A/N: Thank you everyone for the reviews, follows, and favorites! I think this story is coming along pretty well. If you like this one, then please read my newest ShikaIno story, A True Love Story. It is going to be epic! I am currently writing three stories at the same time so my mind is going all over the place. It's awesome, but it mas it a little difficult to focus. I don't really want to let any of them sit so just be patient with me and keep encouraging me with your awesome words. Please read and enjoy!

Chapter 8

Living with the likes of Shikamaru was more than difficult. Not only was he intentionally difficult, but he was a temptation that she was beginning to find very difficult to deny herself. The way that he looked at her drove her insane and made her body ache deliciously.

So when he allowed her to work in his office it had absolutely not curbed her desires, but it did make it more difficult to act on them. When at his home she could tempt him all she wanted and flirt with him openly. If she did such a thing at the workplace, she would be labeled the office slut, and she did not want that.

Their day to day activities melded into a slow dance of temptation as heated looks were exchanged and innuendos were tossed playfully into conversation. They both knew that nothing serious would come of it though, as after the deal that they had struck would be completed they would both go their separate ways.

Ino didn't quite understand why that very thought incensed her, but she wasn't willing to dwell on it at that moment. She had taken on the job as Shikamaru's temp, with an understanding that this situation was just that, temporary. The position itself was simple enough, organize his files, bring him coffee, keep him on schedule for all of his meetings. She had that office running like a well-greased machine in only a week's time.

At that very moment she was bringing him his coffee. Wearing a skin tight, waist high, black pencil skirt that landed just above the knee and a crisp white button down shirt with just one too many buttons undone from the collar down, she believed herself to be an undeniable temptation. Her hair was pulled up into a loose bun with a pencil sticking out from the tie and a set of horn rimmed glasses perched on the end of her nose. She enjoyed making Shikamaru sweat as she sauntered around the office in her business attire.

Knocking on his office door, she did not wait for a response before she entered. He was leaning back in his large leather swivel chair with a phone pressed to his ear as he typed at his computer. He had long sense removed his suit jacket. The sleeves of his white button down shirt were rolled up to the elbow and his narrow black tie was hanging slightly loose against the single button undone at his throat.

He was certainly a sight to behold as he glanced up at her momentarily and motioned for her to come into the office.

The office itself was a reasonable size with a single wall nothing but a series of floor to ceiling windows. They were up on the twenty eighth floor of the Suna Company's main business building and if someone were prone to vertigo looking down would be a mistake. The carpet was clean and Shikamaru's desk was to the immediate right of the door, allowing him to look out the windows that took up to the opposite wall. He must get a lot of cloud gazing in when he wasn't busy. A leather couch with two accompanying leather chairs and coffee table took up the far right side of the room and along the left wall was a simple end table with a tall lamp and nick knack bowl which held Shikamaru's keys and a pair of shades.

Ino glanced over to him as he motioned her inside. She closed the door behind herself and smiled secretly at him as he continued to speak with his client on the phone. He had learned his lesson the day that he wasn't busy when she came in to deliver his morning coffee. She had taken advantage of the private room to sit on his desk and cross her legs, tempting him as her skirt rode up along her thighs. He had stood up immediately, a frustrated look on his face as he walked around his desk to open the door, ushering her out a moment later. She had pouted cutely at that and assured him that 'this isn't over'.

The door had slammed behind her and she had grinned at his irate expression for the rest of that day. Teasing men was in her nature, but it had never before felt this satisfying. But he was sure to give as good as he got. One day that very same week he had snuck up behind her at her own desk out on the main floor. He had played at the guise that he was assisting her in her work. He had leaned over from behind her, his right arm crossing over her shoulder so he could point at the screen of her monitor. His cheek had come to graze along her ear as he whispered to her in a heated tone.

"Two can play at this game," he tilted his head after that to take in her startled expression and heated blush, "you wait till you get home tonight," he had threatened before withdrawing his hand, absently brushing his fingers along her neck and shoulder, blazing a trail of fire in their wake.

