A/N Due to technical difficulties and my own ineptitude the last chapter didn't go up properly, so I've cut it down a bit and added it to the beginning of this one, making it a bit longer. This chapter gets a little lime-y, ye be warned.
Bijou.
Chapter 14 What A Morning.
He awoke as the sun began to rise, more out of habit than anything, he had no intention of going anywhere today. If he was honest with himself he doubted he could tear himself out of bed at this point even if he did have things to do. The thought surprised him a little, in the course of only a couple of weeks he had let the tiny woman next to him completely and unintentionally undermine the discipline he so prided himself on. For a moment he considered running as far as he could from her, literally running. As quickly as the though had come he dismissed it, There wasn't anywhere he could go that he could forget how it felt to be this close to her. He couldn't blame it all on her anyway, He could have prevented this from happening. There had been more than one opportunity for him to turn away, but he hadn't, now it was up to her.
Lost in his thoughts he missed the subtle signs that she too was waking. As her mind became aware of her surroundings she slowly opened one eye. The soft light of the impending dawn wasn't harsh, but her eye still squinted against it. It took a moment for her brain to process the fact that she wasn't in her bed. Slowly she sifted through the sleepy fog of her thoughts, the memories of the night before started to fill in the blanks. The night's events played out one at a time in her head, and suddenly she was aware of the arm curled around her waist. She took stock of herself mentally, she was warm, comfortable, and clothed. The last relieved her bit, assuring her she hadn't done anything to embarrass either of them. Quieting her mind's rambling she let her senses wander. She could feel his chest rise and fall against her back, and the sound of his steady breathing above her head. His arm around her was solid and comforting. She couldn't stop herself from stretching languidly, leaning back against him.
He was torn from his thoughts by the feel of her body pressing back against his, she was awake. He loosened his grip on her waist so she could find a comfortable position. Feeling his loosened grip she was a little disappointed but took the chance to roll over to face him. She studied his face, his eyes were closed, she felt her hand lift unabashed to his cheek, running her fingertips along the crimson slashes he had yet to conceal. She giggled when he made a rumbling noise deep in his chest, she knew it was a good noise, though how she knew was still beyond her. She let her hand cup his cheek lightly, not wanting to break her contact with him. She realized suddenly that there was a part of her that never wanted the contact to break. She was considering the implications of those feelings when she noticed his eyes had opened. He graced her with a rare smile and put his hand over hers, she smiled sweetly in return.
"Good morning." She said quietly, as though any loud noise would wake her from this dream.
"Good morning." He returned, just as quietly. "Did you sleep well?" He asked curiously.
"Better than I have in a while." She admitted with a slight blush.
"Glad to hear it." he replied removing his hand from hers and rolling onto his back.
Before she could begin to be concerned about his rolling away he slipped his arm around her and drew her close to him. She laid her head on the crook of his shoulder and sighed gently.
She brought her hand up and laid it open palmed on his chest, he once again covered it with his own. She wondered idly if she should be uncomfortable waking up in his bed with him like this, but she knew she wasn't. Even the silence between them was peaceful and open. He didn't need to tell her, she knew he wasn't uncomfortable either. They lay there for quite some time before she spoke again.
"I really hate to get up, but can you point me in the direction of a bathroom?" She asked almost sadly. He repressed a chuckle before pointing to his bathroom door. "Thank you." She said stretching again. He simply nodded.
He sat up so she could crawl out of bed with as much dignity as her rumpled clothing could offer and watched as she disappeared behind his bathroom door. As soon as she was out of sight he swiftly threw on a shirt and bolted from the room, he was gone only moments before he was back, his hands full. He placed a tray on his side table, and pulled some clean clothes from his dresser. He waited until he heard water running in the bathroom before he knocked. She opened the door to find him standing there with a toothbrush and a change of clothes. She smiled brightly up at him before thanking him and retreating back behind the closed door. She blushed slightly at the thought of him realizing her need for clean clothes. She chided herself for her shyness, she had after all just spent the night in his arms, he obviously wasn't bothered by her presence. She showered quickly and brushed her teeth, grateful once again for his insight. She pulled the kimono off the hook where she'd hung it on the back of the door and relished in the feel of the smooth material slipping around her. She gave herself one last look over in the mirror before nodding in approval and walking back out to greet him.
