Accepting the Dragon (Year of the Dragon)

by Malori, Reana

  “Sure, Takashi, dinner would be great. I don’t have any other plans this evening.”

  The smile that spread on his face almost made him look innocent. Almost. But if she was right, he was anything but an angel. The man in front her probably had more skeletons in his closet, alive and dead, than anyone else in a ten-block radius.

  She heard him exhale, as if he were relieved at her answer to stay for dinner. Was he really expecting her to say no? His gaze seemed to burn a path from her face down to her toes as he looked her up and down, almost as if she were a tasty morsel just for his pleasure. The look in his eyes spoke of something deep and intense. His look spoke of something more than just a friendly dinner between friends, and Sheila almost couldn’t believe it. She caught a glimpse of his tongue as it snaked out of his mouth to moisten his lips. Strong hands with manicured and buffed nails reached up to grasp her face as his head tilted toward hers. Unbidden, her hands clamped down on his wrists, but she wasn’t certain if it was to pull him away or keep him in place. Her own breath became choppy in anticipation. Oh yes, please let this be real.

  “Oh, it’s real. Here and now, there is only the two of us. I need you, Sheila.”

  Did she say that out loud? Oh, hell, she didn’t care anymore. A whimper sounded somewhere in the distance, but she quickly realized it was her own moan of need that could no longer be contained. It didn’t matter to her that he was a member of an organized crime family, nor that something had happened in the pool that her brain could not explain. All that mattered was that he wanted her, and she would take this opportunity and enjoy every second.

  Takashi pressed his mouth against hers with desire and lust combined into savage intensity. Both hands cupping the delicate curve of her jaw as he gained access to her mouth with his tongue. Sheila offered no resistance, melting against him as he kissed her like no other man before. Releasing his wrists, she wrapped her arms around his sleek and chiseled body. She couldn’t resist exploring the ridges and ripples of his muscled back, boldly taking this chance to become familiar with the feel of his toned body under her fingers. The kiss seemed to go on for an eternity, but she didn’t care. Sheila could stay like this forever. When he finally withdrew and lifted his head, her lips felt deliciously swollen from the strength of the kiss.

  Takashi nipped at her lower lip with his teeth; his desire for her was clear as he nestled his large erection against her. Slightly dipping his knees, he accomplished two things with that one movement, bringing him eye-level with her and wedging his cock right in the warm “V” of her body. The part that wanted to take him in and never let him go. “Forget about dinner.” He leaned his forehead against hers. “Be mine tonight. I have wanted you for so long. Five years I’ve waited for you to let down your guard and give me the slightest hint that you wanted me too.”

  The craving in his voice was undeniable, and it was probably the closest he would ever come to begging. In all honesty, although it was unnecessary, it was still what she needed to hear. Spending the night with him was all she would ask for, and she would not deny them this chance. The ramifications could be discussed tomorrow, but tonight would be theirs. The look of need and desire in her eyes must have tipped him over the edge again. He dipped his head once more to capture her lips with his, and his tongue dueled with hers in the age old mating game.

  He made a noise in the back of his throat and opened his mouth wider, wanting more. Sheila made a rough little purring sound, and with one hand cupping his cheek, she tilted her head, her own tongue pushing into his mouth in an instinctive and delicious rhythm. Moaning deeply, Takashi shifted his stance, searching for Sheila’s body to rub against, as if trying to find that perfect position to drive her out of her mind. Need was clawing at her stomach, and all she wanted to do was lie down and let him take her right here and now. She felt shaken by her need for him, and she had to pull back. Suddenly breaking the kiss, she pulled away and looked in Takashi’s eyes. There was something there, just under the surface, that made her mind leap back to the pool. His eyes seemed to be looking into her soul, the shape and color changed slightly. Then it was gone. Damn!

  “Feed me first, Takashi.” The last thing on her mind should be food, but there were still so many questions, and she had to at least try and get some answers.

