Free Spanish Nights by Valerie Twombly Page A

wondered if this had been what her nana had been trying to tell her. Was Armand the man she spoke of? If so, what had she meant by he wasn't what he seemed? Kayla sighed. It figures I'd fall in love with him. Watch him turn out to be a nut case.
    Querida, are you all right?” Armand lifted himself and peered into her eyes.
    She curled her lips and wondered if the smile covered her entire face. “Never better.” She palmed his cheek and he closed his eyes nuzzling into her until his eyes flew open and she saw panic residing in their blue depths.
    “Son of a bitch!” Armand pulled free from her and jumped to his feet.
    She sat up. “What's wrong? Armand?” Kayla stood and approached him, his body visibly shaking. “Armand, what do you need me to do? Shall I get help?” She'd never felt more helpless in her life.
    “Kayla. Stand back.”
    Hearing the desperation in his voice, she obeyed.
    “I promise I'll never hurt you.” He jerked his head back and yelled as if in pain.
    Kayla reached for her clothes. “Armand, you're scaring the hell out of me.”
    His body contorted and black smoked swirled around him until it reached the ceiling, where it snaked back down and headed for the fireplace. It twisted into a thin stream and shot up the chimney. Kayla's heart pounded and she turned around to where Armand had been engulfed in the smoke.
    Gone.
    “Armand?”
    She grabbed her top and slipped it over her head then pulled on her jeans, running through the house while she buttoned them. “Armand?”
    No answer, just eerie silence. Even the storms had passed, but the house remained in darkness. She checked every room before heading back to where she started. Still no sign of him. It was like he'd never been there. She plunked down in a chair, dropped her head into her hands and tried to push her panic aside.
    “I have no idea what to do.”
    *****
    Armand could see the panic on Kayla's face, but was unable to respond or assure her everything would be fine. At least, he hoped like hell it was. He'd felt the fire ignite deep in his gut and knew the shift was coming but he couldn't stop it. Instead, the vortex overtook him and he turned into his smoke element. The only thing he could think to do was make a hasty exit up the chimney before anything else went awry.
    Currently, he floated high above his home trying to regain control. He'd not shifted in over a thousand years and it was both frightening and exhilarating. He feared for Kayla, though, and fought to get back to her. His instinct was to stay in the shift, but his urges were to reunite with her and find out just who the hell she really was and make sure she was safe.
    He wrestled for control and reigned in his Jinn. Focusing on the chimney, he shot back through and into the house. He found Kayla sitting on the couch, gulping a glass of wine. Tears stained her face.
    “ Querida, are you harmed?”
    “Me? No, but what the hell just happened?” The panic still resided in her voice. He sensed her struggled to remain calm.
    “It would seem you have broken the curse. Well, partially anyway,” he replied.
    She raised a brow. “Care to explain more?” She poured another glass of wine.
    Armand took a seat next to her, not bothering to cover his naked body. He tried to focus on her eyes but found it difficult. His gaze kept wandering to her lips. He realized he was desperate to kiss her and wanted the flavor of strawberries to coat his tongue.
    “What are you?”
    “I am Jinn and I've been cursed to this realm for over a thousand years.
    She sucked in a breath. “Jinn? I thought you were only a figment of my nana's imagination.” She rubbed her temple. “How were you cursed?”
    Armand raised a brow. “Your nana? What was it she told you about us?”
    “My great grandmother used to tell me stories of the Jinn. Said there were those who were friend and those who were foe. Which are you?”
    He noticed her hands shaking, wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to