She found him sitting on the edge of his bed buttoning his shirt, his hair hanging damply down his shoulders. She wondered briefly where he had gone to shower before she realized he was standing in front of her. Trying to hide her surprise she let him lead her to a small sitting area in the corner of his room by the window. There was a tray on the small table, the smell of coffee calling to her suddenly. She poured herself a cup of the dark brew and without thought filled the second cup as well, which she handed to him. He seated himself in a large overstuffed chair next to the window and sipped his coffee, looking out over the dew covered grounds behind the house. He was startled but pleased when he felt her hand rest on his shoulder. She stood beside his chair, a cup of coffee in her own hand.
"It's beautiful." She whispered in awe, the dew in the sunlight making the greenery
sparkle like millions of emerald sculptures dotting the grounds.
"It really is." He replied but he wasn't looking out the window anymore. He was looking up at her. Her eyes shining, her hair flowing down her shoulders. She was breathtaking, he could feel the warmth of her hand on his shoulder, such a simple gesture, but it spoke volumes to him. She really wasn't like anyone he'd ever met. She wasn't uncomfortable in the silence, she wasn't in a rush to go anywhere or do anything. She made him feel peaceful. He drug his gaze back to the window with an internal sigh, he was in trouble and he knew it.
While she knew he was staring at her she chose not to acknowledge it. His gaze caused her no discomfort, and she was just mesmerized by the view from his window. She knew that her time here was fleeting. He would have to get back to his work and she would have to get home. She wondered briefly where her purse was, she would need to get her phone. She had no doubt that she had missed a few calls while caught up in his presence. She was about to ask him but was interrupted by the sound of him setting his cup on the windowsill. She wondered about it only a moment before he took the cup from her hand as well and placed it next to his. Before she could comment on it she felt him pull her around the chair and into his lap. His arms closed around her tightly. She shifted and curled into his embrace, her head on his shoulder. She continued to gaze out the window, suddenly content to just sit there with him forever, everything else be damned.
They sat together watching the rising heat of the day burn the dew from the grounds. When the sunlight pouring in was almost too bright to tolerate she closed her eyes and relished in their closeness. She ran her fingertips across the laced fingers on her hip. His hands were large, his fingers long and graceful. Her mind assaulted her with images of his hands gliding softly across her bare skin, making her blush and cough to cover a nervous giggle. She wasn't sure where the thoughts had come from but she was thankful he couldn't see her face, or worse read her thoughts. She felt him shift beneath her and was suddenly concerned that he might be uncomfortable. She slid her legs back under herself in an attempt to get up but his arms remained tight around her preventing her from getting up.
He was letting his mind wonder, imagining what it would be like to be able to spend every morning like this when he felt her stiffen slightly in his arms. He gazed down at her curiously, he could feel the heat of her blush against his shoulder and it took only a second before he caught the slightest change in her scent. He couldn't keep his body from reacting to her, he closed his eyes and fought to breathe normally through his mouth. When she coughed he shifted involuntarily, trying to relieve the tension in his body without bringing it to her attention. She wiggled in his lap, trying to get to her feet, causing him to swallow the whimper in his throat.
"Please don't." He nearly begged. The tone of his voice brought her up short, she stopped moving and turned to look at him. His head was tilted back and his eyes closed. She gazed at his bare neck and had to stifle a sudden and nearly uncontrollable urge to nuzzle into him, trailing kisses along his skin. The thought brought the blush back to her face and a lovely warmness to the pit of her stomach.
"I thought you might be uncomfortable." She explained quickly bowing her head to cover up her impulsive blush.
"Not exactly." He admitted, trying to fight the tightness in his voice, concentrating on regaining his composure.
"So you don't want me to move then?" She asked dumbly, she couldn't focus on anything but her awareness of him. His thumbs had begun rubbing circles along her side causing her heart to double it's rhythm.
"Not exactly." He replied again, he really couldn't think of a better answer. He knew he was just asking for her to question him further, but he didn't know what else to say.
She looked at him searchingly, trying to decipher his behavior. She shifted again trying to focus on his face instead of the exposed flesh calling to her. She felt his body stiffen when she shifted, and noticed he was now biting his bottom lip. Suddenly the realization crashed down on her, she very nearly giggled at the thought that she could effect him so. Feeling strangely bold she turned, before he could tighten his grasp, to face him fully, her legs braced on either side of his, straddling his lower thighs and sitting on his knees. She noticed his eyes shoot open, but ignored it as she dipped her head to kiss along his jaw to his ear. She felt him shiver beneath her and hid her smile by nuzzling just below his ear with her nose.
