Chapter 17

Back in her apartment, Tomoko gathers the few items she has and throws them in a suitcase. She was stupid to think she could actually come back to the United States and make something of herself. Maybe her father was right when he told her she was wasting her life away. Maybe her true calling was to sleep with men like Shane by prostituting herself out for the rest of her life. Hell, it paid well. Sure, she had to pretty much give up any chance of happiness, but there would be no one to judge her.

As she continued to pack, she heard a knock at the door.

"OH shit." She said to herself.

She was in no mood for visitors, but the person on the other side of the door was adamant.

"Damn it, I'm coming." She called out, cursing to herself as she threw the last piece of clothing in her bag and marched downstairs to the front door.

When she opened the door, she was shocked to discover that John was standing there in front of her. A concerned look on his face.

"Can I come in?" He asked.

"Actually John, I'm kind of busy right now. I prefer if you didn't." Tomoko said, trying to stay strong.

Knowing full well that John now knew of her so called career in Japan, the guilt Tomoko felt was unbearable. She couldn't face John right now, and preferred to just runaway from it all; all the way back to Japan. As Tomoko started to close the door, John stopped it with his arm.

"I'm not leaving Tomoko, we need to talk."

Tomoko pushed on the door harder. "No John, please leave or I'll call the cops."

John still wasn't budging. He pushed even harder forcing Tomoko backwards. When he finally got into the doorway, he wrapped his arms tightly around her.

"Please let me in, don't run Tomoko." He begged, holding on to her as if his life depended on it.

Tomoko finally gave in. She practically broke down right there in John's arms. She was so ashamed and no longer had the energy to move. In a sense, she was almost glad John knew the truth. No more secrets.

John stroked Tomoko's hair to try and calm her down.

"He raped you didn't he?" He asked.

Tomoko knew full well whom he was referring to. She nodded her head.

"That's what I thought, of course the son of a bitch would never admit it." The words spilled from John's mouth with pure venom. He would never forget what Shane did to Tomoko and swore to himself that if they were to cross paths again, he would leave him for dead. Somehow though, he knew Shane would not let that happen, making sure to stay away from John for as long as he could.

"You don't have to lie to me anymore Tomoko. I don't give a shit if what Shane says about you is true or not. I don't know that girl from Japan. I know the girl right here in my arms, and I love her."

Tomoko couldn't believe what she just heard. She looked up at John, tears streaming her face.

"John I'm sorry. I really just wanted to leave the past behind me. I thought I could trust Shane. I should have known better." She paused for a second then pushed herself away from John's grasp. "I feel so ashamed. I hate myself for the things I did in Japan, for getting myself in the situation I did with Shane, and most of all for lying to you, when all you did was treat me with more respect than anyone I've know in the past 10 years."

Tomoko buried her face in her hands and started to cry once again. John was quiet for a moment just watching her. Greedily he took her in with his eyes and couldn't get over how beautiful she was inside and out. Even though he knew she had been with hundreds of men, he knew it meant nothing to her. To him, she was still looking for her first true love, and he desperately wanted it to be him. He grabbed her hands and held them tightly by his sides.

"Tomoko, you have nothing to be ashamed of. Shane's a prick. You didn't deserve what he did to you, and you need to stop living in the past and just go forward. We all do things we regret. Hell, I've done about a million of them." Tomoko drops her head once again, but as soon as she does, John holds her chin and moves her face towards his. "I love you Tomoko."

Then, without a second wasted, John closes his eyes and slowly moves in for a kiss. His lips landing gently on Tomoko's lips, his arms wrapping tightly around her waste. No more crying, no more tears. Tomoko melts in John's arms. The pent up emotions she'd been holding in for weeks now taking over. When John let's his tongue travel along the inner part of her mouth, she follows in perfect synchronicity. When the two finally pull apart, both are out of breath. The sweet taste of John's tongue lingering in Tomoko's mouth. She couldn't help but to want more.

John smiles down at Tomoko with his arms still wrapped tightly around her. There was no way in hell John would leave her alone tonight. At that moment he envisioned spending a lifetime with this woman.

Before making another move, Tomoko places a finger on John's lips. "Okay, you can come in now", she says playfully, closing the door behind them. Just before John scoops her off her feet and carries her up the stairs.

The End?

A/N: This story could end here, or I can continue on with what happens after Tomoko and John finally hook up. Your feedback will dictate that.

Speaking of feedback, thank you so much to all of you have provided me with feedback. It is greatly appreciated and certainly helped in motivating me to finish the story knowing that someone out there is enjoying it. Thank you!