Gwen gaped at the revelation, the number bouncing in her head so wildly that she feared for the integrity of her skull.
"You're fifty-two."
He nodded, watching her with the intensity of a predator about to pounce.
"More than twice your age."
"Not for much longer."
Her reaction caused his running thoughts to pause. It was… very true. Her next birthday would mark the moment when her age became more than half of his. The young woman reached out. Tōga froze as her fingers traced the planes of his face, the ridge of his straight nose, the smooth skin that had, once, proudly displayed his markings, the line of a sculpted jaw. His heart danced at her touch, forgetting, for a scant moment, that reality would come crashing in soon enough.
When she kissed his cheek tenderly, he couldn't help but snake an arm around her waist possessively. Why he trying to push her away ? To protect her ? His mind and body were at war, but Tōga was too strong willed to pursue her without laying down all his misgivings. Capturing her in his gaze, he watched her mind struggle with the concept of his age.
"How is this possible ?", she eventually asked. "You don't look a day over thirty."
"I… don't know."
She bit her lip, causing his instinct to go haywire. Tōga stomped upon them without mercy, sheepish that he couldn't ever offer an explanation.
"What does your parents look like ?", she asked.
Time to come clean.
"I was adopted. I never met my birth parents."
Sadness flickered in her eyes before the cogs of her mind started running anew.
"Oh… Could it be because your yōkai soul is stalling the ageing process ? Did you mature later than the others ?"
"It did take some time, yes."
There was a world left unsaid here; about the tests doctors insisted he take, and the time his father pulled him out of school to allow time to follow its course. Difficult years, as a teen, when he despaired he would ever mature. Then he came into his prime and began acing all physical scores, wondering if he should get further and become an athlete. The dreams had stalled his hand; perhaps it was for the best to remain inconspicuous. Deep down, Tōga had felt danger lurking.
"Does it mean you'll live to be a hundred and something ? Or stop ageing altogether ?"
His frustrated sigh caused her to retreat slightly; he stopped her before she could put too much distance between them.
"I have no clue, Gwen, other than age slowly."
His hand ran circles down her back, seeking the comfort of her body as he laid his fears at her feet. For a moment, the young lady just frowned, compiling information until her features relaxed.
"Then it doesn't matter, right ? Unless it affects your health ?"
A confident smirk quirked his lips.
"You're well placed to know I am in perfect health", he purred seductively.
Gwen blushed at the implications, cupping his cheek with such tenderness that his heart threatened to burst. She wouldn't ask, wouldn't pry until he was ready. From up close, he spotted the streaks of dark blue that adorned her grey irises; her gaze swallowed him whole, accepting him the way he was, calling him in.
"Then what are you worried about ?", she whispered in confidence, her breath fanning upon his skin.
Taking advantage of my position of authority? Of my greater age and experience to woo you ? Crushing you with the strength of my yōkai inheritance ? The strength of my will, forged by centuries of being Top Dog ? All of the above and more ?
Tōga breathed deeply, watching Gwen with the intensity of a hawk. Had she not proven that she carved her way into life, despite her youth ? The strength of her character ? That despite his position, she acted as his confidente and guided him as he struggled with the reality of his dreams ? That she could tease him mercilessly, finding a new dog expression to feed him just to keep him on his toes ? Had Gwen not proved her worth already ?
"I…"
Nothing, really.
Gwen swallowed his protest with a tentative kiss, rising on her knees as her arms snaked around his shoulders. The swipe of her lips upon his remained chaste, but the message was clear.
Stop worrying.
Tōga chased her mouth when she retreated, calling her sweet taste back as he circled her lithe frame. A deep, rolling sound initiated in his chest as he slowly allowed himself to fall into the sensation of Gwen's body. The Captain pressed his tongue over her lips, teasing the rosy flesh with eagerness as he literally lapped her skin. She obliged him, parting them to allow him to dive in the hot cavern of her mouth, her tiny tongue tangling with his in a passionate dance.
Mindful of her shoulder wound, Tōga pulled her in his lap, suddenly very aware of how her body moulded perfectly against his unyielding frame. Gwen's hands snaked in his hair, caressing his jaw as he devoured her mouth. He groaned, well aware that her soft flesh was awakening a deep longing locked in the recesses of his mind. He just couldn't have enough, and didn't even protest when she removed his hair tie to dive in the long silvery mane. Lost in the delicacy of her mouth, he barely registered how her little hands roamed his unbound hair, every touch more daring than the last.
Eventually, they dove behind the collar of his t-shirt, finding heated skin that hummed at her contact. Tōga shuddered, refraining from crushing her against him as his tongue conquered her mouth. A long, sensual moan left her mouth; it was his undoing. The coil of restraints snapped, and Gwen was suddenly sprawled on her back, his form hovering above her.
And even though that knee was killing him, he ignored the pain to cage her under his larger body. Long moonpale strands fell over his shoulders, framing them in a world of their own. Rosy cheeks, panting for breath, grey eyes twinkling in anticipation… she was such a temptress.
