Disclaimer: I don't own CCS, Clamp does. But I do own this story.

Pairings: Syaoran x Sakura, Eriol x Tomoyo

This story is moving on a much faster pace than I thought. Don't be surprised if the months just fly by in the story!

By the way, thank you for all the reviews you guys left! It always makes my day and they really give me the push to write more. Admittedly, I'm having a hard time writing this story to my satisfaction. The following chapter is already done but I seem to be changing it constantly. So frustrating!

Chapter Six

"Getting Close"

"What are you doing here?" she hissed, peeking through the now closed blinds.

People outside were already going back to their respective offices and cubicles while a few were still lingering and stealing glances in the direction of her office. She knew her boyfriend was good looking but she didn't know he'd garner this much attention. You'd think he was a celebrity or something.

"What do you mean? I came to see you of course."

She sighed, only remembering that she let slip to him her work details just the day previous. This was precisely why she never mentioned it to him. Ever since Eriol found out where she lived, he had been coming in whenever he pleased. She figured it would be the same with her workplace and turns out her assumptions were spot on.

'Me and my big mouth,' she thought exasperatedly at the sight of his grinning form. He looked perfectly calm and collected. He was obviously not bothered at all that he got the entire floor in a frenzy.

"I'm happy to see you but you should've at least called me first," she scolded, poking him on the chest. "You're lucky my boss isn't so strict. If anyone else found out you were here, I'd-"

He hugged her, deftly cutting her off. "It's fine. I know a few people who work here too."

Tomoyo was surprised at this. She knew Eriol was a doctor who worked at Madoka General Hospital, how can he have anything to do with a finance group such as Li Corp.?

"You mean you have had patients who work here?"

"You could say that," he said with a chuckle, immediately thinking about Syaoran and his appendicitis scare a few years ago.

"Sakura? Are you okay?"

Sakura glanced up at Tai and Mia were both getting ready to leave for the day.

"I'm fine," she reassured before picking up her purse and a few folders. "Just a bit tired I guess.

"Well, take it easy. It's no good seeing you knocked out like that."

She smiled and waved as both women started down the hallway towards the elevators before making her way down the opposite direction to the toilet.

"This has got to be a record." She stared at her reflection despairingly. "Two months. I, Sakura Kinomoto, was hired as a secretary and will be fired and replaced in just two months. What the heck is that?"

Sakura knew full well from the beginning this was a temporary job, and Syaoran did say she would still be paid for it in addition to her job as assistant head since it was agreed that it was a paid leave.

"I suppose I should've seen this coming," she grumbled now thinking about it realistically. She had been paid worth two jobs since she started being Syaoran's secretary even if she hadn't done a thing for the HR department since. "Of course this won't last forever."

All the same, it was hard to accept. She didn't know what she was going to miss more, the doubled salary or being close to Syaoran. Not to mention, losing this job would mean even less contact with the man. How was she supposed to win his affection now?

Tomoyo looked at Sakura sadly, and patted her on the shoulder reassuringly. She was caught. On one hand she was glad her best friend was coming back to work in the same area as she was, on the other hand, she doesn't enjoy seeing her miserable at all.

"What am I going to do? I completely lost my chance to try and make him fall in love with me," she moaned, flopping onto Tomoyo's living room couch.

"I think you accomplished the opposite though," Tomoyo stated, grinning.

"What do you mean?" she demanded, sitting upright immediately.

"Oh Sakura, don't even try to deny it. If it's you, I notice everything. The way you've acted lately have really changed. I can easily tell… You've fallen for Li!"

Sakura stared at her unblinkingly.

"The way you talk and the look on your face when you do says it all you know. Admit it. You've fallen in love with your boss."

"No I haven't," she denied with a frown. "I can't think of love now. I have to think about getting my dad's money."

Tomoyo rolled her eyes and shook her head although a smile was still on her face.

"You make yourself sound so greedy."

Sakura stuck her tongue out at her childishly.

"At any rate, you have three weeks until the end of the month. You still have a little bit of time to make a move."

"There's no way I can do that! The first piece of news the man gives me since seeing each other after that kiss was that he's going to fire me. Don't you think that's a sign? I feel like he's telling me to back off. If I do any more, it's going to be more than just a department kicking. I might end up leaving Li Corp.!"

