Work Text:
A soft jingle sounded from the door, and Kagome looked up with a smile, her loose braid falling over her shoulder as she leaned over the counter to stare down at the small creature on the floor. "Hello again."
The two heads huffed as the young animal made its way up to the counter and nosed the glass by its favorite treat.
She chuckled, sliding her fingers over the sleek scales. "I missed you yesterday. Were you getting into mischief?"
The dragon pawed at the window, its eyes pleading. "Okay, okay. I know you only come here for these." She reached into the display and pulled out a spicy chocolate cookie, cutting it into smaller pieces in front of the creature.
The two heads make quick work of the cookie, covering their faces in whatever crumbs their tongues couldn't reach. They chuffed happily, bobbing their heads in delight.
"So this is where you have gone," a low, melodic voice rumbled.
Kagome gazed up from the counter, fingers sliding along the dragon's tail as power radiated off her newest customer. "Welcome to Slice of Heaven!"
"Hnn." The man looked her over, his human visage disappearing as he stepped through the doorway.
Kagome shivered as his power slid over her. "Oh, a daiyokai! I don't get many of you in here."
One silver brow raised. "It is a rarity," he said, observing her carefully, "to meet one who is so familiar with our kind."
"It pays to know your clientele," she mused, offering the dragon another cookie.
"So it would seem. In that, at least, we have a commonality." He glanced her over. "How long has your bakery been here?"
Kagome stroked the underside of each of the dragon's chins, giving him a sideways glance. "Answers are for paying customers only."
"As it happens," he smirked, "I am here to pay for Ah-Un's thievery."
"Oh? He's been coming here for a while, you know." She gazed down at the dragon. "It's nice to finally know your name, Ah-Un." The dragon pawed at the ground as she greeted him.
"I am his caretaker." He lifted his head. "I will pay what is owed."
"Is that the only reason you're here?" she asked, sliding her hand along the display, some of the cookies moving around in a choreographed dance. A pair of butterfly youkai twins giggled from their table nearby, tugging at their parents' clothes to get their attention.
"Impressive." His curious expression shifted to something else, something she couldn't quite read. "I have never heard of anyone infusing cookies with their power."
Ah-Un nudged her arm for another treat, but she gave him a piece of a veggie wrap instead. "It keeps the customers entertained. And safe."
"Hnn." He glanced around curiously. "You've created a haven here. No wonder it always feels so peaceful when I pass by."
She smiled, greeting a tiger hanyo and his cub with their usual order, then turned back to the daiyokai. "Everyone needs a place where they can be themselves."
He inclined his head. "There is some truth to that in an age where our kind blends in to thrive."
Kagome sighed even as the little dragon clambered up onto her shoulder. "It's a shame, really. You shouldn't have to hide."
"Perhaps not," he agreed levelly, "but it has become necessary nonetheless. Places like this are an oasis in the desert. Though I question your security," he continued, "considering how easily one such as I was able to enter."
Kagome shrugged. "The barrier let you in. That's all the security I need."
He raised an eyebrow at her. Even those he worked with stiffened in fear when he walked by, yet this wisp of a woman had not even batted an eye. He took a step closer as a hint of power curled around her. The power was protective even in the small vicinity, her eyes on him as both of Au-Un's heads rubbed against her cheek, making her laugh as they puttered around the back of her neck. "You're not getting any more today! Your master is here to collect you."
"You—" His eyes widened. "A miko?"
She raised an eyebrow at him. "Not what you were expecting?"
"I had assumed you'd be one of my kind." He looked her over again, curiosity blazing in his eyes.
She lifted the dragon off her shoulders and offered them back to their master. "Your kind aren't the only ones who wish for freedom."
"Hnn." He made no move to collect the dragon. "The store next to yours is empty."
"Not planning on putting me out of business, are you?" she asked with a chuckle.
His eyes flashed. "I run a different sort of business." He could taste her curiosity as if it were his own, and he fished a business card out of his pocket. "Though perhaps, the same level of scrutiny and secrecy is needed."
She took the card and stared at it. "Y-you run a sex store online?" He seemed so polished. The clean cut of his suit screamed business executive, along with the Ito Sesshoumaru etched into the bottom of the card in elaborate kanji. But there was no mistaking the name of his company, "Big Dog Toys" or the implication of the different toys on the card as its border. "You're going to cause a stir no matter who your clientele is. Though I suppose that's the point, isn't it?" she said with a wink. "Hnn." He smirked. "That is the point. However, it occurs to me there is opportunity here." Kagome bit her lip. The daiyokai oozed power, but he was damn attractive when he wanted to be. "I'm afraid I can't let you sell anything from your store in here. Most of my customers bring their children."
