The Grandmaster’s Legacy: Masters of Love and War (A Taylor Lee HOT Historical Romantic Suspense Collection) (The Grandmaster's Legacy)

by Taylor Lee

  A burst of firecrackers and a colorful rainbow of fireworks streaked across the sky, announcing the beginning of the Lion Dance. Shrieks of excitement and giddy tears among the older Chinese greeted the flamboyant dancers in their six foot high costumes, so elaborate and heavy that they required one dancer to control the head the other the tail. The dancers’ acrobatic thrusts and pivots echoed the clash of cymbals, the pounding of the drums, and the beat of the gongs. In sync with the loud music, the fierce lions swayed and leapt, giant graceful catlike apparitions. The enchanted audience clapped and shouted their approval as bursting firecrackers and flashes of fireworks ratcheted up the excitement.

  As the colorful lions ambled off, a huge clash of cymbals and a rolling flair of drums heralded the next act. One by one, the traditional Kung fu animals took the stage. To shrieks of delight and applause, the Sing Leon fighter representing the snake hissed and slid across the stage, followed by the mysterious dragon, the graceful crane, and the powerful tiger. The four dancers, their faces streaked with garish paint, commanded the stage as they wove in and out emulating the unique movements of the animals they represented.

  Their movements were accomplished, the dances spectacular. After several moments of fantastic artistry, they separated, leaving a space in the center. With a crash of cymbals and a fierce roll of the drums, the leopard entered and took center stage. In a dizzying display of athletic prowess, he twisted, turned, and leapt through the air, bringing the audience to its feet roaring with excitement.

  Bai and Elena exchanged surprised glances while Wyatt, Wan, and Lei swelled with pride when they saw that the youngest and most athletic of the dancers was none other than Nicolas Deshi. He was bare to his waist, emulating the way both Wyatt and Bai fought. His shoulder length black hair swung wildly and his blue eyes blazed. His physical beauty was as stunning as his dance.

  Wyatt couldn’t hide his surprise or his obvious pride.

  “I dunno, Bai, that record of yours might be in danger. Deshi won’t be seventeen for several months. He still has time to become the youngest grandmaster ever.”

  Bai grinned and didn’t reveal that he had been working with Deshi on a daily basis, teaching him the leaps and aerial skills that Bai had trademarked. Neither Bai nor Wyatt mentioned that in addition to his acrobatic artistry, the young Bai had earned his reputation and grandmaster status using his kung fu skills to kick three men to death at the fearless age of seventeen.

  “If anyone can do it, Wyatt, it is likely to be Deshi. He is as talented a fighter as I’ve seen.”

  Looking at Wan, Bai added, “Looks like we have a new Sing Leon recruit, wouldn’t you say, Father?”

  Wyatt grinned at them both, then put his arm around Alex’s shoulder.

