Esme walked slowly toward the room Arashi had prepared for her, her steps light on the cold garage floor. She glanced over her shoulder before opening the door, the faintest smile crossing her face as she turned toward Arashi. she said softly, the words barely above a whisper, yet they carried a weight that felt oddly significant in the stillness of the garage.

  Arashi, already standing at the threshold of his own room, met her gaze, his expression unreadable but softening at the familiarity of the moment. he replied, his voice deep and low, reflecting his exhaustion. A beat of silence followed before they both parted ways, their gazes lingering for just a second too long. It was the quiet kind of intimacy, an unspoken understanding, before they each disappeared into their rooms.

  As Esme lay in the bed Arashi had arranged for her, her mind buzzed with anticipation. She was still wide awake, thoughts racing faster than she could keep up with. Her mind wasn't solely focused on her upcoming projects; something else lingered in her thoughts, something deeper, more tantalizing.

  She couldn’t help it. Every time her thoughts drifted to Arashi, it was like a spark. The image of him, the way he moved with such unintentional grace, the disheveled look that somehow made him all the more magnetic—it all pulled at her in a way she couldn’t explain. And now, in the privacy of her room, she was feeling restless in a different sense. Not just mentally, but physically. Her pulse quickened, and the soft tension in her lower belly grew, stirring a desire she couldn’t quite control. She tried to push it down, to distract herself, but with each passing minute, it became harder to ignore the warmth spreading through her, the heat she felt whenever she thought about Arashi.

  The thought of him, his strong presence, and his undeniable charisma was getting under her skin, and it made her ache in a way she didn’t expect. She wanted more. Her body responded in subtle ways, and she gave into the lingering heat that had built up inside her.

  The morning light crept through the cracks in the garage, casting a soft glow across the space as the clock on the wall ticked past 7 A.M. Arashi’s eyelids fluttered open slowly, still clouded with the remnants of sleep. The faint light of dawn was filtering through the small window, and the grogginess of the early morning made everything feel distant and unreal. As his vision cleared, he was struck by a strange but familiar sensation. The warm body pressed against his, the soft pressure of someone in his arms, and the calming, feminine scent lingering in the air—it was all so... intimate.

  For a split second, his mind drifted to Lana. Lana? he thought, his heartbeat quickening. But as soon as he almost murmured her name, his eyes shot open in shock. Lana’s not here. It’s... it’s Esme.

  The realization hit him like a cold wave. His heart skipped a beat. Why was Esme here? How had this happened? He blinked rapidly, trying to clear the haze from his mind. He couldn’t process what was happening. We were just talking...

  His body tensed, panic rising within him, but he didn’t want to wake her up. He remained still, barely breathing, feeling the warmth of her body pressed against his. But the position was not comfortable, not at all. The spooning position only made things worse—way worse. Esme’s soft, rounded hips were pressed against him, and he could feel the heat of her body melding with his, her soft curves so close it was becoming impossible to ignore.

  The rising heat inside him was making it harder to stay calm. Why is she in my arms? The question echoed in his mind, but his body was betraying him. We didn’t... do anything, right? His thoughts were jumbled, and his body reacted as if it couldn’t separate the intimacy of the moment from the rising physical arousal.

  Esme shifted in her sleep, flipping over in the bed, her face now inches away from his. As her eyes fluttered open slowly, the distance between them seemed to vanish, the air between them charged with an unspoken tension. she said softly, her voice filled with an almost teasing undertone, but there was no mistaking the warmth behind her words.

  Arashi’s heart raced, his mind completely overwhelmed. This girl ain't innocent at all...

  Esme murmured, her words dripping with a sweetness that sent a shiver through him. She smiled softly, her lips curving in a playful, yet somehow innocent way.

  Arashi’s breath hitched in his throat. She covered herself with me? The question seemed to hang in the air between them, but before he could say anything else, his mouth ran dry. His mind scrambled for something to say, anything to cover the awkwardness he felt creeping in.

  he mumbled, still trying to collect himself. He couldn’t help the flustered words that spilled out. His thoughts were still clouded by the close contact.

  Esme’s laughter, light and carefree, filled the room, and Arashi’s stomach twisted. She tilted her head slightly, a playful smile pulling at the corners of her lips. Her cheeks flushed pink, but she didn’t answer directly. she teased, a pout creeping onto her lips, as though daring him to question the situation further.

  Esme’s body shifted closer, the weight of her pressing against him sending a jolt through his spine. Her hand, delicate yet purposeful, began to trace along his hardening cock, each movement deliberate, igniting a fire he couldn’t suppress. she whispered softly, her breath grazing his ear.

