Chapter 34
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It truly was a miracle of nature the amount of self-control and patience Sasuke Uchiha managed to wield over the past few hours. After he'd left Neji on the fold-out sofa, no doubt catching up on some much needed rest, he trained his focus on the pile of work on his desk that demanded his immediate attention. Not a full minute passed before he lost complete interest in his occupational responsibilities and stretched out on the futon next to the sleeping Hyuuga, careful not to wake him, yet hoping he would rouse soon so they could have a little more fun.
Never before in his life did Sasuke recall having to wait for sex when he pined for it this badly. Usually a last-minute phone call to one of his many partners or a late-night drive along dark streets provided immediate gratification. There were at least five exes he could call from his A-list that would be more than eager to accommodate his randy desires and a particular avenue he used to frequent was sure to be overflowing with the pick of the litter. He could be gone and back before Neji awoke and the other man would be none the wiser.
That is, if he were unfaithful.
Sasuke sighed heavily as he watched the indescribable beauty of Neji's relaxed features and listened to his slow, quiet breathing. How could it be possible for him to care this deeply for another person that he was willing to suffer this sexual denial? He'd been deprived for so long now that the explosive union with Neji left him craving for more, like a starved man, feasting upon a bountiful banquet of delectable foods. The table was cleaned, the kitchen closed, but still he hungered ravenously.
Sasuke checked the time. It was beginning to grow dark out and he wanted to leave the office to retire to his own bed... or Neji's... he wasn't picky, but Sasuke refrained from disturbing his slumber, instead deciding it wouldn't be too much of a bother if they spent the night here. He got up to close the blinds and shut off all office equipment but a stirring beneath the coverlets drew the Uchiha's attention and he almost tripped over an extension cord as he hurried over just in time to catch the most exquisite event he'd ever seen.
Neji's eyelids fluttered open and a pretty, pink tongue peeked out to dampen soft, plump lips. He turned from his side onto his back, kicking his legs out at he did so and tugging the blanket down over his torso to reveal the whisper-thin straps of his camisole hanging off two lovely shoulders. A toned arm rose lethargically to rest a weary hand beside his head as it lolled to one side and awareness dawned on his face with a radiant magnificence that could rival the rising of the morning sun. A rosy blush bloomed on Neji's cheeks when confronted with the undiluted adoration of his lover's gaze and he rolled away to rise from the bed, but Sasuke pounced, with the swift reflexes of a panther, trapping him beneath his body. A lascivious grin spread across his lips and carnal desire flickering within the dark depths of his coal-black eyes.
Neji shivered, not from fear, but from a burning lust words could not begin to describe. His body froze and his breath hitched in his throat as he looked up sheepishly at the primal male poised dominantly above him.
The sound of his name escaping those tempting lips on a shaky exhale shattered his resolve and he brought his lips crashing down to kiss him with a passionate intensity. Neji responded earnestly, wrapping his arms and legs about broad shoulders and hips. The blanket proved to be a hindrance and Saskue yanked it roughly from between them, his hands now given free reign on his smooth, creamy legs. Despite his desperate urgency, Sasuke took it slowly, bringing Neji close to a fever's pitch with his hands and mouth. He did not enter him this time, taking into consideration the other man might still be sore and not wanting to bring him any discomfort.
They participated in what had become Neji's favourite sexual activity, if his excited squeals and husky moans were any indication, and they were brought to completion with a closed fist wrapped firmly around their manhoods.
Sasuke trailed light nips and kisses along his slack jaw as he struggled to regulate his breathing, guiding him back down with gentle caresses and tender words of endearment. "Oh no you don't," the young Uchiha chuckled before kissing Neji's eyelids as they began to close.
A languid smile stretched across Hyuuga's bruised mouth and he snuggled deeper into the warm mattress. "It's not my fault your love-making tires me out," he purred, feeling gloriously satisfied. If this cycle continued, Neji falling asleep everytime Sasuke took him when he woke up, then they would be at this forever. Not that that either man complained, mind you. "Noooo," Neji whined when he was lifted into strong arms and Sasuke playfully silenced his protests with a firm peck before setting him onto his feet.
He looked positively well-laid. His hair draped in a disheveled mess atop his head that no comb would dare come near. His skin shone with a lively glow from the thin layer of perspiration that coated it and bruises and blemishes of all colours and sizes dotted his neck and shoulders. Sasuke made note to be more careful with his lover's sensitive skin in the future.
