by T. S. Ryder
“Right. Oh…” For once in his life, Sullivan was lost for words. He was usually so calm and collected, but the woman’s piercing gaze shot right through him. “I rented the space next to you.”
“Ah, so you’re my mystery neighbor,” Cynthia said with a glimmer in her eyes. She smiled warmly at him, taking in his figure. She was very pleased with what she saw. His tall, muscular build appealed to her. She could tell, even through the tight, black sleeveless shirt he wore, that he had a chiseled midsection and maybe even one of those scandalous V’s that led down to his crotch. Her thighs burned at the mental image and her cheeks turned red. “It’s nice to finally meet you.” She smiled, confidently holding out a hand.
Sullivan looked down at it. He didn’t want to shake her hand. What he really wanted to do was take her right there and then. No woman had ever made such an impression on him. His hormones were on high alert and his inner dragon was slowly waking up from its slumber. Still, he knew the way of humans and if he declined this sign of greeting, he would look inexplicably rude or at the very least, rather weird.
He took her hand in his, shaking it firmly, returning the smile, flashing a set of dazzling white teeth. Cynthia nearly gasped, feeling the carnal pleasure that seemed to flow from his hand and into her body. She had never felt such strength before. Her cheeks colored even more as she looked up into his dark eyes.
Finally, Sullivan pulled his hand away when he thought enough time had passed. He ran his fingers through the long side of his hair, trying to catch Cynthia’s eye. She liked his hair. It was edgy, with one side close-shaven while the other was long and wavy, nearly reaching his shoulders in long black strands.
“Anyway, did you just come for a visit or are you looking for a dress?” Cynthia teased.
He rubbed the back of his neck. “Well, do you have anything that would fit me?” he played along. Cynthia let out a laugh, thinking he was rather funny. She liked that.
“I like you. I think we’re going to get along just fine.” She smiled, walking behind the counter and sitting down. He stood in front of the display, seeing various cell phone cases. Some of them depicted cartoon cats while others were in the form of a cupcake.
“Do people really buy this stuff?” Sullivan asked.
“You’d be surprised. Girls will buy anything if they have a credit card in their hands.” Cynthia’s soft laughter echoed through the empty store. Sullivan smiled up at her, intoxicated by the sound.
“Is that so?” Sullivan asked and leaned in closer, admiring the various shades of nail polish. “It looks like your customers have a lot to choose from.”
“Yeah, I try to stock all the best products so my customers can always leave happy.” Cynthia picked up her pencil, and effortlessly twirled it in her fingers. It was carved out of an ancient piece of wood, its end sharpened into a perfect tip.
“I can see that,” Sullivan responded, remembering the girl with the blue dress. “I hope I can do the same with my customers.” Sullivan’s deep growl of a voice sent shivers down Cynthia’s spine. Her pencil spun in her hand even faster as she stared at the alluring stranger before her.
“What are you going to be selling?” Cynthia asked, leaning forward on her elbows, her head in her hands. As she did so, her low cut shirt dipped down a little, exposing her lovely bosom. Sullivan’s eyes lowered for a split second, his tanned cheeks turning a shade darker before he pried his eyes away, knowing it was rude to stare. Still, he was thankful for the display case separating them, hiding his growing excitement.
“Antiques… and similar knick-knacks,” he answered, breathlessly. His whole body felt like it was on fire. The heat started in the pit of his stomach and spread outward until even the tip of his toes felt like they were aflame.
“Oh, that’s very cool. What kind of antiques?” Cynthia asked, getting even closer. She could smell the man’s intoxicating musk, a mix of soap and mint. She gave him an innocent smile, her long brown hair falling over her shoulders.
“All sorts. I have a few swords. Some jewelry from various royalty around the world. Old world pottery,” Sullivan answered excitedly.
“How did you manage to come across all that? Do you buy and trade?” Cynthia asked. This man was either very rich or he was one hell of a haggler.
“I’ve traveled much of the world, picking up these items here and there. It’s been a hobby of mine for quite some time now,” Sullivan answered. Cynthia continued to stare at him, reaching the conclusion that this man had some money to his name.
