Both Arashi and Esme basked in the afternoon light of their heated glory, their bodies still quivering from the intense rush they had just shared. The air was thick with the remnants of their passion, a quiet heat lingering around them as their breaths slowed, though neither could quite shake the sensation of what had just transpired. Esme rested against Arashi’s chest, her head nestled there, feeling the fast but steady rhythm of his heartbeat, grounding her in the moment. She could feel the warmth of his skin against hers, and it made her smile in pure satisfaction.

  As the lingering tension slowly faded, she looked up at him with a playful glint in her eyes, her lips curling into a soft, content smile. Her voice, still hushed with the aftereffects, carried a teasing tone.

  she whispered, her words a mixture of admiration and longing, filled with the echoes of their shared experience.

  Without any words, Arashi kissed the top of Esme's head, his lips lingering there for a moment, as if sealing the quiet bond between them. His hand then gently caressed her head, his touch tender and slow, carrying with it a mix of gratitude and compassion. It was as if he wanted to offer her more than just affection—something deeper, something unspoken that she could feel through the warmth of his palm against her hair. The gesture was simple yet profound, a silent promise that, despite the intensity of their connection, there was care and understanding in every movement.

  Her face flushed a deep crimson, the warmth of the moment radiating through her as Arashi’s tender touch sent a wave of shyness over her. The intimacy of his gesture, combined with the lingering heat of their shared experience, made her cheeks burn even more. Esme couldn’t hide the redness creeping up her neck, her heart racing slightly as she looked up at him, feeling both vulnerable and cherished. The silence between them felt different now—soft, charged with emotions that spoke louder than words ever could.

  Suddenly, Esme hid her face in his chest, her voice trembling as she mumbled softly, She paused, her breath shaky, as if she could hardly find the words, but the desperation in her voice was clear.

  A tear escaped her eye, but she quickly wiped it away, hiding her vulnerability in his warmth, still clinging to him. She stopped again, as if the weight of her own plea was almost too much to bear. Her heart raced, the fear of being abandoned settling in her chest, tightening her lungs.

  The words were quieter now, her voice almost lost beneath the quiet thudding of her heart. She clutched him tighter, as though her very soul depended on him hearing this. The fear of losing him, of being left empty, was overwhelming her. Her whole body trembled, her fingers digging into his skin, her mind fighting back the overwhelming flood of emotions threatening to break free.

  Arashi's chest tightened as her words washed over him. He could feel the sincerity in her voice, the way her heart was laid bare before him, vulnerable and raw. His breath hitched for a brief moment as he met her gaze, his eyes locking with hers. For a moment, it felt like everything else in the world faded away, just the two of them in that shared space.

  He felt the weight of her plea, the promise that she was offering — something so pure, so filled with devotion. His heart beat faster, his mind racing with conflicting thoughts. He wanted to respond, to comfort her, but a part of him felt lost, still tangled in feelings he couldn’t shake.

  After what seemed like an eternity, Arashi finally spoke, his voice low, intense.

  His words were heavy, sincere in the moment, but there was an underlying hesitation, a flicker of uncertainty in his gaze. It wasn’t the pure, unwavering promise Esme deserved. His expression softened just slightly, his eyes clouded with something unreadable. He said it as though he meant it — but there was a hollow space in the promise, a contradiction he couldn't hide.

  He gazed at her for a moment longer, but the weight of his words still hung in the air, a promise half-given, half-lost in the depths of his own mind.

  Esme’s serious, pleading expression suddenly shifted, her lips curling into a faint yet noticeable smile. It blossomed into a full-scale, cheery grin. she exclaimed, the change in mood as sudden as it was bright.

  The tension that had tightly gripped Arashi’s heart evaporated in an instant as she bounced to her feet, running—completely naked—towards the workbench to grab her clothes. Arashi sighed in relief, his body relaxing as he muttered under his breath,

  Esme interrupted with a teasing grin. She traced her finger over her body just between her beautiful breasts, collecting the remnants of Arashi’s bodily liquids before placing it on her tongue, her eyes glinting mischievously.

  Arashi’s heart raced at the sight, captivated by the boldness and playful defiance she exuded. He couldn’t help but feel a rush, a mix of admiration and awe. But he quickly regained control, realizing that Esme was starting to figure out which buttons to push. She wasn’t just clever in the way she worked; she was a genius at navigating emotions, knowing exactly how to stir things up without even trying.

  Arashi said, his voice carrying a hint of humor.

