Kagome stepped closer to the full-length mirror, and her heart raced as the bathroom's bright lights illuminated the delicate black lace of her lingerie. It looked even more glamorous than she had imagined, with tiny pearls and crystals hand-sewn in intricate patterns across embroidered rosettes along the edges that glittered like stars.
Even she had to admit: this lingerie was her best design yet.
She glanced at her reflection again and checked her hair and makeup one last time. This photo shoot was crucial, her chance to make a lasting impression on the fashion industry. She took a deep breath, letting it out slowly, trying to quell the butterflies dancing in her belly as she thought about what lay ahead of her in the next few minutes. Her stomach clenched painfully. She had skipped breakfast and lunch in preparation for the photo shoot, and she began to wonder if it had been a good idea.
The three knocks on the door jolted her; Sesshōmaru’s muffled voice came through the door. “Kagome.”
Immediately, she reddened and readjusted the sparkly bra straps for the umpteenth time.
“Just… just a moment, sorry,” she called out.
“Take your time,” he replied. His voice sounded so close, as though he was standing on the other side of the door. “I came to tell you the set and lighting are ready, but there is no need to rush.”
“O-okay.”
Kagome returned her eyes to her reflection again, dismayed. The lingerie itself was perfect, but... If only there were something she could do at the last minute to make herself look less like… melted ice cream. She cupped her face, careful not to ruin the heavy makeup she had spent hours applying.
Tall, statuesque models with perfect bodies should be wearing this skimpy underwear, not her.
She still could not believe she had let Sesshōmaru talk her into modelling the lingerie herself. Last week, when she had met with him over coffee to go over the concept for the photo shoot, she argued that she was no model material. He merely stared at her over the rim of his cup, thoughts unreadable as usual, and reminded her she had agreed to give him complete creative control when she signed the contract.
He was adamant he wanted everyday women, not models, in her creations.
When she offered to hire professional models with everyday women's bodies, he still would not budge. He had stared at her intently, his eyes never blinking. His long, black lashes emphasized his piercing golden gaze. She did not know what kind of creative direction needed her as the model, but he would hear no arguments, as though he sensed the core of her hesitation.
On a couple of occasions, as they met up at bars or restaurants, and talked late into the night with drinks flowing, she occasionally let slip some of the cruel remarks her ex-boyfriend had made about her body, ugly comments that still jabbed and left behind deep scars that still had not healed even after two years later.
Even now, as she took a deep, steadying breath and gingerly put on a black satin robe to cover herself, she imagined her ex glaring at her, frowning. ‘Did you gain weight again? You know girls aren’t supposed to be this big, right?’
Really, he had been an ass of the finest degree. The truth of his character slowly revealed itself over time, like black mould creeping up a wall. He was unkind and dismissive, never considering her feelings or needs. With each selfish and cruel word, she felt her worth slipping further away until, one day, she realized enough was enough. Leaving him was arguably the best decision she had ever made.
If only she had realized sooner how damaging the relationship had been. But, as such, she was left to lick her wounds and tried her best to mend her tattered self-esteem.
The first time she ever told Sesshōmaru about her ex, shortly after the breakup, she thought she had heard him muttering under his breath, “He’s the only excess weight you need to shed off.”
She had stared at him quizzically, but the moment passed, and they never revisited the subject.
Kagome stepped out of the bathroom, slowly walking down the hallway towards the set in the back. Sesshōmaru had kindly offered to use one of his properties, a spacious open studio with a soaring ceiling in a beautiful neighbourhood in Tokyo. As she strolled, she observed the framed photographs that lined the exposed concrete walls. She had seen them before, but they were feasts to the eyes that she could not help but admire them again and again. Sesshōmaru had shot each one during his work as a famed documentary photographer from the late 17th to the early 19th century before he switched gears to the fashion industry.
After centuries of living in some of the hubs for arts and culture around the world, he had developed impeccable taste and bottomless creativity. His eye for detail was unmatched. All that, combined with his innate magnetism and a no-nonsense attitude, had earned him the reputation as one of the world’s most sought-after fashion photographers.
Kagome's breath caught in her throat as she stepped into the set, eyes widening as she took in the sight before her. She'd expected something special, but not this. The plush white carpet caressed her feet like a blanket of snow as her gaze swept across the room. A large bed dominated the center of the space, covered with shimmering crimson satin sheets and adorned with ornate throw pillows. An intricate crystal chandelier hung low over the bed, its facets shimmering in the dim light, throwing scattered rainbows on the walls. Faux clouds drifted lazily above, giving the entire scene an ethereal, dream-like quality.
She had to admit Sesshōmaru had outdone himself with the set. It was perfect for the theme of her lingerie collection, which was all about feeling like a goddess.
Usually, he had an army of assistants to help him with the extensive props and lighting required for the photo shoot. But today, dressed impeccably in a crisp white shirt and black trousers, he was oddly alone. Kagome could not decide if the fact brought her relief or added nerves. On one hand, she was relieved that only one pair of eyes would be on her, and there would be fewer people watching and judging her. But, she was so keenly aware of Sesshomaru's presence, she wondered if others would have made him feel less... intimidating.
