A/N: Extremely late update I know, hopefully the next chapter won't take so long.

Disclaimer: The characters of Bleach do not belong to me. This story is just for my enjoyment, and hopefully others also!

A/N : As always please read and review, flames are welcome , critiques greatly appreciated!


~~~~a week later~~~


She slumped down on the couch, she was beat. She didn't know how some girls could juggle more than one guy. It was taking all her energy with just two. In order to keep Renji happy and in the dark, she had been out with him three times that week. And for whatever reason he had chosen dates that required physical exertion.

Unlike a normal, dinner and a movie, he had wanted to go hiking one day, then the next they went to the beach for a volleyball tournament for the school. To top it off Ichigo had taken her boating with his father, then that same day they went dancing! Dancing who did that anymore?

She buried herself deeper into the plush couch, how was she going to survive another month of this? Tonight she was supposed to meet Renji for dinner, apparently he had a surprise for her.

"There you are Rukia."

She hid under one of the throws, hoping he would leave her be.

" I can still see you." He chuckled.

She threw the throw at him, sitting up, "What do you want Ichigo? You've been running me ragged can't I get a break?"

"Actually, that's what I wanted to talk to you about." He took a seat next to her. He just stared at her for a second, before pulling her on top of him.

She yelped out as he settled her down on his lap, his hands firmly on her hips. She glanced away from his gaze, "what's going on Ichigo?"

" I need you to tell me something, and make sure it's the truth."

She didn't look at him, instead, she stared at the pattern in the carpet, " ok..."

" How do you feel about me?" He turned her to look at him, his gaze piercing.

She searched his face, "what do you mean?"

"What do you think I mean Rukia?"

She shrugged, wriggling in his lap, trying to get up.

His hold was steadfast and she gave up, her shoulders slumping in defeat, " I don't know, you can be pretty nice..."

He frowned at her answer and the way she turned away from him. He held her face gently in his hand, her eyes darting to everywhere but his.

"Let me make this easier. Do you find me attractive?"

She nodded, still not quite looking at him, he was making her nervous with all these questions. She thought she knew where he was going with this. She should stop him, but she was curious as to what he was going to say.

"Do you like me?"

She looked at him then, "like as in... a friend?"

"As in a lover Rukia."

Her eyes widened, she was unsure of what to say. That was not what she expected at all. She hadn't lied when she said she found him attractive because she did. He was very handsome, in any other world, she would have fallen for him pretty hard. "Why are you asking me this Ichigo?"

"Just answer me Rukia."

She stared at him, what was he playing at, trying to make a fool out of her if she did admit to having feelings for him? Having the knowledge to throw it in her face whenever she refused to do as he asked?

"I don't know what you expect me to say Ichigo. Did you forget you're paying me to live in your house and fawn over you? If you've fallen for it, doesn't that mean I'm doing a really good job?"

He laughed, yet it didn't sound like his usual one filled with arrogance. His eyes still strained on her, what kind of fool was he? "Yea you're right, you're a great actress Rukia." He sighed, picking her up easily and setting her back on the couch. "I'm going out with my father tonight, for business, you're not required to be there. So I guess you get the break you want."

She watched him walk out her mind racing, what had that been all about. She held no pretense about this little relationship they had, no matter how much he flirted with her. She took none of the words he said when with company at face value, but just then they had been alone. No one was around for them to fake it for then why all the questions. And why had he looked like that when she said no?

She frowned her head beginning to hurt, this was too much to think about. She got up going upstairs to get ready for her date with Renji.


~~~ a few Hours Later~~~


She sat across from Renji listening to him talk about an upcoming boxing match. She tried to pay attention but her mind was still on what happened earlier between her and Ichigo.

"I'm pretty sure he will win if it gets past three rounds...Rukia..." He laughed, "Ok I'll change the subject."

She smiled at him, " It's not that, I was listening I promise." She took a sip of her water, " so what was this about a surprise?"

