Kali Willows BUNDLE (Shadowed Desires Series) (4 page)

“What?” Double sounds of shock filled the air.

“I read, you know…all kinds of science fiction and paranormal. There is no way you could be human, not with how you managed me just now. Yong told me everything. I could have burned him alive, and you took over like you deal with this weird shit all the time.”

“Gwen,” Yong pleaded.

“We’re in this situation together, so I need to know who I’m involved with…or what?” Hands on hips, she tapped the toe of her stiletto boot on the floor. “Do you think I would or
could
tell anyone about you after what happened to me tonight? I’m not so normal myself these days.”

Yong stared at Tatsu.
I don’t know what to say to her.

She’s our last chance; it’s now or never
. “We are human,” Tatsu said.

Yong sat beside him and leaned back.

“You are?”

“Half, anyway.”

“Half human? What about the rest of you?” Her widened eyes darted between them.

Yong pulled a brown leather journal from his coat pocket and handed it to her.

She flipped through the pages. “I can’t read it.”

“It’s written in kanji—Chinese calligraphy.”

“I can see that much. What’s it about?”

Yong patted the couch between them. He took the book as she snuggled in. “Our grandfather started his journal as a boy and kept writing over the decades, knowing he would have to pass the information down someday.”

“About what?”

“Chinese culture sometimes refers to our people as “Descendants of the Dragon.”

“Go on.”

“We’re parahuman—half-breeds.”

Gwen shrank back, staring blankly at the page.

We’re going about this all wrong, little brother.

Gimme a minute
.

“Our mother didn’t hook up with a dragon, or anything bizarre like that, but we believe we evolved from them centuries ago. Grandfather’s research says that our people carry the dormant gene, and twins born during the year of the dragon receive the dominant version.”

“I’m listening.”

“We were born in 1976, the year of the dragon.”

“So what does that mean?”

“Legend has it, twins born under that Chinese zodiac sign are in fact one dragon’s spirit, split in two.”

“So we’re talking talons and scales, with wings and fiery breath?”

“Not yet, but it could happen. The tales say one twin will at some point overpower the other. The stronger one will remain human. The other will shift into the form of a dragon then die—reuniting the spirit in one body.”

“So, you believe the story? The ramblings of your grandfather’s lifelong obsession with legends?”

“Of course we do.”

“Why? It’s just fiction. People write about that kind of stuff all the time.”

“Fiction is often based on some element of truth. Grandfather was born in 1940.”

“What’s your point?”

“The year of the dragon.”

“And?”

“He’s the surviving twin.”

She got to her feet and looked from Yong to his brother. “Stand up, right now.”

The brothers complied. She circled them at a slow pace.

“Take your coats off.”

Tatsu shook his head.

“Please.” She stepped in front of him and cupped his pale cheek in her palm. He allowed his leather coat to drop to the floor.

Running her hands along both their chests, she frowned. “Now your shirts.”

Tatsu winced, sucking in a breath as he lifted the turtleneck sweater over his head.

“What are these tattoos on your chests? They’re the same.” Her fingers glided over the markings.

“The kanji symbol means double dragon,” Tatsu said.

“Twin dragons?”

He gave a soft smile. “Yes.”

She stepped behind Yong, and continued her gentle exploration with her nails along his bare back. Next, she moved behind Tatsu and clapped her hand over her mouth.

“Does it hurt?” Her eyes welled up.

Yong feared what he would find. “No, it can’t be.” Approaching, he swallowed hard at the sight of the jagged flesh and touched the nubs of wings poking out of Tatsu’s back.

“How can we stop it?” Her voice was frantic.

“I’m not sure we can anymore.” Tatsu said.

“We could have before? How?”

“It doesn’t matter now. We shouldn’t have gotten you involved.”

“The book states,” Yong tried to keep defeat from overwhelming him, “the way to keep the change from happening is to cancel the exchange of energy flow between us, basically short circuiting it.”

“Grandfather had a theory,” Tatsu said.

“What was it?”

“If both of us were to—experience the identical explosive force at the same time, it would neutralize the event and put a stop to it, for good.” Yong met her narrow-eyed probing stare.

