Double Dragon's Blood

by Kali Willows

  “Something like that.”

  “You don’t work during the day?”

  “Well, I do, sometimes. Daytime is much easier, a sit pretty and wait sort of job.”

  “Okay, your turn. Ask away.” I’m an open book…sort of.

  “I’m not sure what to inquire about.” His eyes twinkled.

  “I guess there isn’t much point in asking.” She outlined the rim of her glass with her fingertip and looked away. “It’s only for one night.”

  “On the contrary, intimacy is important to me.”

  “Then, why did you want a one-night stand?”

  “I have found dating to be—unappealing for some time.”

  A soft voice interrupted—the blonde again. “Pardon me. Would you like menus?”

  “Kaida, would you care for something?”

  “Not yet, thanks.”

  “We are fine for now, thank you.” Roark winked at the young lady whose cheeks reddened.

  “Yes sir, please let me know if you need anything.” She lingered.

  Oh my God, go away little girl. Kaida tapped her foot, until she left. “Unappealing?” she half whispered.

  “Well, I’ve had, I guess you could say, bad luck, in the romance department.” He toyed with his necklace. The metal was crudely fashioned for man who dressed and spoke in such a sophisticated manner. She tried to make out the inscription, but the letters were oddly shaped.

  “I can relate to that.”

  “Being a beautiful, confident woman makes it difficult to find a good match?”

  “You think I’m confident?”

  Roark shifted in his seat. “That is, you strike me as a strong, sovereign lady.”

  “Interesting.”

  “Why?”

  She cast her gaze down. “Those are the very qualities men have shied away from, in my experience.”

  “Maybe they were the wrong men.”

  “I won’t argue with that.” She lifted her drink, and Roark’s eyes widened.

  “That’s an awful bruise. Is it painful?”

  She followed his glance to the ring of black and blue circling her right wrist. “I had, um, a bit of trouble, but I’m fine.” She put her cocktail down and pulled her sweater sleeve over the mark. What would he think of the lump on the back of her head?

  “That mark gives the impression it was some serious trouble. Do you want to talk about it?”

  “It’s no big deal. I got jumped by some thugs on my way to work.”

  “You must have been terrified.”

  “I think I handled myself fine, but, I—” She took a fortifying sip of the sharp, sweet drink. The soothing warmth of the vermouth and brandy ran through her.

  “What is it?”

  “I lost my temper.” Here it comes. The end of the date.

  “That seems understandable, considering the circumstances.”

  “I suppose. My anger is pretty intense.”

  “Then what happened?”

  “After they grabbed me….” She searched her memory for something, anything. “I guess I blacked out.”

  He stayed silent.

  Anxious to move the conversation along, she said, “It’s okay, I’m fine. The only thing is I don’t remember getting myself home. I was a little out of it after that.”

  “Sounds like quite a mystery. I’m glad you’re all right.”

  “I’m lucky, that’s for sure.” She flexed her sore wrist.

  “What happened when you got home?”

  “My cousin, Yong found me on the couch. He said I was burning up.”

  “You had a fever?”

  Her pulse quickened. “Uh—yes. I must have been coming down with something.”

  “You mentioned your cousin?”

  “Yeah, he’s more like a brother.” She cleared her throat. “I grew up with he and his twin, Tatsu.”

  “Do you have any siblings?”

  “My grandfather said when my mother was pregnant with me, she carried twins, but my sister died before we were born.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that.”

  “She couldn’t have any more children after me. Complications of a difficult birth.” The sting of her drink sent a shiver down her back, and she placed the glass down. “Yong and Tatsu are the brothers I never had.”

  “A close family. That’s nice.”

  “Close doesn’t begin to describe us. Our grandfather raised us together, after our parents….” She sucked in a sharp breath. He drew out every detail she held close to her heart.

  “Died?” he finished for her. “Both sets of parents died?”

  “Yes.” Pity card?

  “That’s very sad.”