  “Sorry, Bai. In this case, the Caballeros take precedence. Alex and I have already claimed Deshi.”

  ~~~

  Alex waited until the dessert was being served, then spiked his courage with a healthy draft of cognac and prepared to offer Jeng Ming a glass of champagne. In the past two days, he attempted several times to talk to the beautiful young woman, but she ignored him, as though he wasn’t worthy of her consideration. He watched her throughout the evening, entranced by her exotic beauty. She was wearing an ivory Oriental silk gown embroidered with colorful flowers, dragons, and other fantastical serpents. Her shining black hair hung in a silky curtain down to the middle of her back. It swayed gracefully when she moved. Determined to reach out to her, Alex took a deep breath and another quick swallow of courage and walked toward her.

  Jeng Ming looked up in surprise when Alex approached and with a reluctant nod accepted the glass of champagne he offered, then looked away. Alex inched closer and breathed in her exhilarating smell, an exotic mix of jasmine and musk. She was slender, small; her head came to below his shoulder. He longed to touch her, to hold her dainty body close, and let her know he would protect her, wipe away her horrible past.

  Alex tried several avenues of conversation, but was rebuffed each time by a disdainful, disinterested nod and her continued silence. He stood beside her, flushed with embarrassment and frustration, and had decided to move back to the table with Wyatt and Lei when Jeng Ming spoke.

  “Are you fucking her?”

  He started and looked at her in shock.

  “Who? What?… What are you talking about?”

  “Her. Elena.”

  “My God! She is my sister. Of course, I am not fucking her. Jesus, how could you say that? I would never fuck my sister!”

  Jeng Ming lips curled in an ugly smile.

  “Hmm. You’re a man, aren’t you?”

  Alex was stunned, dismayed. My God, how could she say such a terrible thing, think something so awful? He took a deep breath and forced himself to appear calm.

  “I see. You believe that all men fuck anyone and everyone?”

  She tossed her head and raised a disdainful eyebrow.

  “Yes, that is my belief – and my experience.”

  Alex lost his battle to remain calm. He was shaking with emotion, a mix of anger and frustration.

  “You are wrong, so very wrong. I love Elena more than anything in the world. I would never do anything to hurt her or dishonor her.”

  Jeng Ming didn’t try to hide her sneer. She pointed to Bai.

  “Why are you angry with him?”

  Alex flushed and looked down shaking his head, not willing to respond.

  Jeng Ming continued.

  “Because he is fucking her?”

  “Jesus God, will you please stop this conversation about fucking? You don’t know what you are talking about. That is not what this is about.”

  Jeng Ming quirked an eyebrow with a dismissive smile.

  “Hmm, seems like it is to me.”

  Alex’s voice was tight with anger, his cheeks hot with heat.

  “You don’t know him; you don’t know the kind of man he is.”

  “Hmm, I think I know him better than you do.”

  Alex was now the dismissive one. He didn’t try to hide his distain.

  “How could you? You just met him.”

  Jeng Ming looked at him and shook her head.

  “You are such an ignorant child.”

  Alex’s fury erupted. He wanted to yell at her, shake her. He clenched his fists at his sides, struggling to control his anger.

  “How dare you. What are you talking about?”

  “I don’t know him? Pffft. He is the man who saved my life. He is the man who saved the life of every one of these girls here.”

  She turned and faced him head on, her eyes flashing with anger.

  “He is the man who lit a match and burned up the evil men who hurt us.”

  Alex stepped back in the face of her wrath.

  Her eyes blazed and her voice shook with suppressed rage.

  “Do you hear me? He had the courage to burn them up. Light them on fire! That is who he is. You aren’t worthy to wipe his boots. You want to be the adored little boy running after your beautiful sister? Too bad. Your sister is with a man now. Go pout and feel sorry for yourself, boy.”

  She whirled away, then turned back and spit on the floor in front of him.

  Alex stood rooted to the floor, his face slack with disbelief. His anger drained from his body, as though she’d pulled the plug from his heart, every emotion, good and bad, flooded out, leaving him incredulous, numb, empty.

  ~~~

  Bai and Elena saw Alex approach Jeng Ming and while they couldn’t hear the conversation, they saw the shocked expression on Alex’s face when Jeng Ming left him standing alone. They were amused and not surprised that Alex was smitten with the lovely girl, but now they both saw the pain on his face. Elena frowned and started to go to him, but Bai held her back.

  “Let me, Elena. It’s time I start acting like an older brother and, goddamn it, your brother looks like he could use a friend.”

  Bai walked over to Alex and put out his hand.

  “I know this is hard f
or you, Alex. Soon I hope you will be pleased that Elena and I are married.”

  Alex took his hand with an absentminded start, occupied with his own thoughts.

  Bai saw the distraught expression on the young man’s face and tried a different tack to break through.

  “I could use your skills, Alex. Your recent experience in China could be a boon for me. I need to decide which of the young girls can be returned to China safely and which ones don’t have families who will accept them.”

  Alex shrugged and said with a slight sneer,

  “Are you trying to get rid of me, send me back to China, Bai? Only want people around who think you walk on water?”

  Bai grinned.

  “Hell, no. Your sister will kill me if she thought I made you leave. She won’t let you out of her sight for a long time to come. No, this is something you could do here. Perhaps Jeng Ming will team up with you. She is a beautiful woman and as courageous and smart as she is beautiful.”

  Alex’s cheeks flushed and his eyes darkened with pain.

