A vision. That's what she was.

Sesshoumaru stood frozen, unable to tear his gaze from Kagome as if she might vanish into the ether the moment he blinked. She stood several feet away, illuminated by the soft, ambient lighting of the venue, but distance did nothing to dull the vivid details of her form. The flick of eyeliner that sharpened her eyes into bright blue slits, her crimson lips that glistened as she murmured something to Sango at her side—each element captivated him. Her hair fell in loose, dark waves, framing a face that seemed angelic and dangerous. The red silk of her dress clung to her body, highlighting every curve with sinful grace. The back of her dress exposed her skin and the fabric hung at her lower back, loose enough that he imagined her could slip his hand beneath and feel her.

In that instant, when he saw her as though for the first time, he thought he might've died and wandered into some otherworldly realm. Was she an angel disguised as a devil sent to bless him, or perhaps to torment him? The smile on her lips wasn't sweet or innocent—it was sharp, mischievous, almost daring.

"Bro, speak, move, do something. You're acting like a lovestruck teenager," Inuyasha muttered beside him, snapping him out of his trance.

But he couldn't help it. She was magnificent—a living work of art—and he wasn't sure he could ever look away again. "She's gorgeous," he murmured.

"Then go tell her. You're staring like some creepy old man."

Sesshoumaru blinked, catching Kagome's fleeting glance as she surveyed the room. She didn't linger on him, just a casual sweep of her gaze. Something stirred in him, an instinctive push to move. Without conscious thought, he crossed the room, and before he knew it, he stood in front of her.

Kagome tilted her head up, her bright eyes locking onto his, and for a moment, Sesshoumaru found himself drowning in the depth of her gaze. Sango stood at her side, smirking knowingly, but Sesshoumaru barely noticed her presence.

"Can I help you?" Kagome's voice cut through the silence. It was smoother than usual, sultry even, and it unsettled him just how different she seemed tonight.

"You look amazing," he said, the words tumbling out before he could stop them.

She paused as if weighing her response. "I'll take a red wine. Sango?"

"The same. Thanks," Sango chimed in with a grin before turning her attention back to their conversation.

Kagome shot him a playful smirk before returning to her friend, leaving Sesshoumaru standing there like an afterthought. He retreated to the bar, ordering their drinks while silently cursing himself for how poorly the encounter had gone.

Inuyasha chuckled as he slid next to him. "That was a train wreck. I never thought I'd see you get your ass handed to you by a woman."

Sesshoumaru didn't dignify the comment with a response. Instead, he asked, "And how are things with Sango?"

"Asshole."

With drinks in hand, Sesshoumaru returned to the women. Sango took her glass and offered a quick thanks before excusing herself, leaving Sesshoumaru and Kagome alone. He didn't miss the way other men in the room eyed her, and the thought of someone else swooping in fueled his determination to keep her close.

"How have you been?" he asked, though the question felt laughably inadequate.

Kagome raised a brow, her lips curving into a teasing smile. "Better than you, apparently. Is that how we're doing this tonight? 'How have you been?'"

A small smile tugged at his lips, despite himself. Her teasing only stirred the desire to chase her further. "I could ask how long you plan on torturing me instead."

Kagome mused over his words as she took a sip of wine, the curve of her lips deepening into a slow, deliberate smile. "I haven't done a thing to you, yet you're already falling apart. Who mentioned anything about torture?"

Sesshoumaru's golden eyes narrowed in amusement. He stepped closer, the heat of her body now within reach, the silk of her dress brushing lightly against his tailored suit. "I think you're enjoying this," he murmured.

"This being?" She feigned innocence.

"Teasing me. I can't tell if you're trying to piss me off or push me over the edge." He took a sip of his drink, feeling the burn of alcohol slide down his throat. "Or maybe you're waiting to see which happens first."

Her eyes sparkled with amusement. "An interesting theory… but you don't think I'm that cruel, do you?"

"A woman scorned…" he began, his voice low. "Isn't that how the saying goes?"

"She calls the shots," Kagome finished with a knowing look.

The lights dimmed, signalling the start of the evening's event. Kagome's smirk deepened, her aura shifting, becoming something untouchable yet dangerously alluring. She wasn't just Kagome tonight; she was someone untouchable, a queen surveying her subjects. "I have to go," she said, her tone light but full of promise. "I hear there are some exciting performances tonight."

Sesshoumaru's heart skipped a beat as his lips moved before his brain could stop him. "I think you'll enjoy one in particular, baby."

