Chapter 15

Chapter 15

B y the time we finally pull up outside a sleek, modern apartment building a few blocks from the club, I’m questioning my sanity. I should be at home, in my nice warm pajamas, sipping on hot chocolate, and reading a book.

But I chose to let Daichi take care of me instead? What was I thinking? When my legs wobble as I step from the van, I change my mind. This was the right decision. I need help. I wouldn’t have even made it into my apartment building, much less up the five flights of stairs if the power was out.

Daichi has to almost carry me inside, one steadying hand at the small of my back as he guides me through the lobby and up the stairs one floor. The power is out here, and only the emergency lights are on in the stairwell.

Itsuko trots along at our heels, looking unbothered by the raging tempest outside. She pauses in the hall outside his apartment to give herself a full-body shake, sending droplets of water flying everywhere.

“Itsuko,” Daichi scolds with no real heat, shooting her a fond but exasperated look. “Was that really necessary?”

The little fox blinks up at him, dark eyes glinting. I let out a tiny huff of surprised laughter, despite my miserable state.

Daichi’s gaze softens as it lands on me again. “We’re here. You’ll be out of those wet clothes and warming up in no time. I promise.”

He scans his hand at the door and it clicks open. “Battery backup is at ninety-eight percent,” he says, glancing at the panel. “The power must have just gone out.” He ushers me inside, one hand cupped around my elbow as Itsuko scampers on ahead. I stand in the foyer and drip on the ceramic tiles, so I don’t damage his wood floors.

“Okay, here we are,” Daichi murmurs. “Just need to get the candles, battery lights, and heat going, then we’ll get you sorted out.”

Past the entryway is a spacious, open-concept living area with gigantic windows overlooking the surrounding city blocks. Despite the upscale vibe of the place, I’m struck by all the little personal touches scattered throughout — clusters of framed photographs, well-loved books lining the shelves, a basket of Itsuko’s toys tucked beneath the coffee table.

I was expecting an unkempt bachelor pad. But it’s warm. Lived-in. A proper home, not just some cold showpiece.

Itsuko makes a beeline for her plush bed nestled in the corner, circling twice before curling up in a contented ball of fluff.

Daichi turns his attention to me with a wry smile. “Well, I’d offer you the grand tour, but there’s not much to see without light.” He lights a few candles scattered around the room. The flickering glow casts everything in a warm, intimate ambiance that has me suppressing a full-body shiver.

“Here, let’s get you out of those wet things first,” Daichi continues, voice dropping to a low murmur as he steps closer. His hands find the sodden hem of my sweater, fingertips just grazing the bare skin of my waist. “You’ll warm up faster once you’re out of these cold, damp clothes.”

I nod and stay rooted to the spot as he peels the heavy, waterlogged fabric up and over my head with care. My breath catches in my throat as my rain-chilled skin is exposed to the heated air between us.

The sweater clears my head, and Daichi’s hands settle at my waist again, scorching hot points of contact that have me swaying toward him like a flower seeking the sun’s warmth.

“There’s a shower through there.” He tips his head toward what I can only assume is the bathroom door past the living room. “There should still be hot water. You can warm up while I find some dry clothes for you to change into.”

I know I should pull away, put some distance between us before I do something reckless. Again.

But I’m cold, and tired, and just done. So done.

And Daichi is right here, solid and reassuring.

So instead of retreating, I lean in until I can rest my forehead against the solid plane of his chest. Daichi doesn’t hesitate before winding his arms around me, pulling me flush against him as I let out a ragged sigh and… surrender.

Maybe this is okay. Maybe I can allow myself this one fleeting moment.

I count in my head.

You get five seconds, Winta.

One… two… three… four…

I lift my head on the count of five. “Thanks.” I nod and turn from him, shivering again once I’m no longer in his arms.

In the bathroom, I close the door on his concerned face and lock it. It’s cold and dark in the bathroom, only a little light from outside filtering in through the window. Rain lashes the glass, and a burst of lightning illuminates the space.

I peel off the rest of my sodden clothes and leave them in a pile on the tile. Daichi was right. There’s still hot water, and I stand in the shower for at least ten minutes, letting the heat bring me back to life.

I should go home. I shouldn’t be here. I told myself to give up on relationships ages ago. That the only ‘happily ever afters’ are in the books I read. I doubt that’s going to change anytime soon, and being here with Daichi doesn’t make my decision any easier.

When I turn off the water and grab a fresh towel from the shelves to the right of the sink, Daichi taps on the door.

“There are clothes here. I’m going to set them on the floor outside the door.”

I close my eyes and blow out a steadying breath.

Be strong, Winta. Accept his hospitality. Sleep on the couch. Go home as soon as the storm ends.

Out in the kitchen, Daichi is puttering around with a small camp stove set up on the counter. He’s removed his wet clothes and is wearing a sweater and pajama pants. The aroma of freshly brewed tea hangs in the air.

“There you are,” he greets me with a warm smile, already reaching for the mug he’s prepared. “I figured you could use something hot to help take the chill off.”

“You didn’t have to go to the trouble.” I’m suddenly self-conscious in the oversized t-shirt and flannel pants he’s loaned me. They swamp my smaller frame, the soft fabric hanging loose in a way that’s almost too intimate for how weird things feel between us right now.

He shakes his head and presses the steaming mug into my hands. “It’s no trouble at all.” He guides me over to the living room area with one big palm at the small of my back. “You should be comfortable. After everything you’ve been through…”

His words trail off. I drop my gaze to the swirling depths of my tea.