  “Yeah, in a car accident. They had all gone out for dinner together.” Kaida ran her fingers through her hair and gave a discreet rub over the tender lump on her scalp.

  “I’m sorry if I’ve upset you.”

  “No, it’s fine. It happened when I was seven, a long time ago.” Dammit Kaida, get off this topic. “Funny enough, we were even born in the same year.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes, 1976. In the year of the—” She clamped her mouth shut, mortified with her brainless blathering. “Dragon.”

  “I love the Chinese zodiac.” A dazzling smile brightened his face.

  “You do? What’s your sign?”

  “Oh, I’m a dragon, too.” He sipped his drink. “My sign, that is.”

  “Were you born in ’76 as well? It’s hard to tell your age.”

  “I’ll take that as a compliment.” He cleared his throat and shifted in his seat again. “Tell me, where did you live before you came to New York?”

  “Oh, before…how did you know I didn’t grow up here?”

  Roark cleared his throat. “Just a guess. You don’t have the typical accent.”

  “Well, you guessed right. We lived in Shanghai until ’86, and then grandfather got transferred to New York, and I never left.”

  “Am I correct in assuming your heritage is Chinese?”

  “You are.” She smiled.

  “Is your family still here?”

  “My cousins are. Our grandparents moved back home when Grandfather retired.”

  “It sounds as though you miss them.”

  “Yes, like I said, I don’t travel much. But Tatsu got married last year in Taiwan, so we got to see everyone for the wedding.”

  “That made you happy?”

  “It did.” She outlined the rim of her glass again. “Hey, are you hungry now, Roark?”

  “I could use a bite. How about you?”

  “I’m starving. I couldn’t eat earlier. My nerves got the best of me.”

  “I’m glad you’re more comfortable now.” Roark nodded to the waitress at the bar, who raced over to the table. “Could we have menus please?”

  “Yes sir.” Gone in a flash, Blondie returned quickly.

  “I hope you don’t mind. I’m not a dainty girl when it comes to food.” Or anything else, for that matter.

  “Not at all. Please order what you would like.”

  “I’m ready now.” She studied the menu. “Can I get the sirloin, medium rare?”

  “Very good, miss, and you, sir?”

  “I’ll have the same.”

  “How would you like it?”

  “Very rare, please.”

  ***

  Kaida pushed her empty plate toward the center of the table. “I can’t believe how chatty I am with you, Roark.” She slipped her fashionable but uncomfortable shoes off under the table, and became more relaxed than she would have thought possible tonight—especially with the conversation off the dangerous topics.

  “I’m enjoying our time together, Kaida.”

  “I have to admit, I was worried about rushing right into—uh.” A heated flush rolled over her.

  “Having the chance to talk and get to know one another has been wonderful.” He took the last bite of red meat, wiped his mouth, and settled into his seat with a smile.


  The waitress returned. “Did everything meet your satisfaction?” She glanced at both of them this time. Amazing.

  “Most excellent, thank you.” Kaida placed her napkin on the table.

  “Excuse me, sir, but was there a problem with your potatoes and vegetables?”

  Roark shook his head while she collected his half-eaten meal.

  “No, they were fine, thank you. I tend to be more of a carnivore.” Without delay, she cleared the table and left.

  “This may seem strange, but I feel like I can tell you almost anything, as if we were old friends.”

  “It’s not strange at all. I feel much the same with you.” He rested his folded arms on the table. “Earlier, you mentioned work. What type of work do you do?”

  Just when everything was going so well. “I’m a performer.”

  “What kind?”

  “Fire dancing.”

  “That’s hot. Tell me more.” He gave a sly smile.

  She plunged into the description. “Belly dancing, with swords, flaming fingers, and even a Chinese fan dance. I’ll dance with pretty much anything I can set on fire.”

  “Sounds like you’re quite the wild woman.”

  “Dancing with the flame is part of the show. I do body burns, eat torches. I can transfer the flame to my mouth and back to the torch. It’s awesome.”