"Not here." He looked amused at the idea. "At my store."
"Oh!" She placed Ah-Un back on the counter, her eyes lighting up. "Actually, I might be able to help with that. There are some spells I haven't been able to use yet because of their more adult after-effects."
He smiled. "I would be interested in hearing the proposal. Should I return at closing?" The door chimed and several people walked inside, shaking off their glamours before a few children scampered forward to press their faces against the glass of her display, the cookies immediately coming to life.
"Probably a good idea."
"I will return at eight then," he said, giving her a short nod before he left with the dragon in tow.
She waved, unsure whether it was for the dragon or him, then greeted the slew of customers, her smile a little brighter than usual as she waited for the day to be over. But all the while, for the first time, she was counting down to the end of the day. Instead of waiting until the last customer left, Kagome cleaned intermittently in the hour before closing, not wanting to waste any time once he returned.
There was an entire chapter of the spell book her kitsune friend had gifted her that she hadn't been able to try yet, and she hadn't been able to stop herself from trying one of the recipes, the first batch already in the oven. She wondered if he'd be affected by the pleasure-inducing macaron. Or the emotion-boosting icing she'd made for her next batch of sugar cookies. She'd meant it when she'd told him she hadn't had many daiyoukai in her shop—she was curious if they reacted the same as regular yokai or hanyo.
Would he appreciate what she could do? What it could mean? Her mind began wandering to his website, wondering just what kind of items he sold, and how she could work them into the treats she could provide—if the spells worked. She would look at it later—after he left. It wasn't too often that her customers surprised her, but realizing that the well-dressed daiyoukai sold adult toys was something she never expected. He didn't seem the type, and now she wondered what else lurked beneath the surface. Was he kinky? Or just sold to those who were? She nearly forgot they were still strangers when he returned, yanking him in by the sleeve of his coat before he'd fully opened the door.
"Welcome back!" He sniffed the air delicately. "You have been baking?"
"I wanted to try out some of the recipes I hadn't gotten to yet," she said, dragging him behind the counter. "They aren't quite ready yet, but you can try them when they are."
He looked intrigued. "You added reiki to them," he noted as he made his way into the kitchen. "It's kind of my trademark. Kitsune magic seems to be the only thing that mixes well with both reiki and the ingredients," she sighed as she gave the icing a quick stir to stop it from hardening. "All of the other yoki I've tried just gets cancelled out."
He slowly circled the table in the center of the kitchen, almost pacing as he watched her. "You have tried others?"
She nodded. "Wolf, bat, panther. One of my best friends is a wind youkai, but that didn't work either." She looked at the icing. "Have you ever tried any reiki or yoki-infused food before?"
"I have not." He waved a hand over the treats. "What would you recommend?"
"Maybe you should start with something simple," she said, dipping a small tasting spoon into the icing. "Though your youki might be too powerful for its effects as it is."
His brows raised. "You worry it would be removed from my system before its effects kick in." Kagome nodded again as she held out the spoon. "I temper the amount in each batch, so there's some for full youkai, some for hanyou, and then a batch for children."
"But never a daiyoukai," he guessed before accepting the spoon from her. "Like I said, I don't get many of you in here. Not sure if it's because there aren't a lot of you left—" She tilted her head to the side, tapping her chin. "—or if your tastes are just more refined."
"It is likely," he said evenly, moving the spoon to his lips, "that they are within the oasis most of them have created for their kind."
"But not you," she said, anticipation making her bounce on the balls of her feet, wanting to see if the icing would affect him—and if he liked the taste. Instead of answering, he put the spoon in his mouth, and his eyes widened. Flavor exploded onto his tongue, though he couldn't be sure that it was the mix of sugar and lemon that was making his head spin, his firmly controlled emotions suddenly bubbling inside him. He reached for her blindly without conscious thought.
Kagome yelped as Ito's arm shot out, wrapping around her waist and pulling her flush with his body, hands going to his chest to steady herself. She gasped as a hard part of him made contact with her core. "You—" His mouth was already on hers, teasing and tasting as he drew her even closer, bodies rubbing together until a moan escaped her lips. "It—Sesshoumaru," she gasped, grateful she'd read his business card for his name. His mouth traveled to her neck as he inhaled deeply, yoki spiking as her scent permeated his senses. "What do I call you?"
