Kagome bit her lip as she edged down the hallway. She'd been surprised when an invitation to Hizuki Kimiko's Halloween gala had arrived in the mail, but now that she knew her true identity, she wasn't going to miss out on the opportunity to snoop around.
The ballroom was aglow with natural and artificial lanterns, the mist creeping in from the surrounding gardens only adding to the ambiance. Kagome's job as a journalist got her invitations to the most exclusive events, but no one had landed an interview with the elusive heiress in decades. Having a daiyoukai at the top of the fashion industry was one thing; realizing it was Sesshoumaru's mother was another.
She should've known the first time she'd laid eyes on her, but since Kagome spent most of her time reporting on the less scrupulous types that wandered in the shadows, she didn't fault herself for missing the connection. As it was, her dealings with Sesshoumaru were limited to family reunions when he happened to grace his brother's home with his presence.
He barely spoke to her during those occasions, choosing to spend his time with his various nieces and nephews. She'd catch his gaze occasionally, but it was nothing substantial and never lasted long.
Kagome froze at the creek of a nearby door, cursing her curiosity and lack of tact. This wasn't even for a story, though her bosses would love a photograph of Hizuki's home to grace the front page. She'd thought about it, especially after the invitation had first arrived, but the handwritten note from the fashion icon herself tucked into the envelope had her leaving her camera at home.
Her dress had no pockets, anyway.
Touching her face, she made sure her mask was still intact. It wouldn't hide her identity from anyone who knew her, but she could count the number of people who did on one hand. She was on a personal mission tonight, at the behest of her host, though now she was wondering why she had been sent up here in the first place.
She'd questioned Hizuki's motives to force her son to attend a party when he preferred to keep to himself, but something in the woman's tone had told her there was more to it than Sesshoumaru hiding in his room. The slit in Kagome's dress had made it a little easier to climb the stairs, and she was grateful she'd decided on the Snow Queen costume instead of anything more complicated.
The dress was sleek, a simple ribbon at the back of her neck keeping the bodice in place. She hadn't had the opportunity to wear it—her job never called for something this fancy—but since she'd decided to accept the invitation on a personal note instead of an occupational one, she figured she'd have a little fun with it.
The only problem was the pale fabric made it exceedingly difficult to stay hidden in the darkened hallways, and the low dip in the back had her shivering each time she passed by an open window.
Silently cursing youkai and their temperature-stabilizing bodies, Kagome turned a corner and counted the doors on her left. Hizuki had said it would be the third one, but there was no light filtering from under the door. How was she supposed to convince him to show his face when he wasn't there?
Sighing, and not bothering to knock, Kagome turned the handle and slipped inside. The only reason she was doing this in the first place was because she was honestly curious about Sesshoumaru's room.
Contrary to his mother, Sesshoumaru spent no time in the spotlight. He preferred to work behind the scenes, even though his name was just as well-known as his mother. Being the top manufacturer of surgical equipment would do that.
Kagome bit her tongue as she closed the door behind her, letting her eyes adjust to the darkened room. There wasn't much to see, and since she couldn't sense him anywhere near, she took a chance and turned on the lamp on his bedside table. She blinked a few times, expression softening at what she found.
She'd expected it to be as white and bland as his haori back during their fight against Naraku, but instead, she found lush furniture in rich colours. A burgundy armchair was in the corner, a book on top of a pair of pants hung over the back, split down the middle in a makeshift bookmark. She crept closer, stifling a laugh when she realized it was filled with fairy tales.
So the tech mogul was into princesses and happy endings, was he? How interesting. Taking care not to lose his place, she thumbed through the chapters. She'd thought it might belong to one of his nieces, but though the pages were worn, the book was well taken care of and a first edition. She'd have to ask him which story was his favourite at the next family reunion.
Returning the book to its place, she wandered around the room. Her fingers dragged along a dark blue comforter, the edges tucked into the side of the bed, not a wrinkle in sight. Unable to stop herself, she jumped onto it, pulling it from under the pillows. He'd know it was her from her aura and scent, so she wasn't worried that he'd blame his mother's security for allowing a stranger to slip past their guard.
