" Tenic stood and bowed to Valerie, "Mr. Shakoi apologizes for not coming in again, but he has another appointment." With that, the large bald man left leaving the two alone, permanently.

Grimmjow smirked, "You can start with lunch." "

First Impressions

Valerie gave Grimmjow a look that all but said 'are you fucking kidding me?', and upon her new client's smug smirk and brief nod toward the kitchen, she sighed, kicked off her pumps; losing a couple inches of height in the process, and promptly turned on her heel and walked to the kitchen.

Grimmjow watched her walk away, noting how the black skirt she was wearing perfectly framed her ass, but it was a little dark. He'd have to take her shopping for some lighter stuff. If he was going to live with this chick and watch her work all day, he wanted to be able to see what he wanted to. Without heels she was just as sexy, her legs were toned without the help of three inch pumps and he liked that a lot. He followed her to the kitchen to see what she had in mind to make for lunch. This was usually his first test; to see if their cooking would satisfy him enough to keep them around. His last maid was an alright cook, but the food was almost always burnt in at least one place. Even the damn sandwiches tasted charred sometimes. He never understood how she did it, unless it just came off of her hands. What kind of cleaner do you have to burn your hands with to make them taste permanently charred? Whatever it was, he made her wear gloves to cover it up. That was part of the reason she quit in the end. Didn't bother him at all; look what he scored this time!

Valerie couldn't find a damn thing in his kitchen to make for lunch, or any ingredients to make anything from scratch. "How are you still alive if you have nothing in your kitchen?" She opened the fridge and bent to peer inside, seeing nothing but old lunch meat, a half empty ketchup bottle, beer bottles, and a near empty jug of whiskey. She sighed, closing the fridge and standing to put her hands on her hips again. Noticing his hungry once over of her, she chewed on her lip and turned to look through the cabinets again, "It looks like we're going to have to go shopping for food." She glanced at him over her shoulder, playing into his looks by giving him a little once over, "Unless you don't want anything to eat." She was in a little better of a mood since taking her shoes off and realizing this opportunity to get out of the house for a bit; even if it was with him.

He smirked and crossed his arms, "Well, what'd ya have in mind?" She thought about easy, awesome tasting meals that required minimal preparation.

"Well, I was thinking about getting sandwich ingredients, since you have none. I have to cook breakfast and dinner as well, so we may as well get eggs and veggies for spaghetti sauces. The shit in a jar isn't good enough for my pasta, so I just make it myself." She couldn't help her smirk at his change in attitude toward hearing the hint of homemade food. "We also need meat, so some chicken and some steaks would do alright for the week. Side dishes could include grilled carrots and corn, or macaroni and cheese, and of course you're almost out of beer. Might want to replace that too."

Grimmjow had to fight a hard on with this conversation. She's sexy, she's playful, she makes her own fuckin' spaghetti sauces! He had no problem with this chick so far.

"We may as well go now, and get it over with." He stated, "You gonna wear those heels again?"

Valerie scoffed, "No! I've been wearing them all day, I don't plan on wearing them for two hours at the grocery store." Grimmjow shot her a look that told her he wanted to see the heels again. She wasn't surprised, and scowled at him before walking to her room and grabbing the black pumps and returning to the living room. She poked his back, scoring a growl from the man, "Well, let's go, moneybags." She stepped into the heels and adjusted her vest, re-buttoning the top black button that had come undone while she searched the kitchen for remnants of food.

Grimmjow turned and nodded, "Cars unlocked, the gunmetal silver one. Be there in a sec." He watched her leave and start down the stairs before walking to his room to grab his wallet and keys. She was more obedient than he originally thought, though she had an attitude that matched his. He could work with it; he had his ways of taming women like her. He smirked to himself as he left the house. The bottom door was locked, so he didn't really feel the need to lock the top, since it was the one he used the most. He was in a nice enough neighborhood that he didn't have to worry about his home when he wasn't there. Valerie was sitting in the car with the door propped open with one leg, and he hoped he could get a glance at the palette as he walked around the hood to the driver side. Sliding into the black and grey leather seat, he caught an unamused look from the woman in the passenger seat. He glanced up to meet her eyes, "What?" He stated it more than asked, and she huffed.

