A/N: Thank you for the response so far! I'm glad some of you like this story. It's different, and certainly a strange genre coming from me, but I'm doing my best! To all guest reviewers; you da best. Mwuah!

Valentine's day is coming soon (unfortunately). Maybe I'll post an extra special chapter? We'll see. For now, enjoy our favorite lusty boss lusting for his lust-worthy secretary!

Chapter 3: Her Boss, Not Her Boyfriend

A week passed, and as Yuuki grew more confident in her new job, Seiren found it appropriate to take her leave.

She sent Yuuki out to gather pastries and coffee, not just because they were in need of it, but because she needed the privacy too. Her relationship with Kaname ran deep; since day one she'd worked for him, and together they'd formed a tight relationship between secretary and boss. Her loyalty towards him was palpable, and in turn he made sure her life was comfortable and good. Emotionally cold, Seiren wouldn't go as far as to say she loved him, but admitting to the fact that she respected him and wished to protect him was not hard.

So she lingered at the door of his office, watching him work, quietly observing. Ever since the new secretary came into their lives, she'd noticed a shift in her stoic and silent boss.

He noticed her staring and halted his pen, glancing up at her with a light smile. "Last day, Seiren?"

"Yes," Seiren replied, nodding her head. "I'm waiting for my fiancé to pick me up. Yuuki is so independent now that I don't think she'll need more training, so I'm leaving today."

"Ah, so soon? It's strange to part from you," Kaname murmured. "You've been working hard for me for a long time. Thank you."

She bowed her head in response. "It was my pleasure." She rubbed her stomach, a light smile lifting the edges of her mouth. "Though I suppose life often forces us to move on when we least expect it… doesn't have to be a bad thing."

"You're right," Kaname leaned back into his chair and pursed his lips, "change can be good. And I can tell this baby will do you good, too. I know you said you weren't the motherly type, but I can still see that glow emanating from you."

Seiren couldn't help but chuckle lightly. "Ah yes, life forces the most rebellious of us to settle down when we least expect it. What about you, Kaname? Now that I'm no longer your secretary I feel compelled to ask you more personal questions. Any sounds of little Kuran feet running across the parquet yet?"

Kaname felt the heat travel up his spine, surely transferring to his face. "Well… I… you know I'm a busy man. I don't really have the time to even think about family, though my parents do a fine job at pestering me about it… Just haven't found the right woman yet," he quipped.

Well that was a blatant lie. In his mind, the right woman's name echoed like a broken record; Yuuki! Yuuki! Yuuki!

Kaname loosened his tie slightly, refusing to entertain the idea of a family with Yuuki. He would surely die if he did.

A secretive smile claimed Seiren's lips as she studied him. "Somehow, I have a feeling you're lying to me… I wouldn't be surprised if there were little Kurans running around the office in the future ahead of us."

Kaname blanched. "Wha…" Did she know? Had Seiren noticed his lingering eyes on Yuuki? Or could she read his thoughts? Did she know that he was always thinking of Yuuki, even when she was in the same room as him? That he'd already thought out their children's names?

"But I digress. All I want to say is to be careful with your heart, Kaname. Don't just give it away and expect the world to treat it gently. Don't do anything reckless," Seiren deftly steered the conversation, noticing how her boss had tensed up in panic.

Yuuki was an excellent secretary, and she was a woman Seiren wouldn't have minded befriending – though if anyone asked, it was the pregnancy hormones talking. She was sweet and diligent, earnest and hard-working; but most importantly it seemed that she put Kaname first above everything else, which was the one trait Seiren had hoped to see in her replacement.

Of course she'd noticed the lovesick expression that claimed her otherwise stoic faced boss whenever Yuuki was near or her name was mentioned. Of course it was insane to even hint that the boss was in love with his employee, much less support it. But, having worked for Kaname so many years, Seiren knew first hand that finding his ideal partner and mate was like finding a needle in a haystack. Years of watching him work himself to exhaustion had made her wish for his happiness.

And it seemed like the needle had walked right into his office.

He seemed to catch onto her double meaning, though he didn't comment on it. "I will, Seiren. Thank you."

He got up from his seat and walked over. "I'll follow you out. It's the least I can do."

His previous secretary nodded and followed him.

As soon as he got out behind Seiren, his heart stopped in his chest. In front of him were Yuuki and an unknown man, smiling and laughing with each other. At once, he was filled with jealousy, running coldly through his veins, freezing his limbs. He squared his shoulders as his eyes trailed up and down his silhouette, measuring him. He wasn't as tall as Kaname, and yeah, he was somewhat ruggedly handsome, but Kaname was way more handsome.

