Chapter Seven
DISCLAIMER: I Don't Own Naruto!
I opened my eyes, feeling well rested and quite comfortable after a nice sleep. I stretched in bed only to find it much softer than usual and not only that but the strangely familiar smell of rich leather and a deep, intoxicating ambery fougere scent that was all Sasuke; that was all it took for me so jolt into a sitting position, knowing I wasn't even close to being in my apartment as I took in the high ceilings and the bright white walls surrounding the huge luxurious bedroom I was in.
I swallowed, hard trying to think of where I could be and how in the world I ended up here and it finally dawned on me, I was with Sasuke at the cafe and I was going to have a short rest before going to work but I couldn't even remember leaving the cafe with him or arriving at his home, if this was it.
Oh no, it has to be time for work by now!
I jumped out of bed in a panic and ran towards the open door of the bedroom only to run into what felt like a brick wall but was really a strong and muscular chest. I gasped, leaning as far back as possible in an attempt to get away from the man who had his arms suddenly wrapped tightly around me.
"Sakura!" Sasuke chided and I stopped flailing around crazily to look up at his face and I took a deep relieving breath.
"It's only you..." My racing heart still didn't relent as he eyed me with suspicion. "What time is it?" I needed to go, it had to be-
"It's nearing noon." He told me calmly, as if he hadn't known I had to be at work five hours prior, or at least he didn't care.
"I'm so dead!" I exclaimed, furious that he could have let this happen to me. "Why didn't you wake me up, I trusted you, I swear-"
"Sakura," Sasuke's quiet but commanding tone had me snap my mouth shut mid-rant to hear him out. "There was no way you could have performed you job efficiently being as exhausted as you were, you passed out in that coffee shop for crying out loud. I've had my lawyer gather your schedule from over the past week and it seems that you're completely within your rights to have the day off after having to work so many hours in one day and if the hospital has a problem with it I'll handle them personally. Maybe instead of worrying about everybody else you should take some time to worry about you."
I was so caught off guard by Sasuke's speech that I couldn't even think about a response, I just stood there, gaping at him in bafflement. Did he really think I would let him get away with this, I had just started in the OR and I was needed desperately there, I knew they had probably gone through a terrible hassle to get someone to cover me for the day.
"You have to understand Sakura, your health is extremely important, how can you hope to help others if you can't even help yourself?" Sasuke's dark eyes which didn't seem so emotionless at the moment challenged me and I was left feeling rather down because in a way, he was right but he still had no right to make such decisions involving me, I was not his and he just seemed not to understand this.
I turned around, unable to face him a moment longer. I would probably never be able to make him understand how I felt so I didn't even want to bother trying but Sasuke didn't seem interested in ending our conversation just yet. He was suddenly at my back, his arms wrapping around my waist comfortingly but I still stiffened regardless.
"I knew you would be mad, so I've already decided how I'm going to make it up to you..."
I frowned, thinking I should be getting out of his arms by any means necessary but having no will to do so. I wanted desperately to understand this possessive, compulsive man.
"I hope you're hungry," He muttered, amusement playing in his tone and I gasped a second later when he whirled me around and tossed me over his shoulder.
"Sasuke!" I yelled, wrapping my arms around his midsection in fear of falling, but who was I kidding, with the hold he had on my thighs I wouldn't be moving what-so-ever.
A dark chuckle escaped him as he started moving and I could just barely make out how beautiful everything around me was being that my view-point was upside-down. The house we were in was elegant but insanely spacious. Sasuke even had to descend a staircase longer that I imagined was necessary before arriving into what looked like an extravagantly simple sitting room.
I didn't make a move when Sasuke finally let me down, making sure to keep me close enough to where our bodies touched sensually as I took in my seemingly expensive surroundings, I was far too afraid if I moved I would break something.
"Relax," Sasuke whispered huskily into my ear, his breath and his voice bringing a now familiar pull to my lower belly which had my face in flames in an instant.
