Madame Masseuse

"More Addictive Than A Cup of Coffee"

How long had they been kissing?

How many people were staring? Was being connected at the mouth starting to make onlookers feel uncomfortable?

Did Kagome care?

Fuck no.

Her heart was pounding, like it had escaped her body and was beating back at her through a megaphone. Her body shook with desire, vibrating with a need for him to be closer, to be inside her. His mouth was warm. His lips were full and soft and they sunk into her own so perfectly it felt sinful and sublime all at once.

Kagome could faintly detect a hint of spearmint, like Inuyasha had had the foresight and wherewithal to chew a stick of gum before meeting up with her, just in case. His taste was like a combination of mint and something else that was unique to Inuyasha.

She'd never had a mouth like his before.

Kagome wanted to dissect his flavour. She wanted to scrutinize his taste to understand why she found him so delicious—because he was downright addictive. Her thoughts were a blended mush of sensual ache and desire. She could barely hold an intelligent thought let alone complete an analysis of his flavour.

Inuyasha was the first demon Kagome had ever kissed. Maybe his taste was some chemical thing related to being a dog demon?

Whatever it was, she was hooked on him, honestly even a little high from the few bites of him she'd had.

Inuyasha nuzzled his nose against hers while he adjusted the angle of his head. His movement forced Kagome's neck to tilt back further so he could better access her mouth. His palm circled her throat, not even close to choking her but the gentlest insinuation of it. Damn, what a thing to do in public!—a wave of arousal surged into Kagome's panties as she pressed her thighs together. She could feel his fingers indenting the side of her neck, his palm large and tepid. His grip tightened but only mildly, as if he impulsively squeezed in response to the accretion of her arousal.

Because dear God and all that was Holy...was she ever aroused.

The absolute control and dominance of his action made Kagome's thoughts fucking scatter. It didn't matter that they were in public. It didn't matter that she couldn't think beyond her own monkey-brain. She would be content to never have a rational thought ever again as long as it meant Inuyasha's lips remained soldered to hers.

When did her fingers unbunch themselves from his shirt? When had her arm snaked over his shoulder, her fingers twisted in his hair?

This man uses expensive product, her thoughts randomly projected, her senses temporarily lost in the sensual experience of his silver tresses.

Then Inuyasha rumbled something in his chest that could have been a restrained moan and the softness of his hair didn't matter anymore.

All that mattered was his mouth, his lips, his goddamn taste, and his willingness to take her offering of a kiss and appropriate it. Because he unquestionably had appropriated it. This wasn't Kagome's cautious offering of kindness—Inuyasha had taken over this kiss, stealing its ownership from Kagome and wrecking her with the tight control he demonstrated to keep his lust in check.

She had just wanted to be considerate, to help him feel better by making his ex feel jealous. Inuyasha was obviously still hurting over the breakup. He could barely put two words together to verbalize what happened. His pain was an unspoken, below-the-surface ache that he wore like cleft armour.

How could the universe have such perfect timing to present Kikyou—right after Inuyasha's distress over the woman had become visible—just for Kagome to ignore that cosmic donation?

Kissing Inuyasha was the least Kagome could do.

She was just being friendly.

Helpful.

Charitable, even.

Okay, and a teensy-tiny bit selfish, because his mouth looked absolutely decadent. And she had needed to know how he tasted like she needed air to breath.

How was Kagome supposed to know that her innocent little peck would turn into this...make-out session that was the closest to exhibitionism Kagome had ever been?

Inuyasha's breath caught in his throat. His lips separated from hers to lick her saliva from his bottom lip. Kagome wanted to cry out from the loss of his mouth, from the sexiness of how he dragged the tip of his tongue over his lip, but it was barely a second before he came crashing back. As their lips fused again, he reached for the nape of her neck. His fingers gripped her skin beneath her hair, his thumb gently tracing the sensitive area across her jaw and beneath her ear. Kagome was so acutely aware of the pressure of his grip, the tension of each individual digit keeping her neck at the most appropriate angle for him to kiss her. The sweeping caresses of his thumb induced a chill in her body that had goosebumps racing along her arms to settle in her breasts, pebbling her nipples.

Holy crap, did she ever want this man.

It didn't even matter that she hadn't felt his tongue past her lips.

Fine, it mattered a little. But only because she craved to taste him even more than she already was.

He was restraining himself—she could feel it.