  Her fingers brushed over him again, this time with more pressure, her touch electrifying and inescapable. The smell of her, rich and intoxicating, wrapped around him like a blanket, blending with the faint, mechanical scent of the garage. Her dark green hair cascaded in loose waves, framing her face, but it was her skin—the soft, radiant snow-white complexion, a gift of her Japanese heritage—that caught his attention first. It glowed under the dim light, as if untouched by time, and every inch of it seemed like it was meant to be worshipped.

  But it wasn’t just her skin. The curve of her body—the full, feminine shape, the thickness of her hips and waist, the way her body seemed to flow effortlessly from one curve to another—was the kind of beauty that Arashi had only ever dreamed about. Her Spanish blood had blessed her with a figure that could only be described as divine, one that made his thoughts cloud with desire. Her sharp eyes, bright and full of mischief, locked onto his, daring him to act on his every impulse.

  Arashi could barely focus, his mind spinning with every inch of her, every seductive shift of her body against his. But still, he fought it. He couldn’t cross this line. Not yet.

  he said through gritted teeth, trying to push the rising heat from his body. His rejection was clear, but the way her body tensed slightly told him that it stung.

  His instincts pushed him to comfort her, to ease the disappointment he saw flash in her eyes. He leaned down and pressed a soft, almost reverent kiss to her forehead, the warmth of her skin against his lips making everything feel dangerous. Her cheeks flushed a deep red, and though she didn’t speak, the softening of her posture told him everything he needed to know. Her disappointment remained, but there was something else, something lingering in the air between them.

  The sunlight streamed through the garage's small, dusty window as Arashi and Esme moved about the room, gathering their clothes. The intimacy of the morning still lingered in the air, though they both moved with a quiet understanding, a delicate balance struck between their shared warmth and the boundaries unspoken.

  Arashi slid on his worn jeans, glancing at Esme as she smoothed her shirt over her curvy frame. Her dark green hair caught the golden morning light, shimmering like silk. He leaned back against the edge of the bed, a playful smirk tugging at his lips as he broke the silence.

  he began, his voice teasing yet genuinely curious,

  Esme paused, her fingers lingering on the hem of her shirt. Her sharp yet expressive eyes met his, a flicker of vulnerability beneath their confident gleam. She smiled softly, brushing her hair behind her ear as she sat on the edge of the bed.

  she started, her voice steady but tinged with emotion.

  She paused, her gaze growing distant for a moment.

  Her lips curved into a small, mischievous smile as she added,

  Arashi chuckled, shaking his head as he ran a hand through his hair. he said with a grin.

  Esme shrugged, her cheeks flushing faintly.

  The weight of her words hung in the air, unspoken stories hinted at in her tone. Arashi nodded slowly, his smirk fading into something more thoughtful. he said, pushing himself off the bed and grabbing his shirt,

  Esme's lips parted in a small, genuine smile as she stood. "Thanks, Master," she replied, her voice soft but steady

  Arashi looked over at Esme with a curious smile, then asked,

  Esme thought for a moment before replying, her voice light but focused.

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  She paused, her gaze drifting toward the garage, and the excitement in her eyes was hard to miss.

  Her passion for engines and cars was evident, and she couldn’t help but let her mind wander to the intricacies of whatever machines Arashi was about to work on.

  Arashi grinned as he answered,

  Esme’s eyes sparkled with interest, her voice filled with enthusiasm.

  Her face lit up as she spoke, her passion for cars shining through. She paused for a moment, a grin forming on her lips.

  Arashi raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Esme's knowledge.

  Esme’s expression shifted into one of thoughtful analysis, her fingers gently tapping against her chin as she pondered.

  Her eyes sparkled as she continued.

  Esme leaned forward slightly, her voice almost a whisper of excitement.

  She flashed a grin at Arashi.

  Arashi grinned, clearly impressed. he exclaimed.

  Esme beamed, her confidence growing as she saw how accurate her analysis was.

  Arashi nodded, impressed by her expertise.

  Arashi stretched and checked the time. He winked playfully.

  Esme nodded with a grin.

  Arashi chuckled and nodded. “Of course, wouldn’t want to disappoint.” He grabbed his jacket from the coat rack, slipping it on with casual ease. Pausing by the door, he looked back at her with a smile.

  Esme chuckled softly as he left, her thoughts already back on the engines and the work ahead. She smiled as she heard the door close, then turned her attention back to the garage, ready to jump into the day’s challenges.

  Time passed quickly, the days filled with light moments and easy camaraderie. Arashi had almost forgotten the heavy weight that had been pressing on his mind—his thoughts of Lana—thanks to the constant presence of Esme, whose talkative nature and sharp mind kept him intrigued and distracted.

  In just four days, both the Honda Supra and the Mazda Miata were completely repaired, their engines running smoothly again. Arashi was proud of their work, and Esme had proven herself to be a valuable asset.

