Gabe offered Cassie some, but she shook her head. He snagged a cookie for himself, and they both stood in silence as Sienna sat at the table munching her goodies.
A knock at the door below interrupted the silence. Cassie suspected it was either Livi or Rosa looking for Sienna, so she quickly headed down the stairs to answer it.
Gabe slowly trailed behind her and stood at the top of the stairway.
"Oh, thank God you are here, Cassie! Sienna is missing, and I wondered—" Livi's frantic voice matched the concern on her face. Though she appeared too young to be a mother, she right now seemed like any mother worried about her child.
"Livi, she's with me—and she's upstairs."
The dark-haired woman briefly closed her eyes before she opened them to stare at Cassie. "Oh, thank you for taking care of her. We talked this morning, and then I went to get clothes out of the dryer. When I returned Sienna had disappeared." She glanced toward the stairs leading to the apartment and her dark eyes widened.
Cassie turned her head to follow Livi's look. Gabe stood midway down, silent.
His eyes were on Livi also. It was as if they knew each other. But yet they appeared to be polar opposites of each other.
Sienna emerged from inside her apartment to stand at the top of the stairs.
"Mommy!" she cried.
"Baby! I've been worried sick about you." Livi rushed past Cassie and started up the stairs past Gabe. As she grabbed her daughter, she sent a wary glance over her shoulder at Gabe.
He returned Livi's look, his expression unsmiling.
So, did they know each other? A trickle of concern rushed up Cassie's spine.
Surely he wasn't one of Livi's former clients? A john?
"I'm sorry Mommy, but I don't wanna leave." Sienna's eyes began to fill with tears again, and Cassie's heart went out to her.
"Honey, we can always visit her. Scott will be good for both of us." As Cassie ascended the stairs, Livi turned back to her. "Scott manages a subway sandwich shop in Lake Oswego and offered me a place to stay, as well as a full time job. I couldn't turn the offer down."
Cassie nodded in approval as her fears of Livi returning to prostitution waned.
"Sounds like a good move. But what about your schooling?"
Livi smiled. "Scott says the bus route is near his place, and he offered to take care of Sienna for me at night. He believes in education and is very encouraging of my goal to get a degree." Her eyes shone with the respect she had for Scott.
"I'm glad." Cassie glanced down at Sienna, now clutching her mother's leg.
"Sienna, you can come back anytime you want to visit me, and I'll give you a manicure."
The little girl gazed at both her mother and Cassie for a few seconds. "I can?"
Livi smiled down at Sienna and stroked her daughter's hair. "Of course, sweetie."
"Whenever you want, and I'll pick you up," Cassie told her.
Sienna's eyes lit up at the reassuring news from her mother. "Okay. When are we leaving, mommy?"
All three adults laughed in unison, and Livi lifted Sienna into her arms. Sienna's previous fears were now soothed and all was well.
"Well, we better go. Thank you for taking care of her, Cassie. Sorry she interrupted your breakfast with Detective Banks."
"Hey, no problem," Gabe said, responding for the both of them. "If this makes Sienna happy, it's a great move. She's a pretty thing. I bet the boys will be running after her when she gets older." Gabe touched the little girl's shoulder, and she squealed in embarrassment.
Livi turned and headed back down the stairs, with Sienna happily waving goodbye at them.
Cassie returned the wave, but Livi's words to Gabe had left her in bewildered silence. Detective Banks? He was a police detective?
Stunned and only half-aware of the door shutting, she started when Gabe came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. His warmth and masculine smell enveloped her senses.
"Well, shall we finish where we left off?" He nuzzled her neck before turning her around to face him. "Sweet little girl, but she interrupted us just as things were getting good." He bent down to kiss her.
No. She needed to reassess the situation, and his being so close jumbled her brain. Cassie broke away from his embrace and moved past him into her apartment.
Aware he gazed at her curiously, she ignored him and began to wash the dishes from breakfast.
"What's wrong?"
