Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
The sunlight that filtered through the sheer curtains of the bedroom strayed down Sakura's face, rousing her from a deep slumber the previous night's craziness had lulled her into. Her head pounded incessantly as she pushed herself into an upright position. She licked her chapped lips and cringed at the bad taste in her mouth.
The soft snoring sound next to her made her stop.
Sakura glanced down at her side and realized Ryou had slept next to her... all night. His face looked serene and calm with each deep, sound breath he took. Sakura couldn't help but trail her eyes down the back of his neck and the length of his bare back. She noticed small, half-moon marks on his skin.
Her eyes widened.
Had they...?
Sakura looked down at herself: she was still wearing the black dress from last night...
She couldn't help the slight quiver of her bottom lip when realization dawned over her. She hurriedly got out of bed. Sakura couldn't believe he had the audacity to return home and sleep next to her after... fucking that whomever he was spending his time with.
Sakura walked quickly out of the room before steadying herself against the railing of the stairs; the full effects of a hangover were beginning to wash over her; the living room that lay in front of her spun as she took steady steps downward and headed into the kitchen. Memories of the previous night flooded her mind as she took a couple painkillers and sat at the dining table.
She remembered the way Sasuke had spoken to her and had come so close to... kissing her. Burying her head into her folded arms, Sakura couldn't help but think of what it would have been like to actually kiss him... the feeling of his lips on hers... the touch of his fingers on her body—
Sakura could feel a slight arousal run through her veins, centering at an apex of her body she would have been mortified to admit to. This was not the direction her thoughts should have been going. What—more like, whom—she should have been focusing on was—
the low ringing of the landline phone brought her back to reality—
It was Ino.
"Hey, babe!" greeted her friend before she could say anything.
"Ino, you are so dead."
"What, no hello? No thank you?"
Sakura tiptoed to the bottom of the stairs. Her bedroom door was closed; Ryou was still asleep. "Did you set it all up?"
Ino laughed on the other end. "How could I? It's not like I have the sexy Uchiha on speed dial."
"Ino!"
"Okay, okay!" Ino sighed. "I knew the place belonged to him. It was a coincidence he was there."
"Ino, you're not making this easier—"
"Well he clearly wants you."
"—for me," Sakura stressed. She strolled into the living room, rubbing her fingers against her left temple.
Ino remained silent.
Sakura sighed. "Ino, I know what you're trying to do for me, and I love you to death for that, but I can't explain how I feel about this... it's just not..." she trailed not knowing what to say.
"Sakura, I respect your decision," answered Ino seriously. "But..." she ventured to continue, "living life like this is not good for you. Okay, so things didn't work out with Ryou. Don't get hung up on that."
"You are so amazing, Ino," complimented Sakura, feeling a small wave of emotion cause a glisten of tears to form in her eyes. Her hand trailed over the headrest of the couch and she noticed Ryou's suit jacket laid out and spread over it. The glint of something silver poking out of one of front pockets caught her eye. She reached out tentatively to pick it up, a small part of her fearing what it would reveal.
She held it up, her finger running over the torn edge.
"Sakura, whatever decision you make—"
It was a foil packet.
"No, Ino, you're right." Sakura stuffed the ripped condom packaging back into the pocket of the jacket.
Ryou was beyond the point of no return.
She had to stop hoping he'd come back to her.
Sakura felt a slight rush of adrenaline as she quietly made her way back upstairs. She peered into her bedroom: Ryou was still asleep though now he was laying on his back. She grabbed her cellphone off the nightstand and quickly made her way back down stairs. She was giddy with sudden excitement, the corners of her mouth into an anticipating smile; she tucked herself into the long hallway that led to many of the house's unused rooms before scrolling through her contact list.
The name Sasuke Uchiha glowed temptingly in front of her emerald eyes before she pressed the call icon. Her heart thumped loudly as she placed the phone against her ear. Would he pick up...?
"I didn't think you would call so soon. Miss me?"
His lilting tenor made her body sing sweetly with a goose bump-raising shiver. "Don't get ahead of yourself."
Sasuke chuckled. "I would hate to assume, but what reason do you have for calling me, Sakura?"
The way he pronounced her name with that lustrous voice of his made her toes curl. She wanted to hear that voice deep in her ear, whispered on her skin intimately... She couldn't believe her body was responding to him this much after only a few seconds of conversation. "For the same reason you gave me your number."
A moment of silence made her mind wander. Was he just playing with her? Did he mean everything he had said... done...?
"So you have made a decision." She could hear that trademark smirk in his voice.
That single statement made her roll her eyes. "Possibly, but there are a few things I need..." she didn't know how to say it, really.
"A few things you need...?" he prodded.
