Feilong looked at the vibrating black cell phone in his hand. His eyebrow lifted slightly when he saw the name on his screen. Arbatov.

He hesitated a little before picking up the call. Well, why not a little entertainment after such a long day?

"What do you want?" Fei spoke in Russian, something he wouldn't normally do given that the man on the line could speak flawless Cantonese. Even though the head of Baishe was fluent in over 5 languages, he would never trouble himself in speaking anything but Cantonese unless he had no choice. After all, a man in his position should never have to try to impress anyone. But today he was in the mood to tease.

"You have me listed. I'm flattered." The young Russian mafia sounded genuinely impressed.
"How else could I have avoided your calls?" Feilong knew he was being an arrogant prick. But that was actually the 'fun' part in his relationship with Mikhail who kept coming back no matter how many times he threw those words at him.

Mikhail couldn't help smiling. It was like Feilong to be so brutally straightforward. "I must have picked the right time to call today, haven't I? What could possibly put you in such a good mood?" Mikhail responded with a calm, playful voice as usual. He had gotten used to Feilong's heart-piercing words. It only made the man more exquisite.

"I can very well hang up right now to put an end to your curiosity."

Mikhail laughed lightly. There was a reason he decided to answer the phone, which meant that he wasn't going to hang up until he heard what Mikhail had to say. "Have mercy, sweetheart. I'm only proposing one harmless candlelit dinner not marriage."

"You should already know my answer." Feilong sighed. The man had been pressing him with dinner invitations for months. He had never accepted any of them, not unless they were business dinner with several other guests anyway.

"You wouldn't have picked up the phone if you were going to say no."

"Perhaps not."

Even then Mikhail didn't really believe his ears, but to raise questions would only give the haughty princess a chance to change her mind. Like in business dealings, he knew it was the time to conclude. After all, to get her royal highness to agree to anything he proposed had been harder than smuggling drugs into police headquarters.

"I'll pick you up at 7. Dress formal."
Pick him up? Did Mikhail think he was the prom queen?
"I never said I needed you to pick me up."
"No, but then I don't feel like being stood up today." He'd rather go bug Fei at Baishe than being stood up at yet another restaurant.
"It's what happen when you make the wrong assumptions. I never once said I'd be there."
It was partially true. But he didn't say no then either.
"Well, you haven't exactly said yes this time."
Feilong chuckled. "I'll be there. You have my word. Just tell me where."

"You don't actually think I would believe a word of a man who lies for a living?"
Mikhail knew once he made up his mind, there would be no use pushing him. But still it didn't hurt to try. He would just love to see the beautiful Fei sitting in his red Lamborghini with him at the wheel. Now, wouldn't that be a sight?

"Don't push your luck, Mikhail Arbatov. You have one hour to tell me where or you can forget dinner. Your decision." Feilong quietly smiled to himself as he ended the conversation. The only way Mikhail was going to get him to play his game was with him being the one in control.

Mikhail twirled the delicate wine glass in his hand. Finally, a date with the ice queen, he thought. He had a feeling that her royal highness would grace him with her presence today after standing him up countless times. He should have minded being stood up by Feilong, or by anyone for that matter. A man in his position should never have to put up with something like that. But it was Liu Feilong. No one in the world could have such a perfect combination of beauty, pride, intelligence and strength such as Fei. That unrealistically beautiful face had the power to rob the hearts of every beholder, his included. Mikhail had never desired anyone more, nor failed to acquire anything he wanted so many times.

It was a little over six months ago that he first met the young leader of Baishe at a wedding held by a very powerful Chinese family that Fei and him happened to be working with. Liu Feilong, the renowned leader of Hong Kong's largest crime organization, was someone you do not forget easily. In a room full of distinguished guests in designer suits and red carpet gowns, Feilong appeared with unequalled confidence in his stunning silver cheong sum that made everyone else seemed ordinary and out of place. Mikhail could swear the fine black hair that fell to his waist was pure silk. How was such profound beauty possible on a man? That flawless face made the most beautiful woman in the room felt ugly. That tall, elegant body glided across the room with the grace of a ballerina, while his presence radiated incredible intelligence and absolute supremacy. From the moment he set his eyes on Fei, Mikhail swore he would do anything to make him his own. And he had been trying in vain until this day.

Even though he had his back to the door of that expensive French restaurant, Feilong's arrival could never go unnoticed. The man's presence demanded attention from every pair of eyes any time and in any place he chose to walk into. Which was why Mikhail was not the least bit surprised when he sat down across the table without announcing himself. As soon as the room fell silent and all eyes seemed to stare in the same direction, he knew Feilong had arrived.

