The Dragon Lover

by Maialen Alonso

  Waist like a wasp, Mira remembered her grandmother used to say.

  Having removed her glasses Mira brushed her curls and put make up on her face and decided not to wear the glasses that she really only needed to wear in order to read, but usually ended up wearing for long periods of time because she felt safe with them on. When she finished getting ready Mira looked in the mirror and her confidence plummeted. Okay, she was going to pay for sex, but the thought that the guy would feel grossed out and obligated made her nauseous. She could never force someone to have sex.

  ┼

  Mira looked once more at the clock and saw that it was ten minutes till ten. She was so nervous that a great weakness invaded all of her muscles and every cell of her body.

  “It feels like I’m getting something. Maybe I’m just panicking.” Mira buried her head in her hands. “What do I say to him?”

  The doorbell rang and she felt her heart jump up into her throat almost as if it wanted to jump out. Before she knew it, she was in front of her door, with her hand extended to her handle and she saw that her fingers were trembling. Mira closed her eyes, tightening her hand on the handle, and opened the door while her cheeks flushed. When she opened her eyes she saw a young man standing before her. In fact he looked very young. He had blond hair, a nice tan, a charming smile with gorgeous white teeth that looked even whiter against his tan.

  “I’m Johan.”

  “Come in.” Mira stepped back so he could enter. He was tall and very muscular. It was understandable that he would take care of his body considering the work that he did.

  “Shall we have a drink?” he asked seeing how nervous she was.

  Mira served them each a glass of wine and she felt his eyes on her as an uncomfortable silence filled the room. She started shivering. She had to talk, ask questions, and confess. It was best to get it over with as soon as possible, the quicker she finished with this hell the better.

  “You’re…” Mira cleared her throat upon hearing her shaky voice. “Very young?”

  “Ah, not really. I’m twenty-eight years old,” he said.

  “Two years older than me…you look much younger. For a moment I was scared.”

  “Although, I am young I have more experience than many thirty year olds.” He laughed and looked a little proud.

  “No, I didn’t say it because of that.”

  “Finally, you’re looking at me,” he whispered.

  “Huh?”

  Johan leaned on the couch and took the wineglass and placed it on the small white coffee table. He suavely leaned forward until his lips hovered over hers and he could feel the warmth of her breath.

  “W-wait,” Mira murmured quickly while she placed a hand over his lips. “Before, I have to know…I understand this is your work and that sometimes you have to do things that you don’t want to, right?” Nervously, she started to stutter. “The thing is if you don’t want to, you don’t have to. I’ll pay you either way,” Mira talked so fast that Johan was surprised.

  “Why are you saying this?” he asked with arched eyebrows.

  Mira sighed and looked down anxiously. “I’m saying this because if I disgust you then you don’t have to do anything. I’ll still pay you.”

  Johan’s loud laugh filled and echoed through the apartment. He laughed and laughed until he started choking like a little boy looking at clowns at his birthday party. “Why would you disgust me?”

  “I’m almost twenty-seven years old and I’m a virgin,” Mira said suddenly.

  The laughter stopped completely returning the room to total silence. He didn’t move, just kept looking at her, he couldn’t believe it. “Are you serious?”

  “I’ve only been kissed one.” Mira continued completely defeated. “At least I think so…I was so drunk that it could have been a product of my imagination.

  “I can’t do it,” Johan said, sounding serious for the first time. Mira hunched over instantly.

  Johan took her hand and pulled her up until she stood. Then took her by the chin and forced her to look at him.

  “Don’t think things that aren’t true,” Johan warned when he saw Mira’s tear-filled eyes. “Truthfully, I wish all of my clients were like you, but there is one thing that I respect and that is purity. I don’t want you to regret later on that a professional sex worker took your virginity. It’s not fair, I know.”

  After releasing her, he walked to the door and Mira followed close behind. He opened the door and turned to look at Mira. “I tell you in all sincerity that this isn’t the way, but when it happens call me. I promise that I’ll make you fly. For free,” He added with a wink, “It will be only for pleasure not for business.”

  “I’m sorry for your wasted trip,” Mira said gracefully, while she wringed her hands. “Here.”

  “There’s no payment if there’s no service.” He refused to take the envelope.

  “I want you to take it. Truthfully it would make me happy.”

  He ran a hand through his hair and gratefully took the money. Mira was sure he had earned it.

  “Don’t forget, call me,” he said, once more then turned to leave only to stop abruptly and Mira felt as if an abyss opened at her feet. Kwon!

  The end of the world had arrived to destroy her.

  “Johan, working?” Kwon didn’t smile and his eyes sneered at Mira.

  “Bye,” Mira said, letting out a horrible moan. She closed the door leaving the two strangers in the hallway.

  ┼

  They had an interesting talk and Kwon gained surprising new information. Finding Johan with Mira had caused many feelings. He remembered that moment a few hours ago.

  He had just exited the elevator to see the young man he had met a few years ago, when his friend and the owner of the club Night Moon had hired him.

  He felt a bitter taste at seeing him standing at Mira’s door. After seeing him there he had resolved to get all the information about their date and what information it had been. Johan had confessed he could not finish the job after she had confessed her inexperience.

