A|N: Bold lettering means Rin's thoughts! Italics are when Sessh speaks! Enjoy!

Chapter 9

My body was on fire.

The feeling was consuming. I had never felt this way before and now I didn't want to lose it. It was addicting. I knew I was attracted to Sesshomaru and had been fighting some very dirty thoughts the few times I had let my imagination get away from me. But it's normal right?

Who wouldn't desire a man like him? Of course he wasn't a man. He was a very powerful demon who had learned to adapt and live among humans. I knew he had been trying to control his demon, his Beast as I called it and his more animalistic behaviors for my sake.

As I opened my eyes, I tried to pull away from the delicious kisses Sesshomaru kept placing my neck. His grip only tightened across my waist and pulled me closer. The feelings that were bursting across my body were so electric; I had to stop myself from giving in.

Something is wrong. I know I have strong feelings for Sesshomaru but I feel… like there's something else that is directing and somehow amplifying my feeling.

The hand that was buried in my hair began to tighten as it pulled my head back. Allowing for better access for his desire. I surrendered and began to ignore my worries and just enjoy the pleasure.

The feel of his warm, wet tongue slipping between the valley of my breasts to lick back up my neck, snapped me back. This time I put more effort in trying to pull away from his embrace. Everything was moving too fast and I felt so out of control, I needed time to process and know where we stood. One minute I was just the future wife in the arranged marriage. Now I was his destined mate, which by the way, how long had he known?

We had so much to discuss about our relationship. I had so my questions and with that thought in mind I placed my hands on his chest and pushed. Hard.

The immediate separation resulted in a low growl erupting from his chest. His hand regained the grip they had and began to pull me back.

"Wait. This… this is too fast. Please." I said with more force, hoping my voice would break through to Sesshomaru. My breathing sounded like I had just run a marathon. To drive my point further, I clasped his face between my hands, raising it to meet his gaze.

His eyes were completely red, this time it had spread to include the white parts. His Irises turning a dark black color. I didn't need my ring to know that his beast was in control. I gently brushed my thumbs against the red marks on his cheeks to calm him down, because he had been taking deep breaths. His fangs had fully descended and his features had sharpened. This was the closest I had seen Sesshomaru to becoming fully demonic. As I looked into his eyes I could tell there was a battle going on. I knew this was a side he didn't want me to see and I wanted to show him that I didn't fear his Beast. I didn't want him to think that I was rejecting him. Leaning in, I placed a kiss on his crescent moon on his forehead, his nose and finally ending at the corner of his mouth.

His breathing began to slow as I looked back into those ruby red eyes. "I do want this, but it's too fast. I feel so overwhelmed and there are still so many doubts. When this does happen, I want to feel like there is nothing between us. No doubts. No worries. No surprises."

His eyes narrowed as he releases a grunt. I couldn't help but smile at his disappointment but it looked like his beast would accede to my wish. Sesshomaru leans into my neck and just as I was about to pull away, thinking he was going to try to seduce me. He simply places a chaste kiss on my neck and nestles. Taking in deep breaths as if he couldn't get enough of my scent.

What could have been hours were mere minutes until he suddenly stands and carries me. My gasp of surprise was the only sound as I quickly wrapped my arms around his neck. It wasn't until we crossed into the living room that I realize we had been doing a full make out session out in the patio!

I groan and feet my face heat up in embarrassment. We had been in an area where anyone could have seen us and I had literally climbed up on Sesshomaru!

My attention was brought back when Sesshomaru set me down on the couch near the fireplace. As I take in my surrounding I notice that he brought me to the private library.

His body tenses as he turns around and heads to the other side of the room which holds a bar. Going around the counter, I see him lean down before quickly coming back around. His face has lost its sharpened features and his fangs have receded but his eye are the same.

A water bottle suddenly appears before my view and I realize that his journey to the bar was for me. I reach out and take it; he is correct in assuming I am thirsty. As I drink I feel the exhaustion of the pats few days weigh me down and wonder if he still wants to continue our conversation. "We can wait till tomorrow to talk. I know you've had a long day and you just got back-"

"Are you alright." His voice is low, as if he is speaking through clenched teeth. I take a deep breath and nod as I look at him.

He takes a seat next to me and reaches out to brush my cheek before dropping it and taking my hand. Sesshomaru is once again wearing his mask, so I don't know if he is angry or disappointed and I am receiving nothing from our bond. This must mean he is blocking his emotions from reaching me.

We stare at one another, and can't help but smile as I take in his very serious face. His body is as stiff as a statue. It seems to me that he is just waiting for me to freak out about what happened and I didn't want him uncomfortable.

I lean forward and place a gentle kiss on the corner of his mouth, "I don't regret what happened. I actually enjoyed it very much, but it took me by surprise. I suddenly felt so many things and desires that it was overwhelming. Did you know that would happen?"