His face lit up, "Well tonight is our official, six-month anniversary and even though you might not feel the same yet, but I love you."

Rukia opened her mouth to speak but he stopped her, "I know what you're going to say, and it's fine if you can't say it back yet, but these last few months have been like a dream." He took her hand in his, "I just wanted to let you know how I feel and hope that you at least feel something towards me."

She stared at him he loved her, but she wasn't worthy of it. Even while she sat here with him, she had been thinking of another man. " I do..."

"Rukia."

She already knew who it was before looking up. She closed her eyes hoping he would disappear and she could go back to enjoying her dinner with Renji. When she opened them again, Ichigo stood there, glaring down at her, his eyebrows furred in anger.

"Hey Ichigo," she hastily stood, "I'm going to have to cut our dinner short, I'm sorry Renji I'll call you later" she smiled at him sweetly, "this was the guy I was telling you about the other day."

Renji stood his arm outstretched for a handshake, Ichigo glanced at it and turned walking off.

Rukia sighed, "I told you how he was." She grabbed her purse, "I'm sorry Renji." She quickly followed after him glancing back at a dazed-looking Renji. He stood outside the restaurant waiting for his car. "Ichigo can we talk about this?" she touched his arm trying to get his attention. He shrugged it off harshly.

His car pulled up, and he opened the door, pushing her not too gently into the passenger seat. He then got in she could tell he was angry, but why she didn't know. " Ichigo look..."

"What the fuck were you doing Rukia?"

"Not that it matters, but I was having dinner."

"It looked like a lot more than that," he glared at her, "bet you were too busy with your 'friend' to notice me and my father not even five tables away from you."

Rukia hung her head, trying to remember the crowd in the busy restaurant, "I'm sorry Ichigo I didn't even notice, I didn't know that's where you would be having dinner..."

"Seems like you don't think at all." He pulled up in the driveway getting out, slamming the door behind him.

She got out, following, "What is your problem Ichigo, your father hadn't seen me so why the hell are you so mad?"

"Are you fucking stupid Rukia?" He turned to her, "what do you think would have happened if I hadn't noticed you two first?"

"It's not that big of a deal Ichigo, he could be my brother for all you know. Your blowing this way out of proportion."

"Is he your brother?"

"No, he's not, but…"

Ichigo shook his head walking inside, she was driving him mad. It wasn't easy juggling his father and all his wedding inquiries, and her with her philandering ways. He should have let her go the first night but now, his father was fond of her. He was the irrational one for actually starting to see why.

She stopped gazing at his retreating figure. Was she crazy for thinking it was ok to have a real boyfriend? Was it so wrong to want someone that actually loved her? After all, when this job was over Renji would still be hers, Ichigo wouldn't. Couldn't he see how wrong it was for him to expect her to throw Renji away? He could get any girl he wanted, but her? She had finally found a guy that liked her just the way she was, her plain small body. She sighed setting down her purse, climbing the stairs. She opened the door to the room slowly, but he wasn't there.

