Hey, fellow fanfictioners! Sorry, I had an urge to open this chapter with a corny line.

A note to my editor buddy, theblackroseofkonoha:

I sent u a pm as to why i posted this before u cud edit it and stuff. i really just wantd to post it and, and, and, u WERE saying i was taking too long. but i really want to use the docX thingie. wen we email the chaptrs, they change font and style and stuff and it takes forever to fix it so i can post it... plz and thank u!! plz dont be mad!!

It's impossible to swallow a spoon of cinnamon without drinking anything.


Recap

She blinked a few times, but the thing she was seeing was still there. She squinted and shielded her eyes with her hand to be sure. In the distance, there was a small island. As if reading her mind, he spoke up.

"That's where we're going for lunch."

"Is there a restaurant or something there?" She asked.

"Yes. Four people, two chefs and two waiters live and work here in the middle of the ocean."

"Really?"

"Sarcasm, Sakura. Sarcasm."


She looked away, ashamed of her moment of stupidity. Sasuke wasn't one you'd expect much comfort from, an apology was next to impossible. But he had his loop holes.

"Wanna steer?"

She looked back at him with wide, suspicious eyes. Was he serious? "I don't know how." She quietly replied.

"Well, I'll help you." He waved her closer.

She stood to the side, not wanting to screw anything up and then sink them all. A hand pushed her closer, though. Before a whine or protest could pass her lips, the hand accompanied by another was holding her hands on the steering wheel.

"See? Nothing to it."

He was positioned behind her just like when they were fishing. The one thing that was distracting her was his knee lightly pressed to the back of her thigh. Her stomach began to do flips when he put slightly more pressure into his knee. It was torture, but she never wanted it to stop. Did he even have any idea as to what he was doing to her!?

He let go of one hand to reach for his now almost empty bottle. He held it in front of her, offering the remaining sips. She shook her head, not wanting any. She felt him shrug behind her and watched from the corner of her eye as he took the last swig.

The breeze was soft now and the sunlight was warm on her delicate skin. She inhaled deeply, letting the salty air tingle in her lungs and awaken her like jolt of caffeine. She was so at peace (sort of) in the arms of this total hottie, despite his lack of a home and whatnot. So at peace.. but..

How many girls has he done this with? The flirty attitude, long stares, close and seemingly unintentional contact... Could it all just be part of his usual routine..? An image of the woman back in town with long red nails flashed in her mind. Her voice scratched at her brain, when the lady had told her Sasuke was sleeping at her sister's..so...

"You okay?" The firm grip on her hand pulled her out of her thoughts.

"I'm fine." She answered distantly.

"Tell me." He insisted, resting his chin on her shoulder. Suddenly it was harder to breathe. Red nails in her mind, she shrugged him off.

"Look, I don't want to involve myself with a player."

"A player? Is that what you take me for?" Though his tone was twisted with annoyance, the hold he had on her hands remained gentle.

"Well-"

"People who aren't loaded with cash can't buy friends. They actually have to work for them." She winced at his words, regret filling her intestines.

"Sasuke.."

"What?" His voice was more tired now, yet still slightly pissed.

"I didn't mean it like that. I just, before I met you and was looking, I asked a lady if she knew you. She told me you were.. sleeping at her sister's. So I don't-"

"Stop right there, money bags."

"Hey..!"

"Let me prove you wrong, step by step. First off, her sister is a lesbian. Second, in case we didn't already establish this, I don't own a home. I save whatever money I get working, and then I'll find a friend to lend me the couch for the night. I'll even do free work to stay over sometimes."

Her short but manicured nails scraped a few locks away from her downcast eyes as she let all of this sink in. Now she felt like a total bitch.

"As for the 'involved' part, I don't have those intentions." Even though his tone was forcefully harsh at the end, she was too busy whacking herself inside of her head to really listen. But once it clicked that he pretty much meant he wasn't interested, everything inside seemed to knot up and quiver. Rejection.

"Hey, smile. You're way too pretty to seem depressed. Plus, we're kinda here." It was then that she noticed they were drifting right up next to the island shore. Well, from here, they'd still have to swim a bit.

He guided her down the ladder as George set anchor. They all stood in the back of the boat now, George had given up rolling up his pants and just whipped them off. Poor Sakura was temporarily blinded by the electric blue Speedo that was.. well, without a doubt (or anything to leave to the imagination) a Speedo.