"Cleared up."
"Hn," he said quickly. "I'll have my chauffeur come pick you up. Let's talk then."
Sakura bit her lip, unsure, but agreed despite herself. "What time?"
"How is three?"
As she emerged from the hallway, Sakura could not help the smile of anticipation on her face. Her whole body was moving on sweet, sweet anticipation. Maybe this would—
"Morning."
The blood drained from her face as she spun around in pure surprise.
She saw Ryou emerge from their room half dressed, though his hair was still slightly tousled. She couldn't help but take a second to appreciate the view: regardless, Ryou was an attractive man. On another day she would have eagerly pulled him into an embrace and whisper naughty things in his ear, but she but she tucked those feelings away as soon as they arose.
"Hmmm." Sakura hummed her reply before moving past him. She heard his rough footsteps a second later and the subsequent sound of the front door swinging shut. She peered out the window and made sure he had drove away before hurrying to her closet to try to figure out what would be appropriate to wear.
Halfway into her search, Sakura realized Sauske had not specified where he would be taking her. She reached for her phone, figuring Ino would help, but before she pressed the call icon, Sakura put her phone away: Ino would obviously suggest she wear something very revealing. She didn't think it was a good idea around someone who had made it blatantly obvious that he wanted to get in her pants.
This one would be all up to her.
A sleek, black Audi arrived in front of her house on the exact time prescribed. Sakura peeked through the living room window and saw a man with a hat emerge from the driver's side—Sasuke's chauffeur. A corresponding knock was heard and she answered it with fleeting steps.
"Afternoon, Miss," greeted the chauffeur with a tip of his hat. "Mr. Uchiha asked me to retrieve you."
"Hello." She gave him a sweet smile and followed him to the car. "Where will you be taking me?" she asked, fingering the black, sleeveless blouse she wore. Sakura had decided to pair it with a pair of white shorts. It was simple, yet in her mind, stylish.
"Mr. Uchiha wishes me to take you to his house."
His house? Sakura sank against the back seat. Straight to his house? Her heart thudded with nervousness. "Is it possible to... go somewhere else?" she asked in a small voice.
"I was given strict instructions to take you to the Uchiha manor," replied the driver.
Sakura could see a small wrinkle next to his eye when she glanced at him through the rearview mirror: he was smiling.
A manor, huh? The pinkette let her eyes follow the repeating pattern of houses and buildings as they drove. She was nervous, yet a part of her was excited. However, she could not help but think: had Ryou felt the same when he first began his affair—
Sakura shook her head as if to clear her thoughts. This was not the time to think about him.
A gated, magnificent looking house rolled into view an hour later as the Audi was pulled into a driveway that could easily be as big as someone's backyard. Sakura emerged from the car; her fast steps to keep up with the driver match the ever quickening beats of her heart.
Glancing back, Sakura noticed the Audi was the only car in the driveway. "Is Sasuke home?"
"He will be here shortly," replied the chauffeur opening the front door for her. "Make yourself at home."
Sakura took a couple steps forward, drinking in the lavish and luxurious way the living room was set with embroidered love seats and couches. She could only imagine what the rest of the house looked like.
"Hello, you must be the guest Mr. Uchiha is expecting. My name is Kira," said a sweet voice that emerged from the kitchen. A middle-aged woman held out her hand to the pinkeye. "You have beautiful pink hair," she commented.
"Thank you." Sakura gave her a sweet smile. She assumed by the apron she was wearing that she was Sasuke's cook.
"Would you like anything to eat or drink?"
Nervousness had effectively made her appetite dwindle. "No, thank you."
"Mr. Uchiha will be here shortly," she informed as she walked back into what Sakura assumed to be the kitchen. The pinkette followed her and she couldn't help but widen her eyes at the decadently arranged place. A magnificent chandelier hung over the large dining table that could easily seat twelve. The cabinets and drawers that formed a rectangular semi-circle around a shiny, granite island in the middle were glossy, pristine, and black in color. A white bar table lay opposite the island and was complimented by beige bar stools.
Sakura was no stranger to the convenience and lavish lifestyles of the rich, but she couldn't help but be blown away.
"This is a very beautiful place," commented Sakura. "Does anyone else live here?" her hand smoothed over the curved finish of one of the dining chairs. Surely there was someone else that resided here and was therefore the cause of the lavish amenities that would accommodate more than one individual.
"Mr. Uchiha lives alone. He is a very private person."
The statement left her curious as she took a seat on one of the bar stools.
"I hope you did not have to wait too long."
Sakura was brought out of her thoughts when the man she had been waiting for entered the dimly lit kitchen. She could not help but let her widened eyes rove up and down his figure that was hugged by a slim fit, black, three piece suit. It should have been sin to look that sexy and desirable all at once.
