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Coffee Shops and Cameras

Chapter 17

HIKARU

A strange jarring in the bed stirred Hikaru from his sleep. It was like a shift in weight on the mattress, only slightly, but enough to stir him. At first he thought he was still dreaming, as there was something so surreal about the room, nothing unpleasant, just...different. Unfamiliar.

Hikaru went to sit up, but something stopped him.

It was then he felt a warm figure pressed against his chest, a small, smooth figure. Their legs were entwined with his, and thick locks of hair tickled his nose. He took a deep lingering breath. Strawberry and elderflower. So...delicious. Mouth watering.

Yes. Still dreaming.

After all, he was sure he didn't take anyone to bed the previous night, he hadn't even gone out to his usual bars to pick anyone up. He then considered whether Kaoru had climbed in, when they were younger they always shared a bed, so it wouldn't be out of the ordinary. However, unless Kaoru changed his shampoo, shrunk a good foot and a half and grew C cups, it was seriously unlikely it was him.

Wait...C cups?

Hikaru swiped his hand away from his bedmate's chest, his eyes flying open, suddenly wide awake. He felt his cheeks heat with embarrassment, which then spread across his entire body as his eyes trailed over the figure who filled the other side of his bed.

Haruhi stirred slightly as Hikaru moved away from his spooning position where he'd been pressed firmly against her back. Slowly, he slid his arm out from under her head, then sat back, his heart pounding.

How the hell did she get here? When did she? Why did she?

His head practically swelled with confusion at the sight of her laying there, wearing a pair of low hanging grey sweats and a tight spaghetti-strap tank top; that had ridden up, revealing her smooth toned stomach, and the faint dimples above her behind. She looked so peaceful, so content...just lying there fast asleep, her hair a halo of brunette locks that spread across the white pillow beneath her.

Hikaru had never woken up to such a stunning sight like this one.

Usually after sex the woman would leave. They rarely slept over, Hikaru didn't like it. And if they did, he'd be up early to throw them out before anyone saw them, immediately passing clothes their way to cover them. There'd be make up stains all over the comforter, and the smell of booze and hairspray in the air. But not this morning. This morning the room smelled fresh, sweet and floral, Haruhi was fully clothed and somehow she was still was so much more enticing than any naked woman he'd seen lying there. And more importantly, he didn't want to rush her out. He didn't want to wake her. It scared him how much he wanted to just watch her lying there, and how much peace it seemed to give him.

Gently, he adjusted the covers over her, making sure she was comfortable and warm. A small smile touched her lips, and Hikaru's breath hitched.

What the fuck is this woman doing to me?

A few weeks ago if he'd woken up to this sight he would have been angry. He would have turfed her out the moment he saw her. Yes, maybe he would have slept with her, but he wouldn't have wanted her to stay the night. It was frightening how right she looked there.

This is ridiculous. Wake her up and tell her to go back to her room.

Hikaru went through mental gymnastics in his head. He should wake her up. He should be asking her why she was even there in the first place. Was she lonely? Did she sleepwalk?

A small whimper interrupted his inner ramblings.

Oh.

Fuck it.

Without giving himself time to change his mind, he slipped back into bed, settling beneath the sheets. His arms wound back into place, one across her waist, pulling her back against him, and the other slid under her neck. Instantly he felt her warmth heat his skin, and smelled the sweet scent of her hair. He let out a sigh, and so did she.

HARUHI

"This is so embarrassing" I murmured, covering my face with a bent arm.

I'd woken up in Hikaru's bed. Apparently I hadn't woken up early enough to sneak out, and instead, I'd spent the entire night there. I'd opened my eyes to find Hikaru's arms locked around me, holding me as if he were scared I'd fly away. I felt his hot breath against my ear, making me tingle all over, and the firmness of his bare abs pressed against my back. The feeling was just so...euphoric. In fact I was surprised by how good it felt, and how badly I wanted to stay there.

So here I was, lying beside him, his cocky arrogant smirk looming down at me as he propped his head up in the palm of his hand.

"Stop staring at me. You're making it worse" I grumbled, peaking up at him.