"You should get cleaned up," he instructed with a raspy voice. Christ, but he wanted him again, and when the straps of his camisole slipped further down his arms, revealing the briefest glimpse of his nipples, he nearly threw him down on the floor and had his wicked way with him. At this rate, there would be no place in his office he hadn't defiled Neji and, on that thought, Sasuke made it a prime objective to have a good, long fuck on the photocopier.
While Neji got dressed and made himself as presentable as his wrinkled outfit would allow, Sasuke closed up and gathered their things. "Sasuke, have you seen my... umm," he faltered on the word, but his obvious embarrassment and they way he tugged on his skirt for modesty's sake clued him in on what he wanted.
That obnoxious grin of his let Neji know he wasn't getting the undergarment back but, contrary to the norm where he would let his incorrigible lover get away with whatever he wanted, Neji folded his arms across his chest and took a stand. "Sasuke, you can't actually mean to make me leave like this?" he managed in an authoritative tone, despite his growing humiliation.
The other man merely shrugged, not quite seeing where the problem lay. "It's late, there's hardly anyone around. I'll take you home, so it's not like you have to walk anywhere or take the bus."
His face burned at the horrifying thought of taking the downtown route dressed as a woman, with no underwear on no less, and he drew the front of his jacket closer for comfort. Sasuke could tell he was deeply bothered by this and the tiniest ounce of guilt that sprouted in his chest was almost enough to make him show mercy. Almost.
"Sasuke, please give me back my panties."
Was there anything sexier than hearing Neji say the word 'panties'? Sasuke didn't seem to think so and there was no chance in all hell he was getting them back now.
He approached the usually shorter man, now made artificially taller by his heels, the increase in height making it easier for him to stand his ground against his stubborn boyfriend. Neji looked down at him, his steely stare matching Sasuke's humored own and the Uchiha found it cute that the other man actually thought he might win this one.
He expected a verbal battle or, at the very least, a drawn-out debate where each side pled their case and discussed the risky consequences of parading around in a mid-thigh skirt while going commando. What he didn't expect, but should have predicted, was that Sasuke was going to play dirty and Neji shrieked when his lover lunged at him and lifted him bridal fashion to carry him out of the office.
Neji tried to procure his freedom by kicking and pounding his fists against the indomitable wall of Sasuke's chest. A chilly draft ghosted between his legs, caressing his derriere, and the older man paled, frantically wrapping his arm beneath his thighs to cover his exposed privates. Neji felt a deep chuckle reverberating in his lover's chest and he glared daggers through his skull. Sasuke maneuvered easily considering he was carrying a fully-grown man, much to Neji's dismay who was waiting for an advantageous moment where he would need to be put down so he could make a run for it. The corridors were thankfully empty and Sasuke had been right when he said the majority of staff had already left, but when they took the elevator to the main floor Neji's hopeful optimism died when met with the security staff and two businessmen who, despite their attempts to remain professional, found it difficult to hide their smirking.
Neji buried his red face into the crook of Sasuke's neck and his hair shifted, creating a convenient veil to hide his identity.
"Good evening, Mr. Uchiha," one of the guards tipped his hat as the couple passed. "Evenin' miss."
"Is it safe to say we'll have a positive report on that audit then?" one of his employees teased.
Neji groaned and Sasuke, the traitorous bastard, had the audacity to laugh, and if he had a knife right now he would have plunged it into his detestable, but very handsome face. "Well, I can be pretty persuasive when I'm ready," he tossed over his shoulder.
"I'm going to kill you in your sleep," Neji hissed through clenched teeth. He'd meant to whisper that for the benefit of Sasuke's ears only but the other men heard him clearly and they did laugh then.
"I take it that means 'negotiations' will extend until tomorrow morning?" the second worker piqued up.
"Looks that way," Sasuke grinned. "She's pretty flexible and I stayed firm even though our 'mediation' stretched on for hours. She rode me pretty hard though and I had to go down on a few core issues but- Ow!"
The room erupted in raucous laughter when the woman punched Sasuke square on the arm and, after making an innuendo about being tied down by the auditor's strict rules and her needing to 'whip him into shape', Sasuke made his exit amidst their heroic worship.
Neji fumed, waiting until they entered the parking lot where there would be no witnesses before he maimed and disposed of the Uchiha's body in some gutter where he belonged. They reached the car and Sasuke placed him upon the bonnet instead of setting him on the ground. Neji moved to get off, but Sasuke remained an immovable force before him, slipping between his legs and resting his hands upon the hood on either side of his waist. "Are you mad at me, baby?"