"Kagome," she replied, clinging to him. "Higurashi Kagome."
His yoki wrapped around them in a heated caress, teasing her skin as he breathed her name against her neck. She shuddered. How was it possible for a man to be this sexy?
"Was this your plan from the start?" he murmured, the low timbre of his voice sending shivers through her body. "To lure me in with smiles and treats?"
"I—" She paused as his words hit her. "Huh? No! It was your dragon who came in here in the first place! And you're the one who—" The rest of her tirade was left forgotten as fangs dragged across her skin, Sesshoumaru lifting her off the floor and pinning her against the nearest wall. "Oh."
She couldn't say anything else as her core made contact with his blatant erection. He hiked her legs higher, draping them over his hips as he ground himself against her, breathing raggedly as he claimed her mouth again. "Take them off," she said, tugging at his shirt and pants.
She really shouldn't, considering they'd only met that day, but the fact that he was having this kind of reaction after eating the icing steadied her hands as they slid under his collar. After all, the icing was set up to show off one's true feelings—and these were his. She'd expected this type of behavior from the macarons, but the fact that he'd only had a small taste and reacted so quickly—so strongly—a gasp escaped her lips as his hands tore at her shirt, yanking it over her head.
"Yes," she managed, uncaring that he'd probably ruined the fabric. It wasn't her favorite, anyway. Something clanged as he threw it away, but Kagome was left uncaring as his clothing was shed as well, dragging her nails down his defined chest. "You look gorgeous," she managed, awed by his muscle definition and the magenta stripes covering his skin.
"You smell better," he said, leaning in to take another drag, the friction caused by their clothes both enticing and frustrating.
"Than what?" she managed, trying to keep track of the conversation.
"Than everything." Nimble claws unclamped her bra, leaving her bare from the waist up as he threw the offensive article of clothing away, saliva pooling in his mouth before he latched onto a breast.
"Oh gods," she gasped, burying her hands in his hair. His tongue swirled around the sensitive peak, teasing it thoroughly before sucking more of the plump flesh into his mouth. "Tease," she accused without any heat.
"Is that against the rules?" he asked, releasing her breast with a soft pop before his tongue slid up to her ear.
"I don't know!" It sounded silly, but she wanted him to continue teasing as much as she wanted him to let her find release.
"Tell me, miko." Fangs nipped at her ear, his voice lowering. "Do you taste as good as you smell?" She inhaled sharply. "Y-you can find out."
The growl that escaped his lips was feral, heat pooling in her stomach as he pulled her off the wall and placed her on the nearest counter, peeling her pants and underwear over her hips in one swift movement. He kissed above her mound for one brief second before he delved beneath her folds.
Kagome's head spun, the marble feeling cool against her flushed skin as she arched off it, burying her hands in his hair as she moaned his name. He knew what he was doing, driving her up the edge with his talented tongue and fingers. His tongue swirled as fangs teased, her legs draped over his shoulders as he delved deeper, moaning against her skin at the sweet taste of her.
"You taste," he said against her core, "every bit as sweet as you smell."
Her retort was lost as he pinched her clit, stars forming in her eyes as pleasure washed over her in waves, leaving her shuddering and gasping his name. And he moved in an instant, lifting her onto the counter before he plunged inside her.
Kagome cried out, muscles rippling around him before she reached for him, pulling him down into a desperate kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck as her ankles locked together at the small of his back, meeting every thrust with one of her own. She clenched around him and heard his answering groan when she dug her fingers into the base of his neck. His name spilled out of her mouth, the inferno he'd been building quickly engulfing her, utensils shaking around them as reiki exploded.
His yoki rose up in an immediate answer as he came within her, swelling as he claimed her. Her pupils dilated, only a faint ring of blue along the edges as she climaxed again, one running into the next from the pressure inside her. She felt his teeth grip her neck a moment later, locking them together as he shuddered.
And all the while she clung to him, head lulling to the side to give him better access, leaving crescent moon dents in his shoulders and back. For a long moment, neither of them moved as he remained lodged within her.
Heart beating wildly in her chest, Kagome sucked in a deep breath. "Guess it's a good thing...you didn't buy anything...earlier."
He pulled back just enough to look at her, bemused. "What do you mean?" She blushed, tugging at her lower lip. "Well, it would've been embarrassing for that to happen in front of my customers."
He chuckled as he understood. "It is the effect of the baker, not the baked goods."