  Chapter Three

  Takashi had taken a few calls the rest of the day, mainly from his family, and the conversations seemed to be pretty intense based on the furrowed lines in his forehead. Even after knowing him for all these years, she had not realized he had so many brothers. It seemed that some were here in the States, while others were still in Japan or other international locations. They had an early dinner and mainly kept the conversation light and easy, discussing music they liked, movies they enjoyed, and exchanging stories about life in Capital. It was like a switch had been turned off after their heated exchange earlier. That he could change so easily to casual conversation after they were both ready to rip each other’s clothing off highlighted to her even more that Takashi Nakashima was a man with many hidden layers.

  As she watched him walk back into the family room after the last phone call from his older brother, Toshi, the stress was clearly visible on his face.

  “Takashi, is everything okay?”

  Sitting down next to her, he took a deep breath and ran his long, tapered fingers through his silky black hair. Her fingers itched to pick up where he’d left off and run her fingers through the thick strands.

  “Yes, everything is fine. Or at least, it will be.” A few more deep breaths and he seemed to have gotten over whatever had bothered him on the call. “So, did you enjoy dinner? Megumi-san is a wonderful cook. She and her family have taken care of me for years.”

  “It was wonderful. I’m absolutely stuffed. If I had her to cook for me every day, I would never leave the house.”

  The look he gave her after that comment almost made her smile falter. “Do you mean that? Could you see yourself happy here? With me?”

  She had no choice but to be honest with him. If all she had was one night, that was fine. He would know how she felt. Sheila was a big girl; she could stay professional with him if needed. If Monday came around and he never wanted to see her again, so be it. She would move on, do her job, and he would never know that her heart was breaking the entire time.

  Turning her gaze to him, she tried to put as much honesty as possible into her response. “Yes, I could.” He was seated close to her on the loveseat, but she wanted to be closer. It was important that he understand what she had to say. Funny how things changed in a day. Driving over here, there was no way she would have expected things to take the turn they had. “Takashi, you have been center stage in every dream or fantasy I’ve had over the years. For the past two years, we have worked so closely together on so many things, I finally had a chance to get to know the real you. And you know what, I love you even more than I did before.”

  “Sheila…there’s something I need to tell you.” Takashi started to speak, but she needed to get her words out first. She was almost certain that unless she got it out in the open, he would always doubt whether she truly accepted him for what he was.

  “Wait, not yet. Let me finish.” Making a bold move, she climbed over his lap, her legs straddling his hips. He tilted his head back to rest on the couch so that he could continue to look in her eyes as she sat above him. Needing to feel his heartbeat, she placed her hands on his chest, the rhythmic thump somehow soothing the turmoil in her own soul. This was how she knew there was something special between them, even though today was the first time they had taken things to the next level. When she was around him, something inside her calmed, and she noticed the same in him. Sure, there were names for it—Yin-Yang, soul mates, true love, kindred spirits—but whatever the name, she knew that what was shared between them was strong and extremely unique. They could get through anything. She continued saying what she needed to say before she lost her nerve.

  Taking a deep breath
, she began speaking again. “There is more to you than meets the eye. I know this. I thought I knew everything about you, but I learned something new today.” When he started to speak, she placed one finger over his mouth. “No, just let me finish.”

  Just as he kissed the finger resting on his lips, she removed it. He gave her a slight nod to continue, his mouth quirking up on one side.

  “Today when I came to the house, I went out to the pool area. I knew you swam out there at a regular time each day, and I was excited about my find and didn’t come immediately to the house.” Although she knew her next words would sound odd to anyone else, she was certain Takashi needed to know what she had seen. And that she had stayed in spite of the questions still whirling around in her brain.

  “Something happened out there, Takashi. I don’t know what it was, but I know I saw something. I’m not naïve, but maybe I simply haven’t had the chance to fully experience the world and all of its wonders. First, there was something in your pool, almost snakelike. It kind of looked like one of the Japanese dragons you see in the drawings or at the Buddhist temples. It was sleek and strong and so very beautiful. Then, in the blink of an eye, I saw you.”

