Esme leaned back, her breathing heavy from the repeated multi-orgasm she experienced from being driven so hard by Arashi. There was a satisfied, almost blissful look in her eyes as she lay against the soft sheets, feeling the aftermath of everything that had just unfolded. The warmth of Arashi lingered, his face succumbed to her soft breasts, his breath calm now, and for a moment, it felt like she was floating in a perfect haze.

  But then, something caught her attention. As Arashi had spurted his seed inside her, she could have sworn she heard him whisper, almost to himself, "Lana..." The name sent a jolt through her chest, a pang of confusion. She had been too lost in the moment to process it fully, but now, the memory stuck with her.

  Esme frowned slightly, her mind wandering, wondering about the significance of that name. Had it been a slip of the tongue? A passing thought? Or was there something deeper she needed to understand?

  She shook her head, trying to push the thought away for now, allowing the warmth of the night to settle back into her. But the question lingered at the back of her mind.

  Esme's mind began to drift, her thoughts hazy as she lay there in the quiet aftermath of the night. The warmth of the sheets wrapped around her, but her mind couldn’t shake a lingering image from a week ago—a fleeting glimpse of a black dress.

  The memory danced at the edge of her consciousness, sharp and vivid. It had been on Lana, and the way the dress clung to her form, the way it whispered of secrets and allure. The thought was confusing, unsettling even, but Esme had been too distracted by the passion of the moment to consider its meaning further.

  Now, as the afterglow of the night faded, that image kept pushing forward in her mind. She wondered what it meant, why it had lingered, and what connection it had to everything else. But as she tried to piece the puzzle together, her eyelids grew heavy, the overwhelming sense of exhaustion pulling her back into a deep, dreamless slumber before she could reach any conclusion.

  Arashi’s eyes slowly fluttered open, his head pounding, as if someone had driven nails through his skull. The pain was sharp, relentless, and he groaned, trying to sit up but immediately regretting it as dizziness washed over him.

  His voice was hoarse, a quiet rasp as he ran a hand over his face, trying to shake the fog from his mind.

  But then, his gaze fell on something that made his heart race even faster. There, beside him, lay Esme, still asleep, tangled in the sheets. His pulse quickened as the pieces started to fall into place—though nothing about this situation made sense.

  His heart skipped a beat as panic set in. he shouted in his mind, but his voice stayed silent. His mind was a whirlwind.

  The thought made his stomach twist in disbelief.

  But then, a more terrifying realization hit him. His thoughts trailed off as Lana’s name echoed in his mind. That was who he had been with, wasn’t it? But now—now she was gone.

  He clenched his jaw, the thought of her cutting through him like a knife. Lana. Gone. And just like that, he felt the weight of the promise he’d made to himself: no more tears, no more weakness.

  He couldn’t afford to let the ache take hold again. Enough was enough. Esme shifted slightly in the sheets, her voice soft and drowsy as she murmured, still tangled in the aftermath of the night.

  Her words were almost too quiet, barely audible, as she remained with her eyes closed, still half-asleep. Her body pressed closer to him instinctively, feeling the lingering heat between them.

  But as the silence stretched on, she began to stir more, her eyes fluttering open slowly. It took her a moment to fully realize that Arashi was awake, her heart skipping at the thought.

  she whispered softly, her voice tinged with vulnerability, her words carrying a sincerity that matched the unspoken emotions she couldn't quite express yet.

  Her gaze met his, but she didn’t move, waiting for his reaction, unsure of what his feelings were, but quietly hoping for something more.

  Arashi's voice cut through the quiet morning, his tone firm yet gentle as he spoke.

  Before she could fully process his words, he reached over and gently wrapped his arm around her waist, lifting her up effortlessly as though she weighed nothing. It was unexpected, yet there was a tenderness in his touch that surprised her. She gasped softly, her breath caught in her throat.

  Esme chuckled a little, her surprise quickly giving way to a playful smile. she teased, still feeling the warmth of his hands as he held her.

  Arashi's grip tightened just a little, but with an ease that made her feel safe and cared for. His gaze softened as he looked at her, the plan forming in his mind.

  He gave her a sly smile, his eyes glinting with a mix of mischief and excitement.

  Esme shouted, her excitement clear as Arashi held her.

  As they stepped into the bathroom, Arashi's voice broke the moment, a quiet question slipping from his lips.