His eyes shot open at her sudden movement, but before he could process the fear it turned to heat as she pressed herself to him, stringing kisses along his jaw and causing his body to shiver pleasantly. His breath caught in his throat and his hands dropped from her, giving her every freedom to bolt. Instead he grabbed the arms of the chair tightly, to keep himself from grabbing hold of her. He resisted the urge to turn his head, he wanted to show her his approval, but not spook her. He wanted her to be completely comfortable with her actions, so instead he rumbled approvingly low in his chest, causing her to shiver in response. Her chest pressed more firmly against him as she adjusted her position once more to nuzzle down his neck, and before he could stop he had moved his hands to her hips, grasping her firmly.
The feel of his hands on her again gave her more than enough incentive to continue. She let her kimono slip up her thighs as she slid further up his legs to straddle his hips leaving no space between them. In response to her new closeness he wound his arms around her again, leaving her no doubt of his reaction. She pulled back only slightly to run her hands down the front of his shirt before fumbling with the buttons, any and all reservations forgotten.
He almost gasped at the feather light touch of her fingers through the fabric as she fought with his shirt. The small frustrated noises coming from her heating his blood. After only a moment of enduring her clumsy yet intoxicating attempt to divest him of his shirt he reached between them and yanked it open, buttons giving way easily to his strength. She gasped at his actions but chuckled huskily as she ran her fingers over his taut muscles.
"I would have gotten them eventually, you didn't need to ruin your shirt" She chided him in an innocent whisper, causing him to grin.
"I have other shirts." He assured her through gritted teeth as her feather light touches became more bold.
"That's a relief." She teased dropping her head to nuzzle the junction between his shoulder and neck as her fingers drifted lazily up his sides.
"Hn." was the only reply he could manage.
The feel of her hair on his bare skin was nearly torture, her breath on his skin even more so as she explored him lazily. He wanted nothing more than to flip their positions and lavish her with the same attention, but he stilled himself, he wouldn't begrudge her this. He would however repay her in kind as soon as she'd let him. At the insistence of her hands he slid his shirt from his shoulders and pulled his arms out, tossing the offending article to the floor. Leaning back again he let his hands drift lightly along her legs from her hips to her knees and back. When his hands once again grasped her hips she bucked lightly against him drawing an unsuccessfully stifled moan from his lips.
The moan that escaped his lips sent a jolt of pleasure down her spine, raising her head she tentatively pressed her lips to his. She was rewarded with a passionate response, she raised her hands to tangle them in his hair softly. She shivered again when he slid his tongue across her lower lip, tasting her and encouraging her to part her lips. She obeyed eagerly savoring the tingle running through her from head to toe. As his tongue slid against hers she couldn't stop herself from arching against him. The grip on her hips tightened reflexively, pulling her so close she almost felt that they would melt together. The heat in her stomach had begun to spread lower, and the pressure of his form beneath her was delicious.
His tongue explored her mouth as he fought to hold her still in his lap, afraid that if she arched into him again he would lose his last grasp on his control. When he was sure he could handle it he released his grip on one hip and slid his hand up between them running the palm of his hand over her soft breast, he nipple hardened in response. The cloth between his hand and her skin was frustrating, but he would make the best of it. He felt her suck in a breath around him as he increased the pressure of his hand on her breast, running his fingers around her nipple, but avoiding it teasingly. She groaned against his lips, and he knew wasn't able to resist her unspoken plea. He brushed his fingers over he hardened nipple gently, dragging the silken material that covered it with his fingers. She pressed herself into his hand, causing him to smirk against her lips proudly.
While he enjoyed teasing her she removed her hands from his hair and slipped them down between them to loosen her obi, she didn't fumble as she had with his buttons, she had it off and on the floor in a matter of moments. She leaned away slightly allowing him to slip his hands into her now open clothing and up her back before closing the distance between them again. She felt his hands running long languid caresses from the back of her shoulders down her back and up again, his fingers proving even more enjoyable than her imagination had earlier predicted. She was ready to push him away and remove the last of the clothing between their chests when there was a knock at the door.
Both of them froze in surprise, but the knock came again. Kagome growled in frustration and rolled her eyes. She took a deep breath and extricated herself from his grasp, now it was his turn to growl. A third louder knock finally defeated him and he answered.
"What?" He demanded harshly.
"I apologize for bothering you my Lord, but your brother is here to see you." A voice Kagome didn't recognize called through the door.
