Chapter 4

"Sendoh," Rukawa approached the spiky where he was standing, talking to Mitsui and Sakuragi in the breakroom, "when you're done, we need to meet about the pay increase for the support staff.

"Oh, yeah," Sendoh nodded. "Just give me a second."

Rukawa nodded, and without acknowledging the others, left.

Sendoh handed Sakuragi his empty water bottle. "Recycle that for me, would you?"

"What am I, your maid now?" Sakuragi groused at the bigger man's retreating back. "Damn, man."

Mitsui smirked, wanting so badly to say something to embarrass Sendoh, but knowing he couldn't. Both Sendoh and Rukawa had come to him with questions of the other in the last few weeks, and both had sworn him to secrecy.

Sakuragi tossed the bottle into the bin next to him with a frown. "He's been spending a lot time with Rukawa lately. He's always over at his house. What's up with that?"

Mitsui shrugged, grinning. "Maybe Sendoh's replacing you."

"Ass." Sakuragi glowered at him.

"Gotta get going," Mitsui said, leaving Sakuragi standing alone in the breakroom, still scowling.

Sendoh reached the empty hallway outside the breakroom in time to see Rukawa duck through the door leading to the stairwell of the fire exit. He quickly followed, wrenching the door closed behind him. Rukawa was leaning against the wall, smirking.

"I knew you'd follow."

Sendoh didn't reply, just walked up to him, grabbed him, and kissed him hard. As usual, it was a fight for dominance, and it ended as it always did as Sendoh shoved Rukawa against the wall and took complete control. He broke the kiss and yanked Rukawa's collar open, kissing and sucking on the mark he had left on the other's neck the night before.

"Akira..." Rukawa moaned. "Wait...Akira...not here."

Sendoh backed off, breathing hard. He was becoming increasingly frustrated with the physical side of their relationship. It hadn't gone beyond heated kisses and next to chaste touches, and Rukawa was constantly fighting him for control. It wasn't something was used to, and he was having a hard time fighting the need to take the other and dominate him with a vengeance.

"Akira?"

"I'm sorry." Sendoh reached out and kissed Rukawa, gently this time. "I'm sorry, Kaede."

"It's okay." Rukawa pushed away from the wall, putting his arms around the taller man. "We just don't want anyone seeing us like that."

"No, we don't," Sendoh sighed, pulling away. "I'll leave. Don't follow me too soon."

Rukawa let out a sigh of his own as the door closed behind the other. It had only been a few weeks, but he was beginning to wonder how much longer they could go on like this. The constant power struggle was becoming draining and until they resolved it, they couldn't move forward.

The raven guy was at a loss for what to do. He was so used to being in control with every other aspect of his life it only seemed natural that he should be when it came to Sendoh. But Sendoh wouldn't give in. He had to be dominating; it was part of his personality.

Something had to given, and soon.

"Damn, Akira! I was sure you were going to wipe out on that last turn!"

Sendoh laughed. "I needed revenge for the basketball wager."

Rukawa tossed his helmet on the shelf at the back of the garage. "Just, don't do it again. You nearly gave me a heart attack."

"And here I thought you were only worried about the bike." Sendoh came up behind the younger man, putting his arms around the slender waist and resting his chin on the top of his head.

"Don't be stupid." Rukawa removed his arms and turned around to face him. "Of course I was worried about my bike. I'm never letting you drive it again. And I'm never riding that death trap of yours again either."

"You ass!" Sendoh laughed, making a grab for Rukawa.

Rukawa smirked, dodging out of the way and taking off, running for the house. He let Sendoh catch him when he reached the back door.

"You are so in trouble!" Sendoh reached for Rukawa and pulled him into a kiss.

This time Rukawa didn't fight him. He parted his lips, allowing Sendoh entrance and was surprised when it wasn't taken harshly. He pulled back, looking questioningly at the other.

"Why didn't you fight me that time?" Sendoh asked first.

"I don't know." Rukawa shrugged. "I guess...maybe I just wanted to see what it would be like."

"You say that like it'll never happen again."

"It probably won't."

"Very funny." Sendoh rolled his eyes.

"It wasn't meant to be." Rukawa turned and opened the door, letting the way into the kitchen. Going to the fridge, he took out two cans of soda, tossing one to Sendoh. "Want to help me with dinner before Liam gets home?"