"My legs stuck to the hot seat. You should leave your windows down more often." She sounded kinda whiny, but hot leather seats were her least favorite thing ever. It didn't shock her that he had the nice car with leather seats and all the latest technology. In fact, she liked that a lot. But if it's hot outside, people should know to keep their cars aired out.

Grimmjow chuckled and pulled his door shut, watching her do the same after pulling her leg into the car, "My apologies. When we get home I'll kiss the burn and make it all better."

Valerie clenched her jaw and ignored his statement, rolling the window down as he started the car and laying her arm out the opening. She wished she had her sunglasses with her; they remained packed away in her bags somewhere. For now, the visor would have to do. Ten minutes out from his house, Grimmjow rolled back the sunroof and let in even more heat, but with it a nice breeze that took the edge of the sun from her shoulders and exposed cheek. Leaning her head back against the rest, she watched streetlights and the occasional pedestrian pass at about 50mph. She was positive he was speeding but didn't feel like saying anything. It was a nice day, a good day for cruising and driving fast, even if you're the passenger and you don't care for your new driver too much.

Before she knew it, they were at the store; a bigger, more posh grocery store than she had been used to on the Watson's budget. They lived comfortably, but modestly, allowing her to go shopping for fresh ingredients twice a month. She had a feeling here with Mr. Jeagerjaquez she would be able to get fresh ingredients more than once a week. Everyday, she hoped. She loved cooking and preparing things. That was the main reason she got into the housekeeping business, to take care of things and clean and cook and get paid for it! She climbed out of the car, straightening her skirt as she stood looking at the massive superstore and followed Grimmjow inside. Grabbing a shopping buggy, she noted all of the higher class folks doing their shopping alongside them. Valerie felt as if she'd entered an entirely new world. Sighting the produce section, she took off, and would have left her client behind had he not been keeping such a hungry eye on her. It was a little unsettling to think of how quickly he'd have her undressed and on the floor if she gave him the chance, but also amusing. Not to mention it had been a long while since she'd gotten any, and this man was just her build. Aside from being a complete and utter ass, he didn't seem too bad. Definitely a careless kind of guy, taken from the empty kitchen and beer bottles. He seemed like the type to sit around and do whatever he wants. Hence the housemaids, she thought, pawing through tomatoes and squash.

"What the hell would you use squash for?" She heard the grumble behind her and glance over her shoulder at the unamused face of Grimmjow.

"You can use squash for a lot of things. It's good as a side dish with garlic and butter, or if you get spaghetti squash you can prepare it with tomatoes and spices and eat that alone as a meal. With any ingredient, the possibilities are endless." She smirked, "And just because you gave me that look, we're going to experiment with it tonight for dinner. Aren't you excited?" She picked out a couple butternut and a couple spaghetti squash, excited to make soup and perhaps lunch out of them. She picked up other random veggies and apples, along with bunches of cilantro and oregano. Grimm was wary of everything she picked out, but never said a word. He was trying to trust her judgment, remembering the promise of homemade spaghetti sauce on the pasta.

Once out of the produce, she picked up two gallons of milk, a couple loaves of bread, peanut butter and jelly, four boxes of cereal, fresh dish soap and sponges, and a variety of cleaners and gloves to use around the house. He picked out his favorite beer and allowed her to pick something for herself. She wasn't that picky, and quickly decided on peach wine coolers. She brushed off the scoff she earned from her decision and continued on her way. She finished her list off with a new broom and mop, and scanned over the food aisles again, deciding on chicken, ground beef, four fatty steaks, and a bag of individually sealed fish for the next week or so of dinners. This man was going to taste variety if she was going to live there, by god.

After a good three hours at the grocery store, Valerie decided she had enough to get through the next two weeks, unless she decided she wanted to cook something she wasn't prepared for. Grimmjow had been a willing shopping partner, not giving her too much grief when she picked something he wasn't sure about. At least he was willing to try it.