Kagome was equal parts focused on Inuyasha's mouth, equal parts aware of their audience. Inuyasha obviously was, too, hence the annoying reluctance to spear her with his tongue. The wet thickness of his organ was a large presence against her lips, probing, teasing, hiding. She could feel him taunting her entrance, moistening her already smudging lipstick.

But the bastard seemed to refuse to enter her mouth.

And like hell would she be the one to cave and bring tongues into the mix.

Kagome was utterly flabbergasted. How could a kiss without tongue leave her this wanting and this breathless? It was unheard of.

It was also slightly alarming that Kagome didn't think Hojo had ever kissed her like this.

Inuyasha's mouth was greedy, covetous, claiming—he kissed like he was desperate, like it was his last meal, his last breath of air—like hers was the last mouth he'd ever taste. Kagome would never have guessed Inuyasha felt so much need. But did he ever. She could feel his need in the way he held her mouth to his, in the masterful way his kiss was bruising but also just sweet enough. He sucked and nipped at her lower lip drawing the most scandalous noises from her throat. Kagome's heart fluttered wildly. Not that she was in the habit of comparing previous lovers, but could couldn't help feeling like she'd been missing out on something significant for the last six years. Maybe not Inuyasha specifically, but the type of desire and sheer want that this type of touch and kiss from a man could elicit from her.

Inuyasha smirked against her mouth like he heard her thoughts or sensed her frustration. His teeth were a hard yet welcome presence against her lips, a stark contrast to the soft demand of his lips. Kagome opened her eyes, surprised to see he was already staring at her. She held his gaze, as if hypnotized by the dark flecks amongst the gold that made his already interesting irises even more fascinating to behold. It was like a form of kintsugi specific to Inuyasha.

Dear God, the look Inuyasha gave her was downright wicked—gratified, wolfish, cocky. Aroused—that was the sheen in his hooded eyes, the coating of his facial expression. He looked hungry, like he was so turned on he could devour her.

Kagome felt a rush of light-headedness thanks to her own lust. She hesitantly leaned away from him, keen to assess his expression further. Her hands slid to his chest, relishing his warmth and the thudding, heavy heartbeat she felt under her palms—good, she liked that his heart was racing just like hers. She hoped she had unnerved him with that kiss; it would be too unfair if he wasn't feeling even a little off-balance after that.

Despite how much she wanted to continue touching him, Kagome slowly detached herself, tonguing her swollen bottom lip. Inuyasha's hooded eyes dropped to follow the trail of her tongue, as if drawn to it.

A flustered but loud clearing of a throat behind them had Kagome's cheeks turning redder than they already were. She shot a sheepish and apologetic look over her shoulder. It was like Kagome suddenly returned to reality, remembering their place in a queue. In a coffee shop. On their date-that-wasn't-a-date. Kagome brought a hand to her mouth while she cleared her own throat and took a shuffling step away from Inuyasha. She was keen to put as much space between them as the cramped quarters would allow. She didn't trust the deadly combination of her raging hormones and his accessible proximity.

Kagome was only a little mortified to discover they had been kissing for so long they were third in line from the cash register. Kagome cleared her throat again, desperate to dispel a giggle that suddenly wanted to crawl from her throat. A wide, satisfied grin softening her features, she willed her legs to move until she stood behind the customer in front of them.

It was kind of impressive, the gap in the line that their kiss had caused.

Kagome's lips throbbed in the best way possible. She could feel her heart resonating in her mouth, like every beat screamed I kissed Inuyasha. She forced her mind to think beyond the swollen evidence of their kiss—choosing to scan the menu board seemed the easiest distraction. Her eyes perused the options even though she already knew she'd order a flat white; after all, that was the drink that had subjected Kagome to the walk here.

Forbidding her eyes from leaving the chalkboard menu, Kagome felt a strange push-and-pull sensation in her chest, like she wanted to simultaneously look at Inuyasha but didn't dare to. It was bizarre. It was almost like she was scared to see how he looked after their spontaneous act of affection. Like she couldn't stomach the possibility of seeing regret etched into his features.

Stubbornly willing her fingers not to trace the puffiness of her lips, Kagome's gaze shifted to the corner of the coffee shop, to the table where Kikyou and her friends sat.

Correction—had sat. The table previously occupied by the young women now hosted an elderly couple.

They had left.