"Sure. Sounds great."

The discussion was over. For now.

Sendoh gave Liam a hug and said goodbye to Ona as they walked out the door.

"I need to get that report finished," he said to Rukawa as they headed back into the kitchen.

"That's fine," the raven guy replied. "I'm going to make coffee. Want some?"

"No thanks," Sendoh said. "If I drink coffee this late, I'll be up all night."

Rukawa didn't reply as the spiky sat back down at the kitchen table where his laptop was. He pottered around the kitchen, cleaning up from dinner as the other man worked.

He glanced over at Sendoh, a feeling of contentment sweeping over him. This was what he wanted. His mother had come over for dinner and then had decided to take Liam home with her for the night. Sendoh had been there since just after lunch, opting to bring over the work he needed to complete with him instead of staying home by himself to do it.

It felt right, having Sendoh there with his family. Liam loved him and Sendoh returned it, always making sure he gave the boy his undivided attention when he wanted it.

Despite the fact that they were still keeping their relationship a secret from everyone but Rukawa's family, things were good.

Sendoh rolled his shoulders and then tilted his head to one side, the vertebrae in his neck cracking. Rukawa shuddered at the sound and went to stand behind the other man, pulling down the collar of his shirt, and rubbing his shoulders and neck.

Sendoh unbuttoned the top two buttons of his shirt to keep from choking and leaned back into Rukawa's touch. "Mmmm...thanks."

Rukawa didn't reply as he dug his fingers into the base of the other's neck. After a few minutes, he heard Sendoh sigh and his hands fell from the keyboard.

"You're going to put me to sleep." His head fell back against Rukawa's stomach.

Rukawa's response was to slip his hand into the front of Sendoh's shirt, lightly caressing his collarbone. Sendoh reached back pulling Rukawa around in front of him and into his lap, wrapping his arms around him.

They kissed hungrily, fighting over it as usual, until they had to break apart for air. Sendoh leaned his head against Rukawa's shoulder, breathing raggedly.

Rukawa leaned back, acutely aware of the other's arousal pressing against him. "Akira?"

Sendoh raised his head, the hunger in his dark blue eyes making Rukawa shiver. "I want you." His voice was strained, husky with suppressed desire.

Rukawa stood up, backing away slightly and chewing his bottom lip nervously.

Sendoh misread the apprehension into the blue eyes and turned away. "You don't want me."

"No!" Rukawa reached out, putting a hand on the other's arm. "It's not that."

"What is it, then?"

"It's...it's just that..."

Sendoh stood, walking around Rukawa and heading for the door. "You don't have to lie to me."

"Akira, please." Rukawa grabbed him by the wrist, stopping him.

"What?!" The anger on his face was almost enough to make Rukawa let him go.

Almost.

Rukawa's hands closed over Sendoh's arms and he pulled him against his body, leaning up and crashing their lips together. Sendoh instinctively sought control and Rukawa gave it to him. The younger man ran his hands over the other's back, settling on his hips and pulling him closer, a small moan escaping him as his body began to react.

He broke the kiss and looked into clouded eyes. "I want you, Akira. I do."

"Oh, Kaede..." Sendoh groaned, threading his fingers into Rukawa's hair, kissing him again. He tried desperately to be gentle, not to take complete control away from the other, but he couldn't do it.

Rukawa responded with equal fervor, fighting not to give ground. The kiss disintegrated and he threw his head back, moaning again, as Sendoh ripped open his shirt and bent to kiss his chest.

"Akira," Rukawa gasped. "Wait...not here."

Sendoh moved away from the younger man, breathing hard. As much as he wanted nothing more than to throw him down right where they were standing, he knew it would be better if they moved to the bedroom.

Taking Rukawa's hand, he led him upstairs, saying nothing until they were standing in his room, the door closed behind them. He bent and kissed him gently, reaching up to brush his bangs out of his eyes.

Slipping Rukawa's shirt off his shoulders, letting it fall to the floor, he kissed the hollow of his throat before stepping back just long enough to get rid of his own shirt. He pulled Rukawa against him, hissing at the feeling of the hot, smooth skin against his own. Claiming his lips again, he maneuvered them so that they were standing next to the bed.