After checking out, they wheeled the buggy to the car and loaded everything in the trunk and backseat, if you could call a half of a seat cushion a 'back seat'. Everything fit like a dream and they were on their way home in no time. It wasn't until they were a couple blocks away that she noticed how hungry she was, and remembered she hadn't eaten anything that day, being distracted by Mr. Shakoi ushering her out of the house. She wouldn't mind breaking into the peanut butter and jelly when they got home, but would see about putting together something better for him. She was his housemaid, after all.

Back at the house, and once everything was inside, she went to work putting everything away and cleaning out the old and the outdated, including the old maids' cleaners and used sponges. She cleaned the kitchen after everything was settled in and set to making him something spectacular for his first meal from the new housemaid.

While she cooked, Grimmjow changed into more comfortable jeans and a white t-shirt, running his fingers through his hair and rubbing his face. This had been a hella long day, and it wasn't even 3pm. Walking down the hall and to the kitchen, he stopped in the doorway to admire that she hadn't taken the heels off yet, and the muscles in her calves and thighs were taut and practiced, begging his fingers to trace their own path over that unknown territory. She hadn't seemed to notice him walk in, and worked away at putting together sandwiches, but he couldn't see what she was putting on them. Taking the five steps necessary to reach her, he stood behind her and put his hands over her hips, pressing her back into him. He looked over her shoulder as she tensed her entire body and rested his chin on soft skin, "Just thought I'd check on lunch." he stated, smirking as she sighed and relaxed a bit.

"Is this how you treat all of your maids?" She asked sharply, going back to what she had been doing; applying mayonnaise and lettuce to the ham and cheese sandwich she set out for him.

"Only the ones I can't keep my hands off of." He snickered, running his hands up her sides and taking a breath, smelling all of the sandwiches ingredients and the coconut and hibiscus in her hair.

"Lucky me." She grumbled, turning in his arms so her chest was pressed into his. He smirked and laid his hands on her ass, holding her close to him. "Lunch is ready." She whispered, running her fingers over his shoulders and down his arms before removing them from her body and stepping aside, taking the plate with his sandwich and handing it to him. "I'll grab you a beer when I come in." She winked and he walked into the living room. That had gone better than he expected, but worse than he hoped. This was only day one, and they had plenty of time together from here on out.

Valerie prepared a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and grabbed a beer from the fridge as she had promised, and walked into the living room, sitting in a chair across the room from Grimmjow. She kicked her heels off and dug her toes into the plush white carpet on the floor, taking a huge bite of her sandwich. It was the best she had ever tasted, and in that moment she conspired to only eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches ever again. Grimm flicked the TV on, changing the channel to some sport she never watched and kicked his feet up, every so often glancing at her and she at him. Once again in a better mood due to losing her shoes, she played along with him. He was a handsome devil, she concluded, and decided she would tolerate him for a while. The jeans he wore accented every feature they hid, and the t-shirt she could compliment in the same way, though she'd gotten a little feel of the muscle that lay beneath the soft fabric.

They watched TV for a couple hours before she decided to get up and clean the dishes she had made, collecting his empty beer bottle and plate on her way to the kitchen. She was fine with the lack of response she received from him, since she had expected to get her ass smacked. Tossing the bottle into the trash can, she started the hot water and dropped a little dish soap in the sink to start the sudsy goodness. She dunked the plate and silverware, taking a fresh beer to Grimmjow before walking back into the kitchen and washing the three dishes she'd made, taking the time to dry and put them away.

Bored of the channel he'd been watching, Grimmjow picked up the remote and flipped through channels until he found some old gangster movie he'd never seen. The dialogue was shitty and the effects were poor at best, but it was something he'd never seen and that was enough to pique his interest. He popped open the fresh beer he'd been given and downed half of it in two gulps. He heard Valerie shuffling around down the hall and figured she was unpacking and giving her room the color she mentioned the room lacked.

Indeed, she was unpacking her things, but she was more looking for a certain pair of denim shorts she wore on the weekends and a blue tank top with grey embroidered roses on the bottom left hip of the shirt. Once found and changed, she walked back down the hall to retrieve her new broom from the kitchen and walked outside onto the steps to sweep them off, trusty sunglasses worn like a headband as she walked through the second floor of the house. Grimmjow noted that he liked the shorts much better than the skirt she'd been wearing before, though it wouldn't be as easy to access the wonderland that no doubtedly lay beneath the thin layers of clothes.