Kagome had kissed Inuyasha to make his ex jealous and their smooching spectacle had prompted the woman and her friends to leave. Kagome couldn't fight the amused grin that devoured her features. She felt pleased—proud, even. They had put on such a show that it motivated Inuyasha's ex-girlfriend to leave the premises. Kagome withheld a laugh that wanted to rocket from her mouth.

"They left," Kagome couldn't help but verbalize, her tone warm with her smile. She kept her eyes off of him as she fingered the hem of her cardigan.

Inuyasha cleared his throat, as if dispelling any remnants of lust that loitered in his windpipe "Yeah," he replied.

"You noticed?"

"Yeah," he repeated. "I caught her scent on their way out shortly after we started...you know."

"Making out?"

"Yeah."

Kagome laughed, eyeing up a piece of banana bread in the baked good display that looked artisanal and all kinds of divine. It had her name written all over it.

Deciding she was being ridiculously juvenile by refusing to look at Inuyasha, Kagome turned to scan his profile. Whether fortunately or not, his face did not reflect his thoughts. If he did feel any regret over kissing her, he didn't show it.

Kagome felt a completely unjustified flutter of irritation in her stomach at the prospect he could feel remorse over making out with her. There was no way that kiss could have been one-sided. That jerk must have enjoyed himself because the man didn't just follow her lead, he usurped control, he freaking hijacked it.

Kagome felt frustrated by the direction of her Inuyasha-oriented thoughts. Why had he kissed her like that? Was her instigating a kiss an opportunity for him to spring lose a month's worth of sexual frustration?—That is assuming he hadn't been with anyone since Kikyou dumped him.

Or, was it possible he could like Kagome enough to claim her with his mouth in a coffee shop in front of an impatient audience?

Kagome's stupid heart gave an optimistic and annoyingly hopeful thud at the prospect of Inuyasha liking her.

She released the tension in her shoulders with the exhalation of a silent sigh.

It would just be so...unfortunate if Inuyasha regretted that kiss. Because Kagome really, really enjoyed kissing him. Enough so that she would do just about anything to guarantee a repeat performance. Well, anything but beg for it—that would just be humiliating.

Would he be open for an encore?

God, I hope so...

An encore would certainly be nice. But definitely with tongues next time.

Inuyasha turned towards Kagome, likely feeling her eyes on him. She quickly looked away, a pinkness to her cheeks.

For fuck's sake, I'm being ridiculous, her mind spat.

The customer in front of them was paying; it was truly only a matter of minutes—seconds even—until it would finally be their turn to place an order. The aroma of freshly ground espresso and baked goods had Kagome salivating.

In anticipation of reaching the counter, Kagome pulled her wallet from her cross-body bag. She was about to loose a credit card when Inuyasha placed a hand above hers to stop her.

"I got this."

Kagome pouted. "I can pay for myself, thank you."

"If you're gonna be that way about it," he snorted, "then you can pick up the tab next time."

Next time? Her poor, desiccated heart lurched at the words.

"Hmph, well, what if I pay for you now, and then you can cover the bill next time?"

Inuyasha shook his head at her as he approached the counter. The efficiency with which Inuyasha placed his order was impressive—the man clearly had been here many times before.

"—And whatever she's having," Inuyasha stated, concluding his respective order. He handed a black credit card directly to the barista, and Kagome frowned watching the woman's hand retract with it.

The bastard wasn't even going to leave an opening for Kagome to pay?

Rude.

Except...also kinda not.

The fact that he paid for me...after kissing me...makes this outing start to seem a little date-ish...

Except...also kinda not.

Kagome dejectedly dropped her wallet back into her bag and then scowled at Inuyasha before stepping closer to the counter. Kagome allowed the frostiness she directed at him to melt from her expression as she offered the barista a smile. Once her flat white and banana bread were ordered and everything paid for, Inuyasha instructed Kagome to wait near the pick-up counter while he scavenged a table for them.

Good luck, she almost snorted at him as he left her side. There were people standing around drinking their hot beverages because there wasn't a vacant table in sight. The odds of him securing them a seat seemed highly unlikely.

Kagome watched Inuyasha walk around and side-step people and tables with an elegance and familiarity to his motions. He had clearly done this before.

The reminder of seeing Kikyou here made Kagome wonder if the two of them had frequented this coffee shop when they had been together.

