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Far From The Tree

Chapter 19


HARUHI

I raised a brow, "Dinner?"

That was it.

Hikaru's rule was that twice a week we were to meet for dinner, whether that be a restaurant, his place, or mine. As long as we simply had dinner together.

It was so...innocent, and unexpected.

"Is that a no?" he questioned.

"No, it's not a 'no'. I'm just..."

"Just?"

"Surprised"

"Really?"

I nodded cautiously, "Dinner twice a week. That's all?"

"I mean we've been having dinner together twice a week for a while now anyway" he shrugged, "And I enjoy spending time with you outside of work"

I did too.

I smiled.

"So what do you think? Have we got a deal?" he asked.

I nodded, "Deal"

"Should we get a contract drawn up?" he smirked.

"And give me more work to do? No thank you"

Hikaru laughed, a deep genuine laugh that made me stir in my seat.

It had been 4 days since that meal, the meal where I had agreed to the terms of a sordid office affair. The one territory I had sworn never to venture into when I first entered my career. It was an unspoken rule, one you knew many lawyers and clients broke, year after year, more often than one might think. I never once thought of myself being included in those statistics, and yet, here I was.

I'd done all I could to justify it.

Night followed by night I tossed and turned in bed thinking about it. I questioned my morals, my will power, my professionalism. And yet. I couldn't bring myself to think of a single reason to turn back on the agreement Hikaru and I had reached.

I liked him. A lot.

I desired him in ways I'd never desired anyone before, I lusted after him, I admired him, I wanted and needed him. I couldn't resist him.

I'd considered leaving his employment, to tell Mr Suoh an issue had arose which meant I could no longer work with Hitachiin Corp. But my desires brought me right back to the start. I enjoyed working with Hikaru, I loved the rush I got when sealing a deal and watching as a client signed on the dotted line of a contract I'd penned, knowing HC had gotten the best deal they could. I loved my job, the people I met, the days I spent busying myself in the office. And I loved spending time with Hikaru. Truly. Indescribably.

Dangerous. So, so dangerous.

My phone vibrated beside me and I picked it up from the side table of the couch.

"Hello?" I answered.

"Have you left yet?" Hikaru's voice barked down the phone, the stress in his tone thick enough to knock me to the ground.

"No" I replied, "We aren't meeting for another hour"

"I'm sending you a car"

"I have a taxi coming in half an hour" I rolled my eyes.

"Too long. I need you here now"

"Calm down. You'll give yourself wrinkles" I grumbled, "Please tell me you're not already at the restaurant"

"I arrived 15 minutes ago. I thought Nekozawa may come early to test how serious I am"

"Has anyone ever told you how insane you are?"

"...that's not relevant"

"So? Is Nekozawa there?"

There was a pause. "No"

I chuckled, "Good. Then I will see you in about 40 minutes"

"No. My driver is coming, and I already cancelled your cab"

I blinked, "How the hell did you-"

"Easy. There are only 2 taxi companies that ferry to your neighbourhood, and I know you're way too cheap and cautious to use Uber. I already texted Hiniko, she's called both, found the one you booked, and cancelled"

"You meddling bastar-"

"Ah ah ah. This is company business, not social. Save the insults for when you're not on my pay roll"

"...bastard" I hissed.

He sighed, "Fine. I'll allow that one"

"You know I'm not even dressed yet right?" I grumbled, taking the stairs two steps at a time to my bedroom.

My green dinner dress was hung on the back of my door and I quickly began shrugging out of my cardigan as I threw the phone on the bed, setting it to loud speaker.

"Are you getting naked right now?" Hikaru's voice lowered with intrigue.

"Trust me. It's not as alluring as you may think" I replied, falling on my ass as I yanked my jeans off, "Ouch!" I grumbled.

"Klutz"

"Well I wouldn't be if I had more than 10 minutes to get ready!"

"I thought women got ready hours in advance?"

"Not me. 20 minutes ago I was on my Dad's doorstep handing over 3 bags of stuffed bears and DVDs Emi insisted she needed for the night"

I heard a smile touch Hikaru's lips, "Did she take Mr Hika-bear?"