For a moment, time froze. Kagome's eyes widened, the confident mask slipping as a flash of surprise and something softer crossed her features. Just as quickly, she recovered, whispering, "See you later," before slipping into the crowd, leaving him standing there, wondering what had just happened.

The night dragged on, with various performances gracing the stage, though none of them managed to capture Sesshoumaru's full attention. His mind drifted endlessly toward Kagome, her presence a constant pull on his focus. The small venue was intimate, bathed in soft, amber lighting that created an air of mystery, every shadow deepening the allure of the night. Attendees mingled or found quiet corners to observe, their comfort with the evening's theme palpable. Some exchanged knowing looks, others shared lingering touches.

A submissive in training was about to take the stage. Unusual for a gathering of this size as smaller events usually held more experienced attendees. Sesshoumaru's curiosity was piqued as this was the event he was waiting for, his golden eyes swept across the crowd once more, catching subtle glimpses of partners whispering in the low light, their hands trailing suggestively over one another. A shared excitement rippled through the air.

And then he saw her.

Kagome sat a few rows back, poised, the picture of elegant composure. Her body leaned comfortably into the chair, her legs crossed at the knee, one slender hand holding a glass of wine. The deep red liquid shimmered in the dim lighting as she took a delicate sip. Around her, eyes were drawn to her effortlessly, as if she were a radiant centrepiece in the room. But she seemed oblivious to the attention, lost in her thoughts—or perhaps, aware, but uncaring.

Sesshoumaru's gaze locked onto hers, and at that moment, the rest of the room blurred into nothingness. A small, private connection passed between them.

Around them, couples stood by their partners, exchanging quiet words or more heated exchanges. Some sat close, fingers brushing along bare skin, while others knelt in silent devotion. In darkened corners, a few had gone further, hands and mouths exploring each other's bodies in ways that left little to the imagination. Amid the haze of sexuality, Sesshoumaru's focus stayed with Kagome.

He had assumed, coming into the night, that he'd take a passing interest in a few performances, perhaps admire her from afar, observe how Kagome responded to the atmosphere. She had been intrigued in their previous encounters, but tonight she exuded something different—something more dangerous.

As he watched her, his gaze unwavering, a male approached her. Sesshoumaru's chest tightened as the stranger slid into the seat beside her, leaning close to whisper something into her ear. Kagome giggled softly, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush.

A dark possessiveness flared within Sesshoumaru, igniting a sudden, unstoppable urge. In mere seconds, he crossed the distance, his towering frame casting a slight shadow over them. His hand brushed lightly over the back of Kagome's neck, and the man, sensing the overwhelming presence behind him, froze. He barely glanced up before the colour drained from his face. With a stammered excuse, the man scurried away, nearly tripping over his feet in his haste to escape.

Kagome twisted in her seat, glaring up at him, her voice a sharp whisper. "What are you doing?"

Sesshoumaru considered giving a dismissive response, perhaps some excuse to downplay his actions, but instead, he said nothing. In one smooth motion, he slid into the chair beside her, pulling Kagome onto his lap before she could protest. Her body tensed momentarily, but she didn't pull away. He positioned her to face the stage, his hands resting lazily on her hips, fingers tracing slow circles over the silk of her dress.

The performance had begun. A large bed occupied the centre of the room, surrounded by plush chairs and cushions scattered haphazardly—tossed aside by the night's earlier activities. The scene on the bed was intimate and intense. A man lay flat on his back, his partner straddling his face. Her arms were bound behind her, leaving her at the mercy of his mouth, her body trembling as he skillfully denied her release. Her breathing hitched, the faintest of whimpers escaping her lips as she desperately tried to maintain balance, knowing that at any moment, she could be pulled deeper into a maddening spiral of pleasure—or pushed further from it.

Orgasm denial.

A favourite of his own, Sesshoumaru mused. The thought of controlling someone so completely, dictating their pleasure, denying them just when they craved it most—it stirred something dark and possessive within him. To see a woman writhe, utterly consumed by her need, begging for the sweet release only he could give, was a particular thrill. It was about control, about bending them until they gave themselves over entirely to him, mind, body and soul.

As his fingers continued their slow, deliberate caress on Kagome's hip, he felt her shift on his lap, her breathing growing more shallow. Her eyes flickered toward the scene in front of them, but she couldn't fully concentrate. Not with him so close, his presence overwhelming, his hands teasing her with light touches that promised so much more.