"I was beginning to think you'd go back to your old habits of standing me up again." Mikhail complained without looking up.

"Oh, have some faith, will you?" Feilong smiled sarcastically as he tapped his finger on the empty wine glass as a gesture for it to be filled.

Mikhail finally lifted his eyes to the man sitting across the small table. His heart skipped a beat to see the familiar face of his dreams. The elegant Hong Kong triad leader was wearing one of his tailored silk suits on top of a white shirt made of shear fabric that revealed the pink of his flawless skin just enough to leave Mikhail imagining the rest with burning desire. No matter how many times they met, Feilong never failed to take his breath away. The man knew exactly how to use what he had to manipulate people. And he certainly had the best asset for the task.

"Are you sure about getting drunk around me?" It was more a suggestion than a question. He had heard of Fei's low alcohol intolerance. Though Mikhail really wouldn't mind at all.

"Perhaps I'm being kind." Teasing Mikhail was truly one of life's greatest pleasures.

"Or cruel. I know how you take pleasure in driving me insane, among other things."

Perhaps Mikhail really did know him a little. After all, he couldn't deny how he found it quite amusing to see what the young Russian mafia would do to get him where he wanted. It was a game of wit that he enjoyed.

Fei's silence only confirmed the truth in Mikhail's words. The man was a genuine, arrogant prick with the face of an angel. Yet it certainly was a part of what made Feilong so damn attractive. "I've already taken the liberty of ordering for you. I hope you don't mind."

Fei leaned back on his chair, drumming his elegant fingers on the white linen.
"In that case we shall see if you really do know my taste in food."

"Your taste in food was easy. Your taste in bed, I've yet to learn." he winked.

For a moment there, Mikhail saw flame rose in Feilong's eyes. The man was already beautiful with his usual, unreadable expression. But he was stunning beyond belief with those terrifying glare that threaten to kill whomever dared to disturb him. God certainly has a way of torturing his sinful subjects. To temp him with an insanely glorious creature like Feilong only to deny him the permission to touch was one hell of a punishment.

"Does it ever occur to you that such a day may never come?" Feilong took a deep breath before he responded. He was no longer a child to lose his temper over something like this.

Mikhail smiled back. "Oh, I don't know about that. A few months ago you were avoiding my calls. Now you're having a romantic dinner with me. In a few more months we'll probably be on my bed having the fuck of the century right around this time."

"You wouldn't be sitting here right now if you think it was going to be that easy." Feilong smiled knowingly, trying his best to not pull out his gun and put one in that curly blond head in front of him. Killing someone this important would put Baishe at risk. For now he just had to keep playing the game.

Mikhail laughed lightly at his insight. Feilong was far from naive and he certainly knew his worth. More than that he knew Mikhail loved to be challenged. Such rare, exotic flower like Feilong wouldn't be so precious if it were easy to pluck.

"If you're desperate enough to let just about any good-looking boy warm your bed these days then it's not really impossible for me, is it?" He was pushing his limits. But he was far from being scared of Feilong's rage.

To his surprise, Feilong was laughing out loud. Something Mikhail had never seen before. "You want to be my sex toy? You disappoint me, Mikhail Arbatov."

"Sex toy? Oh, I can be much more than that, love. You don't know what you're missing." Mikhail stared directly into Feilong's eyes without smiling. He was being serious. "But if that's what you'd like to call it, then yes, I wouldn't mind. I will have you under any circumstances, Feilong. You'd do well to remember that."

Feilong took his time calculating his response. "You actually think I will take that offer?"

"Maybe."

"And rid myself of an entertainment I so genuinely enjoy?"

Mikhail knew for a long time that Feilong had been playing him. Teasing him enough to keep him around but never once stayed close enough for him to reach.

"I know you take sadistic pleasure in torturing me, Feilong. But do remember that this particular entertainment is actually mine to give." Mikhail paused to sip his wine. "Or take away for that matter. If you don't start giving me something soon you might actually have to kiss it goodbye. Every man has his limits, you know?"

Feilong chuckled. "Sadistic pleasure, eh? I'm not the only one with cruel intentions here am I, Mikhail? All your life you've never been denied of what you wanted. Now I'm the only thing you just can't seem to get no matter what you do. The minute I give in to you, you'll find yourself on a plane back to Moscow for good. And who will be entertaining me then?"

