Thanks for the reviews! I didn't know that this had a manga counterpart so I immediately searched and bought it lol. Manga was pretty fast tracked but I still loved it. I'm going by the pace of the book so you'll probably see more things here than what was in the manga. Thanks again!
"Sara." Sesshomaru greeted her smoothly. "I trust things are well with you?"
He listened as she replied back, polite and reserve, not that he expected anything less. Sara is a respectable woman and would never offer a more effusive greeting. It isn't simply her style.
"I've made arrangements for the Taisho jet to fly you from Italy to Japan a week from now. Will your mother be joining you?"
It was a senseless question, it was already known that the Asano family will not let their daughter travel to see an unmarried man unchaperoned.
"I'll look forward to your arrival then, I've arranged for a night at the orchestra shortly after you arrive." And if that goes well, he'd request a moment alone to propose and then could go ahead with the wedding plans.
He hung up the phone and started at it for a long moment, the moment he share his plans to his brothers, Inuyasha would be reluctant to encourage him into a loveless marriage. While Miroku, their adoptive brother, would shrug and say it was his life and his problem.
In time, he could grow to like Sara very well... he respected her already, which was more than he could offer in regards of his low opinion of women, gold diggers to be exact.
Emotionless as he may be, seeing Inuyasha so in love with Kagome made him sought for the same companionship , though he knew better than to expect a woman to love like Kagome does with Inuyasha.
But he could be friends with his future wife and enjoy her companionship in and out of the bed. He imagined Sara naked and in his bed, beneath his body. He frowned when he glanced down on his groin for a wasn't disappointed at the lack of reaction, as he never had such a reaction toward any females... or anyone.
With a sigh, he checked his watch, and to his irritation noticed that Rin was late. He tapped his index finger impatiently on his desk. Kaede had already provided three possible apartments, all in good areas and close to Saiga Tower.
Though she had not yet prepared the list of eligible men for Rin to choose from.
No matter though, the first order of business was to see her settled, then he'd worry about marrying her off.
When he heard his door open, he looked up, startled. Then he frowned when he saw Rin walk inside. On cue, his intercom buzzed, and Kaede announced that Rin was on her way in.
"Good morning." Rin sang out as she stopped in front of his desk.
He swallowed and then his gaze narrowed as he took in her outfit. It wasn't immodest so he couldn't offer a complaint. It covered her... somewhat.
He involuntarily leaned back slightly when she put her hands on his desk and leaned forward. His mouth went dry and his hands were itching to loosen his necktie a bit. Her breast spilled close to the neckline of her T-shirt, and he could see the lacy cups of her bra as they pushed the soft mounds upward. Her feminine scent assaulted his senses.
He inwardly muttered a curse as he felt his groin sprung, a first time reaction. He forced his gaze towards her eyes instead.
"Good morning, Miss Ieiri."
"Rin."
"Yes, Rin" He calmed himself. There was something wild and unrestrained about her. He gritted his teeth together and shifted his position, where his groin had remained stoic when thinking of Sara, it had flared to life, painfully so, just by looking at Rin, his ward.
What the hell is wrong with him? He wanted to punch himself. She was her responsibility, to look after her welfare, and here he sat with disgusting scenarios dancing around his head, where had he even seen them? Ah yes, the stupid porn collection that Inuyasha and Miroku would binge watch in their shared room every single night in their high school days.
Filled with utter disgust with himself, not only was this behavior disrespectful to Rin, but it was disrespectful to Sara as well. No woman should have to put up with her soon-to-be-fiance imagining things with another woman.
"Are you ready to go? I have list of potential apartments, and the furniture store is only down the road."
"I'm ready if you are." She smiled warmly at him.
As they walked from the building that housed Taisho headquarters, Sesshomaru placed his hand to the mall of Rin's back. She felt a tiny jolt through her skin, and she was sure that is she could look, there would be a visible print from his fingers, burned into her flesh.
After loving this foreverly emotionless man for so many years, she'd been prepared for disappointment, that maybe he wouldn't live up to the dream, but he was more, so much more than she could have imagined. Her feelings hadn't gone away when she'd seen him again. They cemented.
A few hours later, the furniture shopping and apartment done, Sesshomaru had taken her to a restaurant nearby. As they have taken their seats and their orders taken. Sesshomaru looked at her and asked.
"I take that this is everything? We are done buying your necessities?"
