Love Me - Chapter 9

Tapping his foot, clearly bored, the oranged head turned towards his best friend who was still observing the jewellery over the glass cased counter.

Chuffed with himself for completing his shopping earlier, he was pleased with his efficiency as compared to the four-eyed Quincy. He had handpicked some typical souvenirs and snacks (popular local delights) for his family and staff back in the office. He also got perfumes for his wife and his sisters (he owed them for baking with Orihime).

"This one is limited edition, only $800 USD,"

"I'll take it, please have it gift wrapped,"

"Certainly a good choice, I'll have it organised,"

As Uryuu paid with his credit card, Ichigo commented that piece of jewellery was over the top for a souvenir.

"Actually, I want her to know I miss her, and I know her style, so she will love this,"

It was Ishida's turn to look chuffed with himself. He was quite the romantic, and Tatsuki appreciated that side of him (being quite opposite to herself).

Settling on their grey couch, Uryuu presented the lavish box to his fiancé. The money was certainly well spent upon seeing her smile.

"Oh. My. Gosh! I love it! It's gorgeous!"

Tatsuki exclaimed as she admired the enamel bangle in gold and royal blue.

"Thanks for spoiling me," she hooked her arms around his neck, leaning in for a kiss.

Every woman would kill to own a piece of collectors from this famous designer.

"I have good taste," Uryuu smirked as he pushed his glasses up.

"Yes, you have good taste in women too. Aren't you a keeper?" She winked playfully.

He smiled knowingly, quite pleased with himself.

"How have you been?"

Tatsuki shared what happened the last few days, she happily mentioned the catch up with Orihime and the other girls.

Her work has been manageable but training was starting to get more intense because of the upcoming tournament - which reminded him that it will be held in Canada.

He was concerned that she'll be gone alone for more than a week. Still in med school, he will not have the flexibility to just take 2 weeks off to join her. Tatsuki would be with her teammates most of the time anyway.

The flight and hotel would be quite expensive. Plus, they have plans to save for the wedding and a house on top of that.

Thus they agreed that he wouldn't go with her.

"I've missed you Uryuu,"

"Really? Sounded like you were doing fine without me,"

Tatsuki showed how much she missed him with actions.

Tugging his zipper down, she lowered herself in front of him, watching as he stiffened in anticipation, and took him in her mouth expertly.

08:20pm

Orihime checked the time again. Her husband should be home anytime soon.

08:36pm

She was apprehensive about facing him, should she apologise first?

Just then, Ichigo walked through the door with his luggage in tow, expectant, of what - he didn't know.

Did he really want to face his wife?

The young heir was wrecked from the trip. He wasn't sure how to deal with her - he didn't leave on happy terms, they had weird text exchange and voicemails left while he was away, which made things awkward. In fact they haven't spoken since he went away, now that he was back, he honestly wasn't sure where they stood.

Removing his shoes and lounging on the big couch, his ears perked when he heard his wife before she appeared from her room.

"Welcome home Ichigo!"

She gave him the brightest smile which did something to his stomach.

Home indeed.

He knew there and then what had to be done.

"Hello Orihime, it's good to be back," he nodded.

"You must be wrecked from all that traveling, uhmm, let me prepare a nice bath for you,"

As she turned, Ichigo grabbed onto her slim wrist, a little too hard and she found herself pressed against him.

She blushed at how close they were to each other.

"I'm s-sorry!" they both blurted out at the same time, and then went silent.

Ichigo took the lead.

"Orihime, we need to talk."

The next day Ichigo woke up after sleeping in, it was good to be back in the comfort of his own bed, in his own house, which he shared with his own wife.

His wife.

"Orihime, we need to talk."

She nodded while staring at his feet, not brave enough to meet his gaze.

"I don't want this to just drag on,"

She tensed and felt her heart stop in her chest.

Noticing this, Ichigo quickly added. "Look at me Orihime - I mean, I want us to clear the air,"

"Alright," Orihime's eyes met his gentle ones, "Do you wanna go first?"

"Sure, I can," he swallowed and kneaded the back of his neck. "We are far from okay... and we need to make some changes for this to work out,"

"I... I want this to work, do you?" He continued.

Surprised by her husband's words, the healer whispered a yes.

"I'm sorry... for the way I left without a word. For a relationship to work, we need to trust each other. What happened in the past, should stay in the past,"

"I need you to trust me," he said softly. "That also means - no multiple message or calls."

"I understand Ichigo... I'm embarrassed for texting you like I did... I just don't want to be ignored." Orihime added. "It doesn't feel good,"

"Okay, I promise I will not intentionally ignore your messages, I will get back to you when I can," Ichigo reached for her hand and held it gently.