The thought of Inuyasha and Kikyou together made a weird mix of emotions flood Kagome's system as she turned away from Inuyasha to watch a barista work instead. On one hand, Kagome felt amusement, thinking about her earlier dialogue with Inuyasha about coffee not being a good enough beverage to make a date. On the other hand, she felt a bit sad for Inuyasha—clearly seeing Kikyou here had affected him, like he had been disappointed to realize they had shared custody over something that should have belonged to only one of them in the aftermath of their breakup.

Yet, despite this place having potential sentimental value for Inuyasha and his ex, Kagome felt pleased that Inuyasha would take her somewhere that meant something to him.

Kagome almost pulled a face as another emotion joined the fray. Was that...jealousy?

For Christ's sake, Kagome...get a grip. It was just one hot, super steamy kiss. There's no need for any of that!

Besides, she was so soon out of a serious relationship that it felt like blasphemy to consider starting anything structured with someone else. Kagome's emotions were likely just shot after what happened between her and Hojo. Her heart must just be desperate for an outlet and decided to sink its teeth into Inuyasha by sheer availability.

It was one thing for her body to want Inuyasha. It was another thing altogether for her heart to want him.

Well, regardless what her heart wanted, Kagome wouldn't yield to it. The figurative and symbolic home of love was a broken, fucked-up organ taking up residence in her ribs right now. Her heart didn't get to call any shots.

"Kagome!"

She turned to Inuyasha, her eyebrows disappearing beneath her bangs to see him shucking off his trench coat and draping it across a small bistro table near the front window.

How the hell did he acquire that?

Inuyasha walked towards her with a cocky grin—he looked like the definition of smug. "You, sit," he instructed. "I'll get our order."

Tempted to fight him on it but deciding against it, Kagome offered him a bemused grin of her own. "Yes, sir," she saluted, walking around him, pleased at how she solicited a dramatic and scoffing eyeroll from Inuyasha as he crossed his arms.

Kagome turned her back on him before she allowed her eyes to ogle the appeal of his veiny forearms in the rolled-up sleeves of his dress shirt.

At the table, Kagome slung Inuyasha's trench coat across the back of one chair—fighting the urge to bring it to her face to inhale his scent, because who does that?—then shimmied out of her cardigan to rest it on the back of her claimed seat. Waiting for Inuyasha, Kagome entertained herself by fixing her lipstick in her phone's reflection, and then observed the lined-up customers out the window. She tipped her eyes to peer at the darkening clouds above them.

It was really starting to look nasty out there. The wind had picked up and those grey, angry swirls were now more like a mass of darkness looming overhead. Kagome couldn't help but wonder if they'd finish their drinks in time so she wouldn't get soaked on the walk back to her vehicle in the spa's parking lot.

A few minutes later, Inuyasha appeared with their order. Kagome couldn't fight a smile as she watched him dump an unreasonable amount of cocoa and cinnamon into his drink before stirring and bringing it to his lips. A satisfied sigh breezed his mouth after he took a hearty sip. She hid her smirk behind the rim of her cup as she brought it to her lips. Kagome blew across the latte art to cool it down and then took a cautious sip.

A super-sexual-without-meaning-to-be groan that forced her eyes closed pushed past Kagome's lips after she emerged from her sip-turned-gulp.

Dear fuck was that ever a delicious cup of caffeinated heaven.

It was so good she would actually be willing to admit to Inuyasha that he was right to have them walk the thirty minutes it took to get there.

Kagome's moan had Inuyasha's face transforming into a wolfish leer. That sheen of arousal danced in his eye, having come back with a vengeance. "I know the drink's good, Kagome, but damn—I'm a little offended I didn't get a sound outta you like that."

Kagome smiled against the lip of her cup, fighting a blush, before swallowing down a mouthful. She emerged from her beverage feeling ruthlessly waggish. "Wouldn't have thought you the kinda man to get jealous over a cup of coffee, Inuyasha."

Inuyasha's eyes tapered with the intensity of his amused grin, highlighting his crow's feet. "Who said anything about being jealous?"

"You did. Just now. Besides," she said haughtily, "I don't moan in public—at least not like what you're insinuating. If you're looking to elicit certain noises from me then maybe consider kissing me behind closed doors next time."

"Next time, eh?"

Kagome was grateful she was already sitting, because the look he gave her...

She lifted a shoulder in response, turning her smirk towards her plate of banana bread to rip off a piece. She had to fight back another moan of appreciation at how the baked good melted in her mouth.