“I’m not following you.”

“Think about it for a minute. What is the one thing all humans consider the ultimate mind-blowing experience?” He took her hands in his.

“You mean like when I raged before?”

“No, angry energy feeds the change. We couldn’t both lose control like that at the same time. One of us is always less reactive, so one will still overpower the other.” Tatsu said.

“Anger is the highest peak I can think of. What else is there?”

Yong responded, mindful not to frighten her. “Orgasm.”

“What?” Her head snapped back, and she pulled her hands away. “Oh,
oh
.” Her heart-shaped face turned bright red.

“I know how it sounds, but that’s why Grandfather had Madame Eve set us up for a ménage. The best chance to have the same frenzied shockwave would be to—climax at the same time. We just didn’t expect the change so soon.”

She took a step back, frowning. “Couldn’t you have solved your problem, a long time ago by—pleasing yourselves at the same time?”

“It’s different.” Tatsu returned to the couch. “There’s a much greater response during sex with partners than during masturbation. It’s the connection between the mates, a package deal. Maybe it’s a dragon thing, but the mental, emotional, and physical turn on at the same time is the ultimate. You know what I mean?”

“That, yes, I do understand, but climaxing at the same time, that could be tricky to achieve.”

“Very.” Tatsu’s voice was filled with doubt.

“Why is all of this happening now?”

“Over the past several years, if one of us got riled up over something, it created—a quickening. Each time, it became more potent, until the energy started to shift. Tatsu has always been the more hot-headed twin, so he became stronger, but recently, something changed, and I started absorbing him instead.”

“If you thought it would take longer, why is it happening so fast?” Gwen drew closer again, looking into his eyes with fascination.

“We think, because it’s 2012, another year of the dragon. The last surge we experienced was in 2000—it’s the only thing that makes sense.”

“Why couldn’t you have cured it when you had sex before? Either of you?”

“Uh—that.” Yong covered his mouth with his hand through a fake cough.

“What?”

He winced at Tatsu’s hanging head and went over to the mini bar behind them, pulling out a bottle of cognac and three glasses, splashing generous amounts for each of them.

“Here, you’re gonna need a drink.” He handed one glass to Gwen and another to his brother.

“You’re scaring me.” Her shapely lips distracted him, and her cleavage didn’t help his focus any.

“The truth is, I’ve never been with a woman before.” He chugged back his drink.

“You’re gay?” Her mouth fell open.

“What? No, I’m not gay. I’m a—a—”

“Yong, are you a virgin?”

“Yes.” He turned back to the bar and grabbed the bottle, serving up another glass of courage.

“What about you?” She looked over at the wincing man on the couch.

“Uh—yeah, same here.”

“Sweet Jesus, are you guys kidding me?”

Yong placed his fingers under her glass and tipped it up. She swallowed the contents and choked out, “Virgins?”

“Look, it’s okay if it’s too much for you. I half expected you to bolt when you saw my back,” Tatsu said.

“No, it’s not that at all—this is a lot of pressure for a one-night stand. I’m no expert in bed.”

Silence filled the tunnel-shaped apartment. Gwen shook her head. Yong was sure she was contemplating the mess they’d put her in. Guilt permeated his mind and he walked over to the wall-sized window to watch the crashing falls through the dome-shaped glass.

“Gwen?” Tatsu said.

“Yes?”

“I know you handle fire like a dragon, but how did you get the ability?”

Returning to the couch, Yong nodded. “Good question.”

“I don’t know. It had never happened to me before until the night—”

“What night?”

Letting out a big sigh, she dropped down between them. “The night I almost died, about six months ago.”

“What happened?” Tatsu asked, taking her hand.

“I found out my ex was cheating on me with his accounting client, and told him I knew.”

“And then what?”

“I’ve never lost complete control like that before, I was raised to keep things to myself, not to complain, so most of the time I tolerated him.”

“Go on.” Yong urged her.

“What happened?” Tatsu gripped her hand.

“He had one of his violent spells, and I woke up in a pool of my own blood.”

Yong caressed her back, encouraging her to tell as much as she felt comfortable with.