Good she thought shrugging out of her jacket and laying down, she wouldn't give into how she was feeling, she wouldn't throw away the real love of a man for something that could never be.


~~~2am~~~


She sat up, expecting, Ichigo to be lying next to her, but he wasn't. She got up, taking a quick shower and changing into a tee shirt and some shorts. She wasn't one to wake up in the middle of the night and now that she was, she couldn't go back to sleep.

She walked quietly down the hallway, to the next bedroom. She knocked on the door softly, with no response, so she opened it. She wasn't at all surprised that Ichigo was sleeping there. He was mad at her, and she knew that. She sat at the edge of the bed staring down at him, he looked tranquil, as if the day's events hadn't transpired. She continued to watch him for how long she didn't know, but she didn't want to leave just yet.

She yawned getting into the bed next to him. She snuggled up to him her head buried against his chest. In the quiet of the night she let herself touch him. He was naked but that didn't disturb her at all, in fact, she ran her hand up his chest, the muscles rippling under her fingertips. She peeked up at his sleeping face as her hand studied the width of his chest. She let her self-relax, she could never do it when he was awake. His presence was all consuming and she always felt as if she would suffocate.

"I think you're sexy..." She whispered to him her voice escaped her and she barely recognized it as her own. "I think I might be falling for you..." there she sighed feeling as if the weight of keeping that to herself had been lifted. She closed her eyes as he stirred and her fingers stilled, she let out the breath that she had been holding when his soft snores resumed.

"The way your hair is always so messy I just feel like running my hands through it." She giggled to herself, her fingers tracing his belly button. "The way you smile at me even when your father isn't looking." His cock was soft and illuminated by the low light from the bedside table, she stole a quick glance at him, before her fingers, on their own accord, traced the length of his cock. "Even when you're being a jerk I can't help feeling like deep down, there's something else there." He was still flaccid but she could feel him hardening. She stroked his cock gently, her eyes widening as he became erect.

He let out a moan, and she stopped. What was she doing? She fondled him freely without a care, her petite hands explored the expanse of his chest, "I think I want you…"

She shouldn't be feeling this way towards him of all people, she knew he was way out of her league. He was wealthy, glamorous, extremely handsome and who was she, an ordinary college student working to get by. She stilled, sitting up, she had promised she would keep her feelings out of this but how could she after she had agreed to move in. Now they slept together every night his proximity lured her with thoughts of pleasure, of how good it would feel for his hands to explore her body like she had just done to his.

She got out of bed, she shouldn't be doing this, he wasn't really hers. She slipped quietly out of the room and went back to her lonely bed.


-A Few Days Later-


Rukia sighed, glancing at her friend, then to the other occupants of the room. Usually Rangiku was pretty chatty but today she was withdrawn.

"Well, I'm going to get some tea, be right back." She jumped out of the couch staring at Rangiku pointedly. When she didn't immediately get up, she frowned, "will you help me?"

Matsumoto glance at her as if just hearing her, "Oh yeah sorry."

"What is wrong with you today?"

"hmmm?"

"Why does it seem like you're in another world?"

Rangiku flashed her a blinding smile, "I'm sorry Rukia, my minds just been pre-occupied…"

"With what? I asked you to come to make things a little less awkward between me and Ichigo and you're not helping." She felt too weird being around Ichigo alone now, she constantly thought of that night, slipping into bed with him, touching him. Usually his father was around but he was out for a meeting.

"I'm sorry it's just," her voice lowered a notch, "We did it," a blush swept up her cheeks, "it was amazing." She sighed dreamily.

"So you had sex with a guy and it made you so crazy you can't hold a decent conversation?"

"Well when you put it that way it makes it sound bad," she pouted, "I'm taking it that you guys haven't you know." She winked at Rukia slyly.

"No I haven't slept with Ichigo I told you I wasn't going to."

A knowing grin spread across Matsumoto's face, "I was referring to Renji…"

Rukia set the sugar and cream on the serving tray, "What does it matter? Besides, we are talking you at the moment. I can't believe you slept with him already don't you think it's too soon to..."

"So how long do I have to wait to sleep with someone I have genuine feelings for? Months? Years?" Rangiku threw her hair over her shoulder getting up, a frown firmly planted on her face, "I don't understand where you get this holier than thou attitude when your stringing a really nice guy along. Not to mention when your sleeping in the same bed with a man you literally met over the internet that's literally paying you to pose as a girlfriend, who's literally possibly out fucking random women at night."

Rukia was taken back, the tray shaking in her hands, "Well I'm glad I know how you actually feel."

"That came out wrong," Rangiku stood and laid a hand on her friends, "I didn't mean it like that."

"No, it's true though, I'm a horrid person, falling in love with a man that clearly doesn't want me and leading along one that does." She pulled away from Rangiku taking the tray with her. She walked out on unsteady legs, her eyes misted over.

Rukia tried to compose herself as she poured the tea, but she was on the verge of bursting into tears. "I think I need to lie down Ichigo, I feel sick." He stood immediately his hand going to her forehead.

"You don't feel like you have a fever," his eyes searched her face, the slight redness of her eyes, he leaned in close to her, "have you been crying?" his breath tickled at her ear but she shook her head vehemently.

"No," she whispered.

"Don't' lie to me Rukia." Although his voice was hushed she could hear the concern in it.

"I... I'm fine really...I just need to lay down." He held up a finger to her lips to silence her.

"I'm sorry Gin, Rangiku I'm going to have to cut this little get together short. My girlfriend is feeling ill."

"I'm fine Ichigo you guys stay and hang out. I'll just lie down for a bit and then I'll rejoin you later." She had pulled away from him she hated his pseudo feeling, feigning in front of her friend and his just to keep up pretenses. She was tired of this; she was tired of the pretending. She let out a yelp as she was picked up. "Ichigo!"

"If you will excuse me, I gotta take care of her."

The two occupants nodded. A small smile came to Gin's face as he whispered something to Rangiku who giggled. "Take all the time you need."

Rukia buried her head in his chest, fully away of how it might seem.

He laid her gently on their bed, going to the bathroom to get a washcloth. He stopped short of the door when he heard her cell ring.

"Hello."

He eavesdropped to her hushed voice, "I can't tonight Renji…I'm having dinner with my father." She sighed, sitting up, turning her back to him, her head hung low, "yes I know Renji, I miss you too." He could hear the sentiment behind her words and his eyes narrowed, "ok tomorrow, at say six at the beach." She forced a chuckle then said good night hanging up. She laid back down pulling the sheet up to her neck.

Ichigo stepped out, placing the basin and washcloth next to the bed, "I'm going back to the living room, call the maid if you need anything." He left without another word.

She slumped in bed suddenly feeling genuinely sick.