Oh yeah, she'd definitely be coming back here.

Inuyasha waited for Kagome to swallow before he gave her a lopsided grin that was wickedly playful. "So much to unpack in what you just said, Kagome. First, you do moan in public: I distinctly recall my mouth evoking three little ones outta you. Then there was that bullshit one just now 'cause of your drink—"

"Jealous, much?"

"—Second," he emphasized, choosing to ignore Kagome's retort, "you kissed me. Let's not forget that key detail."

Kagome scoffed around a mouthful of banana bread and rolled her eyes for emphasis. "It may have started out that way, but it certainly didn't end that way."

"What does that mean?"

"If Captain Selective-Memory recalls, I had said to follow my lead."

"Yeah—and?"

She smirked. "I may have instigated the kiss, Inuyasha, but I would not call what you did following my lead. You..."

God, why were words so freaking hard when he looked at her like that?

"Yes...?" Inuyasha directed a wry smile and quirked eyebrow at her, egging her to go on.

Shit—what was I saying?

Kagome averted her eyes to the table with a flustered blush. She hated how distracting his attractiveness was.

"How cute—she's blushing," Inuyasha said after a pause when she didn't conclude her statement.

Kagome took a sip of her flat white. "No, I'm not."

"Feh—are too," Inuyasha quarreled. He sounded way too pleased with himself. He chuckled and rested his elbows on the table. "Thinkin' about how much you liked the feel of my mouth, Kagome?"

She didn't answer. It was so unfair how good this man looked in a collared button-up.

"But I gotta know, why did you kiss me? Y'know, other than because you find me irresistible."

"God, you're full of yourself," she jeered around a laugh. Kagome mirrored his position, leaning into her forearms against the table, uncrossing her legs. She sat forward until her knees accidentally bumped Inuyasha's. "I did it to help you, if you must know."

"To help me?" His features unfolded into a mocking expression. "Did I look like I needed a good ravishing by mouth, Kagome? If so, thanks for the help."

Kagome couldn't have rolled her eyes harder. "Any ravishing that occurred was your own doing, Inuyasha. I was gonna keep it a chaste little kiss until you went all ravenous beast on me."

Inuyasha laughed and leaned back in his seat, fingering the handle of his mug. Kagome couldn't help but feel mesmerized by the ministrations of his fingers. "I almost feel kinda bad for you, Kagome," he sighed.

"And why would that be?"

"If you think that kiss was particularly ravenous then that makes me think you haven't been properly kissed before."

She flushed at his words, her eyes turning to her half-eaten banana bread.

"And knowing that you were in a relationship for six years..." he paused to suck in a breath. "Then I say good fuckin' riddance to that ex of yours, 'cause you have a mouth made for kissing and he's a fucking moron for not taking advantage of that while it was still his."

Did he realize what he just said? He must have—he just said it!

I have a mouth made for kissing?

Kagome couldn't fight the boastful smile that washed over her face. "So...you did like kissing me..."

Inuyasha scoffed at her denseness and took a sip of his drink. His face looked a little flushed, almost like he had gotten carried away with his words without meaning to. "I wouldn't have let you kiss me if I didn't want you to. Which, you still haven't explained, by the way."

"You seemed upset about Kikyou," Kagome shrugged, as if it needed no further explanation. "I thought it might make you feel better."

Inuyasha smirked facetiously. "You wanted to kiss me to make it all better, Kagome?"

She swatted at the air between them. "Oh, please. I thought you wouldn't mind making her feel jealous for a little bit."

Inuyasha's smirk transformed into something Kagome couldn't quite place. It had her raising an eyebrow at him and muttering, "What?"

"You know that Kikyou left, right?"

"Yeah, I know that," Kagome answered.

"She left basically as soon as you started kissing me."

"Okay...?"

"So you coulda stopped the kiss anytime if jealousy was your only intention."

"Okay..." Kagome repeated, not sure where he was going with this.

"But I think you kept kissing me because you liked it."

Kagome laughed at him. "Obviously I liked it. You really think I would've let you keep kissing me if I didn't?"

"I think you liked it so much," he said, leaning towards her with a predatory expression, "that I bet you'd beg me to kiss you again."

