The words hung between them, Kagome unable to turn around and meet his gaze. Why had she asked him that? Well, she knew why—just look at him—but he was practically a stranger, and she had no right. He could be married for all she knew.

She gripped the counter. "I'm clean. And on birth control. And this isn't me being clingy; you're just so beautiful, and it's been a while." All she wanted was the intimacy, to be held, and she hadn't felt real attraction to anyone since Gramps had gotten sick.

She had no room for love in her life, she explained. She'd seen what it had done to her mother and Gramps when Dad and Grandma hadn't woken up after their car accident, and she wanted nothing to do with it.

"Sounds like a very lonely existence," Taisho mused, not having gotten up from his seat.

Kagome shrugged a shoulder. "I doubt I would cause those kinds of feelings in anyone, anyway," she said. "People want their partner to be happy, ready to greet them at the beginning of the day. Or welcome them home after work."

"A true partner would be understanding of your grief," he said softly.

She gave him a wan smile, then shook her head. "I wouldn't put that on them." She leaned back against the counter, wanting to repeat her question but not wanting to rush him. But she didn't back down either, holding his gaze as he stared back, his face as blank as the first night she'd met him.

"Do you proposition every male you make dinner for?" he eventually asked, the slight bite to his tone making her stiffen.

"You're the only one I've made dinner for," she blurted, heat rising to her cheeks. He made it sound so stupid when put that way, and it had her back peddling, tearing her eyes away from his and quickly packing up the rest of the food. "Forget it. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked you that. It was completely out of line."

She'd barely snapped the lid shut on the last container when his hand covered hers, making her jump—she hadn't even heard him move. "You should be more honest about your needs," he murmured.

"How can I when they're so embarrassing?" she asked, breath hitching when his fingers intertwined with hers.

"It is normal to seek companionship."

Kagome shook her head. "Not companionship. It's only going to be a one-time thing." If only to keep the nightmares at bay. She was tempted to tell him that simply sleeping next to her would be enough, but as the scent of snow-covered trees and temptation hit her nose, she knew that would be a lie. "I can see you out the door in the morning, and that'll be the end of it."

"Impossible."

She whirled around, her heart skipping a beat at how close he was, having to tilt her head up to meet his gaze. "No, really! We've only met recently, so it's unlikely we'd cross paths again—"

"We crossed paths today," he stated. "We clearly shop at the same supermarket, and my partner enjoys the food from your café. We also know each other's faces and names."

Kagome felt the heat return to her face. She hadn't thought about that. She'd been too distracted by their easy-going conversation to remember how they'd met up in the first place. Yanking her hand away, she shoved him out of the kitchen. "Forget that I asked. Forget I said anything!" She tried to open the door. "I'll just ask someone else. Someone I'll only ever see once."

She felt him stiffen and increased the pressure on his back. She just needed him to leave so she could die of shame. She'd let her baser instincts—her loneliness—get the better of her, and Taisho had been nothing but kind since they'd met.

His hand closed over hers again. "Stop." The command was soft but compelling, and he slowly turned around. "I will grant your request."

"Please don't feel obligated," she all but whimpered, still avoiding his gaze.

His claws brushed the hair away from her neck, the tough lingering before he intertwined their fingers again. "I have never been pressured into anything I did not wish for," he said, leading her back toward her bedroom.

The setup of her apartment was simple, so she wasn't surprised he knew where it was. She blinked at the sight of her bed, having forgotten she'd made it that morning, before sitting on the edge, hands clenched in her lap.

A swish of fabric had her looking up, mouth going dry as Taisho removed his shirt. "You have more stripes," she blurted, cursing her loose tongue. What was wrong with her? She normally had more of a filter.

"They are usually hidden under my work attire," he said, folding his shirt before placing it on her bedside table. The soft light filtering through the window illuminated the magenta streaks, her eyes following the matching set that disappeared under the waistband of his slacks.

Her fingers twitched with the urge to touch them, to trace their path and find out where they led. Her mind started racing with the thought of finding more, and she was tempted to ask how many he had but was interrupted by Taisho clearing his throat.

"Are you going to undress as well?"

Flushing, she yanked her sweater over her head, hands trembling as she fought with the buttons of her blouse. Why had she bothered with actual clothing when she'd planned on collapsing on the couch when she'd returned from shopping?

Her vision was silver as Taisho knelt in front of her, nudging her fingers out of the way as he undid the rest of her buttons. His proximity did her in, and she grazed the marks on his wrist. He jerked at the touch, an apology on the tip of her tongue as she pulled her arms through her sleeves.

"They are sensitive," he admitted.

"All of them?" His pupils dilated, and there was a slight incline of his head, Kagome's heartbeat increasing as she threw caution to the wind. He'd agreed to sleep with her, so she was going to enjoy it.

His skin was hot to the touch, and she flattened her palms against the planes of his chest as she explored. She couldn't remember the last time she'd touched anyone else's skin but her own, and the differences were startling.

