an advantage because you know the truth.”

“That’s not fair,” she said and took a sip of her water, careful to swallow all before speaking again. “Bill is important. He runs our region. We figure he’s next in line to move into a VP role.”

Jerod didn’t look convinced.

“He’ll then switch the conversation to politics.” 59

Viola couldn’t believe it. “He doesn’t.”

“You won’t have to say anything. It’s actually better if you don’t. Ah, our appetizers.”

Viola had to give her head a shake at the rapid change of conversation. “What?” She jumped with the sudden arrival of the waiter with the plate of steaming seafood.

The young man smiled as he set the hot oval platter in front of them with a dull thud, bowed, and walked away.

The aroma was amazing. Viola’s stomach growled its appreciation when she breathed in the mouthwatering scent. She didn’t wait for Jerod and dove in with a fork to snatch one of the prawns from the spread. Garlic and tomatoes threatened to drip off the fork, so she shoved it quickly into her mouth.

“To your liking?” Jerod asked as he took a sip of his wine.

She made a mumbling sound and nodded emphatically. Jerod smiled and moved some of the food onto his plate. But he didn’t use a fork. Two of the prawns floated across the table of their own devices and paused to hover over the plate. Viola covered her mouth with her hand to hide her full-mouth laugh when the prawns began to dance.

“I can guarantee that Bill’s dinner conversation won’t be as entertaining,” Jerod said in a very serious voice.

“To be fair, you’re a tough act to follow.”

Their eyes locked across the table. Viola had officially moved past her embarrassment phase and squarely into arousal. Beth had been right—she needed to get laid. Now if she could convince Jerod he was the genie for the job, this might be the most memorable vacation in the history books.