~Love in the Bakery~

Note: This story is rated "M" for adult content. Please keep that in mind, and be aware that by "adult content," I mean sexual themes. Thank you.

Disclaimer: I do not own digimon. Or sex. (lol...)

-o-

Takato lay on top of Rika, shuddering in exhaustion and the after effects of an amazing climax. He couldn't understand where she got her energy, or how she could orgasm so many times in a single hour and a half—or had it been longer?—but he was beginning to think he'd never manage to keep up. So when he forced himself up and rolled over to the side, it surprised him to find that she was asleep.

He stared at her profile, laying beside her and breathing heavily. She was so gorgeous, and the goofy grin on her face was enough to make him feel like the greatest guy in the world. It was so hard to believe that she was here…that they had just spent all that time making love. But here they were! Lying in his bed, in his bakery, with…

Suddenly his eyes snapped open before he could succumb to sleep, and he sat up with a groan. "The bread!" he whispered, afraid of waking her. As silently as he could, he dragged his heavy body out of bed and stood, looking around for something to wrap around himself while he was down in the kitchen. "I can't believe I didn't take the bread out of the oven! It must be so burnt right now…We're lucky this whole place hasn't caught on fire."

Finding his boxers, he pulled them on and stumbled down the stairs, fumbling into the kitchen and slipping on his mitts. He opened all the windows before he pulled the oven door open, and was glad he did when a gust of smoke billowed out of it and filled the kitchen. Coughing, he pulled the remnants of his bread out and set the pan on the stove-top, grimacing at the charred remains. He was going to have to start everything over again.

"I'm too exhausted," he moaned quietly, holding his face with his hands. He left the tray where it was and pulled a fan out of the closet, setting it up so that it would blow the smoke out the window. Then he left the room, closing the door behind him. "There's no way I'm getting up at 5am tomorrow," he mumbled, scribbling a written sign and sticking it on the shop door. "Opening Late" it read. Satisfied, he practically crawled up the stairs. He wanted nothing more than to slip into bed and fall asleep, but he couldn't get over the feeling that he was sticky and sweaty and there was dried cum encrusting his penis. Dead tired or not, he was going to take a shower.

As he reached his bedroom and slipped quietly inside, he saw Rika looking concerned in her sleep. It was rather cute the way she gripped the sheets restlessly, her eyebrows pinched together in a discontent expression. Unable to resist himself, Takato reached down and laid a soft kiss on her cheek. Her face loosened in subconscious relief, instantly. "I'll be back," he whispered as quietly as he could. "I'm just going to take a shower."

Sneaking to the bathroom, he closed the door and turned on the water, stripping from his boxers a little awkwardly. The stiffness in his body was starting to catch up to him, and he knew that it would be much worse in the morning. It seemed there was a downside to amazing sex. "Worth it," he chuckled, shaking his head. He stepped into the falling stream of hot water. A pair of arms wrapped around his waist from behind, and he nearly jumped out of his skin until he turned around to find Rika pressed against him. He grabbed her and let out a sigh of relief. "Rika you startled me!" he whispered. "I didn't hear you come in."

She nodded, pressing her face against his chest. When she made no other response, he just smiled and grabbed his soap, working up a lather with his hands.

"Do you want to get clean too?" he asked. She nodded, giving him a look like he was stupid. "Oh, so normal Rika returns after sex," Takato teased, enjoying her glare. "Want me to wash you?" he asked, lowering his voice and rubbing his soapy hands up and down her back. Somehow, the idea of scrubbing her clean in the shower was a massive turn on, and before she could even reply, he already made up his mind that he was going to do it.

He massaged her back and shoulders, moving his hands around so that he could scrub the front of her body too. She closed her eyes and sighed, tilting her head back as he rubbed and squeezed her breasts, moving down to her stomach and waist. She just let him control her, letting out small moans as he shoved her against the wall and forced her legs open, soaping up her thighs and ass. Then he focused on her pussy. Whether it was wet from the water or his vigorous cleaning, it didn't matter. He lathered up his hands with soap once more and massaged her lower lips, before sticking a finger inside her. He scrubbed the sides of her hole in every direction, trying to force his way upwards as high as he could go, but there was only so far his hand could go.

Rika's knees buckled, but he caught her and held her up as he continued to thrust and scrub inside her. Just when he figured she was about clean, she let out a shriek and grabbed him, cumming all over his hand. He sighed and pulled it out, rinsing it with an ironic smile. "Figured that might happen," he chuckled. "Try to resist doing that this time, or you're not going to get clean. You don't want an infection or anything, do you?"

She squirmed violently in his arms for a minute, before managing to calm down and even her breathing. He held her under the water and slowly rubbed her clean, before beginning to lather and scrub her insides again. This time she tried to hold off orgasming. He spent a little less time, and so saved her the torment, and managed to clean her until he was satisfied before he leaned her against the wall and finished scrubbing himself clean too.

