Note:

sooooo

long time no see haha

uhhhh

here's an update as an apology~~

(This chapter has not been edited/ proofread 1/27/24)

If I had things my way, I would still be in bed, nestled inside a blanket burrito, lights turned off with my phone anywhere but within my reach. Maybe then, I'd still be in his arms, taking in his warmth, shielding me from just how cold he liked to keep his apartment when he goes to sleep. Hell, I'd take freezing in his apartment over having to be here right now.

"Have any idea about what they're saying?" I whisper to the man walking right next to me. We walk at a slow pace, our bare feet on the sand as calm waves come and go.

Sasuke glances behind him for a second before replying. "Some nonsense about whether it's you or me standing too close to the other."

I don't even have to look to know he's probably not wrong. "Either that or who ogled the other longer."

He smirks. "Well-"

I cover his mouth with my hand in haste. "Don't."

I expected the morning after to be awkward. I expected eyes shifting about the room because of morning after nerves—a morning after that I never thought would come, especially considering what happened after the first time he and I had sex.

But it was the opposite. He woke before I did, and I didn't feel an ounce of shame or embarrassment. Instead, I took his shirt from the floor, put it on, and headed to the kitchen where I found him making us coffee.

All of it felt right.

And then I had to rush back to my apartment to get ready for work.

The more time I spend with him, the more time I get to know him, the more I start to think that maybe people's insinuations about our prior behaviors towards each other were right. Maybe I've always been attracted to him, and maybe he's always been attracted to me. Maybe all that bickering was done to deter what this could become.

Ugh, this is crazy. If I had told past me I'd be in this predicament and am actively bumping uglies with Sasuke Uchiha, she'd have laughed at my face.

I hear a click of a camera and turn to the audience our companies brought with us. Lowering my hand from his mouth, he follows my gaze and sighs.

"When they said 'beach date', I thought it'd just be me, you, and Kiba and Ino for the story." I didn't think they'd bring a photographer and his crew to take photos for the next printed issue. Though, I'd much prefer it be just them rather than having both Ino and Kiba join in. Alas, the universe hates me, and a large group stands a few feet away, some watching us, others waiting for the time to pass, their eyes on their phone screens.

"I've stopped thinking things would be that simple."

"When?"

There's a glint in his eyes, but he doesn't answer.

"Seriously, when?"

Sasuke shrugs.

"Sasuke, come on!"

"I thought your deduction skills would be much better than that."

I glare at him. He's enthused, obviously. "Apparently not, considering I couldn't even deduce that you've been wanting to be my fuck buddy for a while."

"Fuck buddy?"

I wince at the displeasure in his tone. Truthfully, I don't like calling us that either. But how else should I describe what's going on? "What else would you call us?"

"Anything but that."

"What would you use to describe what's going on?" I ask, genuinely curious.

Sex with him is amazing, but that's not all I like about being with him. If anything, sex is a bonus. Despite our differences, it's like I can truly be myself with him, and he doesn't have trouble understanding me. To be honest, the latter kind of terrifies me. How is it so natural with him?

"I think that's something we should discuss alone, shouldn't we?" Gone is the playful atmosphere. Replacing it is an earnestness that makes my cheeks heat. Still, I can't look away from him.

"We should."

The date ends as the sun is about to set, and the team packs up. Audience aside, it was nice, laid back. Sasuke and I mainly talked through the day. We had ice cream by the water, though it was obvious he hated it because he kept complaining about how it was too sweet. I offered to finish it for him after stealing a lick, but he finished it himself because "it'd be a waste of food" and I'd "get a sugar rush", as if I was a child.

I feel someone bump my side, and I turn to see the prying eyes of my best friend.

"What was that?"

"What was what?" I ask, not knowing what the hell she means.

"Today! You two were so… close." She folds her arms above her chest in a huff. "Have you been keeping something from me?"

"I mean, we've been work-dating for a while now. It's not like we're strangers."

"That's not what I mean, and you know it. Not to mention, you disappeared the other day! I thought the girls and I needed to go in that bathroom and save you from explosive diarrhea or something because you took so long. Then, I find out you weren't even in the building and left with him. In the middle of the workday!" She peers closer. "Something happened between you two. I can smell it."

Nervousness makes me break into a sweat. She's too observant when it comes to things like this. She's not even asking which means she's certain she's right. And she is. Something has happened and is happening between Sasuke and I, and even if I wanted to tell her, I don't even know what this thing between the two of us is.

"You guys were here! This is for the story. of course, we had to play it up." Unsure of how to respond, I go for denial.

She looks entirely unconvinced. "Sure, forehead. It's not like you to keep something like this from me, meaning you don't even know what you're doing, do you?"

Shit. Why is she so good when it comes to things like this? I roll my eyes in an effort to look unbothered. "It's just work, pig."

Not really. Not anymore. But she can't know that. I don't think anyone can, or who knows how long this dating for a story thing is going to go on for?

I'm back home, ruminating on today's events and my conversation with Ino.

I love the bitch. She's my best friend for a reason, but as much as I love her, I don't want to be hounded about this, especially considering the endless teasing that came before it when he and I were still at each other's throats. All of that teasing has only been exacerbated by this dating project, and the added attention both at work and by the public is a jarring.

This thing with Sasuke is new, and I don't even know what it is really. I don't think he knows either, based on what he said earlier today.

