Where do We go from Here

"You're pathetic," Shunsui grumbled, slapping Eneco on the ass as she lay on the couch feeling sorry for herself.

"No. I miss him," she mumbled, rubbing her sore butt cheek. This was the business trip from hell. For once she was refraining from tasting the local men but indulging heavily in their varieties of wine. Her head hurt from the mild hangover.

"It sucks to be a good girl, doesn't it?" he cooed, massaging her stinging behind with his massive paw.

"Would you stop that?!" she squawked, throwing a decorative pillow at his head. "You're not helping."

"I've kept you out of trouble until now," he reminded her.

"Yes, but now you're working hard to get me into it," she groused, rolling over onto her back. She dared him to try to massage something.

Thinking better of it, Shunsui walked out onto the balcony. He left the doors open allowing the fragrant air to blow into the room. The scent of the fields carried on the breeze that filled the room; it smelled like fresh earth and the sweet fruit that grew there. It was beautiful here. If only she had Renji with her, it could be paradise. Her phone rang, and she smiled when she saw his name on her caller ID.

"Hello, lover. I miss you," Eneco sang into the phone pleasantly. She heard Shunsui make a gagging sound from the balcony. Too bad he could not see her glare of death meant for him.

"I've missed you too. I had to hear your voice. Only forty eight hours now," he informed her.

And the countdown continues. Not too much longer before she could see him again.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"Lying here thinking of you," she answered.

"Are you naked?"

"Renji!"

"I'm imagining you naked," he informed her.

"I bet," she giggled.

There was a long pause on the other end of the phone. Eneco was just about to say his name to verify if their call had been cut off when he began speaking again. His voice held the unmistakable huskiness that came along with sexual arousal.

"Wanna play?" he inquired with a naughty lilt to his voice.

"Oh, no, you can't be serious. On the phone?" She sat up holding the phone so tightly her fingers began to ache.

"Don't you want to know what I'm thinking about doing to you, Cherry?" he questioned her.

Yes, she would. Her eyes looked toward the balcony gazing at her boss's broad back as he enjoyed the fabulous view of the vineyard. Closing her eyes, she sighed noisily with frustration.

"Hey! Don't go back to sleep. Get up and get dressed. The auction starts in two hours," Shunsui said, patting her on the leg.

"Who was that?" Renji asked.

Eneco could tell he was holding his temper by the tight, restraint that raised his voice an octave.

"My boss," she answered crisply.

"Your boss, huh?"

"It's not what you're thinking. He's married and his wife trusts me to not have to sex with him."

"Oh, right right, of course. Hey, I've got to go. I'll see you later."

"Re – " She heard the click of him ending the call. "Dammit," she groaned, throwing the phone onto the coffee table beside her makeshift bed. If that's where being good gets her, what's the point?

~\..'../~

Renji stroked the black hair on the head bobbing up and down in his lap. He had called her after hanging up on Eneco. Leaning his head back on the couch, he stared at the ceiling. She had warned him she did not want to be exclusive; therefore it was his fault for not listening. Teeth scraped across his sensitive member and he hissed in discomfort.

"Easy with the teeth there, Rukia," he moaned, holding her head in his hands. He had been friends with her for years and a sometimes boyfriend in their on again, off again attempts at a relationship. In between, they always remained friends with benefits. It's not like he was cheating or something. He had only spent two nights with Eneco and now she's in Italy with her boss she supposedly does not have sex with. Yeah, right.

Renji allowed his mind to conjure up the beautiful redhead in his mind. He wanted her - there was no doubt about that. There was just no reason for him to sit at home alone and frustrated, waiting on her like some pathetic wuss. His fingers buried themselves in Rukia's soft, smooth hair as he grew closer to climaxing. His mind formed a vision of flowing red curls and soft pale skin. He wanted a pair of ruby red lips wrapped around him, tasting him as he thrust himself into her throat and released.

"Ch – damn," he groaned, pushing his hips at Rukia's face.

"You almost called me by her name didn't you?" the purple eyed woman inquired calmly, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand as she stood up. She smiled at the wide eyed, 'deer in the headlights' expression on his face. "It's okay. I already knew. Strawberry told me about the Cherry you found. Maybe the three of you should get together and have a little fun. It would be a whole damn fruit salad, wouldn't it Pineapple?"

"Shut up, please," he grumbled, unbuttoning her shirt.

"Are you in love or something?" she inquired, pulling off her skirt and panties.

"I don't know. I'm definitely in lust," he answered, putting his hands around her small waist as she straddled him.

"Why did you call me? Need a little comfort for your hurting ego, hm?"

"I suppose so."

