A/N

I hope everyone had a great spring, Easter, and Mother's Day. Yes, that's how long I have been away! I am so sad over it! I got engaged, began the wedding planning, had numerous arguments with distant relatives who wanted an invite for the free food, moved, got a new job, started my own business, and all sorts of stuff! Finally it has calmed down so I will post quite a few chapters this week! ^_^

Read and Review?

~Smo

Disclaimer: I do not own or claim to own any characters associated with InuYasha.

"Love is an irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired."

Chapter 18

"Sesshomaru!" He turned at the call of his voice. Trying hard to contain his usual stoic expression, he eyed her with what he hoped appeared to be indifference. Her brilliant grin and sparkling eyes instantly caused the mask to shatter. He wondered how it was so easy for her to destroy something he'd worked so hard to compose. With one smile, she tore through it. Sighing, he shook his head, wondering what she wanted this time.

Kagome was stretched out across her sofa. She was on her stomach, propped up on her elbows and reading a magazine. Her knees were bent, feet crossed at the ankles in the air. Black tresses were pulled into a loose bun. She was buttoned up in his loose shirt, baggy and oversized on her.

His golden eyes branded the sight into memory. A lazy smile crossed his face when she turned to look at him. One of her brows rose. "Did you hear me? They have an article about you," she teased, waggling her eyebrows suggestively.

The article wasn't news to him. He had public consultants that took care of it and informed him of anything potentially harmful to his job or reputation. Still, he nodded to her. Kagome rolled his eyes at him. "You would think after how close we are, you'd lose the mask every once in a while, but no."

His eyes shimmered with mirth at her teases. He leaned over the couch, pressing his lips to her forehead and letting them rest for a moment. Couldn't he stay longer? Couldn't this last forever? "You should not believe what they say about me," Sesshomaru warned her, like usual. The magazines were always trying to catch dirt on him, but he was too careful to let that happen.

"Oh please!" Kagome complained, rolling her eyes. Her eyes were full of affection though, from his one kiss. As if he meant the world to her. Even after Inuyasha had betrayed her, she was still kind and trustworthy. His father was right when he had told Sesshomaru she was one of a kind. "They never say anything bad about you. It's almost unfair. I sometimes wish they would put something really embarrassing so I could use it against you for some kind of blackmail."

"And what would you ask of me?" Sesshomaru inquired, leaning over the couch and resting his head in the valley between her breasts. He released a calming sigh and listened to her heartbeat, eying the pink sphere that glowed with her emotions.

"Hmm... to let me see your fancy loft. Look, this article says it's worth the equivalent of fifteen million dollars in US money. That is insane! Do you know how many types of lab equipment I could have bought with that? I could have bought myself good grades instead of having to work so hard and actually earn them!" Kagome laughed. Sesshomaru chuckled, knowing she wasn't the type to fret over materialistic things. Even though she had grown up in their family, she had spent the first ten years of her life in a poorer household with the woman that had given her away.

"I believe you are jealous of my living quarters. It also serves as my office now. I spend less time at the headquarters," Sesshomaru explained, feeling as if he should defend his spending habits.

"Well that's good. You always seem so stressed when you come home from the office. Maybe working from home is what you need," she thought aloud, her attention returning to the magazine. Sesshomaru stood up and walked around the couch, holding her feet up and sliding beneath them.

Kagome looked over her shoulder. Her brow rose curiously, wondering what he was doing. Sesshomaru wasn't watching her face though. His bare hand slid up the silky smooth and creamy flesh of her leg and reached under his massive shirt on her. "You are the best stress reliever," he mused, voice already husky.

This woman brought out something in him he'd never discovered. Around her, he felt almost insatiable, as if he couldn't possibly get enough and yet had all he needed at the same time. Groaning, he dipped his fingers at the apex between her thighs and shuddered when he felt the wet moisture.

"... You want it again," she whispered, chewing on her bottom lip and looking back at him through heavily hooded eyes. Sesshomaru swallowed thickly, wondering what she thought of him always wanting her. Slowly, she rolled over and widened her legs, a blush breaking out across her cheeks. He loved it, even after all they had done she still blushed as if it was her first time - still wanted to please him.

"I want you every day. I think about doing this," he paused in thrust in a finger to her wet core, "every chance I can." His entire being shuddered as her womanhood squeezed around his finger, pulsing and throbbing. He could tell it was more sensitive since they had just finished having sex a little more than two hours ago. It was still shivering with each pull and thrust of his finger. When he added in two more, Kagome's soft coo made his cock harden against his jeans.