As I pull away in order to his eyes, I feel his hand on the back of my neck and halt my movements. Instead he pulls me back so that he places a chaste kiss on my forehead. Taking a deep breath, I see him finally relax and the tension releases from his body.

It's natural for me to embrace and show comfort through touch, so that is what my body did as I slipped my arms around Sesshomaru. I hadn't even thought about the person so when I realize what I was doing my first instinct was to pull away. Then I hear a low rumble come from his chest and I remember that Sesshomaru will always welcome my touch and I continue to rub his sides and back.

"There is information known to all demons that when in intimate situations with their destined mate, there are varying degrees of need. Some feel it more strongly than others depending on how powerful the demon is. So to answer your question, yes I had suspected my demon's instinct to be powerful toward you."

My hand had frozen on his arm as his deep velvety voice and red eyes held me captive. This night was the first time I had heard Sesshomaru speak more than one sentence and I only hope that it will continue. He usually just answers the questions without any explanation because I think he feels that if the people can't figure out the meaning behind his response, then they are not wortyh his time. For him to be taking the time and explaining how our lives will work shows that somewhere in this handsome and dangerous being, a heart is hidden. I just hope I can penetrate the cold barrier surrounding it.

"As you probably felt, I lost control of my demon. The emotions you felt were mine through the bond that is strengthening between us. I didn't realize how much your scent and aura have affected my demon until this last business trip and separation. Now that it is known, it won't happen again."

Wait. What? Not happen again!

I frowned at his response. Everything was going well, until the last part. How could I hope to make any progress and show him how to feel and love if he purposely closed himself off? I look up to see a slight scrunch of his eyebrows as he looked out the window to the night sky. If I didn't know any better, I would think there was an internal war going on.

I cleared my throat to grab his attention. When that didn't do anything, I decided to stretch my limits. I reached out with my right hand slightly shaking and placed it on his upper right thigh encase in pricy black slacks. Rubbing my thumb slowly to see if I could-

BINGO!

His sliver bangs had fallen over his eyes with the force and speed of his head turning. From the look in his eye I not only had his complete attention but also that of the Beast.

"Since we now know what an almost week long separation does to your Beast, then next time we'll be better prepared. At least I now know I'm not going crazy and you know I wasn't afraid of you or your reaction, it was mine. Because for the first time in my life I let go of all of my doubts, thoughts and what I believed should be proper behavior for a future Lady, and I literally jump you after one kiss. I hope my reaction wasn't distasteful because I hope for a repeat in the future."

I really can't believe I admitted all that to him and can feel my face flaring the brightest red for that confession but what I was saying was the honest truth. I was shocked at my reaction, not Sesshomaru's. I hope he sees the sincerity of my words because the more time I spend with him the more I like him.

I feel his clawed hand grasp my chin and tilt it up so I can make eye contact, but instead my eyes only reach his chin because I'm still too nervous to see what his reaction to my request is. A sudden nip on my bottom lip has me jumping in my seat and locking gazes with Sesshomaru.

His golden amber eyes have returned and a small tilt of his lips are before me as my heart beats as fast as a hummingbird's wings. Sesshomaru slowly leans down and licks away at my chin to sooth any pain his sharp teeth may have caused before speaking, "Agreed."

His voice is still low and distorted which means although Sesshomaru has gotten most of his control back his Beast is still very present. It takes me a few seconds to realize that Sesshomaru is agreeing to my request and I can't help but smile in happiness.

Now my thoughts travel to the next time I can kiss him, which lead to thoughts of caressing every inch of his body, which lead to-

Oh Kami! Stop it Rin! No thinking of sex. None! You need to focus on what you want to say to him and what you want out of this marriage!

I shake my head and clear my throat but it's too late. Look up at Sesshomaru I see his lips become a full on smirk and realize he felt my desires. I huff in annoyance and try to pull away my hand from his thigh but his hand shoots out and covers it. His grip tightening and a small growl leave his lips.

I guess his Beast didn't approve of that action.

"Ok, since we are going to be completely open and honest…there is something that I want to say that I have been keeping to myself since yesterday. I know how important the Tashio name is and what is expected to happen but the truth is… well I didn't want a big wedding. I mean I thought I could handle it and Lady Izayoi had been really accommodating, but your Mother saw the plans. She was completely disgusted and changed everything to suit her visions of how the wedding should happen. Now I'm completely fine with whatever changes she made but the extra eight hundred people she added is where my limit has ended. I wanted it to be an intimate gathering with people who at least know more than our name not give them som flashy big show. So there were small altercations, which lead with me calling off the wedding."