She licked her lower lip, wishing she could naturally and seamlessly get into her part and started posing. But, here she was now, standing frozen in the middle of the room in front of Sesshōmaru, clad in her lingerie creations that she had poured her heart and soul into. She had never felt more nervous in her life. Sesshōmaru flicked his long silver hair back as his impassive gaze swept over her. For a moment, she thought she saw a hint of a smile on his lips, but it quickly disappeared.
"Are you ready?" he asked, his voice low and steady.
Kagome nodded, her heart racing. She had no idea what he had in mind, but she trusted him. Though this situation was not what she had envisioned for the launch of her line, she and Sesshōmaru had worked on so many photoshoots together. His work had always captured the essence of her designs perfectly, and she trusted his vision and creativity.
Sometimes she wondered why he agreed to shoot for her — an up-and-coming designer instead of the high-fashion couturiers who must be beating down his door to get their names pencilled in his schedule. Was he doing it as a favour to Inuyasha, or simply for the memories of hunting Naraku together in the feudal era?
But he always made himself available whenever she asked if he had the time to shoot for her. His fee, although high, had stayed the same since they began working together.
"Well?" Sesshōmaru prompted her, his tone gentle and without urgency.
Kagome's hands trembled as she reached for the knot at her waist. Her throat felt tight as she carefully loosened it and allowed the fabric of her robe to slide down her arms and onto the floor.
The moment the black satin slipped off her shoulders and arms to pool at her feet, Sesshōmaru felt his mouth go dry. His fingers tightened around his camera as he drank in the sight of her beauty. The delicate black lace clung to the curves of her body, highlighting her hourglass figure. As she stepped towards the bed, her movements were uncertain but graceful, each step like a dance. The light from the windows and the overhead chandelier caught the sheer fabric, making it shine and glimmer.
He usually had a bevy of assistants surrounding him, but today, he wanted it to be just the two of them. Even without looking at her, he knew: Kagome was already so high-strung without anyone else here. He worried the presence of others watching her would make her even more nervous.
He wanted her relaxed; he wanted her to enjoy this session and be empowered by it, and he had arranged the set to help her achieve it. Soft instrumental music from one of her favourite artists flowed from the sound system. He had spared no expense in acquiring the softest sheets, and the plushiest pillows, all for her ultimate comfort.
“Is it… looking a bit dark in here?” Kagome squinted at the chandelier and the couple of monolight strobes on stands he had placed slightly away from the bed. “You usually use so much more lighting. Is this going to be okay?”
Sesshōmaru nearly smiled. He did not want her to feel hot and uncomfortable under harsh studio lighting, so he opted for softer illumination — as though they were surrounded only by candlelight. He had prepared the special camera with a wide aperture and some of his long lenses to circumvent the graininess that might occur under poor lighting conditions.
“You do trust me, don’t you?” he asked her. She looked up at him, her blue eyes flickering under the dimness of the room, and she wordlessly nodded.
Sesshōmaru responded with a brief nod of his own. He had always respected her as a designer, and had an immense appreciation for her as a friend. But, ever since they worked on their first photo shoot together, he began seeing her in a different light.
He did not know when his feelings for her had shifted. Suddenly, she was no longer just Kagome, Inuyasha's friend and comrade. He found himself inexplicably drawn to her as a woman.
He had never felt this way about a subject he was photographing. Usually, he merely went through the motions, capturing the essence of the tableau before him and focusing on the clothing. He treated his models the way he wished to be treated — as professional artists.
But with Kagome, he could not help but be captivated by her natural beauty.
Over the years, they had become friends, maintaining contact even after Inuyasha moved away with his mate and children. Perhaps, it was due to them both being in the fashion industry, but he would like to think there was something more to their relationship than simply a mutual career choice.
"Good," he finally said, careful to keep his tone even as he moved into position. He directed her on how to pose, telling her to tilt her head slightly and arch her back. She followed his instructions, her movements hesitant but graceful.
As he snapped the first few shots, he noticed the tension in her shoulders beginning to ease. Sesshōmaru allowed himself to become lost in the moment, in the flurry of clicks of his camera and the soft music echoing in the room. He continued to direct her, knowing how to capture the light to enhance her features and draw the viewer's eye to her stunning lingerie design.
"Beautiful," he murmured, unable to take his eyes off her as the dim lighting seemed to intensify the way her curves and lines played with the shadows, creating a sensual and entrancing atmosphere in the room.
He paused to adjust his camera settings. "Alright. Now, turn around and face away from me."
Kagome turned, the lace thong accentuating her plump backside. The sight affected him, but he ignored it and focused on capturing her essence. He took a few photos before asking her to turn around once more.
"Can you lie down on your back?" he requested.
She lay on the bed; her hair splayed out behind her on the crimson satin sheets. Sesshōmaru's hands itched to run through it, to see the way it looked spread out on the pillow, to feel its texture if he twirled it around his fingers. He shook the thought and focused on how the black lace contrasted with her creamy skin.
"Lovely," he muttered, snapping the images quickly, trying to push away the urge to touch her.
He knew he had twisted her arm and pushed her into modelling for this photoshoot — something he understood she was uncomfortable doing. From her stories of past romantic relationships, he knew she had experienced emotional trauma that left her feeling insecure about her body.
She did not like to talk about it. The stories only came out when she was too inebriated to check her words. But, one night at the bar, he had enough, and he vowed to himself that the next time she asked him to shoot her lingerie collection, she would be the one wearing it.