Tomoyo clicked her tongue impatiently and crossed her arms.

"You're looking into it way too much."

"If that's not the case then he could've at least told me about firing me at a later date!"

"He's being considerate. He's giving you a three week notice about the job change," she retaliated with an unaffected shrug.

Sakura gaped at her. No matter what she was going to say, to her it still felt like she was brutally cast to the side for having done such a crude thing to her boss without his consent.

"Yup, I'm definitely finished," Sakura groaned and flopped down on her back once more.

Tuesday – June 14…

Thursday – June 16…

Monday – June 20…

Tuesday – June 21…

Thursday – June 23…

Saturday – June 25…

Monday – June 27…

It was June 27 and summer had just begun. July was nearing.

Sakura had a week left under the direct employ of the CEO until she was to return to the Human Resources Department. She had already met her replacement. Her name was Genevieve Nishihara, a half French, half Japanese woman who was an exotic beauty.

It wasn't just her looks that surprised her, but also her age. The woman was only 29 years old, making her Syaoran's youngest secretary after Sakura, but her face made her look like she was in her early 20s. She was a stunner and it was made apparent by the looks she got when she had shown her around Li Corp. that morning per Syaoran's instructions.

"Don't lose hope yet!" Tomoyo said in a pumped up manner.

Lately it felt like all her energy was absorbed by her.

They were in a newly opened restaurant near Li Corp. for lunch. Sakura had only just left the office after leaving Genevieve who got called in by Syaoran into his office before break.

"So any progress today?" Sakura merely shook her head in response. "I'm sure he'll call you back into his office again tomorrow," Tomoyo reassured.

Sakura smiled slightly. She can't help it. For the past two weeks ever since Syaoran announced her transfer back to HR, he had been calling her into his office to "talk" after hours every Tuesdays and Fridays.

They didn't do much. Simply sitting in his office and discussing about the most random things like what they did back at the masquerade party that now felt like ages ago.

She didn't know why he'd been calling on her for this. Sakura thought that maybe it was partially due to pity for firing her, not that she minded. As long as she got the chance to be closer to him even if it wasn't romantically inclined, she didn't mind. In any case, she had never dared to kiss him again nor did she bring up the first kiss. She couldn't risk scaring him off again if that's what she did before with her last attempt.

"Will I need to come in tomorrow as well?"

Syaoran shook his head at this. "Sakura will do the proper endorsement on Wednesday. On Thursday, I'll have you work back to back with her so you'll get the gist of it. Take tomorrow off to see the city if you like."

Genevieve beamed at him. "Would you like to join me?" she asked jokingly.

He smirked. "Being me and the job that I have hardly leaves me any free time, and when I do, I'd rather spend it as I see fit."

"You're getting too old Mr. Li," she said, flipping her hair in exaggeration.

Syaoran can't help but laugh at this. "Funny, seeing as you're two months older than me."

She grinned at this just when a knock came from the door.

Before Syaoran could call out an answer, Genevieve had already gone and opened it. Her swift movement was the benefit of having such long legs.

"Ahh! Ms. Sakura!" she greeted, flashing her pearly white teeth.

Sakura took half a step back in surprise. She could've sworn she heard Syaoran laugh so she figured he was in the company of Eriol or something. The man had made frequent appearances in his office lately after all. Besides that, she rarely ever heard Syaoran speak in a casually kind manner to anyone, let alone laugh like this. He had always made sure to keep up a serious and no-nonsense front when he's at work.

"Err… Ahh, hey Genevieve," she greeted back unsurely.

Genevieve looked at her inquiringly. But before she could say anything, Syaoran had already cut in.

"You may leave for today Genevieve."

"Yes, very well then Mr. Li," she told him before turning back to Sakura. She saw the box she was carrying and grinned. "See you later Ms. Sakura!"

As the door closed behind her, Sakura turned to Syaoran who was already looking at her in interest.

"Did I call you in today and forget?"

"No," she answered timidly before walking up to him. "I just thought you'd want to try this. There's a new restaurant nearby, Furanoni, which Ms. Daidouji and I tried. They have delicious desserts. So I… I just thought you'd want to try it too."

Syaoran watched as she placed the box on his desk and slid it towards him.

"Thank you," he said, grinning. "Won't you try it with me?" he added right when he noticed Sakura motioning to leave.