She wasn't able to linger on that thought, though, Taisho stripping off the rest of their clothes before laying her back on the bed. The sight of him looming over her should've been off-putting, but he'd never given her any reason to fear him, so she relaxed, not even bothering to cover herself.

Kagome was so busy admiring him that she missed the descent of his head, arching off the bed when his mouth latched onto a breast. Gasping, she gripped his hair, heat shooting through her. A knee nestled between her legs, rasping against sensitive flesh as he teased her nipple, tongue circling before switching to the other side.

Her thighs clenched on either side of his leg, and she arched again, looking for more friction than what he was giving her. He was fixated on her breasts, so she slid her hands lower, trying to find the stripes she'd noticed earlier, nails dragging over his hips.

Taisho jerked, releasing her to grab her wrists. "If you keep that up, I will not last."

She shook her head. "I don't want you to. Please." She squirmed against his hold, trying to alleviate the pressure that had been building since they'd entered the room. Growling softly, Taisho dug his claws into her thighs, pushing them apart as he slid himself against her wet folds. Kagome moaned, still trying to reach for him, but he was still holding her wrists, so she wrapped her legs around his waist, ankles locked at the small of his back as she pulled him down.

The head disappeared inside her, and they both shuddered. Finally releasing her, he leaned over her, gripping the blanket as he slowly sunk into her, only pausing when she winced halfway down.

"I'm alright," she reassured him. She felt stretched and full, but she wanted more, blue eyes dark with lust as she lifted her hips. The muscles along his jaw clenched, and he reached underneath her, adjusting their position before pushing the rest of the way in.

He stayed that way for a moment, but even that was a moment too long, Kagome whimpering as she silently begged him to move. Her hands slid over his body, nails digging into his skin, and suddenly he was thrusting, taking her to the hilt each time.

She cried out, unable to do anything but hold on. He pressed her into the bed, the pressure of him only tightening the coil inside her, heat coursing through her veins.

The sexual encounters she'd had before had never felt like this. Her skin felt tight, like she was about to come apart at the seams, and there was nothing she could do to stop it—nothing she wanted to do to stop it.

He adjusted their position again, hitting a particularly sensitive spot, and Kagome saw stars, a choked sob spilling out of her mouth as she clenched around him. She heard him grunt, and the fleeting thought of wanting to see him crossed her mind, but he'd already buried his face against her neck, body trembling as he joined her.

The sound of their heavy breathing was loud in her ordinarily quiet room, and the temptation to wrap her arms around him was strong, but she refrained. He'd done as she'd asked, and she couldn't—wouldn't—ask for anything more than that. If she was lucky, maybe he'd stay long enough to give her another—

A shrill ringing interrupted their post-coital bliss, and he immediately sat up, pulling off and out of her. Kagome shivered but didn't protest, quickly rolling off the bed to grab a towel. Taisho's voice was low and curt as he spoke into his phone, a stark difference from the sounds he'd just been making, and heat crept into her face at the memory.

It would be something she'd remember for a long time.

As soon as he ended the call, he pulled his clothing back on, fixing his collar before turning to her. "There was another burglary. I have to leave."

She nodded, her body still tingling. "I understand." The smile she gave him wasn't completely fake, but it still felt forced. "Be safe out there."

He regarded her for a moment, then dragged a hand through his hair. "I had fully planned on adhering to your wishes for a one-night stand, but the location of the burglary is nearby, and I will be incapable of concentrating since you are here by yourself."

Kagome blinked a few times, not sure where he was going with that. She'd been living by herself for years. And other than a few missing pieces of clothing, she'd never run into any trouble. "I'll make sure to lock the door behind you," she said. "I'll be fine."

"But I will not be." She opened her mouth to argue but froze when he leaned down, placing a kiss on her neck right under her ear. A shudder wracked her body, and she stared at him in shock. "I wish to see you again."

"What?"

Taisho raised an eyebrow. "Is that so hard to believe?"

She flushed, hands clasped against her cheeks to try and hide her reaction. "Yes! We only just met! And I'm nothing special—"

"How often have you told yourself that lie for it to take root?" He cupped the side of her face, thumb brushing over her lower lip. "You sparked my interest from the first moment I saw you."

Kagome was pretty sure she was about to melt into the floor. "And you want to…"

"We are a little out of sync regarding the usual process, but if you allow me, we could start from the beginning." He pulled his hand back, golden eyes gleaming with interest—interest in her. "Get to know each other a little more."

She bit her lip, still a little apprehensive. She'd meant what she said before about not wanting to fall in love.

But she'd never anticipated meeting someone like Taisho, either.

"I apologize," he said. "If I did not mention it now, it would affect my job."

"Why?"

"I would be worried about you."

She would've laughed if she wasn't still in shock from his confession. "Are you always this straightforward?"

His expression softened. "Only with those I am invested in."

She patted his chest, wishing he didn't have to leave but knowing how seriously he took his job. "Alright."

"Alright?"

"Let's start at the beginning."