She paused and then glanced up. "Why didn't you tell me you worked for the police department?"
Gabe froze as realization hit him. Livi's words to him. "The question never came up."
"You could've mentioned this little fact the day we were in Markham's. You know more about me—my job, where I live—than I do about you."
He assessed her for a few seconds. She watched as he picked up his coffee cup and took a slow sip, his expression unchanged. "Is there a problem with me being a police detective?" he finally asked.
Cassie closed her eyes. What did she know about the man with whom she'd just spent the past twelve hours having the most fantastic sex she'd ever had? There'd been no time to talk last night, and this morning's sexual hijinks had lulled her into a sense of tranquility.
"No. Just . . . I wonder if you're hiding something from me. Somewhere—like last night—you could've mentioned it. You have a dangerous job, and I'm not sure—"
"How do you know what I do? I rarely have to use my gun. I'm not on the streets taking down gun-toting drug addicts."
She frowned. "What do you do on the police force?"
He hesitated for a few seconds. "I work on the vice squad dealing with sex crimes."
"Sex crimes—" Then realization dawned. "That's how you know Livi! She used to—"
"Yeah, and my job is to make sure she doesn't do it again." He rubbed his jaw. "I hope her new guy is the real thing, and he's supportive of her and Sienna."
Cassie's eyes filled with tears. She hoped the same. "I'm glad for her. Sienna is adorable, and I hated to think Livi was selling her body again. I had fears . . ." She shook her head. "I'm sorry, Gabe, if I thought the worst. We haven't talked much about each other. Please, let's start again."
She put down the plate she held and wrapped her arms around his waist. She sensed a bond had formed between them. Neither wanted Livi thrust back into her former life and Sienna's future threatened. "Livi arrived at Rosa's shelter eighteen months ago after she got out of jail for soliciting in Vancouver. Poor Sienna came out of foster care emotionally haunted by almost losing her mother for good. I don't want to see that happen again."
"Me either," Gabe replied. He smiled down at her and dropped a kiss on her forehead. "How about we finish what we started a bit ago, then?"
A thrill of desire ran through Cassie. She'd love another bout of lovemaking, but she grimaced as she spotted the clock. "I wish, but Lola will be here any minute, and if I'm not downstairs on time, she may come looking for me." She sighed, regret coursing through her.
"Ah, okay. I wouldn't want her to find us in a compromising position." He waggled his eyebrows.
She laughed. "Hold that thought. How about tonight?" She stepped away from him reluctantly, and he reached down to pick up his wallet from the table.
"Sure. I have to work 'til seven, and unless an important case pops up, I can be here shortly afterwards. Want me to pick up some Chinese or whatever?" He gave her a disarming smile, and she almost wished she could close down Casa de Massage for the day.
"Sure. Chinese food sounds good. Maybe we'll get a good fortune from the cookies."
"Ah, yes, I can think of things to do with fortune cookies."
"I bet you can."
He kissed her lightly on her lips. "But I want to find out what you can do with scarves."
A thrill of sensual awareness slammed through her veins. Anticipation for tonight began to build, and she knew she couldn't wait.
A noise from below grabbed their attention. The door downstairs jingled, sign
aling someone had arrived. She pushed him away. "Hold the thought." Cassie gave him a sly look. "I'll be waiting for you tonight with my scarves and much more."
The expression on Gabe's face spoke of promises for a very long night ahead.
Chapter Nine
"Cassie, your mother's here."
She glanced at the time. Almost four o'clock. Lola's voice interrupted Cassie's wicked thoughts about all the sexy things she planned for Gabe tonight. She couldn't wait for the doors to lock so she could head upstairs to prepare her apartment. In the meantime, she had to deal with her mother.
She walked out of the room she'd been cleaning and met her petite, dark-haired mother, Nola, in the hallway. When the two stood next to each other, it became obvious where Cassie's ethnic roots came from. Her mother was born and raised in Manila, the only child of upper class parents. Nola had met Patrick Nichols when he'd been stationed in the Philippines at the military hospital, and they'd fallen in love, eventually settling in Portland. The love between her parents still shone brightly even after almost forty years together.