“So tell me, where have your travels led you?” Cynthia asked, wanting to hear him speak again.
“Ireland, England, China, Japan, India, Turkey, Italy… I could go on, but I don’t want to bore you.” He chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck.
“Oh, you’re not bothering me at all,” Cynthia assured him, reaching out and placing her hand over his. Sullivan froze in place, feeling her soft, silky fingers against his rough skin. His heart skipped a beat.
“That’s very kind of you,” he answered, his voice low and a little embarrassed. “Listen, are you busy tonight?”
“No, why?”
“I was wondering if you’d like to have dinner with me,” he asked colloquially, hoping he had said the right thing. He knew that people often had dinner together in order to express their affection, but since no woman had ever appealed to him before, he had always eaten his meals alone. For forty long years. Now, however, that was about to change.
Cynthia blushed, her cheeks turning a fine shade of pink. “I would love to go on a date with you.”
Chapter Three
Sullivan couldn’t wait for the evening, but it seemed like the minutes kept dragging on. Every time he looked at the large grandfather clock positioned at the back of his shop, it seemed like the arrows wouldn’t move. He grew frustrated and tried to dive into his work to get his mind off things, but it wasn’t helping. All he could think about was Cynthia and her beautiful face. Her rounded cheeks, cute button nose, and kissable pink lips were stuck in his mind, slowly driving him insane.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the hour arrived. The clock struck six, the gong inside chiming out six times. A bright smile spread across his face. He grabbed his jacket, knowing it was prone to rain and stepped out of his shop, once again making certain that he had locked it up properly before making his way outside. Cynthia was already waiting for him, standing there in a bright green raincoat. “I didn’t keep you waiting, did I?” Sullivan asked worriedly.
“Not at all. I just got here,” Cynthia answered, zipping up her jacket, pulling it tight around her curves. “It’s pretty nasty out there,” she commented. “I just checked the weather.” Inside the mall, it was near impossible to tell what was going on outside. “So where are we going for dinner?” she asked, admiring his leather jacket that hung perfectly off his chiseled body.
“I thought I’d cook for you, would that be okay?” Sullivan asked.
“You want to cook for me?” Cynthia exclaimed, sounding a little surprised. She had been on quite a few dates in her time but never before had a man offered to cook for her, especially not on a first date.
“Yes. Do you like Sichuan Huoguo?” Sullivan asked as if it were a completely normal question.
“What’s that?” Cynthia asked. Was this guy trying to poison her or something?
Sullivan frowned slightly. “Sichuan Huoguo. It’s an East Asian hot pot. It’s a sort of…” He paused, trying to think of the English word he was looking for. “… fondue. It’s really spicy and hot and you can cook whatever you want in it, beef, fish, tofu or vegetables. It’s really good, I promise.” Sullivan reached out and took her hand into his, guiding her toward the exit.
“If you say so. I do like spicy foods, so I’m willing to try it. Then again, I’m always willing to try new things.” Cynthia chuckled. “The food court hates me because I always go around, eating all the food samples at lunch time.”
Sullivan look
ed down at her, not quite understanding what she was saying, but smiling nonetheless. Even though he had just met her, he already loved her company. She had a gentle aura which radiated positive energy, invigorating him. He just hoped he wouldn’t mess up their date.
***
“You live here?” Cynthia spat in disbelief. She had been surprised when he had led her to his Tesla, the luxury electric car screaming out millionaire. The soft, leather cushions had felt divine to sit in and the dark, but warm interior, perfectly matched his personality.
“Yes. Welcome to my humble abode,” he said, driving them up the winding driveway. On the top of the hill was a large, impressive manor. It was painted in a light beige and trimmed in a darker brown. It boasted several towers, making it look like a medieval castle, while its modern windows and light fixtures brought it back into the twenty-first century.
Cynthia glanced over at the antique shop owner, thinking there was more to this man than met the eye. From his dark, neatly trimmed facial hair to his sharp nose, he was painstakingly handsome. How was a man like this, with so much money, still single? There had to be something wrong with him, Cynthia thought.