"What do you think? She takes him everywhere. You wouldn't believe the scene she caused this morning when I wouldn't let her take it into Yochien"

"I would have paid to see that"

"It wasn't pretty"

"Who won?"

I hesitated.

"She did didn't she?"

"Shut up. You're distracting me"

I adjusted my bra as I hoisted myself into the dress, the soft satin falling over my wide hips. At least I'd shaved my legs this morning, otherwise I'd be wearing pants to this meal instead of a dress with a slit down the side.

"Your dress has a slit in it?" Hikaru questioned.

Dammit did I say that out loud?

"Kimiko loaned me a dress. Everything in my closet is from 2007"

"That's the most depressing thing I've heard all day. But please can we go back to the slit in your dress? How high does it go?"

I looked at myself in my floor-length mirror. The dress was stunning. Emerald green satin, thin spaghetti straps, and a long slit up my left leg. I had dips and curves and a waist I hadn't seen in years.

Maybe it was too much...

"I should change" I muttered.

"Oh hell no. You don't have time. Get your shoes on and finish your make up in the car" Hikaru's voice echoed from my phone speaker.

Right on cue, the sound of a car beeping it's horn outside my window.


HIKARU

My fingers strummed anxiously against the surface of the bar, my glass leaking condensation down the rim. I took another swig, cleaning it of every last drop of whiskey.

We'd been planning this dinner all week. The very moment Nekozawa requested this meeting.

This was it. The one. I had my briefcase beside me, filled with paperwork, final contracts, everything Haruhi had slaved over the last few months. He would sign tonight. We would celebrate. And I would go home a happy man.

Hopefully not alone.

I took another look out the front door, waiting to see my driver pull up outside with a beautiful lawyer in tow.

Any minute now.

Any fucking minute.

I wasn't sure what I was more excited about. The final agreement being settled and making millions, or seeing my sexy sharp tongued lawyer again after 2 days.

She'd spent yesterday and Thursday back at her Ouran office, finalizing everything in preparation for the meal this evening. She insisted on no distractions, which meant being as far away from me as she could manage. It was annoying. But I understood. It was incredibly distracting having her sauntering around in those tight dresses and button blouses. All I wanted to do was bend her over my desk at every chance, and don't even get me started on the elevator rides...closed confined spaces...seclusion...I lost count of the amount of times this week I'd had her pressed against the wall moaning my name as I ground my suit clad dick against her quivering body.

I inwardly groaned, signaling to the barman for another whiskey on the rocks.

Not now. Later.

Right now my head should have been occupied with business jargon. Not pornographic fantasies of spreading open my attorney's legs as she fisted handfuls of my hair between her desperate fingers.

We hadn't even fucked yet. And she had me at her mercy.

"You still there?" Haruhi's voice pulled me out of my silent musings. I leaned back into the cell at my cheek. I'd almost forgotten she was still on the phone with me.

I hummed 'yes' in reply, "You almost here?"

"Just pulling up"

"I'll see you in a minute. Nekozawa isn't here yet so we have time to strategise"

I hung up, and my eyes were instantly glued to the door.

I watched as the dark Audi stopped at the threshold, before the driver stepped out and walked to the back passenger's door. It opened, and there she fucking was.

I near enough dropped my drink.

She climbed out of the car, her creamy legs touching down in black heels on the pavement, her breasts swelled under the tailored satin at her chest, and those arms I craved to have wound around my shoulders were bare with nothing but thin straps holding the garment to her. She was an otherworldly creature. One that had me picking my jaw up off the ground and readjusting my pants. The trance-like magic was broken however, as she took one step towards the restaurant and tripped, all elegance and grace out the window as she fell to the ground.

I rolled my eyes, and went to meet her at the door.

"You always know how to make an entrance" I said, catching the scent of her perfume as she stepped through the door.

"Kimiko told me these shoes were beginner friendly" she grumbled, "I would have had time to practice in them, had I not been so rudely shooed from my own house"

"Well you're here now, grazed knees and all, that's all I care about"

She rolled her eyes, pushing past me and heading straight to the bar.

