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Oooooooooooooooo
Heels That Tread On
Love
Chapter 3: SoHo
Sakura sat for the rest of the day in her office stewing over her situation. She stayed put for several hours, staring at her growing messages and the manuscripts that Hinata brought in that had passed the first stage of their journey to print. She just couldn't get her head out of it's malfunctioning, so she stood and walked out of her office, past Hinata's desk and down a hall that stood adjacent. She nodded to Shizune, Tsunade's assistant, and continued.
She opened the clear door, seeing her mentor momentarily taking a break and strutted forward. "Hey, I was wondering,"
The blonde looked up from her spring water and lifted an eyebrow. "What's that, Sakura?"
"Do you want to go get those Jimmy Choos you were talking about? Call it an day?"
Tsunade looked over to her clock and pursed her lips thoughtfully. Five o'clock? Sure, why not?
"We have some cause to celebrate, I suppose."
Sakura smiled and walked back to her own office, stopping to snag Hinata. "Get your jacket and purse, we're going shopping."
The Hyuga woman looked surprised. "Before six? It's been a while since you've left earlier."
"I'll set my reports and the manuscripts I've chosen on your desk and they can be taken care of tomorrow." Sakura said, and turned around to go to her office.
She shut off her computer and gathered her paperwork. She pulled on her jacket and grabbed her purse as she trotted out and found Tsunade already walking to her with her purse in hand and Shizune hopping along behind.
Together, the four women rode down the elevator, glided through the lobby on excited heels, and walked across the wide space of wet concrete to Tsunade and Shizune's cars. They divvied up and then took off to the nearest store that held a myriad of their favorite brands.
The bell chimed merrily as the four of them clicked inside. The flamboyant salesman stepped forward and cooed in delight at their mix of Jimmy Choo, Prada, Marc Jacobs and Gucci shoes: Tsunade's scarlet and beige ones, Sakura's mahogany, Hinata's charcoal, and Shizune's pink…he liked her heels the most.
"Ladies, every time you come in I get so jealous that I don't have the feet for these adorable heels. You all have great taste. Are you here for a new pair already?"
"Of course, Rodger. It's been a while and I need some new Jimmy's." Tsunade said with a grin.
"Alright, come on over."
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Sakura was in great spirits as they left the store. They'd all bought something and she'd made out like a thief with Rodger's employee discount card; a new teeny black dress and a pair of Prada's she'd been dying for.
She was dropped off at her apartment complex and she rode the elevator up to the top, tapping her foot as she went. Sakura's spirits were up as the doors opened and she stepped out and walked down the hall to her suite, her heels clicking as she went.
She loved the feel of the shoes that elevated her short height and gave her legs a great shape. She even felt empowered by them and she knew every woman who sported them felt the same.
Sakura pulled the key from her purse and opened the door to her suite. She walked in, stepped out of her heels and grabbed them with two fingers and moved to her bed room. She went to the closet, hung her dress and set down the bag with her new shoes then went to her kitchen.
She never had any food there except for a woman's necessities like ice-cream and wine. Sakura noted two messages on her machine so she pressed play and listened while she grabbed a glass from the cabinet.
The first was from Ino and she made a point to call her friend back as she went to the fridge to get a bottle of wine. As Ino's message ended, she popped off the cork and began pouring the scarlet liquid into her glass as the machine clicked over to the next voicemail.
"Sakura, I need to discuss some issues with you over dinner tonight, just some questions I need put to rest about the move to yours and Tsunade's building…"
Her eyes shot to the machine and her mouth dropped open. No! How did he get her number!?
"Just partner to partner. I'll pick you up eight…and I know you're wondering how I got your number and address, Naruto is very easily persuaded by ice-cream… I'll see you then, Haruno."
Sakura realized too late that she had overflowed her glass of wine and she cursed heatedly. That bastard wasn't going to leave her be!
She figured she could have just called and complained of a headache but he had purposely not given his number out so she would have no choice but to go. Son of a bitch…
Sakura sighed and looked up at the clock. Her eyes widened and she darted to her bedroom. She had to do something about her hair, it was frizzy from the rain so she grabbed her straighter and gooped some mousse in to take the frizz out.