"It made me anxious that my phone is flashing while I'm busy at work," Ichigo added, "You know... There's no other woman,"

"Alright... I trust you. I don't want to disturb you while you're focused on work either - I'm sorry Ichigo,"

They had a good chat last night. But, was this the way marriage is supposed to be?

He didn't know the answer... but no two marriages are the same. It was up to them to write their own rules and make it work.

Moving away from his bed to do some stretches, his bedroom door flew open suddenly, and he scowled at the intruder.

"There's my beloved first born!"

"Knock before you enter you old goat!"

The Kurosaki family were guests at the married couple's home. Orihime had offered to host them as it had been awhile since they all got together. She was busy cooking in the kitchen, with Yuzu insisting on helping out (more like trying to take over)

"How's working with Aunt Yukiko?" Karin asked her brother.

"Stressful."

"I heard about the upcoming gala - it's one of the biggest charity red carpet event." Isshin exclaimed in excitement.

"There will be celebrities! Ichi-nii, can we go?" This time Yuzu emerged from the kitchen to join in the chat.

"It's exclusive to senior staff members, clients, and VIPs," their brother replied, nonchalant.

"Please?" The twins begged.

"Not until you start working for Blut Corp," Ichigo chuckled.

"Mehhh," Yuzu stuck her tongue out, while Karin scoffed.

Returning with a large white paper bag from his room, Ichigo poured the contents of it onto the coffee table. Then he started distributing the souvenirs to his family while they chat away about his Hong Kong trip.

Soon after, Orihime came to let them know that lunch was ready, Ichigo handed a purple box of perfume to her.

"Ah Orihime ~ this is for you,"

It took her by surprise, but she gave her husband the biggest smile and thanked him.

"Alright, lunch is ready. Come on everyone, let's eat!"

It was a manic Monday for Ichigo upon his return from the business trip. There were lots to follow up regarding the hospital acquisition. There was a lot to learn regarding the technicality around tax and accounting requirement, and preparation required for the upcoming negotiation.

So he wasn't exactly enthusiastic when his aunt informed him that her EA had book an appointment for him, on that very afternoon.

"Bring your wife to select your outfits for the gala. Don't be late,"

On top of that, she also put pressure on him, about something that completely caught him off guard.

"You have been married for nearly 2 years, when are you producing an heir?"

"Perhaps the both of you should go for a health check up,"

Ichigo was baffled.

Their wedding was under different circumstances, so they never spoke about producing an heir, hell, they weren't even sleeping in the same bed room. But of course, this wasn't something he would reveal to his aunt.

It would be naive to say he didn't know the importance of an "heir". It wasn't unheard of, royal families do that, so do rich powerful families. That's how empires get passed on through generations.

But it was just too early for them. Sure, they knew each other long enough, since high school, from going on superhero adventures to soul society and then Hueco Mundo - even though he was willing to turn into a monster just to save this nakama, even if he swore to always protect her, they were "just friends", weren't they?

It's not like he can't do it... the physical attraction between him and Orihime was obviously undeniable.

Imagining her as the mother of his children was not unnatural, that was one of the reasons he had asked her to marry him. He'd always been amazed by how good she is around young kids. His dad often commented on how adorable their offspring would be. His sisters pointed out that Orihime is just like their own late mum.

But that's besides the point! Talking about bringing living breathing kids to their world is on a totally different level.

Damn if he let others dictate it. They had better not spout thus nonsense to his wife!

Right then, that said wife accidentally walked into his office, auburn eyes widened as she realised his aunt was still there.

"Gomenasai, I can come back later,"

"There's no need to, I'm just about to leave,"

Orihime bowed to Madam Kurosaki as she left Ichigo's office.

Catching his wife's eyes, he realised immediately that she overheard.

Damn it.

"Sorry you had to hear that,"

"Oh no - Don't be... It's actually not the first time..."

Ichigo stared blankly.

"Your Aunt... said something similar to me once,"

Ichigo groaned.

"When?"

"Don't worry, I'm okay - I understand where she is coming from,"

"Should we give them what they want?" Ichigo teased. "A Kurosaki heir,"

Orihime laughed nervously as she waved her hands frantically.

"Haha, very funny, uhm, of course not! We- we're still getting to know each other,"

"Relax, I'm kidding, I don't think we are ready," He whispered the last part "... Not yet anyway..."

"Maybe we should getaway... spend some quality time, just us," Orihime suggested.

"You know, we never been on a honeymoon, or any trip, for that matter," Ichigo said in realisation. "Would you like to come on a trip with me?"

"Yeah, I'd love that," the auburn haired beamed.

Orihime couldn't hide the little twinkle in her eyes when they arrived at the venue of their clothing appointment. The place was sophisticated, the service was impeccable.

