Private Scandals

you’re not. And no.” Now she did slide her hand from his. “It’s a nice offer, but I’m involved with someone.” Maybe, she added to herself. “And if I weren’t, I don’t think it’s wise to mix personal and professional relationships.”
    “That sounds very definite. Are you always very definite?”
    “Yes.” But she smiled. “Definitely.”
    Angela paused in the doorway, set her teeth against temper. The picture of her protégée and her lover smiling intimately at each other in her living room had her gorge rising. Though the taste of fury was familiar, even pleasant, she took a deep breath, fixed a smile on her lips.
    “Finn, darling!” She flew across the room, a curvy golden blossom stemmed in pale blue silk. Even as Finn rose from the sofa, she threw herself into his arms and fastened her mouth possessively on his. “Oh, I’ve missed you,” she murmured, sliding her fingers up into the thick tangle of his hair. “So much.”
    She had an impact, Finn thought. She always did. The offer of unapologetic sex was there in the press of her body, the heat of her mouth. His body responded even as his mind took a wary step in retreat.
    “It’s good to see you, too.” He untangled himself, holding her at arm’s length to study her. “You look wonderful.”
    “Oh, so do you. Shame on you, Deanna.” But she didn’t take her eyes off Finn. “For not telling me the guest of honor was here.”
    “I’m sorry.” Deanna resisted the urge to clear the huskiness from her throat. She wished now she had left the room the moment Angela had entered, but the greedy, knowinglook on the woman’s face as she raced to Finn had rooted Deanna to the spot. “I was just about to.”
    “She was going to mix me a drink first.” Finn looked over Angela’s shoulder to Deanna. There was still amusement there, Deanna noticed. And if she wasn’t mistaken, a faint touch of embarrassment.
    “I don’t know what I’d do without her.” Turning, Angela slid one arm around Finn’s waist, cuddling her body back into the curve of his in a way only small, soft women could manage easily. “I can depend on Deanna for absolutely everything. And do. Oh, I forgot.” Laughing, she held out a hand for Deanna, as if to invite her into the charmed circle. “With all this confusion, I completely forgot about the excitement last night. I was nearly sick with worry when I heard about the plane.” She shuddered, and squeezed Deanna’s hand. “And I meant to tell you what a terrific job you did on the remote. Isn’t it just like Finn to hop right out of the center of a near disaster and do a report?”
    Deanna’s eyes flicked up to Finn’s, then back to Angela’s. There was so much sexual heat in the room she could barely breathe. “I wouldn’t know. I’m sure the two of you would like some time alone before the guests arrive, and I really need to change.”
    “Oh, of course, we’re keeping you. Deanna’s a tiger for timetables,” Angela added, tilting her head up to Finn’s. “Run along, dear.” Her voice was a purr as she released Deanna’s hand. “I’ll handle things from here.”
    “Why don’t I fix that drink?” Finn shifted away from Angela when Deanna’s quick footsteps rapped up the stairs.
    “I’m sure there’s champagne back there,” Angela told him as he walked behind the rosewood bar. “I want to toast your homecoming with the best.”
    Obliging, Finn took a bottle from the small refrigerator built into the back of the bar. He considered several different ways to handle the situation with Angela as he removed the foil and twisted the wire.
    “I tried to phone you several times last night,” she began.
    “When I got in, I let the machine pick up. I was pretty wiped out.” The first lie—but not the last, he decided with a grimace as he popped the cork. Bubbling wine fizzed up to the lip, then retreated.
    “I understand.” She crossed to the bar, laid a hand on his. “And you’re here now. It’s been a long six months.”
    Saying nothing, he poured her wine and opened a bottle of club soda for himself.
    “Aren’t you joining me?”
    “I’ll stick with this for now.” He had a feeling he’d need a clear head tonight. “Angela, you went to an awful lot of trouble. It wasn’t necessary.”
    “Nothing is too much trouble for you.” She sipped the wine, watching him over the rim.
    Perhaps it was the coward’s way to keep the bar between them. But his eyes were direct,