Caasi resisted the temptation to slip her arms around him. “Working together, we can manage it.” They’d been a team for years—but soon that, too, would change. The thought was a forceful reminder that Blake had turned in his resignation and would be leaving soon. She wondered if she’d ever see him again after he left the Empress. The realization produced a painful sensation in the area of her heart. Blake had always been there. She relied on him. Nothing would be the same after he left. But she couldn’t mention that now. Not when they’d agreed on a truce. Every time she said something about him leaving, they argued.

  “The quiche has to bake for an hour. Let’s listen to some music,” he suggested.

  “And have a glass of wine.”

  Caasi kept a supply of her favorite Chablis available and brought down two crystal glasses. While she poured, Blake reached for his phone and music started to play.

  Music filled the suite as Caasi brought their drinks into the living room.

  Blake sat on the couch, holding out his arm to indicate he wanted her at his side. Caasi handed him the wine and sat next to him on the plush leather sofa, leaning her head against his shoulder. A hand cupping her upper arm kept her close. Not that Caasi wanted to be anyplace else.

  The music was mellow and soft, the ballad a love song. Oftentimes, after a long day, Caasi would sit with her feet propped up on the coffee table, close her eyes, and let the music work its magic on her tired body. But the only magic she needed that night was Blake.

  “June asked me to go into the delivery room with her when her baby is born,” Caasi said, elaborating on the earlier conversation. “That’s why I’m going to the hospital this Friday. They want to familiarize the three of us with the procedures.”

  “Three of you?”

  “Four, actually,” Caasi said, correcting herself. “Burt, June, baby, and me.”

  “You’re sure you want to do this?” Caasi felt his gaze wandering over her as if in assessment. “From what I understand, labor is no picnic, and for someone who’s never had a baby, it may be more than you can handle.”

  Caasi stiffened. “I want to be there and nothing’s going to stop me.”

  Blake glanced at his wristwatch. “Twenty minutes.”

  “What’s twenty minutes?”

  “How long we lasted without arguing.”

  “We didn’t fight. I was tempted, but being the mature woman I am, I managed to avoid telling you that I found that remark unnecessarily condescending.”

  Blake chuckled and took a sip of his wine. “I’m glad. Because then I can admit that sometimes I say things purposely just to see the anger spark in your eyes. You’re beautiful when you let that invisible guard down, and sometimes anger is the only thing that lowers it.”

  Every part of her was conscious of Blake. Pressed close to his side, she ached for the feel of his arms around her and the taste of his mouth. But their truce wasn’t limited to arguments, although they hadn’t stated as much. They needed to find a level plane, a happy medium between the fighting and the loving.

  “I’m working to change that about myself,” Caasi admitted softly. “When Dad was in charge he was firm in his belief about mixing business with pleasure. When he was in the office he was one man, and outside the office, another. In some ways I’m a lot like my father. We’ve worked together five years, Blake, but I never saw you as anything more than my general manager.”

  “And you do now?”

  Her voice was becoming huskier as she strove to keep the emotion out of it. “Yes.”

  “Because I’m leaving?”

  “Say…” She laughed shakily. “Why am I doing all the talking? Shouldn’t you make some deep revelation about yourself?”

  Blake’s answering grin was dry. “I like fine wine”—he raised the glass to his lips and took a sip—“and the challenge of climbing mountains. I love the Pacific and enjoy walks along the beach in the early hours of the morning before the sun rises. Sometimes when the mood comes over me, I paint.” He paused. “Does that satisfy your curiosity?”

  “In some ways.” But he didn’t offer to reveal more, and the point was well noted.

  The timer on the stove rang and Caasi reluctantly broke from his arms. “I’ll check our dinner.”

  She set the quiche on top of the stove to cool and returned to the living room. Blake was looking out the window at the view.

  “Some nights, especially when things are troubling me,” Caasi admitted softly, as she joined him, “I’ll stand here and think.”

  “So that’s why there’s a worn spot in the carpet,” Blake teased.