He hadn't said a word to her since pulling her onto his lap. He didn't need to. The tension between them was palpable, an unspoken promise hanging in the air. Her soft gasps, the subtle way her body wriggled in his grasp, only confirmed what they both knew—this night was leading somewhere, somewhere dangerous.

Sesshoumaru's lips curved into a slow, satisfied smirk. He was dangerously close to crossing a line with Kagome tonight, and she knew it too. She thought she could handle him, that she could tease him, toy with him without consequence. But here she was, vulnerable and restless, unable to resist the pull between them.

He leaned in closer, his breath hot against her ear. "I think you're enjoying this," he murmured, his voice low and smooth.

Kagome's breath hitched, but she didn't respond. She knew he was right. And Sesshoumaru? He knew exactly what he wanted—to make her beg, to see her fall apart in his arms, just as he had imagined from the start of the night. The performance continued in front of them, but neither of them watched. The show was no longer on stage—it was right here, between them.

"What happened to me calling the shots?" Kagome asked as she tried to turn her head toward him. Her hands gripped the outside of his thighs as she faced the right side of his face, her words coming in short, heavy breaths. Sesshoumaru paused, torn between his instinct to control her and the promise he had made. He knew moments like these called for honesty, even if every fibre of his being screamed to dominate.

"If you weren't in control right now, we'd already be on that bed." He answered quietly, his voice steady. He turned toward her, meeting her gaze. "So tell me, Kagome. What should we do?"

Her cheeks, the tip of her nose, and her neck flushed a soft pink, her breath hitching as his hand moved to caress the inside of her thigh. Even through the silk of her dress, he could feel the heat radiating from her skin. His fingers began to circle gently, but the words she wanted to say caught in her throat. He watched her as she struggled to find an answer to his question.

"Should we stay like this, or do you want more?" he whispered, leaning closer to leave a small kiss behind her ear. Kagome sighed, her eyes fluttering shut as her legs tensed.

"More." She finally whispered, her voice soft but filled with urgency.

Sesshoumaru's eyes darkened, a predatory gleam that made her shiver. He lifted his hand and slipped it beneath the low back of her dress, the loose fabric parting easily as his arm manoeuvred under the silk. His hand found her bare skin, pressing against her thigh. His fingers brushed lightly against the lace of her panties.

"Good girl," he murmured, his voice a low rumble that made her breath hitch. Her hips shifted involuntarily toward his touch as her pulse quickened. The soft stroke of his fingers against her most sensitive spot had her biting back a moan and her hands gripping his thighs tightly. His deliberate teasing was unravelling her, one touch at a time. He loved every second of it.

"Patience," he whispered against her neck, his lips grazing her skin as he leaned in closer. His hand stilled, hovering just above where she needed him most. "We have all night."

Kagome's body trembled with need, struggling to keep her composure. The weight of his presence, the heat of his body, the tantalising brush of his fingers just out of reach—it was all too much, he could tell. She was slipping, her control unravelling with each passing second.

"Please," she whispered, barely audible, leaning into him.

Sesshoumaru's lips curved into a smirk, brushing against her earlobe as he whispered, "That's better." His fingers moved again, slow and teasing, pressing through the lace of her panties, pushing her closer to the edge of reason. "Such a good girl."

A silent moan escaped her lips, her body arching into his touch. He pressed his fingers against her, just enough for her to feel, but still not enough to give her the release she craved.

"Do you like this, Kagome?" he asked, his voice soft, teasing, each word dripping with smug satisfaction. "Do you like being teased?"

Her nails dug into his thigh as she struggled to hold onto the last threads of her composure. He tried to imagine how she felt. Was her body alight? Did every nerve flare with sensation? Was every inch of her begging for him to push her further? He knew he was affecting her but when she spoke, he realised she still couldn't give in. Not completely. Not yet.

"I—" she swallowed hard, her voice barely a breathless whisper. "I hate you."

Sesshoumaru chuckled softly, his breath warm against her neck. "Liar." His fingers pressed harder, moving in slow, agonising circles, each one making her pulse race. "You're loving every second of this."

Kagome's head fell back against his shoulder, her eyes squeezed shut as another small moan escaped her lips. He loved how easily he could read her, how effortlessly he had taken control of her body and the moment. He knew he was right, that she loved it… and he was certain she hated just how much she loved it.

His hand moved again, slipping beneath the lace of her panties, and Kagome's breath hitched, hips jerking involuntarily. His touch was firm but still teasing, he knew exactly how close she was to falling apart.

"I could make you come right here," he whispered, his lips brushing her ear. "Right now, with all these people around."

