Strawberry Seduction by Sereia

Chapter 1

Sequel to These Boys.

..::**::..

Her friends had needled her after she never returned to the group date—and refused to believe that nothing happened, especially with how her face turned pink when arguing the point.

Which was why they'd ended up on yet another outing instead of the nature walk they'd originally planned on. She'd fully expected Sesshoumaru to say no, especially with her friends twittering on the other end of her phone, but he'd shrugged, stating they could always postpone the walk for another time.

"I thought you were more of a hermit," she grumbled, twisting her hair into a low ponytail over one shoulder.

He chuckled softly. "Many things have changed in the last five centuries, miko." He rolled the sleeves of his dress shirt up to the elbow as he leaned against the doorframe. Kagome tried not to drool, even with the lack of markings and short, dark hair, then slowly returned to her hair when he caught her staring.

"People don't change that much," she retorted.

"I am not most people."

She couldn't argue that. The last person she'd expected to show up in the modern era was the former Lord of the West. And to a goukon? After she'd turned down the invitation several times prior? It was unfathomable.

Granted, she hadn't known it was him, the memory of her hand in his as his aura crept up her arm making her shiver, but it was still hard to picture.

Not as hard as making out under the pier, but she hadn't been able to resist the pull when he'd offered to trade a kiss for information on her friends.

Shippou had been ecstatic to hear she'd been found, promising to visit once his stint in Ireland was up. Inuyasha and Kouga were still out of cell range and hadn't responded, but Sesshoumaru vowed to check in daily on the off chance they made it to the neighbouring village.

He was considerate like that. Which, again, was weird to think about, but his claws in her hair distracted her, pulling out the ponytail she'd just styled, leaving half her hair flowing down her back. "Too much?" she asked, meeting his gaze in the mirror.

"Something like that." His eyes told a different story, and she was left regretting that they'd accepted the group date once again. There were a lot of nuances to inuyoukai culture that she wasn't privy to, and he wasn't sharing unless she specifically asked, which usually only happened after something happened.

They hadn't been able to spend much time together since that first meeting; his company was in the middle of an expansion, and even his texts were few and far between.

She should've just ignored Yuka's call.

Sesshoumaru tilted her chin, kissing the pout off her face. "Come along, miko. Your friends will come looking for you if we are late." She pursed her lips but followed him to the front door. Hopefully, dinner wouldn't take too long, and they could still do something after.

,,::**::..

They'd settled on a café that featured an abundance of fruit, a change-up from the seafood restaurant from last time, and Kagome perked up when a mixed platter was set in the middle of the table.

With her long hours as a wedding planner, the produce in her fridge never lasted, and she usually ended up throwing half of it out. She survived more off protein shakes or smoothies, trying to get all her nutrients in one shot, and the latter consisted of frozen fruit, not fresh.

Her mouth almost watered at the bundle of strawberries in the middle, but the platter turned as she reached for them, the succulent berries suddenly out of reach. She waited until Daisuke and Yuka had had their fill, then attempted to turn it back, but by then, everyone else had started to dig in, and soon, there was only one strawberry left.

Kagome grabbed the edge of the tray, turning it back toward her to try and steal the last one, but Daisuke grabbed it before she could, boasting about how juicy they were. Her shoulders slumped, and she resigned herself to the remaining fruit, wishing she'd been a little faster.

The evening passed smoothly enough, Sesshoumaru intervening when her friends tried to badger her about their relationship—and how love at first sight clearly still existed, considering what had happened last time.

She snuck a glance at him every time they brought it up, but he either ignored their comments or squeezed her hand, their fingers intertwined under the table. His touch was both reassuring and distracting, his thumb brushing against the back of her hand every time she'd forgotten about it.

Awareness was a constant buzz under her skin, and she tried to find an appropriate break in the conversation so they could leave, but her friends talked non-stop, the idle chatter grating on her nerves until Sesshoumaru finally got to his feet.

The rest of the group looked at him with wide eyes, and he bowed his head before helping Kagome out of her chair. "I apologize, but there is a hiccup in the recent negotiations that I must deal with immediately."

Her relief at the excuse was short-lived as she followed him to his car, shoulders sagging. "So much for our walk," she said.

He gazed at the fading sunlight. "We can still make it if you wish. But I am told the early-morning hours are more satisfactory."

She blinked owlishly at him, then broke out into an excited smile. "You lied."

He scoffed as they climbed into his car. "Nothing so nefarious. There has been a hiccup in my schedule. But it had nothing to do with work." The engine revved under her feet, and they quickly peeled out of the parking lot.