I couldn't help but watch her ass as she walked ahead of me.

Lord give me the strength...

"We're ridiculously early. You know that right?" she said, perching herself onto a stool, one leg folding over the other – revealing the open slit at her thigh.

"Better early than on time" I cleared my throat.

"Are you kidding me? Mr Fashionably late?"

I pursed my lips, "You're lucky you look so good. Otherwise I wouldn't let that slide"

To my comment, she turned a beautiful shade of red, that seemed to move from her cheeks down the column of her neck to her chest. My eyes froze on the lift of her breasts, the way they swelled and dipped into that delicious cavern of a cleavage.

I folded my leg and shifted in my seat.

"You know I could report you for that?" Haruhi raised a brow.

"I don't know what you're talking about" I sipped my drink.

"And also for staring at my ass"

I tsked, "Once again, no idea what you could be referring to"

"Hmm?" she mused, but seemed to let it go as she ordered a white wine, "So why the urgency? Nekozawa isn't due to arrive for another 45 minutes"

"Preparation" I replied, "I need to be sure we have everything under control"

"But we always have everything under control"

"Yes. However someone has been out of office for 2 days, so forgive me for feeling somewhat 'in the dark' about our approach"

"I called and emailed daily" she shrugged.

"Not the same"

"Why?"

"You know why"

"I hardly think you would have let me get any work done had I been within 2 feet of you" she smirked, "You have all the final paperwork. Tonight is merely a final settlement. We have the numbers, he knows what we want, we know what he wants. It's a case of signing and having a civilized evening to show him what a great asset and business partner you are. Really the main challenge is making sure you're on your best behaviour"

"I'm always on my best behaviour"

She gave an unconvinced look. One I wanted to removed from her face with my tongue.

I changed the subject.

"How's Emi?" I asked.

Haurhi smiled, "She's good" she replied, "She wanted me to ask when you're coming to dinner"

"I'll come to dinner whenever Momma wants me to" I raised a brow.

"I'd half expected you to invite yourself over"

"What kind of gentleman would I be if I simply showed up?"

"You didn't have a problem with it on Tuesday" she smirked.

"That didn't count. I had to tell you about Nekozawa's call, so I came by to discuss"

"I still ended up cooking you dinner"

"And to repay you, this dinner is on me"

"How generous of you. I'm also being paid overtime right? "

"Of course. What do you take me for?"

"Cheers to that then" she grinned, those glossy inviting lips parting to reveal her pearly smile, near enough bringing me to my knees.

"You look far too beautiful tonight" I said, clinking my glass against hers.

She rolled her eyes, as if not truly believing me, "Yeah sure. You'd be surprised what shaky lip gloss in the back of a moving vehicle can do"

"Trust me" I grumbled, "I'm two seconds away from having a pissing match with the bartender who won't take his eyes off you"

"Is someone jealous?" Haruhi raised a toying brow.

"I don't get jealous"

She snorted, almost spitting out her drink, "Oh you are such a liar"

"I told you before. I don't share"

"And when did I say you'd be sharing me with the bartender? Did you perhaps forget rule number 3? Much like you forgot about rule number 2?"

Rule number 3 – No one else. Only each other.

Rule number 2 – No sordid behaviour at work.

My mind flashed to the image of her pinned to the elevator wall, her tongue dancing with mine.

Okay. Maybe rule number 2 had been a tricky one to stick to.

"I'm doing my best..." I murmured, "But I hardly heard you complaining"

Her cheeks turned red. I smirked, knowing she was reliving those moments too.

I hadn't felt those lips of hers in over 2 days now. And damn when she blushed like that, all I wanted to do was make a scene right on this bar top.

She clicked her fingers in front of my face.

"Focus" she said.

"Easier said than done sweetheart" I winked, "You should definitely keep that dress after tonight"

"It's Kimiko's"

"I'll compensate her for it"

"You know she won't take your money" she scoffed.