  “I’ve been here a lot lately.”

  “Why?” Blake turned and took a step toward her. Only a few inches separated them.

  Caasi lowered her gaze to the floor and shrugged. “Lots of things.”

  “Anything in particular?”

  She ignored the question. “The quiche is ready if you are.”

  Blake brushed a strand of hair from her face. When his hand grazed her cheek, Caasi swallowed her gasp of pleasure.

  “No,” Blake said slowly, his words barely audible. “I’m not ready.” His hand worked its way around the back of her neck, his fingers twining into her hair as he brought her mouth up to meet his.

  With a small whisper of welcome, Caasi swayed into him, melting against him, her arms reaching instinctively for him. Her response was so automatic she didn’t have time to question it.

  As his mouth plundered hers, Caasi felt as though she were on fire, the burning heat spreading down her legs until she was weak and clinging.

  This wasn’t supposed to happen, they’d promised each other it wouldn’t, but they were like two climbers waiting to explore a mountain and would no longer be denied the thrill of the challenge.

  Her hands reveled in the feel of the hard muscles and smooth skin of his back. A languor spread through her, and her breath came in short, soft gasps.

  Blake buried his face in the hollow of her throat and shuddered. “Let’s eat,” he whispered, and Caasi smiled at the husky timbre of his voice as she realized he was experiencing the same sensations she was.

  Neither showed much interest in the meal. Blake commented that she’d done a good job and Caasi was pleased with her efforts, but her mind wasn’t on the food.

  They hardly spoke, but each intuitively seemed to know what the other was thinking. Caasi wished she had her wine, and without a word Blake stood and brought it to her.

  Simultaneously they set their forks across half-full plates, their interest in food entirely gone. Blake stood and held out his hand to her.

  Heedless of where he was taking her, Caasi realized she would have followed him to Mars. She placed her hand in his. Blake reached for his phone and once more the music played as he led her back to the sofa.

  Caasi slid an arm around him and rested the side of her face close to his heart. Blake rubbed his jaw against the top of her head in a slow, rotating action that was faintly hypnotic. His fingers were in her hair.

  Caasi didn’t need to look to know that his eyes were closed. This was like a dream, a trance from which she never wanted to wake. The barriers were down.

  Caasi didn’t know how long he had held her. The music had faded long ago, but they made their own. She didn’t even need to close her eyes to hear the violins.

  Blake shifted and Caasi was shocked to look at her watch and see that it was almost midnight.

  “Walk me to the door,” he whispered, and kissed the crown of her head, his breath stirring her dark hair.

  She nodded, not finding the words to release him readily.

  “Our truce lasted,” she said softly, and added, with a warm smile, “sort of.”

  “If we’re going to fight, let’s do it like this. Agreed?” He took her in his arms, gazing down at her upturned face with a warmth that reached all the way to the soles of her feet.

  “Yes, I agree.” Her hand lovingly stroked his thick, unruly hair. “Are you really going to leave me, Blake?”

  He went completely still. “How do you mean?”

  Did he think she was asking him to spend the night? If she was honest, she’d admit the thought wasn’t an alien one. But she had been sincere when she explained that she wasn’t one to indulge in casual affairs. She wanted Blake; Caasi couldn’t deny it. But she wanted him forever.

  “The Empress,” she explained. “You’re not going to leave, are you?” The minute the words were out, she knew she’d said the wrong thing.

  Blake looked as if she’d physically struck him. He pulled her arms away, severing the contact. “So that was what this was all about.” Impatience shadowed his face.

  “Blake, no!” But he wasn’t listening as he sharply turned, opened the door, and left.

  * * *

  —

  “There’s a Gina Sherrill to see you,” Laurie announced the following Monday.

  “Send her in,” Caasi replied. “And, Laurie, could you see to it that we’re not disturbed?”

  “Of course.”

  Gina stepped into the office a moment later.