His purpose for this photo shoot was to show her, through his lenses, how beautiful she was in his eyes. The plan seemed to have backfired, as he lost all semblance of concentration, leaving him a fumbling idiot when he was trying to adjust the ISO setting on his camera.
※※※※※※
"Could you spread your legs a little?" Sesshōmaru murmured, moving closer to the bed. "I want to capture the delicacy of the lace against your skin."
Kagome hesitated for a moment, but then nodded, spreading her legs slightly so he could see the tiny pearls sewn along the edges of the lace panties, and other minute details she poured into her creation.
"Perfect," he said, clicking away with his camera.
He said so, but all Kagome could think about was whether he saw the dimples on her thighs, and she froze.
“Don’t tense,” he told her.
Thoughts of dimpled skin, of thighs riddled with cellulite, had her piping up — the pitch of her voice rising an octave, “Ummm… these will be touched up in Photoshop, right?”
His only answer was a scoff, and another instruction: “Do not tense.”
Kagome drew a shaky breath and tried to relax. She did not know why it mattered so much that Sesshōmaru saw her in the best light possible. They were both here for business, and this was not a date. He wouldn’t have to end the evening by deciding if he would like to see her again.
Still, she could not stop her hand from pressing down the side of her thigh, as though that simple act could erase the lumps and bumps and evidence of a declining metabolism rate. She had been svelte as a teenage girl, and her body in her early twenties had been reasonably trim and toned. As soon as she hit thirty, however, her body changed, and things were never quite the same. After a few terrible relationships, she had begun to feel self-conscious about her soft, ample curves and the excess kilograms she somehow could not shed off. It was not until she started designing lingerie that she regained some confidence that she, at least with her imagination and creativity, was capable of beauty.
But, even then, her self-esteem was constantly a work in progress.
Kagome shook herself, trying to get her body to relax. Still, it was difficult, knowing Sesshōmaru’s eyes were constantly on her, even if it was through the viewfinder. She was still trying to deal with the realization that, for the next couple of hours, she was the sole object of his attention, and she was so scantily dressed. The lace of the lingerie was so thin she might as well be naked.
"Take your left hand and trail your fingers down your breast and stomach," he told her, snapping a few shots in succession when she followed his instruction.
Kagome took a deep breath, her fingertips touching the delicate lace. He was making this so very difficult with these intimate poses and candid moments as though stolen in time, but she did her best.
※※※※※※
He noted how her fingers lingered ever so slightly over the puckered nipple before she slid her hand down the soft expanse of her belly.
The temperature in the room seemed to be increasing, somehow. He heard the soft hitch in her breathing and spotted the slightest quiver of her forefinger. The rosy flush in her cheeks was unmistakable.
He did not dare think she was as affected as he was, but — could she be?
As the photo shoot progressed, the air became charged with palpable electricity. Kagome's movements became more fluid, more sensual, and Sesshōmaru could not help but lose himself in the moment, watching her curves move and undulate with breathtaking grace.
But, he knew that capturing her physical beauty was not enough. He wanted to capture her essence, her soul, and her passion in the photos, which he knew simmered somewhere beneath her layers of self-consciousness.
Sesshōmaru lowered her camera and looked at her.
"Let us try something different," he said. "Think of a moment of sensuality, real or imagined, and lose yourself in it. Feel it in every inch of your body, and show me the beauty in that emotion. Can you do that for me?"
She paused, her eyelashes fluttering closed as she took a moment of inner reflection. When she opened them again, her azure eyes collided with his, and he witnessed a flame of longing stirred in their depths. The pure, unadulterated desire took his breath away. His stomach knotted with jealousy at the thought of whichever male was the source of her desire.
He spotted a lock of her hair falling upon her shoulder, covering the design of the lingerie. He put his camera down for a moment to make an adjustment, and his finger inadvertently brushed against her bare skin. An electric jolt ran through her body at his touch. The room was suddenly filled with a heady scent, sweet and spicy like cinnamon, combined with the musk of arousal.
A low rumble started in the pit of his stomach, a possessive growl he found so difficult to hide.
“Sor— sorry.” Kagome suddenly reddened, and she sat up at once, turning around so he could not see her face. “I didn’t mean to…”
Sesshōmaru stared at her back, noting the quivering of her shoulders. “Why are you sorry?” he asked softly.
“I know you could smell my… interest. And I also know you’re a professional,” she muttered. Then, she wiped her face. “I’ve just made things become awkward between us.”
He opened his mouth to brush off her concern, but the salty-sweet tears in her eyes and the flush that spread across her cheeks stopped him. He was familiar with the desire of women; he'd worked with countless models who made no secret of their admiration for him. But hers seemed different.
“I’m so embarrassed,” Kagome admitted, turning to look at him, cheeks flaming, eyes glazed. “I hope you can forgive me, and that this wouldn’t ruin our friendship.”
Friendship.
It had been an honour to be her friend. Back then, he had difficulties maintaining any relationship with anything or anyone that lasted longer than the lifespan of a goldfish. She was one of the few who somehow stuck around. He had been too particular, too demanding, too high maintenance, too picky, too choosy, and too much of a perfectionist to want to bother with anyone else’s mediocracy.
