Title: Between Work and Play

Author: codegal

Rating: M

Disclaimer: Don't own, don't sue.

Summary: A partner for Mavericks & Associates, Grimmjow finds himself in need of an assistant when his current one takes maternity leave. Neliel is indeed the successful candidate, but with attraction flaring wildly between them, can they keep a professional relationship? Or will it turn into something more?

Author's Notes: This is an idea that I had lurking in my mind for a while now. It's only now come into fruition as inspiration, sparked by the need to start the GrimmNel Challenge 2010. And so, here is my entry for the fanfiction category; the beginning is a bit slow and altogether boring, but I hope to pick up the pace in the next chapter.

Word Count: 1560.

…

The click of heels walking by the table caught Grimmjow's attention, his gaze running up the length of long legs to settle on the gentle sway of hips encased in a black pencil skirt. He let out a low whistle at the feminine display. "Damn, that should be kept under lock and key."

"Do you ever think about anything other than women?" A voice burst through his entrancement. Grimmjow looked up at his associate partner, Ulquiorra Cifer and shrugged with a grin.

"You know, I bet you wouldn't be half as sour if you thought about a woman every so often."

Ulquiorra sighed. "Its amazing how you get any work done. Perhaps that's why Mrs. Wilson is leaving you."

Grimmjow snorted and returned to his coffee, taking a sip before lifting the business report he'd been studying. "You know the woman got herself pregnant. That's why she's leaving."

Ulquiorra finished his sandwich and checked his watch as he rose from his seat. "I should get back to the office and look over the tenders for the proposed merger. By the way, why are you sitting in the foyer café for lunch?"

Grimmjow shrugged, not looking up from the business report. "Not that it's any of your business, but Emma needs the office to conduct the interviews for her replacement until she can return."

Grimmjow took another sip from his coffee, leaving Ulquiorra to his own devices. He scowled as he scanned over the review for the last quarter, noticing the falls in value of stock. He was going to have to go grease a few more monkey hands it seemed, set up a few meetings with potential stock buyers and take care of bringing their stock value back up to speed. Not to mention, he was going to have to have a talk with the general managers and review the work performances for the past three months.

He scowled to himself, running his hand through his hair. It looked as if it was going to be another long week up ahead. He can only imagine how troublesome this new assistant of his would be. He sincerely hoped that Emma was smart enough to pick someone who could withstand his bite; he wasn't in the mood for any simpering idiot.

…

"And have you had any previous experience in this line of work?"

Neliel nodded calmly, handing her interviewer the file that she had compiled of her resume, credentials and other important information. "I have, until recently, been an executive assistant for Spencers & Co. Corporation for the past six years. Although I loved the atmosphere and the people there, I felt that I wasn't being challenged enough, thus the reason for my being here. I believe that Mavericks & Associates would provide me with the sort of challenge that would help me further my abilities in the administration field."

Emma Wilson beamed happily at her interviewee before scanning her resume, flicking through the portfolio. After a minute, she smiled and handed the portfolio back. "I am quite impressed, Ms. Oderschvank, your credentials are most impressive. And when did you say you could commence working?"

Nel's eyes widened as she took in the meaning of Mrs. Wilson's words. She sat shocked for a second before a small smile crept on to her face. "I could start immediately, if that is what you would like?"

Emma nodded enthusiastically, rising to her feet awkwardly, her pregnant belly hindering her movements somewhat. Nel followed suit and she came around the desk to shake her hand. "Let me show you around the place, help you get familiarised with things for your start on Monday."

Nel nodded mutely, her mind already whirling at the fast pace with which everything was unfolding. She followed in Emma's wake as she exited out of the inner office, the sanctuary for her new boss, a Mr. Grimmjow Jaegerjacques. Emma led her to her new temporary desk that stood just beyond the doors to Mr. Jaegerjacques office and ushered for her to take the seat behind the desk.

"OK, this is where you'll be working from. Grimmjow usually likes to meet his clients and business associates outside of the office, so unannounced visitors aren't a common occurrence. Not to mention, Courtney, who mans the lobby reception desk downstairs, knows better than to let any Tom, Dick or Harry in."