  “You eat torches?” His eyes widened.

  “Well, sort of. The flame from them. Kevlar isn’t the best tasting fiber.” She giggled. “One of my favorite tricks is at the end, called the Dragon’s Breath.”

  “You breathe fire?”

  “I do.” Also when I’m not dancing, and the dragon rears its angry head, but let’s hope there’s no need for you to see that.

  “Tell me about body burns.”

  “Oh, it’s when I put the gel across my tummy or arms, even legs, then set it on fire.”

  “So, you’re really burning your body?”

  “Not exactly. It doesn’t hurt. I apply the gel before coming onstage, and it’s always the first part of the act. If not the fuel evaporates before I can set it on fire.”

  “Sounds dangerous.”

  “It can be, but I use alcohol based stuff called naptha. It’s cleaner burning than kerosene so it’s safer.”

  “It must leave an awful aftertaste?”

  “No, in fact, it’s tasteless.”

  “Have you had any bad experiences doing this?”

  “I did learn the cardinal rule for women fire dancers right off the bat.”

  “And that would be?”

  “Don’t wear hairspray.” Kaida snorted and slapped her palm on the table. “It’s flammable.”

  Roark chortled along with her. “I can imagine.” He reached over the table and ran his fingers down the length of her hair. “You’re very gifted.”

  Her stomach fluttered. “I do what I enjoy.”

  “Most people are fearful of fire.”

  “I guess I...understand it.”

  “Have you ever been burned?”

  “No, never.” A dragon getting burned, impossible.

  “I would be interested to see you perform.”

  “Maybe I’ll invite you sometime.”

  Roark sat back and clutched the glass. “Sure, that would be great.”

  She bit her lip when she caught him flexing his jaw. No expectations past that night. “I won’t be performing anytime soon though.”

  “Why’s that?”

  “I lost my gear the night I got attacked.”

  “You did?”

  “Yeah, I don’t remember how I got home, so I must have left my bag there, or maybe the creeps that jumped me kept it.”

  Roark took a fleeting look around the room. Kaida rubbed her forehead with shaky fingers. She’d lost him for sure now.

  “Would you find it rude if I excused myself for a moment?” he asked

  “No.” Her heart sank. “Go ahead.”

  “I’ll be right back.”

  “Sure.”

  He disappeared behind the crowd waiting for tables. Probably sprinting for his car.

  She dropped her head into her arms.

  Blondie returned. “Can I get you anything else?”

  Kaida sat up and forced a smile. “No, thank you.”

  The waitress nodded at the empty seat. “Your date is coming back, isn’t he?”

  She tried to keep an even voice and not growl. “That’s the plan.”

  The irritating paparazzi server left without another word.

  After ten minutes, he returned, and she exhaled with relief.

  “My apologies. I had to make a call.” He sat down again.

  “Everything okay?”

  “Without a doubt, yes.”

  She steeled her spine. “Are you interested in going upstairs to the room now?”

  Roark arched his brows. “More than I can tell you, Kaida.”

  She slid her feet into her shoes, eager to get down to business.

  He gave her hand a tender squeeze, the heat from his palm sizzling up her spine. “Let’s go.”

  “Oh, the bill?”

  “Already taken care of.” He stood up and helped her to her feet. Roark put his coat back on and tucked her hand in the crook of his arm.

  Chapter Three

  Kaida came to an abrupt stop in the hallway outside their room, teetering on her awkward high heels. “Pardon me.”

  Roark steadied her. “Are you all right?”

  “Yeah, but I have a confession to make.”

  “What would that be?” He turned to face her.

  “I’m glad I made a great first impression, but I hate these shoes.” She grimaced.

  “Allow me.” Her date bent down and slipped them off for her.

  “That is so much better.” She flexed her foot.

  “It’s no wonder you’re so uncomfortable.” He held the scarlet Milanos up and shook his head.

