Hey there! I am trying very hard to finish this before Christmas so…have fun! Don't worry, things are progressing and I am thinking that there is about one more chapter in store for this story and then I can focus on SP and ISWT! I hope to hear from you!
Read and Enjoy,
--MC
P.S. Thanks to Girltype for the snowball fight idea. It definitely helped with the progression of the story! You're awesome! And you're CLEARLY a version of me…my darling! (Bwahhahahaha!)
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So, there is about eleven more days left and I still haven't a clue of what to get her. So far I have seen her in a ball gown, kissed her, listened to her sing in the shower and gone to buy her two Christmas presents and came back empty handed. She is still dating my brother who disappeared somewhere in the log of those past events and now we are alone in my mansion, left to provide each other entertainment when she isn't at work or annoying the hell out me. I'm aroused, pissed off, annoyed and highly confused—two of which states I could do without. You can guess which. (Yes, aroused is one of them! I am not that hormonal—what do you think I am; a woman or a teenage boy? I fancy not) Christmas is definitely still in full swing and I am left in the dust (still). Feeling ready to tear anyone's head off (work is still impossible) I am so not in the mood when I decide to take a walk around the grounds, snow surrounding everything. Just everything, everything is making me crazy. I think I should tell Kagome that she needs to leave the house, perhaps I could work when she isn't present. Then, maybe then life could return to normal. God, she is just a distraction—my brother's distraction that has now manifested itself into my life and now has become MY distraction, MY life, MY annoyance. Jesus, if the woman was any more of a distraction I would think that Yasha had planted her in my life on purpose to drive me clinically insane so he could have the company, all the money and the house. And then, Kagome. Which, well, I DON'T want. But when I think about her it just makes me feel all warm and…and…coughs fuzzy? Inside. I have suddenly become a Hallmark card. Conclusions: definitely need to see therapist ASAP. Where the hell is that infernal woman anyways? Kagome, the woman who smells of blueberries and April showers and may flowers and I am talking nonsense again. Its Christmas for Nutcracker's sake, I need to be thinking more—snow angels and heavenly eggnog and wreaths and—
What the bloody hell was that? I felt a distinct "SPLAT!" on my left shoulder. Turning around slowly I scanned the premises with cat-like agility. Or perhaps dog-like sleuth techniques? And would a burglar attack me with…with…snowballs? I think not. However, if it was Christmas, it would be the most inexpensive weapon, unless you lived somewhere without snow well then it would—
It happened again. What the bloody hell is going on? And I swear this time I heard some giggling going on from the side of that bush over there. Blast it all—it better not be Kagome or she is going to get something she did NOT bargain for! Once again slipping into my sleuth mode I stealthily slid into the back of the bush. And then it was all very strange. It seemed as if my life flashed before my eyes, well, if my life was white with red and blue spots then perhaps it flashed before my eyes but I couldn't really tell because there was snowball blocking my view. The giggling was much louder and I blindly continued to advance, feeling snowballs connect in practically every body part imaginable—Kagome could obviously hit her targets well rounded-ly. Finally, the attack seemed to stop, but for all I knew I could just not be feeling anything because I wasn't exactly wearing a heavy snow jacket and my dress pants weren't keeping me in the warmest condition. I was most likely numb from any sort of cold. Using this to my advantage I caught sight of my red and blue enigma (which happened to be Kagome wearing her red snow jacket and blue pants) running towards the house laughing uproariously. Moving quite sluggishly due to my numbed state I was just about to the doors when I felt tiny arms surround my waist from behind. My pitiful heart started beating like it was in love or something and I tried to turn around in her arms but she held me tight. Whispering in my ear, she whispered in a very husky-sounding voice,
"Tell me how this feels when we're done," and then proceeded to dump a handful of snow down the back of my shirt. It was extra cold down my back since her words had proved to heat me up to outrageous amounts in the small amount of time it took her to say them and I had to do a little funny dance (legs flinging wildly, hands shaking articles of clothing, jumping up and down to get the darn snowball out of my shirt which inevitably led to it going down my pants where the process was repeated and then left me with a damn spot on the back of my thigh and water dripping uncomfortably down the rest of my leg) which proved unsuccessful in the extraction of the snow.
"You'll pay for that, you little wench!" I cried humorously, for even if it was uncomfortable; it was Kagome and she was playing with me, which I enjoyed immensely. After bending down to get something I turned at Kagome put up a great chase until I finally pinned her against the wall of the yard which led to the garden hidden on the other side. Pushing her up on the wall to the point where she had to brace herself on my shoulders to stay upright, I brought my face dangerously close to hers.
"Tell me how this feels when we're done," I said equally huskily and brought her mouth to mine abruptly, silencing her heavy breathing and bringing her heaving chest closer to my own. As the kiss continued and she opened her mouth to me, the snowball hidden in my hand dropped to the ground to enable me to hold her face with both my hands. As her face came in contact with my cold hand I could feel the sharp intake of breath against my lips.