"What? The blush?" he grinned, "I can tell. Even your chest has turned red" he toyed with the covers, lowering them slightly to reveal my collarbone. I batted his hand away.

"I'm serious" I scolded.

He held his hands up in surrender, "Hey, you're the one who came into my room and slept in my bed. If you're embarrassed that's your fault"

"It's not like I planned to stay in here" I finally moved away my arm, revealing Hikaru in his full glory. I couldn't really see him when it was dark, but now that a slither of sunlight was creeping through the closed curtains, I could see just how lean and muscular his bare chest was. He wasn't shy about it either, he kept the sheets lowered to his waist, giving me a good view as if it were on purpose.

"Then why did you? You know you didn't have to sneak in, you could have just told me you wanted to sleep with me" he flashed a wink.

I rolled my eyes, "You were having another nightmare" I said, "I came in to see if you were okay, then you grabbed me and wouldn't let go"

"I grabbed you?"

I nodded, "You practically restrained me"

"Oops" he smirked. He seemed so pleased with himself it was almost comical, "Sorry, you're just so warm and soft, can you blame me for wanting to snuggle?"

I scoffed, "I didn't have you down as a snuggler"

"Usually no, but I guess I made an exception for you" He shrugged, "So...do I get a morning kiss?" it was only then I noticed how deep and lusty his eyes were. It only made the whole 'sharing a bed' thing all the more dangerous. We'd already established the attraction between us, no matter how outrageous it seemed since as people – we just didn't mesh. I wasn't even sure if I could call us friends. But whatever was happening between us was definitely something else, and I wasn't sure if I wanted to explore that...no matter how tempting. And my god, it was tempting.

I blinked rapidly, trying to clear the dirty slideshow flashing through my mind, "M...morning k-kiss?" I cleared my throat, "Ew no, morning breath"

"It just seems like a waste...you lying here in my bed..." he leaned closer, wrapping one arm around my waist, sliding me towards him slowly, "And you look so tempting" his voice was hushed, slow and sensual. He brought his mouth close as he slipped his leg between mine. It took barely a moment for him to hover above me, his lips teasing mine as they neared. Ugh, I wanted him so bad. What was wrong with me? I was never like this with men. I didn't even hold hands until like date number 4, and kissing? That was a rarity in itself. I'd only kissed 3 guys in my 26 years, and only slept with 2. But none of them compared to Hikaru. Even right now with him just looking down at me, I felt more passion and lust than I ever did - even during the act with any ex-boyfriend.

A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips, "Besides" he whispered, "Your breath isn't that bad"

"Hey-"

Then his mouth crashed to mine, stealing my words along with any thought I had about resisting him.

He felt soooo good. That talented tongue dominating mine, those soft full lips, and strong hands that caressed and explored my body, bringing me closer, yet not close enough. Like a drug, I wanted more. I felt like I'd die if we stopped, if he climbed off me and left me needing more. I drove my hands into his messy bed hair and let out a muffled moan. I guessed he liked it, as he growled in response and pistoned his hips between my legs, sending a bolt of pure ecstasy through my body as he ground himself against me. It needed more, more friction, more of that delicious electricity, more of him.

I gasped and moaned the word, More. To which he happily obliged, grinding himself against me again, and again, and again.

"So sweet, so fucking sweet" he hissed, his mouth latched to my neck, beginning an onslaught of kisses and nibbles on my delicate flesh, "Let me hear you" he strained.

How could I refuse him?

My legs snaked around him, pulling him even closer. There wasn't an inch between us, yet it still felt like we were miles apart. I could feel my release building as he continued to move against me, the rubbing and friction ignited my insides. Suddenly the only thing that seemed to exist was Hikaru and that bed.

"Hikaru" I said breathlessly, practically pleading.

"I want you" he growled, "it's killing me" looking straight into my eyes, his forehead pressed against mine. He kissed me again, swallowing my moans as I felt myself teetering over the edge of release.

Then suddenly the name, "Hika!" echoed through the room, accompanied by loud knocking.

