A/N: So here's chapter five! Just a bunch of fluffy goodness! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha. Like you didn't already know!

In Shackles

Chapter 5: Nighttime Conquests

It wasn't long before the hair-raising rush of Menomaru's power diminished and we had suddenly arrived in his lavish hotel room. I pulled away from the aggressive press of his lips, breathless as ever, and made my way over to the bed on quivering limbs. When I sat down on the bed, I looked up to find him assessing me with a level of amusement shining in his crimson eyes.

I glared at him briefly before I said, "Is there something you find amusing Mr. Mighty, all-powerful manipulator?" I watched his face light up with unhindered amusement as he grinned, beginning to approach me.

"Yes," he said once he was standing right in front of me, looking down into my eyes. "You amuse me Kagome."

"Oh, so I'm the object of your amusement, am I," I said jumping up from my perch on the bed so that I was eye level with him. With him standing so dangerously close, we were less than a labored pant away from kissing and my eyes shot down to the plump, moist morsels that were his lips, in want. "And what is it," I said in a slightly breathy tone, "about me that makes me so amusing, huh?"

His lips stretched into a wider grin that sent my pulse skyrocketing and I had to struggle to compose myself. When he leaned forward, I nearly lost my balance and fell back onto the bed; and I knew he would take advantage of this development should it occur and ravish me; and oh how I wanted him to! But I stood my ground, forcing myself not to flinch away from his touch, nor lean into it for that matter, locking my gaze with his with wavering bravado.

He lazily skimmed his lips against my jaw as he said, "Your reaction to my touch, my presence, even my voice."

I stiffened against him, biting my bottom lip to quell the moan that was threatening to spill from my lips. His breath was warm against my ear and I had to take a deep breath to focus on what I wanted to say. "Oh yeah . . ." I said in a slightly more breathy tone than I had intended. "I bet I can last the night without pleading for your touch verbally."

Menomaru, pulled away from me then so that he could see my face, his brow arching with piqued interest. "And what of physical pleading," he asked while actually giving consideration to my words and this potential bet.

I shook my head. "It doesn't count, because you can very easily seduce me and besides it's an unfair advantage when you use your influence to make me plead for your touch. But I know you'll do it anyway; that just makes things a little bit more challenging for me."

"I see. Well then, what do you suppose the winner gets in return," he asked with darkened eyes.

I had to look away from his eyes for a moment—from the promise they held—before I said, "Anything they want . . ."

"Anything?"

"Anything," I said as I felt a slight blush begin to heat my face.

"Well, in that case, I already know what I want." To emphasize his point, he raked his hungry gaze over my sopping wet form before his gaze locked with mine in a breath stealing rush. Leaning forward, he pressed his lips to the corner of my mouth, stilling my heart at the sudden contact. "You're on . . ." he murmured huskily, before pulling away from me.

I sank down onto the edge of the bed unceremoniously and he laughed a triumphant laugh down at me. "You haven't won yet," I said, fighting the urge to run to him.

"Oh, but isn't it obvious that I've already won," he asked from above me.

I shot up from my spot in anger as I said, "No; not until I plead for your touch."

"Oh and you will Kagome; you most certainly will . . ." he said, lifting my chin with a delicate finger.

I jerked my chin out of his grasp and jutted it forward with a stubborn glint in my eyes. "We'll just see," I said, pushing past him.

"Where are you going" he asked.

"To the bathroom to take a shower," I said simply.

"Well I ordered room service. Why don't you eat first and then take your shower?"

"I'm not really hungry," I said with a huff. As if to contradict me at that moment, my stomach growled in rebelling anguish.

Menomaru smirked at the sound when he said, "Well it seems that your stomach thinks otherwise."

I blushed then growled in frustration at my traitor vital organ, before slumping in defeat. "Fine," I gritted out through clenched teeth and made my way over to the bed to sit down and wait. I could almost hear him silently laughing at me and I wanted nothing more than to make him eat his cocky words, and I would if I could make it through the night. An unhealthy amount of emphasis on the if.