Why was Yuuki smiling at him like that? Why didn't she smile like that toward him – her boss? He wanted to make Yuuki smile and laugh too, damnit!

He was about to open his mouth and demand to know who the man was and proceed to kill him, when Seiren called out the man's name.

"Yagari?"

Yuuki couldn't believe her eyes where she was standing with a tray of 9 coffee cups in one hand, a heavy bag filled with pastries and magazines for the waiting rooms slung over her shoulder and a big poster tucked beneath her arm.

She was practically immobile. Yet the sight in front of her made her squeal.

"What are you doing here?" She gushed, still overloaded with material.

Her father's friend scratched his head. "Picking up my fiancée… What are you doing here?"

"I work here!" She answered, lifting up her bag and tray to show him.

"Ah, that's right, your old man told me you'd gotten a new job at a fancy corporation… It's good to see you again, kid!" His smile vanished as his eyes widened. "Oh you sure can pack a lot on that tiny body of yours, do you need any he–"

"Yagari."

Yagari turned at the sound of his fiancée's voice immediately, watching as she and her boss exited the office-door. "Oh hey, there's my baby mama."

Despite herself, Seiren smiled bashfully.

Yuuki's eyes widened as the two closed the distance between them and kissed sweetly. "Y-you're Seiren's fiancé? What?"

In her shock, Yuuki had failed to see Kaname approach. Suddenly his handsome face was right in front of her, blocking her view. Her smile fell away as her lips opened in shock.

"K-Kaname, I-I'm sorry for being so late! The traffic was crazy, and then I managed to sp–"

"Let me help you," he gently cut in and grabbed her bag.

"Oh, no, no, it's fine, I can–"

"Yuuki."

Yuuki shut up immediately, recognizing the stern undertone in his voice.

Gently he peeled off her bag and took the tray from her, setting it at her desk. She reluctantly handed him the poster. "Work ethics in the office is important to follow!" It read. Experiencing sexual harassment from a co-worker? Call this number and we'll help you! Non-willing men and women suffer from sexual harassment daily. Do not be afraid to let your voice be heard! Sexual harassment is not okay!"

Kaname almost laughed out loud. Of course this poster would end up being shoved in the face of the boss who lusted for his secretary.

Life had a strange sense of humor.

Now that her boss was doing her job for her, Yuuki returned her attention back to Yagari and Seiren. "You're engaged, wow! Guess I'll be seeing you more around after all, Seiren!" She grinned.

Seiren stared quizzically at her fiancé.

"Oh, Yuuki is the daughter of the headmaster at the school I work for. Him and me go way back, he's been my mentor for as long as I can remember. I've known Yuuki since she was a little monkey running around the headmaster's house and destroying the furniture, hehe," he chuckled.

Some of Kaname's jealousy died down as he realized their connection. He listened in silence; secretly delighted over every tidbit of information he could get about her life. Who was her father? Where exactly did they live? What school were they referring to?

And could he possibly pay Yagari to hand him over some tapes of Yuuki when she was an adorable child?

Kaname couldn't help but adore the blush that stole her pale complexion away, and the mortified look in her eyes as she heard Yagari recount her childhood.

Cutie.

"Okay, that's enough details about me, hehe!" Yuuki interrupted Yagari, shooting Kaname a nervous glance. "We are standing in front of my boss," she whispered.

That's right Kaname, you're her boss. Not her boyfriend.

Kaname paled. How the hell did Ichijou manage to sneak his way into his subconscious?

"I believe we haven't met before," Kaname bowed.

Yagari returned the gesture. "Good to meet the man that's taken all of my fiancé's time! Sorry about spoiling the perfect image you have of this young lady here," he said, pointing at Yuuki who blushed furiously, "that thing right there is like a miniature-Godzilla."

Kaname chuckled. "Ah no, it's fine. I appreciate any insight I can gain into the lives of my employees."

"I got plenty!" Yagari barked. Seiren leaned her head on his shoulder tiredly. "But it seems like my lady here is hungry, so I think we need to get going. Kaname," he nodded his head in greeting, to which Kaname responded with a nod of his head, "and little monkey." Yagari ruffled Yuuki's head as he walked by.

"Hey!" She yelled, frowning adorably. "Seiren, take good care of yourself and the baby, okay? Don't hesitate to call me if Yagari is being annoying. I've beat him up before and I can do it again!"

Seiren smiled and nodded as she stepped into the elevator.

"HA! I let you beat me up that one time!" Yagari called and ran into the elevator.

Yuuki laughed and turned, forgetting that her boss was standing right behind her.