"See something you like?" he asked playfully.
Sakura blushed a deep red and averted her gaze. Swallowing down her nervousness, she adjusted herself as he walked forward. "Possibly." The infectious smirk he wore only made her smile back.
"Would you like a drink?"
She debated her answer briefly in her mind, figuring such an intoxicant could lead her dangerously astray while in the company of this man, but she could not refuse. "Yes, please."
Their glasses clinked as he took a seat next to her at the bar table. He watched her take a sip, and she could feel his smoldering gaze travel down the contracting muscles of her throat as she swallowed and further down her body. "See something you like?" She challenged back. She rested her glass on the counter and gauged him with an expectant gaze.
His eyes flitted back up to her. "Quite a number of things, actually," he remarked, bringing up his hand to his chin, as if deep thought. "How about we start where we left off, hm?" He suggested silkily pulling the bar stool she sat on toward him. Sakura steadied herself, bracing her hands on his arms when she was jerked forward suddenly. She flexed her fingers and felt his muscles ripple under her grip.
Sakura was not expecting everything to happen so fast. She vaguely registered that they were now both alone.
Sakura felt her pulse race, the quickening thud ringing loud in her ears. She felt a sort of fear settle into her heart as he leaned forward.
"How has your day been?" He asked lowly.
Sakura's brow furrowed, wondering why he was making casual conversation during such intimacy. "Fine," she answered breathily when his lips brushed her cheek. "And yours?"
"So far, I am enjoying it." His lips nipped at her ear lobe. Her back arched slightly, decreasing the distance between their bodies, and her head automatically turned to the side to give his mouth better access to her blazing skin as his lips moved down the side of her neck.
"I thought we would actually have a conversation," she remarked truthfully, when she could properly arrange the thoughts in her head.
He chuckled lowly at the base of her throat. "Okay, Sakura, what would you like to talk about?" He withdrew, but kept his face less than a couple inches from hers. His onyx eyes bore into hers, amused. She could see the masculine satisfaction on his face as he noticed her breathless, parted mouth and flushed face. She wondered what he would look like after they had—
She was getting ahead of herself.
"Who is Karin?"
"No one of consequence," he whispered huskily. His breath fanned her face, tingling her lips. His thumb brushed the opening of her mouth, slipping inside slightly.
Sakura narrowed her gaze and pulled back, making him withdraw his hand. "That's not an answer
Sasuke chuckled. "I have my sights set elsewhere," he purred suggestively, once again pulling her closer to him, only this time his arms wrapped around her lower back and her body was no more in a sitting position, but leaned snugly against his own. Sakura tried to create some distance between them by balancing herself with her hands on his shoulders, but it did not help much.
His nose skimmed the prominent indent of her jaw. "Still want to talk?"
Sakura had to remind herself how to breathe. He had not even kissed her yet and her senses were already haywire.
"Yes," she insisted, pushing him back to create some distance that would allow her to think coherently. His hands settled on her hips and he looked up at her, amused. "Stop that."
"Stop what?" he smirked.
Sakura sighed. His gaze was dazzling and very distracting, but she stopped herself from admitting that to him: it'd only give him an ego boost he naturally had enough of. "Never mind." She bit her lip, unsure of how to word what she wanted to say next.
"If you do that," he remarked, freeing her bottom lip from her teeth, "this conversation won't last much longer."
Sakura held him in place before he could lean forward. "I think we need to set some... boundaries." Her brow furrowed. Was that the way to put it?
"What for?"
He wasn't mocking or laughing at her like a small part of her had expected. She rather appreciated his willingness to understand. "I'm not too sure about this yet," she confessed in a small voice, gesturing between them. "I am..."
"Doubtful?"
"Hesitant."
"Well, that is something we will have to work on." His index finger tipped up her chin and he stared down into her eyes deeply, provocatively. His mouth was a teasing inch from hers and she so desperately wanted him to close the distance between their lips. As if reading her unsaid thoughts through they way he was looking so deeply into her eyes, he did just that.
Her body shuddered in his tight grip.
It was a light, almost experimental touch at first, but their lip lock became fervent almost immediately as his mouth rose and dipped against her own. His fingers flexed against her lower back as he stood, making sure their bodies were pressed together in certain, strategic areas.
At first Sakura felt as if she should pull away, but she quickly shut down that righteous side of her. She raised herself on her toes and buried her hands in his hair, twisting his raven locks in rhythm with the way his mouth moved over hers so intensely. It had been so long since she had last felt wanted. The way he was kissing her was so... powerful, demanding, dominating.