"So basically you're afraid I'm just going to fuck you and run off, is that it?"

"I'm basically saying that I'm still enjoying this tremendously. So, no, you're not going to get laid tonight or anytime soon. Not by me anyway." Fei leaned back on his chair, quietly sipping his second glass of wine. Never again would he allow anyone to play him. Once was more than enough. And it almost cost him his life.

Mikhail looked into those beautiful eyes and saw much more than what his cold words implied. There was more to him than his coldness. He could never have fallen so deeply for a mere arrogant prick with a pretty face. Feilong was complicated, sophisticated, and a walking contradiction. Who would have imagined that a lethal triad leader who kills and lies for a living would love to read, spend his free time in art galleries, and treasure his garden above all else? Underneath the cold, cruel mask he wore were powerful emotions buried deep down inside. Mikhail wondered what he saw in those eyes for a split second. Was it anger? Hatred? Or even sadness? Or was it everything combined? He had to know. "How is it possible that a man as proud as you are have such a low self esteem?"

Feilong raised his eyebrow slightly at the question he never expected to hear in his lifetime. "I do?"

"To think all I want from you is just sex. That I'd simply walk out on you if I'd succeeded. It seems as if you don't think you deserve anything more than that."

Feil was stunned at those words. He had never looked at it from that perspective. Perhaps the reason he could not bring himself to trust anyone was because he felt he didn't deserve to be loved. Being an adopted son and having someone like his brother constantly reminded him of it must have left a scar. That was the reason why he needed to prove his father's love so much. He didn't feel loved and if his own family didn't love him then who would? Asami's betrayal only assured him of the fact. It all sprung from his own insecurity that he never knew existed. For some reason Mikhail saw through him.

His lack of response was unusual, but the expression on his face made Mikhail's heart ache. Feilong looked as if he could cry. The man was deeply troubled. Something terrible must have happened to him to make someone as strong as Feilong think so low of himself. At that moment Mikhail wanted so much to pull him into his arms and comfort him with endless kiss, but he knew it was too soon for that. Feilong needs to know he could be trusted or he'll never let him get close enough. This was going to be much harder than he first anticipated. He wasn't just playing hard to get. It wasn't just a matter of time. He had issues with insecurity, which was probably serious enough to send him hiding behind a brick wall.

"You know it's not that I don't have sex on my mind when I pursued you. There isn't a single person in this room who doesn't want to fuck you, Feilong." He paused to study Fei's reaction. His facial expression did not change. Feilong stared back with no trace of embarrassment on his face. He'd heard these words a thousand times from just about anybody.

"If that was all I wanted from you I could have just taken you by force. It isn't that hard with my power. You, of all people should already know that."

"Of course, but then you'd be dead by now. It isn't that hard with MY power." Feilong sneered at the insulting remark.

With someone like Feilong that was probably true. There would have been a deadly war between Baishe and the Arbatov family if he did. But that wasn't what stopped him.

"My point is, a man in my position knows treasure when I see one. Your sex appeal is just a small part of what makes you priceless to me. So no, I'm not here just to fuck you once and leave."

He meant what he said. Fei should know it would take more than his perfect body to satisfy Mikhail. He wanted to own this beautiful dragon. He wanted to see Fei with all his pride surrender helplessly to him.

"Besides, even if it were just for sex, with that gorgeous body of yours, once is never going to be enough anyway." He added.

Fei sat back and listened quietly. Whether what Mikhail said was true or not, it flattered him nonetheless. Those baby blue eyes didn't seem to be hiding anything. Perhaps it was a good idea to play this game a little longer and see what he had to offer.

While deliberating on what he should do with the golden haired Russian's promise to invade his life, their waiter brought food to the table.

"Ah, here we are. You must be hungry. Especially after such a long miserable meeting over the casino deeds."

His comment startled Fei. How did he manage to get such detailed information? Information that only people in his inner circle should know. "And how would you know this?" Fei spoke with his best effort to appear calm and composed.

"I make a point of knowing everything you do, love. I even know what time you take your shower and that you sleep naked, among other things." Mikhail gave him a cunning smile. It was about time to lighten up the conversation.

"Oh please, you're seriously ruining my appetite." Feilong rolled his eyes. He was so going to get that mole and whack his whole family. It made him uneasy to think about what else Mikhail had found out.

"It's only the first course, sweetheart. We still have a long way to go."

Feilong's eyes widened in disbelieve. "Please tell me this is NOT a nine-course dinner."