"It's impossible to keep up with you," she mumbled, taking a deep breath as if just saying the words had exhausted her. Sesshomaru raised her leg, bending her knee and kissed the near thigh. He had never felt this lust for any other woman though. Maybe it was impossible to keep up with it.

He lifted the leg and slid under it, twisting his fingers while he maneuvered and causing her to give a louder moan as she bowed her back. Sesshomaru now lay between her legs. "Unbutton the shirt," he albeit groaned out, thrusting his hips against her thighs and purring when his erection felt the heat through his jeans.

Her fingers clumsily undid each button, parting the shirt and exposing her breasts to him. Almost instantly, thirsty for the taste, he parted his lips over a nipple and nipped it. Her hands dove into his silvery hair, and tugged against it. "Sesshomaru," she whined heavenly, making him want to replace his fingers with something much bigger.

His lips kissed their way up to her neck, where she trembled and turned her face to him. Her lips were swollen, plump, and delicious. Sesshomaru pressed his own against them, moaning when she nipped his bottom lip before allowing his tongue access to her taste. Her arms wrapped around him, one leg lifted around his waist, urging his fingers deeper.

"Hmm, I love how needy you can get," Sesshomaru teased her, pulling back to stare into her eyes. They were closed, brows creased in feeling - focusing on what he was doing to her body. She mewled for him, and he dropped his forehead to hers, closing his eyes to enjoy her. His fingers bent gently, caressing her inner walls and relishing in how tight and wet she was.

"Need... it," she whispered, arching her back and trying to get away from his fingers. Sesshomaru smirked, knowing what she wanted. He sat back on his knees and reached for the button on his jeans. Unzipping the fly, Kagome's eyes watched with poorly hidden anticipation as his manhood sprung through the opening, jumping up with his - and its - excitement.

He leaned forward again, and she wrapped her legs around him. The tip of his dick slid up and down her slit, wanting and needing to find the entrance into her. Kagome's hips moved against him, and like a key fitting into a lock, he surged forward. In one fluid motion he was inside her, deep and hard.

A gasp escaped him, and he hid his head in the crook of her neck, trying to regain his control. Why did he lose it so easily with her? He felt his member throb and pulse, already on the edge of releasing his seed deep into her. Sesshomaru hissed and wrapped his arms beneath her back when she arched upwards and took him deeper. "Stop," he breathed out.

Kagome didn't - couldn't - listen. The heat that came off of him from being inside her was frying every one of her nerves, sending her writhing with pleasure and wanting nothing more of him than to move. She tugged on his hair, gripped his shoulders, wrapped her legs high around his back.

Sesshomaru could stand no more. Pulling out, he thrust back in and sighed with pleasure, repeating the movement. Over and over, again and again, he pulled his manhood from within her only to slam it to what he would forever call home. She moaned and writhed, wiggled and tightened her legs, wanting him to do it again, yet not leave her feeling empty at the same time.

He kissed her closed eyes, feeling the sweat begin to collect on his back and chest as he plunged into her welcoming body. "Sessho..." she cried out as she reached her own peak and tumbled into the blissful oblivion. He could barely pull out as the walls of her core pulsed and squeezed like a vice around him. He growled, nipping her shoulder as his own release came over him. The spurts of his seed coated the tight walls that trapped him.

For long moments, they lay in silence, regaining their breaths. It wasn't until he heard her slow and satisfied chuckles did he move away. Instantly, he was captivated again as her eyes bore into him. "You are insatiable."

"Only with you," Sesshomaru mumbled, capturing her lips in a passionate kiss. He growled against her, pulling away long enough to catch a glimpse of the clock hanging over the television. Groaning, he rolled until he hit the wooden floor, wincing. "I am late."

"I am sure your father won't mind after all you do for him. He shouldn't be so demanding of his son," Kagome reprimanded with a caring smile. Sesshomaru only nodded, gathering his things around her apartment. All the while, Kagome watched with sad eyes as he left.

Those eyes he remembered brought him out of the memory. He'd seen that same look in Rin as she asked if he was leaving. He groaned, sitting on the couch and wondering why he'd made such horrible choices.

