Chapter 10

Sighing, Sesshomaru looked over the work on his computer, changing mistakes and ensuring it was perfect. He was getting a little hungry but when he checked the clock, he realised it should be finished soon.

That was when he heard a knock. "Come in." He said, turning to look at the nanny he'd come to fall for.

But it wasn't Rin. It was Andrew. Panic filled him for a moment. "Andrew? Where's Rin?"

The little brown haired boy put a finger to his lip and beckoned his dad out of the office to the sofa where Rin was.

She was lying on her side, her head resting on a small pillow with her eyes closed and her hands by her head. Crouching to her side, Sesshomaru felt himself soften at the sight of her, her breathing slow and deep, even making a small snore in the process. He looked at his son. "How long she been asleep?" He whispered.

"A while." The boy whispered back, grinning like it was the best thing in the world to see his nanny snoring. "I was really good and kept quiet but… I'm hungry."

Standing, Sesshomaru took hold of his son and walked him away from the sleeping form. "Let's let her sleep. Why don't we order take out? What do you say to pizza?"

Andrew nodded and went with his dad to his office where they used the office phone to make the order. Then the boy sat on his dad's lap on the sofa with a book filled with pictures of hotels, the pair talking about each one.

It was a bit adult for the four year old but Andrew soaked in his father's trade, even vowing to become an architect when he was older. It made Sesshomaru grin to hear that as they turned the page and caught view of his watch. "Dinner should be here soon. Shall we surprise Rin and do the table for her? Really quiet?"

Nodding to do it as silently as they could, the pair left the office and entered the main living area, carefully getting what they needed and set the table. Andrew even moved some flowers from another table to the dinning one to make it look pretty.

As Sesshomaru placed some glasses down, the air was filled with the loud, shuddering noise of the main phone. Rin jolted up from her sleep and ran over to it, grabbing the phone. "Hello, Vanea residence how can I help you. Sorry? What pizza? We…" She turned suddenly as the phone was lifted from her hands by the adult male in the apartment.

He held his hand out to silence her. "Sesshomaru Vanea here. Please bring the delivery up to the fourth floor. I'll buzz the door open for you." With that he put the phone down and pressed a remote control for the front door.

Then he turned to Rin and sighed, holding her cheek. "Sorry Rin, I didn't want to wake you until dinner was ready. I should have known they'd call."

Rin blinked, her sleep suddenly filling her head. "I… I was asleep?"

"Yes. Fast asleep on the sofa." He chuckled, pressing his lips to hers. "Don't worry, Andrew and I took care of everything."

The woman turned slowly to look at the table and the boy behind her then smiled at him. "Andrew."

Just then the doorbell rang and Sesshomaru turned to the child. "Andrew, would you get that? The money is on the side."

Rin was about to complain against the action when Andrew's father grabbed her, one hand on her cheek as he pulled her into him, kissing her roughly and forcing his tongue into her mouth. He sighed when he pulled back. "You're tired."

"And whose fault is that?" She sighed, her arms naturally around his waist. "I mean someone has been keeping me up almost all night every single night for the last three weeks!"

Sesshomaru's eyes lit up as he narrowed them on her. "Well… you're the one who agreed to listen to my problems."

"I didn't think there would be so many." She chuckled, the tip of her nose brushing up on his shirt.

"Dad! Can we eat now! I'm hungry!"

The two adults reluctantly broke away from their embrace and Rin smiled at him. "Yes, sorry Andrew. Let's eat."

Stepping happily away, Rin placed a gentle kiss on the boy's brow, an action she never would have done if she had not been in a semi-relationship with the boy's dad. The trio went to the table and ate, talking and laughing at Rin for falling asleep and complimenting her on how cute she looked. The nanny blushed and choked on her food several times over the meal.

Then as penance for sleeping on the job, she had to do the washing up on her own while father and son sat and watched TV. She joined the pair later, leaning on Sesshomaru's shoulder with Andrew sat between them, leaning on them both.

After the movie was finished, it was late into the evening so Rin got Andrew ready for bed and tucked him in. Once he had drifted off to sleep, she returned but found the room dark and silent, shut down and locked up for the night. She saw Sesshomaru standing by the only light in the room. She crossed her arms over her chest and smiled slightly. "What are you doing?"

He huffed then walked over to her, holding her hand. "You are exhausted and it's all my fault. So, come on, let's go to bed. No talking tonight, just… you and me."

Rin smirked. "Alright. But I have my own room for that."

His hands slid around her waist, leaning into her side. "Oh? You really think you can sleep without me holding you?"

She bit her lip, staring up into his golden eyes before smiling and snapped up to his lips, pulling him in for a sharp kiss. "Probably not."

For a moment he just smirked then pulled her in, lifting her easily up off the floor and carrying her to the bedroom, lying her down and curling up beside her, stroking her hair back. "Try and sleep."

After a moment, she turned over to her other side and placed her head on his chest, arms around his back. "Thanks."

He nuzzled into her hair, breathing in the smell of her shampoo and perfume before sighing. "Rin, I've been meaning to ask you something."

"Oh?"

"I… have been invited to a charity ball, one that Sharon used to work for. They've invited me for… sentimental reasons. I wasn't going to go but… I was wondering if you would like to go with me."

