Disclaimer: I do not own Inu-yasha.
AN: I know it's been a while, but I seem to be on a roll on updating. Sorry it has been so long. I hope you think the wait was worth it. Don't forget to review and tell me what you think.
She looked him in the eyes. His breath on her face distracting. She wasn't going to run, but if she kissed him, he would be getting his way. "I choose a third choice." A third choice? Come on Kagome. Think.
He stopped advancing towards her lips and a look of curiosity crossed his face for a moment. He took in a breath. "I do not recall a third choice. So do tell. What is option three?" His voice was low and raspy.
Her mind raced. She was so hungry. If she had actually ate at The Window maybe she'd be able to think of something. That's it! "You cook me something. If I find it satisfactory..." She stopped. Why on earth did she have to keep going.
"Yes?" He smirked waiting for her to finish.
"Then I will allow you to kiss me." She finished already regretting it. Please say you cannot cook. Please. "You have to cook it with no help." She quickly added.
"Any other conditions?" He quirked an eyebrow.
"Yes. Answer some questions." She had no idea what she was getting herself into.
"Very well. To the kitchen." He made a bowing gesture as he offered her his arm. She was a stubborn one. Still, she underestimated him. He waited her to take his arm and he led her down hallways until they finally made it to the kitchen. For some reason, he found himself excited over this silly challenge. He was happy that she didn't give in or run away. She had made her own terms. He enjoyed playing the game. He gestured toward a stool by the island. "Please, sit. I hope you enjoy breakfast food."
She can't believe she did this. Why couldn't she have retreated to her room? Damn her pride. She just didn't want to lose to this man. Still, she may have changed the rules, but he was still toying with her. "Breakfast food is fine." She watched him get out all the utensils and ingredients he would need. Damn! It looked like he knew what he was doing. "I just don't understand it. You. Not just about you saying you want me." She waved that off as he paused looking up at her. "How on earth do you possess any cooking skills? We passed a ton of servants, not to mention, I know you have a chef on call here. I am truly impressed."
He tried to be stoic, but he just couldn't help but smirking. He had impressed her. He shouldn't care about it. He never cared about what any woman thought. Well, except his mother. He pushed those thoughts aside. "Well, father always said a man should be self-sufficient. Also, when me and the brat got in trouble he would pair us up with a servant and make us do their chore." He shrugged. "I always liked cooking. So, now that you know that you are defeated. How about that kiss now?"
She laughed. "In your dreams! How do I know you aren't just all talk and show? What if the finished product is terrible? No way! And why do you want to kiss me so badly? I am your employee, you know." She looked at him curiously. Watching him beat eggs.
He looked at her, as he poured the eggs into a pan. "I find you attractive. As I said, I want you. If you require courtship, then so be it."
She sighed. This was not going well. "You want to date me in hopes of getting into my pants?"
He nodded. "Yes."
She frowned. "If you succeed, then what?"
He shrugged. "Then, we go at it, until we get our fill. Then it is back to business as usual. Simple."
She laughed at the absurdity. "For you maybe. Typical male. Here I thought the great Sesshoumaru was made of better stuff. I am not that type of girl. When I do decide to give myself to someone, it will be because we have a special bond. Maybe, even a permanent one. I am not into casual sex."
"How would you know? You have yet to try it." He snorted. Shaking his head. "You would be one of those. You think sex is something special. Something that ties you to a person. If that were true Miss Higurashi, I would have a ton of strings. As you see, I am no one's puppet." He shook his head again. "I will probably stay a bachelor all my life. I do not see marriage in the cards for me, unless it's a business deal."
"That is sad. Aren't you lonely? Don't you believe in love?" She watched him continue to cook. She was beginning to think he wouldn't answer her.
"There is nothing wrong with being alone. And no. I do not believe in love. I believe in lust, though. Sweat and the melding of flesh. A brief connection, before moving on. Love does not exist. No matter what bastard dupes you into believing he's 'the one.'" He was a realist. She had stars in her eyes. Him believe in love? It was absurd. As many, money grubbing and power hungry bitches, as he had met? Everyone had a price. He just hadn't figured hers out yet. It's ridiculous that she could believe in all that romance crap. She seemed so practical.
She shook her head. "Well, I believe in love. I think you are wrong. People can share more than a brief connection. Everyone searches for that long and lasting connection. They need it. Someone that they can open up too. Share their secrets, hopes and dreams. Someone that even if they don't agree can still understand and still wants to be there for that person. Through thick and thin. Why should you be any different?" She started playing with the silverware bored and nervous at the same time. Damn the food smelled so good. She was going to lose.
