“Sort of.” He strolled around like he owned the place—well, he did—and dropped onto the arm of the couch. “I like performing. I wrote that song, actually. What do you think? I’ve narrowed it down to two choices, and I can’t make up my mind between this one and the one you heard earlier.” He scratched his chin, eyes fixed on the screen like he was critiquing himself.
“For what?” I asked, half suspicious, half incredulous.
“For Nokoribi, of course.” His gaze finally slid back to me, smile spreading wide. “Tomorrow the festivities begin, and since you’re my guest, I’ll be escorting you.” His eyes flicked toward the closet. “Did you see the selection I put together for you? I’m sure you’ll find many things you like.”
I blinked at him. Clothes, jewelry, concerts, kidnappings. Was this his idea of dating?
He clapped his hands once, sharp and final, as he stood. “I’ll be back tomorrow. Be ready at nine sharp. I despise tardiness. Oh, and don’t eat too much. Sleeping on a full stomach causes nightmares… there’ll be plenty of time for that later.”
I twisted under the blanket, caught in that foggy place between sleep and waking. I rolled over, kicking the blanket off to feel the cool air against my legs, when something felt off, and I cracked open my eyes.
It was Ginji.
He stood at my bedside, pale in the strip of moonlight, his features blurred, unreal. I blinked again, expecting him to vanish with the dream. He didn’t.
“Ginji?” my voice rasped. I was unsure if I was talking in my sleep.
He tilted his head, watching me too closely. No grin, no lazy charm. Just silence.
The chill along my spine told me I was awake.
My pulse spiked so hard I thought it might choke me.
“Can’t sleep?” he whispered. “Neither could I. Too much excitement for tomorrow.”
“Uh, Ginji… what are you doing here?”
“I came to check on you.”
He let his eyes wander down the length of me. “You looked so peaceful.”
My throat tightened. “Well… now I’m awake. You can go.”
He didn’t move. Instead, his hand gripped the edge of the blanket and peeled it back, slow and steady, uncovering me inch by inch until I was fully exposed.
I scrambled to cover myself, but he caught my wrist and pinned it. His weight pressed down, trapping me against the mattress. The thin T-shirt and panties I’d fallen asleep in did nothing to shield me.
His other hand pushed my shirt up, baring my breasts. I yanked the fabric back down, but his eyes lit up like I’d just teased him.
“You’re playing hard to get,” he murmured.
“Ginji, stop,” I whispered, forcing the words past my dry throat. “This isn’t right.”
He lowered his face close to mine, his breath sour with alcohol. “Come, don’t be a party pooper. You know you want it.”
I twisted under him, but he shoved his knee between my legs, grinding harder. Panic surged hot through my chest.
“Listen to me,” I hissed. “If you do this?—”
He laughed softly. “If? There’s no if.” His hand slid down my side, fingers curling under my hip. His thumb hooked over the band of my panties and dragged them down, his fingers already pressing between my legs.
I jerked my knee up into his groin, connecting enough to make him grunt. His grip loosened for a second, and I shoved hard against his chest. I slipped sideways and scrambled out from under him.
“Feisty,” he said, still with that infuriating playfulness. “You like that rough play.” He swiped at my ankle as I bolted across the room.
I slammed the bathroom door shut and threw the lock. My back hit the wood, chest heaving.
The knob rattled, then his fist crashed against the door.