He couldn't help enjoying the look on Fei's face when he found out. Mikhail had made damn sure it would be a long night. "Do you realize how hard it is to fly in a 3 Michelin-star chef within such short notice? I might as well make it worth the money. Perhaps if you hadn't turn me down so many times I might have had second thoughts."

It was hard to imagine what Mikhail paid for all this. But it was so like him to overdo everything. Whenever there was an excuse to send him a present, Mikhail always made sure Fei remembered it. How could he not remember? The man had sent a whole garden instead of a bouquet. Last month he had to redesign the whole security system in his study to protect a Monet masterpiece that Mikhail decided to send him as a gift. His birthday present next year could be an exotic island in the Bahamas equipped with luxurious villas and a truckload of staffs and he wouldn't be the least bit surprised. "You do enjoy spending your money, don't you?"

"Enjoy? I'm obsessed with it. What's the point of being filthy rich and not spending the hell out of it? You only get to live once, sweetheart. You might as well live."

His bright blue eyes sparkled as he spoke. Feilong couldn't deny there was something unique about that blond haired, blue-eyed Russian. Mikhail was incredibly confident, extremely straightforward, and exceptionally intelligent. He was a man who knew exactly what he wanted and never hesitated to do what it takes to get it. Fei had always respected him for that.

It was the first time he saw Fei smiled. Really smiled. Even though it appeared for a split second and only faintly, it was enough to put butterflies in his stomach. "Now, I'd pay a million bucks to see that smile again."

"Ten." Fei was in the mood to negotiate.

Mikhail laughed. "Sweetheart, at ten-million I'd have to take you home with me."

Fei sneered at the ridiculous bargain. "Now THAT would take a figure you cannot afford."

Mikhail stared into Feilong's eyes as he calculated his response. Then he took out his checkbook, tore one off, and signed on it. "Here's a blank check to my business account. You know what I'm worth. Try me." He spoke as he slapped down the check on the table right in between them.

"Are you serious?" He knew Mikhail was not normal. But Fei didn't think he was that crazy. A blank check to his business account could leave him bankrupt overnight.

"About getting you into bed with me? Always."

Fei listened in awe. But the look on his face showed he meant it. "You're crazy, you know that?"

"I get that a lot. So, what's your answer? Yes or no?" Mikhail's eyes demanded an answer.

This could be interesting, Fei thought. With that one check he would have the power to destroy Mikhail Arbatov. He could use it to press him to do whatever he wants. Or he could use it to expand his own powers. But to take that kind of money in exchange for sex would make him a whore. No doubt the world's most expensive whore but a whore no less. He should have been severely offended but for some strange reason he wasn't. Mikhail certainly had a way of handling people.

Feilong knew from the start what it was really about. That sly bastard was testing him, to see what he was really worth. Under the circumstances he should turn down the offer without hesitation, but then this game would end too soon, and he was having too much fun. He was starting to enjoy the company. Mikhail was someone who could keep him interested and challenged, a worthy adversary indeed.

"What's the rush, Mikhail?" He smiled cunningly before mocking Mikhail's exact words, complete with Russian accent and all. "It's only the first course, sweetheart. We still have a LONG time to go."

***

Course after course and the check was still sitting there between them, untouched. Both men tried to ignore it was there and pretended to talk about something else. But every once in a while they would glance at it and felt the growing tension accelerated by the minute.

Mikhail knew it was unlikely that Feilong would pick up the check, yet the fact that he hadn't refused excited him and was driving him mad.

Fei was deliberating whether he should end the night leaving Mikhail desperate for more or to pick up the check and find out what the man was made of. After all, at this point he couldn't deny that he was curious about what having sex with this cunning, blue-eyed Russian would be like given the tension on that table had already topped the thrill of all the exhilarating sex he'd experienced. Having sex with pretty boys was fun, but having sex with an attractive, equally powerful, Russian mafia with blond hair and blue eyes could be an experience unique enough to remember.

At long last, desert was on the table. Mikhail was growing impatient. "So, has the princess decided?"

Feilong just sat still, as if it wasn't an important question. "I'm still waiting for my coffee."

Mikhail swore he would have grabbed that elegant neck and squeezed the life out of him if it wasn't for the burning desire in his chest. He had lost his patience and decided to reach out for the check and call it quits but Fei's hand snatched it just before he succeeded.

"I'll take that." Fei smiled deviously waving the check his hand. "Now can we have coffee?"