  As they were wrapping up some final checks on the cars, the sound of the garage door opening broke their concentration. A delivery man walked in, holding a box.

  he called out.

  Arashi raised an eyebrow, walking over to receive the package. Esme watched with curiosity as he opened it carefully, revealing the set of connecting rods he had ordered for Lana's car.

  Arashi asked, handing her the clipboard with the delivery receipt.

  Esme nodded and grabbed the pen, glancing at the date on the document.

  she murmured to herself. It reminded her that she needed to submit her internship registration documents at the campus by the end of the day tomorrow.

  After signing, she handed the papers back to Arashi and looked up at him with a slightly hesitant expression.

  Arashi thought for a moment, then smiled.

  Esme shook her head, chuckling.

  Arashi gave a teasing smirk.

  Esme smiled, feeling a mix of gratitude and light-heartedness.

  As Esme handed the signed documents back to Arashi, she suddenly pouted, crossing her arms with a playful frown.

  Arashi chuckled, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

  Esme huffed, though her lips twitched into a smile despite herself.

  Arashi raised an eyebrow, his smirk growing.

  Esme rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide the faint blush that crept up her cheeks.

  Arashi said, his voice dropping a little.

  Esme looked away, trying to hide the smile that was slowly creeping onto her face.

  she murmured, though she couldn’t help but feel a warmth in her chest.

  Arashi asked, leaning back against the workbench, his gaze soft as he studied her.

  Esme hesitated, her eyes flickering away from his, as if lost in a distant memory. she replied quietly, her voice carrying an unspoken weight.

  Arashi noticed the shift in her mood, the slight tension that seemed to wrap around her words.

  he asked, his tone gentle yet curious.

  Esme sighed, running a hand through her dark green hair, avoiding his gaze. she began, her voice low.

  She paused, her eyes unfocused, as though remembering something painful.

  Arashi stood still for a moment, absorbing her words, the weight of her past. He didn't know how to respond at first, but the silence between them spoke volumes.

  he finally said, his voice softer.

  Esme gave him a faint smile, but it didn't reach her eyes.

  she murmured, looking away, though the vulnerability was clear.

  The day almost passed in a haze of work and idle chatter. The garage was quieter now, the hum of engines and the clink of tools replaced by the low murmur of the evening outside. Esme had finished her last task for the day, wiping the grease from her hands and stretching with a soft sigh. The atmosphere felt lighter, yet there was something more in the air, an unspoken shift.

  Esme stood by the door to Arashi's room, hesitating. She glanced over at him, the faint light from the setting sun casting a soft glow on her features. Her usual playfulness was replaced by a quiet vulnerability.

  she started, her voice soft, almost hesitant.

  Arashi looked up at her, his expression unreadable for a moment. He saw the slight apprehension in her eyes, the subtle way she chewed on her bottom lip as if weighing the request. Her usual confidence seemed to falter, replaced by a need for comfort he hadn’t expected.

  He paused for a beat, then nodded slowly. he said, his voice quieter than usual. he added with a half-smile, attempting to lighten the mood.

  Esme’s eyes brightened, and a small, genuine smile spread across her face. she said, her voice filled with gratitude.

  The morning unfolded like any other peaceful day. The sun filtered softly through the blinds, casting warm light over the room. The stillness of the early hours was only broken by the gentle sounds of the world waking up outside, distant birds chirping and the faint hum of the city beginning to stir.

  Arashi, still in bed, lay there for a while, eyes half-closed, savoring the calm. He could feel Esme’s warmth beside him, her steady breathing the only sound in the room.

  Slowly, he shifted, careful not to disturb Esme as he slipped out of bed. The room was still and quiet, and he found himself smiling as he moved to the window. He stretched, breathing in the cool morning air.

  As Arashi made his way through his morning routine—preparing coffee, checking on the garage, and organizing a few things for the day—he simply existed in the moment, enjoying the peace of the morning.

  Esme, still sleeping soundly, was in the same tranquil state. The only sound in the room was her soft breathing. Arashi couldn’t help but glance at her again, a small smile tugging at his lips. There was a comforting simplicity to this.

  By the time he finished his coffee and prepared to start the day, Esme had woken up, stretching and yawning. Her eyes met his, a playful smile on her lips as she sat up in bed.

  she said softly.

  he replied, his voice warm, a hint of affection in his words.

  Esme smiled brightly as she stood and started to gather her things, readying herself for her trip back to campus. She was almost done packing when she turned to Arashi.

  Arashi said, giving her a reassuring nod.

  Esme waved before heading out, leaving the house just as calmly as she had entered it. Arashi lingered by the door for a moment, taking in the quiet stillness again.

  And yet... despite the prompt peace, Arashi would unleash a storm today, though he had no idea at all.

  TO BE CONTINUED.