As the sun glistened in the sky, Yuki poured her a cup of wine. They sat close to each other, gazing out onto the water. The day was warm, and a gentle breeze kissed her bare shoulders. The drive had been elating, but sitting beside Yuki in the stillness of the park with the beautiful view before them filled Krista with a sense of calm and contentment.
"Tell me about yourself, Yuki—other than the fact that you like to drive fast sports cars," she said with a giggle.
"What do you want to know?”
"Ragnar told me he was in the military before his current position in national security. What is it that you do?”
“As you know, I’m a mechanical engineer. While I was in the military, I repaired equipment. Ragnar and I were in the same squad.”
"What made you decide to go into national security?"
"All of the Storms have a sense of duty to our people. It's something that you don't lose when your service is over.”
“It must pay well for you to afford the mansion you just bought.”
"That's not from the job. That's from our family inheritance."
It seemed as if she was missing something important. The Storm men were still a mystery to her in so many ways, but something about them made her want to trust them. She liked them, and not just because they’d just bought a multimillion-dollar house from her. But she still didn't know all that much about them. Maybe their strange proposal should have been a red flag, but instead it posed an opportunity to learn more about the men she found so intriguing.
When she and Yuki were done with their meal of fried chicken, potato salad, and roasted corn on the cob, Yuki asked if she wanted to go for a walk on the beach. They set off down the well-worn trail. They slipped off their shoes and walked along the shore, hand in hand. The sun blazed at the edge of the water, sinking slowly below the waves. A cool breeze blew through her hair and filled her lungs with the fresh scent of the ocean.
Waves lapped against the shore, washing over their feet as they chased them, back and forth, down the coastline. She laughed hysterically as a large wave caught Yuki in the back, drenching his jeans to the knees. He grabbed her and made as if he would tug her into the ocean. She screamed, thinking he would toss her into the charging wave. At the last second, he pulled her back and set her gently on the dry sand. She gasped, laughing as the thrill of his touch charged through her flesh. His smile was as bright as the streaming sunset that sparkled in his gleeful eyes.
At the end of the beach, they stepped into a private cove looking out onto the water. Windswept cypresses sloped down on either side. Yuki turned to her and cupped her cheek in his hand. “It is a great honor to be with you today."
She wasn't expecting him to be so serious, but instead of looking away, she met his gaze, feeling exactly the same about him. He leaned in and kissed her. At first, it was so soft and sweet, such a contrast from Ragnar. But it slowly deepened as he pulled her toward him and held her in his arms. The invigorating scent of the salty air filled her lungs, and sounds of lapping waves filled her ears. She wrapped her arms around his waist, holding his taut, slim body close to her. Yuki was not nearly as massive as Ragnar, but he was strong and capable. His kisses were insistent but sensitive, and she felt herself growing hungrier with each flick of his tongue. A couple with their dog walked behind them, and they released their embrace.
“We can wash up and relax at the resort.”
She smiled and giggled as he pulled her along the beach. Back in the car, he deposited their empty basket and the half-finished bottle of wine. He didn't seem drunk at all. They pulled out of the park and headed south into the forest. The elevation grew higher as they made their way deeper into the park. He pulled into the parking lot of a luxury hotel, and they got their keys.
With the last of the wine, they made their way to their room with a beautiful view of the ocean and the forest, then called room service to bring them dessert. They accepted the chocolate cake from the attendant a few moments later and sat together on the patio, eating mouthfuls of decadent chocolate cake as they finished off the wine. It had been so long since Krista had spent any time away from work. Two nights in a row of being spoiled by these handsome, masculine, and surprisingly chivalrous men was definitely out of the ordinary.
Yuki threaded his fingers through hers and leaned over to kiss her, the taste of merlot and chocolate on his breath. He pulled her into his lap and caressed her body with his strong, nimble hands. Their kisses grew deeper, more passionate as he caressed her. He slipped his hand inside the maxi dress and cupped her breast against his palm, rolling her nipple between his fingers. His tongue tasted her mouth as he held her close.