"Mr. Uchiha, I've prepared your refreshments, where would you like to served?" A woman whose face was as red as the hair on her head appeared in what could have passed as traditional maid attire, her hands were clasped together behind her back, a suggestive look in her red eyes that didn't leave Sasuke for even a second.
My teeth clenched in annoyance, I didn't know why it made me so angry but I was not interested in seeing any woman swoon over Sasuke.
"What do you prefer, Sakura? Indoors or out..."
I looked up at Sasuke, our eyes locking instantly. I was surprised to be asked but pleased all the same. "Out." I answered without hesitation figuring if there were any other maids infatuated with Sasuke around, they would probably be inside.
"You heard the lady." Sasuke said to the maid although his eyes were on me.
"Yes sir..." The woman left, not so happily and I glared at her receding back.
"Come on," Sasuke chuckled lightly, taking my hand and tugging me along with him.
We came to a large sliding glass door that led onto a beautiful patio and Sasuke slid the door open and stepped aside for me to walk out and then he closed the door back behind us. I was momentarily lost to myself as I took in the gorgeous gardens and the pond just off in the distance which had a large water fountain right in the center; the smell of fresh cut grass and fresh air was enough to brighten my mood considerably. I no longer felt an ounce of annoyance as I turned to beam at Sasuke, who stood a few feet behind me, his hands loosely in his pockets as he watched me, a foreign look in his beautiful onyx eyes.
"It's so beautiful... This is your home?" I couldn't stop myself from asking but Sasuke just smiled at me, not seeming to mind my curiosity.
"Yes I suppose you could call it that." He shrugged indifferently but seemed to find his words fitting enough.
"What do you-"
I wanted to question him further, I had no idea what he meant by that but before I could ask, the same maid had appeared out of nowhere, a large tray of various finger foods in her hands.
"Mr. Uchiha..." The woman smiled confidently at Sasuke after dragging his name out in what came off to me as disgusting rather than seductive. My eyes were rolling before I could think twice about it. I was glaring off into space, eager for her to leave already.
"Sakura," Sasuke called me, trying but failing miserably at hiding his amusement. I turned to see him standing by the table with a seat pulled out that he was gesturing for me to take. I took the seat, sure that my face was even pinker than my hair but I tried not to think about it.
"Thank you." I mumbled, my eyes on the table which was being set by the maid. Sasuke went around the table and took his own seat around the same time the maid had worked her way there and she was getting close... Too close.
I looked away, biting my lip in frustration. I didn't like how much it bothered me to see her coming onto him and I just wanted to not care at all.
"The hell are you doing!" Sasuke demanded a moment later, startling me into looking across the table to him where I found him glaring at the made fiercely. "Get our drinks and then get lost before I fire your ass."
I gaped at the maids fleeting back before then turning to gape at Sasuke who took what I guess was a breath to calm himself before he turned his attention back to me. I smiled as I realized that he had no interest in that woman so it didn't bother me if she wanted him in one way or another, she was obviously only embarrassing herself, why should I not like her because of it, it would be much more appropriate for me to pity her instead.
Ino's right... I'm such a bitch.
"What's so funny?"
My smile fell and a blush took over my face as I turned to Sasuke who had already filled his plate with a variety of the near buffet set out before us. Everything looked delicious and I was suddenly starving so I helped myself to some fruit first and had only had time to eat a single grape before the maid was back with another tray, this one carrying a pitcher of iced water and two glasses. She immediately started to pour our glasses when she sat the tray on our table but she was trembling so badly I just new she was going to cause a mess.
"I've got it, just leave us now." Sasuke told her sternly, a cold look in his eyes when he looked at her and she nearly ran away in defeat. I watched Sasuke as he poured each of us a glass of water and I thanked him when he passed one to me, immediately taking a welcomed sip.
"Oh before I forget, your friend gets off work at seven and will be joining us here for dinner."
"What?" I asked in bewilderment but held my hand up to stop him from repeating himself when he began to do so.
Was he trying to say that he'd spoken to Ino himself and invited her to have dinner with us when I hadn't even agreed to have dinner with him. My inner was cracking her knuckles in preparation for putting him in his place once and for all.