"Ahh, they're for you though, and…"

He gave her a look that simply made her unable to continue her original sentence.

"Okay," she murmured.

Syaoran had already left his desk and was walking towards the corner of his office that was usually neglected. He bent down behind the counter and produced two small sized white plates and two dessert forks.

"Bring those over here."

Sakura did as she was told all the while looking at the vast collection of liquor that was strategically displayed behind him on several shelves.

"Do you drink all of that?" she asked curiously, making him chuckle.

"Not as often as you'd think. I only get to use this area when family or friends come over and force their company on me. That, and when I have casual discussions with business partners. Considering all that though, the stocks I have here are really mostly just consumed by Eriol."

This made Sakura laugh.

"So which category do I fall under?" she asked moments later, trying to push her luck a little.

Syaoran looked at her thoughtfully for a few seconds. "I don't know yet," he admitted truthfully.

The past few weeks with Sakura had been pleasant. If anything, he'd been craving her company more and more lately. He hasn't enjoyed any woman's companionship this much since his last girlfriend. This fact only made his feelings and decisions where Sakura's concerned more difficult. On one hand, it was obvious he favored her by how he had been treating her compared to any other employee he had ever had. No way would he ever invite any of his employees into his office for a "chat" but then these feelings only raised flags in him, warning him of his previous experiences with his "serious" relationships.

Sakura continued to look at him for a while before resigning to a sigh and a shrug before opening the box and showing him the contents.

"You choose. Tomoyo and I tried the chocolate and lemon ones earlier. It may look simple but the taste is exquisite!"

"I'll have the lemon then. You can take whichever you haven't tried."

Sakura grinned happily and pulled out the lemon and vanilla pieces of cake.

"What do you want to drink?" he asked, startling Sakura whose gaze was now darting from one bottle to the next behind him.

Now he was the one laughing. Without another word, he pulled out what looked like a bottle of some sort of white wine along with two wine glasses.

"This will taste good with the cake," he explained simply.

"I don't know much about wine but I'll take your word for it."

Both of them raised their glasses and took a sip.

Tomoyo glanced at the clock in her office and then at her cell phone. It was fifteen minutes past their clock out time and Sakura hadn't contacted her. Since Sakura's workload had decreased significantly lately- seeing as Syaoran didn't really give her anything new to do insisting they be left later on for the new secretary -they had been going home together again except for when she was called into Syaoran's office or when she, herself, had to stay overtime just like today.

Already suspecting what had happened since Sakura did buy a lot of those cakes earlier, she decided on leaving her a text instead of calling.

Sakura, you're with him aren't you? Good for you! Take the chance and KISS HIM again. You know you want to. Also, I know you've given him those cakes form earlier. If you're eating it with him, make a move okay? I'll go home ahead of you today. You two love birds have fun.

If you know what I mean. ;)

– Tomoyo Daidouji –

She reread her message and can't help but giggle to herself before sending it and opening up a new message.

"Going home together once in a while is nice too," she told herself, grinning as she typed a message for Eriol to come pick her up later.

Admittedly, that was something she still didn't understand about Eriol's job. Being a doctor, you'd think he'd be really busy with patients but ever since they dated, he seemed to go in and out of work at his discretion.

"Well I have tried this weird tasting wine before, it was like a- Excuse me," she cut off, feeling the vibrating inside the pocket of her slacks.

Syaoran looked at her as she shifted on her seat on the barstool and pulled out her cell phone.

Not a moment later, Sakura was blushing so deeply and was hastily pushing the gadget back inside her pocket.

"Is something the matter?" he asked, amused.

Sakura looked at him and blushed even more. She shook her head furiously.

To Syaoran, it seemed to make her look guilty of something. He leaned over the counter slightly and peered at her.

"Who was it?" He was genuinely curious now.

"J-Just Tomo- Err… Ms. Daidouji," she amended, looking away and cutting a big piece of her cake and shoving it into her mouth.

It was obvious she wasn't planning at all to say anything on the matter so he let it slide.

"So how long have you and Ms. Daidouji been friends?"

Grateful for the change in subject, Sakura swallowed her cake and took a sip of her wine. "Since I moved to Tokyo. We live across each other in the same building and we both did our internship at the same company before getting into Li Corp."