Sasuke pulled back slightly and tilted his head before he claimed her mouth once more, skillfully slipping his tongue through her lips. He deeply licked into her mouth, sweeping his tongue over her teeth and sliding it against her own; he left no inch untouched. Sakura couldn't help but melt in his embrace, returning his fervor as much as she could. Her past frustration, sadness, hurt all evaporated with each passing second she spent so intimately pressed against him. He took all she had to give; sparing nothing.
His hands smoothed up and down the sides of her body; she briefly felt his thumb brush the sides of her clothed breasts.
Sakura could feel every hard, defined line of him as he picked her up and swiveled them both, their mouths still connected in a heated exchange. Her bare thighs met with the cool surface of the countertop, making her shiver. She felt his pelvis grind into hers deliciously, and his hands ran up the course of her bare arms.
She could feel herself succumb to the way he was dominating her, arching her back against him. His hand came up to grab a fistful of her hair and tug her head backward a bit forcefully before dragging his mouth over her chin and down her throat. Sakura could hear herself breathe loudly, but she was too busy trying to regain her momentum to feel embarrassed. His mouth sucked her erratic pulse sweetly and then peppered the porcelain column of her neck with with kisses, dragging his tongue over the smooth skin after his lips sucked softly.
Barely audible moans escaped the slightly kiss-swollen flesh of her lips. His deft hands pulled down the straps of her blouse, and the tips of his skilled fingertips touched her in a way that made her body thirst for more.
The husky, desiring whisper of her name floated to her ears when he angled her head backward once more before he kissed her again, deeply: greedily taking all she was offering to him. His tongue delved deep into her mouth, and she could not help but wonder what it would feel like to have it drag over the rest of her yearning body.
The cold balm of where they would be headed, free of intervention and interruption, made her thoughts stop in their tracks. She had not come here for... sex, though the way he was handling her revealed he wanted her just as much as she did.
Sakura knew she had to put some sort of stop to—
Sasuke abruptly pulled away, almost stumbling back. Sakura looked confused before the ringing of his cellphone reached her ears when her defeaning heartbeat died down.
Sasuke glanced at her as he listened to the person on the other end speak. There was a different look in his eyes now, the way he stared at her was—
Who was he talking to?
"No, no Ryou. I am not busy." The sound of her husband's name startled her, jolting her from her seat on the bar counter. Why was he calling Sasuke now? And what for? She saw him glance at the clock. "How about an hour from now?" It was five in the evening already. "Okay."
Had time really passed so quickly?
"What does he want?" Sakura fixed her blouse and began to comb her fingers through her hair.
"He wants to meet," he replied simply. His eyes watched her with genuine interest while she fixed her somewhat disheveled appearance. He smirked.
"It's about the business trip, isn't it?"
Sasuke's expression quickly changed to that of puzzlement. "What business trip?"
"Ryou told me that..." Sakura sighed. "Nevermind." She grabbed her purse off the counter and began to make her way to the door.
"Hey," he called after her. He grabbed her wrist making her gasp in surprise, pivoting her until she met with the hard lines of his body. "Don't let him ruin the mood." His fingertips danced over her right cheek. And as if to make sure of it, he tilted his head and sealed his mouth over hers.
Sakura was purely submissive in his hands as she kissed him back. She found it hard to resist, though there was not a need for it.
"Call me later," he instructed before pressing another kiss to her mouth, her assent turning into a mumble then a sigh when she clutched the collar of his suit jacket. She could smell her cherry blossom scent on him when she pulled away, and she took satisfaction in the fact that she too had some degree of effect on him.
"I'll have someone drop you off," he offered.
"No need. I'll just take a cab," she reasoned, wanting to keep their interaction as much of a secret as possible.
The walk toward the nearest main street took about ten minutes. All the while, she had been replaying her conversation with Sasuke, wondering where their relationship would go now. To her luck, she noticed a taxi driving in her direction a distance away. As she got in and warmed her cold hands, she couldn't help but feel the ghost of his lips over hers, the feeling of his hands running along the sides of her body and legs, manipulating soft, breathy moans from her that no previous interaction in her whole life had ever been capable of eliciting.
She had taken an indulging dip in the consuming, forbidden sea that was Sasuke Uchiha.
All she knew was she was drowning fast.
There was no one to save her.
Author's Note:
Hey, everyone! I am sorry for the late update. College has started and I'm trying to juggle a number of things at once. My profile has update time frames that I stick to; you may check it out if you like.
If I did not deliver as any of you expected, then I bow my head in submission. If I have any room for improvement: let me know :)
Please read and review! I have received so much insight and commentary so far; it exceeded my expectations. YOU ARE ALL AMAZING!