"Did you really think my way of cheering you up entailed lunch and nothing more?" Sasuke was smirking at me, his food momentarily forgotten.
I looked at him warily, trying to gauge what he was really thinking only to end up with nothing more than I started with. I sighed, figuring there really was no reason for me to be so disagreeable, he had been nothing but good to me. I really needed to stop trying to find reasons not to like him.
"So what is that you've planned then?" I asked, giving him a soft smile.
That smirk... It did things to me. My mind taking a dark turn left me feeling a little flustered in more ways than one and I found myself crossing my legs unconsciously, feeling uncomfortable as that same pull seemed to be reaching depths I didn't know possible.
"...Sakura..." Sasuke called me teasingly so I'd meet his eyes once again which I did only to blush when I saw the way his left brow was arched high and his eyes were gleaming with amused interest. "Is there a problem?"
A blush spread from the base of my neck to the tips of my ears. The way he looked at me as if knew exactly what I was thinking unnerved me to no end. My lips parted but I couldn't speak, I didn't understand how or why he made me feel this way.
"So cute," Sasuke sighed, gazing at me admirably and I grabbed my glass of water then and finished it before putting it back down and thankfully it did help a little in cooling me down, but I just couldn't look at Sasuke again right now, my cheeks would definitely not survive.
I don't know how I ever made it through the rest of lunch but miraculously, I did. Sasuke was being uncharacteristically cute himself with the way he'd offered me his arm and took me off to explore the beautiful gardens which were actually a maze that was aligned with so many different gorgeous flowers, I could do nothing but walk along with Sasuke, in awe of the beauty surrounding us.
"We've almost cleared it." Sasuke seemed confident as we continued through the maze, making two turns back to back. I had been completely lost the entire time and I was hoping Sasuke really did know where he was going.
"Oh wow." My eyes widened as we turned into a corner that was apparently the end of the maze as it was opened up to a gorgeous stone walkway surrounding the same pond I'd noticed from the patio. I had never seen a more beautiful sight, several swans were just making their way into the water and I tightened my hold on Sasuke's arms as I looked around excitedly.
"This was one of my favorite places when I was growing up." Sasuke told her reminiscently, a wistful smile on his lips. I gazed at him, hoping he would elaborate even further because I truly wanted to know so much more about him, anything he was willing to tell me anyway.
"It's so beautiful." I told him earnestly, smiling sweetly at him when he looked down to meet my eyes.
"Yes, also a nice place to escape... The only way to access the pond is through the maze and I'm the only one who knows it and I know it well." He seemed pleased with himself and humored by the thought. "I even have to be present when the landscaping crew comes just so they don't get lost... It's annoying actually."
"You're so weird." I muttered, unable to keep my grin concealed.
"Only when I'm around you and I'm not used to it either." He narrowed his eyes on me, something about the way he'd said that and the way his eyes gave me a quick but thorough once over had me blushing crimson.
"U-um..."
"This isn't me. I'm not myself when you're around. Or since I've met you." He looked away from me, his brows furrowed, jaw tensed. It was easy for me to see how conflicted he was now.
"Sasuke, I-"
"Listen Sakura," He cut me off, his eyes serious as they found mine once more. "I've had many women, but I've never wanted anyone the way I want you. I knew from the very moment I saw you that you would be mine, so do yourself a favor and get used to it."
Whhhhaaaaaat!?
"And stop gawking at me all the time." He sighed, taking the arm that wasn't in my grasp and plopping it down on my head. "It makes me want to kiss you again and I'm not usually a very patient man."
Sasuke smirked, obviously pleased with my reaction and then he turned and lead us back into the maze and the entire way back towards the house I repeated his words in my head.
This isn't me...
I've never wanted anyone the way I want you...
I knew from the very first moment I saw you that you would be mine...
For a woman who thought she'd never give herself freely to any man, here I am, going against every thing I believed in, letting myself close to him. Even though I wanted to believe he wasn't giving me much of a choice I knew if I really wanted him out of my life, he would go. I really did trust him and that was the most frightening thing because I knew sooner or later, I would end up hurt, betrayed, devastated but could I just enjoy the ride along the way?
