"I have an outfit I want you to try on and I don't want any objections or I will throw you out on your ass."

"Err, Tomoyo do you have any underwear I could borrow?"

"What did you say?"

"Um well it's a funny story actually."

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Tomoyo turned around startled when she immediately didn't tell her. "I don't have all day Sakura."

"It's kind of embarrassing."

"Did you wake up late and forget to put them on this morning?"

"No, but I was late today. Maybe we should sit down and have tea together first."

"I told you I wanted you to try on an outfit or you were out, you are always trying some scheme to get out of it, but today tops all."

"No, no really, FINE! You know what? I am going to be brutally honest. I am here late because before I left, Syaoran shagged me on his desk and during the process decided there just 'wasn't enough time' to take my underwear off gently, so he ripped them off me, so I had none to wear here." Sakura faced flamed with embarrassment. This sentence shut Tomoyo up in a hurry.

"You are sleeping with him already?"

"What is that a crime? It has been at least 5 weeks and I really like him."

Tomoyo was amazed, even Eriol hadn't gotten her into bed yet, and (not because of her lack of trying) they had been dating since before Sakura had left for Hong Kong. For once in her life she felt that her friend was leaving her behind in the dating arena. Even though Tomoyo was a little upset that she hadn't received any word of it before today, she was happy that Sakura had found someone who would treat her better and make her into the person she hadn't been for years.

"Well, say something damn it!"

"Well I am happy for you but I think I need to sit down. Maybe we will have that chat after all." She signaled to an unknown person who entered with tea. Two places were set with the tea and sweets. They sat at the table. Sakura felt completely embarrassed because Tomoyo was acting like an uptight mother who had just learned her child was having an affair with someone else's husband.

"Maybe you should start at the beginning Miss Secret Relationship."

"Alright, well Eriol and I really hit it off when we went for Ice cream that night after the shoot. You were enthralled with your ice cream and we were chatting about various things. He called me the next day to discuss when I wanted to see the pictures, so he could have them developed in time. Then one day we met for lunch, so I could look over the prints and then one lunch turned into two, and we just started to see each other after that. I really didn't keep it from you on purpose at first, because I didn't want your hopes to be dashed if your two friends didn't work out together. Then you started actively seeing Syaoran and not saying anything about it to me and I got mad, so I guess in my spitefulness I kept it behind your back. I didn't mean for it to ever be this strained between us, and I didn't know what to do to fix things. You tried to make it up to me when you talked to me that time when Touya was here, but I still couldn't make myself sit down with you and chat like old times."

"Tomoyo its not really your fault I was so mad that you had set me up on that date, and then I actually turned out to like him and I knew if I said anything I would get the I told you so speech and I honestly didn't want to hear it. I didn't know what kind of relationship he and I would have, he was so angry all the time and acted like a child that I couldn't see myself with him for anything longer than a few days, but he's really sweet when he wants to be. I just didn't know how to say it to you, I was almost afraid that if people knew the magic would come to an end."

Both friends were silent. Sakura broke the silence, "Tomoyo please know that I still love you as my best friend, thank you for the tea, I should go now." Sakura got up and walked out to the door, Tomoyo's voice stopped her. "Sakura, please come by and visit me anytime at Eriol's, I would really like to talk again. Next time make sure you have all the accessories needed to try on a few things." Sakura flushed hearing her best friend laugh.

She walked home because she needed to think. She had finally realized what she had said to Syaoran before she dashed out the door. She had known she had wanted to tell him she loved him but, the manner in which it came out was absent minded. She knew he was going to be completely awkward when she got home.

Syaoran paced his mother's study, while she watched cheerfully in her seat. "So Syaoran I suppose you are not coming to say hello to your dear mother, maybe you would feel better to tell me why you are here." He had changed his clothes using the spares he carried in the trunk of his car because his other ones needed some serious mending.

"I have no idea why I am here, I think I needed some guidance."

"My son, I wasn't aware there was anything I had left to teach you?"

He hadn't heard what she had said. "My training has not been complete I do not do emotions very well."

His mother smiled, apparently either he was confused about his feelings or the poor girl had confessed; maybe both. "Do you love her Syaoran?"

He stopped and stared at her, "I truly don't know."

"I will make this easy for you, does she make you happy and do you feel anything for her."

"I feel things for her that is more than physical, I want to be with her all the time and she makes me feel that she sees me for who am I, instead of what I am."

"Alright so if it isn't love, do you think you could fall in love with her?"