"A ball?"

"More like a dinner. It's boring and… formal and… you probably would hate it."

"So why invite me."

He shrugged. "A night out for you and me."

"Ok." She mumbled, falling asleep in his arms. "But I… don't… have anything to wear."

"We'll sort that out."

~#~

The next weekend, Rin, Sesshomaru and Andrew went into the city centre and to a high class department store where they began to look around at the gowns. The nanny tried not to look at the price tags, since Sesshomaru had promised to buy whatever she liked.

It was an easier task to say than do.

There were so many wonderful gowns to pick from, varying in length, design, cut and colour. Andrew was more interested in the hats and shoes while Sesshomaru picked out the slinkiest dress he could find while Rin wanted something a little more subtle.

Eventually they had to ask for some help and a shop assistant selected several for her to try on. This proceeded to a short fashion show of Rin in the various outfits, allowing the boys to give it a thumbs up or a thumbs down. Most of the time one or two of them would give a thumbs down.

They were running out of options when Andrew, who had been wandering around, called out and asked if Rin would like to try something he had found.

The shop assistant found the dress and brought it over, saying she had overlooked it as it suited taller people. But as soon as Rin stepped out, a bright smile on her face, the others smiled as well.

"That one." Andrew said with a nod.

The others all agreed.

~#~

"Rin? Are you ready?" Sesshomaru asked as he knocked on her door before messing with his cuffs. "We have to drop Andrew at Alvin's soon."

There wasn't a reply but then the door opened and a very shy looking Rin stepped out. "Well?"

Seeing her like that, the man could only stare.

The dress was red like blood or deep wine, sleeveless and hung on one shoulder, floor length, trailing a little on the floor. There wasn't a pattern or design on it, just solid red and with a little matching makeup and the right hand purse, Rin looked like a model in her own right.

His lips slowly curled into a smile. "You look gorgeous."

"You look beautiful Rin!" Andrew giggled as he jumped up and down on the spot.

She blushed below her make-up and brushed a strand of hair back over her ear. "Thank you Andrew."

"It's just missing something." Sesshomaru said, reaching to something on the table beside him, holding out a large black box for her. "For you Rin."

Her eyes darted between the box and him before slowly reaching out and opening it; revealing a thick necklace covered from end to end with diamonds. She covered her mouth as she looked at him. "I can't."

"It's a rental." He confirmed for her, reaching out and taking it from the box, unclasping it and placing it around her neck, under her hair, letting his fingers drag slowly over her neck as he let go. "Now you look perfect."

Blushing even more, the woman smiled even more before walking away. "Well… thank you. Now come on Andrew, time to get you to Mr. Twain's."

Collecting his little backpack for a sleepover, Andrew was ready while Rin slipped on a shawl to keep warm before they climbed into Sesshomaru's car, driving across town to Alvin's apartment where he took him in and settled down before they went off to the ball.

It was being held at the local art gallery, the whole place filled with rich, important people, the men in their top suits and tails while the woman wore long gowns. Rin gulped as she climbed out of the car and clung to her date's arm tight. "I'm terrified."

"Don't be. I'm right here."

She smiled at him and they went inside, the guests all soon recognising the man with Agtran syndrome but they were also were curious about the young woman at his side. And for her part, Rin dealt with their questions as well as could be expected.

Sesshomaru couldn't help but smile as she talked passionately about her work and got remarkably possessive when others tried to flirt with her, just holding her shoulder to prove who she was with. The dinner part of the night was glorious and after it there were a few speakers, including one where they said how much they would miss Sharron. Rin didn't miss how her date stiffened at her name but softened as he looked at her.

After that, the floor opened for some dancing and with any excuse to hold her, Sesshomaru pulled her to the dance floor, waltzing around the dance floor, hand on her waist and guiding her.

Rin blinked as she looked up at him. "Sesshomaru, you haven't stopped smiling."

"So?"

"It looks strange on you."

He smiled a little more, leaning down and kissing her cheek gently. "I know." He gazed into her eyes, eyes narrow and almost predatory. "Don't you like it?"

She blushed and looked away suddenly. "I don't… really care." She mumbled.

He smirked, knowing she did like it. "You know, it's getting late. No one would miss us if we left."

"Left? Why would we leave now?"

A light kiss on her forehead gave her all she needed to know and her hand tightened on his before he lead her back to the car, pinning her against it and drove her home. The dark quite apartment was strange to come back to but the moonlight from outside made all it look so different.

Rin sighed as she shrugged off her shawl and put down her purse, removing the necklace. Then she felt fingers slowly walking up her bare arms, pulling her hair to one side and leaning into her neck. She closed her eyes and gulped. "Sesshomaru?"

"Tell you a secret…" He whispered into her ear, his hands slowly reaching down her back, undoing the dress's zip and buttons. "I… have wanted to remove this dress, from the moment I saw you wearing it."

Rin bit her lip suddenly at his words and turned on the spot to face him. "S…seriously?"

"You have no idea."

She bit her lip again then smiled, pulling herself closer to him and reaching for his bowtie, undoing it and throwing it to the floor. "Come on then."

Not needing to be told a second time, her date smiled, grabbed her arms and pulled her away to the bedroom.