  “Knowing you live next door to her I’m surprised that she’s still a virgin,” Johan said, finishing the glass of whiskey that Kwon had served him. “A delicious morsel like that one on the other side of the door. Seriously, you’ve lost your touch.”

  “You’re the one that was hired and backed out of the job.”

  “Hey, hey, I’ve respected her. I wouldn’t feel right doing it. Fuck, when she told me and made that face of a slaughtered lamb. I felt like ripping off her clothes and fucking her brains out.”

  “Well, nothing that you’ve told me changes my plans,” Kwon thought out loud.

  “Ah, I found it strange that you hadn’t planned something,” Johan said standing up. “You can see from far away that she’s a submissive, your weakness. Although, not of the type that you are used to,” He said mischievously.

  “She’ll be mine. Her, her virginity, her moans, and that pretty mouth will belong to me,” Kwon declared.

  “I see more interest than you usually show in a girl, interesting. You’ll tell me all about it.” Johan walked to the door with Kwon. “And please don’t be a beast with her.”

  “It seems she has a defender.” Kwon laughed with an irritation he couldn’t cover up. “Is it alright with you if I leave her unable to get out of bed for only two days? I don’t think I can be any gentler.”

  “You’re one of a kind.” Johan laughed and closed the door behind after waving goodbye. “See you later, man.”

  “Take care.”

  Kwon looked at the night sky through a gigantic open window. The soft breeze caressed his skin. Placing a hand against the metal he leaned forward and smiled. This was going to be very, very interesting and of course he would make sure to enjoy it.

  6. Desolate

  Mira opened her eyes to see
the dark ceiling. She had only drunk one glass of wine, but she had a horrible sensation of being hungover. Accidentally, walking into Kwon and him seeing her with Johan was the perfect material for Kwon to use and humiliate her. Kwon surely knew what Johan did as a job.

  “Fuck, it’s one of life’s little jokes,” She complained getting up.

  Mira went to the bathroom and washed her face and then looked at her reflection in the mirror. She had a distressing appearance and when she looked at the woman in the mirror all she saw was a woman full of shame and completely defeated. She had lost in the little war with Kwon. She had to avoid seeing him again at all costs.

  “No matter, I’ll try to keep my head held high,” Mira tried to cheer herself up.

  Mira ate breakfast even though she didn’t have much of an appetite and then sat down in front of the computer to read her manuscript. Amanda was right the sex scenes were disgusting… she had read hundreds of erotic books and all of them were much better than hers. Everything else was great, the story, the characters, the emotions…the problem was that she failed in writing the most important part, the part that would attract the majority of the readers.

  Mira spent the entire day reading pieces of different books, but the only thing that occurred to her was plagiarism and it would end up being something badly done and without substance. Mira would not sink so low as to copy someone else’s work. Never that!

  When it was nighttime Mira found it impossible to sleep and ironically she finally had peace as Kwon had decided to copulate elsewhere.

  “He’s not here?” she asked herself after a while. Kneeling down she leaned her head against the wall and closed her eyes. Her imagination played a dirty trick on her and she saw a clear image of Kwon naked and sweaty.

  Mira sighed; he was devilish, cruel, and sexy. Boy was he sexy and of course he was hot, just like her neighbor had told her. Okay, they hadn’t started out well and he did irritate her exceedingly, but she had to be truthful with herself.

  ┼

  Mira woke up after hardly sleeping. She had imagined many different scenarios, but nothing had truly taken shape, at least, not completely. She couldn’t describe what her female protagonist would feel at being bound, licked, and pleasured. When the telephone rang the sound pierced her temples and brought her out of her self-imposed mental torture. Mira was tired, bitter, and disgusted at everything including Amanda’s happy whining voice, and when she went to the office of her publishing house at noon, Mira found Amanda had a nasty surprise for her.

  Without dressing up and with gigantic bags under her eyes Mira left her apartment after making sure through the peephole that Kwon wasn’t in the hallway or outside her apartment door. At the moment she couldn’t put up with him and his mocking.

  Mira arrived at the top floor of her publishing house. She waved to the young and friendly secretary and entered Amanda’s office. The office was a bit dim and Amada was seated at her desk looking at her computer. Someone stood with their back to them as he looked out the window.

  “You’re late,” Amanda teased, as she stood up to give her a hug.

  “I’m sorry I had a really bad night.” Mira rubbed her forehead tiredly and then kissed Amanda’s cheek in greeting.

  “You should have dressed up. We have a guest,” Amanda added with a secretive whisper. “You’re very lucky.”

  “What are you talking about?” Mira frowned, and then felt her feet shift from under her, as she felt a horrible sensation similar to falling. The man had turned around, his hands in his pockets, and a big smile on his face. What was Kwon doing here?

  “Oh, dear! You’re extremely pale. Christy bring a cup of tea immediately!” Amanda yelled out the order to her secretary. Amanda grabbed Mira’s hand. She looked like she had seen a ghost, and pulled her along with her. “Let me introduce you. Kwon works with many of the companies that manufacture erotic toys. He consults with some of the largest company’s and manages a private and exclusive club. If there is anyone in the world that can help you it’s him.”

