CHAPTER THREE
Konan had known by the familiar route Nagato drove that he was heading to his place. He'd shocked her by showing up at the school, and her stomach nervously twisted into knots as he relieved her of her tote and placed it into the trunk of his sleek sports car before escorting her into the passenger seat.
At the moment, she was grateful to settle against the leather bucket seat and allow the cool air of the air conditioner to alleviate much of the dizziness she felt earlier. The rain was a little more than a drizzle now, and she contented herself by watching the droplets pelt against the window before being whisked away beneath the pressure of the wind as Nagato sped along.
Konan had always loved the rain, and whether that had to do with the fact that she'd been born and raised in Amegakure where it was a constant, she was unsure. She'd only been aware of its beauty and its uncanny effect upon her to soothe even her most ornery of moods. Leaning her head back against the seat, her eyes drifted closed as she allowed the musical pitter patter of the rain to work its magic on her senses.
Her eyes immediately shot open again when she felt Nagato clasp her left hand in his larger right hand. He proceeded to lightly rub tiny circles onto the back of her hand with his thumb, and she gasped as the gesture sent a tiny spark of pleasure up her spine. It hadn't gone unnoticed as Nagato glanced in her direction. His eyes narrowed on her before refocusing on the road. Nagato was a competent driver, smoothly and safely maneuvering the vehicle with ease along the rain slicked roads. He released her hand only to shift the gears before reclaiming it in his own again and resume his massage, the small caress causing her pulse to quicken and a telltale throb of desire to pulsate between her legs.
Konan marveled at the manner in which even the most smallest of touches from Nagato were able to reduce her to a mass of heated flesh. Why had he been able to elicit such passionate responses from her so easily? Although she knew the fact that he'd been her only lover played a significant factor, she knew that it hadn't been the only reason. They shared a connection that surpassed the relationship that formed based on their similar experiences as orphans. Their compatibility had been a potent aphrodisiac all its own. There'd even been times when they communicated without the use of words, when a mere glance or gesture had been sufficient to convey a thought or emotion. Her gaze suddenly swiveled round to Nagato questioningly when he steered the car onto another street and proceeded to drive in a different direction.
"I have a surprise for you," he responded to her quizzical expression, and the corner of his mouth lifted into a smile when she arched one brow. He lifted her hand to softly graze his lips on the back as he made another turn, and her skin there was still sensitized where he'd massaged it. Straightening the car, he inclined his head forward.
Konan followed his gaze. She recognized the abandoned tower that loomed before her as it had served as their haunt back when they were in their teens. It seemed like ages to Konan since she'd been there. So why had he brought her here? Was this the surprise he mentioned?
After all the years, the tower remained the tallest of all the ones that still stood in Amegakure. There had been many speculations as to who'd been responsible for its construction. Local legend had it that the architect had been a schizophrenic who had designed the structure based on the images in his mind. Whether or not it had been true, no one had been sure anymore, but many had defaulted to the concept nevertheless as it made sense of the frightening design. Each of the four sides of the tower's façade was constructed in the shape of a grotesque human face with a gaping mouth through which a tongue protruded in a lewd and lascivious fashion. Konan realized that even from where she sat in the car, it could all be easily seen with the naked eye from the ground.
It seemed like ages to Konan since she'd been there, and her face immediately shadowed. It had been over a decade now since the death of her and Nagato's mutual friend, Yahiko, when he'd been murdered during the country's upheaval. The three of them used to hang out in the tower together; it kind of became a second home to them as they passed their time there, fantasizing about their futures. Yahiko had been so young, Konan reminisced painfully, and a ball of emotion caught in her throat. Her attention was redirected as Nagato gently squeezed her hand, his hooded eyes conveying he'd remembered as well, had understood what she felt as he'd felt the same. The years that Konan, Nagato, and Yahiko spent in the orphanage together had been made bearable due to the bond that had quickly fostered between them. In many ways, their relationship substituted for the family they'd each lost. They had been friends, confidantes, and siblings as they rallied one another in the face of a cruel and unjust fate, in a world equally merciless. And when Yahiko had been taken from them, it seemed only natural when Konan and Nagato sought comfort in one another against the pain felt by the void of his absence.