“All I can remember about that night is that everything went dark red, and then I blacked out. I woke up in the hospital. My friend Cindy had stopped by and…well, she called 911.”

“You had a concussion?”

“Yes. Later, when we were alone, Cindy told me what she saw when she arrived.”

“What?”

“She saw him holding me by the throat, and I grabbed his hand and burned him—with my fingers.”

“What’s your heritage?” Tatsu watched her with an intense glare.

“I’m not sure. I’m adopted. I only know I’m of mixed race.”

“What about your birth family?”

“My adoptive parents told me my birth mother couldn’t keep me. She was young and single. They didn’t know anything about my father. They did tell me one other thing.”

“What was that?”

“Well, they said she had been pregnant with twins, but lost one before birth.”

“Wait a minute, Gwen. What year were you born?”

“’76.”

“The same year we were born?” Yong whispered with wide eyes.

Tatsu stood up and paced back and forth.

“Do you realize what you’re saying?”

“Wow, it didn’t occur to me earlier, but, yes, I think I do.”

“She’s a dragon.” Both men declared.

“Un-friggin’-believable.” He shook his head. “Grandfather said Madame Eve would find the perfect match—you don’t think she knew?”

“What, that I could be—no, it’s impossible.”

“Yet, here we are, with the perfect mate for us. We couldn’t have planned it better; you can handle the heat and the risk of flames. She
is
the one.”

“That is, if you even want to consider—” Yong met her stunned gaze and put his arm around her. “Are you all right?”

“I think I’m better than that.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, I just assumed it was because I was adopted, but I’ve never fit in anywhere, and since that horrible night, I thought something was
seriously
wrong with me.”

“Do you still want to?” Tatsu kneeled in front of her, the corners of his mouth curled back.

“Do I want to bust your cherries?” She blushed.

“Um—yeah, that.”

Chapter Six

Tatsu kissed the back of her fingers with a long, slow sweetness that made her toes curl. Yong inched closer, smoothing her hair back, placing tender kisses along her shoulders and up her neck.

The slightest contact of their lips to her skin was intoxicating.

“There is something to be said for your enthusiasm, gentlemen.”

“It seems you’ll be our teacher this evening.” Still kneeling in front of her, Tatsu glided his hands over her boots and along the outsides of her thighs.

“So I guess I should teach you guys a little
tongue-fu
? Since we’re working at beginner’s level, that is.” Her giggles were short-lived when the boys stood up, tugging her to her feet with tantalizing smiles.

“Where should we start?” Tatsu whispered in her ear then captured her lobe with heated lips. Finding it difficult to focus with his attentions and the distraction of Yong continuing to worship the other side, devouring her neck, Gwen tilted her head back. They were driving her wild with their mouths running along her flesh.

“I’m curious, gentlemen.”

“What is it?” Tatsu asked between sucks on her neck.

“How is it neither of you have ever been with women before?”

“We were worried it would be too dangerous.” Tatsu squeezed her breast with gentle fingers.

“And now, with me?”

“You aren’t just any woman.” Yong ran his fingers along the small of her back. “You are
the
woman. You’re a dragoness.”

Liking his reply, Gwen was eager to get down to business. “Yong, undo my dress.” Facing her other object of desire, her excitement grew as he complied, easing open the clasp. Sliding the form-fitting garment down her shoulders and over her hips, he dropped it to the floor. Gwen’s sensitive peaks pushed hard against the confines of her lace bra.

“Tatsu, would you—?” She nodded at her leather boots.

“It would be my honor.” He unzipped one knee-high boot and eased it off, and then the other, finishing by massaging her foot.

“Let’s take you to the bed, shall we?” Yong took her hand and led the way, with Tatsu right behind.

Her magnificent twins eased her back onto the red jacquard silk bedspread and stood at her command.

“There are candles on the end tables—?”

“As you wish.” Yong trailed his hand down her foot, and she shuddered.

Gwen watched with amazement as her double dragons went from candle to candle and blew on the wicks, igniting them. In moments, they had the room illuminated with the glow of red pillars and flickering flames. The heavenly scents of jasmine and roses swathed her.