"What are you thinking?" Sasuke asked, bringing me out of my train of thought to look at him. We were just exiting the garden maze.
"It's um... N-nothing." I shook my head quickly, my face burning already.
"Hn." He smirked again and I smiled deciding maybe it wouldn't be so bad to at least try.
I would give him a chance but I knew things could only go so far with him because of my issues. I wondered how long it would take for him to get tired of trying and a part of me hoped he never would.
We spent the next good hour on a tour of the house which had it's own library, home theater and even miniature version of his strip club, minus the strippers. That was the last place he showed me and I agreed to a drink when he offered. He went around the dark blue marble-topped bar and I pulled out a stool and took a seat while he made quick work of whipping up two mixed drinks.
"You're pretty good at that." I mused while lifting the drink to my lips to taste, it was bitter at first but had a sweet after taste.
"Lot's of practice." He chuckled and I realized that was probably a silly comment being that he owned his own nightclub, of course he would know how to fix drinks.
"Well this is a really amazing place you have, I can't imagine living in such a large and beautiful home."
"Actually, I don't stay here often." He admitted, piquing my curiosity. I sipped my drink, waiting for him to explain which he did after a swallow of his own drink. "This estate has been passed down in my family for many generations, I grew up here with my family but now it's just me..."
I lifted my eyes to meet his but he avoided them and took a shaky breath.
"I've had a private apartment built into the club and that's where I stay mostly, unless I have something to deal with here."
I was sure he'd added that part only to change the subject and I found myself quite displeased with this new piece of information.
"You live at your strip club?" I blurted it out before I could stop myself and Sasuke chuckled.
"Yes, If you'd like I could show you... Anytime."
I regarded him warily, unsure what to think but deciding not to worry about it at the moment.
"Maybe sometime..."
"Well, we should go down to meet your friend, she should be arriving anytime now."
I nodded my agreement and we left what was definitely the most amazing man cave I'd ever seen. Walking through the house was what really made you realize just how huge it actually was. It took us several minutes to make it to the sitting room which was just next to the large front double doors.
Ino was let in by a tall man wearing a black suit who nodded at Sasuke before leaving right back out of the front doors. Ino was in awe as she looked around, obviously unable to conceal her grin. When she finally spotted me, she ran over and lifted me in an embrace that had me gasping for air in seconds.
"You've really been worrying me lately." She scolded me but with kind eyes, releasing me only to hold me at arms length to give me a quick examination.
"Sorry." I mumbled, my eyes fluttering to where Sasuke was standing, his eyes on me as usual; something I was becoming quite accustomed to.
"Follow me ladies, dinner will be served shortly."
Ino and I followed Sasuke down the hallways, the occasional 'Oooh' or 'Ahh' coming from Ino the only sound aside from out steps.
"I knew it would be nice, but I never expected this." Ino muttered only loud enough for me to ear and I knew she was referring to the house. I had to agree, it was almost too extravagant, I was starting to understand why Sasuke might stay somewhere a little smaller, especially when he was used to living with his family and now he was alone. All this space had to be lonely.
"Mr. Uchiha dinner will be a few more moments, would you like any wine while you wait?" A different maid seemed to have been waiting on us to enter the dinning hall but she waited until we sat before she addressed Sasuke.
"Yes, Pinot Noir." Sasuke said dismissively and she maid scurried off without further question. Whatever that was it already sounded good and I was eager to try it.
"Sasuke don't you have to open the club tonight?" I asked, the thought suddenly worrying me, I was pretty sure the club was open every night.
"No, my partner has been out of town recently but he's back now so I'm taking the night off."
"Oh." I wondered who his partner was, what he was like, if they were good friends but it wasn't my place to ask such questions so I stayed quiet instead.
"You mean Naruto Uzumaki, right?" Ino asked seeming to surprise Sasuke.
"You know him?" Sasuke snorted. "Poor girl..."