"Just take off the jeans and top. We'll bring them, but this way they'll stay dry." George explained.

Sakura's face reddened. "But-"

"You'll be in the water. As soon as you get out, you can wrap up in a towel." Sasuke told her, helping the large man lift the bin of food into the tiny raft.

"...Okay, but no looking." The males laughed at her shyness and lowered the raft into the water. George leaned over to tie onto the boat.

Sakura watched as they took their shirts off, tossing them to the side. Okay, so she watched Sasuke. He didn't have the usual six-pack she was used to seeing when she was on the private beaches with her friends and their posse. But he was far from out of shape or fat. His stomach was flat with very subtle abs. His biceps were toned slightly, too.

"Sakura, why don't you just leave the clothes here. It'll make it easier. We already have towels." Sasuke tried to convince her.

She sighed and nodded. Her hand flicked out in front of her, telling him to look away. He didn't really see the point. She'd just be in her underwear and.. who cares? It's the same thing as a bikini! Whatever..

He listened as she shimmied out of his jeans. A smirk somehow sneaked onto his face as he thought of other circumstances that she'd be taking off his clothes. His dark eyes narrowed, he wasn't supposed to be thinking about her like this. He already told her he wasn't interested.. And she was probably gonna meet up with that prick Lawrence for dinner sometime...

So as the guys came strutting almost directly at them, she looked over at Sasuke to see what she should do. His expression was perfectly blank and set forward, not acknowledging the men at all.

"Ah, Sasuke. I see you have a lady by your side." His Italian accent gave him a suave edge. He gracefully pulled his shades off to look her over.

Sakura's I'm-important-and-know-how-to-handle-business side kicked in and she immediately stood taller and held out her hand for them to shake, not even waiting for Sasuke to reply. "Sakura Haruno. Nice to meet you."

She was a bit shocked when he gently took her hand and brushed his lips against it. The two behind him held back their smirks when Sakura began to blush. "Lawrence Feddichi. The pleasure is mine." She pulled back slowly, trying to think of something to say...her mind went blank.

"Yes, I know we'd love to talk some more, but we have to get going." Sasuke said, sounding a bit bored by his flirting.

"I wouldn't want to keep such a beautiful lady waiting, so I understand. Sakura, feel free to find me if you would like to have dinner some time." He handed her his card with his number and winked at her before sneering at Sasuke and whisking his shades back onto his face.

Just as the men were out of ear-shot, Sakura grabbed Sasuke by the shoulders and almost yelled, "Who was that!?"

He distracted himself by watching George stretch in preparation for his jump into the turquoise waters. After his pathetic loosening attempts were through, he jumped into the water. A small wave rocked the raft.

"How deep is it?" Sasuke asked, barely interested.

"I'd say a good six feet! I can stand, but there's way too many shells and such to shuffle around."

"Hn. Sakura, you rea-"

He turned around to see if she was coming, but seeing her stand there.. So delicate looking and shy with her arms desperately covering whatever ivory flesh they could. Pale orange panties and a simple white bra. Her cheeks were tinted with a mixture of a sunburn and blush, almost matching her now frizzy hair. She still made him choke.

"dy.." He finished as she slowly came to his side. He absently tugged on his boxers and fixed his gaze into the water in front of him. Silently, his hand was in front of her for her to hold.

"We can jump in together." She grabbed his hand, hesitating to expose herself even though George was being nice enough to focus on the bin and raft.

"One..Two..Jump!" Splash! They bobbed to the surface of the cool water, Sasuke already grabbing for the raft with George.

Sakura didn't know whether she was supposed to help, but settled for just trying to keep up with them. Even though they had the load in tow, they still were ahead of her! Maybe she should use the Olympic-sized pool at home for more than just tanning and floating...

As soon as the guys dragged everything well up into the dry sand, Sasuke tugged out a towel for the girl hiding in the water. Her arms were now tightly bound to her chest and he could tell by seeing the bits of fabric not covered that the bra was now translucent...

Damn the stupid towel idea.


This is about five pages and is my apology for a late update. I'm on spring break, but... I go back Monday. Boo. Anywho, questions, flames, comments, and compliments are welcome. Requests, too.

happy unbirthday

--frumpyrox