"Fine. I'll be there in a moment." He replied tonelessly. Looking up at Kagome holding her Kimono together he very nearly laughed in frustration. She was glaring daggers at the door.
"Your brother has the worst. Timing. Ever." Kagome groused moving to sit beside him.
"I noticed." He chuckled weakly, taking a deep breath to clear his head. "I hope whatever he wants is important, or I may hang him." He mumbled mutinously.
"No hanging him, I plan to kill him slowly and painfully later." She grumbled watching him stand and walk across the room to the door, slipping on a t-shirt as he went. "If he asks about me just tell him I'm still asleep. I'm in no mood to talk to him now." Kagome sighed leaning back in the chair and closing her eyes.
With one last longing look around his bedroom Sesshomaru stalked from the room. As he made his way down the stairs he could hear his brother's voice carrying from the kitchen. Running his fingers through his hair in irritation Sesshomaru made his way into the kitchen where he found Kaede and and Inuyasha mid argument.
"What do you want Inuyasha?" Sesshomaru asked cooly, skirting the two and pouring himself a cup of hot coffee.
"I was worried about Kagome, she didn't answer her phone last night, and Sango said she didn't answer the door when her and Miroku went to ask her out to breakfast this morning." Inuyasha said accusingly.
"I can't say why she didn't answer her phone, but as for her not being home this morning it's easy, she stayed here last night." Sesshomaru explained over the rim of his coffee mug.
"Why would she stay here? Are you so much of an ass that you couldn't offer her a ride home? Inuyasha snapped.
"I did offer her a ride home, but it was late and she chose to stay here, it's not like it's the first time or I don't have the room." Sesshomaru explained trying to keep his temper in check.
"Well I'm here now I can take her home." Inuyasha stated flatly.
"I think she's still sleeping. I'll return her home when she's ready to go. There's no reason for you to wait." Sesshomaru replied nonplussed.
"What is with you, any other day you'd be relieved to have drag me someone out of your house. You're creeping me out man. You don't have some sick obsession with her do you" Inuyasha prodded intently. The look on Sesshomaru's face was murderous.
"Miss Kagome offered to help me with a project this afternoon Inuyasha. When we're finished I can have her call ye for a ride if she wishes." Kaede interjected smoothly taking the focus off her employer. Sesshomaru made a mental note to buy the housekeeper a moon for her quick wit.
"Keh whatever." Inuyasha finally relented. "Tell her to call Sango, she and Kikyo freak out if Kagome doesn't answer her phone these days." He concluded walking towards the hall door.
"I'll do that." Sesshomaru ground out, resisting the urge to toss his brother bodily from the room.
With another "Keh" Inuyasha walked out, the sound of the front door closing in the hall was music to Sesshomaru's ears. He took another drink of his coffee watching the housekeeper over his cup. She didn't say a word only continued on with the cleaning she had been doing before Inuyasha interrupted her. He hid his smile behind his cup as he realized she wasn't going to say anything. He put his cup in the sink and left the room, resisting the impulse to hurry back to his room. Nodding to the staff he passed he decided that really what they all needed was a day off. He stopped into his office before returning to his room. He pushed a button on his phone and was answered by one of the young ladies who helped Kaede around the house.
"I need Kaede in my office." He dictated bluntly.
"I will tell her sir." Came a swift reply followed by the tell tale click.
He waited only a few moments, shifting things around his desk absentmindedly, before Kaede appeared in the doorway. She shut the door behind her to discourage prying eyes and ears.
"I need Kagome's purse, I'm not sure where she left it before dinner. I assume she left her cell phone in it and apparently she needs to call Sango." He explained needlessly.
"It is in the bottom desk drawer, locked up safe." Kaede pointed out smoothly. He unlocked the drawer to find he small black purse alone inside.
"Thank you." He said placing it on his desk. "I was also thinking this might be a good day to give the staff a little time off." He mentioned nonchalantly.
"I think that's a wonderful Idea. I shall inform the others that ye will be gone until tomorrow night and they won't be needed." She agreed. "Jaken and I will of course retire to our chambers for the day if ye need anything." She finished before walking from the room without another word.
"You are going to get such a bonus this year." He mumbled to the door behind her. With the prospect of some peace and quiet, in which to spend time with his new temptress, filling his mind he picked up the small black purse and walked towards his bedroom.
A big thanks to my readers, reviewers, and followers for keeping me on task with this story. I hope everyone is liking it so far. If you have input for me please don't hesitate to review, or PM me with your insight.
Bijou.