by Kali Willows
“What are you talking about, ‘can’t stand you’?”
“I don’t know what I did to offend you, but you can’t even look at me, so this is not gonna work.” He pulled out his smartphone. “I’ll email Madame Eve right now. Maybe you can salvage your arrangements with a new date.”
“Hold on.” She covered the screen. “I can too look at you. I was embarrassed earlier.”
“Come on, you haven’t said more than ten words to me in months.”
“I don’t dislike you.”
“Really?” His hardened gaze pulled at her guilt. She had been rude to him all this time, and yet he had done nothing wrong.
“I don’t know how to…I know everything, all right? It’s weird for me.”
“Huh, weird for you? How do you think I feel?” Shaking his head, he walked past her, back into the tunnel.
“I’m sorry.” She followed him in. “I know today has been hard.”
“Why is everyone treating me like I’m going to break?” He sat on the bench and dropped his head into his hands.
“I didn’t mean to. Today is a big day for them. I figured it would be a tough time for you.” Cindy eased onto the seat beside him.
“Why do you think I set up a date for tonight?” He leaned against the rock wall.
“The same reason I did?”
“What?”
“To move on.” as she settled back beside him, her anger subsided, leaving a void in her heart.
He straightened and spoke with a sympathetic tone. “Hey, Gwen kinda told me about everything you’ve been through with your ex, and well, you know, I wish none of that had happened to you.”
“Thanks.”
Awkward silence filled the darkness.
“You know, even though our date didn’t work out, we still need someone to dance with at the reception, right?”
“Yeah, I didn’t think you’d be interested in me….”
She contemplated how much to confess for a long moment. “Yong, listen, you’re a great guy.”
“Sure,” he sighed. “Great guy, good friend—the kiss of death in dating.”
“What I mean is….” She focused on the dark ceiling, praying for courage. “I think you’re sensational.”
“You do?”
“You’re sweet and funny…. I love your guitar playing and your singing. And, you’re incredibly handsome.”
“I’m listening.”
“I find you really attractive.”
“But?”
“I can’t get the image of you and Gwen out of my mind.”
“Oh.”
“I don’t think of myself as a jealous person, it’s just…you were…with her, and I don’t know how to forget that.”
“It’s more important to me than I can tell you.”
“What is?”
“Forgetting her. I need to move on, too.”
“I know,” she paused. “Let’s face it, she’s the gorgeous, sexy redhead, and I’m a plain-Jane with nothing special.”
“Can I be honest with you about something?”
“What?” Interest in what he might say warred with intrigue when he rested his hand on her knee.
“Ever since I walked in on you changing….”
Her pulse quickened. “Yes?”
“I can’t stop thinking about you.” Yong caressed the inside of her thigh, starting a slow thrum of arousal in her core. “Truth is, I’ve been thinking about you for months now.”
“You’ve been on my mind, too.”
“I have?” He brushed past her comfort zone and she gripped his fingers, stopping them in place.
In the darkness, he turned on the bench and faced her.
“Yes.”
He leaned in and kissed her bare shoulder.
“But, this isn’t gonna happen.” Her protest was half-hearted.
“Why not? You’re beautiful.”
“You think I’m beautiful?”
“Yes, absolutely,” he assured her. He outlined her mouth with his fingertip, and then along her jaw line. A shiver of excitement ran down her back. Nudging her chin up, he leaned in and claimed her lips.
Trying to dismiss her desire, she pulled back. “I can’t. This is too awkward.”
As though he had not heard a word, he stole another kiss.
The excessive heat of his palm moved down her back. Why is his skin so hot? And his mouth?
Shrouded in a sensual haze, she struggled to remember why she shouldn’t let him make love to her right there in the alcove.
He’s still in love with her; don’t be a fool.
She shoved against his chest—his firm, muscular chest, and gulped. “I can’t. I won’t be with you.” She exhaled a shaky breath.
“Why not?”
“Because you love Gwen.” She stood up.
Adjusting her skirt, Cindy headed back to the entrance. Solar lights along the bridge posts began to brighten the pathway.
“It’s been over for months.” He followed her outside and ran his feverish hands down her sides. “She’s in love with my brother. Maybe you recall their wedding today? How much more do you need to assure you we’re done?”
“I don’t need anything from you. I can’t—we can’t—”
The sizzling heat of his hands resting on her hips became difficult to resist. His touch enthralled her, and she craved the taste of his lips again.
“All I’m asking is to try, for this one night.” He slid his arms around her waist and blazed a trail of kisses across her neck. “I need you tonight, Cindy. I want you.”
She turned to face him; her heart and mind competed for control.
“One night?” she repeated, as though saying the words aloud would dispel her trepidation.
“You want me, and I want you; we owe it to ourselves.” His jade eyes glowed.
With a shrug, she surrendered to the sweetness of his lips, ecstatic when his tongue swept the inside of her mouth.
After a few heady minutes of sensual kissing, Yong pulled back and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, gazing into her eyes. “Can I ask for something?” His fingers glided lower along the cloth shielding her breasts.
“What?” Anything.
“Come here.” He led her back to the seclusion of the tunnel.