There was no hesitation, "Yes."

"Then, I would say Syaoran, you should do your best to hold onto her, if you care about her so deeply. It might not be love yet but you know it is still worth hanging onto."

He smiled and nodded to himself. "You might in fact want to go home before she thinks you have forgotten about her and have gone out looking for someone new." He looked horror stricken and was striding for the door. "Oh and Syaoran," He stopped with his hand on the door knob. "I release you from our little agreement, I have never been more proud of you son. I think in time you will make a permanent commitment, but I don't want you to feel rushed by our demands. Hurry home, now."

He smiled and nearly ran down the hallway. He sped home and found her on the couch sniffling. He hurried down the hallway. "Sakura? Honey what's wrong?"

He looked down at her tenderly, and she regarded him in surprise. "I, where have you been?" it wasn't a demand it was a simple question of confusion.

"I went to speak to my mother after I left the office. I couldn't seem to get any paperwork done after your little diversion." He laughed at her blush and kissed her quickly. She smelled him strangely. "I really did go to my mother's."

She sat back and was regarding him with curiosity. "You haven't answered my question."

"Well, Tomoyo and I were having a small chat this afternoon but it was so awkward we can't talk to each other like we used to. Then I came home and you weren't here and I thought you might have decided to go out with your friends." She said it so quietly that he almost didn't hear her. He smiled, his mother was all knowing.

He picked her up bridal style and carried her into his bedroom and sat her down on the bed. He went into the bathroom and turned on the taps. He came back and had her stand up. He took each piece of clothing off her slowly and gently. When he was done he carried her into the bathroom. He set her in the tub gently. She neared jumped back into his arms, "Hot!" He turned on the cold water and she relaxed back. She was looking up at him waiting for him to disrobe. He took the clip from her hair let it fall loose to her shoulders. He kissed her lips and cheek and stood back up. "I'll be right back."

She watched his retreating form and was puzzled. She was sitting in a bath she hadn't really known she had wanted. Where did he go and why was he not joining her. She had acted like an insecure person thinking she had scared him into the arms of another woman. Most people would think that he wouldn't have had enough time to find someone new already, but if you looked at him, you knew that finding a willing woman was not something he had to seek. He came back with two wine glasses in his hand. He had brought a bottle of merlot with him. He uncorked the bottle in the bathroom, a seemingly strange place for wine. He poured hers and handed to her. He sat on the counter and drank his own.

"I am confused. Are you trying to seduce me Syaoran? It's your big master plan isn't it? To get me drunk to have your way with me." He choked on his wine and had a coughing fit.

"No, I was trying to make you relax. Apparently I failed miserably, if you are thinking such horrible thoughts about me. Sometimes Sakura, it's not about the physical it just knowing when the other person just needs some special care." He was earnest.

He had drank a little more of his wine, as she studied him. "Syaoran will you help me wash my hair." He got off the edge of the vanity, and knelt down beside the tub. He unbuttoned the arms of his shirt and rolled up the sleeves. She dunked her head underwater for a few seconds and came back up. He poured some of her scented shampoo into his hands and lathered her head. The sensation of someone soaping your hair is heavenly. She leaned into his hands and relaxed.

"ready?"

"hmmn?"

He pushed her head under water and she came back up sputtering. He was laughing the jerk. She threw water at him, and pulled him by the tie. She kissed him affectionately as she looped her arms around his neck. She bit his lip and said "Syaoran, join me? Please." He hesitated and stood up to comply. He shed his clothes and grabbed the bottle of wine and set the glasses next to the tub. She made room for him. He slid around her. His arms settled around her waist as he drew her back against him. Her head lay on his shoulder and she was peaceful and content. He was openly caring for her. Most men would have taken advantage of the romantic air to lull their partner into doing special favors for them. She knew he was excited by their closeness but he made no move to make love to her. They talked about work and other things while soaking together. For once Sakura felt cherished as they drank wine and talked about things they cared about.

An apartment a few floors below Syaoran's…

Tomoyo crashed through the door. She kicked off her heels and yelled, "ERIOL?"

"Yeah?" He popped his head out of the kitchen to look at her.

"What are you doing?"

"Cooking dinner, why?"

"Can it wait awhile?"

"I can turn it off, I guess, why?"

She walked over to him and kissed him. He pulled her closer to his body. He let her be the aggressor this time. She pushed her tongue inside his mouth and he moaned. He grabbed her ass and pulled her against him. She was trying to yank his clothes off , when he broke away.