"No, not mad. Just furious." He tried to push the grinning man away from him but experienced no such luck. Sasuke reached out to take him by his wrists but Neji snatched them away like a petulant child. "Don't touch me. I'm not speaking to you."
It was hard to take his furor seriously looking as adorable as he did right now, but if he wanted to enjoy his company again tonight, he was going to have to humor him for a bit. "Aww, you're cute when you're angry."
Neji pouted but did nothing when Sasuke raised one hand to stroke his flushed cheeks with the backs of his knuckles. "I should... I should just... I could just... hurt you so much right now," he sputtered.
Sasuke stifled his perverted comment by biting into his lower lip.
"I just want to... Ugh, Sasuke you're so..."
"Sexy?"
"Frustrating!" he yelled. "You drive me crazy sometimes and I just want to beat some sense into you."
"I'd like that."
"Counterproductive, I know," Neji sighed with an exasperated roll of his eyes. The hand on his cheek descended to his neck, slipping beneath his jacket to stroke his collarbone with a broad thumb. "But if I shoved you into oncoming traffic then Itachi would miss you, and I'd feel bad."
"How do you think I'd feel?" he joked with a light-hearted chuckle.
Neji shook his head, the tiniest smile appearing on his tightly drawn lips. "For a second there I almost forgot why I was mad at you."
"Hmm, I think it had something to do with the sexual objectification of Miss Jeni Hamilton."
"Men can be such pigs."
"Mmm hmm," Sasuke drawled and his hands ventured lower to undo the buttons of his coat and shrug it off his shoulders. Neji leaned back to support himself on his arms, tilting his head slightly to allow warm lips and sharp teeth to nibble at his flesh and, despite his promise to himself, Sasuke added more love bites to the collection he'd already made. His legs fell open of their own volition, forgetting that he wore nothing between them but Sasuke took the opportunity to step closer and slid his free hand under his skirt to fondle his growing erection.
Neji moaned, his hips jerking at the contact. "I'd-," he paused to lick his dry lips. "I
could punish you, y'know,"
Sasuke growled and curled his fingers around his weeping cock.
"I could not let you have sex with me."
His broad shoulders shook as he chuckled at the idle threat. "You'd only end up punishing yourself," he warned.
"Counterproductive, I know," he snickered. Sasuke brushed his thumb over his dripping slit and Neji thought he would collapse from the intense pleasure that rocketed through his frame. "Oh God, Sasuke. We can't do it here," he objected in a sudden moment of clarity.
"Give me one reason why not."
It was difficult to think of anything else except for the deft fingers stroking him so nicely, but the sound of Sasuke's zipper coming undone was enough to shock him back to reason. He shoved him, not too roughly but, in his aroused state, Sasuke stumbled backward, catching his balance in two steps but not swift enough to grab Neji before he slid off the vehicle and hurried out of his reach.
"Can we please go now?" Neji tried his damndest to sound as authoritative as possible but the exhilaration in his voice negated all seriousness.
Sasuke shrugged and pulled his fly back into place and Neji naively believed that the Uchiha had had enough fun and games for now. A heavy smack against his derriere proved otherwise.
Neji rounded on his lover with indignation and punished him in turn with a slap to his shoulder, which only earned him a lecherous gaze and another open-palmed assault on his arse. His heels prevented him from giving chase when his obdurate boyfriend slipped out of arms reach so Neji did the next logical thing. Kick off his shoes and pursue him in circles around the car.
They must have made quite a spectacle: Part-owner of a multimillon dollar business playing tag with a man in drag in a dimly-lit parking lot. An austere sense of decorum berated Neji for behaving so childishly in a public place but a deep-seated sense of rebellion that had been denied for so long didn't give a rat's ass. It was hard to explain but, with Sasuke, Neji felt he had more freedom than if he were by himself and, only when around the other man, did his wanton immaturity flourish.
Neji was quick but running barefoot was uncomfortable and he knew the other man was much faster than he was. There was no doubt in his mind Sasuke was toying with him, letting him draw closer just so he could sneak in a few cheap shots of his own, but Neji knew him well and his notorious Uchiha arrogance was the one weakness he could always exploit. Feigning exhaustion was enough to drop his guard and a triumphant Hyuuga administered the coup de grace before putting as much distance between them as possible.