“But the reception?”
“No one will miss us just yet.” Embracing her tight, it didn’t take much to coerce her.
“I do want this…we shouldn’t though.” A sense of dread flowed through her. She couldn’t ignore her fear of getting hurt.
What if I allow myself to be with him and he still wants Gwen? I don’t want to go through any more pain.
When Yong began to unhook the fasteners across the collar of her dress, she stiffened, pushed him away, and turned for the exit. “We need to get back.”
He pressed tight against her back, gripping her shoulders. Her apprehension faded when he slid his hand along her panties with enticing pressure.
“Mmmm,” she moaned when he pulled the elastic barrier aside and trailed his fingers along her wet folds.
“You like me touching you?” His low voice held a tone of restrained danger.
“Yes.” Arousal flooded her. Yong leaned her against the cool rock wall. The fasteners of her frock dangled as he guided the dress down to her waist. The last layer between her flesh and his fingers loosened when he undid her bra. Her nipples hardened as they skimmed against the coldness of the smooth stone.
Yong kneaded her bare breast with one hand, while his other pulled at the hem of her short dress, yanking it up over her backside.
He ripped her panties off. The rustling sound in the darkness, as he freed himself from the confines of his pants, made her clit throb.
“You want me inside you?”
Oh God, yes.
Without any words, he gripped her waist, guiding her to lean forward as he held her hips against him. Yong rubbed the head of his cock between her legs.
He forced his entire len
gth into her with one thrust.
A masculine moan filled her ear and then he bit down on nape of her neck like a lion claiming its mate. In slow, steady movements, he drove into her again and again.
Dizzy with lust, she arched her back, angling for deeper penetration.
One arm snaked around her waist and held her with a firm grip, keeping her steady.
I love this, he knows what I want; he’s taking control, this is so hot.
Her dragon lover reached down and rubbed her clit in delicious circles while he pounded into her.
I’m gonna explode, God, he’s amazing.
The heels of her shoes lifted off the ground with each plunge. The friction of his cock driving into her body was maddening.
The sudden clogging of shoes and the laughter of a group of people drew near along the wooden bridge, and the impassioned couple froze, with him still buried deep inside her. Cindy stifled a nervous giggle as he gyrated into her. The sound of voices faded; the footsteps moved away.
“That was close. We should stop.” Her heart racing, she reached back, sliding her hand along his lean hips. “But you’ve got me so turned on, I don’t want to.”
“I don’t think I could if I tried. You feel so good.” He moved deeper. She tilted her pelvis in response and arched against him, wanting all of him.
He ravished her like an animal in heat, pinching and tugging her tender nipples.
“Oh, it feels so good.”
Yong massaged along the sensitive skin of her bikini line. Slow movements, in and out, as he drove her wild with friction, the building pressure inside her surged.
“Yong, oh—I’m—I’m, oh.” The creeping sensation deep in her core grew with every thrust. A swelling surge of spasms exploded deep within her body and Cindy pushed against him, her muscles clenched around his cock. Oh, this is amazing. She balled her hands into fists and bit down on her lip, fighting her desperate urge to cry out.
“Ah, Cindy, ah yeah.”
“Harder Yong, harder,” she begged, riding the frenzy of climax.
“Feels good, doesn’t it?” he teased in her ear while he kept pounding into her. “I felt you come all over my cock.” He grazed her tender nipples then squeezed and rolled them between his fingertips. “I’m close, Cindy. I’m so close. You’re so tight.” The force of his grip tensed, and his teeth pinched her shoulder.
She braced herself on her forearms against the stone. He grasped her hips, driving into her over and over. Every plunge filling her with more intensity, her thighs trembled and her knees grew weak.
“Oh yeah, fuck, I’m coming.” He gripped her firmly as he pushed up into her. “Oh….” Yong shook violently against her back; his cock pulsed inside her.
He stayed pressed into her, stroking the length of her partially naked, quivering body.
With tenderness, he brought the dress back up to cover her, and then he skated her skirt down over her hips again.
“You’re incredible; I’ve wanted this with you for so long.” Her dragon lover wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her neck.
“Oh, Yong.” She trembled in his arms as she came down from her peak. That was so intense; I never would have imagined he wanted me, not like this.
“I’m sorry; I think I tore your panties.”
“I suspect I won’t have much need for them tonight.” She rested her head against him.
“I’ll hold you to it.”
Chapter Three
Eager to share her news with best friend, Cindy followed the bride behind a bamboo partition in the banquet hall.
Horrified, she watched him take Gwen in his arms: Yong’s arms. Embracing her tightly, he nuzzled the crook of her neck.
You bastard! I knew this would be a mistake. She held back the violent sobs lurking inside. She fled to the bar, accepted a flute of champagne, and gulped it down.
“Whoa, take it easy there, sailor. You won’t make it through dinner at that rate,” a deep voice whispered in her ear.
“Hey, Tatsu. What can I say? I’m an overachiever.” She waved to the bartender for a refill.
“Are you okay, Cindy?” He rubbed her back with a tender swirl.
“Just peachy, thanks.”
