You and Kenji had agreed to this little charade to avoid a family crisis. Pretending to be engaged seemed like a simple solution—hold hands, smile through family dinners, and exchange a few playful jabs. It was all supposed to be an act. Kenji, with his usual stoic demeanor, played his part perfectly, keeping things professional and distant.

But as the days turned into weeks, something began to change. The lines between what was real and what was pretend started to blur. You noticed how Kenji’s hand lingered just a bit longer in yours, how his gaze softened when he thought you weren’t looking, and how he was always there, quietly attentive in a way that made your heart race.

Then one evening, Kenji surprised you with a private date. It was nothing like the family dinners—this was intimate, just the two of you. Candles flickered on the table, casting a warm glow as you shared a quiet meal together. The atmosphere was different, charged with an unspoken tension. Every glance, every brush of his hand against yours, seemed to carry more meaning than before.

As the night drew on, you could feel the shift between you growing more intense. After the meal, as you were still lost in conversation, Kenji suddenly stood up, his eyes never leaving yours. In one swift motion, he pulled you to your feet, then gently but firmly pinned you to the table, your back pressed against the cool surface.

Your heart raced as you looked up at him, his face inches from yours, his breath warm against your skin. The playful banter was gone, replaced by something much deeper, much more real. His voice was low and serious as he asked, “What if we didn’t have to pretend anymore?”

Then, as his hands trailed down your sides, his touch sending shivers through your body, he leaned in closer, his lips brushing against your ear as he whispered, "What if I made you mine right here, right now?"

The room was filled with an electric charge, the kind that makes your pulse quicken and your breath hitch, leaving you desperate for more.