Sakura and the Prince of Hearts – Part 1

An hour later, the flustered Jane had managed to calm Tara down and brought the woman back into the makeup room. Of course, the photo shoot was delayed, which made Mr. Tachibana, Ms. Ruka, and Jason more than a little stressed because of the tight schedule. In the end, Jane suggested they do Sakura with Tristan and Logan first, since she was all ready to go. This would also give Sakura plenty of time after, for a retouch and wardrobe change before her session with Sebastian started.

After a short discussion, the three heads agreed, and some fifteen minutes later, Sakura found herself in the ninth-floor restaurant, along with the crew, the Princeton brothers, and some of the hotel staff.

“Let me just say you’re eye candy, darling princess,” Tristan said, brushing his fingers across Sakura’s perfectly coiffured hair.

Logan nodded in agreement as he tilted her face to the left. “Simply stunning.” Then his eyes scanned her in appreciation from head to toe, noting the perfectly made up face, stylish chignon, expensive rubies, and, of course, the sexy, long gown that not only enhanced her slim waist, but showed off the shape of her beautiful bosom as well.

Sakura removed Logan’s hand from her chin and said, “Thanks for the compliments, guys. But to be honest, it gets boring and meaningless when it comes too often, especially from you two.”

Tristan raised a brow. “Are you saying our praises are shallow?”

Sakura chuckled. “I don’t mean that. What I’m saying is if you give out praise too often, and so nonchalantly like that, it might make the other party think it’s just an empty compliment, words without meaning.”

“Oh, but we do mean every compliment we give out,” Logan said.

Sakura sighed. “What I’m trying to say is if you compliment every girl you take a fancy to, how will the girl who likes you know that you really mean it when you say it to her?”

Logan shook his head. “Good Lord, you’re confusing us.”

Tristan said, “Are you implying that you are confused? That you don’t know if our compliments to you are for real because we compliment and flirt with every other girl who comes our way?” He leaned closer and asked softly, in challenge, “Are you trying to tell us that you like one of us?”

Sakura chuckled. God, trust them to smoothly turn the tables on her. “No. That’s not what I mean at all.”

From the corner of her eye, she noted Mr. Tachibana, Ms. Ruka, and Jason heading their way from the other side of the restaurant. She assumed they must have finished with their discussion. To distract the brothers, she said, “Oh, look, Mr. Tachibana, Ms. Ruka, and Jason are coming.”

Tristan and Logan turned to look in that direction.

Tristan said with disappointment, “And we’re having such a lovely conversation, too.”

Logan nodded. “Sakura was about to confess to one of us.” He turned to her. “Unfortunately, that’ll have to wait, darling princess.”

Sakura shook her head. “I wasn’t about to confess.”

Tristan said, “Don’t be shy. We’ll continue with this after work this evening.”

Sakura stammered, “Just to be clear, I wasn’t about to confess, and I have no intention of confessing to either of you two. And no, there will be no continuation of this chitchat this evening after work. Understand?”

Tristan whistled in appreciation of her stipulations.

Logan said, “Princess Sakura is hot when she’s demanding.”

“You two stop it,” she ordered.

Mr. Tachibana, Ms. Ruka, and Jason reached them then, and Mr. Tachibana said to Sakura, “You’re blushing.”

Sakura touched her face. “They were teasing me.”

Jason laughed. “Well, it can’t be helped. You are very beautiful today, and those two are a pair of flirts, after all.”

Ms. Ruka said, “Why didn’t you two flirt with me like that?”

Logan said, “Sorry, Ms. Ruka. We pick and choose who we flirt with.” He then winked at Sakura.

Tristan cleared his throat and then asked, “So, are we starting now?”

Mr. Tachibana nodded. “We want you in the bar area.”

Mr. Tachibana instructed the trio on the poses they wanted from them, while the other Princeton brothers, Akira, Sosuke, and Jane watched on from the other corner of the restaurant.

“Those two still haven’t stopped flirting with Sakura, even when they’re being instructed on what to do,” Conrad said.