Emma bent down and tapped a few keys on the keyboard and moved the mouse, clicking on an application. "This is Grimmjow's personal diary, where all his business meetings, dinners and functions are listed. Grimmjow never pays any attention to those sorts of things, so you're going to have to continue to remind him of his upcoming appointments."

She then pulled open one of the side drawers to the reception desk, pulling out an A4 hard cover diary. She opened up to one of the front pages. "Listed here are all the numbers to the assistants of Grimmjow's business associates, not to mention other useful numbers such as his favourite chinese takeout for those nights he stays behind late, though thankfully, they're few and far in-between. The numbers to Grimmjow's mobile, land line, other various reception and executive assistants have all been pre-programmed into the phone, so that all you have to do is press the corresponding speed dial number."

Nel nodded attentively, taking note of the things Emma was teaching her. Her head shot up at the sound of the outer doors sliding open. A teal haired man strode through, his gait cocky, sure, his hard gaze zooming in on her at once. She met his gaze and felt as if she had been slammed in the chest. His physical presence was like a forceful blow. She took in his hard jaw, the width of his shoulders, the build of his body, all wrapped up in an expensive suit. But rather than give the appearance of a classy man, she could sense the wild, untamed beast beneath the clothes, and she shivered slightly at the thought of uncovering that wildness.

She felt his eyes rove over her body, travel back up and then down again. She swallowed as her insides clenched, her body responding to his look of intimacy. She gritted her teeth. Now was not the time to be thinking this way! Her heart pounded as butterflies fluttered within her stomach and she watched, hypnotised, as his chiselled lips murmured a single word, what looked like 'legs' but she couldn't be too sure.

"What are you doing here?" Emma demanded, hands on hips as she straightened, jolting Nel out of the captivating spell she had been under. "I told you, I wanted this place for the interviews."

Grimmjow merely raised a brow. "It was either retreat to here or let the company image suffer as I strangled someone downstairs. Damn couldn't get any work done there." He paused, his piercing gaze flicking over to Nel again. "Who's this?"

Emma beamed and bounced on the balls of her feet. "This is Ms. Neliel Tu Oderschvank. She will be my replacement while I'm on maternity leave."

Nel held her hand out, and Grimmjow took it in a firm handshake, his hold lingering slightly, the warmth from his hand sending chills of awareness up her arm. "Pleased to meet you," Nel murmured demurely, her gaze not wavering from his.

He gave a crooked grin. "Likewise. Are you ready to take on the duties as my assistant?"

Nel nodded. "I am more than ready for the challenge. I am not new to this field, and so I believe I should make the transition without too much trouble."

"Good. I'm heading back to my office, unless you have any complaints?" He looked towards Emma, who shook her head. He nodded acknowledgement, and headed towards his office doors, tossing over his shoulder, "I'll stop by at your farewell later tonight. I have a few things I have to finish off."

Emma smiled and turned back to Nel. "Well, I'm sure that's it for now. I'll be in on Monday to help you get settled, but I'm sure you won't have any problems."

Nel could only nod dumbly. She didn't want to think too closely about her initial reaction to her new boss. She would deal with that later, in the safety of her home. It looked like Monday might not be as simple as she had first thought.

…

Grimmjow leaned back in his office chair, his hands braced behind his head as he thought of his new assistant.

She had been the owner of those pair of long legs that he had admired downstairs, and he couldn't help but remember the sway of her hips, how her skirt moulded to her round ass. He'd also noticed how big her breasts were, how the material of her blouse had stretched tight over them, and his fingers had itched to cup them, squeeze and suck them. Standing so close to her, he could smell her feminine scent, and had wanted to chase that scent with his tongue.

Never before had he been this wildly attracted to anyone, much less someone who worked for him. But it seemed that there was a first for everything, and Ms. Oderschvank was something he definitely want to explore in full.

He gave a smirk. This was going to be fun.