He'd believed those excuses too, until now, when he suddenly realized, that it was not because anyone else was not good enough.
It was just that anyone else was not her.
The realization was so earth-shattering that he wondered what he had been waiting for all this time, because surely, if he had been content with simply being her friend, his chest would not hurt so damn much whenever he looked at her. His claws would not be pounding with the desire to maim her ex-boyfriend every time she talked about him with such a sad, resigned smile on her face.
His beast would not constantly paw at him whenever she was near, wanting something that he did not understand until now.
He took a deep breath and let go of the doubts that had been holding him back. He cupped her neck with both hands, pulled her closer, and pressed his lips against hers.
※※※※※※
The feel of Sesshōmaru’s lips against hers tilted her world in its axis. They were feather-light as they brushed against hers, sending sparks of electricity through her entire body. She let out a soft sigh and opened her mouth in response to his encouragement, allowing him to deepen the kiss.
He kissed her as though he had been doing this often — in his thoughts or in his dreams. It made her wonder if this was what he thought about every time she caught him staring at her lips. Which, come to think of it, was often.
Just about as often as she stared at him.
He put his hand on the small of her back to press her close against him, her breasts plastered onto his chest. A groan of such longing escaped him, and with that one sound, her heart melted.
“Now, we’ve both made it awkward,” he breathed against her lips. “But I’m not sorry.”
“You’re not—“
He shook his head firmly, his golden eyes lighting up with a mysterious gleam, but she knew it was not due to remorse or repentance. “No, not sorry at all.”
Her heart in her throat, she gulped. It was such a revelation that he wanted her, that after all these years, they might—
And yet, her insecurities reared its head. “But I’m not like—”
“Like any other?” he interjected, curling a lock of her hair around his finger and bringing it to his lips. “Thank goodness you aren’t. I want you as you are, Kagome. Your beautiful—“ He paused to kiss her, and punctuated each word that came after with a kiss. “— irresistible, incredibly arousing self.”
At his words, her chest rose and fell with the effort to contain her sudden surge of happiness. Her skin seemed to have come alive, tingling with anticipation as she moved closer and pressed her lips gently against his. He encouraged the kiss and drew her body flush against his own, their breaths becoming one with each beat of her heart. In that moment, every ounce of protection she had built up around herself during years of careful reflection dissipated like smoke in the air, replaced by an emotion so strong it threatened to consume her: Love.
As they paused to take in air, she let her hands wander over his chest, desperate to feel the warmth radiating from him. "It's not fair that you're the only one still dressed," she complained.
His low chuckle, and his fingers moving to unbutton his shirt, appeased her. Kagome's hands joined in, and together, they ruined a few buttons in their rush to expose his bare skin. Her trembling fingers struggled with his belt and the fastenings of his trousers, but Sesshōmaru did not seem to mind, his eyes darkening with desire and his hands guiding hers every step of the way. It was as though they were both in a race to fulfill each other's needs.
His hands found her breasts, kneading them lovingly, while his mouth found the hollow of her neck, nipping and licking at the sensitive flesh there. A moan escaped her lips, and her fingers finally managed to rid him of his trousers. He knelt before her, completely naked, and all she could do was stare in awe at his finely sculpted body.
"Sesshōmaru," she breathed.
She stared at him, entranced. Every muscle in his body seemed to be perfectly sculpted—from the broad expanse of his shoulders to the defined lines of his abdomen and chest. His arms and hips were adorned with magenta stripes that were alluringly vivid against his pale skin. Her gaze traced the bold slashes that began on his lower back, curling forward before they stopped just above his groin. She could no longer stop herself—she wanted to touch every inch of him.
Boldly, she cupped him, feeling his hard, thick girth pulse against her palm. Her forefinger traced the velvety texture of another set of magenta stripes she discovered on the base of his cock. She stroked the fullness beneath his skin, and with every tender touch, his breathing grew ragged, and his eyes closed in pure bliss as he allowed her to explore him.
She wanted to bend and put him into her mouth, but he had other ideas. Gently, he laid her down on the bed. His hands started a new journey across her body, and his mouth began an exploration of its own against her delicate skin, against the fine lace that barely concealed it.
His fingers roamed her breasts, exploring them with an eagerness that seemed to spark and grow as it went. He suckled her nipples through the thin lace of the bra, nipping gently at the hardened buds, and desire coiled tighter and tighter inside her belly.
Kagome’s breaths came in short gasps, her mind short-circuiting from how fast Sesshōmaru had found her pleasure spots that made her spine arch off the bed. He moved to kneel on the floor, gripped her hips, and pulled until her bottom touched the edge of the bed.
His strong hands parted her legs; he only had to push aside the thin bridge of her panties to reveal her core, already wet and glistening for him. Her bottom lifted off the bed, mouth falling open with a strangled cry when his lips touched her core. His tongue followed in its wake, setting fires in her belly that no argument from her mind could extinguish. She desperately wanted to give in, to let go and enjoy herself completely, but years of hiding and fearing judgement clung tight like a shield around her heart. Fear had become ingrained in her reaction to physical intimacy with another person; the thought that they were judging her pleasure kept her from finding hers.