Reaching the bottom of the steps, she swept the dust and dirt into the grass, swatting a bug that landed on her leg. The sun had started it's slow decent into the trees that lay to the west. The upstairs storm door clacked and she looked up to see Grimmjow sitting on the porch railing, one leg slung over the rail and dangling in the openness. She shielded her eyes from the sun; the blinding star was in just the right spot that looking up rendered her sunglasses useless.

"Kinda warm out here, huh? Sun needs to fuckin' go away already." He stated, squinting to see her nod in response.

"Have more exciting plans after the sun goes down?" She taunted, "At least I can get a tan working outside." She chuckled and jogged up the stairs to return her broom. Before she could go inside, a finger hooked her belt loop and pulled her backwards, and she found herself in Grimmjow's lap again. "You're pretty fearless, y'know that?" She said sharply, earning a smug grin.

"Insatiable, I guess." he responded, "Jus' needed to appreciate the shorts yer wearing." As he spoke, his hands explored the rough hemline of her shorts, tickling the backs of her legs. She broke away from him, tracing his jaw with her index finger.

"Easy, tiger." She smirked, and walked inside. It was time for one of those peach wine coolers. It was going to be fun playing these games, but not on her first day of work. There was plenty of time for that. He came inside shortly after she did, and resumed his movie. It was almost over, and some documentary on fish was on after that. He picked up the remote and started flipping through channels again. Valerie walked into the kitchen, popping open her wine cooler and started water to boil in a pan for spaghetti. While she waited, she started making her sauce by chopping up the tomatoes she bought and mixed in some onion and garlic. Oregano would be a garnish when the dish was done. It took a total of twenty minutes for everything to be done, and she cooked green beans and ham as a side dish. Putting everything on plates and adding final garnishes, she put leftovers in a plastic tub and stored it in the fridge. She took Grimm's to him with yet another fresh beer, popping it open before handing it over, earning a satisfactory smirk as she walked to grab her plate and drink. "I'm going to eat on the porch, if you'd like to join me." She offered, opening the door with her elbow and twisted outside, setting her things on the table and pulling a chair up. She was in perfect range for him to see her through the door, and she didn't mind too much. No need in hiding from him, since she offered for him to sit with her. It was still warm out, but now the sun was going down and the sky was a burst of deep oranges and pinks. The beauty of a sunset before the neighborhood became a dingy shadow of what was while the sun was up. Two bites in, he walked outside to sit with her.

"Nothing on TV." He stated, as if to explain his reason for walking outside. She simply nodded and went back to her green beans.

"I've never been a TV kind of girl. The whole cleaning business doesn't leave much time for that." She added, taking a swig of her drink.

He chuckled and took a big bite of spaghetti, moaning almost inaudibly as he swallowed. She would need to make this more often than just every once in a while. The homemade sauce made all the difference. Though he had always had the means to have homemade meals available, he'd never thought twice about it, going more for the fast, easy meals. I made his last two maids' jobs easier. But Valerie didn't seem to mind cooking fancy meals. She smirked at his reaction to her food, "Not bad, huh?" She took a bite and took a moment to recall why she didn't make her own food more often.

Oh yeah, because it's much more expensive to make homemade meals all the time for five people.

She was glad he liked her cooking, honestly. The first impression she had of him was a calloused, pompous asshole that didn't give a shit about anything and was incredibly hard to live with and clean up after. While most of it was still true, the house was cleaner than she expected, and he wasn't that hard to deal with, if you didn't mind being near-molested while cooking dinner or cleaning the living room. It was something she could get used to; maybe the allure would wear off eventually and she wouldn't have to worry about it as much.

Sorry about the wait, guys! I've been away too long and have had the biggest writer's block you can imagine! But, I'm back! And I'm renewed and hope to be putting out more chapters sooner rather than later. I read some reviews on this and I appreciate your comments! I followed the length review. I had underestimated just how short it was, but here's a chapter with double the length and hopefully I've stayed true to characters with as long as I've been gone. Enjoy! And please keep reviewing! I love hearing what you have to say, and things I should work on.

Cheerio!