Their kiss intensified, deepening with each passing second. Krista felt the rush of desire fill her as Yuki picked her up in his arms, cradling her as he carried her through the sliding glass door into the suite. They passed through the elegant sitting room into the bedroom, where he laid her on the bed. Pulling down her dress, he began to lavish her breasts with his tongue. She reached up and began to stroke his hard length over his pants. He groaned, and his eyes flashed with penetrating desire.
"I like that," he said. "Don't stop.
She gasped and reached inside his pants, dipping her fingers under his boxer briefs to caress the smooth flesh of his shaft. His tongue licked down her chest as he drew her dress over her hips, pulling down her underwear at the same time. He yanked off his T-shirt and threw it on the floor beside her clothes and dipped between her legs, smelling the air around her sex. Yuki tentatively slid his tongue up her slit, seeming to love the taste of her.
She leaned back, looking up at the ceiling as his tongue slid deeper, licking up the moisture that her body gushed in response to his touch. His expert hands gripped her hips as he twirled his tongue on her clit. She ran her fingers through his shaggy hair, arching her back as he pressed harder and moved faster over her tight, swollen bud. She let out a mewling groan and bucked her hips into him, drawing him closer. He growled against her sex, the vibration sending a new sensation through her core.
Yuki dipped his fingers into the entrance of her channel, slowly inching deeper as his tongue skated hungrily over her clit. He pressed deeper, sliding his hooked fingers in and out. Her mouth dropped, and her eyes rolled back as she let out a silent groan. Her body clenched around his fingers as he thrust deeper, harder, faster.
She whimpered as he forced her to come again and again, driving into her pussy as his tongue lavished her clit. She screamed his name as he pushed her to the precipice of insanity. Just when she didn't think she could take it anymore, he rose to his knees. Yuki took his dick in his hands, thrusting his fist up and down the hard length. She watched wide-eyed as he cupped her pussy in his hand and drew himself closer to the edge of release.
He growled as he reached his climax, pumping jets of semen over her stomach and breasts. It landed hot and wet over her flesh. She gripped her breast and ran her hand over her stomach, rubbing the seed over her skin. After the last drops spurted over her skin, she leaned up on her hands and knees and licked the last of his come from the head of his cock.
He cupped her chin in his hand and leaned down to kiss her. "I think we could use a shower."
Under the warm stream of sprinkling water, they kissed gently, holding each other close in the big, tiled shower. He squirted sweet-smelling body wash into his palms and slowly spread it over her skin. He kissed her neck. His hands slid over her slickened breasts. Her body ignited again as he ran his soapy hands over her stomach, around her waist, and gripped her ass. He pulled her close to him, his manhood rising hard against her stomach, so quickly it amazed her. She reached down and grabbed him the way he had gripped himself only fifteen minutes before.
"You’re ready again," she laughed.
"With you, yes," he growled.
She stroked and even, long strokes, but he turned her against the shower wall, reaching around to cup her sex in his hand. He vibrated his finger on her clit while he slid hi
s dick between the cleft of her ass. She leaned her head back, resting on his shoulder. He claimed her mouth, kissing her hard and deep. Her breasts pressed against the cool tiles of the shower. He angled his cock between her legs, sliding hard and fast over her sex, while his finger thumped against her clit.
She wanted him to fill her, fuck her mindless, but as he brought her closer to the edge one more time, she felt him come against her back. She exploded, growling and angry at her need for fulfillment. Her pussy clenched and throbbed, leaving her exhausted and unable to go on anymore. She turned to him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, resting against his chest under the stream.
"You got me all dirty again."
He chuckled. "It was worth it."
"I wish you and your cousins hadn't decided on this silly agreement." She ran her finger down his chest. “I wanted you inside me."
"Me too." He kissed her forehead.