Compliments of Sendoh's quick hands, the rest of their clothes soon went the way of their shirts and Sendoh pushed Rukawa down on the bed.

Sendoh let his eyes wander slowly over Rukawa's body, loving what he saw. He never would have guessed that the meticulously tailored clothes hid such a perfect body. His muscles were smooth and lightly defined, and his skin was pale and flawless.

Damn! I feel so inadequate, Rukawa thought, looking up at the bigger man. He must outweigh me by thirty pounds.

The glimpse that he had gotten of Sendoh at the park that day hadn't prepared him for the reality. Sculpted was the first word that came to mind. Every muscle firm and defined, slim waist and hips, it was obvious who was the stronger of the pair.

"Kaede," Sendoh's voice trembled as he lay down next to the other. "You're so beautiful."

Rukawa felt his face flush as Sendoh leaned down to kiss him lingeringly. He poured all the want, need, and love- yes, love- he felt into it and was thrilled when Rukawa responded in kind. He broke the kiss, turning Rukawa's head to the side and biting down gently on his neck as he let his hands roam over Rukawa's body, memorizing every inch.

Rukawa whimpered and arched under the touch. Sendoh's hands were surprisingly soft, if not completely gentle, and Rukawa was losing himself to the sensation. He raised his hands to touch the other, only to have Sendoh grab his wrists and pin them to the bed as he left the raven's guy neck for his chest. A spike of lust ripped through the younger man at the other's actions and he moaned loudly, suddenly overcome with the urge to surrender everything to the man loving him.

Sendoh didn't think he could wait much longer. He was burning to have Rukawa submit completely to him. He wasn't going to let it happen any other way. He let go of the other's wrists and moved down his body.

Rukawa cried out sharply as he felt a wet heat enclose his throbbing erection. His fingers dug painfully into the mattress as he instinctively thrust upward.

Sendoh pinned his hips down and deep throated him, working him hard. He felt a spike of arousal overlaid with the quasi-sexual rush of being in total control.

"Oh, fuck...Akira!" Rukawa's entire being exploded in a burst of light as he came hard into Sendoh's mouth. After what seemed like forever, he slowly opened his eyes to find Sendoh staring down at him.

Sendoh stared into those beautiful blue eyes, seeing something there that confused him. Something almost...innocent.

He pushed the feeling aside and smirked at the raven guy. "See how much better things are when you're not fighting me?"

Annoyance flashed across Rukawa's features and he grabbed Sendoh and kissed him harshly. Sendoh chuckled low in his throat and fought back, at the same time letting his hands wander over the other's body.

Rukawa shuddered as he felt himself losing control again under the skilled touch of the other man. He gave into it momentarily, swearing that he'd pick up the battle again. Just not right now.

Sendoh smiled inwardly as he felt Rukawa relax under his hands. Breaking the kiss, he spied a bottle of hand cream on the bedside table and grabbed it. He distracted Rukawa with another burning kiss as he coated his fingers with it and pushed two of them into the other's tight passage.

Rukawa's eyes flew open as he jerked away from Sendoh's lips with a gasp. The pain in his eyes sent a stab of guilt through the spiky.

"Shh, Kaede. It's okay." He forced back his own raging need to concentrate on the other, thinking to himself that he should have been more careful. He didn't know how long it had been for him. "I'm sorry. Do you want me to stop?"

White-hot desire flashed through Rukawa as Sendoh's fingers made contact with a certain bundle of nerves. It was like nothing he had ever felt before...and he wanted more of it. "No, no don't. I want this. I want you. Please."

Sendoh carefully added a third and final finger, bending to capture Rukawa's mouth with his own, effectively stifling his groan of pained pleasure. He continued to kiss Rukawa's face and neck as the other began to writhe beneath him.

Sendoh felt his own desire flare out of control as Rukawa moaned his name. Oh, shit...Kaede...I love you, he thought, resisting the urge to say it out loud.

"Akira," Rukawa moaned. "Please...fuck, please...just...just take me...please..."

Sendoh positioned himself and looked deeply into Rukawa's eyes. "Are you sure about this?"

"Yes, damn it! Please...Akira..." He was cut off as Sendoh thrust carefully into him, the twin sensation of pain and pleasure making his head spin.