He knew that would not have been the end of it and taunting the other man by blowing raspberries only provoked him further. "Okay Sasuke, game's over," he entreated, but Neji knew he was in trouble now. His boyfriend strode confidently over to him, knowing very well he had him trapped. There was no way Neji could leave except through Sasuke so the game would only end whenever
he said it was over. "I'm cold, and tired and I just want to go home." Yet, despite his pleas, Neji continued to back away from his approaching mate.
"Alright Sasuke, you win, okay?" but the crooked grin spread across the other man's face told him that his surrender was not so readily accepted. "I'll do whatever you want."
"Oh yes, you will."
His low, deep tone brought promises of indescribable passion and warm shivers of excitement coursed through Hyuuga's body. But the playful desire on Sasuke's face vanished as quickly as it appeared and he stopped dead in his tracks, a cold, hateful gaze trained on something to Neji's right.
Or someone.
His blood turned to ice and his stomach dropped into his heels while at the same time trying to empty its contents from anxiety. Neji knew immediately who stood just behind him and a panicked voice instructed him to ignore the crippling fear that paralyzed his legs and run towards Sasuke but, for some inexplicable and ungodly reason, he spun around to come faces inches apart with his greatest demon.
All breath escaped his lungs on a strangled whimper and his wide tear-filled eyes were now captives of the abominable yellow ones that glared at him with undesirable possession.
Instinct made him want to flee, but terror made him a prisoner in his own body. He was going to fall. His legs were too weak and his knees far too shaky to support himself any longer and, just as he felt he was about to collapse, he was supported by the pillar of strength that was Sasuke's body. A sturdy, yet comforting hand pressed firmly against the base of his spine and the spicy musk of Sasuke's signature cologne was enough to rescue him from this living nightmare, releasing him from the baleful spell of Orochimaru's eyes.
Neji turned to gaze upon the man that had become his totem of inner strength and courage, needing to be sure that he was really there, and Sasuke managed to tear his malevolent glare away from his step-father to fortify his distressed lover with compassion. Whatever Neji asked of him next he would do. Whether he wanted to walk away or beat the ever-living shit out of Orochimaru, he would do it.
He sincerely prayed it was the latter.
The way they exchanged thoughts without words, the way they conveyed emotion through only a glance and the openly honest and esoteric relationship they shared sickened Orochimaru to his very toes. With no conversation and with no further glances his way, the two men walked away and the sadistically gleeful smirk that had presented itself upon his lips at Neji's reaction to his mere presence, became a sour scowl as he watched with distaste as that little shit all but carried Neji away from him.
They were growing far too close. He had hoped that the brat's opprobrious infidelity would have done all the work for him. His relationships seldom lasted this long and, if they did, then it was a safe bet that he had at least three other partners on the side. If the office gossip was to be believed then Sasuke Uchiha was abstinent... up until today, when he made out with the lady auditor, which didn't count now that Orochimaru had learned her little secret.
Ah, but the boy was beautiful, maybe even more so now than before and, if there was one thing he could say for the brat, was that he kept his belongings in good condition. Yet, that thought did not please Orochimaru in the least.
The car drove off, its tires screeching angrily before expediting a hasty retreat, and he stared, unable to look away at the head of long hair, but was soon filled with disappointment when he refused to look up so he could gaze upon his lovely face once more. Orochimaru pawed his stirring erection with his free hand, the other one gripping his briefcase so tightly he thought he might snap the handle right off. He could play this waiting game no longer, he had to have the boy again, and soon. Impatient fingers tore at his fly and worked his cock to full hardness. Orochimaru cared not that he stood there in the middle of the lot, after all, this was part of the thrill. Neji had been standing right there a few short moments ago, his soft, plump lips quivering with fear and his enchanting bright eyes were wide with terror.
Oh, the fear... it was almost palpable... he could feel it on his skin. Orochimaru froze that moment in his mind's eye, that immediate second Neji looked like he was about to fall onto his back like a frightened puppy, the exact second just before his shitty step-son ruined everything.
Ohh, a terrified Neji was a divine sight, even more so than the boy Haku, and he was glad that he had found the Hyuuga as a replacement. Haku's body was too tiny and much too frail. He knew he should have exercised restraint on their first few lessons but he was such a delight to have he could hardly control himself. Neji, while dainty, was more sturdy than Haku and he knew he could go for hours on end before exhausting that luscious body.