  “Unfortunately, she hates white men and, apparently, me in particular.”

  Bai saw the raw anguish on his face.

  “Hmm. I see. Wyatt seems to be making inroads with her. You might want to hang on to his coattails. If anyone knows how to sweet talk a woman, it’s that father of yours.”

  As he turned to leave, he looked back at the pale young man and saw his despair.

  “It’s not hopeless, Alex. Remember, you are a kung fu warrior. Patience, courage, honor.”

  ~~~

  Bai walked over to the orchestra leader and requested a Viennese waltz. He stepped to the middle of the courtyard and bowed to the audience. With a graceful bow to Elena, he turned to the audience and said, “Ladies and gentlemen, I want to dance with my wife. Elena, will you give me the honor of this dance? “

  The audience roared their approval and Elena held out her hand her face alight with joy as she eagerly skipped to her husband. Bai smiled at her, then removed the pins, the orchid, and the train from her hair. When her hair fell in a cascade of glorious curls down her back, he tucked the orchid behind her ear and reached in the pocket of his trousers and pulled out a red garter. Holding it to his nose for a moment, he breathed in deeply then rolled it up on his sleeve and grinned at Elena’s surprised gasp.

  He took her in his arms and for the next magical moments, they whirled across the courtyard in graceful circles. Their bodies flowed, dipped, and twirled as one. They never took their eyes off one another; their glowing smiles lit the night. When the music whispered to a close, Bai lifted her high in the air and twirled her in a dizzying circle. He brought her down to his lips and kissed her as they slowly circled to a stop. When the audience clapped and cheered in delight, Bai picked her up in his arms and, with a raffish grin and a wink, turned and carried her off to their quarters.

  Chapter 20

  Bai held her tight to his chest, reveling in her soft luscious body, wondering how it was possible to love a woman as much as he loved Elena. The flickering lights and the music from the party faded in the distance as they neared their chambers. He kicked the door open with his foot, closed it behind him, and stepped into the beautifully prepared room.

  Rose petals were scattered across the floor and their delicate aroma combined with the piney odor of the logs burning in the fireplace. The gas lamps flickered low, casting mysterious shadows on the walls. The room glowed with the light of dozens of candles and the soft flames from the fire.

  “Ah, I do believe the rumors were correct. I think there is a married woman in this room tonight.”

  “And a husband, as well?”

  “Very much a husband. One who is grateful to be married to the most beautiful woman in the world.”

  He bent over her and kissed her, then carried her into the room. He set her gently on the floor in front of a small table spread with lavish food and bottles of chilled champagne.

  Elena laughed an excited trilling sound.

  “Oh, look, Bai, there’s food. Thank God! I’m so hungry. I don’t think I have eaten anything today. I’ve been too excited to eat.”

  “Ah yes, cherie. I also am hungry. As hungry as I have ever been.”

  He poured two glasses of champagne and handed one to her. He dipped a strawberry in the golden liquid and bit off the end then held the rest to her lips.

  “Here, cherie, you need to eat something.”

  He grinned, his eyes twinkling.

  “You will need your energy. This is no time for girlish faints.”

  “Ha! I don’t faint. And I don’t think I am girlish any more, now that I am married, correct?”

  He took a deep breath, trying to quiet the raging lust he felt looking at her lovely face. Her eyes were shining and he saw a reflection of what he was sure she saw in his—passion and overwhelming gratitude, knowing that this beautiful woman was his wife.

  “Not girlish, but innocent. Amazing, Elena. The sexiest, most sensual woman in the world and you still make my prick throb with your innocence.”

  She blushed and smiled at him, a shy tenuous smile.

  He went over to the Victrola and rifled through a stack of phonograph albums. He chose one and put it on the turntable and smiled when the poignant sounds of Elena’s favorite syncopated music filled the air. He turned back and saw her leaning against the edge of the table, her eyes sparking as she nibbled delicately on the strawberry. Catching his eye, with a saucy tilt of her head, she licked it slowly, then took small erotic nips out of the bright red flesh of the fruit.