Before long, a man arrived with two covered trays of food and little stands sturdy enough to support them. Menomaru stepped aside and allowed the man to enter the room. The man seemed to take an unhealthy interest in my appearance and his eyes traveled over every contour of my body with uncensored desire, that made my blood boil underneath the surface of my skin. Menomaru stood aside and allowed the man to exit and when the man held out his hand for a gracious tip, Menomaru simply slammed the door in his face. When at last Menomaru turned around to face me, his eyes were dark with an emotion I had never seen displayed there—outright fury and unbridled jealousy.

I smiled silently to myself, pleased with his reaction to another man, aside from him, ogling me. I hated to admit that it made me feel at least a little important to him, and I couldn't help the swell of happiness that settled in every pore and cell of my body. He pulled our trays and stands over to the bed and placed one in front of me before settling himself beside me with enough space between us to so that we weren't touching, but apparently not enough to prevent the heat and sparks of tension coursing languidly between us. I shifted uncomfortably, and unconsciously, shifted a few millimeters away from him.

He caught my movement from his peripheral vision and said, "Is something the matter Kagome?"

"No."

"Then why the sudden shift away from me. Can't take the . . . heat?" He had been leaning close to me as he said this, and whispered his last words in a heated whisper against my ear.

I jolted, but despite my response, I turned to him, lips skimming his briefly. "Of course I can," I murmured against his lips. "But the question is: Can you?"

His lips curved in a seductive smile before he pressed his lips to mine. It was decidedly chaste, but it didn't leave me anymore breathless than before. Snaking a hand about my waist, he pressed me closer to him so that we were squished together from our hips down.

"Let's test your claim, shall we? Let's see how long you last before the heat consumes you and you give in . . ."

"Try me . . ."

"Oh, I will . . . All in good time . . ."

He turned away from me then and I pulled my tray over to me, fiercely ignoring the scorching heat that went up my thighs when I felt his demon warmth permeate through my pants. I knew he could sense the sudden spike in my scent and feel the rapid thump of my heart in my chest, but I disregarded this fact and began to dig into my steamed dumpling soup. I hadn't realized how hungry I had been all this time until I took that first mouthful of noodles and sweet dumpling. I devoured the entire bowl of soup—broth and all—before setting it down alongside my used chopsticks.

"That was good," I said with a sigh of contentment.

"Really," he asked.

"Yeah." I leaned back onto the smooth expanse of covers behind me and he had to look down at me from above my stretched form. "What's for dessert," I asked.

He smiled a devilishly seductive smile, licking his lips as if he had been savoring a particularly tasty morsel. "You . . ." he muttered. "That is," he continued, "if you'll allow me to try just a mere sampling of what you have to offer . . ."

"No way," I said sitting back up, but he didn't move away and instead trapped me in between his arms.

Our faces were a mere few inches apart; his lips were parted slightly and his warm breath fanned my face.

"I want something dripping with fudge," I said, my words easing past my lips in a more seductive tone than I had intended. "What do you want?"

"You already know what I want . . ." His words caressed my ear, sending a shiver down my spine.

"Oh, right," I said rolling my eyes heavenward. "Sorry," I said after a pause. "I'm not on the menu."

"That's too bad . . . I'm sure I would enjoy it if you were on the menu . . ."

I swallowed hard. "Really?"

"Of course," he said pressing his lips to the corner of my mouth like he had done before.

I pushed away from him then, my head spinning with desire for him, but I ignored the aches he had instilled in my body and went over to the hotel phone. "Since you want to play games, I'll just order what I want myself."

He caught me off guard when he suddenly appeared before me, a wide grin lightening his features. "Allow me," he said, the grin never leaving his face.

When I attempted to skirt around him, I felt him invoke his control over me and force me back over to the bed. I cursed vehemently in my mind as I sat inert on the bed waiting for him to return. His eyes held a glint of mischief in them, and I was afraid he was going to just ravish me like he had done three times thus far. I couldn't fight a delightfully sinful ache that started to wash over me, radiating from my womb. But he never did and simply sat down beside me, relinquishing his iron-grip of control over me. I let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding.

"I thought you were going to take advantage of me . . ." I whispered, turning to face him.

"Where's the fun in that," he asked before turning and locking gazes with me. Feeling the full force of his stare made my head swim with naughty thoughts. "Besides," he continued, "I want you to beg for my touch, willingly. That'll make my victory all the more sweeter."