"I know. She'll probably get me to babysit instead. Something to torture me with no doubt"

"Awwww" Haruhi cooed, "I'm sure you'd love to babysit Kazue"

"I give it 5 minutes before I forget he's even there"

"Doubtful. He'd cry"

"I don't think I'd be able to hear him if he's been left in the car"

Haruhi gasped, "You'd never"

I shrugged, "Who knows? I once forgot my date in the car for over an hour"

"You're awful"

"In my defense she was no saint either"

Haruhi shook her head, an amused smile on her perfect face, "Remind me never to accept a lift home with you"

"You needn't worry sweetheart" I smirked, "It would be impossible to forget you"

Her eyes seemed to flash with something, something dark that made me clench my fist on the table top. My hand seemed to slide onto her knee by instinct, and my fingers reveled in the warmth of her bare skin that blushed under my touch. Our stools were pulled close, close enough for me to lean into her without hesitation. The temptation was enough to send me over the edge.

Had this been any other night, one where it were just the two of us with no clients due to walk through the door at any moment. I would have claimed those lips of hers and drunk her in. I would have taken her home, stripped her bare, explored every inch of her flushed skin, tasted her, coaxed out those sounds I'd been craving to hear. I'd been obsessing over this woman for far too long, and to have her so close, so beautiful, so tantalising, was driving me crazy.

"Do I need to call HR?" Haruhi smirked.

I bit my lip against the threatening grin, "You know I'll stop. All you have to do is say the word"

She seemed to consider my challenge, a toying smile touching her glossy lips. But instead of pushing my hand away, she simply lifted her glass, and took a sip.


HARUHI

Mr Nekozawa arrived right on time, his attorney of course joining him. Both wore dark tailored suits, dressed to the 9's as if they were making a statement. Courteously, they greeted me first, shaking my hand as they showered me with compliments, before happily addressed Hikaru and following us to our reserved table.

I sat down beside Hikaru, opposite Mr Komatuzawa, Nekozawa's attorney - or Akira as he was often called. I offered a respectful smile and took a brave sip of my wine, emptying the glass.

"Forgive us. We arrived a little early and grabbed a drink" Hikaru spoke up, "Please, order whatever you like, it's on me"

"Nonsense" Nekozawa waved away the offer, "Tonight is my treat. I requested dinner after all"

"I couldn't possibly accept such an offer sir" Hikaru shook his head.

Nekozawa chuckled, "I'd take it as an insult if you don't"

Hikaru opened his mouth to reply, but before he could utter a single word I chimed in.

"Thank you Mr Nekozawa that's incredibly generous" I said, topping up Hikaru's wine glass as he stared at me blankly. I offered the bottle to our guests with a smile.

Beneath the table I felt a hand grip my knee, and I sucked in a squeal of surprise.

Either he was really pleased with my response, or he really wasn't.

Minutes passed filled with small talk, and no mention of the deal until long after the first course had come and gone. I could feel how stressed Hikaru was becoming by the increasing pressure he applied to my knee as his hand left and returned to it every few minutes of pause. But when the conversation finally shifted to the matter at hand, Hikaru almost melted against his seat.

The contracts were signed, initialed and witnessed by myself and Mr Komatuzawa, and just like that, Hikaru was a calm, smiling gentleman, raising his glass to Nekozawa and the table.

Our months of work had paid off. Wrapped up neatly in a Manila folder that sat within Hikaru's briefcase. I too breathed a sigh of relief as Hikaru's hand once again found my knee, this time gliding upwards, his gentle touch causing my leg to quiver. I lifted my glass to my lips, disguising my reaction with a long drink.

"I'm excited to work with you Mr Hitachiin" Nekozawa beamed, "I already have contractors on stand by to begin instillation of your system"

"We can begin work on Monday" Hikaru nodded, "As always we're at your disposal should you need anything or have any further questions"

"No questions, you've been very thorough. Miss Fujioka has outlined everything perfectly"

Hikaru's fingers twitched upwards, following the trail of the open slit of my skirt up my thigh.

"What can I say?" Hikaru smirked, "I have the greatest attorney in Japan" his eyes flashed to Mr Komatuzawa, "No offence"

"None taken" he replied, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose, "I'm actually quite impressed with your work Miss Fujioka. You say you drafted all the contracts alone?"