Renji buried himself inside of her seeking the temporary consolation he longed for while blocking out thoughts of the passionate redhead. Afterward as Rukia dressed to leave, he picked up his phone from the table. No messages. That did not surprise him. Why should she send him anything after he hung up on her? What right did he have to get angry with her? None really. She had been completely upfront with him about everything. He typed a message and hit send.

~\..'../~

Eneco strolled through the vineyard alone. A satisfied grin of victory tilted up the corners of her mouth. With her help, her boss had won the prize and was now at the celebratory after party. However, she did not feel like celebrating and had decided to take a walk instead.

Shunsui had bought a dress for her that was nothing more than a few thin strips of material that barely covered her breasts and butt. Her job was to act as a distraction to the other bidders. It was a shameless and dirty tactic, but with inhibitions being low and libidos being high it had been a stunning triumph. The ploy had even worked on Aizen who had been positioned strategically to sit right beside her at the auction. Thank goodness it was an open seating plan with no tables so he could not put his hands on her. With his greatest opponent being unfocused, Shunsui got his sought-after bottle of wine and promised her a great big bonus for his success. Once upon a time she had enjoyed these games, but tonight was not that much fun to her.

The full moon shone brightly so it was easy to navigate her way through the long straight rows of neatly pruned vines. A chilling mist had begun to settle on the vineyard giving it a romantic, ethereal feel. She shivered and pulled her thin cardigan around her tightly. She was thankful she had changed into a more suitable skirt and shirt with flats for her walk. The sweater had been an afterthought, and she was glad she had it.

"Do you need someone to keep you warm?" Coyote's voice drifted through the night air.

Eneco actually smiled when she saw him appear at the end of the row. Walking slowly in his direction, she kept her eyes on his silhouette outlined in silver as he advanced toward her.

"Are you volunteering?" she inquired boldly when he stood in front of her, towering over her in the dark.

"Are you accepting?" His arms slid around her shoulders, pulling her into his chest.

Eneco nuzzled into the soft material of his cotton shirt. She inhaled deeply filling her nostrils with the smell of soap, earth, and the sweet tang of the aroma of wine. Her body was instantly excited by the presence of such a provocative, sensual male. Her heart beat faster and her blood flowed faster through her veins from the awareness of his intentions. She looked up, unable to see his face since it was shadowed from the moon behind him. Her lashes drifted to her cheek when his fingertips brushed across her face then glided down her neck. His tender touches made it easy for her to pretend he actually cared, although logically she knew he only cared about his own gratification. Kissing him was a casual, delightful experience that aroused her without making her feel a mind numbing, desperate desire. She would like for him to make love to her all night indulging in his sweet caresses and tender kisses.

"Coyote," she whispered, sliding her hand into the top of his shirt that only half way buttoned up. Her cold hand pressed against his chest making him wince. She tried to pull her hand back but he held it and pressed it down to his warm smooth skin.

"It just startled me. You're like an ice cube. Where's your other hand?" He pulled on his shirt, opening the remaining buttons until his chest and abdomen were bared to her. He took the hand she offered to him and pressed it against his taut belly.

Eneco felt a tightening sensation deep in her belly when his abdominal muscles contracted beneath her icy hand. Her fingers cautiously moved across his chest and abdomen tracing the well-defined muscles of his lean body. She pressed her palms flat against his belly gliding them upward to his chest. Arousal gathered deep within her to form a pulsing knot of yearning.

"Where's your watch dog?" He pressed his lips to her neck, licking across her skin then nipping her gently.

"Uh…um, he's at the party," she mumbled, struggling to think as he moved lower and gave her another sensual nibble. "He was the highest bidder."

"Oh, so hopefully we won't be interrupted this time." His fingers went to the tiny pearl buttons on her shirt to unbutton them with surprising finesse.

"I hope not." Her fingernails slid along his ribs making him inhale harshly and tense up beneath the tickling sensation.

"Watch those claws there little kitty. Don't worry, baby," he whispered in her ear. "You can claw my back all you want soon."

...

Eneco felt like a teenager sneaking into her bedroom after she had been out past curfew as she carefully opened the door to their room and tiptoed inside.

"Where have you been young lady?"

She screamed clutching her heart to keep it from beating out of her chest. Once she calmed down, agitation brought out the smart ass in her. "I'm busted. Gee, dad, I've been out late with my boyfriend."

Eneco jumped when he flipped on the light. She glared at him when he threw back his head and roared with laughter.

"Well, sweetie, did you have sex or go to a mud wrestling event?" he chuckled, looking at his assistant who was covered in dirt with twigs sticking out of her hair.

"A little of both maybe. It was fun. I'm going to take a shower," she announced, attempting to salvage some smidgen of dignity.