And the name didn't come from me.

We froze, staring at each other in shock.

"Hey Hika, can I borrow some mouthwash, I'm all out!"

It was Kaoru.

Hikaru's eyes went wide with...well, a mixture of anger and desperation. I gave him a look that told him to answer his brother, at the risk of him just coming in and seeing us there - dishevelled and heaving for breath.

"Yeah" Hikaru replied, his voice ragged and hoarse, "One second"

He regretfully lifted himself off me, just as the door handle jiggled and turned. Without thinking I threw myself off the bed and onto the floor, just as the door swung open.

"Jesus Kao, I said one second!" Hikaru snapped.

"It's just me, Jesus, calm down", I heard Kaoru chuckle, "What's up with you? You look like you've run a marathon"

Hikaru cleared his throat, "I was doing some...push ups" I watched as he walked past the bed and into the adjoining bathroom. When he returned he was holding a bottle of mouthwash. His gaze briefly met mine as he caught me crouched down behind the side of his bed, hiding. The whole situation just felt ridiculous.

Kaoru left pretty quickly, as Hikaru did what he could to usher him out. When the door clicked shut I let out a long breath and slowly sat up.

"So that was...a first" I exhaled.

Hikaru extended his hand to me and pulled me to my feet, "I could kill him sometimes"

"Don't be such a child" I chuckled.

"Easy for you to say" he strained, "You don't have 10 inches of discomfort down there"

I rolled my eyes, "10 inches?"

"Okay, maybe 9" his arms wrapped around my waist.

I stared up at him, trying to calm the fluttering in my stomach from all the adrenaline. I felt so unsatisfied, like my climb to the top floor was just a few steps short. But now that the cloud of arousal and lust was beginning to clear, I was starting to feel...unsure. Confused. And admittedly, a little fascinated by it all. Fascinated by him. Fascinated by myself.

I had this weird looming feeling that I was seriously flying too close to the sun. This wasn't me. I never did stuff like this. My eyes flittered to the bed beside us, replaying what just happened. How Hikaru had leaned over me, ravaged me, made my body ignite in a way no one had done before. Somehow, without realising, he'd gotten into my system, and now I was becoming a completely different version of myself. A version that took what she wanted, acted on instinct, and didn't give a fuck about sensibility or rationality. Without that drunk feeling of lust, all the reasons as to why this was a baaaad fucking idea came flooding back.

Reason number 1 – His mother is my boss. My boss. Let me repeat that, My. Boss.

Reason number 2 – He had a reputation with women, and from what I'd heard from others and a brief google search, these encounters never ended well for the women.

And reason number 3, the cherry to top the cake – He was an asshole. Plain and simple. The men I typically found myself attracted to were the polar opposites of Hikaru. I mean fuck, my last crush was on a guy who volunteered 3 times a week at the public library. Hikaru had probably never stepped foot in one due to all the "commoners". He was rude, inconsiderate, arrogant, vain, and...oh god...so damn sexy.

No, stop, focus.

But he is, and he smells good.

Hikaru dipped his head to kiss my neck and I took a step back, putting on a smile.

"I have to go and get ready" I said.

He pouted, "You're kidding me right?"

"We have work to do. I have work to do"

"And I have a painful erec-"

I put my palm up, "I don't need to hear that"

"You want to see it instead?"

"You're so crude"

"You're tempted though"

Oh hell yes I was.

Don't look down, don't look down, don't look down...

I gave him a firm pat on his chest, enjoying the feel of his bare pectorals way too much, "Go have a cold shower, I'll see you later for our session"

"Can we have the session in here?" he asked, raising a perfect eyebrow.

"No. Too many distractions, I don't trust you to stay professional"

"It's becoming pretty impossible to remain professional around you" he winked.

And my legs turned to jelly.

Breakfast was...weird. So goddamned weird. In essence it was a normal morning, but I didn't feel right sat next to Hikaru, catching his scent, feeling him brush his leg against mine under the table. He joked and laughed, and seemed to be genuinely in a good mood. Which wasn't always the case, especially when he didn't sleep well. But without the moodiness, it almost felt like a nice normal family breakfast, almost. I had an uncomfortable urge to hide away, I struggled to meet his eye without blushing, and every question about how I slept was answered in stutters. Suddenly I felt like I was the one who needed coaching on how to act.