"Well... not yet." She pursed her lips together and gave a thinking look. "I plan to shop for some other things I need here and have it delivered. It will be quite fun!"
Sesshomaru shook his head. "I'll arrange for someone to take you shopping." How many things does this girl need?!
She raised an eyebrow. "I assure you I need no babysitter."
"You are not to roam around the city by yourself, more so now that you are under my guidance. It appears Inuyasha did a very poor job."
Rin merely shrugged and offered a small smile. "You could always go with me."
Sesshomaru gave her a startled look.
"No? You seem the logical choice given I don't know anyone here." She bit her lip, keeping silent about Sango. No reason for him to know about her, and really, she was sure he wouldn't approve if he knew she worked in a strip club.
"You are right. Of course." He grimaced, "I forget you've lived in California and have only been here to visit."
"Does that mean you'll go shopping with me?"
"I..." He grunted, eyes wide. Rin wanted to laugh at his dumbstruck face. He was trying so hard to get rid of her!
"I'll see if my schedule permits me a trip." His phone rang and he excused himself, turning away from the table.
Rin studied his lips, the hard and sensual curve to his mouth and the dark shadow that was forming on his jaw. She was so tempted to reach across and run the tip of her finger along his jaws and lips.
What would it be like to kiss him? She'd never kissed anyone before but she was sure she'd shoot up straight to heaven if she kisses Sesshomaru.
Thinking about kissing him made her feel hot and excited. Her pulse thumped wildly as she imagined the warm brush of his tongue.
"Rin?"
She blinked and shook her head as she realized Sesshomaru was calling her name for a few seconds.
"Sorry! I lost my thoughts."
"I was suggesting you eat your food, before it gets cold." She nodded jerkily towards her plate. How did that get there?
Minutes in as they ate their food, Sesshomaru spoke up.
"Now Rin." Sesshomaru sat back in his chair, looking comfortable. He gazes over her feathers, setting each of his nerves on fire.
"Perhaps we should talk about your future."
"M-my future?" She asked. Oh she'd really like to tell her plans to Sesshomaru on how she planned to seduce him and make him fall in love with her, but she was sure he'd be running away from her as soon as she's done.
"Indeed. Surely you have given it some thought?" He looked as her as if she never cared about her future. If only he knew. She'd done nothing but plan for the past years... with him in the picture.
"I've given it a lot of thought." She said, not offering anymore.
"You mentioned marriage. Are you truly considering being married before you turned twenty-five?"
"I count on it."
He nodded as if he approved. She almost laughed. Would he be so approving if he knew he was her intended groom? She felt so evil, like she was plotting an assassination rather than a seduction.
"This is good. I have taken the liberty of forming a list of possible candidates."
"You what?"
"Marriage Rin. I intend to find you a husband."
Rin eyes Sesshomaru suspiciously, she poked her salmon and played it around the plate.
"You really intend to do that?"
"You want a husband. I've decided that making a list of eligible men would be a good idea. A woman of your position can't be too careful." He continued on, very engaged in the topic.
Rin burst out laughing, couldn't help herself. He blinked in surprised.
"What is so amusing?"
"Well I just came here two days ago and now you're planning to marry me off. And what do you mean a woman of my position?"
"You're wealthy, young, and beautiful." Sesshomaru said bluntly. "You can have man between ages of twenty to eighty plotting to wed and bed you, not necessarily in that order."
"Wow, and not a word about my intelligence or charm."
Sesshomaru nodded in agreement and leaned forward to look into her eyes.
"This is precisely why I felt I should be involved in your search for a husband. Men will take advantage of you pretending they're something they're not. Fortune hunters will pretend they know nothing of your wealth. It's important that any man we allow close to you be carefully vetted by myself."
Her lips twitched, she wanted to laugh but he looked so serious. She appreciate his effort but couldn't as he was so intent on marrying her off to another man.
"Don't be disheartened. There are many men in the world who would give you the world. It is the matter of finding the right one."
She wanted to scream that it was him, but kept to herself.
"Yes. Of course. You are right." What else is there to say? Ask him if he could be that man?
Sesshomaru nodded his approval and leaned back to eating his food.
"So tell me, what are your requirements in a husband?" He asked.
She gazed thoughtfully at him, not really thinking of an answer.
"Tall, dark, and handsome!"
He shook his head. "You've just described the wishes of half the female population."
"I also want him to be kind and with a sense of responsibility. And I'd prefer not to have children right away."
"You do not like children?" He asked, surprised.