Hayden nodded. “They are pretty annoying. I’m surprised Sakura isn’t bothered. And are they even listening to what Mr. Tachibana is telling them?”

Akira chuckled. “I’m sure they are. And anyway, would anyone be bothered if the person they like flirts with them?”

Her comment drew the brothers’ attention, including Sosuke, who asked, “Are you implying Sakura likes one of those two?”

Akira raised her brows at her brother. “My, Sosuke, you sound disappointed.”

Jane eyed Sosuke as well with interest.

“Don’t be ridiculous.” He folded his arms across his chest as he stared straight ahead.

Akira continued. “I’m just implying that Sakura likes the Princeton brothers very much. That’s all.” She eyed Sebastian and Darcy sharply to indicate that she knew what was happening behind closed doors.

“I mean, I personally wouldn’t be so patient if I were to be pestered all the time.” She chuckled. “There’s so much pestering that there’re even bite marks on her neck. I feel sorry for Sakura.”

At her words, Sebastian and Darcy looked at each other, knowing what she meant.

Sebastian suspected Darcy must have done something to Sakura because Akira had said bite marks, plural. Of course, he had been one of the culprits to leave a bruise on her skin, where everyone could see, to claim her as his, so to speak. But for Darcy to brand her as well?

Sebastian silently turned away to look at Sakura again, attentively nodding her head as Mr. Tachibana explained things to her, which he found adorable.

So, Sebastian thought with a smile playing about his lips, his younger brother was openly challenging him, eh? Well, this would certainly be interesting indeed.

Darcy was frowning darkly as he stared at Logan, who was playing with Sakura’s earring while listening to Mr. Tachibana. Of course, he didn’t miss the smirk playing across Sebastian’s face either, nor the fact that he felt a sort of challenging vibe emitting from the older brother. He knew Sebastian must have suspected that he was the other person who had given Sakura the hickey. Then he wondered what move Sebastian was going to play next where their endeavor to gain her heart was concerned.

Nicolas said, “I didn’t know two of my brothers had turned themselves into pests, sneaking around and giving Sakura hickeys.”

Conrad was flabbergasted at the very idea. “What? Tristan and Logan gave Sakura hickeys? Those two sure need to be taught a few lessons! I think I might just go and punch them after their photo shoot is done.”

Hayden chuckled as he slapped the youngest Princeton. “No need to get yourself involved, young pup. And no, I’m sure it’s neither Tristan nor Logan. Sakura wouldn’t let them touch her. She’s tough, you know. If I remember correctly, she slapped Tristan when he tried to kiss her when we were young.”

Conrad was even more astounded this time. “Really? Tristan tried to kiss Sakura? And she slapped him?”

Hayden shrugged nonchalantly. “It was a bet between Tristan and Logan, in their preteens at the time. They didn’t get very far, so there’s nothing to worry about.”

On the other side of the room, Mr. Tachibana said, “Sakura, you sit there.” He was pointing to the benchtop that was as high as her midriff, even with her four-inch heels on. “Now, let’s get things moving.” He clapped his hands a couple of times to tell everyone they were ready to go.

Sakura raised a hand as everyone shuffled about to their positions. “Excuse me, Mr. Tachibana. Maybe a chair?” she requested.

Beside her, Tristan said, “No worries, princess.” He wrapped his hands around her waist and effortlessly lifted her into the air like a doll.

“Oh.” Sakura made a sound as Tristan popped her on the benchtop. “Thanks,” she said, wiggling her body about to get into a comfortable position. “That was easy.”

Watching, Hayden said, “Sakura must be pretty light.”

Nicolas, Sebastian, and Darcy said in unison, “She is.”

Akira teased. “Sounds like you three have experience?”

The trio nodded in unison, too. “We have.”

Sitting on the benchtop, Sakura noted the other Princeton brothers watching her. Sebastian and Darcy especially. Why are they frowning?

