any actual attempts at styling it. However, when strangers — both male and female — started approaching her when she was at the mall, handing her business cards that advertised various modeling agencies, she’d begun to realize there must be something appealing or at least interesting about her looks. She’d never called any of those phone numbers, partly because she wasn’t that interested and partly because she knew her father wouldn’t approve. Still, she’d always carried in the back of her head the strange notion that someone, somewhere thought she was attractive enough to be a model.
And then there had been that creepy T.A. during her sophomore year of college, the one who told her she looked like something out of a Botticelli painting and who kept wanting to sketch her. She’d said no repeatedly, but he wouldn’t leave her alone, and eventually she’d gone to the head of the department and made a complaint. The T.A. was removed from her class soon afterward, and she felt guilty about the situation…but not too guilty. After all, she’d given him plenty of chances to tone it down, and he hadn’t.
But even with all that, she still didn’t see anything entrancing enough about herself to make her think Qadim was anything like that long-ago T.A. — well, nothing except the way she’d caught him staring at her on several occasions. She wasn’t a complete imbecile; she knew what that spark of interest in men’s eyes generally meant.
Even if the man in question happened to be a djinn.
All right, so maybe Qadim was contemplating getting a little human booty. Maybe the best thing to do would be to act as if her arm was still hurting even after it was actually healed. Then all she’d have to do was wait until he wasn’t paying attention — maybe while he was in the middle of making dinner — and then she could make a break for it.
Framed that way, her plan seemed a little cruel. He hadn’t done anything to her. He hadn’t even said anything suggestive. He’d only looked at her a few times in a way that made her uncomfortable. She could be misinterpreting everything, including his very obvious kindness to her.
Damn it.
She sat down at the table by the window and used her good hand to separate the blinds slightly so she could peek outside. This room faced north and west, so she could pretend that she was able to see all the way to Los Alamos, even though she knew in reality it was too far away for her to glimpse anything of that mountain town. From this angle, she couldn’t even see all the way to the edge of Qadim’s “grant.”
What she could see was the evidence of his work all around — the strangely altered skyline, the open grassland with its careful groupings of trees and bushes and rocks at regular intervals. All seemed quiet, though; it didn’t appear as if he was working on his project today.
He’s sticking close by because he doesn’t want to leave you alone here, she thought.
Unfortunately, that idea seemed too plausible for her to even bother denying it.
* * *
D inner on the rooftop bar , he thought. It might be rather cold for Madison, but the space had been equipped with large portable heaters. Qadim didn’t have any trouble getting them started, as they were still filled with propane, waiting for guests who would never come.
The notion saddened him for some reason, and he pushed the thought away. This space would have one very important guest tonight.
He wished she had something more becoming to wear, however. The clothing he’d placed in her room was functional and nearly identical to the pieces she’d been wearing when he found her, but it wasn’t exactly suitable for a romantic evening. He thought then of the shimmering golden outfit he’d had Julia Innes wear when she’d been his captive, and let out a breath. She’d looked like a goddess.
But gold wouldn’t suit Madison. No, she needed something more delicate — a soft green, or a pale blush color. Would
And then there had been that creepy T.A. during her sophomore year of college, the one who told her she looked like something out of a Botticelli painting and who kept wanting to sketch her. She’d said no repeatedly, but he wouldn’t leave her alone, and eventually she’d gone to the head of the department and made a complaint. The T.A. was removed from her class soon afterward, and she felt guilty about the situation…but not too guilty. After all, she’d given him plenty of chances to tone it down, and he hadn’t.
But even with all that, she still didn’t see anything entrancing enough about herself to make her think Qadim was anything like that long-ago T.A. — well, nothing except the way she’d caught him staring at her on several occasions. She wasn’t a complete imbecile; she knew what that spark of interest in men’s eyes generally meant.
Even if the man in question happened to be a djinn.
All right, so maybe Qadim was contemplating getting a little human booty. Maybe the best thing to do would be to act as if her arm was still hurting even after it was actually healed. Then all she’d have to do was wait until he wasn’t paying attention — maybe while he was in the middle of making dinner — and then she could make a break for it.
Framed that way, her plan seemed a little cruel. He hadn’t done anything to her. He hadn’t even said anything suggestive. He’d only looked at her a few times in a way that made her uncomfortable. She could be misinterpreting everything, including his very obvious kindness to her.
Damn it.
She sat down at the table by the window and used her good hand to separate the blinds slightly so she could peek outside. This room faced north and west, so she could pretend that she was able to see all the way to Los Alamos, even though she knew in reality it was too far away for her to glimpse anything of that mountain town. From this angle, she couldn’t even see all the way to the edge of Qadim’s “grant.”
What she could see was the evidence of his work all around — the strangely altered skyline, the open grassland with its careful groupings of trees and bushes and rocks at regular intervals. All seemed quiet, though; it didn’t appear as if he was working on his project today.
He’s sticking close by because he doesn’t want to leave you alone here, she thought.
Unfortunately, that idea seemed too plausible for her to even bother denying it.
* * *
D inner on the rooftop bar , he thought. It might be rather cold for Madison, but the space had been equipped with large portable heaters. Qadim didn’t have any trouble getting them started, as they were still filled with propane, waiting for guests who would never come.
The notion saddened him for some reason, and he pushed the thought away. This space would have one very important guest tonight.
He wished she had something more becoming to wear, however. The clothing he’d placed in her room was functional and nearly identical to the pieces she’d been wearing when he found her, but it wasn’t exactly suitable for a romantic evening. He thought then of the shimmering golden outfit he’d had Julia Innes wear when she’d been his captive, and let out a breath. She’d looked like a goddess.
But gold wouldn’t suit Madison. No, she needed something more delicate — a soft green, or a pale blush color. Would
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