Ino laughed loudly and I scowled at her usual uncaring attitude. "He's actually friends with my boyfriend, Sai."
Boyfriend? Sai!?
I glared at Ino for calling Sai as her boyfriend. I knew they saw each other on occasion, but I thought it was just a random thing for her, that's how she'd always played it off and now here she was claimed he was her boyfriend...
"Ah, yes... Sai, he's even stranger than the dobe himself." Sasuke muttered thoughtfully and I smiled then, thinking he must have been friends with them and for some reason it made me happy because I knew just how important friends were... If it hadn't been for Ino, I probably wouldn't even be alive today.
"They both have their moments..." Ino giggled and I rolled my eyes, still pissed about the whole 'boyfriend' thing.
The maid had returned, a small tray with three wine glasses and a bottle of wine which was placed in a silver bucket of ice in her other hand. Although she was nowhere close to being oblivious to Sasuke's charm, she was much less annoying than the other maid had been. She finished her task quickly before excusing herself and we all tried the wine which was fruity and delicious, so delicious in fact that I drained the glass before it left my lips.
"Damn..." Ino sounded impressed and I blushed as I noticed both she and Sasuke were staring at me.
How embarrassing...
"Don't worry, there's plenty more where that came from." Sasuke stood, a smirk plastered on his gorgeous face and he grabbed the wine and refilled my glass before I could protest.
"I- I could have done that myself!" I told him, knowing my face had to be as red as the wine, if not more-so.
"Well, you didn't have to..." Sasuke said with shrug of his shoulder and I sighed.
"Oh Sakura, I was told to let you know that you should take tomorrow off as well." Ino told me carefully, knowing me well enough to be aware that I would not be pleased.
"And why the hell not?" I glared at her, angry because my job was my life. I needed to work. I needed to save people. I had to.
"Well, I think Sasuke's lawyer's have them a little scared and you really need some time off anyway, the last month has been hard on you..."
Did she say 'lawyers'?
Not willing to listen to anything more she had to say I turned and glared at Sasuke instead who was staring off at nothing, making sure not to make eye contact with me.
"Sasuke!"
"Before you say anything, I want you to know I really had nothing to do with that, that just ought to show you that hospital knows they're wrong and they know I could shut their asses down in a heart beat..."
I continued to glare at him, my mouth now hanging open in shock. I was so furious I didn't even know how to react without going straight to the deep end.
"Dinner is served!"
The maid had returned and while three other women readied the table she filled our glasses with more wine and once Sasuke assured them we needed nothing further, they left us to eat and we all dug into the food which went amazing with the wine Sasuke had chosen. He really did always seem to know what he was talking about, well mostly.
I quickly forgot about ever even being mad as the three of us ate, drank and laughed together over crazy stories from our past, mainly mine and Ino's college days which had always managed to be pretty entertaining, there certainly was always something going on. But the later it got, the more I found myself becoming disappointed because i knew I'd be leaving soon and I knew as soon as I did, I would miss him, because I already missed him and I hadn't even left yet.
"Stay here, with me tonight." Sasuke asked- no demanded as soon as Ino had excused herself to go to the restroom and I stared at him only slightly wanting to knee him in the chin for still thinking he can boss me around. How mad could I really be when I was so happy he wanted to me stay with him as bad as I wanted just the same thing.
"I can't." I finally told him, looking down at my empty wine glass.
"Yes you can." Sasuke argued. "If you don't want to stay alone, your friend can stay as well... I'm not done with you yet."
"W-what?"
"What's going on?" Ino asked, returning and taking her seat once more.
"What do you think of you and Sakura staying over for the night?... Me and her have some things that need discussing."
He has no shame...
"Hell yes we will stay!" Ino exclaimed as if there were no question in the matter. "I really want to check out that movie room you spoke of."
I was glaring at Sasuke, my head shaking in disbelief and his eyes returned my glare only his was amused and he had a triumphant, signature smirk on his lips. He certainly did have a way of getting whatever he wanted and here I am, still not running...
A/N: Thanks for reading, I hope you liked it and are looking forward to the next chapter!
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