They made their way out of the shower and wrapped themselves in big, fluffy resort bathrobes. When they dried off, they put on their pajamas and snuggled together under the blankets, watching the last vestiges of sunlight sink below the western horizon. Krista was so overcome with excitement that she drifted off to sleep just as twilight dissipated into darkness.
Chapter 10
"I had a wonderful time going on an adventure with you. I haven't been up to the peninsula in ages. Thank you for taking me."
"I look forward to taking you on many more adventures." Yuki leaned in to kiss her outside her apartment. He was overjoyed she liked the date he’d planned for them. She slipped through her door, saying goodbye one last time with a little cute smile on her lips. He walked away with a sigh. Happiness flooded his body. Across the street in the hotel, his crewmates were waiting for him, asking for details.
"I don't kiss and tell," he said. “That's a human saying."
"Did you make love to her?" Ragnar demanded.
"Of course not. We didn't go all the way," he said. "Another human saying."
"But you did have relations?" Akash asked.
"Yes. And it was magnificent. Krista is an angel. That is a human mythological creature sent from a utopian afterlife called Heaven."
"That sounds accurate to me," Ragnar said.
Yuki sat on the bed, going through his cell phone for updates on the installation of their ship. Everything looked like it had gone well after he left the day before, and the House of Storms was settling into their new home.
"It appears Hanish is happy with our choice of house," Yuki said. "Tor loves his nursery, and Zephyr is setting up his laboratory.”
"Who’s watching Krista?" Ragnar asked. All three of them looked at each other with shock and dismay in their eyes.
“You are supposed to be there right now," Yuki demanded of Akash.
All three of them went into stealth mode and hurried through the door of the hotel and outside onto the sidewalk. Shifting, they all flew up toward Krista’s window and landed on her balcony. Within, they saw Krista walking around the condo, unpacking her clothes into the laundry. She then lay down on her bed for a nap, and Yuki breathed a deep sigh of relief.
"That was a close one," Yuki said to Akash. “You can never be so careless again."
A flash of shadow moved in the corner of Yuki's eye, and he saw three vampires materialize in Krista’s bedroom.
"She's under attack." Yuki pulled on the handle of the glass door. It didn't budge. "It's locked."
The vampires inside inched closer to his beloved.
"They will not touch her." Ragnar punched through the glass.
They ran through the jagged shards of the broken glass door and charged into her bedroom, materializing to confront the vampires.
Krista gasped, sitting up in bed. She saw six men standing in her bedroom and screamed. Ragnar ran to her and scooped her up in his arms. Yuki materialized his laser sword from his wrist device and charged at the nearest vampire. Akash materialized a laser gun and shot at the other two. Ragnar held a terrified Krista in his arms and charged to the broken sliding door out onto the patio. Yuki saw them disappear under stealth.
"I'm getting her away from here," Ragnar said through their mental link.
He heard Krista's screams fade into the distance as Ragnar flew her away.
"She's not going to be happy about this," Yuki said.
"I think my date just got ruined," Akash grumbled.
"It’s your own fault, but we’ll deal with that later,” Yuki said. "Right now, we need to dispatch these vampires."
They had all recently been buffered by Aria’s song and were able to penetrate the vampire’s magic. Yuki slid his sword into the heart of one, and Akash shot a bullet between the eyes of another. The third disappeared into shadows, getting away before they could end him.
The bodies of the slain vampires lay on Krista's floor, dark blood gushing into the carpet. Yuki looked down at the mass and shook his head. "This is not great."
"No, it's not."
"What are we supposed to do with these bodies?"
"I'm asking Cato and Kian right now….They say to burn them."
"Burn them where?" Yuki asked,
"Put them in containment cells and bring them back to the House of Flames. Cato said they can incinerate them there.”
"Who is taking these bodies back to the House of Flames?" Yuki asked.
"I vote you," Akash told him.
"Why?"
"Because I should go calm Krista. Ragnar certainly won't be able to do it."
