Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha, its characters or the story 'Rivals of Desire' which this fic is based on.
Summary: Kagome Higurashi and Inuyasha Takahashi have hated each other since childhood. Now thanks to their mothers, their forced to work within the same business and its making Kagome want to kill him even more. But for Inuyasha, he's starting to see that there's something within her he never noticed before, and it's about time he did something about it.
Kagome couldn't believe how invigorated and refreshed she felt after spending most of the previous day being ravished. Thinking about Inuyasha and the things they had done in every room of her condo actually made her moist with need. A small, secretive smile tugged at her lips and remained there as she stepped onto the executive floor.
"Morning Sayu." She greeted, spotting the woman going through a file cabinet.
Sayu offered a bright smile. "Morning Kagome. I hope you're doing as well as I am?"
A playful frown formed on Kagome's face as she tilted her head to one side. "I don't know about that, you sound like you're about to burst from excitement!"
Sayu whirled away from the cabinet and took a seat behind her desk. "Well, I guess there's just something about getting a new raise and extra vacation time that just overwhelms you."
Kagome threw her head back and laughed. "Say no more. I completely understand!" She called, heading down the corridor to her office. Once inside, she took a few moments to get settled and check her messages. She was going over her calendar for the day when her private line buzzed.
"Hello?"
"Kagome, how are you?"
"Misty? Is that you?"
Misty Jones, the owner of the dance studio Kagome works in, took a deep breath on the other end. "Don't tell me you're so caught up in being a CEO that you've forgotten about your other job?"
"Of course not!" Kagome cried, waving one hand in the air. "I'm surprised to hear from you first thing in the morning is all. What's going on?"
"I'm actually calling all the girls today. Just wanted to tell you that before the showcase begins for our opening, we're going to do a pre-show. A little preview of what to expect for this year."
"Oh, well that sounds great." Kagome told her.
"Good, be prepared and ready to perform. The date set is May twenty-fifth, seven o'clock. It's pretty early I know, however this will be a great opportunity for you girls and there are some major investors who will be coming as well and I certainly want to put on a big show for them."
"Got it, will do Misty."
"Depending on all your schedules, I want you and the girls to get in some good practice time before the showcase."
"Sure thing."
"Great! Oh and one last thing Kagome."
"Yes?"
"Bring Inuyasha Takahashi's cute behind with you!"
Kagome shook her head at her boss's one track mind. "I'll talk to you later Misty, bye." Setting the phone down, she smiled. Her boss didn't have to tell her to bring Inuyasha. She had already decided she wanted him there.
"Well, no time like the present." She sighed, choosing to go ask him about it then. Standing, she smoothed her hands across the wine-colored dress she wore, then looked herself over in the mirror on the wall, before leaving her office.
Inuyasha was seated behind his desk, scowling over the papers in front of him. He looked up the instant Kagome walked in and the papers were forgotten. Leaning back in his chair, he watched her saunter across the room toward him. His captivating deep-set stare swept the length of her body in one heated glare.
"Good morning." She greeted, gasping when he caught her hand and pulled her onto his lap.
"Morning." He whispered into her ear before nibbling on the soft lobe.
She sighed and closed her eyes. Her arms encircled his neck and she buried her fingers in his sliver hair, rubbing his ears gently. He massaged her back with one hand while the other ventured beneath the hem of her dress. Her legs parted willingly when his fingers stroked the lacy edge of her panties. Soon, Inuyasha had delved past the crotch of the garment and into a well of warm moisture. Kagome gasped again, allowing him to kiss her deeply. Between the erotic, intimate caress beneath her dress and the devastating kiss, she was breathless and thoroughly aroused.
Just then, the intercom buzzed.
"Inuyasha, sorry to bother you, but is Kagome in there by any chance?"
"Yeah Sayu, I'm here." Kagome called, hoping her voice wasn't as shaky as the rest of her.
"Good, this is a call I think you'll both want to take."
"Send it through Sayu." Inuyasha directed, waiting for the connection to be made.
"Mr. Takahashi? Ms. Higurashi?"
"Yes?" Kagome and Inuyasha simultaneously replied.
"My name is Drake Winston. I'm a reporter with Business Mogul magazine."
"How can we help you?" Inuyasha asked.
"Our magazine wants to interview the hottest duo in business for the next issue."
"And they were busy, so you called us?" Kagome teased, joining in when the two men laughed.
"Exactly, Ms. Higurashi."
"You wanna do it?" Inuyasha asked, watching Kagome intently as she nodded. "We'll do it on one condition." He said into the speaker.