"Thanks," she said, relaxing back in her seat. "They mean well, but I can only take so much of their questions."

"I am aware." She tilted her head, brow raising, and he smirked, eyes still on the road. "You were never one to keep your emotions hidden, miko. It was clear from the beginning that you wished to be elsewhere."

She crossed her arms over her chest, shooting him an accusing look. "Yet we went anyway."

"To sate their curiosity," he replied. "Now that they have seen us together, their worries about whether or not my intentions are honourable will subside."

Her expression softened. "When did you get so good at reading people?"

The side of his mouth curved up into a smirk. "I have always been adept at doing so. There has just not been a reason to flaunt it until now."

Kagome blushed but didn't get the chance to respond as he quickly pulled over to the side of the road. She frowned as she looked around. This wasn't the parkade to her apartment, or even his, a small collection of shops stretching in both directions, and she raised her brows in question.

"I will be right back." He slid out of the car and ducked into a convenience store, not even bothering to turn off the engine. She tried to keep him in view, but he disappeared down an aisle, and she was left floundering until he returned.

He placed a small container of strawberries on her lap.

Kagome stared at it as he pulled back into traffic, mouth opening and closing in shock.

Had she been that obvious?

Flushing darkly, she opened it without a word, eating three before offering up one to him. He appeared to be concentrating on the road, his eyes never moving, and she moved over in her seat. "Do you want one?" she asked.

"It is unsafe to focus on distractions while one is driving, miko," he advised, changing lanes. "You will have to come closer." She did as he bade, but his head didn't turn until she'd almost poked him in the cheek with it, tongue curling around her fingers.

Heat pooled low in her stomach as he licked them clean, hazel eyes darkening to burnt honey, and she swallowed stiffly, all but forgetting about the berries in her lap. The sensation of his hands under her dress, body pressed against the rough wood of the pier, surfaced with a vengeance, her mind running wild with possibilities.

Youki curled around her ankles, then slid up her legs. "Careful, miko. Do not take advantage of me." His words were teasing, but his voice was rough, and she noticed his hands tighten around the steering wheel.

"What if I want to?" she whispered. The question sounded breathy and far away, and she swallowed again, trying to regain control as she settled back into her seat. She nibbled on another berry, but his youki didn't dissipate, brushing the underside of her breasts before sliding up her shoulders.

"Then I cannot be held responsible for the consequences," he said. It was barely more than a growl, and Kagome rubbed her thighs together. He shifted gears, and their speed increased, the inside of the car suddenly stifling.

"There's really no work emergency?" she asked, hand tightening around the container.

"I have nowhere else to be tonight." She wanted to ask him to stay, to voice what they'd both been avoiding since that first date several weeks ago, but the words wouldn't form. She squirmed as they pulled into the parkade, not trusting herself even to hold his hand. As luxurious as his SUV was, it still would've been cramped, and she wanted to explore.

Just the thought of discovering his other stripes had a soft moan escaping her lips, and Sesshoumaru's foot jerked against the brake pedal, stalling the car. Kagome flushed darkly, an apology on the tip of her tongue, but he leaned over and slipped his into her mouth, and her thoughts splintered.

She clung to him, her seatbelt digging into her skin as she gripped his collar. He tasted like strawberries, sweet and tart and tempting, and she struggled against her restraints. She couldn't find the buckle and whimpered, fangs tugging at her bottom lip before he finally pulled back.

"If you tell me to go home, I will acquiesce," he said, voice strained. "But do so now, or there will be consequences." His threat was filled with heated promise, and she grabbed his hair, pulling him back down.

His hand slipped between her thighs, pressing against her core through her jeans, and she rubbed against him, seeking more friction. Her skin felt tight, blood pounding through her veins, and she tugged his shirt out of his pants, suddenly not caring about how cramped his car was.

His growls increased, and he tore his mouth away again, restarting the engine and easing them into her parking stall before all but leaping out of the driver's seat. Kagome managed to close the container before her door was yanked open, her seatbelt zipping across her chest as she was pulled free and then into his arms.

She didn't even have the forethought to argue, pressing her face against his neck as he strode purposefully into her building. He bypassed the elevator, taking the stairs to her floor several at a time. She giggled softly, commenting how eager he was, and he snorted. "If I put you down, you will lose your clothes. Regardless of our location."

She inhaled deeply, nipping at the bottom of his ear. "Promise?"