Entry was strictly by-invitation-only to this first look and private-sale of new collection just brought in from a European designer.

Champagne and canapés were served upon arrival before Ichigo and Orihime were escorted up the grand spiral stairway to a separate room, with chandelier decor and plush velvet furniture, where they were made to feel like royalty.

Madam Yukiko Kurosaki was a VIP there and so they ensured the young Kurosaki couple received the best treatment.

Orihime was shown a couple of evening gowns.

"They're so so so amazingly pretty, I just can't decide,"

Orihime stared at the workmanship, full of admiration, until Ichigo came and stood next to her, and pointed his finger towards one of the dresses.

He didn't say a word or look at her but Orihime understood what he meant.

"Alright, I'll try this on," she could see his cheeks were slightly tinged.

While Orihime went to the dressing room, Ichigo was shown a tux prepared for him.

He wondered why he had too get it, when he already owns suits. But Yukiko made it clear that suiting up for "business versus formal party is completely different". It was hard to argue with that old woman when she was right.

"Ano, Ichigo, can you help me?"

Turning towards the dressing room where his wife was standing, he felt his breath taken away, or more like robbed from him.

Long auburn waves frame her like a halo, the shiny pink dress was a heart shaped boob tube that showed off a lot of cleavage, the skirt was made with layers of tulle in different shades of pink and rose gold, it ended mid-calves, showing off her slim ankles.

He swallowed thickly, trying not to look like he was affected. He knew he wanted to see her in that dress when he had pointed it out to her, but to say she looked better than how he imagined, was an understatement.

"Ichigo?"

"The zipper... gomen... " she turned towards the mirror so that her back was facing towards him.

It was a low back top with a bit of zip and a mini clasp hidden, it was impossible to secure it without help.

Orihime thought it was ridiculous to pay so much for a dress that requires assistance with the back, what if there was nobody to assist her? But she snapped out of her thought when her husband appeared right behind her.

"Are you tempting me?" He stood close behind her, so close she could feel his body heat, or perhaps the heat was from his hooded gaze piercing into her eyes in the mirror. He scanned the surrounding and confirmed they had privacy.

His hands were on her bare shoulders instantly, giving them a squeeze before mindlessly moving up and down her arms, and then tracing his fingers along her back, sending shivers down her spine, his lips playfully nipping on her ear.

"What are y-..." Orihime lost her train of thoughts as her voice trailed off mid sentence.

Seeing so much of her smooth milky skin on her bare back drove him mad with lust, he wanted his prize and the only thing in the way was the dress.

Swiftly, he pulled the zipper down, instead of securing the clasp as his wife had asked. Letting the dress fall around her hips, revealing her glorious mounds..

She gasped.

Blushing madly, her natural response was to cover herself with her hands, but Ichigo pinned her arms behind her, leaving her breasts exposed.

"Shh," he breathed into her neck, "Don't make a sound,"

His hot breath tickling her skin and his smooth voice was too much for a girl to handle.

Leaning forward, he covered her mouth with a deep kiss before she could protest. His other hand fondled her breasts freely, her nipples hardened at his touch.

Biting her lips, she stared straight at the mirror, watching both his hands now fondling her tits, squeezing, kneading, pulling and tugging fiercely, as he stared at her panting form, her cheeks flushed.

"You love this, don't you?" He chuckled inwardly. "Look at your face, you're practically begging for it,"

Feeling self-conscious as her eyes met his she quickly looked away, shaking her head "No... not here,"

"Why not? Let's spice things up baby,"

The fear of getting caught made it all the more thrilling for them.

Turning her around to face him, her back against the wall, heated hazel eyes locked on stormy grey ones, without breaking eye contact, capturing her tits with his mouth, he feasts hungrily, lovingly and teasingly. She grabbed onto his orange spikes, biting her lips to stop herself from moaning.

It felt so good, she can't even think straight. Ichigo was now lost in a trance, alternating between sucking and biting on her aching nipples wickedly, so she arched her back, thrusting her chest towards him, wanting more, needing more...

"Kurosaki-San, is everything alright in there? Do you require any assistance?"

"How are things between them?"

"My sources confirm it was an arranged marriage. No kid on the way as far as we know,"

"Hn,"

"They will be at the Gala,"

"Of course. Dig all the dirt you can on them,"

"Yes, Sir,"

Clenching his fists, he glared at Blut Corp Tower from his window.

Ichigo isn't even a real Kurosaki by right. Masaki gave it up when she married that quack.

He had spent his life working so hard for Ichigo's grandfather - he deserves it more. He will get what is his, one way or another.

To be continued...

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Dear-readers ~ surprise update as my gift to you this Easter holidays.

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Hope you enjoyed reading it ~ if you did, please leave a review

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Blitch xoxo