Private Scandals

steady and cool. “We had some good times, Angela, but we can’t go back.”
    “We’ll be moving forward,” she agreed. She brought his hand to her lips, drew the tip of his finger into her mouth. “We were so good together, Finn. You remember, don’t you?”
    “I remember.” And his blood pounded in response. He cursed himself for being as mindless as one of Pavlov’s dogs. “It’s just not going to work.”
    Her teeth nipped sharply into his flesh, surprising, and arousing, him. “You’re wrong,” she murmured. “I’ll show you.” The doorbell chimed again, and she smiled. “Later.”
     
    He felt like a man locked behind bars of velvet. The house was crowded with people, friends, coworkers, network brass, associates, all happily celebrating his return. The food was fabulous and exotic, the music low and bluesy. He wanted to escape.
    He didn’t mind being rude, but understood if he attempted to leave, Angela would create a scene that would reverberate from coast to coast. There were too many people in the business here for an altercation to go unreported. And he much preferred reporting news, rather than being reportedon. With that in mind, he opted to tough it out, even with the inevitable messy showdown with her at the end of the interminable party.
    At least the air was clear and fresh on the terrace. He was a man who could appreciate the scent of spring blossoms and newly cut grass, of mingling women’s perfumes and spicy food. Perhaps he would have enjoyed being alone to absorb the night, but he’d learned to be flexible when there was no choice.
    And he had the talent for listening and exchanging conversation while his mind wandered. For now he let it trail to his cabin, where he would sit by the fire with a book and a brandy, or hunch over his bait box making new lures. Alone. The fantasy of being alone kept him sane through discussions of ratings and programming.
    “I tell you, Riley, if they don’t beef up Tuesday nights, we’re going to face another cutback in the news division. Makes me sick to think about it.”
    “I know what you mean. Nobody’s forgotten the body count from two years ago.” He spotted Deanna. “Excuse me a minute, there’s something I have to do.” He squeezed through the crowd on the terrace and slipped his arms around her. When she stiffened, he shook his head. “This isn’t a come-on, it’s a diversion.”
    “Oh?” Automatically, she matched her steps to his as he danced. “From what?”
    “From a diatribe on network politics. Tuesday night’s schedule.”
    “Ah.” She ran her tongue around her teeth. “We’re a little weak there, as I’m sure you know. Our lead-in for the late news is—”
    “Shut up.” He smiled at her when she laughed, and enjoyed the fact that they were eye to eye. “You’re a long one, aren’t you?”
    “So I’ve been told. You know, of course, that as the guest of honor, you’re required to mingle.”
    “I hate rules.”
    “I live for them.”
    “Then consider this dance mingling. We’ll even make small talk. I like your dress.” It was true. The Adolfo gown’s simple lines and bold red color were a welcome change from Angela’s overly fussy pastels and lace.
    “Thank you.” Curiously she studied his face. She could almost see the pain rapping at his temples. “Headache?”
    “No, thanks, I have one already.”
    “Let me get you some aspirin.”
    “It’s all right. It’ll pass.” He drew her closer, laid his cheek against hers. “Better already. Where are you from?”
    “Topeka.” She’d nearly sighed, nearly closed her eyes before she snapped back to attention. He was entirely too smooth, she decided, though the adjective seemed odd when she was pressed tight to a body that was tough as iron.
    “Why Chicago?”
    “My roommate from college settled here after she got married. She talked me into relocating. The position with CBC made the move easy.”
    She smelled fabulous, he mused. The scent of her hair and skin made him think of spiced wine and quiet smoke. He thought of his lake, dappled in starlight, and the musical call of crickets in high grass. “Do you like to fish?”
    “Excuse me?”
    “Fish. Do you like to fish?”
    She drew back to look at his face. “I have no idea. What sort of fishing?”
    He smiled. It wasn’t just the puzzlement in her eyes that caused his lips to curve. It was the fact that she was so obviously considering his question as seriously as one on world