  Esme's face flushed bright red, her eyes widening as the words sank in. She froze, caught off guard by both vivid image of their sweet moments as he devoured her few moments ago and the reason behind Arashi’s instruction, before a look of sudden realization hit her.

  she stammered, her voice shaky as she scrambled to gather herself, trying to shake off the sudden wave of embarrassment.

  As Esme stepped into the bathroom, the sound of the door opening behind her startled her.

  Esme gasped, her heart racing as Arashi smoothly barged in.

  Arashi's voice was low, and the words made Esme's face flush a deep red.

  Before Esme could finish her sentence, Arashi closed the gap between them, kissing her softly.

  The kiss lingered, a slow, teasing build-up, before everything between them seemed to blur into something deeper. What happened next was left to their own shared silence.

  They bathed together for around an hour, the hot water soothing their bodies after the heated moments they'd shared. By the time they finished, it was 4 P.M., and the bathroom was filled with the lingering warmth of their closeness. They dried their hair and bodies before moving back to the main room.

  Arashi broke the silence,

  Esme nodded, feeling the determination rise within her again as she prepared to take on the task at hand.

  "Yes. Just… don’t…" Arashi hesitated, trying to sound serious.

  Esme looked at him, raising an eyebrow, her lips curling into a playful smile.

  Arashi rolled his eyes.

  With a soft laugh, Esme sat down at his desk, opening the computer. She knew exactly what he meant, but she wasn’t the type to go poking around. Instead, she focused on her project, her mind already buzzing with ideas for the Ibiza’s makeover.

  Arashi sighed, his gaze lingering on her as she worked. The tension from earlier had dissipated, but his mind was still a whirl of thoughts. He needed to stay focused. But, at the same time, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride watching her dive into her work, her passion showing through every stroke of the stylus pen on the drawing tablet.

  Arashi dialed the number and waited for the call to connect. After a few rings, the voice of the supplier picked up on the other side.

  the man asked.

  Arashi’s voice was steady as he got straight to the point, leaning against the workbench with a faint smile.

  the man on the other side confirmed.

  Arashi grinned, satisfied with the confirmation.

  The supplier rattled off the cost after a brief pause.

  Arashi replied smoothly.

  the supplier assured.

  Arashi hung up the phone and leaned back with a grin. he muttered to himself, already envisioning the upgrades.

  Arashi lowered his head beside Esme’s head as he’s eyeing the design on his PC. Esme had just started less than five minutes ago, but it looked like she had thought about it for a while and put her Idea in the digital canvas based on her vivid and well thought imagination. Arashi’s gaze traveled across the screen, taking in every detail.

  The SEAT Ibiza was taking shape under Esme’s design, and it was clear she wasn’t holding back. The spoiler she had drawn was sharp, aggressive, exactly the kind of thing that would make the car stand out in the street racing world. The bumpers—both front and rear—fit the car’s vibe perfectly, adding just the right amount of muscle without overwhelming the frame. He smirked, liking what he saw.

  Then, his eyes moved to the side skirts, designed to match the bumpers. Simple, yet they tied everything together, giving the car an even more aerodynamic look.

  But it was the moonroof that really caught Arashi's attention. It wasn't just any moonroof. This one was massive, sleek, and innovative—Esme had added a light sensor that made it fully transparent only at night. During the day, it blended into the car, seamlessly matching the body color.

  Arashi muttered to himself, a proud grin tugging at his lips

  The car was no longer just a racer; it was becoming something far more unique, something unforgettable. Arashi couldn't help but imagine the attention it would grab—not just on the streets, but at his garage too.

  He gave a small nod, acknowledging Esme's work. he said, his voice low, filled with approval.

  Esme looked up from her screen, a little smile playing on her lips.

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  Arashi patted her gently on the head.

  He then turned and walked out of the garage, pulling out his phone to make another call.

  Toot... toot... toot... The phone dialed, the tone ringing in his ear.

  Arashi's voice was light, almost teasing.

  came Tiffany's voice, sharp and irritated before the call abruptly ended.

  Arashi sighed, rolling his eyes as he redialed the number. A few more rings and then—

  Arashi started, his tone now more serious.

  Tiffany’s voice, sultry and unexpected, cut through the line.

  Arashi rubbed the back of his neck, visibly uncomfortable.

  Tiffany laughed softly, her tone playful, yet knowing.