Once they got to the house, Sullivan opened up the large, three-car garage. As expected, there were two more cars inside, both of them luxury and both of them worth more than Cynthia made in a year. “Here we are,” Sullivan announced, getting out of the car and opening the door for her.
She blushed. He was a gentleman too? Her mind tried to find the reason why this man wasn’t taken and why he had asked her of all people to visit his home. She hadn’t even cast a love spell on him. It was all a little odd. But, deep down, there was a part of Cynthia that was ecstatic, excited that the man of her dreams was showing so much interest in her.
“Right this way.” Sullivan took her hand once again, guiding her through the door. Cynthia couldn’t help but stare at the lavish home. It was decorated quite tastefully, with unique art pieces on the walls. The floors were all either high-quality marble or hardwood. The crown moldings had painstaking details carved into them. Cynthia wondered how much a place like this would cost.
When they entered the kitchen, Cynthia was even more impressed. It was huge. The dark granite countertops shone brilliantly as if someone had just polished them. All of the stainless steel appliances looked top of the line. “This is amazing… how do you afford all of this?” Cynthia tried to wrap her head around the fact that she was in the kitchen of some sort of millionaire, maybe even a billionaire.
“Oh…” Sullivan looked at her, quickly trying to come up with a good explanation. He couldn’t possibly tell her that his wealth was acquired through his dragon lineage. At least not yet. She would surely run away, thinking he was crazy. Modern day humans no longer liked to believe that dragons still existed. “I trade in stocks,” he answered. She looked unconvinced and he cursed himself for not thinking of anything better.
“I see…” She squeezed his hand, feeling how it was slightly sweaty. Was he lying? She peered into his eyes, trying to find the answer, but his long hair got in the way, obscuring her view. “Well, let’s make some dinner shall we?”
Sullivan nodded, eager to change the subject. “Would you like to help?”
“Sure, why not?”
Soon, the kitchen was filled with their laughs and giggles as they started to grow more and more comfortable with each other. Cynthia quickly learned that Sullivan was quite the chef, handling his knife with perfect precision. They whisked around one another, their bodies touching every now and again, eliciting a fire between Cynthia’s thighs. She tried to ignore it for most of the night, but by the time they had finished cooking, her hormones were out of control.
She eyed Sullivan with a newfound lust she had never felt before. Her heart had been racing all night.
“Ladies first.” Sullivan beside her at the small dining room table, made of dark mahogany wood and shifted the large steaming pot towards her. She saw the opaque broth staring back at her. It smelt divine, with its various spices floating around on the surface. Her stomach growling at her, she grabbed a pair of chopsticks and picked up a thin piece of flank, dipping it in the broth for a few moments.
In her other hand, she held a wooden shamoji, a sort of spoon with a long handle and a deep, bowl-like base. She plunged it into the broth, letting it fill up before she placed the piece of flank on top as well as some noodles and vegetables. Leaning forward and holding her hair back, she gobbled up the savory bite, her taste buds flooding with euphoria. “This is amazing!” she exclaimed.
Sullivan grinned. “I’m glad you like it.” He chuckled and started to eat as well. As they did, their faces would come dangerously close, hovering over the large pot. When they were nearly done, Cynthia looked up, locking eyes with the stranger. She blushed, suddenly realizing she didn’t even know his name. She had been so obsessed with his good looks and alluring personality that she had never bothered to ask. She felt embarrassed, but despite it all, she was possessed by the need to find out.
“Um… you know… we never did exchange names.”
Sullivan’s eyes grew wide with realization. “You’re right. We didn’t. Well, my name is Sullivan.”
“I’m Cynthia.” Feeling a little shy, she pinned a strand of her hair behind her ear.
“What a beautiful name. The perfect match for a beautiful woman…” he whispered, his voice sensual. He leaned in closer, his lips approaching hers.
Cynthia felt her heart speed up as she gazed into this man’s dark, alluring eyes. She had never felt this way before. It was like her heart was going to break out of her chest at any moment. Her lips tingled in anticipation, seeing Sullivan lean in even closer. His hands reached out, softly cupping her face. His thumb rubbed against her skin, making her melt at his touch.