I bite my lip and wince as I finally release what I had been holding in. I hadn't wanted to bother Sesshomaru with any of the wedding arrangements so I had been trying talk to Sesshomaru's mother into lowering the number of guests she had added. Remembering that awful day and how I lost control of my anger when she kept refusing my request left me feeling both happy and guilty. Happy because I had left her speechless because she hadn't expected that her future daughter-in-law had a backbone as Lady Izayoi put it but guilty because she was Sesshomaru's mother and that meant she deserved respect. The worst news came when his Mother had regained her thoughts and had simply said that it was impossible to lower the number because the invites had already been sent!

Well, I responded like any normal person under so much pressure would. I calmly called the wedding off and walked out of the room.

A gruff sound rumbled from Sesshomaru but it was cut off by a coughing fit.

"Are you laughing at me?" I gasp as I look up and see him trying to smother his chuckle. I lightly slap his arm in annoyance but the coughs only increase. Finally he stops and clears his throat as I look in his eyes. Instead of being surprised of the news there is amusement and a hint of pride that I can feel.

"You knew. Oh Kami, I should have known!"

I take a deep breath as I lean back on the sofa. I had been so anxious. With everything in my life happening along with the upcoming competition, dance, teaching, my future duties and lessons, the wedding was not supposed to be such a hectic occasion. I wasn't a picky girl, I just wanted simple and intimate. So I had been pushing all the wedding plans to Lady Izayoi and Kagome and all I had to do was approve them once they were done. Well, I did. Everything they did was perfect! I had been working hard on my lessons and Sesshomaru's welcome home gift when I get the call yesterday that there had been major changes done to the finalized plans.

I get there and Boom! The rest is history.

"Yes, I knew. When you have a loud mouth Hanyou in the family, it's hard not know. You do not have to worry about anything, this is our ceremony, and the damage is already being fixed. Unless you prefer to skip tradition and be mated tonight."

Did he just make a joke? Who is he and what happened to my standoffish fiancé?

I look up and realize that he is dead serious. His eyes are flaring with desire and I can feel the stirrings of hope that I choose the latter option. I really want to choose it also but I want to have a ceremony so I find myself smiling at him while I shake my head.

"As tempting as that offer is, I will have to decline in favor of following tradition, My lord." I squeal in surprise as the next thing I know I'm in Sesshomaru's arms and he begins to lead us out of the room. I wrap my arms around his neck and frown at his behavior. We still hadn't discussed what I should expect my life would be like being Lady Sesshomaru Tashio and the ceremony and the mating.

I remain silent, hoping he would explain what was happening. Finally he leads us to a room on the third floor. It is huge suite with simply furnishing. He carries me in to the bedroom where a big white four poster queen bed stands in the center. Everything in the suite is while or black. I'm about to speak as he sits me on the edge of the bed.

"This is your bedroom. You may make any changes you wish to suit you. There are clothes in the closet and the bathroom is through the door behind you. I said we would discuss our future and expectations but you have also chosen to go by tradition. Tradition bids me to wait until the night before our ceremony to reveal all to my mate, my Rin."

I sputter at his response and want to take back my decision. A single finger lands on my lips and I become silent as I see Sesshomaru lean down until our noses almost touch. He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. When he opens his eyes it's to see that they have gone red again, his Beast making its presence known.

"There is one truth that I will reveal to you though. For the night of our mating, if you feel you aren't ready I will not take you. I will do everything in my power to ensure you safety until, if ever, you want to take the final mark and become my mate in every way possible. Body, mind and soul. Understand that once you are in my bed you won't be sleeping anywhere else."

With that last statement he gives me a small peck on my forehead and turns to the door. I am speechless, his words running through my mind as I try to find something to respond. He pauses and turns his head back to address me, "Do not worry about the arrangements, I will make sure everything is cleared and my Mother won't be interfering again. There is also another event we must attend tomorrow so please use the card I left on your night stand if you want to purchase anything for the evening. If you need anything, dial one on the phone and someone will attend to you. I'm just down the hall. Sleep well, My Rin."

And with that final say he is gone from the room. I'm still trying to understand why I would need protection from Sesshomaru on our wedding night. I know he wouldn't hurt me and neither would his Beast. My reaction to his kiss today alone is proof that I want him. Even the small things he does make me love the person that Sesshomaru is more. Yes, I could finally admit the words. I am falling in love with Sesshomaru Tashio. His being and his Beast all make up the person so few really get to know and I am happy and grateful that I matter to him. The one fear that still resides in my heart is can I ever matter enough to open his heart and love me as well.

A|N: Thank you all who review & are still with me! This is for you! This chapter is not beta'd so I'm sorry for any mistakes. I wanted to post it asap! The rating will change once the story heats up...I think 2-3 chap. more but I will warn you so if any want to skip it they can. You won't miss any of the story line ;) Again Thank You and stay tuned for more!

P.S. if anyone is interested in reading my original story on WattPad check it out! Its a Vampire story..kinda beauty & beast themed but modern.

I'll post the link here and on my author profile! Thanks! www . wattpad story/ 5989014-embracing-the-night