Pulling her dress up so it didn't get caught on her knees, she leaned over the headboard to gaze through the bay window, rumpling the pillows as well. Servants were abundant in Hizuki's home, but Kagome couldn't imagine him allowing anyone in his room. As it was, she couldn't sense any other presence aside from her own. Maybe she'd write her name on the bathroom window while she was at it.
She shook her head, squashing the thought as soon as it formed. That was juvenile, even for her. Besides, his mother had sent her up here to convince him to join the party. Now that she knew he wasn't here, there was no point in dallying. Sighing, she flopped onto the bed, raven curls fanning out on one of the lush pillows.
Had he joined the party, and they'd somehow missed each other? Maybe there was a library or an office of some sort in one of the adjoining rooms. She knew Sesshoumaru had his own place, but his mother's home was on the other side of the city, providing him free room and board when he didn't feel like travelling—or so she'd said.
The knob turned, and Kagome didn't have a chance to hide, body tensing as the one she'd been looking for stepped into the room. Sesshoumaru paused in the doorway, pale brows raising in surprise as they locked eyes.
He tensed, eyes almost glowing, hand gripping the doorknob. "I was not aware my mother's party included free reign of the second floor," he said.
It didn't, and he likely knew that, so what was the point in denying it? "I've never been to her house before. I figured it was the best time as any to explore." A soft snort told her how much he thought of her explanation, and her back went up. "Why were you hiding up here?"
"To avoid situations such as these," he rumbled, closing the door behind him. Alarm bells went off in her head as Kagome suddenly realized she was still in his bed—and what that would look like to him.
"You never stick around long enough to talk," she blurted, sliding to the edge of the bed. He'd never come down with her if he found out his mother had sent her looking for him. Considering the tie he was pulling from his neck, he'd likely come straight from work.
He draped it over the back of the chair along with his jacket, eyes gleaming at her over his shoulder. "And this bothers you enough to invade my bedroom?"
Kagome flushed, hands clasped in her lap. She'd be lying if she said it didn't bother her, but she couldn't exactly say why. She avoided his gaze until the light from the connection ensuite brightened the room.
"I will not partake in whatever scheme my mother has concocted, miko," he said, the door already closing. "You may inform her I will not be joining the festivities. Regardless of who she sends to fetch me." The door clicked shut, signalling it was time to leave, and Kagome took a few deep breaths to calm her rapid heartbeat.
A dismissal if she'd ever seen one. One that broached no room for argument, yet she couldn't find it in herself to get up from his bed. All she had to do was go back downstairs and tell his mother she'd been unsuccessful. Then she could go back to enjoying the party.
The water turned on, and the image of pale skin and magenta stripes flashed through her mind, causing colour to return to her cheeks. She'd never pictured Sesshoumaru as anything less than pristine, but the thought of him sweaty enough to need a shower had her thighs pressing together. She fisted the sheets as she tried to dispel the image. She was only thinking about it because she was currently in his room. If she just left, she wouldn't be bothered by it anymore—along with his curt dismissal. A dismissal that, again, shouldn't be bothering her because she hadn't come to the party to see him in the first place.
She was curious, which had been spurred on by his mother's insistence that she was the only one who could convince him to be social for once. Kagome winced at the thought of being used to further Hizuki's hold on her son, and suddenly, she needed a shower. Had there been some tiff between them that the tabloids had missed? Hizuki had always claimed to be a doting mother, even after all these centuries, but Kagome knew firsthand how deep the wounds in this family went.
Cursing herself for letting her curiosity about him cloud her judgement and forget her first rule about fact-checking, she vowed to give the fashion icon a piece of her mind before she left.
The water clicked off, and Kagome wasn't given enough time before the bathroom door opened again. Steam filtered into the room, a tantalizing combination of soap and power as his shadow was cast along the floor.
"Why are you still here?" he growled.
Kagome jerked at the venom in his voice, scooting to the edge of the bed. "I'm sorry," she said. "I shouldn't have come in here in the first place."
"No, you should not have," he agreed, youki snapping at her ankles as her feet made contact with the floor.