But, he was patient. Slowly, slowly, with every graze and kiss, with every touch and caress, her defences gradually crumble, replaced by waves upon waves of euphoria as he sealed his lips over her clit and sucked, his tongue swirling around the swollen bud. She let her thighs fall open and surrendered, let the waves take her away and suspend her in the few minutes where nothing but white hot bliss existed. Her vision saw nothing but stars bursting behind eyelids shut tight.
Just as she thought this was it, that he was done, he began again, pushing her up the mountain of pleasure another time and careening her over the edge of bliss she gasped and cried and rocked her hips uncontrollably against his mouth. The soles of her feet were against his shoulders, toes curling when he snaked his tongue deep inside her, thumb and forefinger working in counterpoint as they pinched her clit.
When the pleasure became too much, and she began to shy away again, he gripped her hips with a pair of strong arms, pinning her down to the bed. He let out a triumphant snarl against her mound when her peak washed over her once more, and she seized, crying out his name.
As she writhed with the aftershocks of her many orgasms, Sesshōmaru rose from the floor, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. The bed dipped under his weight as he crawled over her body, strands of silken silver hair trailing over her skin made slick with perspiration.
Staring up at him looming above her, she never quite realized how large he was. Unclothed, his size was even more impressive and intimidating. He made her feel small beneath him, almost dainty, which would have been impossible with anyone else.
She parted her legs to make room for him between her thighs, eager to feel him pressed up against her core, but he grabbed her hand and gently pulled her up onto her knees.
A massive mirror had been positioned on the wall across the bed, and she saw her image in its reflection — with Sesshōmaru behind her, watching her with intent, gleaming golden eyes.
“Look at yourself,” he murmured against the side of her neck, his fingers pulling back the locks of hair that covered her breasts. “Do you see how beautiful you are? How desirable? Kagome, I could savour you for hours."
Her breath hitched in her throat, and the hair on her arms stood up. Every inch of her skin prickled with awareness as she felt his body heat surround her. Her pulse raced in anticipation and desire as his deep, husky voice caressed her ears. She could feel the unmistakable press of him against her backside and boldly shifted her hips to meet him. He rolled his hips upward, sliding his rigid length between her lower cheeks. The flimsy bejewelled panties provided no protection. The fabric was so delicate, she could feel every ridge and pulse of his cock.
A shiver ran through her, and she allowed herself a moment to savour the sensation as she continued to admire their reflections. She looked bold, wanton, with her hair in disarray. Her skin was flushed, and her eyes gleamed with desire.
Was this the same Kagome, the same body, and the same lingerie as the ones she had seen in the bathroom mirror?
“I know how hard you’ve worked on this piece,” Sesshōmaru said, thumbing her nipple through the delicate lace before trailing his fingers down to the slick place between her legs. “All these hand-sewn pearls and crystals must have taken ages. I’m trying not to claw them off you — and failing, so perhaps you should take them off before the inevitable happens.”
Her core clenched. She always designed her lingerie with the hopes that someone, somewhere, would be lucky enough to have her partner so overcome with desire, enough to rip the scrap of lace off their body.
She dug her nails into the quilted muscles of his hips. “Do it,” she told him.
With a feral growl, Sesshōmaru tore the lace panties as though it was paper, exposing her fully to his gaze. The sound of the fabric ripping sent a thrill through her body, her breath coming rapidly as her heart pounded in her chest. Her creation was in tatters, but instead of regret, she only quivered in anticipation when he tossed the pieces away, sending beads of pearls and crystals across the floor.
Immediately, his fingers found her center, dipping between her folds to test her readiness. He worked her with two fingers; claws blunted as he scissored those digits inside her, deftly kneading the sensitive ridges along her walls. Kagome writhed, her back resting against his chest as she parted her thighs for him.
She felt his hardness between her legs, felt how eager he was as he rubbed himself against her, his fingers gripping her hips so hard that he might leave fingerprints. But, just as she thought he would take her now, he coaxed her to change position, turning her around so she would straddle his hips.
“I want you to ride me,” he urged her, his hands cupping the curve of her bottom. “Take me inside you. Show me how you move.”
With her fists against his shoulders, Kagome held herself rigidly above him, biting her lip before she muttered, “I might be too heavy to be doing something like that.”
With a finger, Sesshōmaru gently touched her temple, earning her attention. “That is the voice of your ex-boyfriend speaking,” he told her. “Exorcise him from your thoughts. There is no place for him inside your head, or with us.”
Kagome licked her lips, realizing Sesshōmaru was right. She might have split up with her former beau, but he still had a way of sneaking into her mind without realizing it. Part of her had been haunted by the words he so often carelessly threw at her — that she was fat and unworthy of real passion.
Sesshōmaru's words felt like ointment to an open wound, warding off those hurtful remarks. She looked deep into his eyes and felt the warmth radiating from his gaze. A wave of emotion washed over her, knowing that it was time to move forward and embrace new possibilities — one that included someone who respected and appreciated her for who she was. A friend who could offer her the love and admiration she had always deserved.
“Focus on me,” Sesshōmaru whispered, his breath warm against her neck as he held her close. “Feel how much I want you.”
He began grinding up against her, his hardness cushioned between her swollen nether lips, the tip of his cock bumping against her clit and sending sparks of pleasure that weakened her knees. Yes, Sesshōmaru wanted her, and she wanted him in return. Her body was crying out for him to fill it to the brim.