~~~~~NEXT DAY~~~~~


Rukia pulled up, it was already starting to get dark. A chill ran down her spine and she grabbed her sweater. She walked down the wooden stairs taking off her sandals. The waves crashed at the shore and she took in a deep breath, the salty smell filling her nostrils. She squinted glancing around the beach until she spotted his red hair. She hugged her sweater closer to her, "If I had known it would be so cold I would have suggested somewhere else."

Renji jumped at her voice hugging her, "I'll keep you warm." He winked pulling her with him down onto the blanket he had spread out.

She giggled relaxing in his arms, "best part of winter months, having someone to keep you warm."

Renji hugged her tighter, "it's not winter though." He laughed.

"it feels like it." She shrugged, staring out at the sea.

"I'm glad you came Rukia, feels like I hardly get to see you."

She took in a deep breath; how could she explain the situation to him? How could she tell him that most of her time was spent in the company of another man? "I'm sorry Renji."

He pulled back a little, his hold slack, "you don't want to be with me?"

"No I didn't say that." she did like him, he was kind, considerate, and he actually had genuine feelings for her so why did her heart belong to another man, "I told you, my brother…"

"I get it Rukia," his hold was almost nonexistent now as he let his hand slip away from her.

"I don't think you do Renji, I don't understand why you are so mad, it's just until summer is over then we will have more time together."

"You're an adult Rukia, you shouldn't let him dictate your every move. The other night, for instance, you didn't even get to finish dinner." He frowned gazing at the sea, "you really should stand up for yourself and stop being so timid towards him."

"I'm not," she sighed, "you don't understand Renji but until summer is over my hands are tied."

He tensed up a bit, a deep sigh leaving him, "I get it." He said quietly. Was it too much to want to spend time with the woman he was in love with? "I just wish I could have more time with you, it feels like we aren't even going out anymore."

"I'll try and figure something out." She scooted away from him, "I'm gonna go Renji." She stood grabbing her bag.

"Wait Rukia I'm sorry I just really miss being with you."

