Disclaimer: I do not; I will not, ever own Inuyasha...

A/N: Hi!!! I bet you guys were waiting really, really long for this chapter huh? I had kind of a problem, because, whenever I tried to start writing the chapter some other person voted making the polls change...I tell you it was annoying...but, love me for I have finally finished it so... On with the story!!! (:

Chapter 3

Kagome held her breath, waiting for Sesshomaru to tell her how he remembered her. Did he recognize her as the hooded mystery woman he'd spoken to so briefly, or as the lovelorn girl he'd once worked with?

"You're her. The woman in the mask," Sesshomaru said, with a confident smile creasing his sexy mouth.

The confidence wasn't surprising; they'd shared a very intense moment in Daisetsu's office that day. The words he whispered,"You've aroused my... interest," had played over and over again in her brain many times since. So she should have felt elated that he remembered her as his mystery woman.

But she wasn't. Because how much of a fat-headed jerk did this guy have to be have worked with her for two years- right up until a few months ago – and not remember her when they came face to face??

Her jaw tightened. "My, my, aren't you the observant one."

He stepped closer, close enough so she could smell the heady warmth of his cologne. Or maybe it was his magnetic essence that filled her every inhalation. Blinking, she dug her fingernails into her palms to try to maintain her righteous anger.

"What can I say? You're unforgettable," he replied.

Did her just say "unforgettable"?? He had got to be kidding... Kagome no longer had to use pain to keep herself from falling under the young director's spell. His words were doing a fine job of that. "Gee, thanks..."

"So who are you, really?" Sesshomaru asked, his eyes twinkling. "Are you the hard-nosed assistant who's been sending me snippy e-mails every day?" She started to sputter, but he leaned closer, lowering his voice to an intimate whisper. "Or are you the sultress in the black veil that has filled my dreams every night?"

Hmm, what's a girl to do? Punch his lights out? Or melt into a puddle of brainless, hungry woman right at his feet? Because, man, the guy was hot, even when he was ticking her off with every damn word he spoke.

She settled for a hasty retreat.

Lifting her chin, she fought to keep her voice from shaking with hurt. Or lust. Both of which battled for control of her emotions. (Internal turmoil...I've been there.) "I'm someone you'll never know, because your own words prove you don't really see me at all." Then Kagome whirled around and marched down the hall, blowing off the meeting, needing to be alone to gloat over her brilliant and devious comeback.

And to cry at the knowledge that it had been entirely true.

He didn't see her at all? Ha, that's a laugh. Kagome Higurashi filled his vision even when he closed his eyes. (Especially then...(; )

Sesshomaru had been surprised by her coolness when she'd admitted she'd been the woman in the veil. And downright stunned by her cold comeback and abrupt departure.

What the hell had happened? How could she be so changeable – from seductress to aloof businesswoman, to, well, wounded girl was the only way he could describe the last look on her face.

He tried to find out. In the days that followed, he dropped her friendly e-mails and tried to engage her in conversation whenever he saw her, both actions that were extremely out of character for him. She was always so professional but reserved. Except when they got into some real planning sessions about the show, Ms. Personality. Then she was energetic, enthusiastic, and intensely creative.

And, Kami help him, Kagome was back to wearing short, tight skirts and silky blouses like she'd had on when they met. The kind that reminded him daily of the sexy, sensual creature lurking beneath her cool demeanor.

Cool? More like sub-zero, at least around him. Only him. And peoplethought that he was cold. To her boss, the costume person, the set people, she was bubbly and sweet. Him, she treated like something she'd scraped off the bottom of her shoe.

If he didn't know ay better, he would have thought he'd offended – no, that wasn't the right word – he'd have thought he'd actually hurt her in some way. But that was impossible.

Unless...unless that little voice in the back of his head that had been telling him he knew her from somewhere was right. He'd ignored the little voice. Because whenever he tried to grab the memory, to pull it to the forefront of his mind, it had proved elusive. He'd had a quick visual of someone who looked like Kagome, but who hadn't had those deep blue eyes. They'd been green. Green and judgmental. And every time he thought of them, he squirmed a little inside, as if whoever it was she reminded him of had been someone who'd disapproved of him.

Which was probably what made him go out of his way to tease her, to try to get her to smile at him, again going out of character.

Like now.

"So, when are you going to try on one of the costumes the contestants are going to wear on the show?" Sesshomaru asked her from the other side of her desk. He was waiting on the late-again producer, and Daisetsu's secretary had suggested he could wait in his office. But Kagome's was more fun, despite the fact she going about her business as if he wasn't there.

Kagome's brown shot up as she worked on her computer. "How about never?"

"Come on, you were curious enough to try on one of the masks." He kept his tone light and playful, wanting to make her smile, or at least not frown...He held out absolutely no hope that she'd put on one of the ridiculously tight catsuits, for fear of the little woman killing him. Which was just as well, since seeing her in it would probably turn him into even more of a stuttering idiot that the smooth talking Sesshomaru was always around her.

Obviously, she wasn't in a smiling mood. She scowled as she got up and walked around her desk. "I wish you'd forget that," she muttered, stepping around his chair to reach for her printer, which had just spit out the notes for today's meeting.

Forget it? He'd be more likely to forget his own name. Looking up at her, he stared into her eyes, about to admit exactly that. Her face grew pink, and her lips parted as she pulled in a breath, as if she'd read his thoughts.

Then she shook her head, hard, and reached for the papers. Only, fate had something else in store for her. Because Kagome suddenly tripped over the power cord to the printer and stumbled forward.

Right...into Sesshomaru's lap.

His arms quickly encircled her waist, to hold her steady, even as his whole body reacted to her closeness. They were nose to nose, eye to eye. Almost mouth to mouth.

Which soon left him with an overwhelming urge to taste that mouth, to see if his kiss could bring a smile to her lips even when his words couldn't.

Not knowing how she'd react — if she'd kiss him back or leap up in outrage — he gave in to temptation and caught her soft mouth in a hot kiss.

Safetypins18's Replies:

SesshoumaruGal: Thanks for the ideas, will keep it in mind.

zeddy222: Well, I don't know either unless you guys vote...you have the power people!

Celestial Fox: But, Sesshomaru isn't one to say stupid things.

The-Freak32: The people have spoken, sorry if it ruined the plot...

Vicioussss: But, I love to trick people...

OtakuMuses: "Leave people hangin, will make them come a beggin."

Everyone else who reviewed, I love you guys! Sorry I couldn't put all of you up here, don't be hurt...Loved all the reviews, and luckily no flames, so await the next time.

A/N: How'd you like the chapter?? Was it fun? Boring? I must KNOW!!! Reviews were a lot of help, and some very interesting, so thankies people. Next chapter, as you might know, or figure out, might be a little fun...So, vote your preferred choice and I will try to make it happen, depending on what wins of course. Every vote counts...So VOTE!

How will Kagome react to Sesshomaru's kiss?

1.Kiss him back?

2.Leap up and react in anger?

Your votes shape the story so VOTE! Much love.

-Safetypins18