The lights of the executive suite were dimmed for the night. Sesshomaru let his forehead rest on the glass top of the massive mahogany desk. Midnight, Pacific Time. That made it three in the morning out east. Sesshomaru had spent the day in meetings with the ningen governor of California, who had been alarmed at the shakeup at Taisho West. And rightly so. Sesshomaru had longed to get his hands on Taisho West for years. The California division was a dumping ground for the flotsam and jetsam of his father’s business and personal life. Heads began to roll as soon as the corporate jet set down at LAX.
For the last couple of years, Taisho West had been sliding into the economic abyss, along with the state of California. Even in the strong business climate of the past two decades, Taisho West had barely kept in the black, which had gotten Sesshomaru’s spidey senses tingling. Internal audits, conducted under his close supervision, revealed exactly where the money was hemorrhaging. Part surgeon, part assassin, he had been working balls to the wall for the last three months, repairing what Inu Taisho’s neglect had wrought.
And he had dragged his father’s whelp along by the scruff of his neck, refusing to let InuYasha malinger at the country club while he made all the sacrifices.
She knew her time was running out. If she was going to make her move, she needed to make it now. Kagura turned away from the billion-dollar view of the lights of Los Angeles. Her silk stockings whispered as she made her way across the room to stand beside her boss’ chair. For her, power was the ultimate aphrodisiac. And he had power in spades. She, who dared anything, had never dared touch him before. Gathering her courage, she leaned in close and placed her hands on his shoulders, feeling the tension in his muscles.
“Kagura.” God, his voice was sinful. Like the richest, darkest chocolate cake. She felt her center go liquid.
Sesshomaru, his face still resting against the glass surface of the desk, smiled as he smelled her arousal. Kagura was a brilliant executive, and he had big plans for her.
Emboldened, Kagura kneaded his shoulder muscles with her manicured claws. “Yes, Sesshomaru-Sama?” She purred.
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The workday started early in the corporate offices of Taisho East. Kagome breezed into Inu Taisho’s office and placed his morning Starbucks, the Wall Street Journal, and the New York Times on his desk.
“Have a seat, Kagome.” He instructed, looking up at her over the bridge of the half-moon glasses he had taken to wearing. Inu Taisho knew just how punishing carrying a hanyou was on a ningen female’s body. When he had seen what Izayoi went through when she was pregnant with InuYasha, he had vowed never to put her through such an ordeal again. He had been surprised, but not displeased when he learned that his cold player of a son had gotten this sweet little human pregnant. Even more surprised when he stepped up to the plate and married her. Still, the boy needed just a bit more work to be the man she needed…
He was aware of how hard Sesshomaru’s long absence was on Kagome. His superior senses told him she was physically and mentally exhausted. He admired the fact that she did not let it show. She performed her administrative duties with crisp efficiency. Her demeanor was amazing for a mere teenaged girl. The only visible sign of the stress she was under were the shadows under her eyes. His grandpups would be strong.
“Are you over your morning sickness yet?” He asked.
“Are you afraid I will throw up on your desk again, Taisho-Sama?” She responded sweetly.
“I fear nothing, girl.” He growled.
“If that is all, Taisho-Sama, I will get back to work.” Kagome rose, smoothing her gray wool maternity dress over her belly.
“Sit back down.” He ordered. He opened his top desk drawer and pulled out a manila file folder. Shoving the newspapers and his coffee out of the way, he flipped it open.
“Are those my medical records?” Kagome asked coldly. But her face was beet red.
“They are.”
“What makes you think you have any right to look at those?” Her voice was now trembling slightly, in outrage.
“Are you not married to my son?” He responded blandly. “Do you not carry my grandpup in your womb? Kagome, do you have any idea what my being your alpha entails?”
For the first time ever when dealing with her father-in-law, Kagome lost it. “Some alpha you have proved to be. Sending my husband to California for three months when I am carrying your grandchild.”
“Pup.” He cut in helpfully.
Kagome got to her feet and planted her hands on Inu Taisho’s desk. “You know what, Taisho-Sama? You can take this job and shove it!” She turned on her heel and made it one step toward the door. The room swam, then receded around her. Despite her determination to make a dignified exit, she felt her knees grow weak.
Inu Taisho was by her side and caught her before she hit the floor.
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“Tell me what you want, Kagura.” Sesshomaru ordered silkily.
Now filled with self-confidence, Kagura pressed her breasts against his shoulder, her hands clasping his upper arm. “I want you to love me, Sesshomaru.” She breathed into his ear, her voice husky.
Finally, Sesshomaru raised his head from the desk. His face was adorned with a cold smirk. Bold as she was, Kagura was a demoness, with a demoness’ sense of danger. She removed her hands from the big male’s arm, and stepped back from him.
“I know everything about you. Do you know how I know so much about you, Kagura?”
Her eyes big, she shook her head, but decided to brazen it out. Not like she had any choice. “My Space? Face Book, perhaps?”
He actually laughed. “I know you so well because once, not long ago, I was you. Love means nothing to you. Less than nothing, it is merely a tool that you use to get what you really want. Power is what you crave.”
He stood up and stalked toward her. “I am placing you in charge of Taisho West. And that includes my obnoxious half-brother. Good Luck. Now. Leave.”
“Hai, Sesshomaru-Sama.” She bowed and turned to walk out of the office.
“Oh, and Kagura. One more thing before you go. Don’t. Ever. Presume. To. Touch. Me. Again.”
The office door shut. He strode over to the window, looking at the lights of the big city. He flipped his cell phone open and hit speed dial. “Bankotsu.”
“Hey, Sesshy. What’s happenin’?” The background noise almost overwhelmed Bankotsu's voice.
“Are you at a party, Bankotsu?”
“Hell, yes. This is the city that never sleeps!”
“You are misinformed. The city that never sleeps is New York. But that is irrelevant. Ready the plane. Now.”
“Right on.”
The phone went dead.
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Kagome was ensconced in one of the guest bedrooms at the Taisho mansion. Izayoi bustled around, fluffing pillows and feeding her chicken noodle soup and crackers. The motherly woman was in her element.
Inu Taisho’s cell phone went off. He flipped the phone open. “Son.”
“Father. I have taken care of business in California. Let Kagome know I will be home in a few hours, and tell her I love her.”
“Will do, son.” Inu Taisho flipped his phone shut.