Yuzuha handed me a book of fabrics as I sat cross legged on her workroom floor. My mind was wandering between her and Hikaru as I flicked through the soft woven tiles of material, considering each one for the garment Yuzuha had been envisioning.

"I was thinking these two" she explained, pointing at two squares of elegant blue fabric, different shades, but both with different intricate metallic stitching. Yuzuha was working on her new line of men's formal wear, today she was working on suits for Hikaru and Kaoru. I ran my fingers over them, enjoying the coarse but soft texture.

"They're beautiful" I said, "Would you like me to draw them out?"

Yuzuha beamed, "Please, but I was also hoping you could design dress shirts for them"

"You want me to design them?"

"I trust you" she flashed me a wink, one that reminded me of Hikaru. Somehow it was like their genes were perfectly suited to the innocent wink.

The thought of Hikaru giving me that mischievous smirk and wink combo made my stomach flutter. For a moment, my mind went blank.

"Should we?" Yuzuha said, eyes wide.

"Huh?"

She rolled her eyes with a smile, "Such a daydreamer" she chuckled, "I said should we order 7 yards of both?"

I nodded, "Will we need that much?"

"The extra few yards gives us room to play" Yuzuha grinned playfully as she tapped away on her tablet, "So, what were you so distracted by?"

"Distracted?"

"Your daydream" she chuckled.

"Oh...right. My daydream..." I cleared my throat, "I was just...planning mine and Hikaru's next session" I lied.

"Has he been behaving himself? I saw that you managed to convince him to help the team yesterday, I'm tempted to give you a medal"

I laughed, "He's okay once you know how to speak his language"

Or rather body language...

"You must be fluent by now"

You have no idea...

I shrugged, "I'm getting there"

"I'm surprised he's warmed to you so quickly" Yuzuha admitted, "Dare I say you two are friends now?"

I chuckled, "I'd say yes but I don't want to jinx it"

"Even so" she smiled and sat down on the carpet beside me, her purple silk skirt fanning out around her, "I haven't seen him like this with someone for a long time. Did you know I catch him in the morning pacing his room? It's like he's waiting for you to wake up for your sessions"

He'd wait for me? Really? The thought brought a smile to my face for some reason.

"I'm glad you're here Haruhi, I knew from the minute I met you that you'd be good for him"

I closed my design book and fiddled with the cover in my lap, "He can be hard work but...I've never been scared of conflict. I like a challenge"

"I suppose the women he usually associates with aren't as headstrong as you are. I think it's been quite the wake up call to be faced with someone who isn't so easily influenced" she shrugged, "He's had this vendetta since Seika, after her he's been so bitter to new people. He's not as willing to trust as he used to..."

I furrowed my eyebrows, "Seika? Who's Seika?"

"Oh? I thought you'd know about her by now"

I shook my head.

"She was his girlfriend. First and only"

I blinked, "Oh?" He'd only had 1 girlfriend? But he was Hikaru Hitachiin. How had he only had 1?

I watched as Yuzuha's forehead creased and jaw tensed. I could tell that she wasn't this Seika's biggest fan.

"She seemed like such a lovely girl at first, very sweet, unassuming. She was an assistant at one of my shows and she and Hika just clicked. He was only 18 at the time, but back then he was so open and caring" a smile touched her gentle lips, "He worshipped that girl. Saw her whenever possible, he showered her with gifts and took her to expensive restaurants, whatever she needed or wanted he'd get her. He bought her a new car, paid her rent, clothes, jewellery, it just became relentless, nothing seemed to be enough for her. In the end Hikaru couldn't do it anymore, he knew she was only there for the money so he ended it"

"I'm guessing she didn't like that?"