  Bai chuckled in appreciation at her antics. He loosened his cravat and took his time lighting one of his Turkish cigarettes and poured himself a glass of his rare imported cognac. Sinking down in one of the overstuffed chairs by the fire, he sprawled back in the chair, crossing his feet languidly in front of him.

  His eyes raked over her body and he nodded knowingly when she blushed and gripped the edge of the table with both hands for support.

  “Dance for me, Elena.”

  His voice was soft, commanding and his eyes were narrow, dark.

  She smiled and trembled slightly, then stood up and moved to stand in front of him. He flicked his cigarette ash with the end of one long slim finger.

  “Take your clothes off as you dance—slowly, one piece at a time.”

  Elena’s cheeks flushed a rosy pink and she bit her lip, a nervous gesture that made his cock swell. She closed her eyes and her body swayed as the music reverberated through her slender frame. She looked up at him with an uncertain smile. He held her gaze and motioned for her to take off her dress.

  She reached behind her and one by one unbuttoned the row of tiny buttons down the back of her dress. As she strained to reach the lowest buttons she caught her bottom lip between her teeth and Bai couldn’t hold back his groan.

  Elena’s eyes lit up at the sound and she tossed her head and waited for a moment, holding the top of the dress against her chest, then slowly swaying to the music, let the gown drop to the floor. She daintily stepped out of it and looked to Bai for his approval. He smiled slightly, seeing the lacy chemise covering her breasts and her tight ass-hugging drawers. Christ, he thought to himself, who but Elena would wear such scanty outrageous underwear beneath a formal wedding gown. His breath hitched in appreciation. He resettled his hips in the chair to make room for his burgeoning cock fighting against the seam of his trousers.

  Elena turned her back to him, twitching her hips from side to side to the beat of the music. She released the hooks on her waist length chemise—one by one. She looked over her shoulder with a teasing grin and waited an additional breathtaking moment, then whirled back to face him, her chemise fluttering to the floor.

  Sparked by the flash of lust in his eyes, she held her naked breasts up to him the abundant flesh overflowing her small hands. Seeing the flush on his cheeks, she tentatively brushed her thumbs over the tips of her soft pink nipples.

  “Pinch them, Elena. Pinc
h your nipples the way that I do.”

  He grinned, a salacious twist to his lips when she blushed and her hands faltered.

  “Do it, cherie. Pull on your nipples. Make them long and hard. Ah, oui, ma petite putin. Like that, just like that. Now roll them in your fingers, harder. Mm hmm. Like that. Look at how long they are, how hard. Soon, cherie, I will suck on them.”

  She closed her eyes and moaned.

  “Soon, mon amour, but not yet.”

  The music wailed and Elena closed her eyes, her hips swaying from side to side.

  “Your drawers, Elena. I want to see your pussy. Your ass. Take off your drawers, petite fille.”

  She slipped her fingers under the band of her drawers, then daring to look up at him, she slid them halfway down her hips, a teasing smile glinting in her eyes.

  “Ah, cherie, I see you want to torment me. Not a good idea, petite. Remember, I am a hungry man. Off. Now. Maintenant. “

  She turned her back to him and then bent over, tucking her ass up in the air and pulled her drawers slowly down over her hips, stopping for a moment as they cleared her bottom and peeked at him from under her arm, her face hot with heat. When she hesitated, he grinned at her, then took a deep drag off of his cigarette, trying to calm his cock jerking in response to her outrageous teasing. She stepped out of her drawers, then stood up and turned back to face him holding the scrap of lace in her hand. He blew a cloud of smoke up in the air and held out his hand. She smiled and tossed her drawers to him. Not taking his eyes off her flushed face, he buried his nose in the damp silk, greedily inhaling her rich spicy smell.

  “Ah, mon amour. You are wet, very wet. I think you have been like that for a long time, yes?”

  She moaned and leaned back against the table as the music came to a halt. She stood before him, trembling, naked except for her thigh high stockings, one red garter, and her high heeled red slippers.

  “I think you are too aroused to dance and undress, yes, ma petite? Let’s focus, concentrate on your naked body. Uh uhh. Leave your stockings and shoes on. And yes, that garter. I like the whore’s red of your shoes and that garter against your pale white skin.”