Kagome scoffed so loudly it made her throat tickle. She washed the tingling away with a sip of her warm drink. Kagome inhaled deeply, relaxing her shoulders as her eyes skimmed over Inuyasha. She fingered the rim of her mug while she offered him a playful expression. "Would you have any interest in hearing a secret, Inuyasha?"

"Is this you enjoying the fact that you can ask me questions now that I'm no longer one of your little clients?"

Kagome rolled her eyes. "I always could ask you questions. Now, I can just do it without fear of losing my job."

"Technicalities," Inuyasha waved away. "But what's this secret?"

Kagome shrugged coyly, waving her hand. "Actually, nevermind. The moment's passed."

"Want me to borrow a leaf from your book and beg you to tell me?"

"What makes you think I beg for things?"

"Don't you?"

Kagome scoffed. "I think you'd like it a little too much if I ever begged you for something. Which will never happen, by the way, because I don't beg."

"I bet you would for me in the right circumstances."

"I don't think I'll give you the courtesy of a response to that."

Inuyasha grinned like he was sizing up his opponent. "You say that, but I bet if I waited long enough it would happen."

"Never."

"Wanna live to eat those words, Kagome?"

An exasperated gasp shot from her mouth. "Alright, fine, Inuyasha. You want a secret? I'll share one with you." She curled a beckoning finger at him, inviting him to come closer as she inched towards the edge of her own seat. He humoured her by inclining his head until there was only four fingers-width of space left between their foreheads.

"I would never beg you for anything." Kagome spoke in a hushed tone, her words coated in sultry persuasion. "Not even to have you kiss me again...even if I really, really wanted you to."

She focused on his lips before dragging her eyes back up to meet his. At seeing his level of concentration on her mouth, Kagome licked along her teeth, pleased by how his breath seemed to stiffen in his chest.

"But, I bet you would like that sort of thing, wouldn't you, Inuyasha?" She was laying the huskiness on thick now. Her words were drawn out, slow, oozing with innuendo. "The imagery of me, on my knees, looking you in the eye, and begging with the sweetest little 'pretty please'."

The man looked victimized by her words. "And what would you be begging for, exactly?"

She offered a coquettish smile. "I'm sure you have a healthy imagination, Inuyasha. Why not use it?"

He chuckled, leaning back in his seat. "You paint an appealing picture, Kagome." He didn't clear his throat but he sounded like he wanted to; a hoarseness overlaid his timbre that had Kagome smirking. "But, I think you'd end up likin' that situation a whole lot more than me." He beamed wickedly. "I get the sense you have a thing about control."

"I highly doubt I'd come out on top in that situation," she laughed, lifting her eyebrows at him suggestively as she nestled against the chair's backrest, resuming her usual tone of voice. "But, I don't think you could honestly resist a woman on her knees, especially if she was begging you for something."

He quirked a dark eyebrow. "Why so doubtful?"

She smiled, wrapping her hands around her coffee mug, feeling the remaining heat seep into her palms. "Because you probably get off on the whole submissive female schtick."

He snorted. "What makes you think that?"

"What was with the choke-hold, huh?"

Inuyasha's cheeks slightly changed colour, but if he was embarrassed he didn't readily show it. "What was with the moaning after I did it?"

Kagome unintentionally lost the battle and gave in to a radiant blush. "I-it caught me off guard."

"What did? How much you liked it?"

"Why did you do it?" Was it obvious she was deflecting? Her voice didn't sound as confident as it had a minute ago.

"Because I thought you'd like it. Obviously."

She quickly looked away from him, her face warming. Kagome began picking at her fingernails while she wracked her brain for a witty retort.

Inuyasha flung a knowing expression at her. How unfortunate his tongue had to be faster than hers. "Don't go makin' it so obvious now, Kagome." He grinned. "Pink cheeks and can't look me in the eye? Feelin' a little flustered by how much you liked it?"

A few heartbeats of silence lingered over their table while Inuyasha and Kagome swapped eye contact and investigative expressions like they were trying to get a read or leg up on the other.

Kagome decided to break the silence after she finished her banana bread. "So, are you? Into the whole submissive thing, I mean?"

Inuyasha wheezed a chuckle and licked at an upper canine. The appearance of the tip of his pink tongue made her heart quake. "Why would it matter?"

"Just curious."

"Have you ever been a submissive before?"

Kagome snorted. "You don't think I've been kissed properly. What would make you think I've ever been a sub?"