Kagome whimpered, fingers grasping his shoulders, sinking blunt nails into the quilted muscles as she positioned herself above him. They stared into each other’s eyes while she notched the head of his cock at her entrance. She dropped her hips, gravity assisting her, lowering herself slowly until, suddenly, her pussy closed around the head of his cock.
"Just feel me," he whispered against her neck as she paused, the immense pressure causing her to writhe and moan. "Let me show you how I see you — how beautiful you are."
A large male himself, he was proportionate everywhere. She whimpered as her body struggled to accept him, thick as he was. His gaze never left hers as he parted her, sundered her open in a claim. Her lips parted at the intimacy of him watching her as her body stretched to take him.
“That’s it,” he murmured. “Breathe and open for me.”
She followed his instruction, breathing deeply, and dropped her hips another fraction. She used her body weight to bear down, shimmying lower until her bottom met his thighs, taking him to the root. She cried out when the tip of him touched the deepest part of her; the pressure was so immense that she had to take a few moments to adjust. His low, nearly animalistic growl coming from his chest surrounded her as she quivered on his lap.
She felt him trembling, too, his large hands gripping her hips like he was trying to anchor himself as they rocked gently back and forth. With each thrust, the head of his cock pressed against a sensitive spot inside her that made her gasp for air while his face was buried in the crook of her neck. His breath tickled her skin, and an unbearable pleasure began to build within her.
“Sesshōmaru. I feel so full—“
He answered by dipping his head to pull her breast into his mouth, sucking her nipple while she writhed and cried out above him.
When her body softened and she adjusted to the stretch, Kagome began to move, rocking her hips experimentally, her mouth falling open at the frisson of heat that jolted through her with every rise and fall. She wrapped her arms around his neck, clinging to him for support as he lifted his head until their lips met.
"Kagome," he growled. "Can you feel how wet you are for me?"
She could feel it; she could hear it too. It would have embarrassed her, but he said it as though there was nothing he would like more than to feel her gush around him. His voice was low and throaty as he said it, his eyes hooded with desire. Her body trembled in anticipation of the pleasure they were about to experience together.
Gathering her courage, Kagome swivelled her hips slowly, letting her core melt around his heat, his hardness. She let her body rest on his thighs; one arm braced around his neck while the other slipped between their bodies to touch her slick, stretched center. He growled low and rich in his throat as she rose up and down his lap, growing bolder by the second, while his fingers joined her in seeking out all her sensitive spots.
For once, she was not worried about being large or heavy or awkward, if her armpit fat overflowed from beneath her bra straps, or if her partner found her belly folds unsightly, because when he stared at her like this, watching her move with pupils blown, breath ragged, so completely lost in this intimate act that he lost the ability to form words, she felt like the most desirable woman in the world.
“You look perfect,” Sesshōmaru managed between gasps, meeting her downward stroke with an upward roll of his hips. “You are perfect.”
His whispers in her ear sent a thrill through her body, and his hands moved around her with purpose. His hard length filled her completely as he finally gripped her hips and took control, moving rhythmically within her, sending waves of pleasure cascading through her until she quivered uncontrollably in his arms.
Each thrust was a claim, a declaration of his dominance. He held her close, his hands tightening on her hips as she clenched her inner walls around him. She gasped, gasping out his name as he drove her closer and closer to the edge of pleasure with each deep stroke.
"I love the way you fill me up," she panted against his lips, feeling bold enough to share how he made her feel — eager to make him understand. "Like you were meant to be inside me."
His golden gaze sparked with something primal, and he let out a low guttural moan that sent a thrilling jolt through her.
He picked up his pace, angling up into her with force and precision until he found the hidden corner deep inside her that made her bite her lower lip in ecstasy and claw her fingers along his back. She tightened around him as he swelled inside her.
His hand travelled from her hip to caress the gentle curve of her stomach, then pressed against the sensitive spot just below her belly button. She was so full of him that the added pressure had her pleasure skyrocketing — so much her eyes nearly rolled to the back of her head.
“No, Sessh,” she cried out, tensing and shaking, trying to push his hand, trying to angle away from so much sensation. “I can’t—“
“Yes, you can,” he told her, catching her earlobe between his teeth and pulling, his fingers pinching her clit. “You will.”
Within seconds, she was coming again, clenching around him as his thumb kneaded tight circles on her swollen clit. Her whole body trembled, waves of pleasure crashing over her as Sesshōmaru's deep groan resonated in her ear. His grip on her tightened, hands pressing into her hips as he effortlessly moved her, relentlessly fucked her through her orgasm.
"Just like that," he whispered into her ear, his voice a seductive murmur in the chamber filled with the sound of skin slapping against skin. "Take whatever you need."
His hands firmly grasped her waist, his tight grip locking her on top of him like a steel vice. Every thrust drove him deep within her depths, pushing and propelling her body toward the ultimate pleasure. She had been worried about her weight, but he proved her concerns were for naught. His strength was undeniable as he controlled her rhythm, and she clung to him, desperately trying to reach the brink of ecstasy before trembling uncontrollably and finally finding release.