The second he was rinsed, he turned off the water and grabbed a towel from the closet, throwing it around her. She clutched it around her shoulders and watched him with a hungry sort of look as he pulled out one for himself and wrapped it around his waist. "Now I'm going to bed," he said firmly.

Rika stepped out, yawning and stretching so that the towel revealed just a little of her breasts and crotch, before shivering and pulling it back around her. "I'm going to bed too," she hummed. Quickly she dried off, and rubbed her hair dry with the edge of her towel.

Smiling, Takato walked back into his bedroom and stared at his bed, ignoring the steadily growing ache in his muscles. He was not going to sleep in a bed that was sticky from sex. "I'm going to change the sheets," he murmured, yanking them off and throwing them into a wad on the floor.

"Why?" Rika blurted, scowling slightly. "I'm tired and that's a waste of time. Just sleep on it as is."

"I can't do that," Takato sighed. He was already pulling out a new pair of sheets and stretching them over his Western style mattress. He liked a traditional futon well enough, but the queen bed was comfortable, and he almost preferred it. When the bed was covered, and pulled the blankets back on and straightened them out. By the time he was done, he could hear Rika sighing impatiently. Grinning, he turned to peer at her. "You know there is a different room you can sleep in if you're impatient," he teased.

"I'll make you regret saying that," she snapped, dropping her towel and slipping into the bed. She yanked Takato's hand and dragged him onto her.

Groaning, he crawled over her and got inside, unwrapping his towel and depositing it beside hers on the floor. "I was joking," he insisted. "Let's just go to sleep, okay?"

In answer, she slipped her cool arms around his bare chest and snuggled up to him, pressing her body against his as close as it could get. It was warm and comfortable, and something about having her in his bed felt so good. "I came back for you," she whispered drowsily in his ear. "And nothing is going to send me away now."

"I wouldn't have it any other way," he replied. Closing his eyes, he let sleep claim him, not caring what tomorrow would bring.

-o-

If he had known what tomorrow would bring, he would have cared a great deal. But he didn't know, and he woke up around 9:00 am feeling stiff and sore, but ultimately happy. He felt so…alive! It was the greatest feeling he'd ever had. As he opened his eyes, it gave him great joy to see gorgeous Rika still lying naked in his arms. He smiled at her sleeping face, hesitant to leave her, before slipping out from under her and tip-toeing to his dresser.

Silently he slipped into some clothes, before heading down that stairs and entering his kitchen to begin his work for the day. He did fix a tray of breakfast—freshly baked toast with butter and an egg, and sliced tomatoes—and sneak it upstairs to set on the table by his bed, but Rika was still fast asleep. Figuring she'd find it when she woke up, he shrugged, kissed her head, and headed back downstairs.

It took him almost two hours before he had enough fresh bread to justify opening the store, and resigned himself to continue baking even as customers came and went. His usuals were still there, conversing to him rather than with him, on how his opening late had messed up their entire schedule for the day. He just smiled and apologized, and offered them free samples. Worked like a charm.

Somewhere in the early afternoon, as he was artistically refilling his tray of tarts in the glass display, three men walked into his shop, determinedly dark expressions on their faces. Two of them wore expensive suits of a dark gray color, while the third walked in front of them, wearing an outfit that was probably the high-end of fashion. He looked wealthy, stuck up, and severe. "Welcome," Takato said, bowing respectfully and holding out his small tray of samples. "Would you like to try a sample today? It's my very own secret recipe of melon-pan."

The posh man in the middle sniffed, as though offended. "I'm here on serious business," he said, his lips curling around his teeth almost like a sneer as he spoke.

Raising his eyebrows a bit, Takato wiped his hands on his apron and leaned forward over the counter. "Really? Well how can I help you, then?"

Studying him suspiciously, the stranger walked forward, and then whipped out a picture from his trendy coat pocket. "I'm looking for this woman," he said, and held it out for Takato to see.

Very carefully, Takato looked at the picture, keeping his face calm, casual, and friendly. He had a feeling of warning in his guts that told him to be careful, a feeling he could not ignore as he stared down at the picture of the girl he'd just spent the night with. Rika. "She's very pretty," he said. "Who is she? Why are you looking for her?"

The man's eyes narrowed further. "Don't you know her, Matsuki Takato-san?" he snarled. Behind him, the two men in suits stepped a little closer, as though blocking the exits. Their eyes were hard as they stared Takato down like he was some kind of criminal.

The hair's standing on-end on his neck, Takato took one unconscious step backwards. "Do I know you?" he asked, his tone firm and demanding. He knew how to speak with authority, and he used that skill now.

Across the counter, the stranger seemed to grow angry. "Not personally," he scowled. "But we know of you. You see, Makino-san belongs to me, and as such, I know everything about her. Who her family and friends are, what her hobbies and dislikes are, and even who she loves." His eyes flashed at the last part.

Takato could not keep himself from bristling at the man's words, and a low growl emitted from his throat—something that he'd picked up from biomerging with Guilmon, probably. "What do you mean she belongs to you?" he demanded.

The man's face turned into a cruel smirk. "So you do know her? I thought so. Where is she? Is she here?"