  The worry in his eye concerned her more than what she was actually saying. Somehow, during the course of the day, through the work discussions and heated kissing and exceptional dinner, she had come to accept that something miraculous had happened out in that pool today.

  “But I’m not finished. As you were exiting the water, I noticed the tattoos.” Slowly unzipping his jogging suit top, she bared his chest to her gaze. His tattoos gradually came into view, and her mouth dropped open in amazement. “You are absolutely gorgeous.”

  She leaned down to kiss his collarbone, right where his Irezumi ended. “I know just enough about your culture to be aware that these are not shown to just anyone. But I want to share this with you. I want you to trust me enough to know that this doesn’t matter to me, because you are more than just the tattoos on your body. There is something special about you. And when we’re together, it’s like two halves becoming whole. If you can accept me as I am, flaws and all, then I’m yours. It may not be traditional and I still have many questions, but all that matters right now is this moment, and you knowing how much I love you.”

  *****

  She humbled him with her words and her touch, and made him stronger all at the same time. This woman, not of his world, who couldn’t possibly understand what his life had been like, accepted him wholly. Not for what he could give her, but for the man he was. Without shame or apology, he acknowledged that his early life had been filled with violence and ugliness, and he knew when he joined ninkyō dantai, it would be more of the same. As he rose in the ranks and eventually became a So Honbucho, he accepted that his life’s path was set for him, and he had been content with that.

  But when he met Sheila and his dragon made his desires known, he knew life would never be the same again. His brother was on his way to Washington, DC now to discuss the situation. Toshi understood Takashi better than anyone, and while he may try to convince him otherwise, Takashi would not give up his heart’s desire. Too much time had passed, and he would wait no longer to live the life he deserved, with the woman of his choice by his side. If a decision had to be made, then he would gladly make it. His soul was connected to hers, and nothing, and no one, would make him leave her.

  She loved him, and his heart was overjoyed at the knowledge. Even knowing that what she saw earlier today could not be explained away with rational discussion, she openly declared her love for him…all of him. Raising his arms, he cradled her face in his hands, his thumbs making lazy circles on her bottom lip as he coaxed a response out of her body. God, he loved to see her like this, and it had only been a day. So much time had been wasted worrying about what if scenarios. How could he have been so stupid to not stake his claim earlier?

  “Sheila, baby, look at me.” He waited until her gaze lifted and met his. “The tattoos are a part of me, and I will share as much as I can without betraying secrets that cannot be told. You understand, baby?”

  Her smile lit up the room as she continued to trace the tattoo designs on his chest. “Of course. I would never ask that of you. I know that bond will always be there, and I would never ask you to break it or make you feel forced to choose.”

  He chuckled slightly. “You don’t understand. I’ve already chosen. I choose you.” His voice was rough with emotion as he tried to control the dragon’s urge to claim his mate.

  *****

  Takashi pulled her in close for a breathtaking kiss. Moaning deeply, his hot tongue slid into her mouth, mimicking the act that would surely follow shortly. Oh, yeah. That first kiss had been something to behold. But wow! The second was giving her feelings of pleasure so intense she hoped they would be able to make it to the bedroom in time. Oh hell, screw the bedroom. She figured this room would do just fine as she allowed her body to sink into his as the kiss deepened.

  Takashi’s strong hands slid around her waist, pulling her body flush with his as he continued to devour her mouth. She could feel the heat and pressure of Takashi’s need for her against her stomach, her soft whimpers echoing in the quiet room as she tried to convey her own need for him with the sound. Her hands clawed at his bare skin, as if trying to make her own mark on him, to give him something to remember her by along with the ink on his skin. It was if she was trying to crawl inside him, she needed him so bad. She had wanted Takashi since the first time they met. There had always been something about the man behind the desk that drew her in, called to her, and made her need him more each day.