"Hi, sweetheart. I thought I'd stop by and catch up on things with you." Her mother rose on her toes to drop a quick kiss on Cassie's cheek before stepping back to study her. "You look different. Something going on in your life I should know about?"
Cassie blinked at her mother's astuteness. Was it that obvious she'd spent the night having hot, sweaty sex with a gorgeous hunk? Lola had figured things out when she caught Gabe sneaking out the back door right after she arrived. Cassie had given Lola a "none of your business" look and ignored her all too knowing glances the rest of the day. Of course, that didn't mean Lola hadn't called in reinforcements—her mother.
She decided to ignore the question. "Hello, Mom. What are you doing in Portland?" Her mother and father usually kept close to their ocean view home on the coast, with occasional trips to town to shop or visit with either Cassie or Tim's family. In most instances, they called ahead. Cassie hadn't been expecting Nola today.
"You mean I can't surprise my favorite daughter?" Nola gave her an indulgent smile.
Cassie rolled her eyes. "Mother, I'm your only daughter."
She led her mother back into the reception area where Lola was fielding a phone call. After offering her mother coffee and receiving a shake of the head, they settled down at Cassie's desk to visit.
"I'm in town to get a gift for Junie's wedding." Cassie absorbed that news, aware what was coming next. "You are coming, aren't you, mi chica?"
Cassie inwardly groaned. She hadn't planned on going, since her financial problems took a major chunk of her time, but she should've known better. Her dad would send his most shrewd ammunition to force her to come.
"I . . . don't know yet."
"Please, Cassie, we want you to attend. You've been too long out of the family loop. Besides, it's in Portland, so shouldn't be a major inconvenience for you." Nola's dark eyes pleaded, and Cassie sensed her resistance wavering.
Her mother had a valid point. Granted, she wasn't close to Junie and her family, but her excuse of being busy on a Saturday afternoon couldn't cut it since Casa de Massage was closed on weekends. The only thing that came to mind was the possibility of spending the weekend with Gabe. Cassie had visions of their spending any available time together.
An idea popped into her head. "Can I bring a date?"
Nola's eyes widened, then a slow smile spread across her face. The last thing she expected was Cassie to ask about bringing a date. Well, true, since she rarely introduced men to her parents. Her dad might give him the first degree, and her mother would start planning the wedding. Yet Cassie had a feeling Gabe could handle any attention her parents might give him.
"Sure." Her mother frowned. "I wasn't aware you were dating someone after Gavin."
"We aren't. Well, sorta."
"What do you mean, sort of dating?"
"He's someone I met recently. A detective who works for the police department here in the city. Anyway, I'd like to bring him to the wedding and reception if you don't mind?"
Nola relaxed and smiled. "Of course. He sounds fabulous. What's his name?
Does his family live here?"
They hadn't discussed his family. In fact, Cassie knew very little about Gabe and wouldn't have learned about his job right away except for Livi's remark. But then, they hadn't talked after spending most of the night having heated, passionate sex. Cassie's lips curved into a smile at the memory.
"He must be special. You have a glow about you."
She glanced at her mother. "We've just started seeing one another and haven't discussed his family. I can assure you he's a nice guy. You'll adore him."
"I trust you, sweetheart." Nola patted her hand. "I just wish you'd settle down and get married. I want you settled before—" She stopped and closed her mouth, aware she'd said too much.
Her mother's words alarmed Cassie. She sounded like she was on death's door.
"Mother, you aren't sick or something?"
Nola laughed. "No. No. I'm just anxious wanting you to get married and provide me with grandchildren."
Cassie relaxed. "You have Tim's kids for grandchildren. I don't—"
"Things are different when your daughter has children. You'll realize this when you're my age."
"Well, if you say so, but you have many years ahead of you, and you're getting the cart ahead of the horse. Gabe and I barely know each other."