"You're going to miss her a hell of a lot more." Ichigo's deep voice interrupted them, as he grabbed Rukia pulling her along. "So this is who you slink out to go see. I am not impressed!"

Renji stood, staring down Ichigo, "Let her go."

Ichigo threw him a momentary glance a frown on his face, "If ya know what's good for ya you'll stay out of this."

Rukia pulled her arm out of his hold, "Ichigo what the hell are you doing here?"

"I followed you."

"You're crazy, you stalker."

"Yea I probably am," he chuckled, "me chasing after a girl who would have thought? but that doesn't matter until my father leaves you belong to me."

"Rukia?" Renji threw her an inquisitive glance, she turned away from him a feeling of disgrace washing over her, "He's not your brother is he?"

Ichigo snickered, "Brother," it turned into a full blown fit of laughter, "How fucking daft are you?" he grabbed Rukia then, forcibly pulling her to him, his lips crashing down on hers, his lips teasing hers. She struggled trying to push him away but his hold was strong and her body, her damn treacherous body, calmed and her arms wrapped around his shoulders her lips opening for his.

As soon as she submitted he pulled away, a wicked smirk on his lips as he glanced at Renji, "does that look like what a brother and sister would do?"

Renji watched taken aback, his heart breaking, "Rukia why didn't you tell me you found someone, why the fuck did you lead me on?"

"It's not at all like that Renji," Her voice rose and a passerby stopped to stare. "I don't love Ichigo, I barely like him, but he's my boss..."

"fucking your way to the top then? Never did picture you for one of those types." His voice dripped with sarcasm fury shown clearly in his eyes.

"No Renji, please if you would just let me explain."

"I don't think I need an explanation Rukia actually, I think I' done." He shrugged and grabbed his stuff.

"He's paying me to be his girlfriend Renji, I don't love him!"

"Do you love me?" He stopped waiting for her reply.

"I… I …" her head was bowed, the words unable to escape her lips.

He laughed, "Well I guess I got my answer. Enjoy your 'Job' Rukia, and do me a favor lose my number."

Ichigo stood his arms crossed, grin still in place watching the little scene play out. He didn't feel bad at all if she had loved him she could just as easily walked away, but she chose not to.

Rukia glanced at Ichigo before stomping off through the sand, anger burning beneath the surface. Why couldn't she just say the words to Renji? She wasn't in love with him but she did have feelings for him and now she had fucked up. She searched her pockets for her keys, her hands trembling. She slumped hitting her fist against her car, frustrated.

"Looking for these?" Ichigo held up her keys shaking them gently.

She turned sharp eyes on him, fuming "What was the point of this Ichigo? Why did you follow me out here?"

"I was curious as to where you were going." he shrugged, but his self-satisfied smirk didn't leave his lips.

"You could have asked, instead of making a big scene."

"Say I did; would you have told me the truth?"

"yes of course."

"Don't fucking lie Rukia, you've been sneaking around with him for weeks without a single word to me about it."

Rukia stilled her hands balled into fists next to her side, "Since when do I have to ask you permission to do anything? I might live in your house, but we aren't married, we aren't even really together. Our lives are just that, our own, if I choose to have a boyfriend, I don't really think it should have been any of your business."

"It is when you're not available when I need you."

"Stop Ichigo, there's no party or dinner or whatever the fuck you set up that I need to be at. Tonight was supposed to be my night off." She took in a deep breath, "I'm going out with Rangiku. Don't expect me back tonight." She grabbed her keys out of his hand and turned to go.

He grabbed her hand, turning her to face him, "The moment you said yes. That's when it became necessary for me to give you permission, don't you forget that Rukia. You have 3 weeks left, it would be a shame if you had to walk away without the rest of the money…"

Rukia's eyes widened, then turned to glass as she stared at him "I belong to no one Ichigo." With that, she slapped him. The palm of her hand stung as she unlocked her door and drove off.

Ichigo rubbed his cheek, a smile coming to his face.