Box of 1Night Stands: 21 Sizzling Nights

by Anthology

  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 length 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.”

  “I like the ending, Mr. Li.” She hugged him as the song ended.

  “Please, my dear, call me Shen.”

  Cindy’s heart skipped a beat. “You—are the dragon?”

  “Yes.” He pointed to his jade green eyes.

  I’m speechless.

  His smile returned. “I imagine you wonder why a crazy old man would tell you such a story?”

  “I wouldn’t say crazy…eccentric, maybe.” She grinned.

  “I cherished being able to offer the suggestion of having the two grandsons, uh—bond, at the same time, to cancel the exchange of energy from one body to another—”

  “This part of the story, I’m familiar with—their night with Gwen.” Jealousy gnawed at her insides again.

  “There is a part of the story I forgot to tell you.” He looked into her eyes with kindness.

  “What?”

  “When she bonded with one, through the dragon’s breath, it neutralized her hold on the other.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “A dragoness can mate with several dragons—it’s survival of the fittest. If you research dragon mythology, it will tell you, they vie for her attention; she mates with the strongest, and more than one. However, she can only bond with one. When she does, the bond is for life, and no others will draw her attention again. It is the dragon way.”

  “I saw them, together—he still loves her, Mr….Shen.” Her throat grew thick.

  “There will always be a special place in his heart for Gwen; she saved his brother’s life. But there is no longer the same connection that drew them at first. Nature has a way of tricking creatures’ bodies into doing what they are meant to do. The feelings produced from this special connection do not last the same way, once the purpose has been fulfilled.”

  Again, with the cryptic language.

  “It would seem I have neglected my loving new grandfather? I heard you wished to dance with me?” Gwen’s soft voice roused Cindy her from her daze.

  “Uh—yes, of course. Thank you, Shen, for the dance.” She hugged him and walked away, stunned and confused.

  “There’s our maid of honor. You promised me a dance?” Tatsu swept her up and swung her around.

 
“Could I—have a minute.” The tears began to prick again.

  “Hey.” His voice was tender. “Do you remember how Yong and I can read each other’s thoughts and feelings?”

  “Yes?” Her guilt crept up. Crap, he knows I lied about Gwen.

  “Well, let’s say, it’s a family trait.” He smirked and nodded over to his grandfather.

  “Oh, God.” Humiliation set in.

  “It’s okay. I understand.” Tatsu placed his finger under her chin and tipped her face up toward him. “This is a challenging situation, Cindy. I’ll bet, one you’ve never dealt with before.”

  “Can’t say I have.” She hid her face in his solid chest.

  “I sense something very different about him tonight.” He glanced over to the bar; Yong sat with his back to them, a bottle in front of him, his head hung low.

  “You do?”

  “Yeah, until now, it’s always felt…how do I describe this?” He stared in the direction of his twin. “Like I have always been the alpha dragon, and he has been the beta. I needed to take care of him, protect him. I needed to take charge.”

  Cindy thought back. He didn’t seem like a beta to me in the rock tunnel tonight. Yong is all alpha.

  “But the moment he hooked up with you, Gwen’s connection with him dissolved, and he became this strong, independent guy.”

  “Really?”

  “It may seem farfetched, but after what we’ve all been through, I believe he has his own soul now, and a different path than me.” The groom brushed a loose tendril of hair back from her face. “Please Cin, give him a chance. Talk to him.”

  “But I saw them—” she gasped, and slapped a hand over her mouth before the rest spurted out.

  “You saw, him saying good-bye to her. With the first happiness he’s felt in months.”

  An embrace…but no kiss. Could Tatsu be right?

  “Go on. If you don’t listen to me, Gwen will be after you next.” He smirked, and Cindy glanced over her shoulder. The bride in red bore down on them.

  “Fine, I’m going.” Excitement rushed over her.

  Pushing through a passing crowd of guests, she headed to the bar and found Yong’s stool empty. Cindy spun around, panic setting in, but saw no sign of him. She had treated him badly again, and he had left. She glanced back the way she’d come and shrugged. Where did he go?