Her skirt bunched around her thighs, and it took her a moment to readjust it before she could stand with dignity. "I'll see myself out. And I'll tell your mother—" The rest of her words died in her throat as she finally caught sight of him, covered in nothing but a towel that hung low under his navel.
The image from before came back with a vengeance. She'd known about the stripes on his face and wrists, but the rest of his body had been left up to her imagination, and the thought that the towel hid more of them had her face flaming.
Now she really needed to leave.
She mumbled another apology, trying to stop her knees from shaking so she could flee, but her eyes remained glued to his half-naked form, and it took her moment to realize that the reason he'd gone out of focus was because he was now standing right in front of her.
He towered over her, amber eyes glowing in what light remained, and she swallowed thickly as she raised her chin. "I told you to leave," he said in a dangerous whisper.
She wanted to nod, to do something to let him know she'd heard him and hadn't meant to stick around, but his proximity was causing everything to short-circuit. Why hadn't he thrown her out from the beginning? Slammed the door in her face? Threatened to have her job for essentially breaking and entering?
And why was he so close?
She swallowed again, hands shaking with the force it took to form words. "Why?" She saw the crimson in his eyes before she registered her own confusion. That's not what she'd wanted to say.
The bed dipped as he kneeled between her legs, forcing the fabric of her dress back to where it had been when she'd first tried to escape. "Because I cannot be held responsible when left alone with you." He leaned forward, forcing her to lean back, and he suddenly seemed even bigger than before. She itched to touch him, to see if he was as toned as he appeared, but the feral look in his eyes had her back up on the bed.
"When have you been alone with me?" she whispered.
"Never. That is the point." Another slide of his legs had his hands on either side of her head. His knee was still between her thighs, stopping her from pressing them together at the sight of him. "I have managed to behave long enough, but finding you in my bed pushes me to my limits." The force of his youki had her gasping as it pressed down on her. Sesshoumaru leaned closer, breath wafting past her ear. "You should have left."
Kagome wasn't given time to think as his hands slid up her thighs, completely exposing the silk panties she had on underneath her dress. She'd never found a bra to match the design, but that didn't matter, considering the dress didn't require one. Mind spinning, she gripped at the sheets, attempting to ground herself, but Sesshoumaru's wandering hands weren't helping.
He hadn't bothered with the ribbon, instead gripping the bodice down the middle and forcing her breasts to bounce free. The fabric lay between them, and he groaned at the sight before latching onto a pert nipple. Kagome arched off the bed, mouth falling open as fangs pulled at sensitive flesh. She managed to release the bed, hands finding purchase in his hair, but she didn't push him away in favour of pulling him closer.
He adjusted his position, knee pressing against her core, and Kagome's hips rose of their own accord, seeking more friction than what he was currently giving her. He let go of her breast with an obscene pop, then moved to the other, giving it the same treatment. He was rough enough to leave marks but not enough to make her pull away, and she could feel him smirk against her skin.
"Was this your intention from the start, miko? Climb into my bed in the hopes you could persuade me to join the rabble with something more decadent than the tables full of desserts?"
Kagome shook her head, though it was more of a thrash. "I only came up here to talk!"
"Yet you did not think to wait outside my room for an invitation." He bit down on the first breast, the zing of pain turning to heat as it coiled within her belly.
"I knew you weren't in here," she said, controlling her breathing long enough to get the words out. He pulled back, brow raised, and she flushed again. "I thought I might get in trouble from one of the employees, so waiting inside seemed like a better idea."
"There is a chair," he replied, hands kneading both breasts.
Her mouth snapped shut, unable to admit she'd wanted to ruffle his fur by mussing his bed, and he twisted her nipples before massaging the underside with his thumbs. But just as she thought he was going to relinquish his hold, his mouth slid further down her body. She blinked languidly, chest heaving as her panties were dragged down her legs and thrown over his shoulder. She didn't have enough time to question him before he was pushing her thighs apart, the skirt of her dress a tangled mess around her waist.
"Sesshoumaru—" she whimpered, squirming under the intense gaze of a predator.
"You were warned," he reiterated, inhaling deeply. "Now I will see if you taste as good as you smell." Kagome cried out at the first drag of his tongue. Her folds were already drenched from his earlier ministrations, but the way his mouth ravished her from the inside out like a man starved had lights forming behind her eyes.