"Oomf," she gasped as she collided with his chest. Could this day get any more embarrassing?

Kaname chuckled and stepped aside. "My apologies, Yuuki."

"Oh no, it's fine," she waved him off and grabbed a cup of coffee from the tray. "Coffee?" She offered.

He accepted the cup and took a long sip, studying her.

"Do you have a boyfriend?" He inquired calmly. "I'm only curious since I was so surprised to finally meet Seiren's fiancé after only having heard about him. I'd just like to be prepared if a boyfriend of yours stops by."

Inside he was nervous mess; his heart leaping into a gallop as soon as he'd said the word 'boyfriend'. What if she had a boyfriend? Then what? His heart clenched painfully at the thought, imagining Yuuki and another unknown man, smiling and laughing.

He would have to get him killed and then dispose the bo–

"Me? Oh, no," Yuuki replied, sipping on her own cup of coffee.

Kaname almost choked on his coffee. Suddenly, a deep calm settled over him and he felt like he was floating among the skies, light as a feather.

Everything was nice. Everything was good. Everyt–

"Actually, I think you're the closest thing I come to having a boyfriend at the moment," Yuuki pursed her lips and stared off into space as she contemplated.

"WHAT-" he almost spit coffee all over her and himself. Did she just call him her boyfriend? Were they official now? Did she like him too? Heavens! He needed to celebrate!

"Ehm," he cleared his throat, "what do you mean about that?"

"Well," Yuuki giggled, "you're always on my mind, and I'm always running after you, tending to your needs, worrying about your welfare. I don't have the time to see anyone else!"

Good, his inner jealous devil thought wickedly.

"I'm sorry about that, Yuuki. If you feel like the job is too much for you and getting in the way of your social life, then I'll have you stationed at a smaller branch of the company, with a lesser work amount."

"Hey!" She slapped the arm that belonged to the CEO of one of the most powerful corporations in the country. "You think I'm a wimp? Tch, I can handle being your secretary just fine. I signed up for this, remember?"

He adored her temper and determination.

"Did you just slap me?" He chuckled, amazed at her tenacity.

She faltered for a second, an apology already forming on her lips as she suddenly stopped herself. Instead, a determined look grabbed a hold of her faltering expression. She raised her chin defiantly, trying her best to stare down at him though she was much shorter than him. "Yes, actually, I did! Get used to it. I know I'm young and all, but don't treat me like I'm a kid. You're very kind and accommodating, Kaname, I appreciate that, but it seems like you like to draw conclusions about what's best for other people before consulting them first. Sometimes… well, sometimes you just need someone to slap you."

He wanted to kiss her so badly.

Instead, he let his face slip into his mask, staring at her emotionlessly. "So you're admitting that you're willing to continue assaulting me in the future?"

She was not deterred by his little game. "Yup."

He leaned in closer then, letting a small smirk break his expression. "Sexual assault too?"

Of course, he was majorly over-stepping a line. Ichijou would skin him alive if he saw him right now.

She flushed brilliantly. "N-now that's not… No, of course not. That's bad!"

He leaned back again against her desk, crossing his arms, a pleased expression making its way onto his features. "I was only joking, my apologies. Though I must admit I admire your feistiness; I think a man like me needs someone to put me in my place sometimes. And I don't mind that someone being you, as long as you are gentle with me, of course. Wouldn't want to wound your boss' ego too much, now."

Yuuki laughed, flipping her hair over her shoulder. Once again, he was completely transfixed by her beauty; did she wash her hair with liquid gold or something? It was so shiny and it looked so soft and oh he could just imagine running his hands through it as they ki–

"I'll be gentle with you, I promise," she smiled, "and I'm sorry for slapping you. That was unprofessional of me, boss."

"Something tells me your apology is rather insincere," he smirked.

She returned his smirk. "Well."

He shook his head and laughed. Wait, were they flirting now? Of course, he was always flirting with her no matter how hard he tried to remain professional – he was a man in love okay? – but did she just… flirt back with him?

He would need to return to his office and lay down on the floor for an extended period of time.

"Anyhoo," she sang, reaching over to her desk behind his back, her breasts nearly brushing against his arm – Kaname suffered from a one-second cardiac arrest before coming back to life – and retrieved a folder. "Since I magically knew you'd be late today, I rescheduled your meeting with the investors to a later time. Approximately…" She checked her watch quickly. "10 minutes from now."

His eyes widened. Shit, he had actually forgotten about that meeting… and somehow she'd known he would forget it, so she'd gone ahead and rescheduled it. What?

"One day I'll ask you to marry me, I'm sure," he breathed, grabbing the folder and walking towards the conference room.