Her blush deepened but she smiled all the same. "It's a good thing I had you try the icing first and not the macarons. Who knows what kind of kinky stuff you would've tried." He blinked. "What was in the icing?"
"It enhances emotions," she said casually. "I use it for all of my sugar cookies. I didn't think you'd react so strongly."
He suddenly flushed to her astonishment. "I had thought it had a different impact."
Tilting her head to the side, she followed him as he stood up, eying the bowl of icing warily. "What did you think it did?" He scratched the side of his nose absently. "Ignite the passions."
"Oh! No, those are the macarons still in the oven!" she said, then reached up and cupped his face. "Guess you feel a lot more than you let on." "Did you not sense the bond between us?" He stared down intently at her. "I-I—" She bit her lip. "Yes, but I wasn't sure if you had. People don't normally walk away after finding their soulmate." She let out a strained laugh. "But they don't usually sleep together after having one of my cookies, either."
He pulled her into his embrace, rocking her gently. "I had thought, perhaps, you gifted me that sweet to show you found the bond favorable."
"I might've. I certainly didn't want you to think I'd slipped you a sexual spell in order to trap you," she said, wrapping her arms loosely around his neck. "But it was more to get you to relax." He kissed the top of her head. "I would not be opposed to trying one. In the interest of our future collaboration for my shop, of course."
Her seductive smile—at the thought of all the wonderfully naughty things the macarons would encourage him to do—broadened at the possibility of working together. "Does that mean I can make adult treats for your store?"
"I can think of no one else I would rather work with," he said, smiling. "And in turn, I hope to test new toys on you."
She sucked in a breath, watching his pupils dilate as the scent of her arousal hit him. "I was hoping you would."
She found herself bent over her center table, and before she could say anything else, his cock slipped back inside her. She'd thought the heat would die down after the first round, but the fever was just intense the second time. And the third. And each time after that, both of them shuddering in the aftermath but constantly reaching for each other no matter the place or time.
Kagome grinned as she felt arms wrap around her in her kitchen. "Another good day at the shop?"
Fangs teased the back of her ear, his tongue quickly following. "I cannot be sure if my patrons are there for my toys or your treats."
"It could be both." She held out a cookie to him. "Try it; I'm experimenting with something."
"Should I be glad that I locked the door behind me?" he asked, eyebrow raised as he leaned over, biting into the treat, his tongue curling around her fingers.
She shivered as he pulled her fingers further into his mouth. "What do you think?"
Heat coursed through his body as soon as the spices hit his tongue, the marks on his cheeks turning jagged. "You have perfected the recipe?"
She smiled as he let loose his instincts. "I think so," she said, watching to see what he'd do—if he'd take her how she'd always dreamt of.
The mating mark on her neck remained the most sensitive, even after a year, but she was always up for a bit of pain when it came to him letting loose, and she idly wondered how much she'd have to cover up the next day.
"I heard you got new toys in, too," she said.
"You could have just asked, mate," he said, voice low, gravelly, and full of dark promise. "You know I always share them with you."
"It's more fun this way," she replied devilishly, winking as she moved just out of reach and toyed with the zipper on her shirt.
"You enjoy the chase more than I do." It was a statement, not a question, and only caused her smile to widen.
"Why don't you catch me," she said saucily, "and see if that's true yourself."
"You picked the wrong place, then, considering there is only one exit," he said, advancing on her.
"And what does that tell you?" She evaded him nearly as he reached for her.
It was the predator that smirked back. "That you should have met me in the shop, so I had more items on hand to use on you."
Her breath caught. "Good thing it's next door," she managed, stumbling over her words at the promise in his eyes. After all, they had a connecting door from her kitchen to his back storeroom.
They'd originally designed it for easy access to the fridge in his back room so they could keep the adult treats separate from the ones sold in her store, but it had ended up being used for midday rendezvous instead. After all, who was she to turn down a well-deserved break? She slowly backed up towards the door, eyes gleaming as she gave him a seductive smile.
"Do I get a reward if I behave this time?" His expression became lascivious. "I think you'd rather be spanked."
She made it to the door, slowly turning the knob. "That is beside the point."
"Is it?" He grinned. "Perhaps, if you behave, you may have all you desire, Kagome."
She blew him a kiss, then darted into his shop, her laughter filtering through the doorway, enticing him to follow.
And maybe, when he was done, she'd eat one of the cookies too—turnabout was fair play.
She smiled as he caught her. Their marriage was every bit as sweet now as it had been when they'd first met.