Nagato pulled the car up to the side of the building on a small side street. He activated a switch located on the dashboard and waited as a large, hidden door began to slowly open before steering the car into a darkened alcove. He waited until the door closed behind them and pitched them into complete darkness. Konan blinked repeatedly until her eyes finally adjusted. The car slanted forward as Nagato continued on what appeared to be a private, underground driveway. The walls were made of steel and imbedded with small lights fixtures that lit the way. Nagato pulled the car into one of a few spaces reserved for parking. No sooner had he exited was he quickly on the passenger side to escort Konan out. She accepted his hand as she tentatively stepped from the car and wrapped her arms around herself against the sudden chill. Nagato observed the slight shiver of her slender frame and wrapped an arm about her shoulders as he ushered her into a small elevator located on the wall opposite the rear of the car.
Konan had yet to see what the surprise was; everything thus far had been as it had always been. She angled a pointed glance at Nagato to convey as much, and he chuckled.
"It's coming," he assured her and surprised her when he produced a long, silk black scarf that he held up for her to see. His head angled as he watched her cheeks suffuse with a light pink color and immediately guessed where her mind had wandered. He'd often employed the use of such scarves when they'd been intimate and he preferred her bound. Amused, his eyes began to twinkle mischievously but he soon dissolved into laughter when she responded with a roll of her eyes and turned her back to him as he secured the material over her eyes.
Konan's mind was conflicted as the elevator began its upward ascent. She realized this was a prime opportunity to disclose her pregnancy to him, but she'd be lying to herself if she hadn't admitted enjoying the moment with him. Even her nausea had managed to calm itself for now. And although she wasn't sure what his surprise had been about, it had nonetheless warmed her heart that he had prepared it for her. She pacified her mind by deciding to play the situation by ear.
As the tower stood well over a hundred feet, a series of elevators had been installed, each one built to ascend a certain number of floors before another elevator had to be accessed to ascend higher still. Since Konan had no idea how far the elevator would need to travel before reaching the designated floor, it was all she could do to remain quiet against the anticipation that built within her.
Her breath caught as Nagato placed his hands on her shoulders and eased her back against his chest, the force of his heartbeat within resonating against her back. He lowered his head to her ear, the heat of his breath tickling the sensitive skin there. His arms lowered to wrap about her waist, where they remained as they continued the elevator ride in silence.
Nagato led Konan out by her hand when the elevator finally reached the designated floor and the doors slid open. Konan noticed the change in the flooring as she stepped from the carpeted car and onto what appeared to be a tiled surface, if the way in which her heels loudly clicked against the surface was any indication. He halted her with a hand against the small of her back, and she could hear him fumbling in his pocket for keys before inserting one into a door. He gently urged her inside where he prompted her to remove her shoes and briefly broke away from her to close the door and remove his jacket. Konan quietly stood with laced fingers until Nagato rejoined her, stepping closely behind her to untie the blindfold.
"Surprise," he leaned to whisper in her ear as the material slipped away. He retreated a few steps and leaned against the wall with arms crossed, content to witness her reaction with no small amount of pride.
Konan gasped. "Oh my…" Her hand flew to her mouth as her widened eyes eagerly darted about the luxurious interior of what appeared to be a…..penthouse apartment?
Her bare feet were silent against the bamboo flooring as she slowly walked the space of the living room. Her eyes drank in the décor. The walls alternated in dark, smoky shades of grey and plum, except for the far wall before her which had been composed of clear glass from floor to ceiling and that emitted the natural light of Amegakure to deeply penetrate the room. Konan had always preferred the minimalist design and agreed with the few pieces of leather furniture that sat on a large area rug at the center. Her eyes lifted to admire the tray ceiling that housed the recessed lighting which could be adjusted from a dial on the wall.
Nagato's chest continued to swell at the astonishment that lit Konan's face as she turned to him, clearly unable to speak. Pushing himself from the wall, he made to cross to her when the telltale vibration of his cell phone in his pocket caught his attention. His eyes continued to hold Konan in their gaze as she turned to resume her perusal. He flipped open the cell phone and glanced to check the identity of the caller, and his brows knit into a frown at the name displayed.
Ino Yamanaka.
Nagato suppressed his sigh as he hadn't wanted to distract Konan. He allowed Ino's call to go to voicemail, wondering what she could have possibly wanted. He had wanted to contact her himself as he'd had a few choice things to say to her as well, but she apparently beat him to it. Straightening, he placed his cell phone back into the pocket of his black leather jacket and lifted his gaze to find Konan watching him questioningly.