"I'll probably end up rescheduling the ceremony too!" She responded, plopping down in her chair.

Kaname chuckled in response, smiling to himself.

Yup, she was the one.

"Carpets."

"Huh?"

He'd suddenly called her into his office via the intercom, and she'd desperately ran into his room, ready to tackle any emergency.

"What kind of color?"

"What? I'm sorry, I don't understand," Yuuki wringed her hands together, staring at his turned back. He was gazing out the huge glass windows at the Tokyo landscape, clad in a black suit. She couldn't help but admire his tall and slender physique; everything about him exuded sophistication and grace.

"I'm changing carpets in my house. And I need your opinion."

Yuuki released the breath she'd been holding. "Y-you called me in for that? I thought it was something impo–"

He turned abruptly, holding up two samples of fabrics. "It is important."

Yuuki blinked.

He continued to hold the fabrics up, staring her down.

She held a hand on her forehead. "You are too much sometimes… Ahh, I don't know what to choose. I don't even know what your place looks like!"

"You will soon enough," he laid the fabrics on the table. "This week I believe."

"This week? Why–"

"Just come over here and take a look. Even without knowing what the place looks like, just pick the color you like."

She huffed and stomped over to him. He stepped aside and steered her towards the desk so she was occupying his previous spot. She hunched over the desk as she studied the fabrics. "Why are you asking me anyways? I'm not an interior designer. And what do you mean about me seeing your place this we–"

"My place needs a woman's touch," Kaname replied, leaning over her shoulder as he peaked at the fabrics.

His breath tickled her ear. Had his voice always been this deep and velvety?

"We-ell I don't know, I, uh, I… find some other woman to touch your place!"

She gasped. That sounds dirty!

"I mean… I mean… go for the champagne one!"

Kaname was having the time of his life, watching her get flustered. She might put up a tough image sometimes, but deep down he knew she was soft and easily swayed. And utterly adorable.

"Thank you, Yuuki. I also need your opinio-"

"The cute one is here!"

Kaname tensed immediately. "No…" he gasped.

That voice. That damn woman.

Sara Shirabuki strutted through the doors of his office like she owned it. Her personal assistants trailed after her, holding numerous shopping bags, weary from exhaustion. Blue eyes shimmered then narrowed upon Kaname and Yuuki and the… interesting position they were standing in; Yuuki crouched over the desk, blushing at his suggestive tone and him right behind her, his mouth almost next to her ear.

"Are you cheating on me?" The banshee accused.

At once, Yuuki shook herself free from his strange almost-embrace, and he straightened in return. Sara's eyes narrowed on his crotch, probably checking if his zipper was unzipped.

From here on now, Kaname's day could only get worse.

When she found no evidence of actual cheating, Sara huffed. "Huh, affairs already before our marriage? Oh dear, my future husband is indeed shameless."

Yuuki wringed her hands together in uncertainty. Future husband?

"She's pretty though," Sara commented, sizing up Yuuki. "Where'd you find her?"

"Sara," Kaname grit through his teeth, "this is Yuuki, my new secretary."

Yuuki bowed in greeting. "Hi…"

"Yuuki," Kaname softened, "this is Sara."

"His fiancé." She smiled.

Kaname whipped his head back to her, giving her a cold stare.

"No."

"I will be," she continued smiling widely, "pleasure to meet you."

"Y-yes, you too," Yuuki bowed, clearly put off by the woman's strange demeanor.

Sara looked around the gigantic office. "Ah, well, I just stopped by to check on my fiancé," Kaname growled in response, but she continued like she hadn't heard him, "and see how he's doing. Apparently just fine," she raised her eyebrows at Yuuki. "I 'm also here to inform you that I'll be at the Shouto charity ball tomorrow night, so be a good fiancé and mingle with me. That's all!"

"You have a fiancé? Poor guy. It certainly isn't me," Kaname hissed, sinking back into his seat as his eyes narrowed.

Sara rolled her eyes, waves of golden curls tumbling around her. Her ice blue dress clung to her tall frame and shimmered spectacularly from the sunlight. "Psh, 'I'm not your fiancé, Sara', 'I don't want to marry you, wah wah waaah'," she mimicked him. "Save it. You've been running away from your duty for years now, Kaname. Are you going to be a man-child for the rest of your life? Give it up already. Your parents picked me and they approved of me. I'm the daughter of the owners behind an esteemed company. Our union is a match made in finance heaven. We're marrying and that's final." Azure eyes flickered over to Yuuki. "Hey, I'll even let you have some fun on the side. I'm like not a regular wife, I'm a cool wife," she smirked.