This piece of information surprised Syaoran. If she lives across from the girl, then why hadn't she met Eriol at all previously and vice versa? From what he already knew, Eriol's been frequenting Tomoyo's place a lot since they started dating and from what he recently gathered, their first meeting was only at the masquerade party.

Sakura and Syaoran talked and talked and talked.

They talked a little about Tomoyo and Sakura's acquaintances who also work at Li Corp. and also discussed Syaoran's own friends which surprisingly comprised of only a few renowned business men and other distinguished individuals including Eriol, who- Sakura was very surprised to find out –was the hospital director of Madoka General Hospital in Tokyo which is only one of the many hospitals that their family owned that spanned across Asia.

They had delved into various current events and even a little about Syaoran's family.

The things he had told her, however, were mostly things that were already public knowledge. It was apparent then that the life of a renowned CEO wasn't a private one at all.

It was only when it was almost 6 in the evening that their chatting had ended and it was only because Syaoran got an important phone call from one of his business partners.

Sakura was cleaning the plates and forks they used behind the counter while Syaoran talked on the phone at his desk. After she was done, she placed the two untouched pieces of cake into the small refrigerator beneath the bar.

She was surprised to see a lot of untouched and unopened bags of chocolate inside. 'Maybe he dislikes overly sweet things,' she thought with a smile. Every time she got a chance to talk to him, she ended up knowing more and more sides to the man.

At this point in time, it was hard to believe that she ever thought he was a frightful person who was overly serious. True he was serious to the point of being scary at times when business was concerned, but after getting to know him more and if it didn't concern work at all, he was actually very charming.

"What are you thinking?"

Sakura jumped and turned, surprised at the proximity of his voice but as she did, the back of her leg hit the refrigerator door and she fell sideways, losing balance.

"Woah," Syaoran held onto her elbow with one hand and her arm on the other.

"Ahh, thank you," she said, holding a hand over her chest.

"Do I really scare you that much?" he teased, grinning.

"You simply surprised me," she retorted, crossing her arms and looking away. "Don't be too full of yourself, Li."

He chuckled. "How rude."

She peaked at him but saw that he was still grinning. She smiled back. "It's getting late, I should go. I have work tomorrow. My boss might fire me sooner than intended if I come in late."

Syaoran's smile faltered slightly at this. He had known for quite some time that Sakura wasn't all too happy to be removed from her position of being his secretary.

It was hard not to notice since her energy levels during working hours have significantly decreased. Usually, whenever he walked pass her outside his office, he would find her perfectly active and smiley. Lately, she seemed more serious and weary.

"Then you should go," he said as he brushed back a few of loose honey brown strands of hair behind her ear with the back of his hand.

Sakura looked up at him mutely. They were close. Too close. As close as they had been when they danced and as close as that time he had leaned into the car window to check up on her.

It was only due to common decency that she restrained herself from kissing him when they were dancing, but that time in the car, knowing there was no one but the driver to see them, she completely lost it.

Her gaze fell onto his perfectly shaped lips and she gulped. She had never seen something so tantalizing.

It took almost a full minute of staring at each other's features closely until Syaoran finally broke the silence.

"Sakura, if you don't go now, I might end up doing something I shouldn't," he said in a low, husky voice that made her insides quiver.

She looked at his eyes. His amber gaze was boring into her.

"I… I can't move," she whispered back truthfully. Her legs felt like lead the moment she realized their closeness. If he wanted them to step apart, he'd have to do it first.

Eriol glanced at his watch and noticed he was 20 minutes too early from the time Tomoyo had told him to come and knowing her, she' probably kick him out of her office.

The elevator doors opened at that moment, in which case he pressed the number "80" button, making the doors close again in front of him.

Syaoran exhaled. What in the world was he doing? Sakura was his secretary and they were in his office. Not only was this unethical for him as the boss, the whole situation between them was simply too cliché.

'Shit,' he thought, as her gaze reverted from his lips and up to his eyes. Her eyes which were the color of emeralds that he had grown accustomed to seeing since he hired her looked even more alluring up close. He could clearly see each long, individual hair on her eyelids.

"I… I can't move."

His body moved by its own accord at this point. While one of his hands settled on her waist, the other was now holding onto the side of her face.

"Syaoran…" she whispered in response to his touch.

This did it for him.

He leaned down pressed his lips onto her yielding, soft pink ones.

