Fortunes' Women: Mistress of Fortune. Kathie DeNosky

wife on several occasions and marveled at how devoted they were to each other.

      “They certainly seem to be making the most of his retirement,” she agreed. “But what about Skylar? Wasn’t she at home?”

      Blake looked pensive as he nodded. “Yeah, but only in body.”

      “Excuse me?”

      “She was there, but her mind was clearly somewhere else,” he said, frowning. “I’ve never seen her so quiet.”

      Knowing Skylar Fortune from the social and family events she’d attended with Creed, Sasha found it hard to believe that the youngest of the Fortune siblings could be even more reserved than usual. “Do you think she might be ill?”

      “I don’t think so,” he said thoughtfully. He chuckled. “If her appetite is any indication, she’s as healthy as one of her horses. She’s gained so much weight lately that you never see her in anything but baggy sweaters or sweatshirts.”

      “Do you know if she’s been seeing someone?” Sasha asked.

      He looked confused. “What does that have to do with anything?”

      She smiled. Like most men, Blake didn’t have the slightest clue the effect a failed relationship could have on a woman. Or what it sometimes compelled her to do.

      “Skylar might be nursing a broken heart.” She kissed his lean cheek. “Nina in accounting told me that after her breakup with her fiancé, she gained twenty pounds in a month because she went home every night after work and ate a pint of double-fudge chocolate-chunk ice cream.”

      He was silent a moment before an understanding expression crossed his handsome features. “I do remember seeing Skylar and Zach Manning at Case’s wedding reception a few months back. At the time, I didn’t think much of it, but I think there was something going on between them.”

      “Isn’t he from New Zealand?”

      Blake nodded. “He and our cousin, Max, have partnered up to start a horse-breeding operation in Australia and they’ve been over here a couple of times to check out Skylar’s program.” He gave her a smile that caused an exciting little tingle to traverse the length of her body. “But I don’t want to discuss Zach Manning, his plans to breed horses or the sorry state of my little sister’s love life.”

      A spark of heat ignited deep in the pit of her belly as Sasha stared at the man she’d fallen in love with. “What do you want to discuss?” She feigned thoughtfulness. “World affairs? The state of the economy? The price of tea in China?”

      “None of the above,” he said. “In fact—” he brushed his lips over hers “—I prefer action over words.”

      When his mouth settled on hers, Sasha decided that she did, too. They could talk on the phone after he returned to Deadwood sometime tomorrow. Right now, she was in Blake’s arms and from the promise in his heated kiss, having a conversation was the last thing either of them wanted.

      “Let’s go to your place,” he suggested, pulling back to capture her gaze with his.

      “I just got here,” she said, feeling as if the temperature in the room had risen a good ten degrees. She could feel his rapidly changing body against her thigh and it was creating an answering heat in the most feminine part of her. “And I really should tie up some loose ends on a project from last week.”

      Groaning, he took a deep breath as he rested his forehead against hers. “I’ve always admired a strong work ethic, but right now, I’d have to say I think it’s a pain.”

      She smiled, then gave him a quick kiss and rose to her feet. “I said I had a few things to take care of. I didn’t say that it would take me the rest of the afternoon.” Tugging on his hand, she urged him out of her chair. “I should be ready to leave in about an hour. Do you think you can find something to occupy your time until then?”

      “I can’t hang out here in your office with you?” he asked as he stood up and wrapped his arms around her waist to pull her to him.

      She shook her head. “You’re too much of a distraction.”

      “But I thought you liked the way I distract you,” he teased.

      Shivers of sheer delight skipped up her spine when he leaned close and whispered the many ways he’d distracted her over the weekend. “I—I do like the d-diversion.” She paused and took a deep breath in an effort to steady her voice. “And the sooner you let me get back to work, the sooner we’ll be able to leave and you can divert my attention again.”

      He gave her a quick kiss, then released her and walked to the door. “I’ll be back in an hour. And sweetheart, when we get to your apartment, I’m going to show you just how much of a distraction I can be.”

      When Blake left Sasha’s office, he headed straight for the empty conference room at the end of the hall. Holding her soft body against him, kissing her sweet lips and talking about various ways he intended to make love to her when they got to her place had him harder than the Rock of Gibraltar. And unless he found a place to cool off, and damned quick, he’d be the subject of office gossip for days.

      Besides, after discussing the possible source of his sister’s despondent mood with Sasha, he had an overseas phone call to make. He knew it was probably the middle of the night in New Zealand, but he didn’t care. Zach Manning could haul his sorry butt out of bed and explain what was going on between himself and Skylar. And it had better be good.

      Closing the door behind him, Blake walked straight to the telephone on the mahogany credenza at the back of the conference room and dialed the Dakota Fortune operator. After instructing the woman to place his call, he waited for the connection to go through.

      A few moments later, a sleepy male voice answered after several rings. “What!?”

      “Zach? Blake Fortune here.”

      “Do you know what time it is here?” Zach demanded, his New Zealand accent thickened by sleep.

      “Since you’re half a world away, it’s probably the middle of the night,” Blake said, not at all concerned by the man’s obvious displeasure at being awakened from a sound sleep.

      A guttural curse crackled over the long-distance line. “I assume this isn’t a social call. What do you want, Fortune?”

      “An explanation.” Never one to mince words, Blake couldn’t see any reason to do so now. “What happened between you and Skylar when you were here in February for Case’s wedding?”

      Dead silence reigned for several long seconds and Blake knew he’d discovered the reason behind his sister’s withdrawal.

      “Why do you ask?” Zach finally responded, sidestepping an explanation.

      “She hasn’t been herself for the past couple of months and I want to know the reason why.”

      “Is she all right?”

      The concern Blake detected in the man’s voice was genuine enough, but that did little to appease his building anger. “Something is bothering her and it’s my guess that you’re behind it. I also figure you know what that something is and will be able to rectify the situation.”

      “I’ll speak with her,” Zach assured him without hesitation.

      “Consider yourself warned, Manning. I don’t like seeing my sister hurt.”

      “I’ll set things right with Skylar immediately,” Zach promised. To his credit the man didn’t sound nearly as irritated as when he’d first answered Blake’s call. In fact, Zach sounded rather enthusiastic about getting in touch with her.

      “See that you do,” Blake said, hanging up the phone without bidding the man farewell.

      With the matter of his sister’s broken heart resolved, Blake smiled as he checked his watch. Sasha’s hour was almost up and he had every intention of taking her