  Takashi pulled back slightly from the kiss, looking toward the foyer that was slightly dimmed due to the evening hours. "Love, I think we’d better take this to the bedroom before it's too late. I don't mind taking you right here and making you mine on this couch, but I want to make sure you’re comfortable for the night. Once we start, I’m not going to want to stop."

  She quickly nodded her agreement. "Yes. Please. I need you so much, Takashi."

  *****

  If someone had asked her what Takashi’s bedroom looked like, she wouldn’t be able to answer the question for a million dollars. She only had eyes for the man looking down at her right now, and as of this moment, he was all that mattered to her. Once they entered the bedroom, their clothes had been removed, almost in sync. As his body was bared to her gaze, she could not resist reaching her hands out to touch him. Slowly tracing the intricate designs that covered every inch of his skin, she knew he must have gone through intense pain as he received his tattoos. To know that he would be making love to her within moments had caused her pussy to weep in anticipation. Her nipples hardened under his gaze, and her stomach clenched in preparation for the pleasure she knew was on its way.

  Lying next to him in his king-size bed, Sheila trembled at his touch. One long finger was teasing the hard bud of her sex. He stroked her as if she were his favorite pet and her sex clenched, grasping at air as it made its desire for more known to the man giving her so much pleasure. She wanted him inside of her and her core moistened nicely, coating his finger and hand with her juices as her body writhed in need.

  His voice was just a whisper in her ear: “That’s it, little one, let me know what you need. Let your body tell me how much it craves my touch.” Takashi’s voice was rough, thick with desire and approval. Finally, he gave her a taste of what was to come by parting her wet nether lips and sliding a finger into her warm, wet channel. Not expecting it, but oh so happy, her pussy clasped hungrily around his long, thick digit.

  “Oh, yes! That feels good, Takashi. I need more. Please!” Delirious with pleasure, she almost couldn’t believe that was her making those demands. But it had been so long since she had been with a man, and dammit if this didn’t feel absolutely perfect. She grabbed his shoulders and pulled him in tighter. Her nails clawed at his skin as he pushed another finger inside her, stretching and readying her for his thick member. Deeper
and deeper he went inside her quivering channel, until the palm of his hand was flush against her clit. It was titillating and oh so addictive. Takashi stroked her repeatedly, and the added friction of his palm on her clit was driving her mad. When he started to rotate his wrist, creating a motion both inside and outside of her body that caused waves of pleasure to course through her, she saw fireworks.

  Just as she was recovering from that mind-blowing experience, she felt a warm mouth clamp over her quivering mound. She screamed. Not in pain, but in pure, unadulterated pleasure. His broad shoulders were pressed against the back of her thighs, and as he delved deeper into her throbbing, wet channel, his shoulders continued to push her legs back until she could do nothing but lie there like a limp doll and take all the pleasure her body could handle while he suckled and licked her as if she were his favorite meal.

  “Oh, Takashi…” she choked out, her voice almost a whimper as she panted through her impending orgasm. Her nails clawed at his arms, her body bent in positions she had never even considered. And suddenly she was there. Stomach clenched tight as her body prepared itself for the ultimate release, she felt the sensation from her toes all the way through her fingertips. Beneath him, she couldn’t help but to lift her hips, not sure if she was trying to hurry him along or get him off of her to stave off the little death that was sure to come. But oh merciful goddess, it felt too good for him to stop now.

  Just as her body began to quiver and shake in ecstasy, Takashi removed his mouth from her gushing sex and replaced it with his engorged cock. He surged into her so quickly, she lost her breath. The pleasure was so intense, her orgasm slammed into her as if she had been struck by lightning. She screamed in pleasure, words of nonsense flew from her lips as she was swept away by the intensity of his lovemaking. Shaking all over, her nails scored his back as he thrust into her welcoming body, as if daring her not to take all that he had to give. Takashi claimed her lips again and kissed her as if he were a starving man as he brought her to another mind-blowing orgasm. The climax hit her so hard that she saw stars explode behind her closed lids. Nothing had ever been this good, and she never wanted this to end. She surrendered to him. All that she was, or would ever be, was his.