"Gwen", he warned, feeling his restraint dwindle. He had denied himself too long, craving her touch, the scent of her skin, the simple, plush contact of her body. The Inu spirit within was dying of loneliness, steeling himself for an existence where his presence mattered instead of giving in to his instincts. But now… Already, he was losing control, requesting submission by cutting her possibilities to escape.
She just smiled, reaching for his t-shirt and pulling it up. Tōga sucked in a breath when she yanked it over his head, closing his eyes when warm fingers crept up his torso, tracing muscles and burning skin. Her exploration was soft and naïve, the perfect counterpart to the need that simmered in his loins. He discerned the battering of her heart as she touched him, shuddering breath fanning over his skin as she followed the hard planes of his chest.
"Tōga ?", she asked.
His eyes snapped open; it was the first time she said his name, and it send goosebumps all across his body. His desire was now straining against his pants, safely hidden within the confines of the rough fabric – thank God for the uniform's large cut. If she retreated now… she would never know how badly he wanted to bury himself between her thighs.
Her hand landed upon a familiar scar that crossed his chest, a deep frown marring her lovely features.
"Where did you get that one ?", she asked.
And for the first time in forever, Tōga did not need to lie through his teeth.
"Dragon and blade. Ryūkotsusei first, an afghani with a blade in this life."
Gwen traced the line gently, her nod of acquiescence telling him she understood; he'd collected the same wound than in the past. Both times he'd nearly died… Her hand caressed the abused flesh gently, tracing the white line. He barely felt it; numbness had claimed the scar a long time ago.
Suddenly, Gwen cupped the side of his chest and curled her hand around his back, splaying her fingers wide to take in his heat and coax him down to her. Tōga sucked in a breath and allowed some of his weight to settle against her to kiss her gently. Apparently, it wasn't satisfying enough, for Gwen wrapped her hands around him and pulled, her tongue tangling in his mouth. Her knees instinctively came up to bracket his hips, her core flush against his.
Tōga groaned; there was no hiding his desire anymore now. She would be the death of him, he was already unravelling at the seams. Her hips bucked and he sucked in a sharp breath when the red veil descended upon him.
Tōga froze, arms shaking as he pulled away. Gwen started.
"Did you see it ?", he rasped, retreating to settle upon his knees, the joint screaming in protest. He eased his leg further out, observing Gwen as she rose on her forearms. Hair slightly mussed, lips swollen from his hungry kisses. So beautiful. And that t-shirt that threatened to expose her shoulder, the large draped neck giving access to the pale skin of her throat. How he longed to bury his nose in the crook of her neck and allow his tongue to taste her. Mmm…
The young woman shivered at the sudden coolness, mourning the absence of his hard body sprawled over hers. Yet, her mind couldn't seem to care; his eyes had flashed red for a moment, right ? Was it because of the sight ?
"Your eyes turned red."
He nodded, relief flooding his features. Then, the tension returned to his shoulders and she wondered why he'd retreated so far away from her.
"What does it mean ?", she asked.
The look he gave her was as much a plea as a warning to stay away. But Gwen had enough of watching him from afar. She reached out, kneeling before him to cup his cheek where his past markings had been. Slowly, sensually, she caressed the hollow of his cheekbone until he shivered.
"It means that I'm one inch away from ravishing you", he growled, tensing under her ministration. Warmth pooled in her belly at the idea of seeing more of him, of welcoming his glorious body into hers.
"Go ahead", she whispered, dropping a kiss upon the underside of his jaw in a clear invitation.
"Gwen…", he rumbled.
She disregarded the warning, nuzzling the skin where her lips had been a second before; his scent was strongest here, and she took a deep whiff of his intoxicating fragrance. Tōga swallowed, his adam's apple bobbing right under her nose before he pushed her away.
"It means the world to me that you would offer yourself to me but…"
"I'm not offering", she quipped.
The raise of his brows told her that she had gained his attention. A cheeky smile spread upon her lips as her gaze roamed the magnificent expense of his bare chest. Her hand landed upon his ribs, tracing a pattern where she could discern more stripes if she concentrated enough. The Inu no Taishō truly was magnificent.
"I'm taking advantage of you", she added. "No one should be allowed to look this good."
A startled laugh interrupted her exploration; it rumbled like stones descending a mountain, echoing in her own chest. Bringing warmth, love and a streak of boldness that he was the only one to call forth.
"I dog dare you… ravish me before I combust."
A playful growl left his lips, and he pounced. An instant later, Gwen found herself safely ensconced in his arms as he strode to his bedroom, t-shirt discarded on the sofa, diner half eaten on the coffee table.
"Let's skip doggy style for now, ne ?", he smirked, bypassing the kitchen to lead her to another door.
She blushed, winding her arms around his shoulders.
"Alright", she chuckled in his neck. "You win this round."
I hope you're ready for a rating change !