That night nothing had happened. She realized that he had been teasing her with the very thought and the anticipation of what he might do and that had irritated her immensely. Well if two could play at this game then it was her turn to make a move.

She set the cup of coffee on his desk, watching him with entrancing eyes, waiting for him to acknowledge her. She maintained her grip on the base of the cup as she leaned forward, flashing her cleavage at him.

He had still yet to meet her gaze or even look at her as he continued to speak with his client in a calm cool tone. He reached out for his coffee cup and felt resistance as he attempted to lift it to his lips. The minimal struggle splashed a little bit of the coffee over his fingers and he winced softly.

"Oh no, it's dripping," Ino murmured seductively as she grasped his scalded hand and lifted his wet fingers to her mouth to lick them clean.

Shikamaru's words got caught in his throat as he watched Ino clean off his fingers with her mouth. His eyes widened as he could feel himself begin to stiffen…

Ino smiled at him sweetly as his eyes drank her in. His hand had gone limp and his mouth was gaping open at her as she moved her tongue over the tips of his fingers before taking one fully into her mouth.

The sound of his office door opening snapped the two out of their trance and Shikamaru jerked his hand away as if burned. He found himself stumbling to his feet as he panted out softly, a startled if lust filled expression on his face as he glared over at Ino whose expression was smug and satisfied.

She attempted to look innocent as a familiar pair entered into the office.

"Gaara, Temari," Shikamaru greeted with a shaky voice. He took a moment to say goodbye to his client that he had left on the phone before further engaging the pair.

Taking an unsteady breath, he willed his heart to come to a reasonable pace after the heated encounter he just had with Ino. Thinking her name alone brought back the image of her mouth around his fingers and he wondered for a moment what it would feel like if her mouth were somewhere…

He cleared his throat loudly and closed his eyes in an attempt to dispel the thoughts and images. The offender just stood on the opposite side of his desk with a polite smile on her face and her hands clasped behind her back as if nothing had even happened.

'How was she unfazed by that?!'

A curious look passed between the two visitors as Shikamaru reached out to shake Gaara's hand. The redhead withdrew his hand after a momentary grasp, shaking his appendage to remove the coffee that Shikamaru had transferred to him from the touch.

"Oh, whoops, sorry about that," he apologized nervously as he withdrew a handkerchief from his pocket to offer it to the red head.

Gaara accepted it before breaking out into a quiet conversation with the dark haired man.

Ino continued to smile to herself as she watched the conversation between the two men. She was feeling so good about herself. Seeing Shikamaru flounder around awkwardly as he attempted to regain his composure was so very satisfying.

"Don't you have anything else better to do than stand there looking like an idiot?"

"Excuse me?" Ino breathed out, taking in the glare that she received from the woman known as Temari.

"Did I stutter?" Temari asked, looking to Shikamaru as he arched a brow at the two women's conversation.

"Don't look at me, I'm not getting into this," he supplied, motioning for Gaara to follow him over to the leather furniture at the right side of the office.

Ino huffed irately at not being defended by her…what…her friend? No. He was her boss, and she was his temp and the woman standing before her was above her station. She glared angrily over at Shikamaru as he had not come to her defense, but it wasn't his place to. It wasn't like the two of them meant anything to one another. After January, they would go their separate ways, so why would he bother wasting his time on someone like her?

With that thought she turned to look back at Temari as she smirked back smugly. This really was a reality check and an eye opener for Ino. She had lost sight of her goal. With this realization she exited the office and headed back to her desk to pretend to work for the remainder of the day. After work she decided that she would go home for a little while to get her priorities back in order…

A/N: Reality check! Oh this chapter was so fun to write! Shikamaru didn't know what to do with himself he was so flustered. Hahaha! Please review and tell me what you think. I'm going to crank out the next chapter ASAP!