She moved to the left a little, per Mr. Tachibana’s instruction, while both Tristan and Logan, in sleek, powerful suits, stood on either side of her, oozing so much hotness that the female staff were gawking. Tristan rested his arm on the bench, slightly wrapping it around her waist. Meanwhile, Sakura was directed to place her slender arm around Logan’s neck as he leaned in toward her. Their position set, the camera started clicking away enthusiastically.

“Move a bit to the right now, Sakura,” Jason said. “Closer to Tristan.”

Sakura shifted a little.

“Good. Lift your head a bit more and turn slightly to the right. That’s it. Toward the light.”

Sakura did so, and then the camera went click, click, click. Of course she did her best to look poised and elegant, but the dress was tight, constricting her tummy and chest, which made it hard for her to breathe. So it was rather uncomfortable. Thank God she hadn’t eaten much during lunch.

The camera clicked continuously as Mr. Tachibana said, “Good. Move a bit to your left now, Sakura. Logan, move closer.”

Logan did and even rested his handsome face close to Sakura’s breasts, which only made Sebastian’s and Darcy’s frowns turn darker.

From where he stood in the corner of the room, Sebastian said, “Play nice, Logan.”

Logan chuckled and flashed a thumbs-up. “Understood.”

Jason paused and said, “Okay, Sakura, now cross one leg over the other.”

“Cross my legs?” she asked.

At Jason’s nod, Sakura sucked in a deep breath and then moved her body as she tried to modestly cross one leg over the other. But of course, the side slit of the dress wasn’t helping as she tried to cover herself.

“This damn thing,” she muttered under her breath.

Jane said loudly, “Sakura, are you okay?”

Sakura nodded. “I’m fine.”

Mr. Tachibana said, “You’re supposed to be showing off your legs.” He came over and helped her arrange herself by parting the slit even more.

In the end, Sakura thought she probably looked like a sexy showgirl, wearing this dress and posing in such a position on the bar, with two hot men beside her. Logan wrapped one arm around her waist while his face was half buried in the crook of her neck. Tristan rested his hand on her bare leg, while her hand, in turn, rested over his shoulder.

“Perfect!” Mr. Tachibana said, and more photographing continued, lights flashing enthusiastically.

Jane giggled. “It looks like Sakura is hoarding all the hot men to herself, doesn’t it?”

Akira nodded. “Yep. Like I said, it’s a real-life reverse harem, Jane. It can’t get better than this.”

When Jason finally said, “That’s it, guys. It’s done,” Sakura sighed with relief and remembered to breathe properly again.

“That went far too quickly,” Logan said.

Sakura wasn’t listening to the man as she carefully wiggled her body, trying to make her way down from the benchtop.

She was halfway when Logan said, “Be careful, darling.” He helped her by wrapping his arm around her waist and guiding her down.

Once her feet were planted safely on the floor, she said, “Thanks.”

It was then that Jane came to whisk her away again to change. As they headed toward the door, Sakura noticed Tara and Alaina, who were ready for their shoot. Tara was, of course, glaring at her. Sakura ignored the woman and hurried away, thinking of only the relief she would feel after she took off the dress.

Some twenty minutes later, she found her relief was short-lived as she stared at her image in the mirror, particularly her breasts, which looked as though they were about to spill out of the cocktail gown.

“Are you sure this is the same one I tried on when I had the fitting back in New York?” she asked Jane. “I mean, it’s awfully tight now and the length seems shorter…” She glanced down at herself, noting the flouncy tulle skirt that she was sure would probably show her panties if she were to bend over.

Jane said adamantly, “Yes, it is the very same one. It’s a little tighter and shorter because Mr. Tachibana changed the design a bit last week. But that’s the world of fashion for you, Sakura.” She chuckled. “Bear with it.”

Sakura sighed. “All right. At least it’s only with Sebastian, so I won’t feel too uncomfortable.”

Jane cocked her head to one side. “So, if it wasn’t with Sebastian, you’d be uncomfortable?”

Sakura blushed. “Yes, of course. Darcy, too.”

Jane giggled. “I’m sure the two will be pleased to hear that.”