"I see your point. I could do it myself, but I’ll let you."
Yuki pressed some buttons on his wrist device and cast a laser containment unit around the two bodies. He slung them over his shoulders in his half-shifted form, went into stealth, and flew out the broken window onto the patio. He jumped up onto the roof of Krista's building, shifted into his full dragon form, clutched the containment cells in his massive claws, and began his flight to the House of Flames. He heard Ragnar and Akash speaking through their mental link.
"Where are you?" Akash asked Ragnar.
“I'm taking her back to the House of Storms," Ragnar said. “I didn't know what else to do."
"All right," Akash said. “I'm on my way. Try to be gentle with her until I can get there.”
Chapter 11
Krista screamed until her voice went hoarse and couldn't scream anymore. Ragnar, Akash, and Yuki had run into her apartment and fought with three strange men standing over her bed. And that wasn't even the worst part. The worst part had been that they had all looked like monsters, demons even. The monster that had been Ragnar ran over to the bed, scooped her up, and flew away over the city.
They flew for ages while Krista screamed. Ragnar's disembodied voice tried to calm her, but it was impossible to calm down from a thing like that. After the forty-seventh time he assured her everything was all right, she finally stopped screaming and held on for the ride. Half an hour after being woken from her nap, they set down on the driveway outside the house she’d just sold them.
Several other men hurried out the front door, surrounding her and trying to console her. They left her to relax in a cool sitting room with a pitcher of iced tea. She stared out at the view of the mountains and valleys as she sipped her beverage, her mind almost completely blank. While flying invisibly over the state of Washington, she had demanded Ragnar explain what was going on, but he’d told her he didn't know what to say.
The door swung open, and Akash, no longer looking like a winged monster, approached with a wary expression on his face. He sat in the upholstered armchair across from her and gave her a courteous smile.
"What have they told you?" His tone was calm and direct.
"They haven't told me anything," she said. “Ragnar scared the hell out of me. What is going on here, Akash? Tell me the truth.”
"It's a difficult truth to tell." He sighed. “But if you are ready to hear it, I'm ready to tell you."
She set her iced tea down on the table in
front of her. Akash refilled her glass and then poured one for himself. Taking her glass, she sipped the cool liquid. From the outside, they might have looked like two people having a chat over a cold beverage. But the truth was, she was a terrified woman speaking with a man she’d just seen in the form of a demon.
"Are you demons?"
"Certainly not." Akash set his glass down on the end table beside his chair. "Let me start at the beginning.”
"Okay, I'm listening."
"My friends and I are not demons… We’re dragons."
"Dragons?"
"What you saw was our half-shift form, the one we take for hand-to-hand combat. It is a cross between our human-looking bipedal form and our more powerful dragon form. You have myths and legends of dragons in your culture, and you would probably recognize our dragon form from your mythology."
"Okay. I guess that makes sense. Where do you come from? Are you mythological dragons?"
"That is the tricky part. We are not—well, we may be the dragons of your myth and legend, but our true story is complicated. My crew recently awakened from a million-year slumber."
“A million years?"
"Yes. We came here on spaceships from a planet on the other side of the galaxy. We left our star system behind because our sun died, and we could no longer inhabit our planet."
"Ohhh. You’re alien dragons." Krista knew that every word coming out of his mouth was complete insanity, but she'd seen it with her own eyes.
"I apologize. I know it sounds ludicrous. Humans have had very little interaction with intelligent life forms other than other humans. This must be a shock for you.”
"What were those shadow men?"
"Yes, this is skipping ahead a bit, but I can see why you would want to know. The shadow men were vampires."
"Vampires?" Her eyes darted around the room.
"Yes. Let me try to explain. The vampires are our ancient enemy. In our home system at the other end of the galaxy, they devoured any species they came in contact with. Dragons fought them for millennia. Let me briefly explain our history, why we are here, and where you fit into all this.
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