Chapter 76
After Hiro drives away, we settle in silence.
I look up at Wake, who’s still watching the car disappear down the road, his jaw clenched. His tension seeps into me, and I try to shake it off as I push open the door to Hiro’s house.
The inside takes me by surprise. From the outside, it looked like a simple, traditional home tucked away from the world. But the moment we step in, I’m greeted by sleek, modern appliances and architecture, every room filled with upscale touches that scream wealth.
Traditional Japanese elements are woven into the design—paper screens, wooden beams, and soft tatami mats underfoot—but everything else is so modern, so…pristine. It’s like stepping into a different world.
“Wow,” I say, trailing my fingers along the smooth surface of a marble countertop. “This place is…impressive. At least it’s nice to know that Enigma pays well.”
Behind me, Wake grunts, and I turn to find him standing stiffly in the doorway, looking as out of place as a wild animal brought into a fancy hotel. His arms are crossed over his chest, eyes scanning the room as if he’s looking for something to fight off.
I quirk an eyebrow. “What’s wrong? You look like a fish out of water.”
His gaze narrows. “Are you mocking me?”
I let out a soft laugh. “Only a little. But seriously, are you okay?”
“I should be asking you that,” he snaps, his frustration clear in the way his muscles tense. “You’re the one who seems to be in constant peril.”
I sigh, rubbing my temple. “Yeah, I’m working on that.”
He doesn’t respond, and I glance at him, noting the way his jaw flexes with tension. “Isn’t this what you wanted?” I ask carefully. “Once we get my cells stabilized, I’ll be free to go traipse about in the ocean with you to your heart’s content. We did it. Nature fought us tooth and nail, and we won.”
But despite my words, Wake’s expression doesn’t soften. Instead, he steps toward me, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that makes my chest tighten. “Saving my people and losing you in the process would not be a victory for me,” he says, his voice low.
His words hit harder than I expect, and my throat tightens. I force a smile and reach out to touch his arm. “Then I’m glad you have my back.”
He lets out a huff, but I can see the uncertainty still gnawing at him. “I don’t know how much help I’ll be here. Everything in your world is so… harsh. Crowded.”
I move closer, rubbing a hand up and down his arm, feeling the rigid muscles beneath his skin slowly start to relax. “What do you mean?”
He shakes his head roughly, as if trying to shake off the discomfort. “I will not complain.”
“Wake.” I lift my hand to his chin, forcing him to meet my gaze. “It’s not complaining to me. I want to know how you feel. It’s important to me.”
He holds my gaze for a long moment before he finally lets out a slow breath. “I will adjust,” he says, his voice softer now. “At the moment, I am… overstimulated.”
I glance around the unfamiliar house and nod. “I get it. Even for me, this is a lot. At least I know what all this stuff is.”
A small smile tugs at the corner of his lips, and I feel a spark of warmth at the sight.
“You were nice enough to show me around your world,” I say, giving his arm a gentle squeeze. “The least I can do is return the favor.”
I lead him from room to room, explaining what each object is for, though some of the things I describe sound ridiculous even to me. He watches with curiosity, but I can tell the modern world baffles him. It’s too sharp, too cluttered, too overwhelming.
When we reach the spare bedroom, I hop onto the bed, bouncing slightly on the soft mattress. “This,” I say with a grin, “is where the magic happens.”
Wake looks concerned, his eyes scanning the room as if expecting some kind of sorcery to spring forth. “Magic?”
I stifle a laugh. “Sleeping, dreaming... other things.”
Understanding dawns on his face, and the tension in the room shifts. The scent of sea salt and rain fills the air as Wake’s smirk turns roguish. He steps forward, kneeling on the bed, his hand sliding into my hair. “Now that,” he murmurs, his voice a deep rumble, “I understand just fine.”
Before I can respond, his lips capture mine, and I sink into him. His hand trails down my body, slipping between my legs, making my pulse quicken. But just as heat begins to coil low in my stomach, I stop him, pulling back with a playful grin.
“Wait,” I say, breathless. “We still have one more room.”
He growls, “I’m not interested.”
I laugh, slipping out from under him and sliding off the bed. “Oh, but I am. I don’t feel like getting up close and personal while we smell like the ocean.”
Wake arches an eyebrow. “Since when?”
I give him a tart look, crossing my arms over my chest. “Since I’d much rather introduce you to your first shower.”
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