"I didn't say I didn't want them, Let me guess, you want them immediately?"
He coughed. "We aren't talking about me, but yes I see no reason to wait."
"Well that's because you aren't the one having them."
He looked like he would laugh, but then waved his hand to continued with her wish list.
"I want him to be wealthier than I that my money is nonissue."
"A smart answer."
And then Rin's voice dropped and she leaned forward.
"I want him to burn for me, not to be able to go a day without touching me, holding me, caressing me. He'll be an excellent lover. I want a man who knows how to please me."
He stared at her, his eyes wide.
"Do you not agree that these are things I should expect?" Her voice was back to normal and she smiled softly at him.
He cleared his throat and looked away, how was she affecting him at all when nobody can? His entire body purred in sexual awareness.
Never before had she felt the intense magnetism that existed between her and Sesshomaru or anyone for that matter. Her only experience was reading romance novels and movies.
Her thoughts were pulled back to reality when she realized Sesshomaru was talking to her.
"I think you are wise to emphasize on these qualities." He said uncomfortably. "You wouldn't want a man who'd mistreat you in any way, and of course you'll want someone who shares you vision of marriage and a family."
"But don't you think I should want a good lover?" She asked with a raised eyebrow.
His amber eyes gleamed in the flickering lamp situated in the middle of the table. Her breath caught and hung in her chest, painful as her throat tightened. She swallowed at the raw power radiating from him in a low, sensual hum.
"It would indeed be a shame if a man had no idea what to do with a woman such as yourself, Rin."
He looked in relief when the waiter came and refilled their drinks. Rin on the other hand, cursed the timing.
They ate in silence, not one of them bringing up a topic. After the waiter took their plates, Sesshomaru tossed his table napkin down and glanced at Rin.
"Are you ready to return to your suite?"
Rin wasn't, but she also knew the she'd monopolized Sesshomaru's entire morning, and he was a busy man. She nodded and rose from her seat. They met around the table and he put his hand to the small of her back as they headed for the exit.
"I'll see you up." He said, when they walked into the lobby. The elevator slid open and the two stepped inside. Even before it fully closed, Rin turned to Sesshomaru. He was so close. His warmth radiated from him, enveloping her. She could smell the crispness of his cologne.
"Thank you for today." She murmured. She reached automatically for his hands and knew that he was going to lean in to kiss her on either cheek. The elevator neared the top floor.
"You're most welcome. I'll have my secretary call you about your apartment and shopping trip."
As she thought, when the elevator stopped, he leaned down, his intention to kiss her cheeks quickly. She stepped into his arms, her body molding to his chest. Before he could react, she pulled his necktie towards her and her free hand pulling his head towards her. Their lips met and the air exploded around them. Their mouths fused and electricity whipped between them like bolts of lightning.
At first he went rigid as she boldly kissed him, and then a low growl worked from his throat and he took control. He yanked her to him until there was no space between them. His arms wrapped around her body, and his hand slid down her spine.
She was intensely aware of his every touch. His fingers felt like branding irons against her skin, burning through the denim of her pants. His other hand tangled roughly in her hair, glancing over her scalp before twisting and catching in the thick strands.
It wasn't a simple kiss, no loving caress between two people acquainting themselves. IT was the kiss of two lovers who were starved for each other. No hesitancy or permission seeking. It was like they'd been separated for a long period and were coming back together.
The warm brush of his tongue coaxed her mouth further open and then he was inside, licking at the edge of her teeth and then laving over her tongue, inviting her to respond equally.
She went willingly, tasting him and testing the contours of his lips.
His hand moved from the curve of her bottom up underneath her shirt. He crushed her to his hard body.
Rin dreaded the end of the elevator ride, he would remember who he was kissing, so instead, she focused her energy on making it last as long as she could.
When the elevator sound prompted their destination floor, Sesshomaru pushed Rin away, not trusting himself around her at the moment. She closed her eyes, knowing the moment was over.
He pushed her out of the elevator doors, his eyes blazed when she turned to look at him, it was filled with anger, self-loath, and... hunger. She stared helplessly back at him, unable to say anything.
The elevator door closed, but not before hearing Sesshomaru curse at himself again.
Rin immediately ran to her suite, closing the door and slid down against it, still reveling the moment.
Their passion had been immediate. The chemistry between them was positively combustible. The last unknown was unveiled. In every other aspect, Sesshomaru had proved himself to be her perfect match.
Now all she had to do was make him see it.