"That's something we should discuss alone, shouldn't we?"

I shouldn't just sit here and think about it. If I want clarity, he's right across the hall. He said it himself. We should discuss.

I stand and as I'm about to walk to the door, there's a knock on the other side. His timing is impeccable.

"Hey," I say as I open the door. "Can't get enough of me, can you?"

He shakes his head but smiles. I can't help but smile, too. There's a part of me that wants to reach out to him, aching for a physical connection, but I don't act on it. We may have slept together, but that is a different type of intimacy altogether. Though, somehow, I'm confident he wouldn't be against it if I had.

Look at me. I've had sex with the guy a few times, and I'm already feeling so attached. Still, the attachment isn't unwelcome. A few days ago, I may have freaked out more, but something was different about last night. He forfeited our bet, which in hindsight, was a stupid one to begin with, and afterwards, he was so gentle. Sweet, even.

It's the soft caresses, the intensity in his eyes, the comfort I felt in his arms as I slept.

I like him. I like him a lot.

"Apparently not." He looks behind me. "Can I come in?"

Moving to allow him the space to enter, I watch as he strides into my space. "You know, some people would at least pretend to be semi-cautious coming into someone's house."

He raises a brow, then turns his gaze to the couch. The fucker, pun intended, has the nerve to smirk. "It's not as if I haven't been here before."

I fake a cough, trying to quell the flush in my cheeks. "Well, if you're looking for a repeat, that depends on what you're here for."

"If we're on the same page, there may well be."

He may not have said much, but I can see it in his eyes.

My own assurances from earlier are cemented from this moment on. My past doubts have ebbed completely, and it seems tonight, the delay of what's been brewing will finally end.

I close the door and move closer to him. "I asked you something a few days ago, and I realized you never answered me."

He meets me halfway, and we stop just a breath away from each other. "Jog my memory."

"If we were actually dating, would I go past your one-month test?" I stare into his eyes, making my intent known, doing my best to gauge if we really are in the same page.

I get my answer.

His hand gently caresses my cheek as he keeps his attention on me. My heart races at his touch.

We kept it safe earlier today at the beach, but here? There are no cameras. There's no article. No coworkers around to watch. It's just us.

"You already have." His thumb brushes my lower lip.

"Sasuke," I breathe out his name, his closeness having its effect on me. "What are we doing?"

I want to hear it from him, so there's no more confusion.

"I'm not just looking for sex with you, Sakura," he says. "I don't think it was ever only about sex."

I had a strong feeling that wasn't the case, but to hear him say it, a sigh of relief escapes my lips.

My arms circle around his neck, our bodies touching. "I don't want this to be just sex either. To be honest, as much as I hate to say it, maybe everyone in the office was right. I think I've just had a crush on you this entire time and was too stubborn to admit it."

"Better late than never."

Lightheartedly, I punch his shoulder. "I can't just be the only one to admit it, asshole."

He smiles. "I don't know if crush is the right word."

"Sasuke," I whine.

"But you're the only one who's capable of getting under my skin the way you do. Despite it all, arguing with you in the elevator has become a needed staple in my mornings."

"You need your daily dose of ridiculousness, huh?" I grin, feeling my heart grow multiple sizes.

"It would appear so." He pauses. "Sakura."

"Yes?"

"No more games."

I nod. "No more games."

"I mean it."

I sigh, mildly amused. "I assure you; the girls aren't hiding somewhere with a camera. Besides, we promised not to bring work into our homes."

A smile slowly lifts his lips.

"So?" I urge him to continue, joy evident in my voice and my face.

He tucks the stray strands of hair framing my face behind my ear. "Be mine."

As if my grin couldn't get and larger. I'm giddy. So giddy. One would say, and I quote, 'overly giddy'. Still, I can't help myself. "So caveman of you, Sasuke."

He sighs. "Sakura."

I laugh. "Sorry, it's kind of instinc-"

His lips capture mine, no doubt wanting to shut me up, but I smile into his kiss anyway. His mouth moves over mine, urging my mouth open. I oblige, meeting his passion, curling into him in the desire for more contact.

He cups the back of my neck, angling my head to deepen the kiss. The taste of him coats my tongue, intoxicating and overpowering. All thoughts exit my mind, and I sink my fingers into his hair.

Then he pulls away from me, and a mewl escapes me, disappointed. I look at him, mouth open and lips swollen, and he watches me back, an expectant expression on his face. "Be mine," he repeats softly, his forehead leaning on mine.

This time I don't tease. "Yes."

I'm gifted a rare Sasuke Uchiha grin that knocks me off kilter. Good thing he has a gold on me.

"Was that so hard?"

I roll my eyes and pout. "Shut up and kiss me, Sasuke."

"Should I reintroduce myself to your couch then?"

He most certainly can.

Notes:

I've been keeping something from y'all lol

so the past year and a half was a lot from me, so it went over my head and I completely forgot buutttt I've actually finished written affair and just never posted the remaining chapters

apologies for the long delay, but I'll be posting the remaining chapters weekly, the last chapter being chapter 31. for a specific update schedule calendar, I have it posted underneath my thread of threads on Twitter (which is now mikawritesss)

anyways, thanks for sticking around and reading and loving this lil fic! I'm so surprised by just how many people started reading my works bc of this one but I'm so thankful! Sorry again for taking so long