  Esme paused, but her playful grin returned almost instantly she teased before quickly shifting the conversation.

  Arashi smirked, his focus already shifting.

  After their quick bath, Arashi and Esme headed to the nearby diner to fuel up for the day ahead. The scent of sizzling bacon and fresh coffee filled the air as they slid into a booth, ready to stock up on energy for the race. Arashi ordered a black coffee and a hearty breakfast, while Esme couldn’t resist the pancakes and eggs.

  Arashi asked, his voice steady but his thoughts still clouded.

  Esme smiled, her mood lightening. she replied, her eyes bright with excitement.

  Once they’d eaten and grabbed some food supplies—energy drinks, snacks, and water—they made their way back to the car. Arashi’s matte black 1995 Honda Civic SiR-II EG6

  He slid into the driver's seat, and Esme followed suit, her anticipation evident. The engine roared to life as Arashi turned the key, the familiar hum of the EG6 filling the air. Without another word, he pulled out of the diner and onto the winding road that led to Spearfish Canyon in the Black Hills.

  The drive was quiet at first, the road stretching out before them, smooth and open. As the miles passed, though, a heaviness settled over Arashi. He couldn’t shake the feeling of what had happened the night before.

  Arashi said quietly, his voice low as he focused on the road. There was sorrow in his words, pain that he couldn’t hide, despite his attempt to keep it buried.

  Esme glanced over at him, noticing the subtle shift in his mood. she said carefully, her voice gentle but curious.

  Arashi’s grip tightened on the steering wheel, his chest tight with the weight of his memories. For a moment, he didn’t answer, lost in the ache that was still raw inside him. He let out a small, strained laugh, trying to mask the sorrow that had overtaken him.

  Arashi said quickly, his tone light and almost forced.

  He smiled at her, though the effort was weak. The pain in his chest lingered, but he pushed it down, focusing once again on the winding road ahead. They were nearing the Black Hills now—the canyon, the race—everything else fading for a moment as he tried to lose himself in the thrill ahead.

  Esme murmured, not entirely sure why she chose that endearment. But ever since meeting him, something inside her had shifted. It felt like her life had changed in an instant. Suddenly, she had a friend, an older brother, a teacher when it came to engines—and maybe, just maybe, a boyfriend. Deep down, her Japanese soul longed for romance, even if it wasn’t clear where this all was headed.

  she asked, her voice light but full of curiosity.

  Arashi smirked, glancing at her. he teased, trying to play it off.

  Esme pouted slightly, but her playful grin returned.

  Arashi felt a slight heat rise to his cheeks, and he chuckled softly, shaking his head. he muttered with a grin, his heart warming despite the underlying pain still there.

  Just before they arrived at Spearfish Canyon, Arashi pulled over at a gas station. Esme looked at him with a small grin, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

  she asked, her tone teasing.

  Arashi replied with a smirk.

  Esme quickly ran to the restroom, and after a few moments, she returned, her cheeks flushed with anticipation. They continued their drive, and soon enough, they arrived at the entry of Spearfish Canyon.

  Esme gasped, her eyes wandering far down the open road that stretched before them.

  Arashi slowed the car and pulled over to the side, parking with the canyon’s towering cliffs framing them on either side. He turned to Esme, his tone serious but calm.

  he instructed, his voice steady.

  Esme said, her tone shifting to focus as she pulled out her phone.

  Arashi let out a soft laugh, but his eyes grew distant, a faint sadness behind them. His voice trailed off for a moment as he opened the windows on both sides of the car, the cold canyon breeze rushing in. He lit up his black bug cigarette and exhaled slowly, his thoughts lingering in the past.

  Esme listened carefully, her eyes softening as she heard the weight of his words.

  Arashi said, his tone growing darker as the memory resurfaced.

  Esme asked, her voice full of excitement.

  Arashi chuckled softly, a hint of pride in his voice.

  Esme’s eyes widened in awe.

  Arashi nodded, a confident yet determined glint in his eyes.