"Is everything alright?" Konan asked. She crossed to stand before him when she noticed his frown.
"I'm fine," he shrugged, the corner of his mouth lifting. His expression became pensive. "Are you hungry?"
Konan paused to gauge her level of nausea. "Yeah, I guess," she replied as she lifted one shoulder.
Konan continued to admire the décor as she followed Nagato through an open sliding shoji door and into the kitchen where the bamboo flooring continued. Although the floor plan was open, she figured the door had been installed to ensure privacy whenever it was desired. The walls in this room were composed of open brick that contrasted with the wood of the cabinets and the granite counters and island. Her brows rose at the state-of-the-art stainless steel appliances. Nagato apparently spared no expense renovating this portion of the tower into the hospitable space he had, but she figured that was expected of one Amegakure's star architect.
Nagato had realized his to desire to design buildings back in the orphanage, when he and Yahiko had shared the same passion and goal. Konan remembered how the two of them were always drawing and sketching, crumbling and tossing wads of paper aside before starting another. She used to joke that it had never been hard to find them, as she'd only had to follow the paper trail to locate them. And after Yahiko's death, Nagato had been even more fixated on realizing the dream in what Konan had suspected was homage to his departed friend. Nevertheless, why had he undertaken the task and, what was more, what did this place have to do with her?
Nagato ushered her into a chair at the dining table onto which boxes of Chinese take-out had been set out. Konan selected two paper plates that had been provided by the restaurant and proceeded to scoop the still warm food onto them while Nagato had crossed into the kitchen and selected a bottle of wine from the small wine cellar cooler that had been installed in the island. Konan drew herself up when Nagato returned with the wine and two fluted glasses. Her gynecologist's words of caution against the consumption of alcohol in even the most minute of amounts rang in her head. She cleared her throat as Nagato popped the cork and proceeded to pour the bubbly liquid into one of the glasses before handing it to her.
"No, thank you," she stated politely, "I think I'll pass this evening." Her eyes lowered to prevent Nagato from reading anything in her eyes. He had always been perceptive where she was concerned.
Surprised, Nagato's brows arched. "Are you sure?" he stated. He knew Konan had always liked chilled wine with Chinese take-out. When Konan merely nodded without meeting his gaze and requested water instead, his brows knit into a frown. "Is everything alright?"
"I'm fine," she stated. "I just need to drink more water is all," she lied.
Nagato shrugged and turned to retrieve a bottle of water for her from the refrigerator before claiming his seat at the dining table across from her. He shoveled a generous helping of chicken lo mein into his mouth with a pair of chopsticks. He was silent as he chewed thoughtfully for a moment before raising his eyes to Konan. "What do you think of the place?" His voice was low and hesitant as he spoke.
Konan raised her eyes to find him regarding her with an unreadable expression. She swallowed before answering. "It's absolutely beautiful, Nagato," she answered honestly, "but I think you know that." Her curiosity heightened as she wondered in what direction this conversation was headed. She watched as Nagato's chest heaved with a silent sigh, obviously pleased at her answer. Her brow arched quizzically as she heaped another helping of green pepper steak into her mouth that Nagato had purchased for her. It had been her favorite. She wasn't sure why her nausea hadn't returned, but was grateful nonetheless as she savored the food. After swallowing, she proceeded to take a drink of the water when what he said next caused her to choke.
"Would you be willing to move in here with me?" Again, his eyes bore into her. He'd spoken so low that Konan almost had to strain to hear him, but hear him she had. She began to cough as the shock of what he asked caused the water to enter her windpipe.
Nagato cursed and was instantly beside her. He quickly removed the water from her hand. He then clasped her hand in one of his own while patting her lightly on her back with his other.
"I'm fine," Konan managed after she caught her breath. "I'm fine," she stated again. Nagato moved to squat next to her. He raked a hand through his mane, the gesture revealing both his eyes.
He blinked. "That was … unexpected," he stated, and smiled widely when Konan angled a sideways glance at him. Sobering, he placed his hands on the arms of the chair and easily moved her and the chair around so that she faced him squarely.