"Fair point." Inuyasha's gaze bounced between Kagome's eyes. He sniffed, rubbing at his nose before leaning back in his seat again. "Why do you wanna know?"

"Why are you avoiding?"

"I'm not avoiding."

"Mmhmm..."

Inuyasha shrugged. "You have free reign of questions now—"

"—Yes, you've mentioned," she interrupted with a suspicious leer.

"—Why this particular topic, Kagome?"

"Well, for one, the fact that you're dancing around an answer has me intrigued." He rolled his eyes. "Plus, you just seemed really keen on the whole me begging you thing."

"Feh—well, if you're not gonna drop it, maybe I just have a tendency towards alpha-like behaviour, alright?"

"Was that a dog reference?"

Inuyasha rolled his eyes at her, sucking his teeth so hard Kagome giggled from the sheer irritation behind the sound.

"I wouldn't be surprised by that in the least," she said with a raised shoulder and a satisfied expression. "You give off that vibe."

"What vibe?"

"That you like to be...dominant."

He smirked at the blush that dusted her cheeks as she uttered the word. "Is that why you wanted to kiss me so badly, Kagome? Wanted to know what it felt like to be dominated?"

Kagome took a stiff sip of air and shook her head at him. She exhaled the breath on a laugh. "Remember earlier when I said you were bad? That was nothing compared to now."

Inuyasha smiled at her, a wide, tooth-bearing grin that was mischievous with a capital M. "Yeah, well—"

A crash of thunder outside, so loud and unexpected, had Kagome jumping in her seat and rushing a comforting hand to her chest. Her pulse had been chaotic before thanks to the back-and-forth with Inuyasha, but she could feel the adrenaline kicking in now.

If there had been people waiting in line outside three minutes ago there certainly weren't now that it was pouring. The few customers who could, squeezed their way inside the front entrance, making the already close quarters even more cramped. Kagome could hardly see beyond the spray of water against the window. The sound of thick sheets of rain, along with the plinks of hail, hitting the glass was intense.

"Holy shit," she mumbled under her breath. Kagome couldn't recall the last time she'd seen rain like this.

It seemed like most of the other patrons had paused their conversations to acknowledge the rainfall outside. Murmurs and gasps popped around their table as people observed and listened to the force of weather. How could they not? It was coming down, the rain pounding on the roof, drowning out the cafe's background music.

"It'll pass," Inuyasha shrugged, downing the rest of his drink in one gulp. His usually deep and dynamic voice sounded small amidst the sheer brunt of the elements. "Rain like this never lasts that long."

Universal interference seemed to be on a roll for them today because an emergency weather alert beeped and rang from every cellphone in the coffee shop. Kagome quickly skimmed the notification before clearing it. Apparently they were in for quite the storm, expected to last until tomorrow afternoon. The advisory called for an unseasonably high volume of rain with potential for large hail and flash floods.

Friggin' typical...Cloudy with some sun my ass...

Inuyasha read over his own weather alert on his phone before sucking his teeth and tucking the device back into his pocket. Kagome's face sprouted with a smile at the frown on Inuyasha's. He evidently didn't like being proven wrong so openly.

"Think the weather gods like me enough to pause the rain so I can run for my car?"

Divine intervention may not be on Kagome's side today, after all, because said weather gods summoned an obnoxiously bright bolt of lightning with an almost immediate boom of deafening thunder that rattled the window pane.

"I'd say that's a pretty solid no."

Kagome chewed on her cheek to avoid a snippy response to Inuyasha's sneer. "What're the odds the employees here will let me camp out until this storm blows over?"

Inuyasha responded to her comment with an arched brow.

"I really don't want to walk back to my car in this," Kagome explained, not meaning for her words to sound as whiny as they did. "I guess my best bet is just wait it out and hope it dies down?" She released a self-deprecating laugh. "But knowing my luck lately, the weather's just gonna get worse."

"You have a few obvious options, Kagome."

She raised a lazy eyebrow at him and waved her hand in the air. "Then please feel free to elaborate on these options of mine, oh Wise One."

Inuyasha ignored her sarcasm while he counted off his fingers, starting with his thumb. "You could wait here for the rain to die down enough that you could make a run for it—"

"A viable option," she nodded.

"—You could get a cab to take you to your car—"

"Mm...feels a bit extreme to pay all that money just to avoid rainwater..."

"—Or you could come to my place and wait it out; I live nearby."