"You're absolutely freezing, Mr. Takamada! You're shaking!" She said to me, looking worriedly into my eyes. In truth, the numbness was beginning to wear off and turn into the point where you were colder than anything you had been in your life and I didn't notice because I was kissing her.
"Yes, I'm shaking, if you'll kiss me it will stop," I pleaded, but her expression became hard and I was soon lead into the house. Realizing that kissing her was probably not the best idea since I was leaning on her with most of my weight since I was covered with practically the whole lawn of melted snowballs, Kagome lead me to my room. Through half-lidded eyes I noticed she was removing my clothing and I had half a mind to wish she was going to give me some sexual therapy to warm me up. However the other half of my mind was self conscious and didn't want her to see me when I was actually in need of help. I wanted her to depend on me, not support me. But I needed her at the moment so I allowed her to continue in silence. She got me to my boxers and then she patted me down with fluffy towels from the bathroom. I slightly remember her talking about how putting me in the hot bath would be a bad idea since I needed to be acclimated slowly to warmth and so I was dressed in my flannel pajamas (which I never wore but nonetheless owned) and put me to bed. As she was tucking me in I grabbed her wrist,
"Please, please stay with me. Just for tonight," I pleaded again, wondering if she would actually say yes.
"But Inuyas—"
"He won't have to know…" I said before closing my eyes. I heard her sigh slowly as she left the room and I frowned when I heard her door close. However, sleep was the most important thing on the agenda and I was almost in the land of Never Never when I heard the door open again and I felt my bed dip with the slight weight of a small woman. Glancing over my shoulder I smiled at the beautiful sight Kagome made and flopped over to my other side once she settled in and wrapped my arms around her like she was my favorite teddy bear. Cuddling to her I drifted off to sleep, not caring if she was with Inuyasha or not.
I awakened to the most beautiful sight—Kagome tucked into my chest like she belonged there, holding onto me for dear life, while we supported each other in sleep. My arms were like steel bands around her small frame, not wanting to see her eyes open with disappointment and disgust. However, her eyes inevitably opened without any kind of prompt from me and she smiled at me. We're things changing between us?
"You're feeling better?" She asked, seemingly unaware of her position as of yet.
"Yes, especially since you're here, Kagome," I whispered, kissing her temple lovingly. She glanced at my arms clasped around her and how hers were similarly employed and shook her head.
"I don't think we should—"
"Shh. Just let me have this one moment," I asked. Not waiting for an answer, I kissed her lightly, as if testing the waters of her compliance. When I received no hesitation, I deepened the kiss perceptively, allowing my body to settle over her own gently. Using one hand to balance myself, I permitted my other to wander her beautiful body, exploring and learning her curves, wanting to never forget the wonderful dips and hollows my fingers mapped like a geographer. I heard her moan and that was all I needed to continue; kissing her jaw, collarbone and nudging her nightgown aside with my nose; the valley between her breasts. Her hands in turn went under my shirt and began exploring my muscles and skin hidden beneath my clothing of jackets and suits. Pulling off my shirt to allow her more access, I removed hers as well, letting out a hiss of satisfaction when I felt skin upon skin. Just when I was about to reach my hand down her sweats, her own reaching for the same conclusion—I paused, remembering something vitally important: she was a virgin. Not wanting to take her when she was in a relationship (with another person) and when I wasn't sure that she loved me (or that I loved her for I wanted it to be special), I stopped, pulling away from her sweet body. Her eyes opened and then widened with shame and horror written across her features. Wordlessly she left my room and my heart made no move to stop her, unable to find the words to explain my reasoning. She was just a piece of ass, right? Riiiiight.
Later I heard the door slam and heard her leaving for work. I sat up in bed, unable to comprehend exactly what was going on. Why didn't I just take her? She was more than willing…Because you know she would have regretted it later. True, but now that may be all I ever get from her. How can I have given up this opportunity? Perhaps it is because you feel something else for her…Shit…I need to take to her. Dragging on some clothes I found crumpled on the floor I ran to my car, trying to get to the office as quickly as possible.
I rushed into the conference room, hair tangled and my suit disarray. I had to explain to her why, why I did…why I did what I did.
"I need to talk to you!" I said, while interrupting her power point presentation and the entire meeting. It seemed like everyone could read the desperation in my voice.
"What do you need Mr. Takamada? I am in the middle of a meeting. Certainly this could wait—"
"Kagome! I need you now!" I didn't mean to sound so completely desperate or conversely sexual, for I did need her any way possible, but still, no need for the board and the company I was trying to take over to know that, is there? She complied with a slight smile and a small explanation to the board while she marched outside with me in tow.