Sakura added onto her makeup, going a bit bolder for the night shades and dashed over to her closet. She smirked as she grabbed her new black dress knowing she'd shut his mouth when he saw her in it.
She changed her undergarments and put on her sexy new shoes that wrapped around her ankle a bit, like a bold ballerina might wear. The dress fit her like a second skin and hugged every curve and lean line of her waist.
Sakura cursed as her intercom rang and she rushed over to it, jamming the button. "Yes?"
"Come down."
She cursed under her breath and grabbed another purse which she took for night meetings. She sprayed a tiny about of her favorite perfume and left her suite, put out that she hadn't been able to drink that glass of red.
Sakura rode the elevator down and stepped out when the doors opened. She strutted over to the entrance and saw him leaning against a sleek black Mitsubishi and her smirk came easily. Both the car and the man fit each other well.
His eyes met hers and inevitably traveled down her slim body. She felt vulnerable under his intense gaze, but she didn't shift feet as she stood before him, meeting his eyes.
Sasuke felt as though his mouth was filled with fuzz and his head was groggy as his swiftly lusting eyes drifted over her in that sexy little black dress. God bless whoever made such a thing….
He could smell some subtle erotic scent that drifted from her and hit his senses like a bat to his head. Sasuke wanted nothing more than to run his hands over her, but he had to keep in mind that this was a woman he'd have to work with for at least five years, likely more.
She stepped up and held her hand out, which brought him down from his racing thoughts. "So, what are we going to be discussing the most, tonight?" she asked and watched him smirk.
"Well, since the merger has been completed and our lawyers are happy, Uchiha Prints is moving in as of tomorrow."
As she got in the car and the roared to life, she started to wonder what the name was going to be. "So what's our new name going to be?" she asked and looked over to him. "I've been so busy; it hasn't even crossed my mind."
Sasuke nodded as he turned at an intersection. "They decided to call it Nakama Press, keep it japanese."
"Partner Press, huh?" she said and nodded. It sounded fine to her and it was also appropriate for their situation.
Sakura smiled and looked over to him. "So where are we going, Mr. Vice President Sasuke Uchiha?"
He smirked and caught her eyes with a look that sent her blood racing. "SoHo."
"The district?"
"You'll be pleasantly surprised. There's a small restaurant there that I think you'll like."
"Oh, I love that area. Great shopping."
She caught his dubious look and she laughed. "Don't worry; I'm not going to drag you around there. We are business partners, after all. It's not professional."
He smirked then and she had the distinct feeling he had been tricking her. "We aren't actually discussing any business unless the topic comes up. I just wanted to get to know you on a more personal level. That way we can work more smoothly."
Sakura didn't know why she wasn't mad. He was a bastard but he was one sexy one, so it her hackles hadn't risen. Besides, she was starting to enjoy his company despite his insufferable cockiness and know-it-all nature. "That's alright with me."
He parked the car and they got out in the historic downtown area of SoHo. She was charmed, as she always was, about the eclectic nature of the area.
He, again, held his arm out to her and they walked down the sidewalk, like many other couples and young artists, and he led her into a discreetly placed restaurant. They ducked, greeted by a peppy young hostess and after getting Sasuke's name, she led them to a corner both that was dimly lit and had a candle glowing merrily in the center.
Sakura smirked as they sat and opened the menu, approving. "Nice place, but it gives off the air that you're trying to seduce me." She said.
Sasuke looked up, a grin of his own. "Who said that I wasn't?"
They spoke about many things after the waiter got their drinks and orders. "So is Itachi married?"
"No," Sasuke said as he ate a basil topped tomato. "He moves around with some tart on occasion, but he won't settle down until he's sure. He is smart about women."
"And did he teach you well?" she asked as she leaned back and took a sip of red.
"Oh yes. We had that talk a long time ago."
She shook her head as a small blush fluttered across her face. His eyes were searching her and he wondered what would happen if they both acted on their sexual tension. It would probably become a disaster.
She sat up straight and was about to ask him where his office was going to be placed, when she heard an annoyingly familiar voice.
"Here you are, not a full day since you dumped Hojo and you're already tromping around like a greedy slut for a new pocket to eat through."
