Prompt: - "When have I ever put you in danger? Actually, don't answer that."

He wasn't flirting with her. There was absolutely no way the bane of her existence, Sesshoumaru Taisho, was flirting with her.

Alright, maybe he wasn't the bane of her existence, considering how much she avoided him, but there was still no way he was flirting with her.

Kagome looked up from her bowl of stew, it doing much to dispel the chill seeping in from outside. He'd replenished the fire while she'd set the table, but it would be a little while before it warmed the air in the kitchen.

He'd offered to get her a sweater when she'd rubbed her arms, but she'd waved him off, stating she'd use the blanket if she needed it. Or her jacket, for that matter.

Anything to avoid any of his actual clothes.

Especially since her imagination was wreaking havoc on her blood pressure. The only reason she'd need his clothes would be because she'd stripped out of her own.

Shaking her head, she turned her attention to the nearest window, half the glass covered in snow. "Doesn't look like the storm is going to let up anytime soon."

"Hnn."

"So much for my vacation," she sighed.

"I apologize for taking away from your personal time."

She waved him off. "It's not your fault."

"You would not be out here if I had returned to the lodge," he said, resting his chin on his hands. Kagome kept her eyes on the window, not wanting to see the remorse on Taisho's face. Her heart couldn't take it.

Everything he did, everything he said made him more and more human, bringing her closer to a precipice that she hadn't known existed. One she had yet to back away from.

It had to be the fact they were trapped together—there was no other logical explanation. Being forced into close contact was making her see things that weren't really there.

Maybe.

Hopefully.

"What were you working on that distracted you so much from noticing the storm?" she asked. There, that was a safe question. Taisho raised an eyebrow, placing his spoon beside his bowl. "You said you don't drink, so you had to be working on something, right?"

Leaning back in his chair, he looked out the window, Kagome getting the distinct feeling it was his way of hiding things. The urge to grab his hair and force him to look at her was strong, but she clasped her hands together to ignore it. What did it matter if he lied to her or not?

"There is—" He paused as if searching for the right words. "—an event coming up. One I am heavily involved in. I had just finalized the details with my investors at the lodge and needed to go over the fine print."

"Sounds boring," she said, grinning when he turned to look at her, eyes narrowed.

"You would not say so if you knew what it was about."

"Tell me then." She gave him an expectant look, hands finally relaxing.

A touch of colour dusted the top of his cheeks, but he shook his head. "I am not at liberty to say."

One step forward, two steps back.

Why did connections come easily between every person she met except him?

"Fine, whatever. It's not like we're friends, anyway." Kagome grabbed their bowls, half throwing them into the sink before turning the water on. At least that still worked.

"Do you wish to be?" He waited until she shut the water off, making sure she heard the question.

"I'd like to be civil, considering we're stuck here together," she said, whirling around. "Is that so much to ask?"

Taisho gave her a considering look, one that had her fidgeting and then crossing her arms over her chest as she lifted her chin. "Perhaps."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

He got up from the table, heading towards the bathroom. "That a friendship between us would be dangerous."

The voice inside her head told her to walk away, to leave it at that. They could just sit at opposite ends of the cabin until the storm let up, then go back to their separate lives where they did their best to ignore each other.

But something in the back of her mind had her fighting back, clawing for some semblance of understanding.

"When have I ever put you in danger?" she asked, hackles raising at the insinuation. Last time she'd checked, he was responsible for them being out here. And for every bump and bruise she was currently suffering from.

Taisho froze, eyes darkening as he glared at her over his shoulder. The air became charged, and Kagome swallowed thickly, suddenly finding it hard to breathe. "Actually, don't answer that—"

"You put me in danger every time I look at you," he said, voice low. "Every time you are close enough to touch. Luring me in, tempting me, even though I know the fire will consume me if I do."

She wanted to argue, to blow him off like she had so many times before, but the thought of that fire sent a thrill through her. She'd felt it too—every time his fingers had brushed her skin, every time he'd leaned close, and she wanted to see just how consuming the heat was.

He took a step towards her, the edge of the counter digging into the small of her back. She still had room to escape, still had time to pretend this hadn't happened, but the hooded look in his eyes kept her paralyzed, heart beating wildly against her ribs.

And he noticed, stalking towards her like a predator until he stood over her, heat bleeding into her cheeks with every rise and fall of his chest.

Neither moved. He kept his arms at his side, still giving her a choice.

"Taisho—"

"Sesshoumaru."

She swallowed again, knowing that this was her last chance. If she crossed this line, there was no going back. There were no expectations on his face, his stoic mask firmly in place.

Except for his eyes.

It was his eyes that did her in.

"Sesshoumaru." His mouth descended on hers, swallowing any retort she may have had, and Kagome clung to him, pulling him closer as she opened her mouth willingly.