  He flicked the cigarette away after taking one last drag, watching the ember fade into the cold air. He drove slowly a bit further down the road before stopping. But as he did, his usually calm, smiley expression darkened, shifting into one of deep seriousness. Esme gasped, her heart skipping a beat. Something in his sudden change made her breath catch in her throat, and a strange flutter deep inside her stirred. Her thighs tightened instinctively, a tingling sensation spreading between them as she felt an unfamiliar warmth creeping up. She hadn’t expected it—his usual charm replaced by such intensity—and it stirred something inside her. She didn’t realize it yet, but in just a few seconds, that serious expression on Arashi’s face would morph into an unrelenting power of EG6’s engine, and that filthy mind of her will soon be erased by the horror of speed.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  Arashi’s voice was calm but firm, bringing her out of her thoughts. Esme quickly grabbed her phone and opened the stopwatch app, her fingers trembling slightly, both from anticipation and the unexplainable effect his serious look had on her.

  Arashi commanded, his voice sharp and commanding.

  As Esme hit the start button, Arashi slammed his foot down on the throttle. The surge of power shot through the car, sending her body back into the seat as the g-force hit her hard. Esme screamed, her voice trembling from the sudden acceleration.

  Esme’s heart, still pounding from the rush of speed, began to calm as they neared the first sharp turn. she thought, a sense of ease washing over her. The corner was coming up fast, theoretically any driver will always slow down for these kind of turn. Her grip on the seat loosened just a bit, her breath slowing. The turn was close now, and she could feel her body relax, reassured by the rhythm of the drive.

  But then—she felt strange. The car wasn’t slowing down. Instead, it was quickening its pace! Her stomach dropped as the engine roared even louder. The sudden rush of acceleration slammed her back into the seat.

  Her voice broke as panic surged through her. The world spun as the car sped into the turn, dangerously fast.

  Her heart slammed back into her chest, racing even harder than before, and her hands gripped the seat, desperately trying to steady herself. She was sure they were about to lose control.

  Every inch of her body was on high alert as the car tore through the corner. The forces tugged at her, pressing her against the seat with brutal intensity. She couldn’t understand how he was handling the car like this—it felt like madness—and she was sure they were heading straight for disaster.

  The car slammed into the turn with terrifying speed, and for a moment, it felt like time itself had slowed. Esme’s heart was in her throat, her breath caught, as the sharp curve of the road loomed closer, its danger undeniable.

  Then, without warning, Arashi steered sharply to the right, away from the corner, causing the car’s weight to shift abruptly. In the same instant, his right foot feathered the brake pedal, amplifying the weight transfer as his left hand tugged the E-brake briefly. The car swung violently to the left, the tail snapping out as the tires screamed for grip.

  With perfect timing, Arashi steered hard to the left, countering the pendulum motion with practiced precision. The rear slid wide, gliding through the turn in a seamless arc, the front tires obediently pulling the car into the apex. The corner’s challenge was obliterated, its sharp edges carved effortlessly by the smooth rhythm of the flick.

  When the tires finally regained traction, the car shot forward with renewed vigor. The canyon walls blurred past as Esme clung to her seat, her eyes wide due to both awe and fear. Arashi’s grin deepened, his focus unbroken, as if this intricate dance of momentum and control was second nature to him.

  Esme’s heart was still pounding, and her breaths came in shallow gasps as the car tore through the canyon at a pace that felt unnatural. Each second dragged on, the world outside a blur of rock and trees, but inside the car, time felt suspended—unreal. The EG6's tires gripped the road with a desperate determination, and her mind couldn’t catch up with the speed.

  Her body was shaking, a tight knot of panic in her stomach. Her hands clenched the seat, her knuckles white. Despite knowing Arashi had complete control, the raw speed rattled her nerves. Every second felt like an eternity, every turn threatening to throw her off balance, yet Arashi didn’t hesitate.

  She glanced at him for a moment, his focus unwavering, lips set in that serious line. And then, just as the intensity reached its peak, she heard it—his calm, steady voice cutting through her panic.

  The word was like a breath of fresh air. The car’s speed started to bleed off, the tires releasing their grip on the road, slowing their frenetic pace bit by bit. Esme’s body sank into the seat, the tension in her muscles slowly releasing. Her chest still heaved with the remnants of panic, but the car's gradual deceleration matched the beating of her heart.

  For a brief moment, the world seemed to reset, as if the madness of the past few moments never happened. Yet, the adrenaline still buzzed in her veins. The race was over for now, but the aftershocks of speed and emotion lingered in the air.

  Arashi’s eyes flicked over to her, his face still hardened from the drive. The engine’s hum was the only sound for a moment, but it felt like a lifetime before he asked, "Esme, what's my time?"