I blinked, suddenly very aware I hadn't said a word for a while. I cleared my throat.

"With the help of Mr Hitachiin of course" I replied.

"You're a private contract from Ouran Legal right?"

I nodded, "Yes. But I've dedicated the last 7 months solely to Hitachiin Corp"

Nekozawa seemed to perk up, "You know I have a team of legal representatives under me, if you're ever available I'd love to have you work with me some time"

The hand on my knee turned from a soothing stroke to a deathly squeeze. One that said loud and clear – I don't share.

"I'm afraid my loyalties currently lie exclusively with Hitachiin Corp" I answered, gritting my teeth as I resisted the urge to elbow Hikaru from under the table.

"Well, if you're ever available, you have my number" Nekozawa shrugged, "Forgive me Mr Hitachiin, I don't mean any offence by my attempts to steal her. You're a very lucky man"

A smug smirk tugged at Hikaru's lips, "Thank you Mr Nekozawa"


By the end of the meal I was well and truly stuffed. I must have eaten enough to last me the week. I leaned back in my seat, doing my best not to let the protruding food baby show itself through my dress. Hikaru polished off the last few drops of his drink. Everyone was comfortably tipsy it seemed, since the conversation had swayed further and further from professional with each sip. But it was nice, almost as if I were having dinner with friends, with all the pressure of business removed.

It was well past closing time when we finally rose for our seats to leave, passing the other empty tables and hearing the click of the latch once we made it onto the street. I wrapped my arms around myself, shielding my bare skin from the cold.

"Monday" Nekozawa grinned lazily, his cheeks a flushed pink, "We'll discuss the instalments"

Hikaru nodded, shaking his hand, "Of course. Have a good weekend Mr Nekozawa"

"And you Mr Hitachiin" he replied, then turned to me with a grin, "Always a pleasure Miss Fujioka"

"The feeling's mutual" I chuckled. Maybe Mr Nekozawa was slightly more that just tipsy.

He swayed as he climbed into his awaiting car, Mr Komatuzawa assisting from behind.

The car sped off, and for the first time in 2 days, Hikaru and I were stood alone.

I felt a warmth envelope my shoulders, and I looked up to see him draping his blazer around me.

"The smartest woman I've ever met, yet you were dumb enough to forget a jacket?" he rumbled.

"Must have slipped my mind when I was rushed out the door"

I crossed my arms and faced him, ready for whatever sarcastic response he would no doubt throw back at me. But instead, the moment I turned - his lips immediately clashed to mine, stealing my gasp as he pulled me against him. His mouth dominated mine, as desperation and desire stole the breath from my lungs and his tongue sought out my own. It was near primal, as if he were a drowning man fighting for air. My knees felt weak, and I was thankful to have his strong arms holding me upright, pressed tight against his strong chest as I kissed him back with equal ferocity.

When we finally parted, we simply held each other, panting as we looked back at one another.

"You have no idea how much I've wanted to do that" Hikaru practically growled, planting another kiss on my swollen lips.

"Some warning would have been nice" I chuckled breathlessly.

"It's been days. I'm not wasting anymore time talking"

I honestly had no idea how to respond to his words. I too had spent the last 2 days craving the feeling of his lips on mine, it's why I had insisted on being at Ouran to complete my work. There was no way I would have finalised all that paperwork when Hikaru was mere yards away from me, just being in his presence turned me into a mess of hormones and desire.

I couldn't help the small moan as Hikaru pressed his mouth to my throat, trailing his kiss up to my jaw. His touch was intoxicating, and I wasn't sure how the hell I was ever going to say goodnight to him, honestly the idea of going back home without him made me want to stamp my feet and pout.

The question was on the tip of my tongue.

"H...Hikar-" I let out a breathy sigh.

"You don't have to go home right?" He beat me to it.

I shook my head slowly. Emi was at Dad's. Nothing was waiting for me back home...

He met my eye. Hesitating before he finally asked, "Do you maybe...want to come back to mine?"