  “Hi, Caasi.” She looked uncertain, her eyes taking in the expensive décor of the room. “Wow, you’ve got a great view from up here, haven’t you? How do you ever get anything done?”

  “It’s hard, especially on a sunny day like today when it seems that the whole world is outside this window and ready to be explored.”

  “We missed you Sunday.”

  Caasi rolled a pen between her palms. “I had a previous engagement.” The lie was a small one.

  “Everyone likes you, and we were hoping you’d come again.”

  “I will,” Caasi assured her, but secretly doubted that she could. Not with Blake in his present state of mind. Another confrontation with him was to be avoided at all costs. Since the night they’d cooked together they treated each other like polite strangers. Blake had hired his replacement and was training the middle-aged man now. Caasi liked Brian Harris and had recognized almost instantly that she wouldn’t have any trouble working with him.

  Blake’s last day was scheduled for the end of the month, less than ten days away.

  “Let’s go down to the Blue Room and you can tell me what kind of decorations you want. Are the other women coming?” Caasi asked. Gina had asked to include her maid of honor and bridesmaids in the shower planning.

  “They’re in the lobby. We didn’t feel like we should all descend on you.”

  “Why not?” Caasi asked, setting the pen aside. “I’m looking forward to meeting them.”

  “Blake’s leaving, isn’t he?” Gina’s question came as a surprise.

  Caasi nodded with forced calm. “Yes; he handed in his resignation not long ago.”

  “I’m surprised.” Gina wrinkled her nose. “I didn’t think Blake would ever leave you.”

  That was the crux of the problem—Caasi hadn’t thought so, either.

  “Shall we go now?” Caasi wanted to divert the conversation from Blake.

  “Sure,” Gina answered eagerly.

  Riding the elevator down to the lobby, Gina announced, “All the invitations have been mailed. Everyone is impressed that the shower’s at the Empress. I’m still having problems believing it myself.”

  “I’m glad to do it.” Caasi meant that.

  “You’ll be there, won’t you? I know it’s in the middle of the day and everything, but you wouldn’t have to stay long and I’d really like everyone to meet you.”

  Caasi hesitated. There was an important meeting scheduled with architects the afternoon of the shower, and if past experience was anything to go by, she could be held up for hours.

  “I won’t make any promises, but I’ll see what I can do.”

  “Great,” Gina enthused.

  They met the others in the lobby, and the small party took the broad, winding stairs built against a mirrored wall to the second floor, where the Blue Room was situated.

  “Oh.” Gina exclaimed with excitement. “It’s perfect, just perfect.”

  Caasi stayed only a few minutes longer. She wanted to have some time to herself before she had to leave for a luncheon engagement that was scheduled with the Portland Chamber of Commerce; they would be discussing plans for a basketball players’ convention that winter.

  Briefly Caasi explained that she’d ordered the flowers delivered Thursday morning and had asked the chef to provide a sketch of the cake.

  “The cake,” Gina said happily, “is larger than the one for the wedding.”

  Glancing at her wristwatch, Caasi groaned. “I’ve got to run, but I’ll see you Thursday afternoon.”

  “Oh thanks, Caasi. I can’t tell you how excited I am about this.”

  “To be honest, I’m having as much fun as you, doing it.”

  Caasi took the elevator back to her office. As the huge doors glided open, Caasi stepped into the wide hallway—and nearly bumped into Blake.

  His hands shot out to help her maintain her balance and their eyes clashed. “Are you all right?”

  Caasi couldn’t take her eyes off him. For the first time in days there was a faint flicker of something more than polite disregard. Every angle of his jaw was lovingly familiar, and she longed to ease the lines of strain from his eyes and mouth.

  “Caasi,” he said sharply.

  Her eyes studied the floor, and she struggled to maintain the thin thread of her composure. “I’m fine.”

  He released her slowly. “Will you have time this afternoon to go over the Wilson figures?”

  “Yes, that shouldn’t be any problem. I’ll be back around two.”