Don’t think about the club, Winta.

We settle onto the plush couch, close enough that the reassuring line of Daichi’s body heat presses against my side. For a few long moments, we sip in silence, letting the crackle of the candles and the rumbling of the storm outside fill the stillness between us.

It should feel awkward and tense, especially after our heated encounter and all the emotional ups and downs that followed. But, it doesn’t. This feels normal. Comforting. Like it’s the most natural thing in the world to be tucked up on his couch, sharing his space.

The thought is at once thrilling and terrifying. I have to break the weighted quiet before my thoughts spiral any further.

“Thank you. Really, Daichi, I can’t thank you enough for your help tonight. I honestly don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t been there to…”

I trail off, swallowing hard against the lump of emotion clogging my throat. Flashes of the wreckage, the raging storm — it’s too much.

I have to look away again.

“Hey.” Daichi’s low rumble draws my gaze back up to find him watching me with those warm, deep eyes. “You don’t have to thank me. I was just doing what any decent person would have in the same situation.”

I shake my head. “No, you went above and beyond. Thank you.”

His gaze softens as he sets his mug aside and shifts to face me.

“Why did you push me away?” he asks, point-blank. “And said that I’m ‘one-night stand’ material.” He raises an eyebrow. I sigh and close my eyes for a moment.

I should have gone home.

Be honest, Winta.

“Because there are only two types of guys who are attracted to me.” I raise my right hand. “The guys who want something quick and easy. They see a pretty face and the fact that I’m always kind, and think, ‘I’ll hit that.’”

He’s doing an impressive job of not reacting.

I raise my other hand. “Or they think, ‘I’m going to marry that one so she’ll have my kids and support me.’” I shrug. “I found out the hard way that there’s no such thing as romance for Winta. That’s not something I get.”

I’m so far removed from these emotions now that I don’t even cry. It’s been such a part of my life for the last few years that the words said aloud don’t faze me.

“Everyone talks about me.” I sigh. “Trust me. I know it. I’ve dated over a dozen guys now, hoping for love and getting nothing but rejection after I gave so much of myself,” I continue, unable to stop now that I’ve opened the floodgates. “And I just can’t go there again. I celebrate everyone else’s romances and go home alone. That’s just the way it is.” I laugh and it’s a bit watery and bitter. “I read all these romance books growing up, filling my head with unrealistic ideas of how love is supposed to be…” I shake my head. “It’s for the best if we both accept that I’m never going to be someone’s happily ever after.”

The words hang in the weighted air between us, raw and vulnerable in a way I never intended to expose myself. I can’t meet his eyes, too ashamed of what I’ll find reflected there — pity, rejection, or worst of all… understanding. Because having him see the broken, unlovable parts of me I’ve tried so hard to bury might end me.

I sip my tea, sigh, and gather enough courage to look. There’s no pity there, no judgment or revulsion. Only the same steady warmth and kindness that has been breaking down my walls since we first met.

“You listen to me,” he says, his hand on my knee. “You are anything but damaged goods or unlovable. The fact that you’ve had your heart broken by selfish assholes in the past says nothing about your worth as a person.”

Something in his vehement tone hits me hard, reminding me of the starry-eyed kid I once was. Ean would bring me to the Book Club, and I would read every romance book I could get my hands on, believing I would find my true love someday.

Where did that kid go?

“Those jerks were the ones too blind and shallow to recognize the incredible woman you are,” Daichi continues. “Someone with more kindness, compassion, and inner strength than most people could ever hope to possess. And if they couldn’t appreciate the privilege of having you in their lives, then they never deserved you in the first place.”

Warmth blooms in my chest. Daichi’s eyes burn into mine with conviction, his free hand coming up to cradle my face.

“But I see you, Winta,” he whispers, leaning in until our foreheads are nearly brushing. “I see the brilliant, passionate heart you try so hard to guard.”

I shrug. “I’ve heard this before, and I’ve learned the hard way not to trust men who say this to me.”

Daichi lifts his chin. “I’m different.”

Well, he’s confident. I’ll give him that.

“And I’ll spend every day proving to you that you’re worthy of being cherished and adored, if you’ll let me…”

I shudder, feeling the promise behind his words.

He’s serious. Like, dead serious.

Still, I’m not sure if I should let him or if I even deserve to give love another chance. I’ve already blown my chance several times.

But maybe Daichi Kaga isn’t just another heartbreak waiting to happen. Maybe he’s the person I’ve been I’ve been waiting for, hoping for.

“I don’t know how to say ‘yes’ anymore.”

He smiles and drops his hand. “Then just don’t say ‘no.’”

I laugh. “That might be easier.” I stifle a yawn and stretch. “I’m not going to have sex with you. Not for a long time.”

He laughs. “Maybe I don’t want to have sex with you.”

I roll my eyes. “Liar. Your body said different earlier.”

His lips curl into a slow smile. “So did yours.”

Yeah.

“Yeah, that’s true. Sorry.”

“It’s nothing to be sorry about.” He finishes his tea. “It’s fine. I’m in no rush.”

I yawn again. “I’m tired, and I think my body will be a wreck tomorrow.”

Daichi takes my mug and his. “Let’s get some sleep right here.” He leaves our mugs on the kitchen counter, grabs a blanket, and we lie down on the couch together. I press my forehead into his side, breathe in and out.

“Go to sleep,” he says with a yawn and rests his hand on my back.

Just don’t say no, Winta.