Whatever expression had been on Kagome's face was wiped away with the utterance of Inuyasha's last suggestion. Why was it that, as soon as his place became an option, that was the one Kagome immediately wanted? Her loins were incorrigible.

Wasn't wanting Inuyasha getting old yet?

Apparently not, because her heart kicked into overdrive with his invitation.

What was wrong with the safety of sitting opposite him at a table here? The cafe would be open for a few hours longer; they had a table, too; it's not like some of the other patrons forced to stand around. It was comfy and dry. Maybe Kagome could even get herself another caffeinated cup of heaven.

There was no reason for her to leave.

Except for the fact that Inuyasha had offered up his place and now no other option would cut it.

Friggin' figures...her mind recoiled. If her brain could roll its eyes at Kagome, it would have.

Inuyasha smirked at her, as if he could see the wheels and cogs groaning in her head while she contemplated what he said.

"You're really inviting me over?"

Inuyasha shrugged. "Why not? My place is close enough we shouldn't get too soaked on the walk over. Besides," he added with a playful tilt of his head, "it's Friday night—I could have a drink, and last I checked this place doesn't have a liquor license."

Inuyasha and booze? Now that sounds like the epitome of a bad judgment call...I really shouldn't.

Goddammit, I really want to though...

Fuck it—I'm a big girl.

"I could be tempted," she answered with a smile. "How close is close?"

"Close."

Kagome turned to follow Inuyasha's line of sight out the window. He seemed to be gazing at the rain-logged landscape across the street. She wasn't overly familiar with this part of downtown but she knew enough that there were highly expensive condos opposite where they sat.

"Like, over there, close?"

Inuyasha seemed almost reluctant before he slowly nodded his head.

That was an interesting response.

"So, do you live in the fancy one—" She pointed to the building on the left— "Or the even fancier one?" She gestured to the one on the right.

Inuyasha rolled his eyes at her and chose to ignore her question by asking, "You done?" He gestured to her empty latte cup and plate before pushing against the table, making space for himself to stand while his chair legs screeched.

Kagome nodded at him as she watched him stand. She was interested to understand why he dodged her question. Was he somehow self-conscious of her thinking he was wealthy?

Kagome watched him grab their dirty dishes and carry them to the pick-up counter. Kagome's cheek fell into her palm as she observed his quick exchange with the barista, who seemed appreciative of the act. Kagome took that moment to note how others seemed to leave their dishes on the tables when they left. A single employee was also running around with a bus-bin, cleaning tables as they were vacated and quickly reoccupied.

It became obvious that Inuyasha didn't need to return their dishes. But it was a considerate thing to do.

How uncharacteristically...decent of him.

As soon as the thought passed, Kagome felt a little guilty. It wasn't fair of her to judge him so harshly like that. Regardless what she may think of him, Kagome didn't really know Inuyasha—at least not well enough to make a fair judgment call on his character. Instead of spending their time getting to know each other, they had merely bickered and flirted and teased. It had certainly been fun, but it hadn't been enlightening; she didn't feel like she knew him any better than when he still decided to be her client. Kagome chewed on the inside of her cheek as she watched Inuyasha weave through tables to make his way back to her. She suddenly decided she wanted to get to know him. And that desire to know him, inside and out, was fierce and feverish.

It didn't even matter that he was basically a stranger who invited her back to his place in the middle of a rainstorm. He was Formerly-Known-As-Inuyasha-The-Client and Kagome's heart beat in double-time at the prospect of seeing where he lived, seeing how he decorated his space. Was he the kind of guy who made his bed before he left for the day? What was the state of his kitchen? Would there be any art or pictures on the walls? Did he have gaming consoles? Any musical instruments? What sort of books—if any—would she find on bookshelves?

Kagome stood to her feet once Inuyasha was tableside, and she offered him a smile.

"Are we calling you a cab, Princess?"

She snorted at his sarcastic comment. "I'd like to take you up on your offer to come over, if that's okay?"

Inuyasha shrugged—was that real or feigned indifference?—and gathered his trench coat before gesturing towards the exit.

Alright then...I guess that's the cue that we're leaving.

Together.

To go to his place.

Shit—I really hope I don't see to regret this...

Kagome slipped her arms into her cardigan and cast one final look at the window and the hissing sheet and spray of fat raindrops before she followed Inuyasha out into the storm.