His hand slid under one knee, opening her up for further exploration while his other arm wrapped fully around her leg, keeping her from squirming away from his touch. A hum of appreciation vibrated down to her toes, lifting her hips off the bed as electricity shot through her. She clawed at the bed, and he growled in reprimand, nipping at the inside of her thigh.
Whimpering, she tried to keep still, but each drag of his tongue had her keening until release was within reach. She shamelessly ground her body against his face, muscles tensing until he stabbed his tongue into her, and her mind shattered. Reiki erupted between her fingers, singeing him from root to tip, and silver hair turned pink in the darkness. He pressed his nose against the bundle of nerves above her opening, prolonging her climax, and by the time he pulled back, she was panting.
"So vocal," he crooned. She didn't get a chance to retort before a finger slipped inside her, testing the elasticity of her inner walls. His gaze never left her, taking in her every reaction, and if she weren't already naked in his bed, she'd have blushed down to her toes from the way he was looking at her.
A second finger was added, curling inside her until a moan was torn from her lips, and he lowered his face with a smirk, sucking sharply on her clit. Kagome cried out through the sensation overload, already on the brink of another orgasm, but he was relentless, leaving her a quivering mess before resurfacing.
That had to be the end, she thought, draping an arm over her eyes. Her body couldn't handle anything else, and the embarrassment from being caught in his bed, of all places, was beginning to set in. Steeling herself, she peeked out from beneath her arm, only to catch Sesshoumaru licking her essence from his fingers. She shuddered, legs snapping shut as she rubbed her thighs together, and the predatory gleam in his eyes only got worse.
He leaned over her, fingertips pressing at the seam of her mouth, and Kagome let him in without hesitation, tongue curling around the digits as she finished the job. The sheets twisted in his grip beside her as he watched, unblinking. Energy sizzled between them, and she slid her tongue between his fingers before sucking softly.
He yanked them out with a growl. "I can think of a better use of your mouth," he said, straddling her shoulders. She wasn't sure when he'd lost the towel, but his cock bobbed in front of her, giving her a perfect view of the stripes she'd never known were there. She stared up at him, then flicked her tongue out, watching as goosebumps roughened his skin.
He gripped the headboard, muscles clenching, and she dragged her tongue up the underside of him before taking the tip into her mouth. She had no idea if she was doing it right, but the look on his face told her she wasn't doing it wrong, so she kept going. Wriggling a hand free, she sat up far enough to take more of him, hand pumping the base. His hips twitched, but he didn't thrust, and she sucked harder in gratitude.
Her name came out as a growl, her answering moan vibrating around him as she took him deeper, head bobbing as best she could. It was still an awkward angle, and she wondered why he hadn't given her better access, but the answer came when he yanked himself out of her mouth and settled between her thighs.
Kagome sucked in a breath. She couldn't see much in the darkness, but she could feel everything, and as he ground his cock against sodden folds, his mouth latched onto her neck. "Tell me to stop now, or I will not be able to." His tone was guttural, barely above a whisper, and her eyes flew open in shock.
"Would you be able to stop now if I told you to?" she asked hesitantly.
He tensed, the head prodding her opening, but he nodded. "You will have to give me several minutes before I can move."
She could hear the conflict in his voice, could feel the tension in his muscles, and she marvelled at his control, even now. Her eyes fluttered shut as she rubbed their cheeks together, arms wrapping around his neck as she pulled him closer. "Don't stop."
The pressure of his youki returned, holding her down as his hips snapped forward, taking her to the hilt in a single thrust. Kagome buried her face in his neck, her power rising in response, pushing back against his need to claim and conquer. He reached under her, adjusting her position before thrusting again, and the initial shock vanished, the sensation of being filled and stretched at the forefront of her mind.
His hands weren't idle, soothing away her worries as he gave her time to adjust, and it wasn't until she grabbed his arms that she realized he was trembling. Muscles clenched as he tried to keep still, but desperation flowed off of him, and she breathed deeply to centre herself before meeting his gaze. Crimson ate away at the amber in his eyes, but he was still in control of himself, and she shuddered at the unfiltered emotion on his face.