  She stared at the stopwatch, her hands trembling as the numbers stared back at her. She blinked rapidly, trying to clear the overwhelming fog of emotion still clouding her mind.

  And then it hit her.

  The weight of the race, of the fear, of everything that had just happened in the span of those frantic moments, all crashed down on her at once. She couldn't hold it in anymore. Her chest tightened, and before she could stop it, the tears broke free. She cried, hard and uncontrollably, as the raw emotion spilled out.

  She wasn’t sure if it was the speed, the overwhelming adrenaline, or something deeper that she hadn’t even understood yet. The tears just came, thick and fast, as she let herself unravel in the aftermath of what she had just experienced.

  Arashi looked over, his face softening at the sight of her, his racing persona slipping away for a brief moment. But he didn’t know how to respond, didn’t know how to console her, or if she even needed it.

  He simply kept his eyes on the road ahead, letting the silence between them speak for what neither of them could find the words for.

  Esme, still trembling from the rush, suddenly shifted, moving onto Arashi’s lap, her body shaking as the last of her tears streamed down her face. Without thinking, her fists softly but firmly punched his chest in a steady rhythm.

  Her words were harsh, but her voice cracked with emotion. She buried her face against his chest, still crying, the overwhelming wave of panic and relief crashing over her.

  Arashi remained still at first, letting her vent. He could feel the impact of her punches, but they were gentle, almost affectionate in their way. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer, his voice soft and regretful.

  Esme nodded slowly, her sobs slowing, though they still came in ragged breaths. Her hands relaxed, resting limply against his chest. She sank her face into the crook of his neck, the warmth of his embrace offering some comfort.

  Arashi gently stroked her back, his voice low and sincere.

  She nodded weakly, still clinging to him, her tears starting to subside, though the weight of the experience hadn't fully lifted.

  Arashi chuckled softly, his breath warm against her hair.

  His light laughter carried with it a hint of relief. Esme, between her sobs, managed a small chuckle, the sound bittersweet.

  Arashi’s voice softened again as he pulled away slightly.

  She nodded slowly, wiping her face with the back of her hand as she climbed out of the car. As her feet hit the ground, she turned, her gaze instantly catching something that stole her breath away. A massive, breathtaking waterfall lay ahead, its water tumbling down with an effortless grace.

  Esme gasped in awe, her eyes wide with wonder as she took in the beauty of the sight before her. Her heart, still racing from the car ride, began to slow, but this time, it was a much different kind of excitement. It was the thrill of discovery, the quiet serenity of nature, and the peace that she hadn’t realized she needed.

  Arashi stood behind her, watching her reaction, a faint smile tugging at his lips. For once, the world felt calm, and the weight of the race, of everything they had just gone through, seemed to lift, if only for a moment.

  Arashi chuckled, his voice light and teasing as he observed Esme’s wide-eyed wonder. She stood there, mesmerized by the cascading waterfall, lost in the serene beauty before them. Arashi couldn’t help but smile at her unfiltered reaction—it was rare to see her so disarmed.

  He turned to open the trunk, carefully lifting the cover to ensure the contents inside stayed undisturbed despite the race. His hands moved automatically as he retrieved the food. As the smell of fried rice hit him, his mind briefly snapped back to reality. The food... He hadn't really paid attention to what Esme had picked at the convenience store earlier. His mind had been elsewhere—on the race, on the adrenaline.

  he muttered to himself, a hint of curiosity in his tone as he unpacked the meal. His thoughts started drifting again, his mind tugged away from the present moment as he thought about something—or rather, someone—else.

  His chest tightened at the thought His mind was scrambled for a few minutes as he absentmindedly mixed the fried rice with the chopsticks, unaware that the pause in his actions was the signal for Esme to finally turn her attention back to him.

  Arashi’s voice broke through her thoughts.

  Esme blinked, still feeling the lingering sense of awe from the waterfall. She shook her head to refocus and then replied,

  Arashi smiled, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. He tried to hide the sudden pang of sadness that crept up on him. It was just a fleeting moment, but his thoughts of Lana, coupled with the intensity of the day, left him feeling a little hollow.