"Konan," he started, and clasped both her hands in his. He sighed heavily as he focused on her hands in his. He cleared his throat. "Konan," he began again, his voice resolute, "I want you to move in here with me." He ducked his head to scan her face for a reaction as she lowered her head. When she didn't respond, he slipped a finger beneath her chin and tilted her face up to his. His breath caught at the sight of her moist eyes. "What's wrong?" Concern instantly clouded his eyes and his pulse began to quicken nervously. Perhaps it had been too soon and he'd been wrong to ask?
Konan wondered the same thing. What was wrong? She'd always entertained the idea of living with him, but had never thought it would come to fruition with the status of their relationship as it was. The idea continued to dance around in her head. It had still been what she wanted, she couldn't deny, but wondered what it meant. Sure, he hadn't said he loved her, but perhaps he hadn't needed to. The fact that he wanted to live with her on a permanent basis did mean he felt something for her, hadn't it? Then there was the issue of her pregnancy. Would he still feel the same way once she told him? Her stomach flopped with uncertainty as her gaze locked with Nagato's.
"Nagato -," she began, but he cut her off.
"I know it sounds hasty, but I assure you I'm not speaking off the cuff." His hands tightened around hers. "I had plenty of time to think about this. It's what I came to talk to you about that morning," he explained, "why I even went through all this." His eyes circled about the room to indicate the apartment before resting on Konan again. He could tell by the way her eyes narrowed that her mind was working.
"What about Ino?" Konan couldn't help asking as she had to know. Her ears were keen as she awaited his response. So much rested on what he would say next. Apparently she'd hit a raw nerve when she noticed the suddenly tense set of his jaw.
"What about her?" Nagato asked through clenched teeth, his irritation sparking. He hadn't wanted to venture the topic of Ino just yet, but knew it had been inevitable. Hell, hadn't been the one to bring her up in the first damned place? He sighed when Konan leveled her eyes on him in a look that demanded he answer her truthfully. "Look," he began, rubbing her hands between his, "you know I'm the kind of person who doesn't like to be wrong, but when I am I own up to it." His eyes rose to lock with hers. "I admit I fucked up, Konan, and you have to believe me when I say I'm sorry." His brows furrowed as he carefully chose his next words. "That morning I came to your place, I came to a conclusion about everything, about us. I knew I had to have you in my life permanently, and I told you about Ino because I wanted there to be absolutely no secrets between us, for us to start on a clean slate." He shook his head as he smiled wryly. "In retrospect, I realize now that may not have been the best course of action, but please understand my intentions for what they were." His gaze was piercing as he focused on Konan. "There's no doubt in my mind that I hurt you, Konan, and that pains me to no end, but know and believe me when I say that I love you, and…" He never got to finish as Konan suddenly leaned forward and pressed her lips to him in a kiss so tender that Nagato gasped.
Konan pulled away and raised her hands to place them on either side of Nagato's face. Her grey eyes were smoky with emotion as she gazed into the face of the man she loved, had always loved, would no doubt continue to love. She gazed at the questioning gleam in his eyes, her own eyes smilingly conveying the answer he sought. Yes, she forgave him. Of course, she forgave him!
Nagato moaned deep in his throat as he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her up with him as he stood. Her mouth willingly parted beneath his when he kissed her, and his tongue plunged deeply within as it explored the sweetened cavern. When Konan responded with a moan of her own, the leash on his control snapped and his hands were all over her, seeking and caressing her slender curves. He realized he was violating his promise to keep his hands to himself, but she felt so damn good, the way she molded to his hands, that he no longer gave a damn. He hadn't been aware he had turned her and was backing her against the table until he felt her body meet against its resistance. His foot reached out to edge the chair aside. It fell over to be forgotten where it lay on the floor as he easily picked her up and placed her on the tabletop.
Nagato leaned forward to reclaim Konan's lips again as his fingers rose to release her hair from the bun it had been fashioned into. Sweeping the food containers aside, he pressed into her until she lay on the table. He reveled in the familiar scent of her perfume as his tongue flicked against her labret piercing before embarking on a hot trail along her jaw line. Her head inclined to allow him access to her neck as he trailed the long and slender column that was the stuff of vampiric lore. His fingers deftly released the hooks on the bodice of the tunic, pushing the flaps aside to reveal the lacy black bra beneath. He noted the fastener at the front and wasted no time undoing those hooks as well before pushing the thin material aside. He tore away from her lips and rose to gather her breasts in his hands, massaging them until her nipples stiffened to rosy peaks. He groaned and lowered himself again to capture one into his mouth to suckle, the moans emitting from Konan causing his groin to ache with desire as he switched to exact his lovemaking to her other nipple.