The moment their lips touched, Sakura could feel something crumble within her. This kiss was nothing like their first exchange. For one thing, Syaoran initiated it. She could feel him move against her slightly which she only responded with equal ardor as she slid her hands up his chest and wrapped herself tightly around his neck.

Syaoran's kiss deepened. His arm slid around her waist and pulled her closer while the other held her firmly on the side of her neck.

The couple kissed for what seemed like an eternity until their movements changed. When Syaoran's tongue gained entrance into Sakura's mouth, he pulled back only a few moments later and started trailing kisses along her jaw and towards her ear.

Sakura gasped when she felt him run his tongue across the outer core of her ear and nibble onto her earlobe. When he shifted slightly to lick the part beneath her ear and start sucking on it, her breathing increased dramatically and she was practically clinging onto him to stay upright now.

"S-Syaoran," she half whispered, half moaned. The sensation she was feeling with just this kind of contact was too much. If they did any more than this now… Just the thought of it gave Sakura Goosebumps and it made her shiver in delight.

Hearing her only seemed to fuel his desire and Syaoran's direction changed. He was making a trail down her neck now, kissing and sucking lightly onto each part of her flesh that his lips touched.

Sakura ran a hand through his soft and unruly hair, messing it even more as her fingers fisted around it firmly. She wanted him to stay there and continue giving attention to the sensitive area on her nape.

It felt heavenly and this was only made clear by the increased volume of her moans.

When Syaoran made an attempt to go down even further, there was a sudden and erratic banging that resonated from his office doors.

Sakura jumped and the couple broke apart. They looked at each other in surprise then at the entrance where the doors still remained close and the odd banging sounds continued.

"Shit, Eriol," he muttered under his breath knowing full well it could only be he who would knock on his door in that childish manner. He pulled Sakura back behind him just as the banging stopped although the doors still remained closed.

Sakura, who was still partially in a daze, stumbled behind him and held onto the back of his suit coat to steady herself.

'What?' she thought to herself blankly. She could still feel her skin tingling pleasantly although Syaoran had clearly stopped kissing her. It was only when she looked down did she even realize the reason why Syaoran was covering her.

Her clothes were a mess. Her blouse was un-tucked from her pants with several of the buttons from the bottom unopened. When did this happen?

It was a few seconds later that the doors finally opened to reveal Syaoran's carefree best friend who strolled right in, whistling.

"Syaoran, I'm gonna hang with you a while until… Oh." He stared unblinkingly for a moment before a wide smile cracked across his face. "Well I'm sorry. I could always come back another time," he said teasingly with gleaming eyes.

Sakura was still covered by Syaoran's much larger frame but her arms could be seen furiously working on buttoning and rearranging her top.

Syaoran glared at Eriol, hard. It was a face he reserved for when he was in no-nonsense situations in his work or when he was seriously pissed.

Right now, it was the latter.

He could feel Sakura pull onto the hem of his suit coat by which he turned around and saw her appropriately dressed again although the blush seemed resolute on remaining on her cheeks. He couldn't help but smirk at this. The sight of her looking like this only made him think of how adorable she was.

"Seriously," Eriol interrupted yet again. "I can always come back another time."

Syaoran sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "There's no need. What are you here for?" he asked as he left the bar with Sakura closely following her. She was hoping to shield herself from view.

"Just came to kill some time," he said with a shrug before taking a seat on the couch and grabbing one of the random business magazines there.

When he said those words, Syaoran had the sudden urge to hit him. There was a part of him that was relieved at the interruption, the reasonable part of him. But right now, however, his urges were taking the forefront of his mind and that part of him simply wanted to give Eriol a resounding kick.

"To be interrupted by the most idiotic of all reasons," Syaoran muttered mutinously.

Eriol heard him but Sakura, who had been slowly inching her way towards the office doors during their short conversation, didn't hear his words at all.

Syaoran glanced up at him as she made a silent gesture about leaving. He simply smiled and nodded in reply.

"See you later Sakura!" Eriol called out loudly although not turning to look her way simply to spare her.

Sakura jumped a little at being caught.

"S-See you," she mumbled mostly to herself. She gave Syaoran an awkward smile and a small wave before exiting the room.

The moment the door closed behind her, Syaoran punched Eriol hard in the arm.