After her shower, Eneco plopped down on her bed. Sitting on her phone that she had left behind, she retrieved it to see that she had a message waiting on her.

Twenty four hours left. I'll meet you at the airport.

~\..'../~

Renji stood by his car in the pick-up zone with a bouquet of red carnations in his hand. They were pretty but a less formal declaration of romantic feelings than roses and might not freak out his reluctant girlfriend. His breath caught in his throat and his blood immediately rushed south when he saw her. She was wearing a white sundress that tied around her neck and was split all the way down to her waist where the skirt flared out around her full hips.

"Cherry!" he yelled, gaining her attention and a smile.

Eneco left the suitcases and ran toward him. She leapt into his arms which pushed him back into his red sports car. Her mouth covered his in a hungry, consuming kiss.

"Mmm, I missed you," he groaned, grabbing her behind to hold her against him.

A shrill whistle filled their ears before a man yelled, "Hey! You two! Get the hell out of here and get a room!"

They laughed in embarrassment from their overzealous reunion. After retrieving her suitcases to put them in the miniscule trunk, they were on their way.

"Your place or mine?" he inquired.

"How about yours,"she suggested.

Eneco felt a growing sense of uneasiness as they neared his apartment building. Uneasiness turned to dread when he pulled into the parking garage of a familiar building. He lived in the same apartment complex as Kisuke. Another thing that she did not know yet was that he worked for her ex-boyfriend as well.

"What's wrong?" Renji asked when she continued to sit in the car.

"Oh, nothing," she answered off handedly.

"Well, come on," he urged her, getting out and running around to open her door.

Eneco took the hand he held out for her to pull her out of the car. She squealed and giggled when he heaved her forward straight into his arms. His kiss took her breath away, and she withheld from tearing off his clothes right there in the parking garage. She held his hand as they walked to the elevator where he pushed her against the wall to wreak havoc on her neck with teasing kisses and nibbles. A shrill sound that was a blend of a laugh and a scream escaped her when he pulled aside her top and latched on to her nipple.

"Renji, stop!" she begged half-heartedly, still twittering with excited giggles. She was glad they were on the way up because it was doubtful the elevator would stop. When the elevator did stop on his floor, they fell out in a snickering, kissing heap of humanity.

"Isn't this interesting? Hello, my love. You've replaced me so soon?" Kisuke questioned with mock hurt. "And with one of my favorite employees. Nice choice."

"Yes, yes, I did," she replied bluntly, taking his offered hand to help her stand up. She gave the man on the ground a severe glower.

"Renji, congratulations," the mild mannered blond calmly said, watching his employee get up from the floor. "I had no idea this was the urgent business you had to take care of today."

Renji scratched back of his head self-consciously as his boss looked at her with eyes full of lustful delight and a libidinous grin on his face. He had requested the day off so he could pick up Eneco from the airport. When his boss asked for a reason, he told him the vague "urgent business" excuse. It was none of Kisuke's concern that he was seeing the woman he discarded anyway. This was bound to happen sooner or later so apparently it happened sooner and now the unbearable awkwardness will be over and done.

"Good luck keeping her satisfied," Kisuke stated cryptically with a lecherous smile before getting on to the elevator.

Leading her to his apartment and opening the door, Renji picked her up in a bridal carry. He kicked the door closed behind them and took her straight to his bed.

"Ooooh, this is nice," she cooed, sinking into the super soft bed. Sitting up as he knelt in between her legs, she unbuttoned and unzipped his jeans.

Renji pushed her back on the bed, sliding his hands beneath her skirt to take of her panties which was nothing more than a few pieces of elastic and a strip of lace. He slid into her easily because they were both more than ready for this.

Eneco held him around the waist as he hovered above her looking into his eyes. She had missed those warm brown eyes so full of passion. She was so happy to be back with him.

"Renji, what are we doing here?" she moaned as he thrust deep inside of her.

"It's called sex," he panted in her ear.

"No. Us, our relationship?"

"Can we discuss this later? Like after I make you have an orgasm?"

"Yes, of course."

Renji kissed her as he continued to thrust into her hard making the pleasure rise for both of them. Soon she was thrashing beneath him as she experienced that promised orgasm. Once he had consummated his desire, he lay down beside her to hold her close to him.

"I had sex with another man while I was gone," she blurted. She did not bother to offer any excuses or reasons to try to justify her actions.

"I was with someone else as well," he admitted, kissing her briefly.

"Okay. Well, honesty is a good start," she said, kissing his cheek. "So you still want to be with me right?"

"Yes, I still want to be with you. Should we just let whatever happens happen?"

"I believe we already have."