Konan's breath was ragged as her hands tangled in Nagato's hair. Desire coursed through her in white hot flames that consumed from within, and she thought she would combust where she lay. "Nagato," she moaned huskily, twisting her body about beneath the ministrations of his tongue.
Nagato was all too willing to comply as he paused to divest her of her clothing before removing his own. He rejoined her, leaning atop her to kiss her soundly before trailing his lips down the length of her body. He retraced the path along her neck and breasts before continuing over the sensitive flesh of her abdomen where he pressed his lips against the ring in her navel, and lower still, until his mouth rested at the apex of her desire. His nostrils flared at the intoxicating scent of her as his tongue delved within her heated cavity that was moist with longing. The strangled moan that tore from Konan's lips caused his own desire to escalate and it was all he could do to pause to keep from ejaculating right then and there. His hands slipped beneath her hips and she followed his cue by raising her buttocks, pushing through her heels that rested on the table. He held her fast in a vice like grip as he feasted on her, taking pleasure in the sweetness he tasted there as his tongue plunged deeper still.
"Konan, make love to me," he commanded thickly as he momentarily removed his tongue before slipping it back within her. She complied. Lowering her hips back to the table, she wrapped her legs over his shoulders as his hands slid to grip her thighs, and slowly began to move against his mouth.
Save for the sounds Nagato's mouth made as he continued to impose the sweet torture, the room was filled Konan's hoarse cries and ragged breathing as she rode the hot passion Nagato inflicted upon her. Her head thrashed to the side as her hands released from Nagato's hair to fondle her breasts. She soon began to tremble as she neared the precipice of her climax, her hips bucking wildly. "Nagato," she cried, his name tearing from her as her body shuddered its release. She slumped weakly against the table, slightly disoriented as her body trembled with aftershock of the intense orgasm that racked her.
Nagato rose and leaned to capture her lips in a kiss, his mouth still bathed in her juices. He moaned as her tongue delved within his mouth to partake in the taste of her fluids. Painfully erect from the lovemaking he exacted upon her, he easily slipped himself within the tight sheath of her, and it was all he could do to close his eyes against the pleasure that racked his frame.
His chest expanded with emotion as the familiar feel of her. He'd remembered her, he thought; the way she smelled, the way she tasted, the way she felt. It had all been akin to a feeling of coming home, and he knew without a doubt that he'd made the right decision in asking her move in with him.
He began to move slowly at first, his thrusts long and deep. His gaze locked with Konan's as he took her, and he decided it had been the most beautiful sight to behold as he watched her writhe beneath him. Passion was imprinted upon her in her half-opened lids heavy with desire, her kiss swollen lips, and her flushed skin that glowed with a light sheen of perspiration. "Konan," he whispered. His hands returned to grip her hips again as his pace quickened, his thrusts more erratic.
It was all Konan could do to grip the sides of the table as Nagato thrust wildly now, and she could tell he was nearing his release. When he did, her name tore from deep within his chest. His head flung back as his orgasm washed over him in waves as he took deep, successive breaths. Nagato held her against him as his sperm continued to empty into her. Suddenly weakened, he measured he'd enough strength just to scoop Konan into his arms and carry her off to the bedroom. Lowering her, he pulled the covers back before joining her beneath, stretching the length of his body alongside hers. One arm reached around to scoop her to him, her back fitting snugly, perfectly, against his chest, and Nagato knew she belonged here with him.
Too spent to speak, the two snuggled in the comfortable silence that ensued, content to listen to the rain that had intensified outside. Konan's head was tucked in the crook of Nagato's arm as his other held her fast. Although it wasn't long before sleep called to claim them, the words he uttered caused Konan's heart to constrict.
"I love you," Nagato had whispered into her ear. Konan angled her head to face him, their eyes glittering as they gazed at one another in the room illuminated by the moonlight drifting in through the glass, floor-to-ceiling wall not unlike the one in the living room.
"I love you, too," she replied simply, too overcome with emotion to say anything else, and wondered if he'd still feel the same way when she disclosed her own news to him. Her eyes pressed together as she gnawed on a fingernail. It was time to tell him, she decided and drifted off to sleep against the sound of Nagato's deep and even breathing.