"You mean if you're the victor," I said, not liking his smug attitude about our small wager.

"Oh, I will be. You'll see . . ." he muttered, leaning progressively closer to me. I was thankful when someone knocked on the door.

"Room Service," I heard a man's voice call out from the other side.

Menomaru swore vehemently as he reluctantly pulled away from me and went to answer the door. This man was careful to keep his eyes where they belonged and stared straight ahead as he set down a tray with two slices of cake. I guess he must have learned from his fellow co-worker's mistake; Menomaru ended up giving the man a decent tip before he shut the door and locked it. My eyes followed his movements as he stalked over to me on the bed, face warming at the seductive gleam in his eye.

He brought the trays over and I immediately reached for the delectable-looking slice of chocolate cake with dark chocolate frosting. I began to dig into the scrumptious treat, but paused with my fork poised before my mouth as I suddenly noticed that Menomaru had not touched his dessert. I set my fork down and turned to face him.

"What's wrong," I asked. "Why aren't you eating your cake?"

"I don't like chocolate," he said simply.

"Why not? Are you allergic?"; I found being allergic to chocolate a fate worse than death—well almost.

"No; it's not that. I just always felt like it was missing something."

"Like what," I asked, unconsciously leaning closer to him.

"You . . ." he whispered.

"Me?"

"Yes, you. I'm sure I'll like it much better with a delicious hint of you . . ."

As if to test this fact, he reached across my body, brushing the length of his arm across the front of my blouse and scooped up a dollop of rich chocolate frosting from my cake, before smearing it down my left cheek. With a gentle nudge of his hand, he turned my face to the side and leaned forward—hot breath caressing my ear—and began to clean the chocolate off my cheek. When at last he had thoroughly licked away the chocolate, he smiled a wicked smile, eyes fluttering shut to savor the taste of the frosting mixed wonderfully well with the flavor of my skin.

"I was right," he said with smug glory. "Chocolate does indeed taste better with a hint of you."

Before I could say anything—if that was even possible at the time—he scooped up another dollop of the sweet smelling frosting and smeared it down my neck and all the way down to my collarbone. Without any words of pretense, he began licking downward from my neck, moaning deliciously against my throat. Little sighs of bliss escaped me and my fingers delved into the silky warmth of his turquoise tresses as I arched my body, giving him freer access to my neck. His tongue trailed lower in a lazy path that sent shivers of pleasure through me and drew a moan from throat.

I was so lost in the feel of his mouth and tongue against my skin, that I wasn't aware that he had gotten rid of my blouse until his breath ghosted across the pale, round flesh of my breasts.

I jolted away from him and brought the flats of my palms to his chest. With as much force I could muster, I pushed him away. I didn't given myself time to catch my breath as I said, "Now I really need to go take a shower; I'm all sticky thanks to you."

"Are you wet too," he asked with a perverted gleam in his eyes and a naughty smirk gracing his lips.

I didn't grant him a reply and simply turned on my heel, a bright and heated blush adorning my cheeks. I didn't bother to grab the bag I had packed—unwilling to go within touching distance of him—and simply made haste to make it to the safety of the bathroom. Once there, I proceeded to strip off my damp clothes before turning on the shower full blast and allowing the heated spray to hit me everywhere. I slowed my breathing and calmly relaxed my muscles, trying to force thoughts of Menomaru out of my head. I was so close to giving in to him; if he had gone any further—continued his brazen ministrations—I would have surely fell apart and uttered the three words that had been burning in the back of my throat; I want you.

I stayed underneath the showerhead for a little bit longer before I started washing away the chocolate stickiness that Menomaru had coated my cheek, neck and collarbone with. I shuddered—as though cold—underneath the scorching hot water sluicing off my body, at the thought of Menomaru's trailing chocolate frosting elsewhere on my body. I extended an arm in front of me, eyes closed, as my legs began to struggle to support my weight. I didn't know how long I stayed like that, but I eventually grew aware of the severe drop in the temperature of the water and was forced to shut it off. I clamored out of the shower, dripping water all along the floor as I searched for a towel. I thankfully found one in a cabinet above the toilet and wrapped it about me tightly.