"Get out." Takato spoke forcefully, his eyes blazing with anger and power so strong, the three men actually took a step back in surprise. Lifting his hand and pointing at the door they had initially walked through, he repeated himself once more. "Get. OUT."

They backed up, heading for the door as though they could not stop themselves from obeying, but the stranger's face was pure rage. "I'll be back," he hissed. "Rika belongs to me, she owes me, and I have the contract to prove it! When I come back, I'll be bringing the law with me! So beware, Matsuki, I'll be back!"

If Takato could have seen the look in his own eyes, it would have terrified even himself. Eyes burning with such fury and authority, he just pointed once more, and they practically fled. It took him a great many minutes before he could calm down enough to see that there were other customers still in his bakery, staring at him with frozen expressions of terror on their face. He let out a sigh, covering his face with his hands apologetically. "Forgive me," he said to them, and when he showed his face again, he wore his normal friendly and pleasant expression. "I did not mean to scare you. Please, have a roll on the house."

Needless to say, business did not go so great after that, and he closed the shop before 4:00 pm. When his last regular was out the door, he locked and bolted it shut, then as a precaution, pulled a heavy wooden table over to block it just in case. After that he hurried to check every window and door on the ground floor, before finally feeling safe enough to rush upstairs to check those windows too.

He went to his room last, afraid of telling Rika what had happened, but he knew that he had to tell her. She would be distressed about it for sure, but how could he hide it from her? She would want to know. Sighing, he opened the door and slipped inside.

It was empty.

The sinking feeling of dread that grabbed hold of his gut was so intense that he could not move for a minute, until panic taking over, he dashed about the house checking every nook and cranny for her. There was no sign of her having even been there—no messed up bed, no suitcase, no tray of food on the table. It was like she was never there. Only when he was absolutely certain that she was gone did he collapse onto the floor, shaking.

"Rika," he whispered, heart beating so harshly in his chest, it felt like it was beating him into a pulp from the inside. Did they already take her? He thought helplessly.

Someone pounded on the front door harshly, repeatedly, snapping him out of his shocked state. Like someone sleepwalking, he stood and went to the door, yanking the table away from it, unlocking it, and pulling it open. The man and his entourage were standing there, this time with police backup. Takato just stared at them, his face blank.

"We've got a warrant to search your house," he snarled, pushing past Takato and entering with more authority than he really had. As the others followed after him and began to comb the place from top to bottom, the man just stood with his arms crossed, observing.

Takato glared, angrily, refusing to acknowledge them until finally, the police finished and appeared back before the stranger.

"The house is empty, Yaziko-san," one of the said, bowing. "There is no sign of a woman staying here, in any of the rooms. It is clear that he lives alone, and has been for some time."

Yaziko, the man who had claimed to own Rika, dropped his arms in anger and surprise. "She must be here!" he declared, eyes darting over to Takato accusingly. "He's hidden her!"

"When have I had time to hide her?" he demanded. Part of him was relieved that she was not there for them to find, but the rest of him was just angry. "I run a bakery, in case you haven't noticed. I currently have bread in the oven that needs to come out in three minutes," Takato snapped, crossed his arms and glaring at all of them. "I have put up with you because of your warrant, but I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to leave now."

"Please excuse us, Matsuki-san," the police chief bowed, and leading his officers out of the house, he slipped the warrant into a folder and tucked it under his arm.

Yaziko stepped forward, pointing accusingly in Takato's face. "I know you've hidden her," he hissed. "I will find her! And no matter what you say, she belongs to me and will continue to belong to me until she pays off her debt!"

Locking eyes with the man, Takato allowed the fire and power of his feelings to light up his gaze. "I do not know where she is, and nothing you do will change that. But just hearing you say that has made me decide right here and now; I will free her from that debt no matter what."

He could see Yaziko's will crumble under the pure strength of his's eyes, but the man snarled as he backed away. "Not a chance," he laughed. "You can't come up with 80 million yen, not with your pitiful bakery!" He turned and left quickly, without another word.

Takato just stood there, fuming at the open door, before he slammed it shut and locked it, then sat defeated on the ground. "80 million yen?" he whispered, holding his head with a heavy heart. The amount was so staggering, he nearly choked. 80 million yen? How could it possibly be that high? "Rika…what have you gotten yourself into?" he groaned.

But the real question in his mind was…

Where are you?

-o-

Hi everyone, thanks so much for all of the favorites, subscriptions, and reviews! I am so pleased that you are enjoying my story, and have continued to read it. I hope that I can continue to satisfy your expectations, but if not, please let me know. I am always hoping to improve in my story-telling and writing. This chapter seems rushed to me, but I'm not sure how to make it better. Ah well, I will just keep trying.

There will be more sensual and exciting moments in the next chapter, for sure, but I wanted to kick off the suspenseful side of this story before continuing with the romance. So don't give up hope yet, and I'll reward you next time. Promise!

P.S. I'm not sure how warrants work in Japan, or if they even have them? Oh well.

~Rukatofan