Kagome was still quivering after her orgasm when Sesshōmaru gently coaxed her to lie down on her back, his large frame looming above her. What remained of her lingerie was a mess: bra askew, crystal straps broken and dangling by a thread. She sucked in a sharp breath when she felt his still rigid arousal against her core. Her hands flew to his shoulders, her blunt nails dug into the quilting of hard muscles there. He pressed himself against her, showing her how much she affected him, how much he still desired her.
Suddenly, his hands caught her hands, pinning her wrists above her head as he settled on top of her. The feel of his bulk and his weight on her was so right. He shifted, changing the angle of his hips just a touch, and suddenly, he slid even deeper into her.
Kagome’s head fell back, mouth hanging open into a silent ‘O’ as he bottomed out inside her.
"Good?" His lips brushed her ear as he let the blunt tip of his cock press against the deepest part of her, and she shuddered. She felt the rumble of his voice reverberating through her core.
"Mmmnn— yes," she said, her voice raw with desire.
"You feel exquisite around me, Kagome." He leaned down and trailed a line of kisses along the column of her neck as he began to move, and she felt her earlier release fading away beneath the new sparks of pleasure. He set an unhurried, steady rhythm of long, slow strokes, pulling out to the tip only to plunge back in. Now that their initial passion had been slaked, his movements were languid and gentle, drawing out each thrust until it became pure torture.
Kagome felt her body arching into him, inviting him deeper, changing to fit his shape. His rhythm increased, hips working against hers as he shifted slightly to hit the perfect spot that tore a guttural cry from her throat. His mouth claimed hers in a passionate kiss as he took her to a new height, her slick body quivering underneath his.
He whispered her name again and again against her lips, letting her know she was the only one he wanted, the only one he needed, punctuating each word with every strong thrust of his hips.
※※※※※※
Sesshōmaru pinned her hands above her head, legs pried wide open to make room for his hips as he rocked against her and pounded into her. She was perfect in every way, taking him beautifully to the hilt. He looked into her eyes and felt an overwhelming sense of awe, almost like he had stepped into one of his dreams.
But, the real her was more beautiful, more captivating than anything his imagination had ever conjured. She was insecure about her figure, yet for him, everything about her was a delight. Her perfect body was slick and warm around him; thick, shapely thighs bracketed his hips as he rode her with abandon, oblivious to anything other than the two of them in this moment of shared pleasure.
His thrusts were deep and hungry, her pleasure his only focus as he rolled his hips, making sure his pelvic bone rubbed against her pearl with every plunge. Her broken cry was his undoing. Thighs quivering, she came around him again, fisting around his pistoning cock so tightly that, for a moment, he was unable to pull out. The last vestiges of his resistance snapped. He worked himself into a frenzy, pumping into her without finesse or control, pelvis slapping against her core, her unhinged cries in his ear.
"Sessh— I'm so close..." She bit his upper arm in a gesture that was both savage and loving. "Please, don't stop. Never stop."
He did not think he ever could. The air around them seemed to crackle with electricity as his mouth hungrily sought out hers, his arms holding her close and savouring every second. He kissed her feverishly, as if his life depended on it, as if he was dying of thirst and she was the last sip of water in sight.
He felt himself getting close to his peak as her soft walls spasmed around him, yet he tried to hold back, wanting so desperately to drag out this pleasure and make it last. His eyes nearly crossed when the base of his cock swelled, the ring of flesh thickening into a knot that stretched her opening.
Kagome gasped with surprise, her legs tightening instinctively around his waist as he buried the entirety of him inside her and held still.
"Sesshōmaru." She could only utter one word in a broken moan as she undulated beneath him, trying to get used to the sensation of being stretched more than she had ever been.
"At ease and be still," Sesshōmaru choked out into her hair as he continued to swell. "My knot is inside you.”
He felt her jolt of surprise, her body shifting as she moved slightly to look at him. “Your knot?” Her eyes widened as her lips parted to let out a gasping sigh.
“I’ve been told something like this could happen, but I never—“
He shuddered, his breaths puffing out of him in panting gasps as she milked the swelling flesh at the base of his cock. He had never knotted inside anyone before, but she brought out his basest nature, and, as he mindlessly watched her lost in the sensations, it seemed he did hers as well. She mewled, nails raking at his back as she gushed around him, her sudden orgasm a fiery grip that pushed him over the edge.
His back arched up as he finally gave himself over to his pleasure, pushing his hips as far back as they could go with his knot still inside her. Then, he rocked forcefully against her, pushing himself deep into her, spilling his seed with a final thrust as she held him close to her breasts.
※※※※※※
Long moments passed while Sesshōmaru’s knot locked their bodies together, moments he spent lavishing kisses on every inch of skin he could caress with his hands or lips. Kagome soaked up these tender moments, her heart swelling with the gentleness of it. Every languid, leisurely kiss made her feel so cherished. She did not know how many seconds, minutes, or hours passed before Sesshōmaru’s knot deflated and he could detach himself from her.
Afterwards, they lay together on the damp sheets, watching the fluffy faux clouds float above the bed — replete and content.
"That was—" She could not even find the words. Her mind was racing as she tried to comprehend what had just happened. It had felt so different from all the other times she'd been intimate with someone. It wasn't just like the usual clumsy, disappointing experience she had always expected it to be.
What happened tonight made her want to cry and laugh and scream all at once.