"Name it."
"You call us by our first names." Inuyasha requested, smiling when Drake laughed.
"No problem. How soon do you think we can get started?"
Inuyasha scooted his chair closer to the desk. Peering over at Kagome, who was still on his lap, he scanned his calendar. "Well, let me look at my schedule a bit more and I'll get back to you."
"I've got an offer for you too." Kagome said after Drake hung up.
Inuyasha finished scribbling the dinner appointment in his book and looked up. "And that is?" He asked.
"We're having a pre-show case at the studio on the twenty-fifth of May. I'd like you to be there, if you're interested?"
He gathered her close and pressed a kiss to her cheek. "You're damn straight I'm interested."
"Thanks Inu." She whispered, hugging him tightly. When she made a move to lean back, his hold tightened. He pulled her close for a kiss.
A low moan slipped past her mouth as she surrendered to the kiss. Kagome cupped his handsome face in her hands and eagerly joined in. Once again, his hand ventured beneath the dress to tease and fondle the part of her that ached for his attention.
For the second time, the intercom buzzed.
"Hello, Inuyasha, Kagome? Sorry to disturb you, but I just wanted to remind you about the R and D meeting in thirty minutes."
Inuyasha released Kagome's lips and pressed his forehead against hers. "Later?" He suggested.
"Good idea." Kagome agreed, wiping a smudge of her lipstick from his cheek. "I'll meet you in the conference room." She said, moving off his lap.
He watched her leave, then, forcing her image from his mind, returned to scowl over the papers on his desk.
"Would you like me to bring some tea or coffee in for the meeting Kagome?"
Kagome rubbed her hands across her bare arms and smiled. "Tea sounds good Sayu."
"I'll be back in a few." She said over her shoulder before leaving the room.
Alone in the large, dimly lit conference room, Kagome went over her notes for the research and development meeting. A short while later, her cellphone rang.
"Hello?"
"Hi Kagome."
"Hi mom." Kagome whispered, a big smile brightening her face. "How's Florida treating you?"
"Oh everything is wonderful. Though Izayoi and I aren't in Florida anymore, we're in Sacramento."
"Sacramento? Man you two sure don't waste time do you?"
"This is the first time in years we've been away from the company and had a vacation. We're planning on a few more destinations before we head back home."
Kagome smiled. "I'm glad you guys are having a good time."
"Thank you sweetie." Kozakura sighed, cleared her throat after a moment. "So…"
"So, what?"
"Don't play the innocent act Kagome. How are things going with you and Inuyasha?"
"We've gotten quite close." Kagome admitted, deciding to ease her mother's curiosity.
"Wonderful!" Her mom gasped.
Kagome shook her head. She was well aware of how desperately her mom wanted to see her involved with someone. The fact that the someone was Inuyasha elated her even more.
"Mom, I know this news is good for you, but don't get too excited."
"Why shouldn't I?"
"Because I don't want you to expect this to be a permanent thing with me and Inuyasha."
"Oh Kagome, when are you going to stop this?"
Kagome turned her chair away from the table and leaned back. "Until I find a man who won't judge me or walk out on me because I can't give him a child."
"And how do you know Inuyasha would do a thing like that?" Kozakura asked, hating the sadness in her daughter's voice.
"It's no secret he loves kids mom. He might act unruly sometimes, but he adores them and spends a good portion of his money on them. There's no way a man like that wouldn't want kids of his own."
Inuyasha arrived for the meeting just then. He heard Kagome on the phone and decided to wait a moment before walking inside the room.
"Kagome, Inuyasha is a fine man and I don't think he'd care about a thing like that."
"Inuyasha may not care mom, but I would. Besides, I'm very happy with the way it's going. There are no strings attached and I'd like to keep it that way. A nice, private fling."
Kozakura sighed and decided not to pressure her daughter about the situation any further. "Well I will say Kagome, you picked the right one to have a fling with."
Kagome chuckled and leaned her head back against the chair. "I know."
Amid all the laughter and light conversation, Kagome never noticed Inuyasha leaning against the doorjamb. His frown was murderous and he prayed he could keep a lid on his temper.
The conference room door slammed the moment Kagome ended her call. She twisted her chair around and saw Inuyasha standing inside the room.
"Hey." She said, smiling brightly. "I just talked to my mom."
"Is that right?"
"Mm-hmm. They're in Sacramento now. Can you believe it?"