  Esme, still excited from the waterfall, didn’t pick up on the subtle shift in his mood. She continued to marvel at the natural beauty around them. Meanwhile, Arashi took a slow breath, trying to focus on the present, on the food, and on the moment with Esme. But somewhere beneath the surface, his thoughts lingered on Lana, and the distance between them felt a little more pronounced with every passing minute.

  Arashi said, his voice carrying a teasing warmth as he gestured toward the open container of fried rice in her hand.

  Esme mumbled, finally breaking her gaze from the cascading water.

  She glanced back at the waterfall, but her face began to heat up unexpectedly. A blush crept across her cheeks, and suddenly, her words tumbled out in a flustered mess.

  Her hands fumbled awkwardly with the bento box she had been holding the whole time. Her face turned beet red, and her embarrassment was painfully evident. She looked like she wanted the ground to swallow her up.

  Arashi couldn’t help but chuckle softly at her clumsy attempt to cover her nerves. The sound of his laughter made her fluster even more, but he didn’t tease her further. Instead, he took another bite of his food, his mind drifting for a moment.

  As the taste of the now-cool fried rice settled on his tongue, the weight of his previous words hit him. Cold fried rice... once more. A pang of sadness struck him, and for a fleeting second, his eyes stung with the threat of tears. But he pushed it back down, keeping his emotions sealed behind a calm facade.

  Esme, oblivious to his inner turmoil, glanced up at him, still awkwardly clutching her bento. She sank back into her seat, determined not to make eye contact, still red from her earlier outburst.

  Arashi gave her a small smile. he said, his tone light and playful, masking the heaviness that lingered in his heart. He took another bite, letting the moment pass quietly, the sound of the waterfall filling the silence between them.

  As they finished their meal, Esme fidgeted with her bento box, trying to muster the courage for what she was about to say. Finally, with her cheeks already tinged red, she looked up at Arashi, her voice barely above a whisper.

  She paused, glancing away nervously.

  Her words hung in the air, and her face flushed even deeper, the redness spreading like wildfire. She twirled a strand of her hair in her fingers, completely giving away her shyness. Truly, she was a hopeless romantic, and her request carried a sweet, innocent vulnerability.

  Arashi raised an eyebrow, a soft smirk curling his lips. he teased, but his tone was warm.

  she stammered, hugging her phone tightly to her chest.

  Arashi chuckled softly and set his bento box aside

  Esme beamed despite her embarrassment and shifted slightly to make room. As Arashi sat down beside her, the closeness made her heart race, but she held out her phone and tried to focus. Her hand trembled as she adjusted the angle.

  she asked, stealing a glance at him.

  He leaned in just slightly, his usual calm demeanor unshaken.

  Just before she clicked the shutter button, Esme rested her head gently on Arashi’s chest, her breath catching as she did. The camera captured the moment, the picture looking just like lovers on a trip—a mix of serenity and intimacy frozen in time.

  Esme peeked at the photo, her face lighting up with a shy smile. she murmured.

  Arashi stretched his arms and stood up, brushing off the faint traces of dust from his jeans. He glanced at the sky, noting the sun beginning its descent toward the horizon.

  he said, his voice steady but kind.

  Esme, still seated, looked up at him with a wistful expression, her fingers lingering on her phone as if reluctant to let the moment go.

  Arashi smiled faintly and added,

  Her eyes sparkled at the thought, and she quickly scrambled to her feet. she asked, her excitement bubbling through.

  Arashi replied with a chuckle.

  Esme nodded enthusiastically, clutching her phone tightly as she followed him to the car. The picturesque moment was over, but the promise of more adventures ahead made her heart flutter with anticipation.

  As they drove back, with Esme enjoying the view, Arashi's mind was far from the calm landscape unfolding outside. His thoughts kept drifting back to the cold fried rice, the dull memory of it almost forgotten until now. As the hours passed, a name filled his mind, uninvited, yet persistent.

  He hadn’t realized how completely he had pushed her from his thoughts until now. While racing, the world had been nothing but the thrill—the screech of the tires, the roar of the engine—but now, in the stillness of the drive back, her name consumed him.

  The sharp, vivid image of her came rushing back, her smile, her eyes, the way she made him feel.

  The fried rice. The mess. The broken moments. His mind didn’t let him escape her now. Not even the calm, steady rhythm of the road could quiet the storm of thoughts she stirred up. The race, the thrill, it was all gone now. All that remained was her name.

  And that name is… Lana.

  TO BE CONTINUED.