"Ahh," Orochimaru's ecstatic cry carried far across the night air as he pumped his cock faster while imagining all the fun games he would have playing with Neji's mind and then body. The first thing he must do was to remove all traces of Sasuke Uchiha from his memory... Yes! He needed to let the boy know that Sasuke would never find him... could never save him and, in time, no longer wanted him. Then he'd need to brand him... Oh, yes!
The image of heated iron scalding a permanent mark into Neji's tender bum and the resulting aroma of burning flesh was enough to bring Orochimaru to completion and he emptied himself on the cold, hard ground.
As much as he wanted to relish in the imagery of Neji's naked ass wearing his brand, common sense dictated he not linger any longer than he had to in the off-chance someone happened upon him in this predicament. Orochimaru sighed almost dejectedly as he stared at the white puddle he left behind, knowing that if Neji were in his possession he would make him lick it up, and his dick twitched restlessly as he attempted to refasten his zipper.
'Soon,' he assuaged his insatiable member. 'Very soon.'
***
Neji spoke very little on the drive to his apartment, and would have said nothing at all if Sasuke didn't pretend to forget the directions just so he would at least say
something. Neji knew he was feigning ignorance and, although he wanted to be alone in his thoughts, he was grateful for the occasional breaks in silence to answer, 'left', 'right' or 'straight ahead'.
He knew Sasuke wasn't angry with him. His tone was soft, supportive and sympathetic, everything Neji needed from him right now, but what he really wanted was for Sasuke to berate him, yell at him and call him a coward. He should have been over that man by now. It had been long enough hadn't it? Those days should have been a distant memory. But they weren't. And he hated himself because of it.
Neji could recall, with unsettling clarity, every disgusting second at that man's hand as if it had all happened no less than two hours ago and, seeing him again... those eyes, that grin... so close...
Neji clamped his eyes shut and tried to blot everything out save for the sounds of the highway traffic just outside his window.
Sasuke left him in peace then, uncertain what to do or say to bring his Neji back to him. He didn't like seeing him like this and being powerless to erase his suffering and the bad memories made him feel like an abject failure. The longer they drove in silence the further he could feel Neji slipping away from him until he was certain he could take it no more and was so desperate he wanted to turn the car around, find Orochimaru and gut him like a fish before Neji's eyes so he would have nothing to fear ever again.
Sasuke helped him to his apartment, only because he wanted to be with him for as long as he could. He assumed the other man would want to be alone tonight, but Neji completely surprised him by asking if he wanted to spend the night.
Sasuke blinked, uncertain of how to respond, but his hesitance caused Neji to falter and he placed shaky hands on Sasuke's shoulders. "I... I want us to have sex."
A deep frown settled on Sasuke's face but it went unseen by Neji who was too ashamed to make eye-contact.
Bull-
shit! Sex was the last thing Neji wanted right now and, never before in the history of his love-life, had a proposition for a night-cap turned him off this much. Neji was scared to be alone and, for whatever reason, instead of just asking Sasuke for his company, he tried to entice him into staying with the promise of sex. That hurt him more than Neji could ever begin to imagine and Sasuke was so angry he wanted to shake the idiot. To have sex with him tonight, in his current frame of mind, would set a dark precedent for the rest of their relationship, and Neji damn well knew it too, but he was willing to risk their future just so he would have someone to hold him tonight.
It took alot of self-control and understanding on the Uchiha's part not to explode in a tirade and he folded his lips between his teeth to prevent any untoward words from slipping out. Sasuke opened the door and led Neji inside and, while the Hyuuga changed his clothes and made dinner, he never let Sasuke leave his sight. The Uchiha didn't trust himself to stay in the bathroom while Neji took a shower but he promised he'd be right at the door should he need him but when it was his turn to wash, Neji refused to exit the room, finding all kinds of excuses to hang around, going so far as to brush his teeth for ten straight minutes.
Dressed only in a pair of boxers, both men retired into the bedroom and, no sooner did Sasuke settle under the covers did Neji immediately curl up against his warm frame. "Sasuke," he murmured weakly against his naked chest. "You can still have sex with me... if you want to."
The Uchiha grit his teeth together and his grip around his lover's shoulders tightened briefly before it slackened again. Sasuke turned to look at him, and the helplessly lost face that gazed meekly back at him dispelled all frustration. He forced a smile then, even though he wanted to lean over and kiss away the sadness on his lips. "No. I just want to hold you tonight, okay baby?"
The corners of Neji's mouth twitched and he snuggled closer into his lover's embrace, hoping that it would be enough to stave off any impending nightmares.