Her body was trembling with anticipation. He knew for her that the idea of losing control in a room full of strangers sent a rush of heat through her body. But before she could respond, his fingers stilled, and she bit back a groan of frustration. He was drawing this out on purpose, savouring her torment.

"What's wrong?" He whispered, his lips grazing her neck. "Don't you like being kept on edge?" Her breath was ragged now, her body aching with need no doubt. He knew she hated the power he held over her in this moment, how easily he had reduced her to a trembling mess. But as he moved his fingers against her again, slow and deliberate, there was no going back.

"You're cruel," she breathed, her voice barely a whisper.

Sesshoumaru chuckled, the sound low and dangerous. "You've always known that, Kagome." His fingers slid lower again, the deliberate pace was driving her mad. She whimpered, hips bucking in a desperate attempt to seek relief but his grip on her waist tightened to hold her in place.

"I could make this last all night," he murmured, his breath warm against her ear. "Would you like that?" Kagome groaned softly, her head falling back against his shoulder. He knew she was so close, her body was wound tight like a spring ready to snap, and all his teasing was making her dizzy with need. She didn't want to beg, but he knew her resolve was crumbling.

"Please," she whispered, her voice cracking with desperation.

Sesshoumaru's smirk deepened. "Please what?" Her nails dug into his thigh and he could imagine her pride and stubbornness were fighting against the words. But the pressure building inside her was going to be almost unbearable.

"Please," she repeated."I need—" Before she could finish, Sesshoumaru's fingers pressed into her with just enough force to make her cry out softly. The room's low murmur swallowed the sound, and suddenly, he felt her stiffen. For a moment she was keenly aware of the strangers around them, who were surprisingly oblivious to the firestorm raging between him and Kagome.

"Good girl," he murmured, his voice a dangerous purr. Kagome gasped as his fingers moved with precision, each touch sending her tumbling into a world of pure sensation. She clung to him, her body trembling in his lap as she fought to hold on to her last shred of composure.

His lips brushed her neck. "Do you want to come, Kagome?"

"Yes," she whispered, barely able to form the word as her body teetered on the edge. Sesshoumaru felt the tension in Kagome's body rise to a fever pitch, her breaths coming in short gasps as she teetered on the edge of release. Just as she was about to tumble over, he withdrew his fingers completely, leaving her gasping in frustration.

"What are you doing?" she exclaimed, annoyance flaring in her eyes. "You can't just stop…" He met her gaze, a playful smirk dancing on his lips.

"Consider it a lesson for being bratty."

"Bratty?" she echoed with confusion coating the question. Her cheeks flushed with a mix of anger and embarrassment. "This isn't fair…"

"Fairness has nothing to do with it," he replied, teasingly brushing his fingers along her thigh. "I think you need a little more teasing."

"Seriously?" Kagome huffed, shifting uncomfortably in his lap, he saw the mixture of frustration and desire swirling within her.

"Breathe, Kagome," he murmured, his voice low and steady as he leaned closer, brushing his lips against her ear. "You call the shots but you'll get what you want only when I decide." He felt her body tremble at his words, but he calmed her with soft kisses along her neck, each one igniting a flicker of heat within her. He relished the way she relaxed against him, the tension dissipating under his careful touch.

"Let me explain," he said, pulling back slightly to meet her gaze. "It's not just all about pleasure; it's about control. I want you to understand what it means to be pushed to the edge without being allowed to fall." Kagome's annoyance faded into a reluctant understanding as she looked into his golden eyes, realising there was a method to his teasing. Before she could respond, Sesshoumaru captured her lips with his, kissing her deeply and passionately, pouring all his unspoken feelings into the embrace.

When they finally pulled away, he searched her eyes, a playful glint lingering."Breathe, Kagome," he whispered, his voice low and soothing. "We'll get back to where we were."

She nodded, visibly trying to regain her composure, her breathing evening out. "You're infuriating," she said, half-heartedly.

"And yet, you still want to be here with me," he countered, his smirk widening. "How about we take this somewhere more private?"

"Like your place?" she asked, a hint of curiosity dancing in her eyes.

"Exactly," he confirmed, his gaze steady and inviting.

After a moment of contemplation, she nodded timidly, a spark of excitement igniting in her eyes. "Okay, let's go." With a satisfied smile, Sesshoumaru reached for his phone and called for his driver. They both stood and, with his hand caressing the small of her back, he and Kagome left the venue.

Just before they got into the car, Sesshoumaru quickly sent a text.

'Left without you, Kagome's with me ;)'