"Your father and I knew each other one week before he popped the question,"
Nola reminded her.
Cassie shook her head. Same old tune. "That was you and daddy. I'm different. I want to make sure before I take the plunge. Besides, my business is what I'm focused on right now." She left it at that, as she didn't plan to discuss her financial woes with her mother.
Cassie glanced up as the door jangled. Her next appointment had arrived. "Look, I need to go. I'll call you and confirm if Gabe wants to attend the wedding with me."
Her mother rose. "Gabe? That sounds like a solid name for a man." She sighed. "Any chance we can meet him before the wedding?"
Cassie laughed. "Seriously? I doubt it. We're both busy, and for God's sake, I don't want him to think he's under some kind of microscope. You're bad enough about wanting me to get married, but daddy is worse." She leaned over to give her mother a quick kiss. "Don't worry about me."
"We only want you happy."
"I am happy. I'll call you in a few days." Nodding to her appointment, she turned to lead the lady down the hallway. She hoped Gabe wouldn't object to attending her cousin's wedding and reception.
* * * * *
"Well, it's been a long day." Lola tried to hold back her yawn. "If you get any more days like this, you'll be out of your financial problems in no time."
Cassie shot her a grin as she counted the day's receipts. It had been a good day, with all of them busy and more appointments scheduled for tomorrow. "I could use all the help I can get."
"That's the last one. You want me to hang around?" Lola asked, straightening the magazines on the coffee table.
"No, I'm fine. You can head out. I'll finish this up and then lock the door."
Lola shut off her computer. "Are you sure? I can hang around for a few—"
"I'm almost done and want to close up early anyway." Cassie sometimes stayed alone until seven in case anyone came in for a last minute massage. But tonight she wanted to lock up and prepare for her big night with Gabe. Cassie smiled to herself as she thought about what she had in store for him.
"Okay, then I'll see you tomorrow."
She watched as Lola headed down the hallway to the back door that led to the parking lot.
Finally alone, Cassie let her thoughts drift back to last night. The first time they made love. No. Sex. She had sex with Gabe. Making love sounded like commitment, and she had no intention of committing herself to anyone right now.
Most of her relationships were short term, and Cassie preferred it that way. Then again,
most hadn't left her craving for more the way Gabe did. Her erotic thoughts about how he looked naked got her tingling with need all over again. She was kind of surprised he appeared able to get with her two nights in a row. She always thought police detectives had offbeat schedules.
Cassie sighed. But who cares? They were together last night, planned to be so tonight, and she'd enjoy every single moment.
A sudden noise at the door startled her.
The door opened, and when she got her glimpse of the person coming through, she groaned. Isaiah Winkler. She rose and braced herself for what could only be an unpleasant visit.
"Good evening, Mr. Winkler."
He muttered as he glared over his shoulder at something outside. Cassie was half tempted to check what had gotten his goat, but refrained. The sooner she dealt with him, the faster he'd leave.
Isaiah dusted something off his coat and then focused his gaze on her, but not before he darted a glance around the reception area. "Where's your tart of a secretary?"
Cassie smothered a laugh. Obviously Lola's attitude had left her mark on him.
"She's gone for the day. Which I might add, is something I'd like to do. We're closed."
Isaiah grunted. "Your door was unlocked, and the sign was still lit." He pointed to the electric "Open" sign in the window.
"Just a small oversight on my part. I'm about to—"
"Well, I'm here on business." He glowered at her. "I need to talk to you about this building."
"I still have plenty of time—"
"Maybe, but I need to know if you have a chance to come up with the money."
"Of course I can." A lie, but Isaiah didn't have to know that.
He muttered something she couldn't understand and dropped into the chair next to her desk. "I want a letter of intent from your bank by the close of day on Monday."
"Monday!" Fury raged inside Cassie. He was tacking on unreasonable demands.
"I told you I'll come through. You've no business demanding anything else until the ten days are up."
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