  “Fine,” he said in clipped tones. “I’ll send Harris into your office then.”

  “Harris.” She repeated the name. She knew the man was replacing Blake, but she had yet to deal with him directly. “Yes.” Her voice faltered a bit. “That’ll be fine.”

  Caasi stepped into her office and retrieved her purse. “I’m leaving now.”

  Laurie looked up at her blankly. The luncheon wasn’t scheduled for another hour. “But Mr. Gains is due to see you in twenty minutes.”

  “Send him in to Blake,” Caasi said curtly. “You know where to reach him.”

  Caasi took the Mercedes, heading east down Sandy Boulevard until she located Broadway. She drove around for several fruitless minutes. It had to be around here somewhere. Finally she recalled seeing that small mom-and-pop grocery and knew she was headed in the right direction. For all her years in Portland, she’d been to Rocky Butte only once. With Blake, the night of his cousin’s wedding.

  She parked her car in the same area Blake had. The scene was all the more magnificent during the day. The snow-capped mountain peaks of the Cascade Range and the flowing Columbia and Willamette Rivers could all be seen from there. Washington state was just on the other side of the Columbia River Gorge, and once powerful Mount Saint Helens was in full view. No wonder Blake loved it up here so much.

  The park itself was a different matter. Someone had broken beer bottles against the steps, and Caasi avoided the sharp pieces of glass as she climbed the flights of hewn-rock stairs for the second time. Walking to the parapet, she studied the view again. Faint stirrings of love and appreciation for what lay before her brought an involuntary smile. Caasi, born and raised in Portland, Oregon, was unaware of her city’s charm and beauty. A shame, she mused dejectedly.

  Caasi sauntered into the office a little after two, having decided to send Harris to the luncheon. Laurie glanced up at her nervously.

  “Mr. Sherrill’s in your office.”

  “Thanks, Laurie.” Her assistant’s tone told her Blake wasn’t in a mood to exchange pleasantries.

  “Problems, Blake?” she quizzed, as she entered.

  He swiveled and jammed his hands into his pockets. His gaze hardened. “Gains had the appointment with you. Where were you?”

  “Out,” she snapped.

  “You don’t give important people like Gains the brush-off like that. The banker was furious, and with good reason.”

  Perfectly calm, Caasi sat at her desk and glared at him. “Do you presume to tell me how to run Crane Enterprises now? Criticizing my personal life isn’t enough?”

  Blake clamped his mouth closed. “You’re in no mood to discuss this rationally.”

  Caasi’s laugh was sarcastic and brittle. “This is getting better every minute,” she said, refusing to let him talk down to her. “Send Harry in with the Wilson figures, please.”

  “The man’s name is Harris.” The contempt in Blake’s eyes was enough to make her cry. Maybe tears would dissolve the lump of loneliness within her. Maybe tears would take away the pain of what Blake was doing. But somehow Caasi doubted it.

  Thursday afternoon, fifteen minutes before her scheduled meeting with the architects, Caasi took the elevator to the Blue Room, where Gina’s wedding shower was in progress.

  She stood in the entry, watching the young woman open her gifts. The turnout was a good one, and Caasi recognized several people from Kathleen’s wedding.

  The bouquets of blue and white flowers harmonized beautifully with the room’s décor. The chef had outdone himself with the huge sheet cake.

  Gina saw Caasi just inside the doorway and gave a squeal of delight. The young bride-to-be hurried to proudly introduce Caasi to her friends.

  Caasi’s appearance was only a token one, and she made her farewells, sorry to learn that she’d missed Anne. She would have enjoyed seeing Blake’s mother again.

  Laurie smiled when Caasi returned to the office. “There was a Mrs. Sherrill here to see you. I told her you’d gone down to the Blue Room.”

  Caasi smiled sadly. She’d just missed Anne again. But that was the way her life was headed. Always close, but never close enough.

  She’d barely sat down at her desk when Blake slammed into her office, nearly taking her door off the hinges when he closed it.