"Tomoyo, its not that I don't appreciate this, but I have a feeling something has set you off."

"What do you mean?"

"Don't play games with me, honey. Normally you aren't in attack mode. No offense, but you are usually a slow starting fire."

She looked mad at that comment. "I am so sorry that I wanted my boyfriend to have sex with me, I wasn't aware I needed to ask your permission at this stage. Not two days ago you were begging for it!"

His nose flared meaning he was mad at her. He pushed his glasses back up his nose and went back through the swinging door. She went in after him, "What now? the cold shoulder?"

He still didn't say anything and stirred what ever was in the contents of the pot. "It's obvious that you came home looking for a fight, I am assuming you saw Sakura today."

"How does she have something to do with this?"

"Whenever you talk to her, you are pissy and looking to take your anger out on something."

"Maybe when she talked about her relationship I got a little bit mad because my boyfriend is always the damn gentleman and I hate it!"

He froze at the stove. He turned off the flame and strode back to her against the counter. "Is that a fact?" She had never seen him so angry. He looked like he wanted to slap her. "Your wish is my command." He sealed his mouth over hers harshly.

LEMON ALERT BACK AWAY IF YOU ARE SCARED…

His tongue plunged in and attacked hers. He unzipped her skirt hard and backed her into the counter. She lifted her leg slightly to let it fall to the floor. She threw his apron on the ground. He broke away to bite her throat and leave his mark there. He sucked her neck and made little love bites all over while unbuttoning her shirt. She pulled at his jeans in desperation. She unbuckled the belt and threw the offending object on the floor. She unbuttoned his pants and pulled down the zipper. She shoved them off as he made his way to her breasts. His hands were busy trying to get her out of her bra as she kicked out of her panties on the floor. She pulled his boxers down and they slid to his ankles.

He stepped out of them and kicked them off. He threw her bra off and sucked greedily on her breasts. He pushed up onto the counter to give himself better access. She shoved off his sweater and pulled him closer. She found the tip of his member and rubbed it gently. She wrapped her legs around his waist and tried to force him into her. "Jesus Tomoyo!" He slid his finger inside her and traced slow circles. She was chanting his name and grinding against his stomach. "Eriol…Eriol the counter's too high," she was sobbing with need. He picked her up against his body, she wrapped her legs tighter around him and he groaned as their sexes came into contact.

"I'll never make it to a bed. How do you feel about tables?"

"I don't fucking care. I want you inside me NOW!"

"Yes Ma'am!" He grinned at her and he continued to tease her. He leaned down to kiss her. He laid her on the table and she shoved any dishes near them onto the floor and out of the way.

"Maybe you didn't understand what I was saying. You might need some clarification." She grasped him in her hand and she stroked him a few times; hard, then light, then fast. He kissed her fiercely. He connected their bodies with a slight thrust. He was inside her and lay there unmoving. He kept kissing her and teasing her. Her legs pulled at his hips trying to make him move. His finger rubbed her clit making her scream in frustration. "Eriol, Eriol Please!" He continued to kiss her unfazed. Any normal man would have been finished by now but he wouldn't move. Her nails bit into the flesh of his back and he pressed hard on her clit. "Eriol, please! Eriol I love you… oh god!" Those words made him lose all control. He backed out and thrust hard into her. He could feel her tightening around him. "Say it…Say it Tomoyo." "I love you, god how I love you!!" She came explosively and was shaking as he pumped into her faster. She felt the scalding hot rush of his release. "Oh Christ Tomoyo, I love you too…"

LEMON OVER

"I love you Tomoyo," he whispered carefully.

"mmmm, love Eriol." She was trying to sleep. The table wasn't that comfortable, so somehow on his last bit of strength he carried her into the bedroom where they both promptly collapsed on the bed.

A little while later…

"Tomoyo?"

"Yeah?" she came into the kitchen with a white fluffy robe on. Eriol had come out nude to see about reheating dinner.

"I think we should eat out or starve tonight."

"What's wrong with that?" he picked up the spoon and seemed to fish out an object. It was her bra covered in tomato sauce. She was stunned at first, and then laughed hysterically. She came over and kissed him, "Maybe we will just order pizza tonight instead." They both grinned at each other like fools. Their fight was over because they had finally confessed there love for each other. Tomoyo wasn't mad because Eriol was now an active partner  and Eriol was happy because Tomoyo cared for him beyond the physical.