I had forgotten I had left my bag in Menomaru's room on the bed and with a sigh I stepped out into the cooler environment outside the steamy bathroom. I padded down the hall, leaving damp footprints behind me as I navigated to Menomaru's bedroom. It wasn't long before I entered his room. I entered the room to find his back to me, but he quickly turned around assessing my state of undress with his scorching gaze. His eyes noticeably darkened to a deeper, richer burgundy when he locked gazes with me and I shifted uncomfortably under his intense scrutiny. My chest began to tighten and I felt my nipples harden, responding to unseen caresses. I shook myself inwardly and forced myself over to the bed where I had left my bag, digging through it hastily in search of clothes to wear.

All the while I could feel his gaze boring into my back, probably watching every steady droplet of water running down the backs of my thighs and down to my ankles and wishing it were his hands following their path. After I had pulled out the last article of clothing, I started to stalk out of the room, spine ramrod straight as I tried to quell the compelling urge to sprint from the room. Once I was inside the safety of the bathroom once again, I allowed my tense muscles to relax. I took a few steadying breaths before I calmly set about the task of drying my body and dressing myself in an extra large T-shirt, a matching bra and panty set courtesy of Victoria's Secret ™, and a pair of black short shorts. Since I had forgotten to bring my hair dryer, I settled for towel drying my hair and leaving it to sit damply and heavily upon my shoulders.

I stood for a moment in front of the mirror, studying my appearance before I left the bathroom and reentered Menomaru's room. I was shocked to find that he had brought the other bed I had seen in the room adjacent to his into the room, and placed it a significant distance away from the other. I had been expecting him to force me into his bed, but that seemed to be the farthest thing from his mind and a part of me longed to spend the night in bed with him. I stood in the doorway looking on in confusion at the beds, one which he was comfortably laying on with his eyes closed. When I finally awoke from my befuddled stupor, I began to cross over to the new bed.

"I hope to Kami there's nothing underneath that T-shirt . . ." he growled.

I paused near the wall, contemplating his words, and before I could open my mouth to shatter his fantasy of me naked underneath my T-shirt, he was suddenly there before me. I dropped my bag beside me, blinking away my astonishment at how fast he could move. Before I could even form a coherent thought or response, he pinned me to the wall. His breath was incredibly hot as his lips descended upon the rim of my left ear. I sighed at being pressed to him so intimately with a only a T-shirt and a few swatches of insignificant cloth upholding my modesty. He smiled against my hair at my response and I smiled back as I leaned towards his ear—heart thumping.

"I still plan to win this bet," I whispered to him heatedly before pushing him away and sauntering away from him with a teasing roll of my hips, which I knew would draw his attention. I threw back the covers on the bed he had brought in for me and slid underneath the cool sheets, quietly. "Goodnight," I intoned with a seductive, teasing whisper before I reached over and switched off my bedside lamp.

I silently pretended to sleep, slowing my breathing to audible sighs and gasps of air. For a while I listened intently for any sound of movement, but there was none, and I became decidedly curious. I peeked around the room and found him still poised near the wall like he had been when I left him there. I opened my eyes fully, studying his inert form in a statuesque pose. I forced my eyes closed when he began moving, sending a jolt of surprise through me that hitched my breath, sending my heart spiraling into an astonishingly unnatural speed. I slowly turned onto my left side—facing his bed—as though restless in my sleep and waited for the tell-tale rustle of his covers as he slid underneath them.

It never came however, and I nearly gave a startled gasp when I felt the weight of his body descend upon the edge of my bed. I turned onto my other side as though I was disturbed by the sudden shift in the levelness of the bed, still attempting in vain to keep my breath even and slow my heartbeat. I tried to ignore his presence, but the idea of him being so close excited me and I was curious to know if he intended to touch me as he had that night he had come to my room. I could almost feel his gaze burning into my inert form and I wanted desperately to shrink away from his eyes' intense assessment. My breath, which I hadn't realized I had been holding, came out on a ragged sigh of need as Menomaru's hand descended upon my body and began to stroke me, from shoulder to hip, through the blanket.

