Private Scandals

bangs. “In the meantime, I need to see the tapes on the promos for the affiliates.”
    “You need a promotion manager.”
    “And a unit manager, and a publicity director, a permanent director and a few production assistants. Until that happy day, I’m wearing those hats, too. Have the newspapers come in yet?”
    “I passed them on to Margaret. She’s going to screen them for ideas and make clippings.”
    “Fine. Try to get me the clippings before lunch. We’re going to want something really hot for the second week in September. Bach just told me we’ll be going up against a new game show in three cities during fall premiere week.”
    “Will do—oh, and your three o’clock with Captain Queeg is rescheduled for three-thirty.”
    “Captain—oh, Ryce.” Not bothering to hide the smile, Deanna noted it down on her calendar. “I know he’s a little eccentric, Cassie.”
    “And overbearing.”
    “And overbearing,” Deanna agreed. “But he’s a good director. We’re lucky to have him for the few opening weeks.”
    “If you say so.” She started out, then hesitated and turned back. “Deanna, I didn’t know if I should mention it, then I figured it wouldn’t be right to start censoring your calls.”
    “What?”
    “Dr. Pike. He called when you were on with Mr. Bach.”
    Thoughtfully, Deanna set aside her pen. “If he calls back, put him through. I’ll take care of it.”
    “Okay. Oops.” She grinned and stepped back to avoid running into Finn. “ ’Morning, Mr. Riley.”
    “Hey, Cassie. I need a minute with the boss.”
    “She’s all yours.” Cassie closed the door behind her.
    “Finn, I’m sorry, I’m swamped.” But she wasn’t quite quick enough to avoid the kiss when he skirted the desk. She wasn’t sure she wanted to.
    “I know, I’ve only got a minute myself.”
    “What is it?” She could see the excitement in his eyes, feel it in the air sparking around him. “It’s big.”
    “I’m on my way to the airport. Iraq just invaded Kuwait.”
    “What?” Her reporter’s adrenaline made her spring up. “Oh, Jesus.”
    “Blitzkrieg style. An armored thrust, helicopter-supported. I have a couple of contacts at Green Ramp in North Carolina, a couple of guys I got to know during the fighting at Tocumen airfield in Panama a few months ago. Odds are we’ll go with diplomatic and economic pressure first, but there’s a damn good chance we’ll deploy troops. If my instincts are worth anything, it’s going to be big.”
    “There are blowups over there all the time.” Weakly she sat on the arm of her chair.
    “It’s land, Kansas. And it’s oil, and it’s honor.” He lifted her to her feet, caught her hair in his hand to draw it away from her face. He wanted—needed, he admitted—a long look at her. A good long look. “I may be gone for a while, especially if we send troops.”
    She was pale, struggling to be calm. “They think he has nuclear capabilities, don’t they? And certainly access to chemical weapons.”
    Dimples flashed recklessly. “Worried about me?”
    “I was just wondering if you were taking a gas mask as well as a camera crew.” Feeling foolish, she stepped back. “I’ll watch for your reports.”
    “Do that. I’m sorry I’ll miss your premiere.”
    “That’s okay.” She managed a smile. “I’ll send you a tape.”
    “You know.” He toyed with a strand of her hair. “Technically, I’m going off to war. The old ‘I’m shipping out, babe, and who knows what tomorrow might bring.’ ” He smiled into her dark, serious eyes. “I don’t suppose I could convince you to lock that door over there and give me a memorable send-off.”
    She was afraid he could. “I don’t fall for tired old lines. Besides, everyone knows Finn Riley always brings back the story alive.”
    “It was worth a shot.” But he slipped his arms around her waist. “At least give me something to take into the desert with me. I hear it gets pretty cold at night.”
    There was a part of her that feared. And a part that yearned. Listening to both, she wrapped her arms around his neck. “All right, Riley. Remember this.”
    For the first time, she pressed her lips to his without hesitation. There was more than the quick, familiar thrill when her mouth opened to his, more than the slow, grinding ache she’d tried so hard to deny. There was need, yes, to taste, to absorb and, curiously, to comfort.
    When the kiss deepened, she let herself forget everything else,