He plopped the plate down in front of her. He was angry at being told he was wrong. Still, her looking up at him with those questioning blue eyes. For a brief moment he did want all those things. Then the idea hit him. "Prove it. Take my wanting to date you seriously. Try to make such a connection with me."
She had just taken a mouthful of scrambled eggs and she thought she was going to choke. Had she heard him right? She managed to swallow them down. "Y-you're just saying that cause you want to get into my pants."
He hands her a glass of juice and shrugs. "True. Still, it's a good test to see who is right. I will try to charm your panties off, and you will try to make me fall in love with you." He waits for her to recover.
She takes a drink of her juice about to decline the offer, but her conscience speaks up. Kagome you love him already. Surely you can make him love you back? This will probably be your one and only shot. What choice do you have? She thought about it while taking bites of his delicious meal. He made it clear he was going to pursue her whether she wished it or not. His father would only take so much of it. She was probably going to be fired or shipped off anyway. She wanted this. She wanted his love. That and she wanted to prove him wrong and wipe that smug smirk right off his face. "Deal. Sesshoumaru prepare to lose." She held out her hand to shake, but he took it and kissed the top of it. Which she fought not to roll her eyes at.
He watched her go back to finishing up the meal he had prepared for her like a commoner. He was surprised had accepted his challenge. She finished the meal and he watched her put the dishes in the sink. "Well, did I win your cooking battle?" His attitude was showing and he knew it. He would have to work at being charming.
She looked him in the eye. It her turn to smirk. "I let you kiss me, didn't I?" She waved the hand he just kissed in his face, before retreating down the hall. She was trying to suppress the urge to giggle at the look on his face. She stopped remembering she had no idea how to get to her room. Damn. She turned to go back only to have him there smirking.
"Something wrong? Little cheater." He did his best not to laugh as she looked up at him, putting on a look of innocence.
"Why Sesshoumaru, whatever do you mean?" She put a hand to her chest. "I'm hurt." She dropped the act putting her hands on her hips. "I did not cheat. We never specified where the kiss would be on my person and as the saying goes. 'A kiss is still a kiss.'" She humphed. "Now, if you would be a dear and show me to my room." She asked. Batting her lashes at him.
She shocked him. She probably expected him to get angry. He, however was enjoying this game immensely. He started leading her to her room. "Well played. I will remember to be more precise when setting up such terms as to what and where I want to do things on your body." His voice going low and husky. He saw that blush creeping over her body again as he watched her almost trip over her own feet. How he lov...liked to rattle her so. The rest of the walk was in silence. He walked her to her door. "Well, do I get a kiss on the lips for our first date?"
Deja vu. Up against the door with him trying to kiss her again. A kiss she wanted. It was just a kiss. She had to give a little if she was going to make him fall for her, after all. Still she couldn't make it too easy. "As far as dates go. I have had better." She heard him growl, but cut him off. "Then again I have also had much worse."She pauses pretending to think it over.
He leaned in closer to her his lips inches apart from hers. "I promise our next date you will not be saying such things. You won't even remember dating another."
She had a shiver of passion. She tried to act nonchalant. "Well since you promised. Yes, Sesshoumaru. You may kiss me goodnight."
He was surprised. Victory. The woman was doing her best to toy with him. He knew this. It was a part of her plan somehow, but it was also a part of his. He watched her eyes close and her chin lift slightly. Her tongue darting out to wet those pink lips. He groaned. His body wanted hers so badly.
He brought a hand up to her chin. Gently, tilting her head at the right angle. His hair drifted forward as his lips met hers. Blocking out everything else. Their own private curtain. Her lips were soft and warm. He wanted more, but he knew that she wasn't going to give it up so easily. That excited him even more. He pulled back and heard a tiny sigh escape her lips. He still had it. Maybe, this was going to be easier than he thought. He had to try. He pulled her in for another kiss, but she put a hand on his chest stopping him. "One kiss." She reminded him. Though, it was clear by her voice that she had wanted more as well. He took in a breath catching her scent, before stepping away. "Goodnight Kagome." He walked off hearing her door shut behind him.
AN:A battle of wills. Who will win? What is his father going to do when he finds out what's going on? How could she stop at one kiss. Can she resist him long enough to make him fall for her? REVIEW! TELL ME WHAT YA THINK! THANK YOU :)