  “You! What are you doing here?” Mira stuttered, her eyes wide open, and left his outstretched hand hanging.

  “What? You know each other?” Amanda asked.

  “Of course, we’re neighbors.” Mira could feel how much Kwon was enjoying this.

  “Excellent,” Amada laughed out loud. Mira was not amused by any of what was happening. “That makes everything so much easier. Mira, he’ll show you everything you need to know, and answer any questions that you may have and he’ll help you in anything you need. He’ll be you’re sexual mentor,” Amanda joked.

  The world had definitely ended, her world… Mira couldn’t get rid of him even if she spit in his face.

  “It’s great that you live next to each other. He’ll be available to you 24 hours a day, huh?” Amanda kept subtlety pushing her towards the door. Not giving Mira time to respond. “Drink the tea that Christy brought you, go home, and get to work. Time is passing by and we need the finished manuscript in less than three months. Good luck!”

  The door closed behind Mira and she tried to process what had just happened.

  “It’s going to be enjoyable to mentor a virgin, how interesting,” He said while rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

  Damn, Johan. He didn’t waste any time in telling Kwon everything.

  “You’re enjoying this aren’t you?” Mira asked, angrily.

  “Yes, very much.” Kwon confirmed.

  Mira let out a small growl and began to walk away after she thanked the secretary and excused herself for not drinking the tea. She needed to get home and get in bed or she would start pulling out her hair in frustration. Of course, the day wasn’t over. Kwon followed her closely until they reached their apartments. Standing in front of her penthouse and before she could enter her apartment, he grabbed her and held her close not letting her enter.

  Kwon saw that she was angry. “Give me that manuscript I want to read it and see where you are failing and need help.”

  Incredibly, Kwon was serious. He wasn’t mocking her at all. Was he taking this seriously? If that was the case, then maybe he could be a great help.

  “I’ll give it to you right now. I have several copies printed out,” Mira told him. A few seconds later she handed him the manuscript and saw as he entered his apartment without saying anything. With the serious face he had he didn’t seem like the same person.

  “Fu…” Kwon hadn’t closed the door and she had been about to curse him out. She was an idiot.

  Mira entered her apartment grumbling as it had just occurred to her that he was about to find out that the male protagonist was based on him and she’d thought that he would never find out. Also the male protagonist was Asian just like Kwon. Another tidbit of information that she’d given him that could turn into an explosive situation.

  “I can’t believe my stupidity. I give up.” Mira started to clean the apartment trying to vent some of the frustration that emanated from every pore of her body. “He already knows I’m a virgin. The only thing that should matter to me is that the book turns out to be perfect, and why the hell am I talking to myself?”

  Talking to herself was something that was happening far to often. Since she had moved to this place something had started to go wrong with her head.

  7. Intrusion

  Although it was late at night and he had only one light turned on, Kwon sat comfortably on his white couch, with his legs crossed and his head resting on his fist. Next to him, on the small crystal coffee table rested a half full wineglass and a bottle of wine he had just opened.

  A lopsided smile was on Kwon’s face as he found it ironic that the male protagonist was exactly like him. It was obvious that it was based off of him and he thought it odd that she hadn’t tried to play it off.

  Although in his opinion the male protagonist was somewhat bland and he justified it by thinkin
g that Mira was unaware of his perverse dark side. Of course, for the good of the book, Mira would have to get to know his dark side.

  “Anyone with experience who reads this book will know that she is a virgin,” He murmured before taking a sip of wine. Someone who doesn’t know how it feels could never describe it.

  Looking at the clock he saw that it was almost midnight. He had the urge to go next door. The realization that she had based the book on the both of them had aroused Kwon. He was sure that he had awakened something inside the simple girl that lived next door. He shook his head while laughing. He couldn’t imagine the suffering of a body that had been denied of the greatest pleasures in life.

  What a waste.

  Of course, he was also curious of her reasons to remain a virgin. Mira didn’t seem like a shy girl and she wasn’t depressed. He was very curious to know why she remained untouched.

  ┼

  It was another horrible morning that Mira woke up feeling hungover. Moving to another apartment was starting to look promising and exciting instead of being a weight on her chest.

  Why did she have such bad luck?

  While she had eaten breakfast she heard how the door of the apartment next door had slammed shut making her heart jump, because for a moment she thought her doorbell would be ringing noisily, but the seconds passed and nothing happened. Automatically she looked at her watch and saw that it was eight. Maybe he had to go to work?

  Relax, she told herself, paranoid thoughts are going to make you crazy. Mira decided not to make any changes in the book until she heard what Kwon had to say. Although, she was sure that his comments would sting like salt being rubbed into an open wound. That man enjoyed messing with her.

  ┼

  Mira spent the day cleaning her apartment and shopping for groceries to fill her empty refrigerator. After finishing all her errands she sat down on her couch to think. She was nervous, why was he taking so long? Maybe he hadn’t even read the book yet, and if that was the case maybe she could change the male protagonist so that it wasn’t the same as him.