"What could you possibly want? Is there anything that you can explain now and not befo—" Her anger was impossible to deal with. She left me there, left me alone at home and I didn't want to come into the office but there was nothing to be done. So, I kissed her, I dragged her unwilling body towards mine and kissed her again for all I was worth, hoping and praying she would at least respond or do something after this morning. Her lips subtly moved against mine and my heart pounded painfully against my chest as I brought her even closer and bent her body backward under the force of my kiss. Her hand inched up my chest and brushed through my hair once before resting on my cheek. And then suddenly the hand pulled back and slapped me for all SHE was worth. I jumped back, releasing her lips in surprise and utter amazement that first, she would have the guts to hit me and two that I was even kissing her (and she reciprocated!) again after the debacle of this morning.
"I have to go back in there and finish the meeting. Please, Sesshomaru, I can't do this now." She left me standing outside the conference room strangely lighthearted. She never once mentioned that she could do it because she was with Yasha. She only mentioned she had to finish the meeting. And thirdly, she said she can't do this now which meant that she had to finish the meeting and "then we could go off and fuck like two wolves in the snowy Montana wilderness. Or something like that." (Incumbent) I left the office aware that my feelings toward her had changed inexplicably but I didn't know how much…
Okay! Let's get down to it. Kagome once again gave me another gift. The other day. She gave me leather bound appointment book that would fit in the inside pocket of my jacket so I could just have my schedule with me all the time instead of having to phone my secretary or something. Which I thought was a nice gift considering we had been not really on speaking terms since well, since I went to work and royally embarrassed myself. However, it was funny looking back on it because Tanner (the exec from a company we are currently thinking of taking over if everything goes well and according to plan) was completely smitten with Kagome since day one, and when I came in there OBVIOUSLY having a thing with her it was just classic. Oh, I love it when I can scare men away from my territory while looking completely hideous and stressed out. Not many people can accomplish that—let me tell you. I mean, some people are too nice about things (Kagome) and some people are too stupid (Yasha). Not everyone can be talented in the bastard arena and fortunately or unfortunately (however you look at it), I am blessed with that specific talent. I don't need to spare anyone's feelings and I don't need to sit there and kiss someone's ass to make myself look better or feel better. Even when I had people who were my superiors they liked my brazened attitude because it meant that I could take care of myself in the workplace. They usually sent me to fire people—so then everyone was afraid of me when I arrived in their office for any kind of business. Having that kind of power amuses me to no end and I get a little "high" for lack of a better term when I can sit there and make people cower in front of me. Which I guess is the reason why I think the whole thing with Kagome is insane. It is pretty obvious she likes me; I mean, come on here… "I can't do this now"? That CLEARLY means that she wants me and she couldn't have me there because she was in a meeting and also because of the fact about Inuyasha. Sheesh! Why does she have to sit there and just stay in a relationship that she so PERCEPTIBLY does not want to be in? It is so APPARENT to everyone but her and I don't think I can handle it any longer. EVIDENTLY I think I need to clue her into my logic, which she NOTICEABLY agrees with since she is in love with me. Oh bugger. I think I need to take a cold shower or something. I cannot sit here and VISIBLY lie to myself. Of course she is physically attracted to me—everyone seems to be. No, I'm honest. I mean, I don't mean to be pleading for the good-looking man's plight, but the fact of the matter is that the reason why I am clinging to her is because she seems like the woman who wouldn't just see me as a pretty face, wouldn't just see what everyone can see on the surface—what I can see in the mirror. I think Kagome sees something inside me that we both don't even recognize at the moment and it frightens me. Perhaps it frightens her as well, I don't know. But I just want someone to like me for who I am and not because of my face, of my money, of my sexual prowess, of my wits—of anything that makes up who I am but does not define who I am. I want someone to fall in love with the fact that I love taking showers at night because I love to be warm right before bed. I want someone to fall in love with the fact that being organized and having a clean workplace gives me the utmost pleasure. I want someone to fall in love with the fact that on Wednesdays I never miss an episode of "West Wing" or how on every Tuesday I go out to eat because it is simply something that makes me happy. And with Kagome, I think she will notice these things, perhaps it is just something that I feel for her or it is perhaps something that I have subconsciously observed but I think she is the one that would understand who I am even when I don't know yet. I want someone who I can't simply see my future with—but someone who I can't see my future without.
Sighing, I brushed back my hair from my shoulder as if nothing mattered; visibly cutting myself off from the train of thought I had occupied myself with for some time past. As my hair dipped back into my face (brushing it back had become a futile attempt to keep it there since I had left it long when I was younger) and shrouded me from the outside world, I dared to bring my thoughts once again on Kagome. She, she was just someone who I needed. That was it, the bottom line. And when I glanced at the calendar, noticing I had just about five days left until Christmas I began to realize the extent of my dilemma.
What can you possibly give to the someone who makes you feel like you would never need anything again as long as you have them a present that could even remotely explain that feeling?
P.S. What does it mean that she actually used my first name…finally?