“Have you seen Gwen? Grandfather wanted to dance with her.”
The swelling pit in her stomach turned to stone. “Uh—Gwen, no, maybe—the restroom?” She peeked over her shoulder at the secluded scene of her contention.
“Thanks, sweetheart.” Tatsu kissed her cheek and started toward the hall. “Hey,” he called back.
Oh no, I cannot bear to lie to him again. “Yes?”
“Save me a dance, will ya?” He gave her a wink.
“Sure thing.”
Strong arms gripped her waist and spun her to face the man she least wanted to see.
“How’s the most beautiful woman in Taiwan?” Yong’s confident smile enraged her. She shot mental daggers at him as she scowled, trying to contain her outburst. Don’t make a scene at the wedding.
“I don’t know.” She jerked free. “Why don’t you go back and ask her?” She shot him a fiery glare and then stormed off.
Half way across the red lantern-lit room, she glanced back to find him still in the same place, mouth agape.
Cindy crashed into an elderly man in the middle of the dance floor and stumbled. “Oh, pardon me, I’m so sorry.” She steadied him and straightened his jacket. “Are you all right?”
“Cindy, where are you off to in such a hurry? And with such a sad face?”
“Excuse me Mr. Li, I didn’t see you there.” To her dismay, the wetness streamed down her cheeks.
“Come now, it cannot be all bad. Dance with an old man and make me happy.” He looped his arm through hers and led her onto the floor.
Despite battling a plethora of emotions: angst, anguish, jealousy, and now, amusement, she did her best to dance.
I cannot believe this sweet little man trying to cheer me up after I nearly barreled him over.
“Thank you, Mr. Li.” She accepted his handkerchief and wiped away her tears.
“It would seem my grandson is quite taken with you, my dear.” He nodded, and she followed his line of vision to Yong, who still stood like a statue where she’d left him.
“Oh.” She turned back. “It’s not me he’s taken with, I’m afraid.”
“On the contrary I see the way he’s watching you. Like a lovesick schoolboy.” He chuckled and held her close.
“I wish that were true.” Twirling in his arms, she caught the sight of Gwen on the dance floor with her husband.
I am so confused; I don’t even know who to be mad at? A residual whimper slipped out.
“May I tell you a Chinese folktale?” His eyes lit up like bright emeralds.
“Of course you can.”
“Once, a very long time ago, there were two brothers, twins.” His voice was as smooth as butter.
“You mean Yong and Tatsu?” I’m sure he means well, but I do not intend to listen to anything about him, the lying snake.
“No my dear, I said, a very long time ago. 1952, to be exact, the year of the water dragon.”
“Oh, pardon me, please continue.”
“There were two brothers, twins” He cleared his throat. “They were born in 1940, year of the metal dragon.”
Cindy nodded.
“These brothers were inseparable but shared a very dark secret. Some would have called it a curse, others, a unique legacy.” Captivated by his eyes, Cindy was compelled to watch and listen, as they moved along the dance floor. Calm washed over her with the beautiful plucking and flute of the Asian melody.
“Their legacy belonged solely to twins born in the year of the dragon. They knew their fate, but not how to change it.”
“Their fate?”
“One of them would die soon.”
“Oh, is this a sad story?”
“Patience with an old man,” he teased. “Both brothers were drawn to the arms of a single woman.
They both thought they loved her—her draw an invisible magnet to them.”
“Go on.”
“She held the key to saving him, but only him.”
“Who?”
“The brother who would die.”
His words are cryptic, but fascinating.
“You see, my dear, these brothers were the embodiment of a single dragon spirit, divided into both bodies. Legend said in time one would overpower the other and absorb his essence back into one body. The other would change into the form of a dragon, and then die.”
“Please, tell me more.”
“Lien was a dragoness, a twin herself, but her sister died before birth. The pull of her love took hold of them both. Being true brothers, they did not fight over her. One fateful night, she came to him, she was drawn to him by the same force the brothers were to her. She bonded with only one; she expelled the dragon’s breath into him, giving him back his life.”
“They fell in love?”
“Yes, but at a terrible price.”
“His twin died?” she offered with a tear.
“He did. The moment she bonded with Shen, Ling’s soul rejoined with Shen’s in his body.”
“What a sad story.”
“It is the price of lineage for descendants of the dragon, my dear.”
“Is there a happy ending?” she hoped aloud. His kind eyes became serious. “It was impossible to avoid the loss of his brother’s body, but his spirit doubled in strength and wisdom once they united.”
“Did they stay together, as lovers?”
“As husband and wife, with children, and grandchildren and a very full life.”
“It is a nice ending.” She rested her chin on his shoulder.
“But….” He retreated, his brows furrowed when he gazed at her. “Shen’s guilt led him to research this legend further, in hopes of defeating it.”
“I thought he survived.”
“He did, but the lineage passes down from one generation to the next. Shen was determined to figure out how to break the curse and save his family from further death.”
“Did he?”
“In time, he did. He was very pleased with himself” Mr. Li lifted his chin with a smile. “When he was able to use his knowledge to save his grandchildren from the same terrible fate.”