Suddenly, their lips made contact and it was like fireworks. An explosion of excitement rushed through Cynthia’s body, causing goosebumps to form all over her skin. Her lips locked with his as her arms wrapped around his neck, losing herself in the moment. The world no longer existed as all she could focus on were his perfect lips against hers.
The kiss intensified as Cynthia parted her lips, granting entrance to Sullivan’s tongue. She noticed it was a little more pointed than normal, but quickly forgot about that as their tongues tangled together and Sullivan took her breath away. His hands ran all over her body, going down her spine before resting on her lower back.
Eventually, Sullivan pulled away just as Cynthia thought she would pass out from the lack of air. She sat in her chair, completely blown away, staring at him. “Wow…” she whispered. Her lips were burning and her cheeks were the color of crimson.
Sullivan smirked, a look of dominance flashing in his eyes. He got up and held out his hand. Obediently, she grabbed it, letting him hoist her up and out of her seat. “I’m glad you enjoyed that…” he whispered, his hot breath caressing her neck as he leaned down, his lips gently brushing against her flesh. “I can make you feel so much better if you let me…” he said, his sexy whisper shooting right through her, awakening her lust once more.
His lips pressed against her neck, letting his teeth graze against her delicate flesh, teasing her. Cynthia couldn’t help but moan, shivering in pleasure. There were no words to express the way she felt, her mind swimming.
Sullivan’s lips ventured down, toward her collarbone, lingering there a moment before he started to suck on the hollow of her neck. Cynthia moaned even louder, the sound exciting the dragon who felt his ever-growing cock twitch in his pants. His hands tightened around her wide hips, knowing that he wanted this woman.
His hands traveled upwards, getting dangerously close to her voluptuous bosom. He reached up, taking one of her large breasts into his hand, fondling it lovingly. She bit her lip, moaning once more, enjoying the sensation. Sullivan grinned, planting small kisses all over her sweet globes before straightening himself and looking at her, his eyes blazing. “Why don’t we take this upstairs?”
Chapter Four
Before Cynthia could react, Sullivan had swept her off her feet, holding her effortlessly in his arms. She was surprised to find out how strong he really was. None of her other boyfriends had been able to carry her bridal style, but Sullivan did it with ease. Not only that, but he was going up the grand staircase as if she weighed nothing at all, taking two steps at a time.
Her cheeks reddened even more. She wrapped her arms around him, feeling his impeccable muscles. Her mind raced with the possibilities of what was to come. Were they really going to do this? Her heart hammered in response, her lust only growing.
Once on the second floor, Sullivan navigated them to a room with a large, black door. He leaned against it and it opened immediately, as if by magic. A soft squeak came from its hinges. The sight of the room was absolutely breathtaking. Cynthia found herself staring at a large but still cozy bedroom, admiring its deep purple coloring and drapes that hung from the four-poster bed.
Ever so gently, he laid her down, letting his own body hover over hers. His hands wrapped around her wrists, pinning them above her head as he leaned down and kissed her neck once more. A moan escaped her lips and her body contorted with pleasure. He grinned, moving his lips downward toward her button-up blouse. One by one, he undid the buttons, using nothing more than his tongue and teeth.
Cynthia stared at him wide-eyed, wondering how he did it. He didn’t even tear any of them. Her shirt popped open, revealing her full chest. “You’re so beautiful…” Sullivan whispered, his hands running up her sides and then creeping behind her back, effortlessly snapping off her bra and ripping it off her body. Cynthia gave a little gasp of surprise, feeling her large breasts being exposed. The slight draft in the room seemed to concentrate around her nipples, quickly turning them rock-hard.
She bit her lip, her body silently calling out to the man now settled between her legs. He grinned and reached out a hand, taking one of her perky nipples between his fingers and twisting it slightly. A long, drawn-out moan escaped Cynthia’s lips as she arched her back and bucked her hips. Sullivan smirked in satisfaction, his cock pressing against the rough fabric of his pants. With great restraint, he ignored it for the moment, wanting to tease her a little further.