  The call ended, and Arashi shook his head, half-amused, half-annoyed. Tiffany was always a handful, but that was just the way she was.

  He headed back into the garage where Esme had finished the design.

  Esme asked, looking up at him with a smile.

  Esme answered coldly, her focus never wavering. She downloaded a high-res copy of the painting and seamlessly incorporated it into her design. The result? A one-of-a-kind masterpiece for the 1984 SEAT Ibiza.

  As the image processed, Arashi felt a chill run down his spine. The design was unlike anything he’d ever seen before. It was bold, elegant, and utterly stunning. His voice faltered as his eyes stayed fixed on the screen. He stumbled over his words, still stunned by the sheer brilliance of the design.

  Esme didn’t even look up as she kept adjusting the final touches.

  Arashi snapped back to reality. he added, trying to keep his composure.

  Arashi murmured, his voice thick with admiration. He couldn't help but let out a low whistle. The Ibiza was shaping up to be more than just a car—it was an art piece. And Esme? She was the artist, with a mind as sharp as a blade.

  As Arashi finished his sentence, Esme’s eyes slowly turned to him, her gaze softening into something more vulnerable. Her face, which had been so focused on the screen, now showed a pleading expression.

  she asked, her voice trembling ever so slightly.

  Arashi’s heart skipped a beat. He gulped, suddenly realizing how his words might’ve sounded. His nervous chuckle only added to the awkwardness, but his sincerity was clear in his eyes.

  Esme stared at him for a moment, the tension in the air thickening. After a beat, she gave him a small smile, though her eyes still held a glint of mischief. "You better not be!" she said adding a soft pout to her face, returning her focus to her work.

  Arashi sighed in relief, a playful grin tugging at his lips. He walked over to her, placing a hand on her shoulder, his tone light yet filled with affection.

  ." Arashi added with a wink teasing her.

  Esme simply rolled her eyes, but there was no hiding the soft blush on her cheeks.

  Arashi asked curiously.

  Esme smiled softly, her eyes glimmering with pride as she replied,

  Arashi raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

  Esme's smile faded slightly, her gaze softening as she answered,

  And with that, the moment passed, but it left a warmth lingering in the air.

  Beep! Beep! The truck’s horn blared loudly outside the garage, cutting through the quiet. Arashi's eyes flicked toward the sound, recognizing the delivery that had arrived.

  "It must be the Z33 parts!" he muttered to himself, a smile creeping onto his face. He turned to Esme, who was still immersed in her work on the Ibiza.

  With that, Arashi stormed off to meet the delivery. He approached the truck as it came to a stop, his eyes scanning the cargo. After a few quick words with the driver, he signed the delivery documents, making sure everything was in order.

  Then, pulling out his phone, he transferred the full payment to the supplier’s bank account. A total of 70 grands. The transaction went through without issue, confirming the order.

  He couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction as he finalized the deal. With the Z33 parts delivered, and the Ibiza design nearing completion, it was all coming together. Tomorrow would be a big day.

  As the delivery men finished unloading the Z33 parts, Arashi quickly changed into his dark red mechanic suit, the fabric hugging his frame as he got to work. The hum of the garage, the scent of grease and metal, and the sound of tools clanking echoed in the air. He moved swiftly, starting to remove the body from the chassis of the Z33, carefully disassembling it piece by piece.

  Meanwhile, Esme leaned over the table, her eyes flicking over the design she had just finished. She wasn’t rushing, but every stroke of the design was made with intent and precision. Arashi’s words floated through the air, and she heard the sound of the truck’s horn blaring in the distance.

  As he gently shouted, Esme’s eyes narrowed for a moment, but she didn’t let the slight flicker of curiosity show on her face. She was used to Arashi’s quirks by now.

  she replied, her voice as calm as ever.

  She didn’t let him answer immediately, her attention already drifting back to her work, fingers moving smoothly as she refined the details. Her mind, though, wandered for a second. She knew the kind of man Arashi was—playful, teasing, always mysterious. It wasn’t a question of whether or not she trusted him, but more about whether she could trust herself to keep things professional.

  But she wouldn’t say that. Not yet.

  she teased, glancing at him as she added the final touches to the Ibiza.

  She finished the final details, then reached for her phone, preparing to send the design to Tiffany.

  Arashi chuckled at Esme's words, his voice light and amused. he called back, his tone teasing.

  Esme’s eyes narrowed slightly, but the playful smirk on her lips never left. she replied, her voice thick with sarcasm.