Yuzuha's expression saddened, "She sold this awful story to the press, telling them all these lies about Hika. It destroyed him, his reputation, his optimism, his joy. In the end he just...disappeared, then this Hikaru showed up. And ever since then he stopped trusting people. Especially people who come from more humble beginnings. Seika left this...paranoia behind"

Yuzuha drifted off into thought. Probably hating Seika for what she did to her son. I tried to wrap my head around it all. Actually, it made a lot of sense. Too much sense. The first time Hikaru saw Dad and I he said "Don't steal anything" was that because he didn't trust commoners? And when I said I didn't want the dress he bought me, and how I couldn't accept the money...he looked so...confused. Is that why he hated me so much? Because he thought all women were like Seika? Did he think that's what I was like?

Why the fuck didn't he tell me any of this?

After rapping up with Yuzuha I went straight to my room, loading up my laptop and opened the search engine. Why the fuck hadn't I done this before? Was it fear? Anxiety? Or did I just not care? I typed in the name – Hikaru Hitachiin. Immediately I was welcomed by thousands of results. Varying in photoshoots, articles and tabloid slams. I bit my lip as my mouse hovered over a shirtless photo of him.

Ohhh jeez, the photos don't do that chest justice- wait focus. Focus.

Hikaru Hitachiin; girlfriend

Forums begging for his attention, not what I'm looking for...

I scrolled.

Down.

Down.

Dowwwwn.

Ah bingo.

I highlighted and article and clicked. The headline popped up, on some big time tabloid known for reporting dodgy and usually unauthentic news.

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: HIKARU'S MESSY SPLIT.

I cringed at the name. The beast? Hikaru was no beast. I mean yeah he was...rude and mean, and selfish and arrogant...and untrustworthy and judgemental, and makes this condescending look when- Focus Haruhi! He's no beast.

I read the length of the article, taking in every harsh word on Hikaru. This woman's accusations were just...vile. Of course, I didn't know Hikaru before a few weeks ago, but the things this woman said were just...not him. Claims that he hit her, spit at her, used her...it was disgusting. I could feel my face heat up with anger as the words flowed into my head. At the bottom, there was a photo of the couple. A young Hikaru, looking at a beautiful long haired brunette. She had a devilishly angled face, with piercing eyes and a slender body. She stared dreamily at the camera, but at her side Hikaru only saw her. A smile I'd never seen on his face, and an expression of pure adoration. My heart ached with a strange feeling...a tight, stabbing...feeling.

Who did this bitch think she was?

She was dressed head to toe in Gucci for fuck's sake! And she started as an assistant on a shoe string wage! He'd given her everything!

I growled under my breath and clicked out of the offending article, then sat back in my seat, scowling.

I could feel all the puzzle pieces clashing together, trying to fit, but the picture wasn't so clear yet. But I could see...I could see why Hikaru had become the way he was. He was attacked publicly, and instead of fighting it he gave into it. He owned the criticism so it wouldn't hurt him, he became what they said. A beast.

My chest tightened.

I should talk to him about this...

I took a deep breath and moved to close my laptop, but as I glanced back at the screen, a new link caught my eye. An article, published yesterday...

HIKARU HITACHIIN IS DATING HIS ASSISTANT?!

My hand shook as I hovered the mouse over it. I clicked. And slowly, an image of Hikaru and I leaving the hotel loaded up on the screen. Taken the other day when I found him in the bar...he was looking at me with desire evident in his eyes as we approached the awaiting limo, standing so close to me...

Hikaru Hitachiin was seen yesterday leaving the 'Yuga' hotel with a beautiful brunette, that sources have revealed to be his new assistant. Hitachiin, who is known to be an adventurous playboy, seems to have branched out from his usual night owl hunts and appears to be openly flaunting his new beau...

I read on, and on, and on, until the page scrolled no more. My breath went ragged in my throat. More pictures of us climbing into the limo, him holding open the hotel door for me, and one close up of me. In my long navy dress, staring at Hikaru in a whiskey induced daze. Undeniably me. 100% me.

I slammed the laptop shut. And sat in the silence of my room.

I sat there. My fingers clawed against the metal case.

Ohhhh fuuuuuuuuck.