He was always so disciplined, so controlled, but he was coming unravelled just by touching her, and it shook her to the core. He was just as affected as her. She was doing this to him. Her hands slid up his arms to cup his face, and she pulled him down.
"Miko—"
She paused a hairsbreadth away from his lips and shook her head. "Don't call me that."
He tensed, but she stroked his cheeks, encouraging him to keep going. "Kagome."
A seductive smirk tilted up the edges of her mouth. "Good boy." Youki flared but was quickly buried under the onslaught of her mouth against his. Claws pierced her hips, and he bottomed out, but she refused to release him, taking her fill as she kept their tongues tangled. He moaned, grinding their hips together as she found his fangs.
Her arms snaked back around his neck as muscles clenched, her body rolling as she silently begged for more. She could feel every inch of his every time he moved, the emptiness when he pulled back making her head swim with panic before he pushed back into her. And he did so with ease, her arousal coating her thighs.
His name wafted by his ear, and he pulled back with a snarl, hooking his arms under her knees as his pace increased. Kagome whined at the loss but had little time to think on it as he continued to pound into her. "Is this what you were looking for when you entered my room without permission?" he asked, eyes flashing. "You were so desperate for my cock that you thought to entice me in my own bed?" She cried out as he hit a particularly sensitive spot, arms flailing.
She couldn't do more than nod, managing to catch a lock of his hair with each hand as another climax teased the edge of her senses. Was it a lie if all she could think about was what he was doing to her? That she still would've snuck into his room if she knew this would happen?
"Sesshoumaru, please—"
"Beg, Kagome, and I will give you what you seek."
Their skin slapped together in a lewd symphony, and she shook with need, reiki travelling up his hair to scorch his scalp. "Please. I need it—I need you!" It couldn't have been what he was looking for, but it set off a chain reaction nonetheless, power exploding as he fucked her into the bed. His hands moved to her ankles, keeping her legs open to his assault, and Kagome screamed.
Inner muscles clamped down on him like a vice, keeping them connected even as he attempted to keep thrusting, and his release was ripped from him, paroxysm overflowing as power converged, each fighting for dominance. Lights flashed, but she couldn't tell if they were real or if it was just her, and she reached for him, whimpering in relief when he leaned close enough to grab.
Her mouth found his first, anchoring herself as he continued to twitch. It was hard to do, considering both of them were covered in sweat, and when she could find her voice, she couldn't hold back a giggle.
Sesshoumaru groaned, face buried in her hair as he managed to roll them onto their sides without dislodging them. "Something amuses you?"
"Your shower was kind of pointless," she mused, stroking the base of his neck.
He nipped at her ear, though his tongue soon followed to soothe the abused flesh. "I was giving you the chance to leave," he reminded her.
"Even though you didn't want me to." There was no way this was a one-time thing. And if he tried to avoid her, she'd hunt him down and demand a second round herself.
"No."
The word sent shivers down her spine, and she hooked a leg over his hip. "And if I say I'd rather stay here than go back to the party?" she asked, tracing the stripes on his shoulders.
"Then I would advise calling in sick to work tomorrow," he said, eyes still crimson when he pulled back. "As you will not be sleeping."
Kagome pressed herself against him, finding the stripes on his hips. He growled in warning, but as always, she wasn't afraid, eyes half-lidded and filled with lust. "Promise?"
Claws dug into her ass as he rolled, already thrusting as she was plastered across his chest. "I will promise you many things," he vowed darkly, lifting her easily before dropping her down onto his waiting cock. "One of which is that you will not only be unable to sleep but unable to walk as well."
Kagome finally steadied herself, nails digging into his stomach as she ground herself back and forth. "I'll hold you to that."
By the time they got around to talking, sunlight was filtering in through the window above his bed, and they were both covered in marks, hair still damp from their third shower. He'd kept her awake all night, as he'd promised, and she'd already called into work, like she'd promised.
The promise of what was to come was evident in the way they were wrapped around each other, fitted together like two puzzle pieces, and she hummed in contentment, knowing he'd never be able to look at his bed the same way again.