  With a flick of her wrist, she hit ‘send’ on the email, her gaze flicking back to Arashi. she said, her voice flat but clearly proud of her work. "Now it’s in her hands."

  She leaned back in her chair with a soft sigh. Esme murmured, then glanced at Arashi with a teasing glint in her eyes.

  She turned back to the Z33, raising an eyebrow as she continued, Her voice held a challenging tone.

  Arashi commanded with a smile, his voice gentle but firm.

  Esme raised an eyebrow and walked toward him slowly, her steps deliberate. When she stood in front of him, their eyes locked. Arashi’s gaze was intense, and the atmosphere shifted in the space between them. He reached out and cupped her chin, tilting her face up to meet his gaze.

  His voice was low, almost a whisper, as he leaned in and kissed her lips gently.

  Esme froze for a moment, feeling the warmth of his lips against hers. She didn’t pull back immediately. The kiss was soft, tender, and something about it stirred something deep inside her. After a beat, she pulled away slowly, her fingers lightly grazing his chest as she met his eyes.

  Her voice was a playful challenge, her lips curling into a teasing smile.

  Before he could respond, she leaned in closer, brushing her lips against his once more, this time with more heat. Her hand slid around the back of his neck, fingers threading through his hair. She kissed him with more urgency now, the chemistry between them undeniable.

  Arashi whispered softly, his lips brushing against her ear.

  Esme’s voice wavered slightly, uncertainty lacing her words. She blushed deeply, a warm flush spreading across her cheeks. She had never been this vulnerable before, not even in her wildest dreams. Yet now, she felt something completely different, something that she couldn’t quite put into words. She felt like a love slave to Arashi—fully devoted, fully surrendered. It was strange, but it was also intoxicating. It was as if everything she had done, every choice she made, had been leading her to this very moment.

  She craved it. She craved his dominance over her, the way he commanded and led her, and somehow, it made her feel alive in a way she never had before. Her breath became sharp, her chest tightening with a mix of excitement and longing.

  Her face reddened deeper, and for a moment, she almost couldn’t breathe. But she steadied herself, forcing herself to focus on the task at hand. She took a deep breath and straightened up, trying to regain composure. "I need to get back to work," she muttered softly, her voice barely audible.

  With that, Esme turned away from Arashi, her heart still racing, and made her way back to his room to continue the work on the Z33’s design.

  Before heading to her room, Esme hesitated, her cheeks flushed as she softly murmured, Her voice trembled, heavily panting, a mixture of anticipation and vulnerability in her words. She glanced away, trying to regain control, but the warmth in her chest lingered.

  With that, she turned to leave, her steps slow, and her thoughts swirling. She was trying to focus on the task at hand—the Z33 design—but the emotions stirring inside her were difficult to shake. Despite her growing feelings, there was a sense of uncertainty about what all this meant for her and for them.

  After a few hours, Arashi was finally done removing the Z33 body. He glanced at the clock—it was already 8 P.M.

  Esme's voice floated back to him, determined yet calm.

  Arashi's curiosity got the better of him, and he made his way to his room to check on the progress. As he walked in and peered over her shoulder, his jaw nearly dropped.

  The deep purple color shimmered with glistening dots, resembling a starry night sky. Each detail of the paintbrush job brought the car to life, as if the evening itself had been captured on the body of the car.

  Esme looked up at him, her eyes filled with something softer, more vulnerable. She stepped closer, her voice low and almost teasing.

  Their lips met again, tender and slow. The kiss was soft, a quiet connection between them that spoke volumes without words. Esme’s fingers grazed the back of Arashi's neck, her heart racing in sync with the moment. There was no rush, just the warmth of the moment, the gentle press of their lips as if time had slowed down just for them.

  For Arashi, the kiss felt like a promise—a promise of something more than just the car, more than just work. He could feel her trust in him, her desire to be close, to be seen and understood.

  When they finally pulled away, there was a lingering silence, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. It was a silent agreement, a mutual understanding of the bond they were building.

  Arashi whispered, his voice thick with emotion, his gaze lingering on her.

  After they finished sharing a tender kiss, Arashi leaned back with a grin. "

  Esme sighed in mild frustration as she eyed the email address on the screen.

  Arashi couldn't help but laugh, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

  Suddenly, a soft growl came from Esme's stomach. She quickly covered it with her hand, blushing in embarrassment.

  Arashi chuckled, his voice low and playful.

  TO BE CONTINUED.