She felt his power slide up her arm and couldn't control the resulting shiver. For the most part, she'd shut herself off to youki. With youkai being integrated into modern society, she'd been too sensitive to let her reiki roam freely, resorting to training and meditating under the protection of a barrier inside her apartment.
The most she ever got was youkai or hanyou parents testing her when she was introduced as their child's doctor. Sesshoumaru's power was something else.
It always had been.
She reached out with her reiki, watching his pupils dilate as she returned the greeting. Mei finally realized he wasn't paying her any attention and grabbed for his sleeve, but Sesshoumaru moved out of the way. "I was told you were in the middle of a business meeting," he said.
Mei pretended she'd planned on resting her chin in her hand to save face. "Very important. Daddy wants to invest in charitable causes, but I just can't decide on the best one. They're all so worthy of our time and money."
The muscles along Kagome's jaw rolled. She'd dismissed every suggestion since they'd sat down, claiming humans weren't worth her time. She'd never know why the higher-ups had chosen her out of all the possible backers. Her father was a philanthropist, but Mei was only concerned about her image—no matter how many people she had to step on to get back into the spotlight.
Kagome's scathing retort was cut off as Sesshoumaru lifted her hand to his lips. "It is good to see you again." She thought she saw Mei's mouth drop open, but she was too distracted by the expression on his face. The fact that he had any expression had her mind reeling.
"Is it?" she asked lamely, her words drowned out as Mei all but screeched, "It is?"
Sesshoumaru's thumb stroked the back of her hand, but she could feel the irritation in his aura. She'd like to have said the centuries after their fight with Naraku had softened him, but as he rose back to full height and pinned Mei with a harsh glare, she saw the warrior return.
"You will watch your tongue around her," he advised. "She is a close, personal friend of mine." Tsubasa stifled a snort, but Mei continued to gape. Heat crept into Kagome's face, her hand still in his as he introduced himself to the rest of the board members. "I hope the food is to your liking tonight."
They all nodded in affirmation, and she slowly pulled her hand away, straightening in her chair when his gaze returned to her. It felt like she was on display, a multitude of questions burning the tip of her tongue, but as he folded his arms behind his back, the slight shake of his head told her there would be time for that later.
"It's a feast fit for kings," she finally said, motioning to their empty plates. "Where do you come up with your ideas?"
"They're a carefully guarded secret," Mei cut in, raising her chin as she regained her composure. "Not to be shared with common folk."
Sesshoumaru let out a soft sigh but bowed to the table. "I am afraid I must return to the kitchen, but please let Hiro know if any alterations are needed with your order, and we will be happy to accommodate them." He spun on his heel, and Kagome suddenly realized how much shorter his hair was, fastened into a ponytail at the base of his neck.
"We'd never dream of altering any of your recipes, Shou-san!" Mei called after him.
Clearing her throat, Kagome returned to her list of expenses that would need to be covered to get the wing up and running but let out a sigh when Mei whirled back around, murder flashing in her eyes.
It was going to be a long dinner.