The news echoed in the background while Rin was in the kitchen talking with Sango on the phone. Sesshomaru had been somewhat surprised when he found out Kagome had brought in Sango as a roommate to help take care of Rin. For some reason, he had thought with her new attitude she'd want to do it on her own, but she was still caring - still wanted the best for Rin.

A sleepy Kagome appeared from the hall. The morning sun was quickly turning into afternoon, and with it creeping through the blinds of the window, Kagome's eyes squinted defensively. "What time is it?" she grumbled tiredly, waddling into the kitchen in a large nightshirt. She stopped by Rin to help the young girl get a measuring cup from the cabinet.

"Almost ten," Sesshomaru answered from the couch. She didn't seem surprised to see him or angry. He let a small flicker of hope nestle in the pit of his stomach.

"What are you still doing here?" Kagome wondered, feeling as if she'd finally caught up on sleep. She had figured Sesshomaru would have been gone when she woke up. As soon as she had opened her eyes, the memories from the night before had filtered into her. She had cried so hard against him, yet she felt better - refreshed, even if she was a little humiliated. She'd never wanted to show him how much he'd hurt her.

"I didn't want to leave," he answered simply. Kagome turned and eyed him strangely from the kitchen. He was looking at her with cautious golden eyes, shining from the light behind him. Kagome swallowed thickly at the intense stare he was giving her. "I am calling off the mating with Kagura," he announced without breaking the stare. "I have thought about what you said yesterday, and I have been thinking ever since."

"I can see it was... helpful?" Kagome pressed, helping Rin as she began to pick out things for her omelet. Smiling at the young girl who appeared to be trying very hard to make her own breakfast, she pressed a kiss to the crown of her head. "Go sit down, I'll get it."

Rin gave a relieved sigh and ran for the kitchen table. Kagome rolled her eyes with a smile but quickly went to work preparing breakfast. "I was thinking about how it was like when you were starting college." The sentence from Sesshomaru made her want to pause, but she remained composed. She wouldn't be the crybaby she was last night - showing her weakened state. He was talking about when they were together. "If you can call it that. More like when he was using you as a booty call!" Kagome reminded herself.

"It was in the past," she stated. "I hope that is not what made you make your decision. You should break it off with Kagura because it'd make you happier."

"I was happier then," Sesshomaru returned quickly, as if having prepared the sentence. Kagome dropped her spatula, and it clattered to the counter where she tried to catch it. "I am a mere pawn in my father's business now. I will be happier without Kagura, but I will not be as happy as I was then."

"It's a start," Kagome whispered, hoping to somehow move away from this topic. It was too dangerous to linger on it. She had made her decision to help Sesshomaru, but would also focus on her own happiness. "I have a lunch appointment at two, are you going to be around?" she wondered, hoping it would make him stop talking about how good they had been. She wasn't ready to go back to it.

"With Christopher?" Sesshomaru inquired. Kagome only returned with a nod. "I will go."

"You weren't invited!" she quickly shouted, thrown off by his confident declaration. "Why would you want to go? I thought you were against what I was doing too?"

"I have things to say to Christopher, about my father and my plans to put an ending to my deal with Kagura," Sesshomaru answered, his eyes hiding something Kagome couldn't quite catch. Her hand tightened around the spatula. She had the most tempting urge to smack him with it.

Shoveling the omelet onto a plate, she slid it to Rin across the table and walked out to the living room. "Can't you go to his office some other time... or something?" she pressed. Christopher was her contact. Plus, if the past few months were any indicator, Christopher and the Taisho family didn't quite get along. Kagome took a deep breath and shook her head. "Never mind, go and say whatever you need to say. You're the all mighty Sesshomaru, who can do anything he pleases!"

Kagome bristled as she made her way to her bedroom. Why was she so angry to begin with? "Because he invited himself!" she answered. Plucking through several clothes in her closet somewhat aggressively, Kagome picked out a navy skirt suit with a yellow camisole underneath. Putting it on, she fixed her hair in a high ponytail and walked back out. Sesshomaru was still on the couch.

"I cannot simply end the mating without someone supporting my decision. In business, you have to have allies," Sesshomaru explained. It was obvious he wanted to cut some kind of deal with Christopher. Kagome took a deep breath and collapsed in the recliner adjacent to the couch. Slowly, she gathered her nylon tights and began to roll them over her legs.

"I learned that quickly, Sesshomaru," Kagome murmured through her lips, missing the heated way Sesshomaru was watching her. "I just don't see why you have to interfere with my appointment."