  “Why’s that?”

  “These are six inches tall. You were walking on your toes.”

  “True, but now I’m half your height.” And a little intimidated.

  “You’re perfect, sweetheart. I’m a lot taller than average.”

  “How tall are you?”

  “Six-foot-five.”

  “Remarkable.” Was everything about him larger than usual? “I have another confession.”

  “What’s that?” He brushed her hair back from her cheek. A giddy wave rolled through her stomach.

  “I have to admit, I’m more of a denim and T-shirt kinda gal, as a rule. I mean, I do get dressed up, and have costumes for work, but I’m into comfort over fashion any day.”

  “I’m sure you could make anything look good.”

  “I’m eager for you to lose the jacket again.” She gave a playful tug at the leather.

  “This?”

  “I like it, but I’ve been admiring your broad shoulders and…arms.” She gawked at his encased biceps. “You appear very athletic.” Kaida trailed her fingers down the front of his cotton shirt. “Sorry, I don’t know what’s gotten into me.”

  “It’s important to me that tonight is special for you.”

  “We’re off to a great start.” She smoothed her palms over his rock-hard pecs.

  Roark slipped his arms around her waist. He lowered his lips to hers but paused before they touched. She closed her eyes and waited, anticipating his kiss. Instead, the heat of his breath drifted across her mouth, and then he retreated.

  She opened her eyes and slapped his chest. “Tease.” Roark traced the line of her brow with his forefinger, giving her a tender smile.

  Resting a hand on her waist, he led her to their door, slid the plastic key card in the slot, and opened it.

  Kaida’s throat grew thick as she surveyed the flickering light. “Wow, what is all this?” Red rose petals covered the plush living room carpet and a trail of more led down the hall toward the bedroom. The stirring melody of saxophone and piano resonated through the suite.
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  “Is it too much?” His voice cracked.

  “No, not at all. I didn’t expect anything like this, it’s—” Amazing. “Very romantic.”

  “That was my goal. I’m glad.”

  “The call you had to make?”

  “I had to be sure they had everything all ready before I brought you up.”

  The candlelight, music, and roses highlighted the classy charm of the suite. The large fireplace held a warm, sputtering fire. The sleek black mantel glowed with dozens of shimmering candles. Crystal vases filled with long-stemmed, deep red roses occupied the tabletops.

  “You didn’t have to go to all this trouble, Roark. But I’m glad you did.”

  “Like I said, it’s all for you.”

  She stood wrapped in his warm embrace, mesmerized and lost in the moment.

  “If it’s all right with you, my lady, I had something in mind.”

  “Sure.” Anything.

  Roark led her down the hall to the bathroom. It too, glowed with dozens of candles, and the fragrant aroma of roses drifted over her. The cool marble floor soothed her aching feet as she followed him across the vast room to the foot of the steps to the circular tub.

  More rose petals littered the ledge of the bubble-filled bath. Among the floral carnage sat a bottle of champagne in an ice bucket with two crystal flutes, fluffy, rolled white towels, and a bulky bath sponge.

  “This is wonderful.” She swallowed a whimper. “You went to all this trouble for me?”

  “Sweetheart, I don’t see this as trouble in the least, and—” He cupped her quivering chin. “Yes, I did. You deserve so much more. I wish I had more time.” His eyes held such sadness, her breath caught.

  “We have all night.” She cradled his cheek in her palm, anxious to bring back his smile. “And for the record, I love the wining and dining, but I’m a sure thing tonight.”

  Roark kissed the inside of her wrist with gentle lips. “I plan to make every minute count.”

  “It’s incredible.” She snuggled into his solid chest.

  “What is?”

  “I can’t get past this feeling that I know you, this connection….”

  “I know what you mean.” Roark ran his fingers through her raven hair, wishing he could tell her everything, but knowing he didn’t dare.

  “I’m thankful it’s winter,” she murmured.

  “Because?” Her provocative jade eyes captivated him.