"Kaede," Sendoh hissed. "You're...so tight." Every muscle in his body was locked against the need to start thrusting into the incredibly tight beat surrounding him.

Rukawa shifted beneath him and it was his undoing. Sendoh started a slow rhythm, trying to give the other time to adjust. Just as Rukawa began to move with him, his control snapped, and he began to pound into the hot body below him.

"Fuck," he growled, wrapping his hand around the other's straining arousal. "Kaede..."

Rukawa moaned loudly as he thrust up to meet the spiky. "Akira, ahhh...feels so good...Akira..."

Sendoh was completely lost in the feeling of the man beneath him. Looking down into the other's eyes, he felt his heart fill. He wanted him. He wanted him in ways he had never wanted anyone before. Not even Taki. He wanted a life with him.

Rukawa reached up, touching Sendoh's face. It felt so good, even the slight pain that lingered. He loved him. It had crept up on him over the last few weeks, quietly, culminating in this moment.

"Kaede...mi amor..." Sendoh slid an arm around Rukawa's back and the other around his shoulders, gripping tightly. He rolled them over, feeling Rukawa's sharp intake of breath as their position were reversed.

Rukawa lifted himself up on his arms and looked questioningly at Sendoh.

"It's okay, Kaede." Sendoh gave him a reassuring smile. "Really."

The younger man pushed himself up into a sitting position, blushing slightly as he looked down at the spiky. He began to rock his hips, tentatively at first, increasing his pace as pure pleasure began to seep through his body.

Sendoh rubbed Rukawa's thighs gently. "That's it, mi amor. Love me."

"Akira..." Rukawa's head fell back with a moan. "...feels so good..."

Sendoh's heart clenched as he watched the rapture spreading across the other's face. His hands drifted to the slim hips and he began to move with him. He shifted slightly, angling his thrusts, causing Rukawa to fall forward, crying out, and catching himself on his hands.

Rukawa began to thrust back sharply. "Akira! ...can't hold on...need you..."

"Don't hold back, Kaede. Let go." Sendoh gripped Rukawa's hips tighter, thrusting into him with all his strength.

Rukawa groaned deeply as his climax hit him. He managed to stay suspended on his trembling arms, his head hanging down, his hair dripping with sweat. When his vision cleared, he realized that Sendoh was still thrusting savagely into him, growling low in the back of his throat, his fingers digging painfully into his skin.

His arms finally gave out and he collapsed against Sendoh's chest. He gasped as he found himself on his back, Sendoh continuing to pound into him. He weakly wrapped his arms and legs around the taller man, holding him close, letting him know he was still there.

"Kaede..." Sendoh sobbed as he released deep inside the raven guy, falling on top of him.

Rukawa ran his hands over Sendoh's sweat-slick back, making soothing noises as Sendoh began to cry against his chest, "Akira, what's wrong?"

Sendoh lifted his head, desolate eyes swimming with tears. "I love you, Kaede...please...please don't leave me too."

Rukawa held Sendoh close, rubbing the back of his neck. "Akira, why do you think I'm going to leave you?"

"He did. I told him I loved him...and he left."

"Whom he?" Rukawa tipped Sendoh's face up so he could look into his eyes.

"Taki."

"I don't understand. Who's Taki?"

"I met him in Italy." More tears escaped and Rukawa wiped them away before kissing Sendoh tenderly.

"He was special, huh?"

"He was. I loved him, Kaede. He was the first man I was ever with."

"What happened?"

"I woke up one morning and he was gone. No note...nothing. I tried to find him, but I couldn't."

"So you think that because you told me you love me that I'm going to leave?"

"Yes," Sendoh whispered, lowering his eyes. "It's stupid but..."

"Well, I'm not. I love you, Akira. Nothing's going to make me leave you."

"Mi amor..." Sendoh tangled his fingers in Rukawa's hair and kissed him deeply.

Rukawa responded eagerly, parting his lips and moaning as Sendoh's tongue slipped into his mouth. Sendoh answered it with a small moan of his own, breaking the kiss.

"Ti amo, mi amor. I love you."

"I love you, too." Rukawa pulled him down for another kiss, allowing himself to be swept up in the tide of their rising desires.

TBC