Sakura looked up to see Karin, was hanging on Hojo. The dark blond man was rubbing his neck, looking away from Sakura, sporting a large bruise high on his left cheek.
"What do you want, Karin? I already left him to you." Sakura couldn't help the snarl from escaping her lips.
"I want my ring back."
"Your ring? I don't understand." She said even though deep down she knew. Her heart constricted a bit, despite her hatred of the man who had cracked it.
Karin tossed her messy bird's nest of a hair style, thinking it looked wind-blown and sexy. "You didn't even know he was seeing me behind your back for months. Didn't you notice how he stopped trying to get into your pants, you little convent wanna-be? He found a real woman, not a damn nun."
Sasuke watched Sakura's face pale slightly and he didn't like the severity of the conversation.
"I still don't see why he ever wanted to fuck you, seeing as you're so skinny; like a little girl. But I guess a man is a man and he wants to plow an untouched field."
Sasuke glared up at the woman and swiftly laid a hand on Sakura's, an instant away from grabbing her up and leaving.
"At least being skinny is better than popping out of my dress." Sakura cooed sweetly, eyeing the way Karin's too-tight dress strained against her overly generous hips.
The redhead's eyes flared and she pulled Hojo closer, who had taken it upon himself to look heavily upon a list of drinks from a nearby empty table.
"Well, maybe if you weren't so tight-assed with your coveted virginity, you would know that a real man likes his curves. And I want my ring sent to me within a week. Hojo and I are getting married soon."
When the intruding couple turned and walked away, Sakura dropped her head into her hands, her shoulders shaking with the effort not to burst into tears.
Sasuke, stunned by what he had heard, shot a hand out and grabbed one of hers. "Stop Sakura. It's obvious those two deserve each other."
"She was right though…God…I need to leave, Sasuke." She whimpered, humiliated by her quiet sobs.
Sasuke grabbed her hand, dropped a hundred dollar bill on the table and pulled her out the nearby back exit. He didn't want anyone to see her suffering, because she clearly despised exposing her weakness.
He walked her back to his car, his arm over her shoulder, and her sobs had dissipated into silent tears.
As Sasuke braked in front of her apartment complex, he felt her eyes lingering on him. He looked over to see her watery green eyes gazing into his black ones calmly.
"Sasuke…can I ask you something?"
"Yes." he said, even as his throat constricted.
"Does being a virgin at twenty-two make me undesirable?" she asked it desperately. "Am I seen as a damn ice bitch or a fucking nun? Is that why I can't win with men?!" Her lip had quivered, humiliating her once more and he suddenly reached over, dragging her over to him. His lips fell on hers in a chaste, sweet kiss and she felt grounded by his close heat.
"No. It takes pride and willpower to keep yourself pure despite what other people think." He whispered into her ear and sent chills up her spine.
"Come up with me, Sasuke." She breathed and he nearly did.
"No, not when you're so emotional."
She nearly broke down again. Even he, her dark savior, had turned her away. She backed to her seat and leaned over with a painful tightness in her chest when her shoulders where suddenly caught in his powerful grip.
"I can't take your virginity when you are hurting this badly." He said, and his eyes looked wild and dangerous, spiking her pent up desire. "It would hurt us both if I acted upon you because it was influenced by someone else's words."
She nodded briskly, and just wanted to stumble out of the car and slink back to her room and drown in her warm bath tube.
Sakura tried to pull away but she found his hot, desperate mouth on hers and she couldn't stop the moan from escaping her mouth. He plunged his tongue into her mouth and took away her sanity.
He felt her fingers tangle in his hair and he grunted as he pushed her away to look at her face. Her eyes were dull and dark with lust and her lips were swollen, forcing his pants to tighten even more. "God, Sakura, this isn't going to be over if you don't leave this car right now."
Sasuke sounded so dangerous that she slowly backed into her own seat and opened the door, but not before he stole one last kiss that took her breath. "I'll finish this, Sakura. I will take your virginity…"
She shivered with dark anticipation and found it in herself to smirk cattily at him. "I can't wait." She murmured and her deep, lusty voice almost forced him out of the car after her.
He watched her trip over her heels once and she walked though the sliding doors and laid his forehead on the wheel.
The merger would either kill him or make him crazy…
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