"Haven't you ruined my day enough? Get out before the smell of your cheap perfume stays in my office." Kaname ordered.

Yuuki flinched at his tone. That was kinda rude… then again, so is she.

"Ruin your day? Tch, I'm going to ruin your life if you don't comply. Yuuki, it was nice meeting you!" She flicked her hair and turned, staring at her assistants. "What are you waiting for? Move."

They scattered immediately and followed her lead like little rats, dragging her bags.

The office grew quiet in her absence. Yuuki was too startled to speak and stood rooted in her spot on the floor, processing what'd just happened.

Kaname was silently fuming, angry that the wench had dared to interrupt him so rudely. He'd been so close to Yuuki, and she hadn't pushed him away for some reason and then Sara had stormed in and claimed that she was his fiancé, even when he'd told her numerous times that he wouldn't marry her. She was vain and selfish; she only cared about looks and status – Kaname had no doubt in his mind that she only wanted him as arm candy; something to flaunt to her trophy wife friends and to the rest of society. Sure, she came from a rich family, but her wealth fizzled when compared to his.

Kaname couldn't wrap his head around his parents' thought-process. Sure, he understood the need for an heir to continue the family name and the business, but why would they pair him up with someone like her? As far as he could tell, Haruka and Juuri Kuran were the epitome of true romantics; his parents shared that kind of love that could last millenias. When he was younger it had annoyed him to no end how they endlessly doted on each other. It was like they never got out of their newly wed phase. But as he grew up and became more mature, he learned to appreciate and admire their relationship, eventually longing to have that for himself. Where Haruka was flawed, Juuri completed him with her own virtues; where Juuri was flawed, Haruka completed her. Even if they'd gotten older now, they still acted like they were in their twenties, crazy in love.

He'd promised them he would marry one day, but it would be on his terms, with a woman of his choice. He'd marry for love, not… money.

Besides, he already knew what woman he wanted to marry. But she couldn't marry him.

Not yet anyway.

They both broke the awkward silence by speaking at the same time:

"So you have fiancé, huh?"

"That was not my fiancé."

They both quieted as they stared each other.

"Um, okay," Yuuki mumbled, looking anywhere but at him. "That's not confusing at all."

Kaname sighed. "She's the latest pawn in my parents' ploy to marry me off. Unfortunately for them, I'm not interested in her. I also have no interest in marrying until I find the right woman…"

"That's… sweet," Yuuki smiled. "I hadn't expected that."

He frowned. "Why not?"

"Well, err," Yuuki blushed, tapping her foot awkwardly, "with the kind of life you live, I hadn't really expected you to be such a romantic. Most men in your profession get supermodel wives and settle for that. Your world is all… money and business deals and… well, I'm just rambling here, aren't I?"

An enigmatic smile claimed his lips. "Well, I can be quite the romantic. Would you like me to show you?"

Yuuki flushed. "So, uhm, this charity ball tomorrow! I've gathered information on the most important guests and put it all into a file, do you want me to send it to you?"

"No need, you're coming with me." He nonchalantly replied, shuffling the papers on his desk. His behavior baffled her; one second he was all flirty and asking if she wanted to see his romantic side, and then suddenly he was back to being cold and stern. He was so mercurial.

"I-I am?"

"Yup," he quipped, signing papers and documents. "You'll accompany me, so make sure you have all names and necessary information memorized. The ball will end very late, and I don't want you taking the train that late at night, if there even is a train running that late. Therefore, you will spend the night at my place."

"Y-your place? Sleep with you?" She spluttered. That was so… unprofessional!

Kaname's pen halted. "Now that… is a great offer, but I'm not so sure if–"

"I didn't mean it like that!" She screeched, holding her ears. "Stop putting words in my mouth!"

Kaname hid his grin, still hunched over his desk. "At least my secretary is strong-willed. Sadly, you will be sleeping in the guest room. Seiren has slept there often, so don't worry, this is not some new trick to keep you close."

"Oh, okay, well… Guess I'll have to pack my bags," Yuuki muttered, lost in thought. She felt uncomfortable about spending the night at his place, so close to her boss, but at the same time she felt relieved that she wouldn't have to spend a crazy amount of money on a hotel or taxi.

"Though it sounded like you preferred my bedroom instead. Shall I mo–"

"Ah, really! Shut up! I misspoke," Yuuki hissed.

Kaname smirked at her flustered expression. "Well, at least you'll get to decide what color my carpets should be in person."

"Wonderful," Yuuki replied sarcastically, stalking out of the room.

Thank you for reading. Reviews are appreciated!