"Feh." He grunted, tossing his paperwork to the table. The heavy portfolio, pens and thick folders hit the surface with a dull thud.
Kagome's eyes widened and she took in the set, stern look on Inuyasha's face. Clearly, he was in a foul mood.
"So, what are you doing tonight?" She asked, trying to remain friendly and sociable.
Inuyasha shrugged, taking a seat at the opposite end of the table. "I don't know what my plans are."
She leaned back in her chair and studied him closely. "Would you like to go out? Maybe have dinner?"
"I'll let you know." He said, holding a folder in front of his face. Seeing that he was immune to all her attempts at conversation, Kagome gave up. Soon, they were both engrossed in their notes for the meeting.
Inuyasha left the room right after the meeting with the research and development team. He decided to go home to eliminate some of his considerable frustration by working out in his private gym. He was completely absorbed in the sweaty, strenuous chore, when the gym's mahogany-paneled elevator doors opened. A tall, well-built, silver-haired man stepped out. He could've been in his late thirties or early forties, but it was difficult to tell since the man was clearly a demon. He had long silver hair that was held high in a ponytail, blue stripes across both of his cheeks and golden eyes like a certain someone.
A smile crossed the man's face when he heard music pulsing through the air. He followed the pumping bass to the end of the hall and easily located Inuyasha. "Inuyasha!"
Inuyasha let the huge weights crash down and looked up. A wide grin came to his face when he spotted his father. "Pop." He greeted, moving off the bench press.
Inutaisho shook hands with his youngest child as they hugged. Then he walked over to the stereo and lowered the volume. "How is everything son?"
Inuyasha, who never put on airs for his father, took a seat on one of the cushioned benches along the wall. "Everything's not going to good pop."
"That doesn't sound good."
"It could be, if Kagome wasn't so nerve-racking." Inuyasha muttered, a fierce scowl clouding his face.
Inutaisho titled his head to one side and took a step closer to Inuyasha. "What's Kagome have to do with it?"
"We're together pop." He announced without a moment's hesitation.
Realization dawned in his dad's eyes and he nodded. "Right, the two of you are running the business together."
Inuyasha shook his head, "No dad, you don't get it. We're together…together in every way."
It took only a moment for Inutaisho to grasp the full meaning of his son's words. "Well that's great Inuyasha! Everyone's always wanted you two together, especially your mother and Kozakura."
"Feh, yeah I know."
"Well, what's the problem? You don't seem too happy about all this. Kagome's a lovely woman. You should be jumping off the walls."
Inuyasha groaned and stood off the bench. "I guess I'd be happier if she wasn't trying to keep us a secret. All she wants is a fling."
"She told you this?"
"No, I overheard her telling her mother."
Silence dominated the conversation for a few moments. Then Inutaisho began to laugh. Of course, Inuyasha was in no mood and simply glared at his father. Inutaisho managed to stifle his robust laughter. He walked across the room and clapped his son's shoulder. "Not so much fun when the shoe's on the other foot, is it?"
Inuyasha stood in the middle of the room, toweling his damp hair. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Well you're usually the one calling the shots with the women you date. It's interesting to see you in a situation where you're not making all the decisions about where things are headed."
"You think I deserve this?"
"Son, nothing worth having was ever gotten the easy way."
A subtle, arrogant smirk appeared on Inuyasha's lips just then. "I've already gotten it, dad."
Inutaisho acknowledged Inuyasha's admission with a brief nod. "I get the feeling it's something you want to keep, but Kagome doesn't see it that way."
Inuyasha's confidence oozed away and he turned from his father. "I heard her tell her mother there was something she couldn't tell me. I'm at the point now where I want to confront her and make her tell me, especially if it's about why she doesn't want us to be serious."
Inutaisho inspected the butterfly machine, toying with the silver levers along the side. "I'd have to disagree with you on that one. It's probably best to give her space. That is, if you want her bad enough to give her time. Do you?"
"Yeah." Inuyasha instantly replied.
"You think you two can work through whatever it is?"
"Yes." Inuyasha replied more slowly. "But I'd feel a lot better about it if I knew what I was dealing with."
BlueMoon Goddess: I know you guys waited a long time for this chapter to be up, but I'm going to stop it right here. Also I will be honest, I should give you guys that, I haven't really been into this story as I was before, and I'm not sure I really want to finish it. But if you guys want it finished, I'll finish it, but it won't be updated as much, especially since I have other stories I want to focus on and get started soon. So let me know in your reviews guys if you want the next chapter and I'll try to have it up as soon as I can.