He all but kicked the door in, divesting her of her coat and shoes, then sank his hands into her jeans, the button rebounding off the floor before the zipper yielded. He lifted her out of them, then pinned her against the wall. Her legs automatically went around his waist, hands buried in his hair as she opened her mouth for him.

His glamour had come undone, silver hair fanning out down his back, but it only gave her more to hold onto, and she slid her tongue along his fangs, earning her a moan in return.

His hands delved under her shirt, pulling it and her bra out of the way. She struggled to keep up, tugging at the buttons of his shirt, instantly regretting how much she enjoyed him in it now that it had come time to get him out of it. The complaint didn't last long, as his mouth moved lower, the arm around her waist forcing her to arch as he latched onto a breast.

Kagome gasped, her hands returning to his hair as she grappled for purchase. Heat shot through her, following the swirl of his tongue before he bit down. She wasn't given the chance to recover, his mouth sliding across her chest to give the other the same treatment, and she squirmed.

There wasn't enough friction.

She knew he was aroused—the air was saturated with youki—but she was too high up, and all she could feel was the seam of his shirt. Her legs clenched around his waist as she tried to lower herself, to relieve the pressure that had been building since that day under the pier.

She'd tried to deny it, or at least delay it, but the coil was wound too tight, and there wasn't anyone else who could do anything about it—who she'd let do anything about it.

She wanted him and him alone.

Kagome moaned his name at the realization, and he stilled his movements. She blinked in surprise, about to protest, but one look at him had her muscles clenching in unison. Crimson eyes stared up at her, magenta slashed across his cheeks as his breath came out in short pants. Swallowing audibly, she found her voice. "Please. It's not enough."

He physically shuddered, releasing her enough to let her slide down his body until his erection pressed against her core. She only got half his name out before he was devouring her. Tongues and power tangled as she ground against him, trying to get closer. He let out a curse as he broke the kiss, burying his face against her neck. "If you continue, I will not last."

"So?" she breathed, her grip on his shoulders tightening. "You're staying, aren't you?" She'd meant for the night, but there was an odd lilt to his voice when he pulled back.

"Do you wish me to?"

There was no hesitation in her answer, though no words left her mouth. She cupped his face, thumbs stroking the jagged edges of his stripes before she pressed a kiss to the mark on his brow. The youki that had been buzzing on the edge of her senses exploded, teasing her body like an extra set of hands, and she moaned his name again, spurring him on.

He shifted his weight, and she quivered in anticipation as the back of his knuckles brushed her opening. She wasn't sure how much more she could take, but it seemed that neither could he, quickly releasing himself before grinding back against her. All that separated them now was the flimsy fabric of her underwear, but it didn't last, nimble claws yanking it out of the way before the head popped inside her.

Kagome gasped and looked down, muscles clenching as she watched him sink into her. She felt every inch, and when he finally bottomed out, she was all but writhing in his arms. The crimson in his eyes had receded, gold peeking through as he adjusted her, and claimed his mouth a moment before he started thrusting.

Claws dug into her thighs, her nails doing the same to his shoulders as he pounded into her. There was no lingering, no steady build-up of heat, just their mouths locked as bodies rolled in tandem until they were plunged over the edge and left a trembling mess.

Even after she'd seized up around him, milking him for all he was worth, he'd kept thrusting, prolonging the orgasm for as long as possible. A thin layer of sweat covered their skin, and Kagome's head fell back against the wall as she attempted to catch her breath.

Bracing himself, he did the same, placing a soft kiss to the crook of her neck and sending a new wave of shivers down her spine. A thought occurred to her, and she let out a breathy giggle. "Sorry for taking advantage of you."

Sesshoumaru snorted before slowly pulling back. "I assure you, Kagome, it won't be the only time it happens."

She wanted to retort, to dazzle him with some witty comeback, but she was too distracted by the sound of her name on his lips. "Say it again." He blinked in surprise, and she flushed, the colour travelling down to her still-exposed breasts. "My name."

His pupils dilated, and he followed the change in colour, fangs dragging against her skin as his body rolled. "Kagome," he said. "My Kagome."

She whimpered, nodding adamantly. "Yours. All yours."

He lifted her off the wall, fighting for balance as he strode quickly to her bedroom. "I will enjoy proving just how true that is." She didn't argue, already reaching for him, never letting even an inch of space between them.

She would enjoy proving the sentiment true for herself as well, giving just as much as he did. As dawn broke through the curtains they hadn't bothered to close, and she turned to avoid the sunlight, he was already pulling her close, fitting their bodies together.

So far, she was zero for two on life-changing group dates, but she doubted she'd need any more. All she needed was right here.

Within reach.