If she'd known what he tasted like, Kagome might've kissed him sooner.

Spices from the stew gave way to something more decadent, the succulent flavour of him exploding on her tongue, and despite the snow outside, she felt flushed, warmth pooling in her stomach and making her squirm. Her hands lay flat on his chest, revelling in the strength that lay underneath before snaking around his neck.

Sesshoumaru's moans only fuelled her own, and he lifted her onto the counter before settling between her legs. His erection was evident, especially through the thin material of his pants, and Kagome ground herself against him, hoping to elicit another reaction.

She wasn't disappointed.

He grabbed a fistful of her hair, eyes blazing as he yanked her head back, then latched onto her throat, trailing kisses down to her shoulder. Teeth dragged against flesh, and she arched, his name escaping her lips in a breathy sigh.

His entire body shuddered.

"Tell me to stop now," he growled, already breathing heavily, "or I will not be able to."

All she could manage was a shake of her head, thighs clenching against his hips as she pulled him closer. She wanted this—wanted him—and she'd maim him if he stopped.

His arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her body flush with his own, his mouth devouring hers again. Desperation rolled off him in waves, every brush of his tongue luring her closer to that enticing precipice. She hung onto the edge like she hung onto him, teetering as she felt the flames climb higher.

"I need to be inside you," he groaned, barely enough space between them as he pulled her off the counter. Her legs automatically locked around his waist, placing his erection exactly where she wanted it, and she writhed against him.

And yet it wasn't enough.

She tugged at his clothes, causing him to stumble as he maneuvered them into the bedroom, Kagome barely feeling the mattress beneath her as he all but threw her onto it. His weight was suddenly gone, and she blindly reached for him.

"Come back."

He chuckled in response, the sound strained. "I cannot take off my clothes if you are attached to me."

Oh.

His logic cleared her head long enough to start doing the same, clothes flying in all directions. She reached for him again, but he caught her hand, pressing it against his chest as he loomed over her.

"You are so beautiful."

Air rushed out of her lungs as she finally looked up at him. She could feel his heart beating wildly under her palm, her own pulse quickly matching the irrational speed.

Sesshoumaru's expression was hard to decipher, a myriad of emotions passing over his face, something much more potent lingering before the lust took hold.

Despite the fire coursing through her, Kagome shivered.

Reaching up with her other hand, she cupped his jaw, surprising herself at the tenderness of it, then urged him downwards, pressing their lips together. His admission had calmed the fire raging between them, but only for a moment, soft murmurs soon giving way to frantic moans, Kagome lifting her hips in blatant invitation.

He groaned into her mouth, releasing her hand to stroke the underside of her breast. Usually, Kagome would be all for it, especially with the way his fingers teased her flesh, but the need to be filled clenched tightly between her thighs.

"Later," she whispered, eyes heavy with lust as she gripped him firmly, moaning when he pulsed against her fingers. She rubbed his tip against her entrance, coating it in her arousal. She was far from ready, and knew she'd probably regret it later, but there was no logic left in her mind.

"Kagome—" She silenced him with another kiss, fingers digging into his ass to pull him forward. The tip disappeared, Sesshoumaru pushing her hand away before adjusting her position, then sank into her. He only stopped once, pulling out slightly before taking her to the hilt.

The pressure left her gasping, nails clawing at his chest as she was stretched wide around his girth. He pinned her hands above her head, eyes glowing in the dim lighting. He looked feral, but his touch was soft, fingers intertwining with hers as he set a steady but gruelling pace.

If they'd been thinking straight, there would've been more of a build-up, but the tension from the kitchen quickly exploded. Kagome cried out, arching off the bed as her body seized, Sesshoumaru only managing one more thrust before he jerked and collapsed on top of her.

She could still feel his heart, though she couldn't be sure if it was his or hers that was beating wildly between them. Face buried against her neck, his tongue flicked out before he inhaled deeply.

"I apologize."

Her eyes widened in surprise—how many times was that now? "For what?"

"You require more care than what I gave," he said. "It was rushed, and—"

"Is this going to be a one-time thing?" Her question distracted him, as she hoped it would, heat returning to his gaze.

"No."

She gave him a seductive smile. "Then worry about that later. I'm not going anywhere." That indecipherable emotion flooded his face again, but she didn't have time to dwell on it, his lips covering hers as if he was starved for her taste.

He rolled them, already hardening inside her, the angle making her cry out against his lips. She grabbed his shoulders for purchase as his hands slid up her hips, keeping her stable as her body straightened. And as he thrust up, stoking the fire that had yet to quell, a single thought passed through her mind.

Have you always looked at me like that?