Sesshōmaru turned to nestle tight against her body and trailed his fingertips slowly along the curve of her hip. "Mm-hmm."
His low murmur was barely audible, yet it spoke volumes. Kagome laughed softly, her eyes closing as she savoured the warmth radiating from his body. Somehow, he sounded as if he had known all along that sex between them would be— "Incredible," she told him.
"Unbelievable," he concurred, his voice vibrating against her chest, and she felt the swell of happiness deep within her. He moved to pepper reverent kisses on her shoulder. “Magnificent. Earth-shattering. Life-changing.”
Kagome sighed in contentment, shifting so her head rested on his shoulder. “I never knew,” she began to say.
“I think I have always known,” he told her, trailing the knuckle of his forefinger along the curve of her arm. “And I am still berating myself for not seducing you earlier.”
She propped her upper body on her elbows to stare into his eyes. This moment was too beautiful to be marred by any regret.
“It was perfect,” she told him, cupping his cheek and stroking his magenta marking with her thumb.
And then, she kissed him, and any remorse he might have felt melted away in the newfound joy of their union.
※※※※※※
A few days later, Sesshōmaru visited Kagome in her apartment to show her several large prints of the images from the photoshoot.
"The photoshoot ended prematurely," he told her as they sat on the sofa together, his golden eyes twinkling. "But I managed to get a few excellent images. Tell me how you like them.”
Kagome stared at them, mouth parting with awe. She hardly recognized the beautiful, gloriously curved woman in the photographs. He captured her in a way that made her feel beautiful again. With each image he took, he showed the strength, resilience, and raw sensuality she possessed.
She looked up at him, tears pricking her eyes. “This is what I look like?”
“This is what you look like to me,” he told her. “Now, you see what I see.”
Kagome returned her eyes to the photographs. “I look—” She swallowed the lump in her throat.
She looked beautiful, powerful, and desirable. She looked like a woman who knew her worth and was unafraid to let it show. She had an air of self-assuredness about her, and her lips curled into a mysterious smirk as she looked back into the camera, as if to say she was aware of her beauty and chose to flaunt it.
“Though I derive immense satisfaction from being the only person who’d ever seen you this way, I want the whole world to know how beautiful you are,” he explained. “But, the choice is yours. You can use these images for your marketing campaign, or they can be for your eyes only. If you choose to keep these pictures for yourself, I will gladly redo the photo shoot with the models of your choosing.”
He had outdone himself yet again. Every snap looked like a precious, poignant moment, captured and preserved. She could look at them daily and never tire of looking at herself so confident and empowered. Each image would serve as a reminder of how she felt then, and how she would always feel from now on.
“But... it’s such a shame to hide your beautiful work," Kagome said, wiping an errant tear beneath her left eye.
Sesshōmaru shrugged, not at all concerned. “It does not have to be hidden. We can hang them in our bedroom."
Her heart skipped a beat. “Our bedroom?”
A little caution slipped into his gaze, but he reached for her hand and enveloped it in his warm grasp. His voice was low and tentative when he told her, “Our bedroom, if you’d like it to be.”
It was his way of telling her he wanted a full relationship with her. The uncertainty in his eyes, so alien in someone usually so assured, nearly made her swoon. She felt her heart swell, smiling as she leaned into his body, finally feeling wanted and loved.
Kagome placed the photos on the coffee table and leaned into him. He opened his arms, sheltering her in his embrace. “Yes, I'd like that very much,” she whispered against his shirt.
“That is, unless you want to show them off, let others see how beautiful you truly are?” he asked, caressing her cheek and tucking a lock of hair behind her ear.
Kagome shook her head. “I only ever want to be beautiful to you.”
He looked up at her, his golden eyes glittering with warmth as a chuckle passed through his lips. “But, Kagome—” He tilted his head to give her a soft, lingering kiss. “You always have been.”
Tears pricked her eyes again. She blinked them away and focused on this moment of tenderness between them. His silver hair was a curtain around them as she responded to his kiss with an ardent one of her own, savouring the feel of him against her, around her.
"You know the photo shoot will have to be redone either way," she told him when they parted, a little grin on her lips. "I had five other pieces that did not make it into any of the pictures."
He leaned against the sofa and purred, “I apologize.” Yet, somehow he managed not to look repentant at all. "However, I can make myself available for private sessions, if it is amenable to you."
Kagome moved to straddle him, enjoying the look of surprise and interest that came over him as his hands immediately went to cup the rounded curve of her hips.
"I am wearing one of them now," she told him, lashes lowering into a sultry gaze when she thought of the scarlet lace bustier and matching panties she concealed beneath her prim dress. She hooked a finger under his chin to tilt his head; blue eyes met his golden ones. "Want to see?"
The sparkle of passion in his eyes was undeniable, and the growl that came from deep within his throat was even more so.
Kagome laughed when, within a blink of an eye, she found herself on her back — a very eager daiyōkai hovering above her, pulling at the buttons of her dress expertly with his teeth.
“Kagome,” he said as he nuzzled the valley between her breasts.
She twirled a lock of silver hair around her finger, still marvelling at the easy affection between them. “Yes?”
“Don’t ever change.” He pressed a kiss on her left breast, right above her beating heart. "You are perfect, just the way you are."