I grew frustrated with the need to discard the blanket and have him touch my bare skin with those heated hands of his. A heavy sigh followed by a moan, which I couldn't seem to suppress, escaped me and I leapt up—driven by the course of my madness—and launched myself into his waiting arms. He was expecting this reaction; hell, he probably predicted this as a reasonable response to his teasing torture. The bastard; the infuriating, sexy, seductive, clever bastard! He knew exactly what he did to me and I hated it! And yet, I loved it all at the same time.

His lips met mine, his tongue sweeping into my mouth to wrestle with mine. He pressed into me, sending us tumbling down onto the bed with him on top. His hands began to roam, trailing up my bare legs and finding the subtle curvature of my hips and tracing idle patterns against it. I sighed and melted into the contact as I brought my hands up to circle his broad back. I wanted his hands to roam farther; I wanted him to locate all of the places he knew would make me scream and tease them until I couldn't stand it any longer. Menomaru's hands glided up to the elastic of my shorts and I arched into the tentative touch, wanting nothing more than to have his fingers inside me, stroking me tenderly.

A desperate, elongated moan escaped me when he pulled away from me, batting away my grasping hands easily. I wanted to pull him back to me, but he would have none of that and simply pinned my hands above my head. He seemed to be waiting for something and it took me a while to clear my head enough to analyze his expectancy. And that's when it hit me; he was trying to get me to say those three words that would crown him the winner of the bet; the bet I was determined to win. I felt my lips curve upward with knowledge of his ploy and I arched upward in a teasingly slow manner that drew his attention to my breasts hidden expertly by my T-shirt.

"Menomaru . . ." I moaned writhing fitfully underneath him. His eyes swam with desire as he watched me and his gaze melted my insides.

"Yes . . ." he hissed, watching the steady rise and fall of my chest.

"I want you to . . ."; I paused for dramatic emphasis; "Get off me right now! There is now way I'm losing this."

He pulled away abruptly, leaving me sprawled on the bed, blinking up at him. He sighed in defeat as he said, "Fine . . . You win. I'll grant you whatever you want tomorrow."

I sat up in shock at his unrelenting admittance of defeat. I was still sputtering, trying to form words of smug triumph at having won the bet, but they didn't seem to want to form. Right now, I didn't really feel like a winner. I felt like a loser left high and dry after so much tension had built between us. "But why not grant my request tonight," I asked like a floundering idiot.

He didn't answer and instead slid underneath the covers of his bed and switched off his bedside lamp like I had done earlier. "Goodnight," he said and then I heard the tell-tale rustle of him settling down for a comfortably good night's sleep.

I flopped down onto my back in frustration and quelled the urge to scream into my pillow. I wouldn't allow him to know how much I wanted him in that moment and how I wish I had let him win. I could just imagine him easing the ache that had started within me the instant he kissed me and I clenched my legs tight as I my body began to ache in conviction. I curled onto my side, pulling the covers up over my right shoulder and willed my body relax and give into the gentle persuasion of sleep.

I dreamt of him; vivid images of the sexual kind assailed me, and my body throbbed in unsatisfied anguish. You could have avoided all this agonizing pain if you had just ignored your pride and allowed him to win, my body seemed to say with each throb and terribly uncomfortable ache. I dreamt of his hands brushing every bare expanse of my skin; his lips upon every sensitive spot I could imagine; his tongue gliding across every part of me that would make me scream his name; and his teeth—oh Kami his teeth—raking across every facet of my body.

I awoke with the same ache assailing me and a wet heat beginning to form down between my legs. I dragged myself over to the edge of the bed on the right side and reached over blindly to hit the light button on the clocked placed conveniently on my bedside table. The light was bright and I squinted against its neon flash as I read the time. Four A.M.; it was only four A.M. I cursed silently and snuggled back underneath my covers.

"Infuriating bastard," I muttered as I rolled over wearily and allowed sleep to sweep me away once again.

A/N: So what'd you think? I can't believe I updated this in one day and on time too! That's a shocker! Anyway, I loved writing this chapter; it was so much fun! I hope you enjoyed reading it! Please leave a review; they are greatly appreciated.

Silver Moon Vampiress

FYI: I've started a rewrite of this story. It's called Searching for Love, Sleeping with Danger. Please check it out and let me know what you think.

Silver Moon Vampiress