"It would save me time," Sesshomaru answered easily. "Plus, if I made an appointment through my office, my father would soon find out."

Kagome caught onto what he was saying, and actually agreed. "All right, I will accept that then," she mumbled before the doorbell rang. Rin skipped over to it, dragging a stool from beside the door and stepping on it to peer through the peephole. Without another word, she opened it and allowed Koga to enter.

"I got a lead!" he shouted triumphantly. "You were right about the camouflage. We were looking to deep into it! It's the cells within-." he stopped rambling once his hazel eyes took in Sesshomaru's form on the couch. "What is going on?"

"We are going to meet with Christopher," Kagome answered quickly, standing up and sliding along the wooden floor to grab the folder Koga was still holding. She spread it open and gazed at the lab results, eyes widening when she understood what he was talking about.

"Oh my god." A tremor of excitement shot through her. "We need to find something to counteract this. It's like a type of chromatophore. If we could use something to alter the reaction. If we can block the neurotransmitters... Yes, we need a blocker," she whispered.

"I hate when you guys do this," Rin pouted from the kitchen table, eying the excited nerds. "You guys get all excited over something nobody else can understand."

"Don't ruin the moment," Koga warned her, although his eyes were full of amusement. Turning back to Kagome, he nodded to show he understood what she was saying. "We need to bring in some rats. Do you think Inuyasha will give up another thing of blood?"

"I will try and ask, or I can reach out to some other half-demons I know. We're not testing on them, it's a blood donation for research," Kagome told herself. Smiling, she couldn't resist the thankfulness she felt. Pulling Koga into a hug, she laughed. "I will tell Christopher about it and then meet you back at the lab."

A distant sound of someone clearing their throat caused Kagome and Koga to turn their heads. Sesshomaru was almost sulking from his place on the couch. His arms were folded across his chest as he observed them with two narrow golden eyes. "I congratulate you on your recent discovery."

"That reminds me of my earlier question," Koga paused, jerking his head in Sesshomaru's direction, "why's he here?"

Kagome resisted the need to rub at her temples. The two demons were glaring at each other with eyes full of challenge. "Sesshomaru stopped by to visit with Rin. She did go to him at first, you know?" she added, returning to the task of finding her shoes and slipping them on. She checked the mirror to quickly do her hair up into a loose bun before turning back to check on the males.

They were still staring at each other. Sesshomaru stoically parked on the couch while Koga leaned up against the kitchen counter with his arms crossed. "Wow," she whispered to herself, trying to figure out why men could be so incredibly annoying at once. "Rin, go get dressed."

"I'm going?" Rin asked with wide eyes. Kagome only gave a jerky nod. Sango had still not gotten back yet.

The girl scurried into her bedroom, giving Kagome the time alone with the men that she needed. "Okay, whatever you guys are saying with your eyes, stop it," she grumbled. "You guys look as if you're fighting over the same toy, and I am guessing that said toy is myself. Neither of you can have your toy, so back off, all right?"

"I can't believe you allowed him back into your apartment! After all he's done, Kagome, he should be in some hole in the middle of nowhere trying to dig up a bone!" Koga shouted.

"I can't not allow him in. He wanted to see Rin, and he has every right to see her," Kagome returned, daring Koga to argue with the statement. "Yes, what he's done is probably the lowest of the low, but he still wanted to see Rin."

"What did you see in this wolf?" Sesshomaru asked from behind them. He didn't know whether he spoke because he meant it or was tired of being ignored. Either way, two glares turned to him.

"What did you see in Kagura?" Kagome quipped. "Plus, Koga is a perfect gentleman when he's not being annoying. He has yet to lie to me, keep me hidden, or lead me on - which you have done all three things at the same time."

The three of them sat in an awkward silence at Kagome's lethal attack. It wasn't until Rin came skipping out in a cute orange dress and a side ponytail did one of them speak. Koga finally cleared his throat, a smirk spreading across his lips. "Let's go."

Kagome nodded, turning to watch as Koga finally shredded his white lab coat to reveal a muscled polo shirt and black slacks. She caught herself looking at his muscled arms, and bit her lip. Why did demons have to be so hot? A low growl caused her to look to her right. Sesshomaru's eyes were narrowed, and she saw the slight twitch of his nose. "Great, dinner's going to go just great!"